The European Union, a project to unifiy a continent, a project for the future

After an introduction about the history of European integration and the initial nature of the European political project, the author then addresses three issues that are fundamental for the future.

With regard to the debt crisis he insists on the fact that the economic base of the euro zone is strong and that the fears expressed by the markets are not economically very rational. He speaks of the reform of European governance, ongoing over the last 18 months and the need to 'combine budgetary discipline and growth strategy', whilst developing Economic and Budgetary Union. The crisis has revealed Member States' interdependence and the need for 'more Europe' notably more 'solidarity' and 'responsibility'.

Moreover Europe might rise better to the challenges that the Union is facing on the world stage (the rising power of the emerging states, peace-keeping, re-balancing of international trade, the fight against inflation, energy, environment, immigration etc ...), if it stood as one.

Finally the 'Arab Spring' has reminded Europe of its immediate neighbourhood in the Mediterranean. It is facing new challenges that it will be able to rise to if it shows political determination and in a spirit of cooperation.