What is the future of
The opening address was given by Mr. Bradley Freden, Deputy Chief of
Bradley Freden: »Membership of
Member of European Parliament, Zoran Thaler ensured that is in these days fine to be Slovenian in
Zoran Thaler: For ordinary citizens European Union means free crossing of the borders, and the same applies for the companies. After time of crises situation in economy is improving. Currently low exchange rate of euro is bringing advantage to exporters, every medal thus have two sides. EU is important also as a Guarantor of peace on the continent, which should not be forgotten.
The total picture of EU:
– GDP EU: 12,500 billions of Euros,
– Budget of EU: 141 billions of Euros, 1.3% of total GDP.
One of the important practical implications of the Lisbon Treaty will be European Experiment Action Service, diplomatic service of EU. This would be about 150 ambassadors of EU for whole world representing all European countries. EU could be strong factor at solving problems across the globe.
Middle East is also for
Žiga Turk, PhD, has emphasized that
Žiga Turk, PhD: Project Europe 2030. Challenges and opportunities. Feeling appeared among European citizens during crises that in the future their children will live worse as they live today. Europe had many important achievements before crises: Schengen area,
Changes on social, economic and political area are occurring across the globe today:
– Automatisation and superabundance (increasingly higher production for ever decreasing costs and less manpower)
– BRIC and globalization (EU and
– Climate changes and energy (technological progress will solve both problems, Europe depends upon energy resources from outside Europe too much, especially from
– Demography (one of the largest problems of Europe and of
– Education (it is not true anymore that Europe has the most of educated people and that high education is typical for Europe, especially Asia is making progress in this area now)
– R & D spent (for research the most spend
– e-communications
It is the end of:
– Industrial and Informational Ages and rise of creative economy
– Western dominance
– Energy resources from fossil fuels
– Growths of population and young society
– End of society based on paper and rise of digital society
Choices are following:
– To become global trend setter
– Reconstruction of post-industrial society
– To build the walls against migrants and to lift dams for increasing banks, as consequence of climatic changes
– To become family and migration friendly society (demography, smart immigration, how to attract talented people)
– To accept digital technologies
EU will be important global player if it stays strong on the inside (one voice and common policies) and if economic growth is ensured with adoption of structural reforms.
A renewal of European social and economic model:
– Complete common market
– Formed rules and regulations of market
– Leading common policy (energy policy, social security, common migration policy)
Guests were also answering questions:
Andrew Page, British Ambassador: What about democratic deficit?
Žiga Turk, PhD: There is a difference between political environment and economic market. Decisions in EU are not taken by citizens. Europe of two speeds is not probable.
Mitja Meršol: Don’t you think Europe’s GDP is mostly statistical category – sum of all GDP’s of member countries? Why doesn’t European Union have strong foreign policy?
Zoran Thaler: GDP isn’t the only important category because it isn’t ensuring necessarily high quality of life. Foreign policy of EU would have to be more unified. Sloveniahas here already visible role in SE Europe.
Žiga Turk, PhD: GDP for me is very important category, but we need to look beyond it.
Andrej Ivanc, Executive Director Riko d.o.o.: Problem between Greeceand Macedonia. Why didn’t European Union give conditions for its financial support?
Zoran Thaler: This question is logical and normal. In Brussels are discussions about this, but unfortunately there is not enough coordination to achieve any result.Greece is such member, that it doesn’t care enough, only minority of Greeks understands this logic. You can’t function well if your neighbors don’t function well.
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