/ world today news/ The European Union is not a given and we must fight for it.
This was stated by Vice President Iliyana Yotova at the official opening of the series of debates on the future of the European project at the French Institute in Bulgaria, the head of state’s press office reported. Europe has faced a succession of severe crises – financial and economic, leading to massive unemployment, the migrant and refugee crisis threatening to blow up the Schengen area, terrorist attacks, and then Brexit, the vice president pointed out.
According to her, the problems that often block the best policies are the suspended relationship between the European institutions and the citizens, the reticence of the member states, the lack of solidarity and the deficit of leadership. “The European consciousness still dominates, but the exacerbation of the radical sentiments that are taking over the people and populism create the feeling of a Europe that preaches only strict restrictions, but suffocates the most affected and deprived,” said the vice president.
“The question today is whether we accept the decline of one of the most valuable ideas of the 20th century, or whether we have the strength to re-establish it and give it a future,” emphasized Yotova. According to her, there should be a dialogue with the citizens and they should be given back their self-confidence that they are the ones who make Europe. “We must dispel their fears and convince them that Europe has a future not mired in its own contradictions, but as a strong union that can protect its citizens,” added the vice president.
It is obvious that the Lisbon Treaty is no longer sufficient and the topics of common borders, more security and defense alliances are waiting for our decisions, noted Iliana Yotova. With regard to the White Paper on the Future of Europe, which will be discussed at the Rome Summit and which includes five proposals for new solutions, the Vice-President emphasized the role of the Member States in making the document alive, with proposals and ideas.
Dominique Volton, head of research at the French National Center for Scientific Research in the field of communication, specialist in media, public space and political communication, took part in the discussion. On the Bulgarian side, the discussants were Prof. Georgi Dimitrov from Sofia University and Antoineta Primatarova from the Center for Liberal Strategies.
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