“We are committed to welcoming the Western Balkans within the EU, but they are not really ready to join. Look at what is happening during election time. Look also at some specific policies regarding the relationship with some third countries, Russia, China or Turkey. The EU does not need more divisions on that matter! And the candidate countries should be in line with the EU views,” says Jean-Dominique Giuliani, President of the Robert Schuman Foundation
By Genc Mlloja
“I want to state that Europe is not “in danger”. It has achieved an immense success and this should be laid out more honestly. We are still the strongest economic power in the world and we live in a continent that is prosperous and a place of security thanks to the European Union,” has said Jean-Dominique Giuliani, President of the Robert Schuman Foundation, a reference research centre on the European Union and its policies.
Mr. Giuliani made that comment in an exclusive interview with Albanian Daily News on May 23 this year timing with the start of the elections of the new members of the European Parliament, which closed on May 26.
Asked about the expected participation in the European elections, Mr. Giuliani’s comment was that traditionally and unfortunately it has been lower than at the national level – the role of the European institutions and also their influence on citizens’ lives remains poorly known. “However, a Eurobarometer study from December 2018, showed that, despite of the disinterest in European politics, 68% of Europeans think that their country benefits from their membership of the EU,” he said.
In the meantime Mr. Giuliani, who was Director of the Cabinet of President of the French Senate, Mr Rene Monory (1992-1998),considered the initiative of the French President Macron for a European renaissance as the first and foremost good news for Europe as it brought the debate to a European level and it opened up the discussion for new ideas for Europe. “Some of his proposals are applicable within the European treaties, others not so much, but even opening up the revision of the treaties should be on the table right now and we should be courageous enough to confront this topic.”
Dwelling on Brexit he was of the opinion that there are many uncertainties right now and there is even the possibility that Brexit might not happen after all. “Now it all depends on the British side and whether they can agree on the deal that has been negotiated with the European Union.” According to him, Europeans have learned from recent history, especially that of Brexit, but in his view other exits are off the table for now.
Mr. Giuliani said EU does not actually have a common migration or asylum policy because the member states hold most of the competencies in this matter. “Therefore, it would be crucial to find a common stance on migration issues so that we don’t have to act in crisis mode again,” he said.
With regard to the enlargement project of the Western Balkans countries, he was sharp: “We are committed to welcoming the Western Balkans within the EU, but they are not really ready to join. Look at what is happening during election time. Look also at some specific policies regarding the relationship with some third countries, Russia, China or Turkey. The EU does not need more divisions on that matter! And the candidate countries should be in line with the EU views.”
In the meantime the President of the Schumann Foundation said he had been shocked by the declaration of Kosovo’s Prime minister who has stated that he prefers to work with the US rather than with the EU. “This kind of speech does not help the Kosovo expectations!
Asked on the chances of Albania to get the okay for the opening of the EU accession negotiations by the end of this June, the President had the following answer: “Is Albania really ready? Some progress has to be made both in the economic and political field. But once more, the accession prospect has been confirmed. Do not have any doubt here.” Full interview follows:
– Mr. Giuliani, the “Schuman Report on the State of the Union” has recently been published by the Robert Schuman Foundation whose President you are. Please could you share with the readers of Albanian Daily News some of its main highlights?
-Right now, the mantra that we hear quite often is that Europe should “protect”. Rather than rallying for a Europe that protects, I prefer to stand for a Europe that projects itself into the future. It needs to be fit for the challenges it brings. I am happy that this vision is also evident in the Schuman Report 2019. Especially articles like the one by Mathilde Lemoine on the Euro as an instrument of European sovereignty contains a lot of elements on how the European Union can use its currency in a world to position itself as a strong player on the international scene, which will help the continent to gain its strategic independence – essential for its future success. Pierre Vimont has also contributed a highly relevant article discussing the future of Europe between China and the USA. The balance of economic power is about to change and we need to find a way to remain one of the top three actors in economic term. A third article that I’d like mention is the one on Africa written by Abdelmalek Alaoui. Africa is a thriving continent with a lot of young people, which we as Europeans should understand as partners which will be particularly fruitful for the future of both continents.
The Schuman Report 2019 is therefore not only a “state of the Union” but also an indication for the future of the Union.
– The European elections will be held from 23rd to 26th May this year. First of all, Sir, which are your expectations with regard to eligible voters’ participation in the vote in face of rising euroscepticism, and secondly, which group of voters will be more eager to cast their votes?
-Traditionally, the participation at European elections is unfortunately lower than at the national level – the role of the European institutions and also their influence on citizens’ lives remains poorly known. However, a Eurobarometer study from December 2018, showed that, despite of the disinterest in European politics, 68% of Europeans think that their country benefits from their membership of the EU. Furthermore, quite a lot of initiatives inciting people to vote have emerged such as “This Time I’m Voting” by the European Parliament and other European actors. These two factors combined could help bring voter participation up. Whether that actually translates into higher voter participation on the 26th of May, however, remains open.
Regarding the second part of your question, there is one important point that I’d like to mention: As I said, people are largely in favour of the European integration, but many people also think that the European Union is a given fact and not something that we still have to defend and stand up for. ProEuropeans, therefore, quite often stay at home for the elections and those who are Eurosceptic are more eager to vote. Peace however, which was made possible on the European continent through European integration, should never be taken for granted.
-As a follow up, now the main question in the air are the results of the vote amidst anticipations of a rise in populist or nationalist extremes. Which are, please, your expectations of the result in this crucial event for the future of the Union and Europe in general?
-This is indeed a topic of concern because this is a contestation of representative democracy, which is dangerous for every democracy but for the European Union in particular because it is not a state. Right now, 25% of the seats in the European Parliament are occupied by members of populist parties. Their representation in the Parliament can go up to 35% which would, however, not be enough to form a blocking minority. Nevertheless, their stronger presence might lead to the fact that their politics will have an influence on traditional party politics.
– In a recent appeal in March this year the French President, Emmanuel Macron has called for a more united EU, laying out a series of proposals for a “European renaissance”, raising also the alarm that Europe has never been so much in danger. First, what is threatening Europe, and secondly, how are, in your view, Mr. Macron’s proposals for a “European renaissance” applicable?
-I want to state that Europe is not “in danger”. It has achieved an immense success and this should be laid out more honestly. We are still the strongest economic power in the world and we live in a continent that is prosperous and a place of security thanks to the European Union. There are, however, certain challenges that Europe has to face in a new world where China, for instance, thrives to become the major economic power in the world by 2049, where the United States has elected a President with Donald Trump that is protectionist and much less a partner for Europe than previous Presidents where. There are internal challenges as, such as Brexit for which answers have to be found.
The initiative that Mr. Macron has taken by addressing the European citizens with his appeal for a European renaissance was first and foremost good news for Europe as it brought the debate to a European level and it opened up the discussion for new ideas for Europe which we need to move forward. Some of his proposals are applicable within the European treaties, others not so much, but even opening up the revision of the treaties should be on the table right now and we should be courageous enough to confront this topic.
– In the meantime, which is the reaction of the other EU members countries on Mr. Macron’s proposals? Is there a common stance on support of his proposals and how do you consider the declared worries of some member countries according to which compromise is no longer sought in the Union?
-Reactions to Mr. Macron’s proposals in other European countries have been mixed. In Germany, not Angela Merkel, but her successor as leader of the CDU, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, replied to Mr. Macron’s proposals. In general, the response was rather positive, but Mr. Macron’s enthusiasm for change was not met at the same level. Right now, Berlin does not position itself as very reformatory which was also visible in Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer’s response. Especially in defence related issues, Mr. Macron showed much more ambition in his appeal than the German side did. Naturally, the British were divided within themselves – Macron’s clearly pessimistic stance on their planned departure was met with a lot of criticism from pro-Brexiters and a lot of support from Remainers.
More generally and to respond to the last part of your question, it is essential to mention that preelection times are never moments of compromise. This phase comes after the elections when new legislatives groups and coalitions will form.
– Brexit continues to represent a serious challenge to EU and its future. According to your opinion Mr. Giuliani, which is the scenario of ‘after – Brexit’, and do you fear that there might be other ‘exists’ in the future?
-Brexit has already been postponed twice and it is not clear whether it is really going to take place on 31st October when the next Brexit date is set. There are many uncertainties right now and there is even the possibility that Brexit might not happen after all. Now it all depends on the British side and whether they can agree on the deal that has been negotiated with the European Union. Europeans have learned from recent history, especially that of Brexit. Even though they might not always agree on the way that the EU manages certain things, they don’t want to lose which has already been gained through European integration.
The polls indicate that a considerable part of Europeans wants more European integration and that they are very attached to the European Union – more than a few years ago. Other exits are therefore off the table for now.
– Mr. President, what can you say on the EU migration policy as some countries are not at the same wavelength with the common asylum policy of the Union? Can this add to other disagreements which can become a real threat to the future of the Union with the passing of time?
-The European Union does not actually have a common migration or asylum policy because the member states hold most of the competencies in this matter. This was particularly evident in 2015 when the so-called “migration crisis” erupted. However, the numbers of asylum seekers attaining European soil are down right now – the political emergency is over. This might change quite rapidly, however, as soon as other humanitarian crises push people to come to Europe.
Europe should project itself into the future in order be prepared for future challenges. Therefore, it would be crucial to find a common stance on migration issues so that we don’t have to act in crisis mode again. The topic of migration needs to be addressed on the European level which would facilitate its management immensely.
– On May 1, 2019 the 15th anniversary of the largest ever accession in EU was marked by ten countries, mainly of Southern and Central Europe, which joined the Union. Do you think that it is high time for Brussels to think more seriously on the enlargement project of the Western Balkans countries against the backdrop of a world that is changing at a high speed?
-We are committed to welcoming the Western Balkans within the EU, but they are not really ready to join. Look at what is happening during election time. Look also at some specific policies regarding the relationship with some third countries, Russia, China or Turkey. The EU does not need more divisions on that matter! And the candidate countries should be in line with the EU views.
I have been shocked by the declaration of Kosovo’s Prime minister who has stated that he prefers to work with the US rather than with the EU. This kind of speech does not help the Kosovo expectations!
– In conclusion, Mr. President, permit me ‘to get close to my home country’ and in this frame I would kindly ask for your opinion on the chances of Albania to get the okay for the opening of the EU accession negotiations by the end of this June?
– Is Albania really ready? Some progress has to be made both in the economic and political field. But once more, accession prospect has been confirmed. Do not have any doubt here.
© Argumentum
