in focus

Aontaithe san éagsúlacht United in diversity Aontaithe san éagsúlacht

EUROPe Themes In Focus: Europe can only exist if there is a spirit of partnership. But its principal partners are still struggling to find sustainable European answers to key issues. INTERVIEW: Angela Filote, Head of the EU Commission Representation in Romania overview: Examples of GIZ’s work figures: Europe – destination for migrants, springboard for energy reforms in focus

Unfinished agenda

Europe is both the world’s biggest peace project and a work in progress. As the conflicts in Ukraine, Iraq, Syria and Mali demonstrate, Europe’s member states must work together if they are to survive in a globalised world. This is the very reason why the idea of European unity needs to be revamped.

Text Dietrich Alexander

urt Tucholsky, one of the leading political But General von Clausewitz would no doubt have been commentators of the Weimar Republic, took astounded by the Europe we know today and cherished the Old Continent to task when he wrote the progress achieved. that in Europe only crime and capitalism are In this free, united and prosperous Europe each indi- Korganised between states. vidual citizen has too much to lose. Europe is only latent- The outlook is not quite that bad in 2014. There is ly susceptible to criminal ideologies. It has risen from the hope, even a sense of well-founded optimism. ‘In Europe rubble and bitterness left in the aftermath of the two most there is room for a dream,’ said the newly elected Presi- devastating wars in the history of mankind. Europe today dent of the EU Commission Jean-Claude Juncker to the is no longer a battlefield. Instead, it is an uncut diamond, cheers of the . ‘In Europe we can an object of envy. Particularly to people living in parts of 15) age only win together, and we all lose together if we lose,’ he the world where hatred, resentment and violence have not D 61 (P continued. yet given way to partnership, shared prosperity and free- N Without question, Europe is bureaucratic and un- dom as is the case in many states of South America, the wieldy, and lacks a clear structure. To some extent it is un- Arab-Islamic world and large regions of Asia. IMAGES/WESTE democratic – yet it is still a success story. This year, the What Europe represents today and how it is seen in- Y ‘Free World’ celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Nor- ternationally is largely the achievement of the European D 23), GETT

mandy landings involving over 150,000 allied troops with Union – this confederation of states with 28 member N

a mixture of commemoration, grief, admonition and joy. countries and around half a billion inhabitants. The sin- 12 A

Joy at the fact that 70 years after that brutal loss of human gle market formed by the EU member states is the larg- ages life on France’s Atlantic Coast, two countries that were est common market in the world measured in GDP. once at war are now friends and allies again. Freedom of movement for people and workers, the com- y RM (P ibrar

And they have been able to build a free, peaceful mon currency and the Schengen Agreement are all pio- L hoto

and common Europe in friendship. Almost seven dec- neering achievements, representing both an opportunity P ce ades without war – when have we ever seen that in Eu- and a challenge. And they signify one thing above all: re- n cie

rope? ‘There has seldom been peace throughout Europe,’ sponsibility. /S

wrote Carl Philipp Gottlieb von Clausewitz, the Prus- The ‘common European home’ – as Mikhail Gor- mages y I

sian general, military theorist and writer, ‘and war is bachev, former President of the Soviet Union, first re- ett never fully extinguished in other parts of the world.’ ferred to the European project in a speech given in Prague

True enough, other parts of the world are always at war. in 1987 – is incomplete and a work in progress. But it » G PHOTOS:

14 akzente 03–04/14 NEW FINANCE ARCHITECTURE

Many EU states are struggling to reform their budgets. The pressures they face are due to some degree to the banking and financial crisis. Europe is working on an improved financial architecture, so that any similar future developments can be re­cognised and averted at an earlier stage. In this regard, the EU’s most visible symbol is the new European Central Bank building in Frankfurt am Main. This will also become the seat of the European banking regulator. dumping, sayothers. say; agatewayforwage A majorachievement,some services inothercountries. have therighttooffertheir All entrepreneursinEurope ACROSS BORDERS players isenormous. petition withotherglobal The pressureofcom­ subject toanyrestrictions. Trade intheEUisnot WELL CO NN ECTED

PHOTOS: Getty Images/sascha deforth (Page 16 TOP), Getty Images/BERNHARD Lang (Page 16 BOTTOM) in focus

is alive, and work continues despite the lengthy agenda. Because of the rigid austerity measures facing some coun- Where military policy and power politics are concerned, tries of southern Europe, particularly Spain, and for example, the role Europe plays at an international lev- Portugal, funds are limited. So too is the likelihood that el is not commensurate with its economic power. Air and these countries will retain their young people and be able rail transport are still insufficiently harmonised. Agricul- to train them to meet the requirements of modern mar- tural subsidies, asylum policy and over-regulation are just kets. As insufficient funds are being invested in education some of the permanent irritants for EU citizens. And the and training, these EU states will lose not only their youth pursuit of national interests continues to hinder common to emigration but in the medium term also prospects for policy in areas such as energy, climate protection and mil- the future. They are becoming more and more distanced itary technology. from the rest of Europe, which is marching onwards, and Much remains to be done if we want to prepare Eu- are falling further and further behind in terms of educa- rope for global competition. ‘United in diversity,’ is one of tional policy while losing out in the global competition for the guiding principles of the European project. How the best minds. The result is a multi-speed Europe and a much diversity is necessary and useful for creating a Euro- divided continent, something that Europe cannot and pean identity while preserving regional and national iden- should not even remotely consider. tities? Do we have to be more than just German, French, Spanish or British EU citizens? In other words, European Concern about nationalist tendencies first, and German, Austrian, Italian or Polish second? Al- though the single market is already working well econom- As we saw in the European elections in May 2014, nation- ically and for the benefit of all, the same has yet to be alist tendencies, xenophobia and political disillusionment achieved in political – and therefore social – terms. Eu- are still gaining pace, not only in the United Kingdom and rope does not create a sense of identity, at least not yet. Its France, but also in Belgium, Denmark, Austria and Ger- citizens still cling to their national flags and anthems. Not many. In her personal assessment after six years in the post that there is anything inherently wrong with that, but it of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nav- prevents us as Europeans from building a shared destiny, anethem ‘Navi’ Pillay, who stepped down from the role in one in which we either move closer together or lose out to August 2014, warned of increasing hatred of foreigners. competition from emerging Asian markets. It is with good Even in stable democracies, the political rhetoric of ex- reason that Jean-Claude Juncker warns: ‘Europe needs a tremists threatens to weaken the fight against discrimina- broad-based agenda for reform. We have fallen behind be- tion, said the South African, drawing attention to the suc- 16 BOTTOM) cause we have stood still.’ cesses of right-wing parties in the European elections. One age (P g seat in the new European Parliament will now be occupied n a Tackling youth unemployment by a German politician who has declared that Europe must HARD L

N remain ‘a continent of white people’. Pillay’s reference is to

/BER More than 5.3 million young people are currently unem- a comment made by Udo Voigt, the former leader of the ployed in Europe – an alarming rate of 22.8%. In coun- extreme right-wing NPD, who now represents his party as mages y I tries such as Greece and Spain over 50% of citizens under a member of the European Parliament in Strasbourg and ett the age of 25 are looking for work. It would be negligent Brussels. Statements such as these are disgraceful – particu- and reckless not to rally behind combatting this serious larly coming from the mouths of German politicians just 16 TOP), G 16 TOP),

age and glaring anomaly within Europe. Although various 70 years after the holocaust. The great cosmopolitan Euro- (P programmes have been put in place, they are usually na- pean and former Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel

deforth tional initiatives. They are not coordinated with European Schwarzenberg expressed this by stating that historical ex-

partners, nor do they complement each other in any perience cannot be handed down to the next generation sascha / meaningful way. At the same time, richer EU countries but prejudice can.

mages have launched training support programmes – to help After two world wars, Europe has finally accepted y I

ett populations in economically faltering member states on once and for all that armed conflict is an absurd means of the one hand and to recruit skilled labour for their own settling differences. Social conflict within individual popu-

PHOTOS: G PHOTOS: markets on the other. lation groups and between different state groups – such »

akzente 03–04/14 17 MOBILE EUROPE

From students to workers – Europe’s citizens are on the move. The shortage of skilled labour also means that inward migration is essential.

as between the wealthy countries of northern Europe and While Europe still has much to do inside its own bor- their poorer southern neighbours – still represents serious ders, it must also pay attention to what is going on out- challenges, however. Standards and legislation need to be side them. The crisis in Ukraine has shown how quickly constantly harmonised if we want to strengthen cohesion the union itself can get into difficulty when there is un- within the union. But Brussels also needs to create greater rest in its own backyard. The solution is clearly not that credibility and make the ‘European idea’ more tangible to the EU should open its doors to half the world. But a citizens. Put simply, it needs to be made more relevant to worthwhile objective is to guide neighbours who have al- the people in the streets of Europe. ‘Those sitting in Brus- ways had close ties to Europe, whether as EU accession sels’ should not simply drift around in some administrative candidates or partners, towards European standards. spacecraft called Europe. They need to shape Europe, to This is particularly true of Turkey, one of the key strate- maintain and perpetuate the vision, fill it with life. This gic countries on Europe’s borders and already a major calls for a large degree of transparency and a broad legiti- partner in NATO. Whether such support ultimately cul- mising basis – particularly with regard to decisions that di- minates in EU membership or not, it helps to export Eu- rectly concern European citizens. In a globally networked rope’s shared canon of values beyond its borders. And world, from a logical perspective, few decisions can be tak- this will create greater security in the European sphere en at the national level, whether these relate to climate pro- too, from Georgia to Gibraltar. tection, regulation of the internet, copyright law or privacy protection. There are really only two areas in which the Eu- Promoting and securing peace ropean Union does not interfere in the politics of its mem- ber states: these are social security systems and culture and With the exception of the Spanish enclaves, Europe has no education policy. Where all other topics are concerned, it common border with Africa. But the terrible images of could be said that Brussels and Strasbourg have a presence overcrowded, unseaworthy boats full of refugees regularly

at national cabinet meetings. remind us that this problem is not just an African one. It a n iel Naupold PICTURE ALLIA N CE/DPA/D PHOTO:

18 akzente 03–04/14 in focus

also concerns Europe, both for humanitarian and security sometimes even prevent Europe from taking a unified reasons. Europe’s credibility begins in the Congo, in Nige- stance on foreign affairs. Some progress has been made, ria, in Ethiopia, Morocco and Tunisia. Promoting and se- however, with the Lisbon Treaty, which came into force in curing peace reduces the tide of refugees attempting to en- 2009, establishing the office of the High Representative of ter ‘fortress Europe’, because it eases the pressure caused by the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the suffering. Who would leave their country if they were guar- European External Action Service. The EU diplomatic anteed the fundamentals of peace, freedom and a little corps forms a network of around 140 delegations and re­ prosperity at home? presentations worldwide. From Iran’s atomic programme to It pays to take targeted measures to combat poverty combatting piracy off the coast of the Horn of Africa and and lack of freedom at their point of origin. The logic be- global climate protection, Europe plays its part and sits at hind this is simple: those who have the income to feed the negotiating table. Until recently its high representative their families, and to work in peace and independence are or ‘minister of foreign affairs’ was Catherine Ashton who unlikely to become refugees in the first place. Ultimately, has now handed the baton over to Federica Mogherini. But that is not only a much cheaper solution for Europe, it also does Europe’s voice really carry any weight? promotes a more humane image than turning away or re- The former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is patriating thousands of African refugees – assuming that once said to have bemoaned the lack of a central point of they actually reach Europe’s shores without drowning or contact for Europe: ‘Who do I call if I want to speak to suffocating in overcrowded containers. Europe?’ That number now exists, but is Europe actually do- ing anything? Is it making enough use of its ‘soft power’, Effective crisis management which is often talked about? Is it doing enough to support its number one partner, the US, which is groaning under the Europe is prosperous, and that is attractive to other people. weight of its role of policing the world? But is it also fiscally secure? Following the Euro crisis that To a certain extent, yes. Europe’s role as mediator in in- rocked the union from 2009, the effects of which can still ternational crises is important and worthy of recognition: » be felt today, the answer to that question has to be a deci- sive no. And yet here again we recognise the strengths of the EU, which responded by bringing in the European Sta- bility Mechanism, worth billions of euros, to stabilise tee- GIZ UNDER THE EUROPEAN FLAG tering financial markets and cooperating members states. The mechanism was accompanied by a European debt cap From renewable energies to election observation, the EU as well as a Fiscal Compact and a Growth Pact. As a unit, is GIZ’s main client along with the German Government. these measures reveal the principles of effective crisis man- The EU commissions GIZ to train food experts from EU agement and the basics of a new financial architecture that and non-EU countries on food safety and consumer pro­ will bring about permanent restructuring and create a tection, for example, or advise Greek municipalities on more crisis-resistant Eurozone. But the painful restructur- the introduction of administrative reforms. ing process does not end there. The European crisis states Worldwide and throughout Europe, GIZ has a broad net­ will have to part with a few cherished ‘traditions’, such as work in the areas of politics, business, civil society state subsidies or overly generous pay for state employees, and science. On behalf of the German Government, it if they are to remain or become competitive within the Eu- supports the EU in achieving its political goals and ropean Union and worldwide. European and national reg- meeting international obligations, providing one-stop Naupold ulations must be harmonised, and family-run and medi- strategic advice and implementation services. iel n a um-sized enterprises should be given much more support GIZ offers a wide range of solutions to contemporary as the traditional mainstays of European prosperity. challenges – such as consolidating national and mu­ CE/DPA/D N Another key issue is renewal of the European project in nicipal budgets, strengthening business locations by terms of power politics and military strategy. Twenty-eight providing vocational education and training, and activi­ more or less powerful national armies with incompatible ties geared to energy and climate issues. equipment of varying quality projects a poor image when

PHOTO: PICTURE ALLIA PHOTO: one is trying to claim a global role. Conflicting interests

akzente 03–04/14 19 in focus

a case in point was the breakthrough in dialogue between we are serious about the EU as a force for peace, then our eco- Serbia and Kosovo. But its actions often lack the sustainabil- nomic power must be used politically so that those who want ity required to permanently anchor hard-won diplomatic to trade with us accept the rule of law, and do not practice the achievements within societies. The former German Chancel- might of the stronger.’ lor Helmut Schmidt rightly warned that the self-preservation of European civilisation is at stake. This self-preservation goes Calls for a common energy policy hand in hand with cogent implementation of its values. It is not enough merely to have restored peace in Georgia, in the Of course, some issues cannot be kept within national or Balkans or in Ukraine. It is not enough just to silence the even continental borders. Climate change mitigation and en- guns. A peace solution will only work in the long term if it is vironmental protection are two such areas. Energy belongs brought to life and made tangible to the people it affects – on this list too. As a country that is running low on natural both economically and socially. Only a robust civil society of resources, is obliged to think beyond its borders this kind is capable of sustaining peace through reconciliation when it comes to energy policy, and to integrate itself into a and understanding among nations, because it knows exactly broad and profitable network in order to safeguard its eco- what it has to lose. Europe’s objective must be to raise values nomic and socio-political future. In this context, the German and to ‘Europeanize’ to some degree the personal life plan of EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger, formerly responsible each individual. The President of the European Parliament, for energy, now in charge of the digital economy and society, the German , put it like this in Strasbourg: ‘If is right when he talks of the need for a common foreign »

examples of giz’s work > EUROPe

S killed labour European integration

Project: Make it in Hamburg! Project: Support for the EU integration process in Serbia Financed by: Free and Hanseatic Financed by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation City of Hamburg, and Development, European Union Lead executing agency: Free and Lead executing agency: European Integration Office of the Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Eu­ Republic of Serbia ropean Social Fund for Hamburg Overall term: 2012 to 2015 Overall term: 2014 to 2016 SERBIA In 2012, Serbia attained candidate status for membership 21) age

GERMANY Hamburg has always attracted people from all over of the European Union. GIZ advises the Serbian Government (P

the world who wish to work and live there. At the same time, on accession negotiations and establishing the parameters for a mages many local companies urgently need to recruit skilled special­ successful integration process. It supports the development of the y I ett ists. ‘Make it in Hamburg!’ brings them together. The project is negotiation architecture and of the strategies and concepts for 20), G

aimed at graduate professionals, skilled workers, apprentices, formulating negotiating positions. The main focus is on the finan­ age accompanying life partners, foreign students and graduates from cial, business and agricultural sectors, as well as the regional (P faris

universities in and around Hamburg. The concept includes sup­ development of Serbia. By mid-2015, the Serbian Government is ex­ y d n ra

port for looking for a job, making contacts with employers, and pected to have adopted the negotiation architecture and the regu­ / career issues. It also offers supplementary training courses. lations for the procedures and processes to be used during negotia­ picture tions, and to have defined the roles of the institutions involved. n plai

www.hamburg.arbeitundleben.de www.seio.gov.rs/home.50.html PHOTO:

20 akzente 03–04/14 energy policy for the European Union. When dealing with Renewable feedstocks must be developed and support- countries that supply gas, oil and coal, he maintains that we ed, along with wind turbines on the Atlantic, North Sea need a common voice and a common European strategy if we and Baltic coastlines, and solar installations in southern are to improve prices and guarantee supplies. ‘A safe, secure, EU states. What role could and should atomic power sustainable and affordable energy supply is key to our eco- play in a common Europe? Ticking time bombs in the nomic and strategic interests as a global player,’ says Oetting- Czech Republic or France pose a threat to the entire er. It falls a long way short of long-term, successful and ongo- continent. What use are secure and clean German nu- ing energy planning if one European partner signs a bilateral clear reactors if a worst-case scenario occurs just a few supply agreement with Norway and the next with Russia. kilometres away in Cattenom in France or Temelín in Oettinger predicts that we will be the ones to lose out, and he the Czech Republic? The goal must be to structure an is right. What is required is a diversified, common EU-wide energy supply for Europe that is clean, reliable and se- energy policy and energy infrastructure, so that we can avoid cure. As is the case with every other field of European exposing ourselves to the whims of Russian president cooperation, this presents a major challenge. But it is . The Ukraine crisis has shown the potential also clear that it can only be done in partnership. A with which the Kremlin can put great pressure on other splintered Europe in which each country serves its own countries through its foreign policy. interests will lose out in the race for prosperity and de- In the European context it would certainly be sen- velopment to other global players such as the USA, Chi- sible to also consider diversifying our energy sources. na, and even Russia and India.

S ocial standards Energy reforms

Project: Promotion of social and environmental standards Project: Renewable energy in in industry Greece Financed by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation Financed by: German Federal Min­ and Development, European Union istry for the Environment, Nature Lead executing agency: Bangladesh Ministry of Commerce Conservation, Building and Nuclear Overall term: 2010 to 2015 Safety, European Union Overall term: from 2013 BA H NGLADES Textile entrepreneurs in Bangladesh are still fail­ age 21) ing to adequately implement national labour and environmental GERE CE The Greek Government has set itself the target of meeting legislation and international standards. Monitoring and imple­ 40% of its electricity requirements using renewable energies by mentation of the laws by state actors is still in its infancy. GIZ 2020. This will entail extensive reforms. In particular, the legal and is supporting non-governmental organisations committed to up­ regulatory framework must be improved to encourage more invest­

age 20), G ett y I mages (P holding workers’ rights, for example by setting up women’s cafés ment in renewable energy. GIZ is supporting its Greek partners as to provide female textile workers with information about their part of an EU initiative. The project is advising the Greek Ministry rights. In addition, legal advice is offered to those involved in of Environment, Energy & Climate Change (YPEKA) on modifying the labour disputes or domestic violence. To date, this assistance system to encourage power generation using renewables and is has reached around 200,000 women workers. helping to produce a detailed roadmap.

(P plai n picture / ra d y faris PHOTO: www.psesbd.org www.bmub.bund.de/N49932

akzente 03–04/14 21 in focus

» Interview gtt e ing past the seven-year itch

M rs Filote, Romania has been a member of region is challenged by acts of aggression the EU for seven years now. In marriages you and intimidation against sovereign states often hear about getting past the seven-year seeking closer relations with the EU. itch. So how is the relationship between Ro- mania and the EU going? Critics say that Romania has still not succeed- Well, the honeymoon is over, but the relation ed in drawing on available EU funding, despite is getting closer and stronger. Trust in the improvements last year. EU is still amongst the highest in Romania, It is true that Romania’s absorption rate is ) compared to other member states. EU con­ still low, but it did increase tenfold in the

fidence in Romania is also on the rise. It has past three years, from 3.4% in June 2011 to bottom been a good learning curve for both part­ 36.6% in August 2014. This shows the seri­ 23 page ners: main lesson being that we have to bet­ ousness of the measures taken by the Roma­ (

ter manage our expectations. Romania saw nian authorities, who are confident to go auro that accession did not bring prosperity over­ even further (80%, according to the Minister night, and that accession benefits depend on of European Funds) before the closing date how much one takes ownership of EU citi­ for the 2007-2013 period, which in Romania’s In 2014, Angela Filote took office as Head of IMAGES/MARCO DI L Y

zenship, with both its rights and obligations. case is end 2015. Nevertheless, it is not just the Representation of the European Commis- TT e

The EU also learned that deep-rooted prob­ the absorption rate that matters, but the sion in Romania. In 2010, she became one of ), G right

lems, such as weak administrative capacity overall quality of EU support. This will be our the spokespersons of the European Commis-

and corruption, take more time to be sorted focus for the 2014-2020 funding period, as sion, responsible for the EU Enlargement and top out than initially expected. Now that we all written down in the Partnership Agree­ 23 the Neighbourhood Policy. As of 2011, she age

know this, and we grew seven years wiser, ment agreed in early August, the key docu­ worked for the Directorate-General for Agri- (P we can actually start enjoying the marriage ment governing EU funding for the following culture and Rural Development.

a little bit more. seven years. We will continue to work with istockphoto ), our Romanian partners to improve Romania’s left

In the EU, the public is currently focused on administrative capacity, to streamline public poverty are key priorities in Romania for the p

the financial crisis, youth unemployment as procurement and to reduce the bureaucratic 2014-2020 period. Funds worth EUR 3.4 23 TO age

well as neighbourhood and refugee policy. burden associated with EU funding. billion have been earmarked for this end, (P erl

What are the key concerns for Romania? pooling resources together from three dif­ /D

Jobs and poverty are the main concerns in Is addressing the issue of the Roma people one ferent European funds (the Social Fund, the olia ot Romania too, though this country fared much of the key European policy challenges for Ro- Regional Development Fund and the Agri­ better than others through the economic cri­ mania in the coming years? cultural Fund for Rural Development). It is 22), F age (P

ses, with unemployment below the EU aver­ Romania is the EU country with the second important to address the challenge of Roma ia n

age. However, it‘s still the second poorest EU highest rate of risk poverty or social exclu­ inclusion through integrated policies and oma n R member state, with significant challenges in sion, with almost 42% of the population af­ projects, covering access to education and i n terms of social inclusion and poverty reduc­ fected (around 9 million people), most of housing, health services, and employment tatio n tion. There is a lot of public focus on the fight them of Roma origin. The high mobility of opportunities. It will take political will, so­

against corruption, as last years have seen the Roma population, combined with its cial expertise and administrative capacity, represe n unprecedented progress, with high corrup­ poverty, different social organisation and in order to have a good strategy and robust tion cases leading prominent politicians be­ systemic discrimination, make its success­ policies, owned by the Roma themselves. commissio

hind bars. Neighbourhood is also quite im­ ful social inclusion a challenge not only for And, not least, it will take time. Lots of it. n portant for Romania, especially in the current Romania, but for the whole of Europe. This uropea geopolitical situation, where stability in the is why social inclusion and the fight against Interview: Heidi Beha : E otos PH

22 akzente 03–04/14 Europe in figures

Aontaithe san 20%éagsúlacht of gross energy consumption for all EU countries is the number of official languages in the Europe­ should be generated from renewable energy sources an Union. Special regulations exist, however, for by the year 2020. In 2012 the figure was 14.1%. TheUnited countries in such as Austria, which uses a standard frontrunner was Sweden with over 51%. variety of the official language, German. If a food is listed in a German-language EU document and Source: Eurostat, STAT/14/37, March 2014 diversity a specific Austrian term exists, this term is in­ cluded in a footnote. For example, ‘Erdapfel’ is used for ‘Kartoffel’ (potato) and ‘Paradeiser’ for Vienoti‘Tomate’ (tomato). daudzveidībā38% years or more – is the age that around of those questioned in an EU-wide survey named 760,000 people in Europe are expected to ‘human rights’ as the quality best represented by the reach in the year 2050, according to European Union. The same percentage voted ‘democ­ forecasts by the United Nations. By com­ racy’ as the most crucial virtue.

parison, in 1950 there were only around Source: European Commission, Eurobarometer 74, February 2011 8,000 centenarians living in Europe. 108,000 refugees have made their way to Italy by boat since the start of the year. More than 25,000 peo­ ple have died or disappeared attempting to make their way to Europe since 2000. These figures are documented by the Migrants Files database, cur­ rently the most comprehensive study into the fate of individual migrants.

Sources: International Organisation for Migration (latest version 08/14), The Migrants Files (latest version 09/14) akzente 03/2014 23