Brexit: Focusing on the Future
Brexit: Focusing on the Future
The EU must now return to its essential tasks.
It is no day for celebration for the European Union and the project of European unification when, for the first time today, a member leaves the EU. “After the Brexit spectacle captivated the EU for more than three years, it is now time to dedicate ourselves to the further development of the European Union,” says Rainhard Kloucek, Secretary General of the Paneuropean Movement Austria. There are still countries in Europe that aspire to integration into the EU, and where integration is also in the strategic interest of the EU and its member states.
The Eastern and South-Eastern European Dimension
Stefan Haböck, International Officer of the Paneuropean Movement Austria, adds: “As Brexit has evidently tied up many capacities within the EU, there is now an opportunity to utilise these capacities for the integration of the countries of South-Eastern Europe into the EU. Promises have been made since 2003, yet comparatively little progress has been made. That should now change.” The Paneuropean Movement is also committed to offering Ukraine a concrete prospect of accession.
Great Britain was known for its obstructive role towards political union. “Now is the chance to finally create a European dimension, especially in foreign policy, that also develops foreign policy sovereignty,” says Rainhard Kloucek. “At the same time, it is important to focus more on market economy again, and to curb protectionist approaches in many member states.”
Europe is a Community of Destiny
Occasionally, the Brexiteers, in their Leave campaign, even put their finger on genuinely existing wounds, alongside a tonne of manufactured fake news, according to Philipp Jauernik, Chairman of Paneuropa Youth. “It is true: to this day, the EU is neither perfect nor close to being so. But anyone who sees the global perspective quickly understands that European unification is not a policy option, but a geostrategic necessity.”
A mere free trade zone would by no means suffice. “Europe must provide entirely different answers than it currently can. The union of European states is not purely an economic community.” The idea of security played an important role from the outset. It was about “creating a zone of freedom, security, and justice. This remains the great challenge today – especially against the backdrop of Brexit.”
