Sarkozy on EU Reform

Although a bit dated, the following summarizes the views of French right's candidate for the presidency in 2007. To read the entire speech, click on the post title above. EU reform: What we need to do

by Nicolas Sarkozy, Europe's World

What can Europe's political leaders do to regain popular support for the EU and get it moving again? Nicolas Sarkozy explains his strategy for unblocking the deadlock with a "mini-treaty" and for streamlining the European institutions

Next year's 50th anniversary of the EU's founding Rome treaty should be celebrated with pride, for it marks an historic achievement: half a century of re-uniting a divided continent thanks to the democratic vision of founding fathers like Jean Monnet, Robert Schuman, Paul-Henri Spaak, Alcide de Gasperi and Konrad Adenauer. But there is also cause for concern because the European project is in crisis; it may not be a clear cut crisis, but it is a profound one.

The forces driving the Union's political momentum have run out of steam, and Europe's citizens are either doubtful or indifferent to its aims and lack any real collective hope for the future. Some people, notably in France, think this sort of disenchantment is quite natural, but I disagree. In my view, the whole question of European integration is capable of once again inspiring popular enthusiasm; I believe that the "political Europe" I have always had faith in can still be attained....

This article is based on the speech that Nicolas Sarkozy gave on September 8, 2006 at the Brussels think tank Friends of Europe (www.friendsofeurope.org) in association with the Fondation Robert Schuman (www.robert-schuman.org)