Sixty years ago in Rome, the treaty establishing the European Economic Community was signed, laying the foundations for the Europe that we know today and ushering in 60 years of peace, prosperity and stability.

The European Union can be rightfully proud at what it has achieved over the years. It has brought about an unprecedented level of economic well-being, it has developed a social model to be envied and has consolidated democracy and the rule of law throughout the bloc. The EU strongly supports peaceful cooperation, respect for human dignity, human rights, equality and solidarity among its Member States.

On the international front it is both a force for good and a strong believer in multilateralism, global engagement, international law and democratic norms. It is generous with humanitarian aid, it has a number of peace-keeping missions around the world, it plays an important role in international diplomacy – the Paris climate change and Iranian nuclear deals are two examples of agreements it worked towards – and it has led and supported a number of peace talks to help bring about solutions in conflicts worldwide.

While it is no exaggeration to say that the EU is the greatest achievement in modern European history, as it cele­brates its 60th anniversary it faces a number of major challenges which threaten its cohesion and possibly even its long-term survival.

An increasingly assertive and hostile Russia, an inward-looking US led by a President who doesn’t understand what the EU stands for and what it has achieved, Brexit, jihadist terrorism, the rise of right-wing eurosceptic populist parties, an immigration crisis, a sharp deterioration in relations with Turkey and a high jobless rate in a number of EU Member States have certainly dented the EU’s self-confidence.

What is needed now is a new impetus within the EU to revive the European project and to help it overcome these difficulties. Hopefully, the encouraging result of the Dutch election will be followed with a victory by a pro-EU candidate in the French presidential election as well as a major boost for the mainstream pro-EU parties in Germany’s elections.

A new Franco-German initiative to revitalise the EU would be a step in the right direction but the bloc needs to determine in what direction it is heading. European citizens’ concerns, particularly over im­mi­gration, security, identity and a lack of jobs, must be addressed, and individual Member States should be free to choose a path of further integration where this makes sense to do so.

Indeed, a multi-speed Europe, one of European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker’s five options for the EU’s future direction after Brexit, would seem the most sensible way forward for the bloc.

Mindful of the twin threats of Vladimir Putin’s Russia and jihadism, as well as an American President who has openly declared an “America First” policy, it is vital for Europe as a whole to cooperate further in areas such as security, counter-terrorism, immigration, external border control, foreign policy and defence, and to remain united and speak with one voice. A fragmented Europe would be irrelevant on the global stage and would be dwarfed by other political and economic giants.

The EU would also be wise to reassess its relations with Turkey in the light of unfortunate developments in the country and the recent outrageous anti-European comments made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey and the EU, however, need a strong partnership, something which cannot be overlooked by either side.

While Brexit is undoubtedly a major blow for the EU – the UK did not attend yesterday’s Rome summit – it is in the interest of both sides to work towards a fair exit deal and to ensure that Britain remains a close partner of the EU. Indeed, the two sides should work towards a formula by which the UK would adhere to Europe’s Common Foreign and Security Policy.

“Europe is our common future,” EU leaders declared in Rome yesterday. Indeed it is, but we all need to work harder to ensure that this is not just an empty slogan.

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