EU: Future of Europe: Nearly half of citizens want reforms - by Elena Sánchez Nicolás

Almost half of EU citizens (44 percent) would like to see reforms to the bloc, a survey published on Friday (12 February) revealed.

"Reform of the EU is clearly something citizens want to see, and that is why we need to launch the Conference on the Future of Europe as soon as possible," the president of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, said.

The much-delayed Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) is seen as a chance to have an inclusive dialogue with citizens about the way ahead for the EU - particularly after the pandemic revealed major weaknesses of the Union.

Read more at: Future of Europe: Nearly half of citizens want reforms

EU New Deal: The EU is at crossroads and there is no time for a wrong turn - by Vanessa Cotterell

Nearly one year after taking office, Ursula von der Leyen will deliver the State of the Union address to the European Parliament on September 16.

It has been a turbulent year, as Europe resurfaces from the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking back at the EU’s very first State of the Union speech, a tradition introduced in 2010 following the Lisbon Treaty, José Manuel Barroso’s words may well have struck a chord with leaders today. Whether it is a looming debt crisis in the years after the global financial crisis or a health crisis with unprecedented and far-reaching consequences, the challenges Europe continues to face will require a strong sense of solidarity and cooperation.

While the rebound will no doubt be a gradual one, time is running out for leaders to agree on a recovery plan and financial framework covering the next seven years. Europe’s recovery and future rely on a comprehensive and ambitious budget plan embodying the principles of cohesion, solidarity and upward convergence. Meanwhile, reducing funding for both existing and prospective EU programmes could be highly damaging to Europe’s already weakened societies and economies.

As Europe continues to grapple with the aftermath of the health crisis, leaders also hope to finalise a number of long-awaited deals and packages aiming to strengthen democracy, mitigate climate change, enhance Europe’s digital sovereignty, manage migration and asylum, and reinvent Europe’s role on the world stage.

However, a lot more is at stake, and now is the time for leaders to channel the lessons learned from the past several months into effective policies and bold proposals for Europe. A health crisis cannot be banished behind borders; the sooner national governments realise this, the less damage will be done to the internal market and Schengen area.

The pandemic has affected individuals and communities differently. As inequalities widen, it would be a mistake to leave behind the people who have been the most vulnerable. Though the crisis may compel us to concentrate on our internal challenges, we should not turn our back on those at our borders who may face greater safety risks and marginalisation.

While the health and economic dimensions of COVID-19 may take centre stage in President von der Leyen’s address, the pandemic’s impact on democracy, rights and freedoms in Europe will also play a significant role. It is time for the EU to come to terms with the fact that democratic backsliding, rule of law breaches and declining civic space, inside the EU and beyond, are a clear and present danger – and may even be amplified during the crisis. The EU’s efforts to hear out citizens on these matters have only further highlighted the importance of European cooperation and actions to protect pluralism and diversity in Europe.

As health emergencies can put the spotlight on some of the weaknesses of democratic systems, the pandemic can be an opportunity for the EU to rethink the mechanisms it has in place to protect the values enshrined in Article 2 of the TEU and enhance them by creating one single framework of a fully-fledged rule of law mechanism.

The EU and its leaders find themselves in a vulnerable, yet very powerful position. Vulnerable because the pandemic is far from over and the policies that are decided on today will affect Europe’s society and economy in the years to come. But also powerful, if one considers that the EU and its Member States have, so far, managed to navigate a global pandemic of unprecedented scale. This crisis can serve as a fresh start, as an opportunity for all Europeans to come together and share their vision for the future.

Europe has evolved since the first State of the Union speech a decade ago, but just like in 2010, a crisis can be a catalyst for our societies to grow closer, for policies to be more effective and inclusive, and for our visions and ambitions to become reality. By working in unison and channelling the lessons learned from the crisis, Europe can emerge from this pandemic more resilient and united.

It is now up to leaders to listen to citizens and deliver.

This piece is based on the EMI Policy Position “A European Union Response to COVID-19 “,

Read more at: 
The EU is at crossroads and there is no time for a wrong turn  | New Europe

EU Budget for 2020: Climate becomes top priority in EU’s 2020 budget – by Antoine Germain

The European Commission proposed on Wednesday (5 June) a budget worth €168.3 billion for the bloc in 2020, aimed at promoting a more competitive European economy and solidarity and security in the EU.

This is the last budget under the 2014-2020 fiscal period and put climate change at the top of the agenda.

As much as 21% of the proposed budget will be devoted to climate change issues.

Read more at: Climate becomes top priority in EU’s 2020 budget – EURACTIV.com

China - EU relations: China fears EU might stap them in the back as trade conflict escalates

China fears Europe will ‘stab it in the back’ as trade conflict with U.S. escalates 

For the complete report go to;
http://flip.it/w1hQK7

Russian Poisoning Case: The Russian Exodus: Over 100 Russian diplomats expelled from Europe and US

 Some 100 Russian diplomats were expelled from 15 European Union (EU) countries, Canada, Ukraine and the US,  in a show of solidarity with Britain over a nerve agent attack on a former spy

The British government blames Moscow for the hospitalization of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, using a powerful nerve agent in the English city of Salisbury on March 4. London has been seeking support from EU and NATO allies during an escalating diplomatic row with the Kremlin after they expelling 23 Russian diplomats on March 14

The EU ambassador representing the EU Commission in Bruxelles was also recently recalled in protest.

EU-Digest

Britain: EU backs Britain in wake of Russian spy poisoning - by Maxime Schl

Senior EU officials expressed their support for the U.K. in its standoff with Russia after Prime Minister Theresa May said it was “highly likely” Moscow was behind the attempted murders of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the English town of Salisbury.

The show of support from the Continent, just as London and Brussels are negotiating Britain’s exit from the European Union, should bolster May in her response to one of the most difficult foreign policy challenges of her leadership.

The pro-Brexit foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, said on Tuesday he was “very encouraged so far by the strength of the support that we are getting,” adding that he had spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, according to the Guardian.

Note EU-Digest: Interesting fact is after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson condemned the Russian poisoning of one of their former spies in Britain this Monday March 12, he was fired yesterday March 13. 

Read more: EU backs Britain in wake of Russian spy poisoning – POLITICO

Britain - Russian Spy Case - Putin is 'tearing up the international rulebook' - EU must show solidarity against Putin's Mafia practises regardless of BREXIT

Britain had hoped for a different scenario but it's now heading into a major showdown with Russia, a senior official at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank told Euronews TV.

As tensions mount between the UK and Russia over the poisoning of a former double agent on British soil, Russian President Vladimir Putin appears ready to "tear up completely the rulebook of international behaviour," a senior official at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank has told Euronews.

Prime Minister Theresa May gave Russia until midnight on Tuesday to explain how former spy Serguei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned in the southern English city of Salisbury with a nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union.

Moscow has fiercely denied any connection to the poisoning and says the UK is whipping up anti-Russian hysteria. RUSI International Director Jonathan Eyal said in a Skype interview that May's move had not intended – at least initially – to be an ultimatum.

"As the British prime minister sees it, she was basically trying to give the Russians at least a possibility of getting out of a difficult situation. She hinted at the possibility that they may suggest that these are chemical compounds that have escaped from government control," Eyal said.

"But it is already clear that there is nobody in Moscow in any mood whatsoever at the moment to take that elegant way out and to prevent a much bigger showdown."

Eyal says the UK could cripple the Russian embassy in London by expelling a raft of diplomats, including the Russian ambassador. But any diplomatic retaliation would be more effective if the UK could show it has the support of its European allies.

"I think what will be watched very carefully in Moscow is if Britain is out on a limb on this one, or if the British government manages to carry its allies with it," Eyal said

 May, who said on Monday (March 12) it was "highly likely" that Russia was behind the Skripal poisoning, has already won support from the European Union, which denounced the attack as "shocking."

"As things currently stand, it appears that President Putin in Moscow believes that there is no hope for any good relations with the West, and therefore it’s his turn to tear up completely the rulebook of international behaviour."

Note EU-Digest: Now is the time for the EU to stand firm together with Britain and provide complete support against these Mafia practices of President Vladimir Putin's Government. This is also the time for the EU to put Brexit on the back burner and take up the fight against these totally unacceptable crimes committed on the territory of Britain (EU) by a foreign power.

As to the lip service provided by the US President Trump to Theresa May, one should consider these assurances of support "dubious", given that the US Trump Administrations relationship with the Russian government is still under investigation by the FBI.

EU-Digest

Germany: Merkel calls for younger ministers in new government

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for younger members of her party to fill ministerial positions in the new government.

"We need to ensure that not only the over-60s are considered but also younger people," she told German TV.

She also defended "painful" concessions made to the the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) to clinch a coalition deal.

The deal followed months of wrangling after an inconclusive election.

However it still needs to be approved by the SPD's 460,000 members, with the result due in March.

On Friday SPD leader Martin Schulz abandoned a plan to serve as foreign minister in the new government, saying he did not want debate about his role to jeopardise the new coalition.

"Now we need to show that we can start with a new team," Mrs Merkel said. The CDU has six ministerial posts to fill.

Read more: Germany: Merkel calls for younger ministers in new government - BBC News

EU: Handle the EU with more care and bring back solidarity in EU - by Annie Schreijer-Pierik

United we stand divided we fall

Europe seems almost to crumble over the large number of crises. The Brexit, Greek debt, TTIP, problems with ratification of the EU- Ukraine-treaty and CETA, as well as a number of eurosceptic politicians entering national governments.

This is not a very positive mid-term review of the EU-politics.

But let us realize that we are dealing with practical problems of current cooperation. The EU in total has a wonderful track record: More peace, security, freedom of expression and adequate work and food.

These goals have been achieved during more than 60 years. The problem is that too much people take these benefits for granted: as if peace and prosperity naturally will also remain without the EU.

The reality is that we cannot and should not throw EU cooperation overboard. Do not believe those political arsonists who set the EU House on fire and then do not know how to control the fire or rebuild the house.

The British already face great uncertainty in anticipation of the end of its EU-membership around 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May preliminary asked for a guarantee so UK residents would be allowed to continue live in the EU: a very clear “no” was the answer from the EU: “first start negotiating, then we will see about your rights”. Businesses in Britain are in limbo: If the EU imposes import tariffs on British products, this will hurt British companies even more.

It is clear: without the EU, we all lose a lot. Not only does the EU facilitate trade on the continent, it is also a tremendous cost saving that Brussels officials are doing the work for officials in 28 EU 

countries. Only the EU has the power to stand up to mobile operators and abolish its roaming charges; 

Only the EU has the power to stand up to foreign multinationals who try to avoid paying reasonable taxes; Only the EU could agree with Turkey on managing the refugee influx. And only the EU has the power to introduce a free InterRail card for 18 year olds in so many countries.

The EU is a good thing. It needs to be handled with more care. Most importantly, a feeling of solidarity should return among the governments of the EU countries. Too often we see the attitude of “every man for himself”. But this attitude does not bring anyone further in the long term: like cyclists facing headwind, we know that it is better to form a group instead of facing the wind alone.

So, the EU-agreements should be fairer for everyone. Leaders should comply with the agreements, who says “yes” in Brussels cannot say “no” back in the Member State. It is bad for EU-credibility when leaders agree that diesel vehicles must emit less harmful substances, but in the meantime do otherwise. Also, it does not look good if Member States compete with each other on secretive national tax deals with multinationals.

The founding fathers of the EU had a Christian vision of sharing, trusting and reaching out to nations in need. I am reminded by this, every time I see the EU-flag with its twelve stars.

Although Christianity might be in decline, and the EU may face problems, I am of the opinion that solidarity should remain. EU-countries must stand together, right now there is even an urgent need.

Anyone can see that Russian devious power and influence is growing. The new American president Donald Trump seems not to bother about helping Europe or NATO.

So the EU itself must provide a solid defense, internet safety and peace. That goes for the European continent, but also for nearby Ukraine and the Middle East.

A bishop from Iraq, whom I invited to Brussels for a conference on Christian persecution, told me he was impressed by the terrorist attacks on the Brussels airport and subway. “Madam, we see such attacks three times a day,” the Bishop told me.

I do not want Europe to become such a world. Amid the worldwide problems, the bickering about the EU looks futile. let us realise: EU countries are prosperous and peaceful because we removed barriers for people and business.

Only through European cooperation, we maintain that peace, security, freedom of expression, enough work and food.

Read more: Bring back solidarity in EU

EU-US relations: Europe, Alone in Trump’s World - by Mark Leonard

Alone again. Since World War II’s end, Europe has looked at the world through a transatlantic lens. There have been ups and downs in the alliance with the United States, but it was a family relationship built on a sense that we would be there for each other in a crisis and that we are fundamentally like-minded.

Donald Trump’s election as US president threatens to bring this to an end – at least for now. He believes more in walls and oceans than solidarity with allies, and has made it clear that he will put America not just first, but second and third as well. “We will no longer surrender this country, or its people,” he declared in his one major foreign-policy speech, “to the false song of globalism.”

Europeans will not only have to get used to Trump; they will have to look at the world through different eyes. There are four reasons to expect that Trump’s America will be the single biggest source of global disorder.

First, American guarantees are no longer reliable. Trump has questioned whether he would defend Eastern European NATO members if they do not do more to defend themselves. He has said that Saudi Arabia should pay for American security. He has encouraged Japan and South Korea to obtain nuclear weapons. In Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, Trump has made it clear that America will no longer play the role of policeman; instead, it will be a private security company open for hire.

Second, global institutions will come under attack. Trump fundamentally rejects the view that the liberal world order that the US built after WWII (and expanded after the Cold War) is the cheapest way of defending American values and interests. Like George W. Bush after September 11, 2001, he views global institutions as placing intolerable constraints on US freedom of action. He has a revisionist agenda for almost all of these bodies, from the World Trade Organization to NATO and the United Nations. The fact that he wants to put the “Art of the Deal” into practice in all international relationships – renegotiating the terms of every agreement – is likely to provoke a similar backlash among America’s partners.

Read moreL Europe, Alone in Trump’s World

France: Muslims go to Catholic Masses in Europe to show solidarity - by Milos Krivokapic and Raphael Satter

In a gesture of solidarity after the gruesome killing of a French priest, hundreds of Muslims on Sunday attended Catholic Masses in churches and cathedrals across France and Italy.

More than 100 Muslims gathered at the towering Gothic cathedral in Rouen, near Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, where the 85-year-old Rev. Jacques Hamel had his throat slit by two teenage Muslim fanatics Tuesday.

‘‘We are very moved by the presence of our Muslim friends and I believe it is a courageous act that they did by coming to us,’’ Dominique Lebrun, the archbishop of Rouen, said after the service.

Some of the Muslims sat in the front row, across from the altar. Among the parishioners was one of the nuns who was briefly taken hostage at Hamel’s church when he was killed. She joined her fellow Catholics in turning to shake hands or embrace the Muslim churchgoers after the service.

Outside the church, a group of Muslims were applauded when they unfurled a banner: ‘‘Love for all. Hate for none.’’

Churchgoer Jacqueline Prevot said the attendance of Muslims was ‘‘a magnificent gesture.’’

‘‘Look at this whole Muslim community that attended Mass,’’ she said. ‘‘I find this very heartwarming. I am confident. I say to myself that this assassination won’t be lost, that it will maybe relaunch us better than politics can do. Maybe we will react in a better way.’’

Read more: Muslims go to Catholic Masses in Europe to show solidarity - The Boston Globe

May Day Celebrations Europe: National issues highlighted in Europe’s May Day rallies

May Day celebrations turned sour in Istanbul as Turkish police fired tear gas and sprayed water cannon at anti-government protesters.

They were prevented from entering the main Taksim Square which was closed by the authorities.
A man was killed in an accident after being run over by a police truck
.
Security was tight with some 15,000 police deployed, following two terrorist attacks in the city this year blamed on ISIL.

In Paris the events were marked by opposition to the French government’s labour reforms, aimed at freeing up the hiring and firing of workers to tackle chronic unemployment.

One young protester in the Place de la Bastille echoed the feelings of many: “liberalising the labour market is not democratic and social progress,” he said.

Many countries had their own particular theme. In Germany unions called on people to oppose xenophobia , right-wing extremism and a divided society.

The main rally took place in Stuttgart, where the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party was holding its congress – and on Sunday, voted to back an election manifesto saying Islam was incompatible with the constitution.

Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella paid tribute to people killed at the workplace, laying a wreath at the headquarters in Rome of the government agency for insurance against work-related injuries. Last year saw a 16 percent increase in fatal injuries at work.

Rome’s San Giovanni Square is also the venue for a traditional May Day concert. The organisers dedicated this year’s event to Italian student Giulio Regeni, murdered in Egypt.

Left-wing party leaders joined thousands in Madrid as Spain’s two main unions highlighted low pay, workers’ rights and social exclusion – targeting the outgoing conservative government eight weeks before parliamentary elections.

Moscow staged its traditional rally in Red Square – while thousands of Russian communists also marched, nostalgic for the Soviet past as they called for a return to state-controlled resources.

Read more: National issues highlighted in Europe’s May Day rallies | euronews, world news

Britain, France join Germany in showing solidarity with migrants - by Frank Zeller

Britain and France Monday joined Germany in pledging to accept tens of thousands of refugees as Europe's record influx of people fleeing war and misery sparked warnings that one Greek migrant chokepoint was "on the verge of explosion".

European leaders are scrambling for solutions as bloody conflicts in Syria, Iraq and beyond send hundreds of thousands of desperate people on dangerous voyages through the Balkans and across the Mediterranean to the 28-nation EU.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country is Europe's top refugee destination, hailed the warm welcome her citizens gave to 20,000 asylum-seekers who streamed across its southern borders on weekend trains, and pledged billions more in money to house them.

Signalling that the huge wave of arrivals marked a milestone for Europe's biggest economy, she said that "what we are experiencing now is something that will ... change our country in coming years". 

"We want the change to be positive, and we believe we can accomplish that," she said.

As EU leaders stepped up efforts to tackle the historic crisis, France said it would take 24,000 more asylum-seekers under a European plan to relocate 120,000 refugees from hard-hit frontline countries.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said his country would also do more, taking in 20,000 Syrian refugees from overflowing camps near the war-torn country's borders over the next five years.

Across the Atlantic, Canada's Quebec province pledged to welcome 3,650 Syrian refugees this year.

Read more: Britain, France join Germany in showing solidarity with migrants - Yahoo News

Paris march: At least one million join 50 world leaders in 'overwhelming' demonstration on streets of French capital-by Hohn Lichfield

At least one million people were expected to attend today's “Republican march” in Paris - also called the “march against hatred”.

At 4pm local time every avenue and boulevard around the Place de la Republique was blocked solid. Most people were unable to move forward - and seemed unlikely ever to do so.  New rivers and streams of humanity still poured into the crowd from every direction.

Nearby metro stations were closed. At those a little distance away which remained open, crowds waited patiently to leave each platform. Each train that arrived was packed.

“France will not be the same after today,” said Michel, 46, as he took part in what was indeed to be a day of extraordinary precedents set.

The Israeli Prime minister Benyamin Netanyahu and the president of the Palestinian authority Mahmoud Abbas participated in the same demonstration. President François Hollande and his predecessor Nicolas Sarkosy marched side by side.

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, was taking part in a street demonstration for the first time in his life.  “The Charlie Hebdo murders will not crush our spirit or our values,” he tweeted on his way to Paris this morning.

King Abdallah of Jordan and the brother of the Emir of Qatar marched alongside the German chancellor Angela Merkel and the Spanish, Italian, Ukrainian, Nigerian and Malian leaders – more than 50 world leaders in all – in the two mile march from the Place de la République to the Place de la Nation in eastern Paris

Read more: Paris march: At least one million join 50 world leaders in 'overwhelming' demonstration on streets of French capital - Europe - World - The Independent

Europe’s solidarity imperative - by Peter Sutherland

When Mario Draghi, the president of the European Central Bank, publicly proclaimed that the ECB would do “whatever it takes” to ensure the future stability of the euro, the effect of his remarks was immediate and remarkable. Borrowing costs fell dramatically for the governments of Italy and Spain; stock markets rallied; and the recent decline in the external value of the euro was suddenly checked.

It remains unclear how long-lasting the effects of Draghi’s intervention – or of the public support offered to him by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President François Hollande, and Italian premier Mario Monti – will prove to be. What we can say with certainty is that Draghi’s remarks and the reaction they evoked demonstrate that the fundamental problems of the eurozone are not primarily financial or economic; they are political, psychological, and institutional.

International observers took such notice of Draghi’s commitment to do “whatever it takes” to save the euro because so many of them have come to doubt other leading European players’ commitment to do likewise. (Some of these doubts are, of course, politically or financially self-serving; a certain model of financial capitalism perceives the euro as a threat, and its adherents will do everything they can to bring about its demise.)

Read more: Europe’s solidarity imperative | New Europe

Solidarity European style, or ‘when in a hole, stop digging’ - by Kassandra

If there is one thing that the Eurozone crisis has taught us, it is that financial markets are interesting beasts, prone to react quickly to remarks made by supposedly influential politicians. For the first year to year-and-a-half, European leaders were time and again taken by surprise when markets reacted unfavorably to contradicting statements, or, to use the word that could be found in the papers on a daily basis, to the cacophony in the EU. 

Many thought that markets were basically mentally unstable creatures that would overreact. In fact some - quite a few actually - Eurozone politicians started to believe in conspiracy theories that the markets were all out to kill the euro, and in this were helped by the American fifth column known as the rating agencies. 

The three major ones of these are all US based, so it was a sort of obvious choice. After all, when something goes wrong, the first reaction of people is - and believe me, politicians are people as well - to seek to blame someone else, preferably an outsider. 

Note EU-Digest: this report from New Europe certainly is a more positive story about Europe than those usually appearing in Murdoch owned publications around the world ( including the Wall Street Journal). Given Murdochs manipulations of the truth and other questionable activities, including infringement on personal rights to obtain stories, one can only wonder how long it will take before the law catches up with him?  

For more: Solidarity European style, or ‘when in a hole, stop digging’ | New Europe

New German President urges more not less European unity

Joachim Gauck and Angela Merkel

Germany on Friday swore in new president Joachim Gauck, who warned the government that it had a historical obligation to help Europe’s weakest members as they struggle to stay financially afloat.Gauck, the first head of state from the former communist east, delivered the impassioned appeal to members of parliament and Chancellor Angela Merkel in the light-flooded chamber of the Reichstag parliament building.

“We must keep saying yes to Europe,” said Gauck, who was elected president by a special assembly with an overwhelming majority on Sunday. “Particularly in times of crisis, the tendency to retreat to the level of the nation state is very common.

European unity is however impossible without the life’s blood of solidarity. Particularly in the crisis, we must dare to have more Europe.”Gauck, 72, said that languishing under the Nazi and then the communist dictatorships had made the notion of a united Europe living in peace, freedom and prosperity a driving force of his political awakening. “Europe was the promised land for my generation,” he said.

“For my grandchildren, Europe has long been part of their day-to-day reality, with freedom across borders and the opportunities and concerns of an open society. This reality is an achievement, not only for my grandchildren.”

With Joachim Gauck as president and Angela Merkel in the chancellery, the country's two top political positions will for the first time be held by people from the former communist East Germany.

EU-Digest

Helle Thorning-Schmidt addressed EU MEPs as Denmark took on the six month rotating presidency today

Helle Thorning-Schmidt PM of Denmark addressed MEPs on 18 January 2012 as Denmark took on the six month rotating presidency of the EU, replacing Poland.

The Danish government has set out its priorities in a work programme entitled Europe at Work, that revolves around four themes - social responsibility, economic growth, environmental protection and global security.

Ms Thorning-Schmidt - a former MEP - said that "the financial crisis should not lead us astray. It is more evident than ever that we share a common destiny".

The Danish presidency comes as negotiations intensify over creating a new treaty - the so-called "fiscal compact" - to end the crisis in the eurozone.

For more: BBC - Democracy Live - European Parliament

Poland’s solidarity message to Europe

Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, says in a Financial Times interview: “The most important task is to rebuild trust and faith in the idea that Europe makes sense – that the EU is truly a worthwhile invention.” Mr Tusk is right. The Greek debt crisis has not been handled in a way to preserve awareness of common interests. Europe’s threadbare solidarity is also visible in the backlash against the Schengen treaty and enlargement fatigue in the Balkans – both problems that Mr Tusk vows to remedy.

Not that Poland does not stand up for its national interests. Its tenacity in fighting against stricter carbon emissions cuts (Poland is largely coal-powered), or for the EU spending from which it handsomely benefits, is second to none. And Warsaw is unafraid to go its own way: unlike Berlin, it has not let the Fukushima nuclear disaster knock it off a pro-nuclear course.

The EU’s sixth largest country is at long last punching its weight as a regional power. It was the bloc’s only economy to grow throughout the crisis. That Poland has built better relations with Germany and Russia than at any time in history makes the country pivotal for EU policy towards Moscow. But Poland shows that national assertiveness is compatible with European unity.

For more: Poland’s solidarity message to Europe - FT.com