Page 13 - CSA Speaker Bulletin January 2017 | CSA Celebrity Speakers
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EUROPE IN 2017
including the influx of migrants. some of it is distributed to the poorest how to tackle. Indeed, it is the main
members of our society. And if to challenge Europe faces in 2017. But if
And this brings me to the third this precarious economic situation our timid growth doesn’t splutter, and
threat Europe is facing; the return you add mass immigration, which if effective steps are taken to stabilise
of populism. It isn’t difficult to creates even more competition at the source of the migratory influx,
understand where the populists the lower ends of the economic then perhaps in 2017 we will see the
are coming from. Over the last few order, you get a potentially explosive first glimmers of light on this front
decades, capitalism has succeeded in situation. This is a thorny issue, and too. n
creating wealth but not in ensuring one which we have not yet understood
Europe the lack of national leadership been so and a European Security Service.
Must Be paralyzing. From February onwards, European
Everyone’s and national parliaments must
Business In 2017 will remain adopt CETA, the EU-Canada trade
2017 fraught with dangers. agreement, so that it serves as our
blueprint to shape globalization. A
A poly-crisis has Ahead of important elections in the truly-European Digital Single Market,
Europe firmly in its Netherlands, France and Germany if unlocked, could also create a real
grip. support for Geert Wilders’s Party for economic and social push.
Freedom, Marine Le Pen’s National
Externally, our continent is faced with Front and Frauke Petry’s Alternative It is high time to move
instability in its Eastern and Southern for Germany is growing. Eurosceptics the EU forward.
neighbourhood. Ukraine has lost its want to shut their countries away.
territorial integrity. Turkey is drifting They capitalize on the all-pervasive In 2016, Europe has shown it could
towards authoritarianism. Syria is hell feeling of insecurity among act: with the creation of the European
on earth. A ring of friends has become Europeans. Border and Coast Guard, with Apple’s
a ring of fire. To restore trust, the EU must offer an €13 billion tax bill, and soon with the
Internally, Member States bury their alternative. Instead of walls, bridges strengthening of its Trade-Defence
heads in sands of national interest. must be built. Notwithstanding Instruments.
Many countries, such as Poland, the launch of the exit procedure in Marked by the 60th Anniversary of
Hungary or Slovakia, refuse to share March, Europe must use the Brexit- the Rome Treaties, next year will be
responsibilities. The UK has decided momentum to strengthen its ability to pivotal. While our Union is at stake,
to leave the Union. And Spain might act, with a European Defence Union Europe must be everyone’s business
break apart. Our Union is diseased in 2017, and not only the endeavour of
with disunity. those who want to destroy it. n
Seldom has the imperative for
common action been so clear, not Viviane Reding is a member
least to beat terrorism and to manage of the European Parliament
the influx of refugees. But seldom has and is former Vice-President
of the European Commission,
with responsibility for justice,
fundamental rights and
citizenship.
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