Waiting for the Reform Treaty debate

Willy De Backer — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 08:16:59 +0000

After a long summer break I am returning back to this EU-CO-LOGIC blog with the prospect of having more to write about in the next months when the Portuguese Presidency will start new debates on the “Reform Treaty” [see EurActiv LinksDossier].
Not that I have many illusions though. The kind of fundamental changes that I am advocating (in search of an Eco-Europe) will for sure not get that much attention but I hope we can help with this blog at least to stir up the debate a bit. But to do this, I will need the help of anyone who believes to EU should re-engineer itself.
For those still not convinced of the need for serious EU reform, read the interview EurActiv did with Martin Konečný of CEE Bankwatch Network. The EU’s structural funds programmes are actually contributing to “unsustainable development”, says Konečný, and some projects are in clear contradiction with the EU’s climate change policies.

The missed opportunity of the 2007 Berlin Declaration

Willy De Backer — Sun, 20 May 2007 12:28:29 +0000

In a comment to the first post of this blog, Raymond van Ermen wrote the following:
“The Berlin Declaration celebrating the EU’s 50th anniversary is very disappointing for two reasons :
o In January 2007, President Barroso named sustainability as one of the EU’s five key values, to be enshrined in the Berlin Declaration celebrating the EU’s 50th anniversary. However, the reference was restricted to figthing climate change.
o The Declaration has not been signed by all the Member States.

1.1. Focus on Climate Change only ?

That “Climate Change” is prefered – as a EU priority – to “Sustainable Development” is a wrong signal. Indeed humanity is faced with an “evolutionary wall” resulting not of one threat (climate change) but of 3 challenges coming at the same time : climate change, the war for resources, the right to development of all with booming economies in countries as China and India. This is why the EUSDS should remain the overarching strategy.It is now in relation with the new challenges of the XXIst Century related to climate change and resource scarcity that Europe can best give itself a new “mission” ( in line with the priorities which emerged from the citizens panels organised recently by the Commission putting energy and environmental issues as top one priorities for Europe). But it should not be de-linked for the other dimensions of sustainable development. The European Union is the only entity that has defined the goal of promoting the well-being of its peoples AND working for sustainable development as an objective in its draft Constitution.

1.2. The Berlin Declaration has not be signed by everybody.

Today the risks have for name resource scarcity and war for resources. The opportunities have for name a resource efficient and low carbon economy and a well being society for all. The challenge is also to be sure that this vision is shared by the EU 27 Member States.
Contrary to what thinks the Czech President these new urgencies are neither a “Western” or a “Green” agenda against the rights to development of “new member states” and “developing countries or against “business” nor “a communist plot cooked up by the losers of the cold war”. It is a mankind imperative shared at global level by public authorities, the religious, scientific, business communities, It is – as any crisis – a risk and an opportunity (including to make profit and enhance competitiveness). It it the necessary path to help emerging economies and developing countries to “leapfrog”.

I could not agree more with Raymond. The Berlin Declaration is no more and no less than the failure of the old European elite, which is not able and willing to define the real risks to global and European prosperity.

EU-CO-LOGIC » Sustainable Development

Waiting for the Reform Treaty debate

The missed opportunity of the 2007 Berlin Declaration