Renewing the commitment

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, which set up the present-day European Union. It is therefore a time to celebrate past achievements and set goals for the future so that present and future generations of Europeans will benefit from this unity based on solidarity.

It is a good coincidence that this anniversary will be celebrated during the German Presidency, one of the major contributors towards the European dream. With Chancellor Angela Merkel's proposals for the coming six months of German Presidency, the German commitment towards the EU is as strong as ever.

The motto chosen by the German Presidency is 'Succeeding Together', a suitable slogan indeed coming from a country that until 17 years ago was still divided and which reunited to become a major influence in the global economic and political sphere. Unity means harmony, which leads to stability and success.

A continuity programme has been drafted by Germany, Portugal and Slovenia, the three countries that will be presiding over the EU over the next 18 months. This is necessary to provide continuity, which is so important to create a platform for future aspirations.

To realise all these ambitions we require new ground rules based on European values, portraying the European identity, an identity based on diversity while respecting the freedom of others.

In Chancellor Merkel's words: "Europe's soul is tolerance. Europe is the continent of tolerance. That's why Europe must promote the virtue of tolerance both at home and abroad."

To succeed we need to secure a European Constitution, which enables the Union to deal with the challenges of the 21st century.

A common external policy is necessary in a world that is getting smaller due to new technologies. This would assist the EU to draft stronger strategies to deal with challenges such as Kosovo, the Middle East and Iran's nuclear programme, to give a few examples.

The Maltese government is already voicing its ideas through Foreign Minister Michael Frendo. Malta is insisting with its European partners that the dialogue between the EU and the Arab League be put on a more formal and structured platform.

The 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome is an achievement in itself and to show the ambitions and commitment towards the future the 27 member states will be signing the Berlin Declaration. The declaration should describe the values and aims of the EU and its member states, it will be a proclamation of the lessons learnt from the past and a renewed commitment for achievement in the coming half a century.

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso proposed five concrete points on which the declaration should focus: solidarity, sustainability, accountability, security and ways and means to promote the EU's values to the world.

An enlarged and open Europe requires solidarity. Social cohesion as well as economic progress are essential for EU growth.

Europe's success comes also from innovation, on scientific, technical economic and social progress. Sustainability in these areas should play a major role in the Union's future.

Transparency, accessibility to information and means of communication should not be just rights for our citizens across the member states but also obligations for the European institutions to provide them as clearly, as correctly and as up to date as possible. The European Union must commit itself to be "user-friendly" for its citizens.

In a modern world threatened with terrorism and illegal immigration on a massive scale, the European Union must guarantee security to its citizens while preserving fundamental freedoms and human rights.

Sustainability, accountability, solidarity and security must be promoted outside our borders. This must be done to secure stability in the global village we inhabit.

My dream of seeing Malta join the European Union has been realised; my dream now is to grow within it. We need to be constructive in our thinking while working hard to achieve what we believe in.

Malta under the leadership of Nationalist prime ministers has always managed to set targets and achieve them. Dr Lawrence Gonzi has a target - that of reaping all possible benefits from EU membership, and we are already seeing the results.

david.casa@europarl.europa.eu, www.davidcasa.eu