Europe must redefine itself and its goals if it is to remain relevant in the 21st century, writes Douglas Alexander
The recent turbulent months have caused both some friends and opponents of the European Union to claim that Europe is afflicted by crisis. It is not a crisis in which Europe ceases to function: its institutions continue to operate; it can still take decisions; can still act; and can still further the interests of its member states. The Union is not about to break apart.
It is, rather, an issue of direction, of purpose, of meaning. What is Europe about? Where is it going? What is the Union here to do? If we did not have it, would we invent it? The articles in the Whither Europe series in The Irish Times testify to this introspection and doubt.
The rejection of the constitutional treaty by the French and Dutch is, of course, the proximate cause of this debate. Anxieties were further deepened by the failure of Europe's leaders to agree a deal on the Union's future financial arrangements at the June European Council.
In truth, the underlying malaise has been building within Europe over the last two decades. Twenty years ago more than two-thirds of Europeans supported their countries' membership; now the figure is about half. As economic integration deepened, internal tensions have grown over how to define and develop Europe's social and economic arrangements. The euro has not delivered the sustainable boost to economic growth that many predicted. And - notwithstanding the historic opening of accession negotiations with Turkey - the debate over enlargement shows an uncertain sense of purpose, a weaker sense of historical mission and perspective. In short, questions on the future direction of Europe have been with us for some time.
This is because it now faces challenges that are fundamentally different from those it faced when the EEC was set up in the 1950s and when it was establishing itself in the 1960s and 1970s. The British prime minister, Tony Blair, made this clear in his speech to the European Parliament that launched the British presidency. These challenges go to the very heart of what the EU is - and can be - in the 21st century. We can no longer rely simply on the past successes of the Union to sustain support for its work. Many of our citizens do not know of these successes, which have little resonance to what they see around them today.
The truth is that Europe has to redefine itself, its aspirations, and its goals, if it is to remain relevant in the 21st century. It has to face the challenges of the rapid growth of China and India, of globalisation generally, and the economic, social, and foreign policy stresses and strains that go with it. If we are to meet the challenges of the modern world, the EU must turn outwards and become globally orientated.
Take enlargement. By inspiring reform on her borders Europe is gradually establishing a swathe of democratic nation states, stretching from the eastern Mediterranean to the Atlantic, the Black Sea to the Baltic. And the single market: with 450 million consumers it is contributing to growth and prosperity. Yet today's threat to peace and security comes not from conflict within our borders, but from instability in countries and regions in our neighbourhood and beyond. Terrorism, organised crime, the traffickers of people and drugs respect no boundaries. These cannot be overcome by nation states working in isolation. Only by working together can we succeed.
So Europe must continue to look outwards and increase its level of engagement in international issues. We must continue the process of enlargement in the Balkans, which has been given further impetus with the opening of negotiations with Croatia, and with the entry of Serbia and Montenegro, and, hopefully, Bosnia soon into the stabilisation process, and by forward movement on settling Kosovo's status. Our engagement here has been central in helping both regions towards peace and stability.
And we are not actors only in our neighbourhood. The EU is starting to play a role in enhancing European and global security and stability. It is engaged in seven civilian and military peacekeeping missions, including its first mission in Asia, which will be crucial in monitoring the peace agreement in Aceh alongside ASEAN states.
We must ensure we are as successful economically. With unemployment in the EU approaching 10 per cent, it is no longer enough simply to eliminate trade barriers. Many member states need deep and continued reform if the Union is to maintain living standards for its citizens. It must avoid focusing on means, for example on particular mechanisms of social dialogue, and concentrate on ends, of delivering growth and prosperity.
We must also use our shared strength in the WTO to make the case for fair and open rules, within which European companies can compete and win in the emerging markets such as China and India. And such rules allow our companies and consumers to benefit from cheaper imports and goods. Europe must reach outwards and harness global trade if it is to increase competitiveness and prosperity.
That means also tackling the inequities that are preventing developing countries from expanding trade and hence growth, and keeping prices artificially high for consumers in the developed world. We, in the developed world, must open our markets and remove punishing tariffs and subsidies, particularly on agricultural produce on which so many of the world's poorest countries depend for their livelihood. The EU and the US need to continue to show firm leadership in the weeks leading to the WTO ministerial meeting in Hong Kong in December, if we are to succeed in this trade round and continue lifting millions out of poverty.
Europe faces an important and testing period over the months to come. It has taken a timely step by opening accession negotiations with Turkey. But the outcome of the informal meeting of heads of government at Hampton Court on October 27th, the December European Council and the Hong Kong WTO ministerial meeting will all be important tests of Europe's ability to respond to change and pursue its objectives in a way relevant to today's challenges. That is our shared opportunity and our shared responsibility.
Douglas Alexander is British Labour MP for Paisley & Renfrewshire and minister of state for Europe