A Short Summary of Grand Continent Summit

What is Europe? People, togetherness, democracy, single market. 

The desire for a united Europe emerged as a response to the devastation caused by the war and the need for peace and economic recovery. Signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1951 led to the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) by six countries: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany. 

Today, Europe is a single market, a complete ecosystem of regulations and norms for 27 countries - which could soon be 37. 

And beyond this single market, Europe is a set of shared common values. Europe is the embodiment of multi-culturality, of the respect for others in their differences, of dialogue, democracy and the protection of peace.

Facing major shocks, we’ve shown deep alignment, strengths and determination.

Europe has shown tremendous unity and alignment in our Covid response, and in our response to the Ukraine war, with military, financing, economical and humanitarian support. 

The Green deal and the AI Act are leading the way, addressing pressing and urgent issues in a decisive and coordinated manner. 

… and yet, many areas need work

The conflict in Ukraine has highlighted our over-dependencies – food, energy, security. And while we have weathered through and navigated out of our dependencies, we need to increase our common strategic capabilities. We need to borrow together, and invest together. 

We don’t have a common defense. We spend 1/4th of the US, we have 27 systems (vs. 1 for the US). While we have acted on the Green Deal, we don’t have alignment on energy policies. 

The principles applied for our response to the war in Ukraine have crumbled when applied to the Israeli / Palestinian conflict. Recent UN votes on the matter have shown our internal divide.

Reforms are also needed in our governance. Our voting system was made for 6 countries - we are now 27. How do we evolve Europe’s governance as we look to increase membership beyond 27 members? What are the process, timeline and milestones to absorb new members? 

The year ahead

2024 will be a voting year - more than 2 billion voters in 50 countries, representing over 40% of the world's population, will go to the polls. Elections will be held in various countries, including the United States, India, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Rwanda, and of course Europe. 

On June 6-9th 2024, European citizens will elect European parliament elections. It will be the largest transnational elections in the world, with more than 400 million people eligible to vote. 

The outcomes of these elections are anticipated to have a significant impact on global politics and governance. Across the world and across our continent we are witnessing the rise of the extreme right - fuelled by fear and divisive speeches, carrying values which are for the most part mis-aligned with the European project and its values. In this context, how can we reconnect European citizens to the European project? How can we bring people along, give hope and propose a tangible and safe future?

While a lot of what was discussed was at best gloomy, at worst dramatic, I can’t help but leave this first Summit filled with a sense of hope, pride and duty. Hope that Europe will continue to improve itself. Pride to be European. Duty to carry the flag of our common values, and to work for a world in peace.  

Vive l’Europe!