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Future of Europe
Interview given by Mme Catherine Colonna, Minister Delegate for European Affairs, to "France 3".
Strasbourg, January 16, 2007
Q. – As regards the relaunch of the constitutional process, Germany is publicly displaying both her great determination and great modesty. What can the Germans do and what are you expecting from this?
THE MINISTER – I believe they can and are going to try to restart the machine, on the institutional question and also on the policy side because Europe needs to quicken its pace. It must resolutely get moving again in 2007. I think the prospects are better, with a German presidency which is both pragmatic and ambitious. I'm thinking of the June meeting, expected to provide it with the opportunity to make proposals on the institutional question, on methods and maybe also some substantive proposals. Moreover, with the landmark meeting on 25 March this year – 50 years of building Europe – we can hope for the beginning of a revitalization of Europe with a political declaration which the heads of State and government are going to adopt, one which will specify both what Europe has brought us over the past 50 years and above all what our ambitions are for Europe in future years. Q. – On the German side, they're said to be trying to save the substance of the texts. Concretely, what does talking about substance mean for the French? What's the most important thing to keep?
THE MINISTER – As you know, everyone will agree on one point: Europe needs better institutions. Yes, there's an institutional problem and we've got to find a solution. So our approach today is a pragmatic one. There have to be European mechanisms, particularly for taking decisions more quickly whilst respecting their democratic legitimacy. We'll move forward pragmatically, looking for what could be the consensus of the 27 member States today. Nothing must be rejected out of hand; step by step, we'll have to look for how we can come together, with enough ambition and realism. We want new institutions, if possible before 2009, before the European elections. Q. – A final word, there is, you said, the group of countries which are giving priority to relaunching the constitutional process, and others which think that the crisis of confidence with the people of Europe is deeper, what's your view on this?
THE MINISTER – Clearly, for the past two years, ever since the referendum, the French government has been giving priority to what's called "project-based Europe", a Europe which delivers results on matters of concern to our citizens in France and Europe. This is really the priority. We won't regain people's confidence if we don't show them what Europe brings us, in our daily lives and our economic and social development. We have to say that Europe is a "plus" compared with national policies. We need Europe, it's up to us to show this, prove it. For years we've been endeavouring to do this and it's got to be more of a priority than ever. Thank you very much Catherine Colonna./.
Embassy of France in the United States - January 22, 2007
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