Europe Day celebration and worries for the EU

Though the EU has many success stories to narrate, but at present, it is passing through a difficult phase where its economic stability has been considerably shaken, its political legitimacy is internally challenged and its international image is under scanner.

May 09, 2015 03:26 pm | Updated 04:33 pm IST

Every year May 9 is celebrated as Europe Day by the members of the European Union (EU). On this day in 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman made a declaration that paved way for establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) the following year. It was the ECSC, which initiated the process of integration in Europe, and today, the EU is regarded as one of the best examples of regional integration.

Devastated after the end of the Second World War, Europe has transformed itself as one of most prosperous and peaceful regions of the world. This story of change cannot be seen in isolation with the European integration process whereby arch-rivals such as Germany and France entered into a phase of reconciliation and interdependence, subsequently involving most of the countries of the region. The end of the Cold War in 1989 and the resulting political instability in Central and Eastern European countries posed another challenge for the EU. However, it rose to the occasion very convincingly. By offering financial support and prospect of membership, the EU ensured that previously socialist countries to the east of the Berlin wall transformed themselves into a stable democracy and functioning market economy. After meeting the strict criterions set by the EU, 10-12 countries from Central and Eastern Europe were welcomed in the bloc in 2004-07. And though the EU had a limited intervention during various ethnic conflicts in Balkans, it had played a significant role for stabilisation of and good governance in the peninsula after the end of the conflict. So much so that except Bosnia and Kosovo, all the countries of the sub-region are either in the EU or are candidate for membership.

No wonder the EU received the Nobel peace prize in 2012. It is recognition of EU’s normative role and influence for spread of democratic values, rule of law, respect for human rights and rights of the minorities in its neighbourhood. It has set examples for others.

Though the EU has many success stories to narrate, but at present, it is passing through a difficult phase where its economic stability has been considerably shaken, its political legitimacy is internally challenged and its international image is under scanner. On Europe Day this year, these issues will dominate the overall discourse about the EU. The monetary competence of the EU was once symbolised by the Euro — a common currency of 19 member countries. But, the Euro has lost its lustre hitting 12 years low against the US dollar in the last one year. At the same time, even after various rescue mechanisms since last five years, clouds of financial uncertainty of Greece and its continuation in the Eurozone still loom large. Some people are pinning the blame for misery and deprivation of Greeks on the European Commission and the European Central Bank (ECB). As these two institutions are not directly accountable to the citizens of the member states, their democratic legitimacy is being questioned. The ECB being undemocratic, many want it to be disbanded. In the midst of these crises, the European economy is far from the path of recovery while unemployment rate has been constantly hovering around and above 10 percent in the region.

On the political front, several anti-EU parties have found popularity in different European countries. For an outside observer it is like convergence of Right and Left, at least on the issue of blaming Brussels. Though there is a difference in their political agendas, Left-oriented parties are critical of Brussels’s economic approach, whereas Rightwing parties attack the EU for immigration and loss of national sovereignty. This is why Syriza in Greece is demanding radical changes in Eurozone financial structures while National Front in France is opposed to the EU as a whole. To give another example, in the United Kingdom – which is neither in the Eurozone and nor in the Schengen – the ruling Conservative Party wants a referendum on British membership to the EU. The Conservatives pander to the opinion of the United Kingdom Independence Party that much of British economic malaise can be attributed to soft immigration policy of the EU. In brief, these are tough times for the EU. The foremost political issue, now, is to convince the Europeans about the importance and benefits of integration and multi-level governance.

However, the EU is facing problems not only internally on economic and political fronts. It is in midst of two major crises at its border. First, in Ukraine, the EU has locked its horns with a resurging and revisionist Russia. Though, isolated internationally and economically down, Russia still has potential to hurry European leaders into a late-night meeting at Brussels. Eastern Ukraine is still not very stable while Crimea is very far from being won back. Second is the huge flow of refugees from volatile Africa and West Asia. As the EU has drastically cut the funds for rescue of refugees in the last few years, the number of people drowning to death in the Mediterranean Sea has seen a big increase. It is a moral crisis for the EU and tarnishes its image as a force for good. Unfortunately, on both these two issues, the EU member states are politically divided and shirk their responsibilities. The EU needs to come up with a robust and humane response. This is particularly important at an occasion when the EU is reeling under political and economic uncertainties. Firm and unanimous position on international affairs will be a sign of confidence and unity of the Europeans.

The EU has covered a long distance but the present circumstances are not favourable to it. This will surely have its impact on the Europe Day celebration of this year. Let’s hope that values of solidarity, empathy, justice and unity will find traction and emphasis.

The writer is Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, South Asian University, New Delhi.

dhananjay@sau.ac.in

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