Departing EU-President Jean-Claude Juncker: "I Was Ashamed"
Many of the politicians in the older member states of the European Union probably don't know how much of a dream the EU really is for millions in its area of influence. They attacked each other over the future budget, as if there was nothing else to worry about. But no one can say, after the failed two-day-summit meeting, that all is lost.
Jean-Claude Juncker, the prime minister of Luxembourg, who is now departing from the six-month rotating EU presidency, reminded everyone of the fact, that some of the poor new member states tried to save the day: They wanted to make an agreement possible at the last minute, by giving up payments that they had already been promised. "Frankly ... when I heard that, I was ashamed", Juncker told the media. - But the damage is done. Europe is now suffering from the worst crisis in over half a century. And there is, unfortunately, no end in sight.
To tell the truth however, there have been plenty of setbacks in the past - and Europe has survived. More than 50 years ago, in 1954, there were attempts to create a mutual European defense against the growing military threat from the Soviet Union in the East. The French National Assembly, however, rejected such a move. In 1965, Charles de Gaulle did not permit his country to participate in the governing body, because he did not like the voting procedures at the time. In 1992, voters in Denmark decided against the creation of a European community with a single currency. And Britain, in 1996, was upset because of the ban on beef from England, after the outbreak of the mad cow disease there. Now, money is the most important issue in this latest crisis. But the problems are not life-threatening. Existing treaties between its members still make EU business possible, even in the face of the rejection of its new constitution. The continent is not going to drift apart.
But the trouble is still serious. France and others want to keep a "social model", giving citizens some kind of economic protection. They do not like what they now call an "Anglo-Saxon model". Tony Blair, the British prime minister, demands that France agrees to some kind of a reduction of the 10 billion Euro in farm subsidies. Next week, he will further explain his priorities in front of the European Parliament.
Another problem, of course, has not been solved, although, on Friday night, a joint communique was issued, that the European constitution, although rejected by the French and Dutch voters, could still become law. How is this supposed to work? All 25 member countries, after all, are required to ratify such a constitution. Are some parts going to be salvaged, that are not objectible to voters? Or is there a "Plan B" in the works, with a revision of the current text? This is not the case, insisted Jean-Claude Juncker yesterday. But, he suggested a "Plan D" - for "dialogue and debate".
Amazing. On Monday, President Bush will meet Mr. Juncker as well as José Manuel Barroso, the head of the EU's administrative arm and Javier Solano, the foreign-policy chief, at the White House in Washington. Bush is expected to emphasize the need for a strong Europe. His administration has already begun working with Britain, France and Germany on an EU sponsored conference about Iran. And the United States as well as Europe are working on projects to help Iraq's further development.
No question - President Bush continues to see Europe as a partner - and preferably a strong one - in the efforts to solve some of the most urgent problems the world is facing today. After all, in a time of continuing globalization, this world will not show much sympathy for a destructive and unnecessary battle between European member countries. Not only the United States, as Bush suggested in the past, but Europe needs to be an excellent place to do business, too.
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