50-years together

Behind the representatives were two 17th century frescos all too clearly showing ancient Rome’s bloody history.  Quite an interesting backdrop for the Treaty of Rome, as one of its aims was to keep peace.  So fifty years ago a European Economic Community, soon to be known as the common market, was launched.   

Informal Berlin summit
Now 50 years down the road the original 6-member group has been metamorphosed into a 27-member inclusive group called the European Union. Next weekend the EU leaders will gather in Berlin, since Germany has the rotating EU presidency at the moment to mark the 50th birthday of this historic step towards European integration. 

Angela Merkel will undoubtedly do what she can to re-launch the “European project” in the aftermath of the rejection of the draft EU constitution in 2005.  Many have said that EU is in deep crisis, nonetheless, the EU has in the past two years agreed on a 7-year budget and laid down an ambitious energy policy.  Or as the EU lists in connection with its 50 year birthday on its anniversary website, there are a number of achievements that are worth celebrating:

1. Fewer borders, today you can travel across large parts of Europe without carrying a passport or being stopped at borders.  EU citizens can live, work, study and retire in another EU country. 
2. A greener Europe, efforts have been taken to preserve the environment
3. Going abroad to learn, 2 million young people have already taken advantage of EU programmes to study in another European country
4. Euro, € currency is shared by 13 countries and represents nearly 2/3 of the EU population.  The following countries use the euro: Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Finland and Slovenia.
5. Jobs and prosperity, 1/3 of EU’s budget is used to stimulate economy and create jobs in disadvantaged regions
6. Equal opportunities, EU law bans discrimination
7. Freedom, security and justice for all, EU works together to tackle international terrorism and to prevent the cross-border trafficking of drugs and people
8. Exporting peace and stability, EU peacekeepers are replacing NATO forces, for instance in the Balkans
9. A place in the Union, 50 years ago there were 6 members, today there are 27.  Ten countries entered EU in 2004, and Bulgaria and Romania became members in 2007.  Today 459 million people live in EU.  Only the European countries: Iceland, Switzerland and Norway that would automatically be eligible for membership, have chosen to stand outside the European Union.

Euroscepticism
One of the initial justifications of the EU was that it brought reconciliation and an end to war.  But EU has to prove itself to new generations, as they take peace and prosperity for granted.  Why the many Eurosceptics, some might ask.  Some of the main reasons for Euroscepticism are:

1. No dream or vision that strikes a chord with European citizens today
2. Poor performance of the European economies in recent years.  Economic dynamism was one of the main reasons for many members to join in the 1970’s, but today a country such as France combats persistent high unemployment.
3. General wariness of the EU bureaucracy, lack of democracy and lack of accountability.
4. Mistrust of plans for further enlargement, particularly Turkey’s possible future membership.
5. Fluffy rhetoric, lofty talk of peace and human rights and nonsense such as the following statement in “Key facts and figures about Europe and the Europeans” (Pdf): “The EU regards ethnic and cultural diversity as a great asset, and it promotes tolerance, respect and mutual understanding — values that Europe’s long history has taught us.” (Have they forgotten about Europe's revolutions and World Wars?)

Last minute godsends

These are some of the main issues that nurture the widespread Eurosceptiscism. 

But perhaps there have been a couple of godsends in the last years.  Energy and climate changes are issues with strong public support that can summon broad wishes of implementation at EU level.  Other high priority areas for citizens are energy (69%), fighting crime (67%) and security (64%), while the idea of a EU army doesn’t have the same support (Financial Times poll from March 2007). Energy and climate changes just might prove to be godsends, just like convincing leaders that can champion the Union.  Leaders of Angela Merkel’s calibre can boost the 50-year-old - and help withstand the populist nationalism that is spreading like a tornado across Europe.