“A dangerous moment for Europe and the world”
The fact remains that during this period, we witnessed a spectacular rise of far-right parties in the EU and that the conflict which broke out in Ukraine is still not resolved and threatens the security of the ‘Union. “There is no doubt that we are in a very dangerous moment for Europe and the world. A few weeks ago, when I spoke at the United Nations on behalf of the European Union, I indicated that a Third World War is possible Everything must be done to change the course of history, as the European project has done. after two tragic wars and centuries of conflict on the Old Continent. “I do not underestimate the dangers around us, nor the threats within the Union, but I maintain a lot of faith and optimism, because over the last five years we have tightened the ranks when necessary.”
gullI have learned three lessons from my experience as President of the European Council: we must remain united if we want the European project to remain relevant; act faster in a rapidly changing world; remain vigilant to maintain the support of European citizens for this project.”
However, within the European Council itself there is a fierce critic of European integration, in the person of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the bearer of an “illiberal” agenda which abuses the rule of law, and remained close to Moscow. “Since I took office, I have been asked the same questions about Viktor Orban and I have given the same answers each time for five years: on the one hand there are the declarations, and the rhetoric and then the decisions taken at the European Council At no time has Hungary prevented the delivery of arms to Ukraine, nor from honoring the commitment made at the G7 to mobilize a total of 50 billion dollars for Ukraine, part of which significant is European, nor that we recognize Ukraine’s candidacy to join the Union. The sanctions against Russia have sometimes been slowed down, but never blocked.” Hungary’s attitude “is a subject”recognizes the Belgian, “but that didn’t prevent us from being able to function”.
Charles Michel distances himself from Commission strategy towards Hungarian presidency
Charles Michel does not believe in an “orbanization” of European politics and debates. Whether it is the creation of a common loan to finance the post-Covid recovery plan, decisions taken in the field of energy, defense, migration policy, etc. “there is more European integration, not more nationalism”. The political situation in Hungary, in full autocratic drift for more than a decade, in Slovakia today, in Poland yesterday, certainly shows that Europe must “demonstrate great vigilance regarding the protection and preservation of the rule of law and democracy”. But the fundamental values of the EU are not in danger, judges the president. “I even believe that the fact that there are governments here and there which give the impression of questioning them strengthens the team around these values. Those who challenge them find themselves very isolated.”
Charles Michel, however, warns against the risk of applying “double standards” within the European Union. “If we interpret European law, European treaties, European rules differently depending on the place or the circumstances, then we pay the price. The double standard is a poison that undermines trust, which is the cement of all multilateral cooperation. There are different traditions depending on European countries. We must ensure that each of the twenty-seven Member States is treated in the same way.”
The President of the European Council also prides himself on having succeeded “to recreate around the table of the European Council the personal confidence which had been terribly degraded” by the heated debates on migration in 2016. “I used the few talents I have in terms of mediation to be able to recreate this atmosphere, this dynamic. I leave in the hands of my successor a European Council in good health from this point of view”praises the former head of the Belgian government.
gullMigration is a very serious political subject. Because if we cannot demonstrate that European leaders have control of our borders, over who can enter or stay, then the European citizen loses confidence in everything else.
“If Trump is elected, Europe will not be a bird for the cat”
Competitiveness, innovation, audacity
Although the Union has demonstrated a greater capacity to react than in the past, it is having difficulty planning for the long term. Thus, the reports of the former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, on the internal market, and of the former President of the European Central Bank and former President of the Italian Council Mario Draghi on European competitiveness, expose the weaknesses of Europe , among other things caused by a lack of anticipation and clairvoyance. “There is a decline in terms of comparison with our main competitors, on the issue of patents, on investments in disruptive innovations, above all”warns Charles Michel.
One of the priority tasks of “the third political generation of the European project” will be “work voluntarily and ambitiously to prevent Europe from becoming the museum of the world, a region that we look at with a certain pride for its glorious past, but also with nostalgia. On the contrary, we must draw a new dream European, more competitiveness, innovation, boldness This is the whole debate, posed by the Letta and Draghi reports, which will be held in Budapest. It will be necessary to continue it regarding the necessary actions for the coming years..
The European Union must act quickly and strongly, otherwise it will collapse, warns Mario Draghi. Is she capable of it?
One of the most sensitive questions concerns the advisability of launching new joint loans to contribute to the financing of European priorities. “In the draft summit declaration, I propose that we explore new instruments. At this stage there is no consensus to have an agreement in principle on the subject. This is the debate on the next budget European (multi-annual) in 2025, which will be the moment of truth in terms of financial solidarity. I am trying to pass the baton to Antonio Costa to be sure that all these debates are on the table.”
Europe must think in the long term
During the ten years spent on the European Council – five as Belgian Prime Minister, five as President – Charles Michel has seen the functioning of the circle of leaders evolve. Himself “claims to have wanted from [sa] taking office gradually transform the European Council” into an institution “which provides impetus, direction and assumes more of its strategic role”. And to cite the example of his first summit as president, in December 2019, during which European leaders set the course for climate neutrality for 2050.
Charles Michel, who traveled extensively (too much, according to some of his detractors) during his two mandates, says he was struck by the fact that “many regions in the world have a vision for themselves that is more long-term than what we are sometimes capable of doing. We must reconnect with a common, shared narrative that goes beyond the short and medium term to question ourselves about what we want to be as a social project, as a political project for ourselves, our children, our grandchildren.”
On the other hand, the former president of the MR does not want to say a word about his personal future and Belgian politics before the end of his mandate.
