Europe is going through one of the most decisive moments in its recent history. Yes. The European Union (EU), which was born as a project for peace and prosperity after the Second World War, is now facing a geostrategic context marked by global tensions, successive crises and a chaotic international order that is increasingly multipolar. Some analysts go further and suggest that the order will be multiplex. The war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, technological competition with the United States and China, and internal challenges such as the rise of populism and the ecological and digital transition, all contribute to a complex scenario that requires bold and coordinated responses.
Is Europe a declining or emerging power? Does Europe as a political construct represent a model of society which, despite its flaws and imperfections, is worth defending? Has this political Europe forgotten that its true raison d’être is the people who live together in this space? Europe raises more questions than answers because we are living in a time of radical transformation of our frames of reference. The EU must represent the answer to political stability, economic prosperity, solidarity and security.
In this complex context, those of us who reaffirm our pro-European conviction must become actors who, from civil society, propose and promote prosperity, the strengthening of territorial cohesion and the articulation of participatory and collaborative governance in Europe, promoting the voice of different realities such as the Atlantic Facade on the Community agenda, and promoting a shared networked vision that combines sustainable development, competitiveness and citizen participation.
The EU faces internal and external challenges that test its capacity for joint action: Firstly, in the area of security and defence, where the war in Ukraine has highlighted the need to strengthen European strategic autonomy. Secondly, in migration and social cohesion, trying to balance the humanitarian management of migrant arrivals with the capacity for reception and inclusion on the part of host societies, in a context of growing migratory pressure and demographic ageing. Thirdly, economic competitiveness, because in the face of global trade fragmentation and massive subsidies from the US and China, Europe must move forward with the integration of its capital markets, promote innovation and ensure the green and digital transition. And finally, institutional reforms, which are now necessary because enlargement towards Ukraine and the Balkans requires a review of decision-making mechanisms and a strengthening of the rule of law, avoiding internal blockages.
The entire dimension of external relations takes on enormous strategic value, because if the EU wishes to bring ‘auctoritas’ and global influence to a multipolar world, it must consolidate strategic alliances with Latin America, Africa and Asia, defending its democratic values against autocratic and authoritarian regimes.
Civil society is thus emerging as an essential driving force behind the European project. Indeed, Europe’s success depends not only on its institutions, but also on the active involvement of its citizens. Social awareness is essential to reinforce the democratic legitimacy of the EU and to counter Eurosceptic discourses that threaten to fragment our common European space.
All institutional work must be accompanied, particularly by forums for reflection, research, debate and action aimed at strengthening territorial cooperation. Their mission must be clear: to foster dynamics that promote understanding between public and private actors, to promote transformative projects and to ensure that the specific characteristics of the different macro-regions, including those in the process of being defined, such as the Atlantic region, are fully integrated into the EU agenda.
At this point in time, it is essential to promote three strategic vectors: 1) the defence of European territorial cohesion, effectively committing to the harmonious development of both its Atlantic coastline and more dynamic areas such as the Mediterranean and the East; 2) the promotion of more collaborative, participatory and multi-level governance, promoting the participation of the institutional levels closest to citizens in the design and implementation of European policies, in line with the principle of subsidiarity; and 3) boosting competitiveness and sustainability, aligning its initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and with the green and digital transitions.
It is necessary to create spaces for dialogue and cooperation, where representatives of sub-state governments, civil society and other actors such as businesses can articulate common strategies to address challenges such as connectivity, technological innovation, the blue economy and the energy transition. The Atlantic Macro-Region project, which we have been promoting for years in the Atlantic coastal regions under the leadership of the Basque Government, included in the Agenda of the General Affairs Council of December 2023, and which this week received the green light from the European Council, is a strategic tool in line with these premises.
Last year, we heard the insightful proposals of Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi to move towards a New Single Market and relaunch European competitiveness. Following the guidelines proposed by both reports, it would be possible to activate true collaborative interdependence and territorialise the major European proposals to encourage their flexible application, allowing each territory to develop its own strategies, in dialogue and coordination with the common global objectives.
Localising European policies at the appropriate level means committing to citizen participation, improving the effectiveness and democratic legitimacy of our institutions and strengthening institutional resilience in the face of the complex challenges we face.
These challenges are not abstract: they affect the daily lives, political stability and well-being of millions of Europeans. The European project will not survive without the active support of its citizens. Disaffection and Euroscepticism are real risks that we must counteract with participation, transparency and education.
Europe is at a crossroads. Yes. It can either choose to retreat inward, to return to the nation state (which would be a huge mistake), or to pursue deeper integration that strengthens its global role. To do this, we need to rebuild broad political consensus without veto, with solidarity and territorial cohesion, with investment in innovation and sustainability, and with active and meaningful citizen participation.
As Europeans, we must find our place in the world based on a vision, a strategy and values that reinforce inclusive multilateralism. Europe symbolises the construction of a transnational democracy that is as complex as it is intrepid, which is undoubtedly difficult to achieve; but, at the same time, it is a bastion of freedom, social values and a proposal for life and coexistence in a society of differences that we cannot allow to dissolve or become distorted in the face of emerging populism.
What are we missing? Political impetus and leadership to bring about a Europe that inspires its citizens. In the face of crisis and institutional uncertainty, we must undoubtedly call for more Europe, but with a greater emphasis on the values of the European model of society. Based on democratic values and the principles of subsidiarity, with the collaboration of society with institutional representatives and cooperation between them. Either we integrate further or we disintegrate as a European political project. The challenge is worth it.
“Europe at a crossroads” – Iñigo Urkullu Renteria. President of the eAtlantic Foundation Lehendakari
Europe is going through one of the most decisive moments in its recent history. Yes. The European Union (EU), which was born as a project for peace and prosperity after the Second World War, is now facing a geostrategic context marked by global tensions, successive crises and a chaotic international order that is increasingly multipolar. Some analysts go further and suggest that the order will be multiplex. The war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, technological competition with the United States and China, and internal challenges such as the rise of populism and the ecological and digital transition, all contribute to a complex scenario that requires bold and coordinated responses.
Is Europe a declining or emerging power? Does Europe as a political construct represent a model of society which, despite its flaws and imperfections, is worth defending? Has this political Europe forgotten that its true raison d’être is the people who live together in this space? Europe raises more questions than answers because we are living in a time of radical transformation of our frames of reference. The EU must represent the answer to political stability, economic prosperity, solidarity and security.
In this complex context, those of us who reaffirm our pro-European conviction must become actors who, from civil society, propose and promote prosperity, the strengthening of territorial cohesion and the articulation of participatory and collaborative governance in Europe, promoting the voice of different realities such as the Atlantic Facade on the Community agenda, and promoting a shared networked vision that combines sustainable development, competitiveness and citizen participation.
The EU faces internal and external challenges that test its capacity for joint action: Firstly, in the area of security and defence, where the war in Ukraine has highlighted the need to strengthen European strategic autonomy. Secondly, in migration and social cohesion, trying to balance the humanitarian management of migrant arrivals with the capacity for reception and inclusion on the part of host societies, in a context of growing migratory pressure and demographic ageing. Thirdly, economic competitiveness, because in the face of global trade fragmentation and massive subsidies from the US and China, Europe must move forward with the integration of its capital markets, promote innovation and ensure the green and digital transition. And finally, institutional reforms, which are now necessary because enlargement towards Ukraine and the Balkans requires a review of decision-making mechanisms and a strengthening of the rule of law, avoiding internal blockages.
The entire dimension of external relations takes on enormous strategic value, because if the EU wishes to bring ‘auctoritas’ and global influence to a multipolar world, it must consolidate strategic alliances with Latin America, Africa and Asia, defending its democratic values against autocratic and authoritarian regimes.
Civil society is thus emerging as an essential driving force behind the European project. Indeed, Europe’s success depends not only on its institutions, but also on the active involvement of its citizens. Social awareness is essential to reinforce the democratic legitimacy of the EU and to counter Eurosceptic discourses that threaten to fragment our common European space.
All institutional work must be accompanied, particularly by forums for reflection, research, debate and action aimed at strengthening territorial cooperation. Their mission must be clear: to foster dynamics that promote understanding between public and private actors, to promote transformative projects and to ensure that the specific characteristics of the different macro-regions, including those in the process of being defined, such as the Atlantic region, are fully integrated into the EU agenda.
At this point in time, it is essential to promote three strategic vectors: 1) the defence of European territorial cohesion, effectively committing to the harmonious development of both its Atlantic coastline and more dynamic areas such as the Mediterranean and the East; 2) the promotion of more collaborative, participatory and multi-level governance, promoting the participation of the institutional levels closest to citizens in the design and implementation of European policies, in line with the principle of subsidiarity; and 3) boosting competitiveness and sustainability, aligning its initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and with the green and digital transitions.
It is necessary to create spaces for dialogue and cooperation, where representatives of sub-state governments, civil society and other actors such as businesses can articulate common strategies to address challenges such as connectivity, technological innovation, the blue economy and the energy transition. The Atlantic Macro-Region project, which we have been promoting for years in the Atlantic coastal regions under the leadership of the Basque Government, included in the Agenda of the General Affairs Council of December 2023, and which this week received the green light from the European Council, is a strategic tool in line with these premises.
Last year, we heard the insightful proposals of Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi to move towards a New Single Market and relaunch European competitiveness. Following the guidelines proposed by both reports, it would be possible to activate true collaborative interdependence and territorialise the major European proposals to encourage their flexible application, allowing each territory to develop its own strategies, in dialogue and coordination with the common global objectives.
Localising European policies at the appropriate level means committing to citizen participation, improving the effectiveness and democratic legitimacy of our institutions and strengthening institutional resilience in the face of the complex challenges we face.
These challenges are not abstract: they affect the daily lives, political stability and well-being of millions of Europeans. The European project will not survive without the active support of its citizens. Disaffection and Euroscepticism are real risks that we must counteract with participation, transparency and education.
Europe is at a crossroads. Yes. It can either choose to retreat inward, to return to the nation state (which would be a huge mistake), or to pursue deeper integration that strengthens its global role. To do this, we need to rebuild broad political consensus without veto, with solidarity and territorial cohesion, with investment in innovation and sustainability, and with active and meaningful citizen participation.
As Europeans, we must find our place in the world based on a vision, a strategy and values that reinforce inclusive multilateralism. Europe symbolises the construction of a transnational democracy that is as complex as it is intrepid, which is undoubtedly difficult to achieve; but, at the same time, it is a bastion of freedom, social values and a proposal for life and coexistence in a society of differences that we cannot allow to dissolve or become distorted in the face of emerging populism.
What are we missing? Political impetus and leadership to bring about a Europe that inspires its citizens. In the face of crisis and institutional uncertainty, we must undoubtedly call for more Europe, but with a greater emphasis on the values of the European model of society. Based on democratic values and the principles of subsidiarity, with the collaboration of society with institutional representatives and cooperation between them. Either we integrate further or we disintegrate as a European political project. The challenge is worth it.