EU Presidency on 50 years of European integration

The common European effort to overcome nationalistic selfishness and deeply rooted hostility on the European continent is the most important achievement of Europe, Minister Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission Joachim Heidorn has told the Cyprus News Agency.
In an interview with CNA on the occasion of the 50th anniversary since the historic signature of the “Treaty of Rome”, οn March 25th, 1957, and speaking on behalf of the German EU Presidency, Heidorn noted that the European Community has achieved tremendous economic success, which brought long-lasting peace and prosperity to the European peoples after a destructive World War II.
Referring to Cyprus, the German diplomat said the Republic, together with other European countries, has benefited from its participation to the EU.
“Access to the vast internal market is a huge comparative advantage for Cyprus’ dynamic economy. And the solidarity every EU member state can expect from its partners within the framework of our common European values will contribute to more security for every member state”, he remarked.
Asked to identify Europe’s most important goal in the years to come, he said Europe must seek to defend its values and its unique success story, but it must also adapt the enlarged Union of 27 member states to the challenges of the 21st century.
“We must map out the EU’s future and ‘rethink’ Europe in order to bring the European idea closer to its citizens, who take peace and prosperity for granted and look for another ‘raison d’etre’ of European integration”, he stressed.
Regarding European enlargement, Heidorn said that before further enlargement is considered, the EU will have to consolidate and convince those who feel that Brussels got carried away. It will also have to define the limits of Europe not only geographically, he pointed out.
“Over a couple of decades the last wave of enlargement was perceived as too much and too fast by many Europeans. But despite the financial and perhaps economic difficulties to absorb and to integrate these new member states it was politically necessary to unite Europe after the world order established after the end of WW II had disintegrated”, he noted.
The Deputy Head of Mission of the German embassy in Nicosia expressed the view that once the EU agrees on a Constitutional Treaty, as a basis for efficient cooperation among so many member sates, there could be further enlargement if membership conditions are stringently met. He warned however that such a process will be slow and it must be carefully planned.
He added that the EU neighbourhood policy opens the perspective of close and mutually satisfactory relations outside the Union.
Heidorn underlined the need for the EU to be able to express its views internationally with one voice, noting that a common European Constitutional Treaty would be an important step forward.
The EU has successfully implemented its policies over the past decades and it will be successful in the future in defending European values within the perspective of globalization, he added.
Nevertheless, the German diplomat noted that many citizens regard this as a threat to their cultural and social identity and he said that the German EU Presidency will clearly emphasize Europe’s social and ecological dimension because its values include a commitment not only to market efficiency but also to social cohesion and environmental protection.
“We will make sure that in the future the social effects of every piece of legislation, gender equality in the workplace and the integration of older people into the labour market is carefully examined before a decision is taken, keeping in mind the challenges of demographic change”, he told CNA.
One of the many concerns of the EU is illegal migration and Heidorn expressed the view that this problem has to be tackled on a European and worldwide scale, making it more attractive for potential migrants to stay at home and find work there.
Referring to transatlantic relations, he said that one of the priorities of the German Presidency is to strengthen these ties, politically and economically, through an intensified dialogue and enhanced cooperation.
“Strong partners will always have different priorities but that does not mean that they cannot agree on a majority of issues. Whenever there is a danger of drifting apart on key issues, an intensified dialogue will prevent misunderstandings and facilitate compromise in the defence of our common values”, he pointed out.
Heidorn noted that there is strong evidence that constant dialogue serves the convergence of sometimes different points of view, brought about by strong arguments on either side or the convincing force of circumstances.
Referring to his home country, he said that Germany has benefited tremendously from EU membership.
“After almost complete destruction in WW II Germany has, at first with the assistance of the US, later in close cooperation with our European partners – redefined its role in Europe and in the world, first economically and later politically”.
Within the EU, Germany and its European partners play an important role in European and world politics, something a single member state could never have achieved alone, the German diplomat said.
The Deputy Head of Mission of the German embassy stressed the importance of the anniversary that will be celebrated on March 25th.
The Treaty of Rome was signed fifty years ago and since then, Europe continues its course, a unique and successful course, which has offered Europe and its people peace, security and freedom.