Let us restart from the essence of its message to build our Europe of tomorrow
The Treaty of Paris was signed seventy years ago, on 18 April 1951. This epoch-making document, by establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), laid down the key foundations for the greatest project of integration of peoples and nations in European history, making Europe one of the most peaceful, prosperous and stable regions of the world.
The 70th Anniversary of the Treaty of Paris reminds us of the original goals of European integration and the achievements the idea of a united Europe has brought to our continent over the past seven decades. “The Paris Treaty is both legacy and mandate, and as a consequence obliges us to develop further the European integration process. Therefore, we have to ask ourselves what the “coal and steel” of our time are”, says Sandro GOZI, President of UEF and MEP. “What are the problems that we have to face today united as Europeans? This should be the first question discussed with citizens at the Conference on the Future of Europe”, underlines the UEF-President, Sandro GOZI.
Today, Europeans enjoy the highest standard of living ever. However, despite all the achievements and benefits since 1951, the survival of the European project is at stake nowadays. A number of severe problems such as the current public health crisis due to the Covid-19 global pandemic as well as the subsequent difficulties that European national economies are facing, the rise of populism, Brexit, and uncontrolled migration flows have led the EU to experience the most serious crisis of legitimacy in its existence.
As the decision taken in July on the Next Generation EU showed, the EU will only be truly capable of overcoming current and future crises if it is united in solidarity and in sharing the democratic values and the rule of law on which its project is based. In the Conference on the Future of Europe, the UEF strongly calls on the EU's political representatives to find the courage that the Founding Mothers and Fathers had in 1951 and lead the EU to become more united: federal, sovereign and democratic
"The COVID pandemic has offered us an opportunity to respond to the demands of EU citizens for more solidarity, decisive action towards a Health Union, an ambitious climate policy, and a fair digital transition. The legacy of the Treaty of Paris for the present and the future of our continent is to turn this opportunity into a reality by implementing the goal set by the ECSC: a federal Europe. Let us discuss this at the Conference on the Future of Europe!" Sandro GOZI concludes.
Background information
The Treaty of Paris of 1951 founded the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), through which six states (France, Italy, West Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands) pooled the production of coal and steel, which were essential for industrial recovery and a prerequisite for possible rearmament. In this way, war between them became not only morally unthinkable, but first and foremost materially impossible. The treaty created a 'High Authority' with the power to make autonomous decisions on the steel sector. The Treaty also provided for a Parliamentary Assembly, a Council of Ministers, a Court of Justice and a Consultative Committee.
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Gender equality is a core principle of the European Union; a lot has been done to put it in practice but we are certainly not there yet. In business, politics and society as a whole, the Union must eliminate inequalities and to promote equality. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day, "Founding Mothers of Europe", commemorates all the visionary female leaders who inspired the creation of the European Union.
On this day, we want to show a new way of being European by illustrating and enhancing the role of the EU female pioneers, a diverse group of people who worked tirelessly and inspired the European project with shared ideals: a peaceful, fair, united and prosperous Europe.
Today, we commemorate figures such as Louise Weiss, the journalist who fought tenaciously for women's right to vote, the reconciliation and disarmament of Germany and France and whose ideas contributed to the construction of Europe. Simon Veil, the first president of the European Parliament (1979-1982) who developed the institution’s external relations by taking positions on major international issues, and even by engaging with third countries. Or Ursula Hirschmann, who organised the first meeting of the European Federalist Movement and "Femmes pour l'Europe'' believing that the European project needed a wider participation of women to achieve a true democracy in Europe.
Women and men are not equally represented across the European institutions and national governments. Women are most often in charge of ministries, delegations and permanent or parliamentary committees relating to social, educational, cultural, or rights-related matters, but are rare in the prestigious and regalian domains of economic affairs, foreign affairs and defense. Ursula von der Leyen, first female president of the European Commission is still an exception.
Significant strides in policies and programs cemented our dedication to improving the status of women and girls worldwide, and we must uphold our commitment to protect their rights. We need to keep addressing gender-based violence, gender stereotypes, gender gaps in the labour market, give equal participation across different sectors of the economy and achieving gender balance in decision-making using different tools like the EU Action Plan 2020-2025.
We appeal to all Member States to turn the current momentum into action, also using the opportunity of the resources of Next Generation EU to invest in reforms that make women's empowerment in our society truly possible. We can achieve sustainable development only by continuing to place gender equality and women's empowerment at the heart of our work and the EU economy. We want to encourage a new way of conceiving Europe by recounting these women’s lives and by looking for the soul and the sense of responsibility that Europe seems to have lost.
News from our sections on International Women's Day
Our newborn section of UEF Greece organised interviews with the main Greek women Politicians from different political families (Former Ministers and MEP Marietta Giannakou , Anna Diamantopoulou, Louka Katseli and Professor of Medicine Xara Spyliopoulou). It was a unique event. During the 4 hours long online event the main topics addressed were: “Mothers of Europe”, “Conference on the Future of Europe” and the role of federalists as well as other key issues for the post COVID-19 period.
More information-video : https://uef-greece.gr/category/news/
The UEF welcomes the reaching of an agreement that finally opens the opportunity to work for a new Europe together with the citizens. For the forces that believe in a federal, sovereign and democratic Europe, this is the time for commitment and mobilisation.
Welcoming with relief the long-awaited launch of the Conference on the Future of Europe, the UEF underlines the importance of the historical moment and the political challenges that the European Union is facing and recalls the need for the Conference to be a moment of confrontation to bring together citizens, leading exponents, NGOs, trade unions, and representatives of national and European institutions, to debate and decide how to go about adapting our institutions in a way that will complete the building of a federal, sovereign and democratic Europe.
"At watershed moments in history, communities, to avoid sliding into an irreversible decline, need to be able to adapt their institutions, equipping them to govern new circumstances" says Sandro Gozi, President of UEF and MEP. "This is what we need to do today in the European Union: making the Next Generation EU facility permanent and creating a federal budget, so that the EU can share fiscal sovereignty with the Member States; and acquiring new competences, also through extending the ordinary legislative procedure, in the field of health, economic policy, foreign policy and defence, to make Europe a global leader in the defence of fundamental values and the rule of law, a model for a socially sustainable ecological transition and a global player for a new multilateralism."
"This is why the Conference must be able to discuss without taboos not only which European policies need to be strengthened, but also which treaty reforms are needed to equip the EU with the necessary tools to act effectively and incisively", continues Domenec Ruiz Devesa, UEF Vice-President and MEP.
"In this regard, the reform of the European electoral system will also be fundamental, in order to uniform it, to create pan-European constituencies with transnational lists, starting the birth of a real European political space and public debate", concludes Sandro Gozi. "Now is the time for debate and action, also to overcome the limits of the Conference's governance, which the Council wanted to weaken with the principle of consensus to reach conclusions. We need a common front of all the forces that believe in a sovereign and democratic Europe, in the European Parliament, in national parliaments and governments, in civil society. It starts a process that we believe should lead to building the federal Europe we need. And the time to do it is now: now or never. Let us not waste this opportunity."
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Today the European Parliament gave the green light to the Conference on the Future of Europe. The UEF welcomes the reaching of an agreement that finally opens the opportunity to work for a new Europe together with the citizens. For the forces that believe in a federal, sovereign and democratic Europe, this is the time for commitment and mobilization.
Welcoming with relief the long-awaited launch of the Conference on the Future of Europe, the UEF underlines the importance of the historical moment and the political challenges that the European Union is facing and recalls the need for the Conference to be a moment of confrontation to bring together citizens, leading exponents, NGOs, trade unions, and representatives of national and European institutions, to debate and decide how to go about adapting our institutions in a way that will complete the building of a federal, sovereign and democratic Europe.
"At watershed moments in history, communities, to avoid sliding into an irreversible decline, need to be able to adapt their institutions, equipping them to govern new circumstances" says Sandro Gozi, President of UEF and MEP. "This is what we need to do today in the European Union: making the Next Generation EU facility permanent and creating a federal budget, so that the EU can share fiscal sovereignty with the Member States; and acquiring new competences, also through extending the ordinary legislative procedure, in the field of health, economic policy, foreign policy and defense, to make Europe a global leader in the defense of fundamental values and the rule of law, a model for a socially sustainable ecological transition and a global player for a new multilateralism".
"This is why the Conference must be able to discuss without taboos not only which European policies need to be strengthened, but also which treaty reforms are needed to equip the EU with the necessary tools to act effectively and incisively", continues Domènec Ruiz Devesa, UEF Vice-President and MEP.
"In this regard, the reform of the European electoral system will also be fundamental, in order to uniform it, to create pan-European constituencies with transnational lists, starting the birth of a real European political space and public debate", concludes Sandro Gozi. "Now is the time for debate and action, also to overcome the limits of the Conference's governance, which the Council wanted to weaken with the principle of consensus to reach conclusions. We need a common front of all the forces that believe in a sovereign and democratic Europe, in the European Parliament, in national parliaments and governments, in civil society. It starts a process that we believe should lead to building the federal Europe we need. And the time to do it is now: now or never. Let us not waste this opportunity".
"I express my deep concern about the recent developments on the Conference on the Future of Europe, following the recently published revised Council position, which is object of discussions in the negotiations between the EU institutions in these hours”.
“While I very much believe that the Conference should start immediately, at the same time the Council document contains serious shortcomings in terms of governance, mandate, and contents. The envisaged methods for direct participation from citizens appear insufficient, and it is inappropriate, at the very least, excluding from the discussion possible suggestions for Treaty change. The outcome of the Conference should be reflected in a report to be discussed by all EU Institutions on an equal and balanced manner and not by the European Council only."
“The Conference on the Future of Europe shall be about citizens and their voices in Europe, but inadequate involvement of citizens in the process, offering them the chance to provide input or evaluate output in a meaningful manner, would seriously risk jeopardising the whole aim of the Conference."
“Important issues also emerge on the leadership of the Conference. In this respect, it is imperative that the European Parliament, being the only institution enjoying direct expression from the citizens, occupies a central role. I believe that all political groups shall be represented adequately in the body that decides on fundamental details on the way the Conference is organised and how citizens will actually be involved."
The Board of the Spinelli Group is gathering on Wednesday 10 February to discuss its official position on the matter and will submit its considerations on the Joint Declaration and the Conference on the Future of Europe to the institutions’ negotiators and the press.
"I express my deep concern about the recent developments on the Conference on the Future of Europe, following the recently published revised Council position, which is object of discussions in the negotiations between the EU institutions in these hours”.
“While I very much believe that the Conference should start immediately, at the same time the Council document contains serious shortcomings in terms of governance, mandate, and contents. The envisaged methods for direct participation from citizens appear insufficient, and it is inappropriate, at the very least, excluding from the discussion possible suggestions for Treaty change. The outcome of the Conference should be reflected in a report to be discussed by all EU Institutions on an equal and balanced manner and not by the European Council only."
“The Conference on the Future of Europe shall be about citizens and their voices in Europe, but inadequate involvement of citizens in the process, offering them the chance to provide input or evaluate output in a meaningful manner, would seriously risk jeopardising the whole aim of the Conference."
“Important issues also emerge on the leadership of the Conference. In this respect, it is imperative that the European Parliament, being the only institution enjoying direct expression from the citizens, occupies a central role. I believe that all political groups shall be represented adequately in the body that decides on fundamental details on the way the Conference is organised and how citizens will actually be involved."
The Board of the Spinelli Group is gathering on Wednesday 10 February to discuss its official position on the matter and will submit its considerations on the Joint Declaration and the Conference on the Future of Europe to the institutions’ negotiators and the press.
“The Conference was not meant to be a general debate on topics that we already discuss every day, but to design a real and courageous future for our Europe and for us European citizens!”, states UEF President Sandro GOZI.
In a meeting of the EU ambassadors, the Member States adopted their revised position on the Conference on the Future of Europe on 3 February. The document was proposed by the Portuguese Presidency.
"It seems that the Council does not understand: the Conference on the Future of Europe, as envisaged by the European Parliament is more necessary than ever. The methods for direct citizen participation are disappointing", assesses GOZI. "Where have the citizens’ agoras that the Parliament proposed gone?" asks GOZI. "There also seems to be a 'Chinese wall' between the Conference and Article 48 on treaty revision".
The Council document includes a tripartite presidency of the Conference, consisting of the President of the European Parliament, the President of the European Commission and the President of the Council. However, the day-to-day business would be in the hands of an executive committee in which the three institutions would also be equally represented and take decisions by consensus.
"Clearly, the Council is making a mistake by not being bold enough on the governance, functioning of the Conference and new methods of citizens participation. This is not what we federalists were looking for", says GOZI. "Unfortunately, this seems to be the only possible way out after the Council refused to agree to the solution proposed by the European Parliament", regrets GOZI. "Two are the most important things now: to make sure that it’s the Parliament's representative in the executive committee who leads the work of the Conference and, more specifically, that of the Plenary. But above all, we need to keep advocating for the outcome of the Conference to be totally open in terms of possible new policies and Treaty revisions", concludes GOZI.
Sandro Gozi, UEF President, before today's European Parliament's Plenary Session, welcomed the European Commission's President, Ursula von der Leyen's confirmation and commitment to a more vigorous implementation and enforcement of Rule of Law Regulation in the EU from January 2021.
"I don't know whether there is a vaccine or antidote for populism and nationalism, but I am convinced that democracy and the Rule of Law are as vital as the air we breathe—and there is a democratic emergency within our Union. In situations of emergency, measures are needed. Therefore, we call for immediate implementation of the regulation on the Rule of Law", UEF President Sandro Gozi says. "This is an unprecedented step forward and, as federalists, one of our main goals to be achieved. The EU member states must implement the Treaties, the European law, and that the EU institutions have to ensure that EU Member states fulfil their obligations without postponements, without suspensions, without further intentions or guidelines".
"By defending the Treaty obligations before the Council, we are not only defending the Rule of Law within the Union and the Rule of Law of the Union, but we are also protecting the freedoms of 447 million European citizens," remarked Sandro Gozi, in his speech, addressing the President of the European Commission.
"We must put an end to the unanimous decisions and the threats of veto. This is only one more reason to start the Conference on the future of Europe as soon as possible," UEF President Sandro Gozi concluded earlier today.
On November 16, 2020, the governments of Poland and Hungary vetoed the adoption of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021 - 2027 draft, and the proposed Decision on Own Resources, after verifying the existence of a sufficient majority in the Council to approve the Regulation on the conditionality of the Rule of Law in the framework of access to European funding.
“It is absolutely unacceptable to put the Union’s long-term budget and the Recovery Plan at risk by two EU governments that do not believe in European principles. Any move that aims at preventing the existence of a conditionality on the Rule of Law linked to the access to structural funds should not be rewarded. The protection of the Union’s fundamental values cannot be traded!”
Ahead of the European Council on December 10 and 11, the Union of European Federalists (UEF) calls on the Hungarian and Polish governments to withdraw their veto. It is imperative to launch a global package of 1.8 billion euros, of which Poland and Hungary will also be great beneficiaries, provided that their governments respect the fundamental values of the Union.
Otherwise, UEF urges the Council to launch the Recovery Plan, by adopting by a Qualified Majority Vote the “Next Generation EU” Regulation, regarding the issuance of debt worth 750,000 million euros. This proposal is based on article 122 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), and with the support, if needed, of complementary national guarantees.
The other related regulations set to channel the Recovery fund, particularly the Regulation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, as well as the budget corresponding to the year 2021, could also be adopted by QMV in Council. This could be done without prejudice to the extension of the current MFF, and in full respect of article 310.4 of the TFEU.
Alternatively, UEF proposes that the European Council and European Commission consider the launch of an enhanced cooperation under article 326 TFEU, given that full involvement of the European Parliament can be guaranteed.
“This situation is but the umpteenth example of the practical and democratic difficulties posed by the unanimity mechanism when making fundamental decisions about the multi- year budget and its revenues, fiscal harmonization, and foreign policy, among other critical policy areas, within the Council. It is essential to address, in a federal fashion, the reform of the Lisbon Treaty in the framework of the future Conference on the Future of Europe”, UEF President Sandro Gozi concludes.
THE RULE OF LAW IS NON-NEGOTIABLE AND TREATY CHANGE IS NEEDED TO DO AWAY WITH UNANIMITY RULES IN THE EU
The Spinelli Group, the network of the federalist and pro-reform members of the European Parliament, and the Union of the European Federalist (UEF), reacting to the joint statement of 26th November 2020 by Prime Ministers of Poland and Hungary, Mateusz Morawiecki and Viktor Orbán, have decided to issue a joint statement on the new EU Rule of Law mechanism and the MFF/Next Generation EU package deal.
“We stand firmly behind the deal agreed by the co-legislators, the European Parliament and the Council, on 10 November 2020. Parliament and Council are the budgetary authorities of the EU, not the European Council” declared Brando Benifei, President of the Spinelli Group and Sandro Gozi, UEF President.
“We condemn the behaviour of the Polish and Hungarian governments which are threatening to veto the Multiannual Financial Framework and block the launch of the Recovery Plan for Europe in the midst of the worse health and economic crisis in the EU’s history. COVID-19 has caused more than 300 thousand deaths in the EU and a GDP contraction of approximately 8 percentage points with enormous job losses, business closures and a dramatic worsening of social conditions across the EU”, they continue.
“We recall that the Rule of Law is a non-negotiable, fundamental value of the EU. We reject the interpretation by the Prime Ministers of Poland and Hungary that the proposed mechanism on the Rule of Law would circumvent the Treaties. It not only an absurd contradiction in terms, but also a legally inconsistent argument."
“We also wish to propose a two-track process to overcome the deadlock: first, to immediately approve the MFF, the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the Rule of Law Mechanism, and second, to immediately start the Conference on the Future of Europe. This would allow us to prepare proposals on how to end unanimity rules on the EU’s budget decisions."
“Lastly, we also call to take the appropriate procedures to negotiate the necessary modifications to the Treaties. This should be initiated with the launch of a Convention following the outcome of the Conference."