“Without sufficient coordination, Europe, in its current form, will not survive the 21st century”

Former Belgian Prime Minister, MEP of the Renew group, Guy Verhofstadt is one of the three co-chairs of the Conference on the Future of Europe, which will start its work on Friday, September 17, in Strasbourg. Guest of the “Internationales” program of TV5 Monde and World, Saturday September 11, he detailed his objectives.

What will be the aim of the Conference on the Future of Europe?

For the first time, Parliament, the Commission and the European Council want to jointly develop a new vision for the future of the Union. By associating national parliaments but also citizens. Some 2.5 million of them have already consulted the platform created for this democratic exercise and 25,000 have already opened an account to deliver their suggestions. During citizens’ conventions, 200 people will debate among themselves and formulate recommendations to which 400 members of national institutions and parliaments will have to respond in January. [2022], then develop concrete reform projects.

How soon ?

I want to go fast and present results by the end of March 2022 at the latest. An auspicious moment: under the French presidency of the Union, on the eve of the presidential election, with a new German government.

What are your own priorities?

Note first that a first summary of the opinions presented by citizens will be published in a few days. Among my personal priorities is the rule of unanimity [qui concerne un grand nombre de décisions du Conseil européen], which paralyzes our foreign policy in particular. Then, the question of European leadership, recently illustrated by the episode of “sofagate”. The theme of recovery also, illustrated, positively this one, by the creation of the Next Generation EU fund. The digital problem, with the obligation to define a European model and common standards which do not exist for the moment. The Covid crisis has, moreover, indicated the need for a Health Union.

Will the recent debacle in Afghanistan really revive the discussion on another topic, common defense?

Yes. And I have been talking about it for at least twenty years … One of the big questions raised by the Iraq war, in particular, was whether Europe would acquire the means to do what it wants on the plan. military. On this subject, too, it is good that France is in action today, with a president endowed with a very clear vision. In 1955, it was Paris which refused to create a common defense. Imagine what the world would be like today if this project had seen the light of day …

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