Future of the EU: majority of Europeans want the EU to do more - Main contents
Most Europeans want the EU to do more in 15 key policy areas, according to a Eurobarometer survey. The EU is currently considering its strategy for the future.
Most Europeans would like the EU to do more on a variety of topics
The EU should do more in areas ranging from the economy to defence, according to the majority of people who took part in the latest Eurobarometer survey, commission by the European Parliament. People supported more action in all 15 key policy areas they were asked about. In addition three quarters of them (74%) also agreed that solidarity between the citizens of the different member states is greater than the issues which separate them. These findings are very insightful at a time when EU institutions are considering how they should adapt to better prepare Europe for the future.
Parliament reports
On 16 February MEPs adopted three reports setting out how they believe the EU needs to be reformed in order to boost its capacity to act, restore people’s trust and make the economy more resilient.
The report by Guy Verhofstadt (ALDE, Belgium) considers what treaty changes might be needed for additional reforms. The report by Mercedes Bresso (S&D, Italy) and Elmar Brok (EPP, Germany) looks at what improvements are already possible using the existing system. The report by Reimer Böge (EPP, Germany) and Pervenche Berès (S&D, France) sets out how to bring the economies of countries that have adopted the euro closer together and make them more resilient.
Debate on the future of European integration
This year the Commission has published five reflection papers as a starting point for a debate on the future of European integration. Each paper is dedicated to a specific theme: Europe’s social dimension, globalisation, the economic and monetary union, defence and finances. The papers contain ideas and scenarios for what Europe could be like in 2025, but no specific proposals. The initiative finishes in mid-September when Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker delivers his annual state of the union address. These reflection papers have been discussed by MEPs during plenary sessions.
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Created: 08-09-2017 - 09:00
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