Future of Europe (Part Two): A Multi-Speed Future?
The European Union is searching for a purpose as well as fighting for legitimacy and sovereignty in the current international climate. Given this soul-searching and head-scratching, the European Union should look back to look forwards.
Looking back to the EU’s purpose: peace and progress
The origin of the whole EU project was a search for peace. On the back of bitter, bloody wars that had wrecked Europe physically, economically and emotionally, visionary business and political leaders decided that a new order needed to be constructed from the rubble of the continent. A functional union of the coal and steel industries was the first building block - making war between former enemies physically impossible - towards a union of countries built on the Rule of Law (rather than “might is right”) and cooperation.
Lessons of the past, lessons for the future
The EU of today would therefore be well-served in revisiting its original purpose for inspiration as we start the new 2019-24 institutional cycle with a new European Parliament and a new European Commission. This purpose should include promoting and facilitating free trade - through the EU Single Market and globally within the framework of the WTO. The EU should also be encouraging openness - including the fight against corruption and human rights abuses, as well as protecting the Rule of Law - as well as promoting personal choice.
The Hanseatic League - the Nordics, Baltics, Netherlands and Ireland are natural allies here -should drive this agenda within the EU, but it should not be a closed shop. It should be open to all countries who share, and strive for, these values.
A multi-speed Europe
Moreover, given the size and complexity of the EU today a multi-speed Europe is inevitable. EU Member States should be allowed to go further on certain issues and work in different constellations within the EU framework. The notion of “variable geometry”, “asymmetric integration” and a Europe of “concentric circles” is not new. It was evoked by former Commission President Jacques Delors over two decades ago.
While the integrity of the EU and its “four freedoms” (labour, capital, goods and services) are immutable, there needs to be a flexibility across policy areas to allow willing coalitions to go further and not be hindered by the slowest wagon in the train. The current fragmentation and polarisation in the EU will also demand this. A multi-speed Europe would also not represent a significant step-change. We already see this reality today in the financial area, with the Eurozone, and on border issues with Schengen.
Furthermore, Europe does not stop at the borders of the EU 28 Member States. A true multi-speed Europe would allow us to facilitate different levels of integration. The basic acquis communautaire of the EU should be respected but the possibility of outer-tiers of membership should not be discounted. This would allow the EU to open up to the Western Balkans, former Soviet States and even North Africa. This could be considered like a club with silver, gold and platinum membership. You have the same basic rights and responsibilities but gain new benefits as you go further.
Given the issues facing the world today - and connecting back to the founding tenet of establishing peace, prosperity and progress in Europe - stabilising these regions on Europe’s current frontiers could be the most important purpose that the EU can find today.