The Future of the European Union
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N°65/December 2018 EPFMA BULLETIN European Parliament Former Members Association www.formermembers.eu The Future of the European Union FMA Activities FMA Activities Democracy Visit under the EU Support Presidency Page 21 Page 27 2 FMA BULLETIN 65 - DEC 2018 IN THIS ISSUE 03 Message from the President 15 Employment and social LATEST NEWS 04 EP at work solidarity in Europe (Emilia Müller) 30 Activities 16 Our European Challenge: SPECIAL EDITION a Clean Energy Union 32 New members (José Blanco López) 35 New publications 06 The essential Europe 17 An effective Europe moves (Miguel Angel Martinez Martinez) 36 In memoriam forward on two legs (Jean-Marie 08 The Future... Beaupuy) (Herman Van Rompuy) 18 The Future of Europe 09 The structure and functioning (Walter Schwimmer) of the EU (José-María Gil-Robles) 19 FP-AP Colloquy on the Future 10 Europe goes to the polls of Europe (Brigitte Langenhagen (Valéry Giscard d’Estaing) and Jean-Pierre Audy) 11 Time of adopting a new EU budget matters (Ivailo Kalfin) FMA ACTIVITIES The European Parliament 12 The coming challenges of 21 Democracy Support celebrated the 70th globalization (Ana Palacio) anniversary of the Universal 22 EP to Campus Programme Declaration of Human Rights The EU’s security and defence 13 26 Former Members’ Network during the week of 19-23 cooperation (Elmar Brok) November 2018. 27 Visit under the EU Presidency 14 Future of the CAP (Peter Baco) 29 Co-operation with the EUI 30 Photo report Cover: ©European Parliament CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS: The Editorial Board would like to thank all those members who took the time to contribute to this issue of the FMA Bulletin. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that the decision to include an article lies with the FMA Editorial Board and, in principle, contributions from members who are not up-to-date with the payment of the membership fee will not be included. Due to the long time lag between the call for contribution and the publication, some articles may be outdated. The FMA Bulletin is published by the European Parliament Former Members Association (FMA) with the assistance of the Europe- an Parliament. However, the views expressed in articles represent the views of contributing FMA members or guest writers and do not necessarily represent the views of either the European Parliament nor the FMA. Similarly, any advertisement does not imply an official endorsement by the FMA or Parliament. EDITORIAL BOARD PREPARED BY CONTACTS Jean-Pierre AUDY Elisabetta FONCK [email protected] Brigitte LANGENHAGEN Lisseth BRAVO Tel.+ 32(0)2 284 07 03 Edward McMILLAN-SCOTT Valeh NASIRI Fax.+32(0)2 284 09 89 Manuel PORTO Lydia WEBER Teresa RIERA MADURELL Message from the PRESIDENT Dear Member, against cybercrime and breaches back enthusiasm for the European of privacy and personal data idea and support for the EU As 2018 draws to a close, the EU to better protect citizens, institutions, and it became evident finds itself confronted with two businesses and public institutions. that we can play a key role in major challenges that will have an The common security and the coming months. I am hoping enormous impact on the future defence policy also needs to that many of you will raise your political course and on European be strengthened, as does the voices during the campaign to societies in general: the Brexit cooperation of the Member States spread reliable information on the negotiations and the May 2019 in the field of migration and work of the European Parliament European Elections. We should the support we provide to our and the EU as a whole, thus face these challenges with hope neighbours in their endeavours to encouraging the people to vote. and with a thirst for action. establish democracy, the rule of Finally, I would like to express The time is now ripe to answer law and economic stability. As an my sincere appreciation for the the questions of what the future open society, we must resist the contribution of our members of Europe looks like and what tendencies of isolation. to our democracy support role the European Union should To help provide answers to my activities and to our EP Campus play. We can be proud of what initial questions, this special programme. Democracy building, we have achieved so far with edition of the FMA Bulletin on education and promoting courage and determination. This the Future of the European Union dialogue with citizens must is the time to recall and reaffirm focuses on a broad spectrum continue to be at the core of the shared values on which of topics ranging from social our actions as former European the European Union is based. challenges and economic issues parliamentarians and I would These values are the underlying to Europe’s security policy. I would like to thank everyone who has foundation and the reason for like to thank all the authors who worked with us on these matters. over 60 years of stability and contributed to this edition, which peace in those countries of is a valuable addition to the I wish you and your family and Europe which are part of the present discussion on the future friends a Merry Christmas and a European integration process. of the European Union. Happy New Year 2019. We are bound together by Our Association is committed the respect for human dignity to continuing to involve our and human rights, freedom, knowledgeable members in democracy, rule of law and peace. the current debate, as we did We are all equal and the principles through the conference on ‘40 of solidarity and subsidiarity years of European Parliament should guide us. We need to Direct Elections’, which was Hans-Gert Pöttering restore dialogue with European organised in cooperation with FMA President citizens, regain their trust and the European University Institute support, and make sure that and the European Parliamentary we take their hopes, fears and Research Service (EPRS) on 22-23 doubts seriously. November in Florence, and our In order to make our Union dinner debate and seminar, stronger we need to complete which took place on 28-29 the EU Digital Single Market, November 2018 in Brussels. We but also step up our fight had discussions on how to bring 4 FMA BULLETIN 65 - DEC 2018 EP AT WORK KEY FACTS MEPs called on EU countries to initiate the MEPs back EU ban on throwaway plastics by procedure laid down in Article 7(1) the EU Treaty 2021 (October Session - P8_TA-PROV(2018)0411) (September Session - P8_TA-PROV(2018)0340) Single-use plastic items such as plates, cutlery, straws, In order to determine whether Hungary is at balloon sticks or cotton buds, will be banned in the EU risk of breaching the EU´s founding values. under plans adopted. Parliament adopts its position on digital Strengthening security through an EU-wide copyright rules (September Session - P8_TA- information system (October Session - P8_TA- PROV(2018)0337) PROV(2018)0413) Parliament adopted its revised text, adding safeguards The improved Schengen Information System will to protect small firms and freedom of expression. contribute to the EU’s fight against terrorism, cross- MEPs vote in favour updated rules to clarify the border crime and irregular migration. role of Eurojust and improve its effectiveness MEPs vote in favour for a comprehensive, (October Session - P8_TA-PROV(2018)0379) permanent and objective mechanism to The changes in the Agency’s functioning and protect democracy, the rule of law and structure, including a new governance model, will fundamental rights (November Session - P8_TA- make Eurojust more efficient in tackling cross-border PROV(2018)0456) crime. MEPs want respect of EU values to be assessed every year in all member states. Other main dossiers discussed in the plenary sessions were: September 2018 • MEPs adopted new rules November 2018 • Parliament approves €34m in EU to speed up the freezing and • MEPs adopt multiannual plan aid to Greece, Poland, Lithuania confiscation of criminal for fisheries on how, where and and Bulgaria after natural disasters assets across the EU. (04.10.18) when small pelagic fish, such as in 2017. (11.09.18) • Parliament approves new rules anchovy and sardine, can be caught • Young people are now able aimed at removing obstacles to the in the Adriatic Sea (13.11.18) to volunteer or work in EU-wide free movement of non-personal • Parliament calls for common solidarity schemes, after a data within the EU for companies rules to ensure that the rights final vote on the European and public authorities. (04.10.18) of all national minorities Solidarity Corps. (11.09.18) • Following the killing of are redressed and respected • MEPs approved new journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the across the EU. (13.11.18) measures to combat terrorist European Parliament called on • MEPs have approved the telecoms financing, by preventing money EU countries to unite and impose package that caps intra-EU calls, laundering and tightening an EU-wide arms embargo makes super-fast 5G networks cash flow checks. (12.09.18) on Saudi Arabia. (25.10.18) possible by 2020 and creates alert • MEPs advocate further measures to • Parliament demands ban system for emergencies. (14.11.18) curb use of antibiotics. (13.09.18) on neo-fascist and neo-Nazi • Long-term EU budget: MEPs October 2018 groups in the EU. (25.10.18) push for more funding for youth, research, growth & jobs and • MEPs give green light for VAT • MEPs call for a full audit tackling climate change. (14.11.18) overhaul to simplify system on Facebook and new and cut fraud. (03.10.18) measures against election For more information, please visit : meddling.