newsitems Bratislava EU-27 Summit Conclusions: Focus on Citizens' expectations, Franco-German duo, and More...
Bratislava EU-27 Summit Conclusions: Focus on Citizens' expectations, Franco-German duo, and More...
*Bratislava/ 1st EU-27 Summit/Angelo Marcopolo/- After a prolonged infight on their Final Conclusions, EU Heads of State/Government finaly Agreed to leave the Hilltop at Bratislava's Spectacular Castle, Later than scheduled, while the Franco-German couple was already Starting a Joint Press Conference at a Press Room located elsewhere, closely followed by Members of the Visegrad Group of EU Countries, and the main, EU Institutions' (Council, Commission, etc) "official" Press Conference, i.e. both Practically and Symbolicaly renversing the usual order of such meetings in the Past.
Astonishingly (but Logicaly, after all), the Officialy Agreed Joint Communiqué Urges the EU to "Focus on (EU) Citizens' Expectations", and Finds "Most Important" of all, to "Improve Communications with Our Citizens", to whom, EU-27 Leaders promissto (while advising, however, also to "Challenge Simplistic Solutions of Extreme or Populist Political Forces", as it says)...
But, at the Same Time, EU-27 Leaders "Commit" themselves to "Offer to our Citizens, in the upcoming Months (i.e. in the run-up to March 2017 Anniversay of 60 Years of since EU had been Created, at Rome), a Vision of an attractive EU they can Trust and support".
Meanwhile, however, EU's 27 are "Determined to Find Common Solutions, also regards Issues where we are Divided", the Bratislava Summit Declaration, Honestly but Voluntaristicaly stresses. That's why, the EU Heads of State/Government decided to give "Priority, Here and Now, to show Unity and Ensure Political Conrol over Developments, in order to Build our Common Future", as they said.
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Experienced, not only German but also f.ex. Italian and Other European Journalists, met at several occasions by "Eurofora" at various PressRooms frequently accross Europe, ensured us that their Perception of German Chancelor Angie Merkel's stance vis a vis some Critical Voices (particularly of the "Visegrad" Group of EU Membef Sates, etc), on Certain Topical Issues, (such as, f.ex. Mass Migration through Turkey, Islamistic Extremists' Terrorist Threats and Infiltration, added to Islamistic Radicalisation, Some Lobbies' claims to Enlarge the EU even to certain Non-European 3rd Countries, -mainly Ankara, etc,- EU's Historic and Cultural Identity, etc), would be Taken into Account, Examined, Discussed and Solved, mainly by Finfing Ways to Forge Common Positions, for the sake of Europe's Future.
Simply Because "In the aftermath of the wars and deep divisions on our continent, the EU secured peace, democracy and enabled our countries to prosper. Many countries and regions outside still only strive for such achievements. We are determined to make a success of the EU with 27 Member States, building on this joint history. The EU is not perfect but it is the best instrument we have for addressing the new challenges we are facing. We need the EU not only to guarantee peace and democracy but also the security of our people. We need the EU to serve better their needs and wishes to live, study, work, move and prosper freely across our continent and benefit from the rich European Cultural Heritage", the Bratislava official Declaration of 27 EU Heads of State/Government reads.
+ In their exceptionaly Joint Press Conference, German Chancelor Angie Merkel and French President Francois Hollande, (who spoke, also exceptionaly, Earlier than the EU Institutions' Representatives, i.e. EU Council's and EU Commission's Presidents, Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker, respectively : AnOther sign of the Bratislava Changes...), appeared Keen to show that the Franco-German duo was Willing and Able to Fill the Gap left by UK's forthcoming Departure after the BREXIT Vote:
Indeed, Both Merkel (who Spoke 1st), and Hollande, underlined the Fact that Most among the Concrete Proposals made in Today's "Bratislava Summit Declaration", had been widely Inspired by their own Previous Suggestions, made at Paris' Elysée Palace just 1 Day Earlier, (on Thursday, September 15), as well as by a Draft Plan presented by EU Commission's President, Jean-Claude Juncker, already 2 Days Earlier, (on Wednesday, September 14), in a landmark "State of the Union" Speech, at EU Parliament's Plenary Session in Strasbourg, (See "Eurofora"s NewsReport at : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/junckercallsstatesandcitizenstobuildtogetherabettereurope.html).
This included a 3 Main Points' Structured, now nick-named "Bratislava Road Map", Series of Targets and Measures, successively Focused into Dealing with, and Settling the Mass Migration and Security/Defence Issues, the Economy, and Young People, etc.
But it's also True that, at least for Some "Hot" and Topical Key-Issues, certain more or less Important UpDates, Changes and/or Additions, either of Wording, (which can already have a Politicaly interesting, Symbolic Value), or even of Substance, Emerged just during this Bratislava 1st EU-27 Summit, revealing probable last-minute Compromises, New Contributions, and/or Synthesis.
In this regard, it's not for nothing, that, f.ex., Embattled Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban, (a Key Figure also of the "Visegrad" Group of Central-Eastern EU Countries), was seen by "Eurofora" and others, inside the Bratislava's Castle, (where the Summit's Negotiations between Heads of State/Government took place), eager to Hold the "Declaration"'s paper on his way out of the Meeting place, Reading its Final Version and Commenting various points with his assistants, apparently Absorbed by that unusual exercice...
Thus, f.ex., among others, the "(Mass) Migraton and External (EU) Borders" Issue wasN't initialy placed as the No 1 in the List of Priorities Fixed by the EU-27 Summit, neither in the Juncker Draft, nor in the Hollande-Merkel Draft (of September 14 and 15), even if it was Present, in one way or another. But, Now, at Bratislava's Castle, the Final, official "Declaration" of the EU-27 Countries chose to Start by that "Hot" Issue, stressing, right from the Begionning, that EU will "Never .. allow Return to unControlled Flows of last year (2015), and (Moreover, intends to) Further Bring Down the Number of Irregular Migrants", in Addition to "Ensur(ing) Full Control of our (EU's) External Borders", so that the concerned EU Countries could "Get Back to Schengen"'s Freedom of Movement for European People inside the EU, as the Situation was Before the 2015-2016 unprecedented "Tsunami" of Massive Asylum Seekers/Irregular Migrants influx unleashed through Turkey, via EU (and Schengen) Member Greece, almost Entirely Muslim and Non-Educated, (since Turkey practicaly Excluded Christians and/or Educated People, as it was later found out in Brussels and elsewhere, according to German and other Press Revelations)...
Moreover, Among the "Concrete Measures" to be taken by the EU, a "Support to the Countries of the Western Balkans", (who, notoriously, Succeeded to Start Sharply Reducing that Huge "Tsunami" unleashed by Turkish Smugglers etc., already as Early as since Mid-February 2016, i.e. Long Before a Controversial and UnPopular EU-Turkey Deal -notoriously obtained by Blackmail from Ankara - could Begin to Partly Enter into force, Only as Late as From the End of March-Beginning of April 2016 : See, f.ex. : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/unpopulareuvisafreefor80millionsturksuseless.html + http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/weltadoptseuroforaviewonuselesseuturkeymigrantsdealafternewthreat.html), is Now openly Mentioned (at least) at the Same Place and Level with the Controversial and UnPopular EU - Turkey Deal, as a Fully-Fledged (and, from Now on Officially Endorsed by the EU-27 Summit) Legitimate Defense Means to Stop that unprecedented, abrupt Mass Migration Crisis fuelled by mainly Turkish, Pakistani, a.o. Smugglers, etc., which almost Immediately started to provoke Deadly Islamic Terrorism, Mobsters' Brutal Harrasments assaulting defensless Women even Young Girls aged only 14 y.o. or Young Boys aged 10 y.o. from Real Refugees' Families, (etc).
In Addition, the simple Word of European and/or National "Cultural Heritage" Appears in Good Place at Today's "Bratislava Declaration", while it was Absent from the Elysée and/or Strasbourg Speeches of September 15 and 14 (Comp. Supra), with the only Exception of the September 13 Letter of EU Council's President Donald Tusk addressed to EU Heads of State/Governments, (which had Dared Strongly Denounce also several Other "Hot" Problems recently Affecting European People's Lives, initialy raising, however, the eyebrows of some Establishment Figures, who Criticized it vainly : See, f.ex. : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/tuskdramaticletterforbratislavaeusummit.html ).
However, the subsequent "EU External Borders' control" and "Defence", Economy and "Digital" High-Tech boost, "Young People"-supporting Measures, (etc), were more or less Present in almost All relevant Drafts, Speeches and Statements made Earlier by the Franco-German Couple, and/or the Presidents of EU Council/Commission, as well as in the Final "Bratislava Declaration", due to Outline the Main Points of the Action to be Urgently Taken in order to Start Meeting the Biggest Chalenges in the Following Months.
As for German Chancelor Angie Merkel, Replying to Press Questions, she claimed that, in Bratislava's Negotiations between the 27 EU Member States, - "We Spoke about All Issues, with an Open Spirit".
However, as French President Hollande stressed, also in Reply to such Questions, the No 1 Priority seems to be elsewhere : "After the BREXIT Vote in the UK, "it has become even More Important" than ever, "to show that France and Germany are Ready to Move Forward", he confirmed.
But, at any case, that "Bratislava RoadMap Plan", adopted Today by the 1st Post-BREXIT EU-27 Heads of State/Governments Summit, is just "a First Step in a very Long Road" Ahead, as Chancelor Merkel realisticaly Warned in fine, just after having also Confirmed, however, the EU Leaders' Will to "Hear the Concerns of our (European) People".
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Benedict's "Source" to revitalize Europe : - "The World needs Hope", Pope says, calling to relaunch E.U. via Human Rights !
Paris - Lourdes - Strasbourg : 12 - 17 September 2008.
The vital need to re-launch Europe can be succesfully met by defending fundamental Human Rights of the People, said Pope Benedict XVI in his 1st speech in France, at his meeting with President Nicolas Sarkozy, who currently chairs the EU.
Sarkozy replied by welcoming Christian and other religions' contribution to indispensable Public Debates on crucial issues which affect Human Dignity, Europe, even Humankind, as BioGenetics.
- "When Europeans will see and personally experience that the inalienable Rights of the Human Person .., those of their free Education, their Family life, their Work, ..their Religious Rights, ..are respected and promoted, then, these Europeans will fully understand the greatness of the European construction and will be actively involved in it", Benedict XVI stressed.
- "It's important that during France's EU Presidency, there is, indeed, a desire for the Church to contribute to protect Human Person's integrity, and I think that there is also a growing Conscience, beyond any polemics, to defend Human Rights, and, thus, contribute to ensure respect for Human Dignity", added to "EuroFora" the Pope's Spokesman, Vatican's Press Director Federico Lombardi.
- "Nobody really told us here that Lisbon Treaty was good for this or that reason to the People. They only told us that we "had" to ratify it, and tried to scare us, but failed", said 2 Irish pilgrims to "EuroFora", after 2 Majority Abstentions in 1999 and 2004 EU Elections and 3 "NO" to Referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005, followed by the Irish "No" in 2008, during a Decade of EU Crisis since the controversial Turkey EU- bid (1999-2008).
More than .."224 cases of Murders, Torture, "Disappearancies" or Destructions" by "agents of Turkish Security forces", where all those responsible for so heavy Crimes still remain scandalously unpunished, despite regular condemnations of Ankara by Strasbourg''s European Court of Human Rights from 1996 to 2008, were examined the same week by CoE's Ministers, who decided to launch a fresh call "urging" the Turkish Authorities to end this dangerous "virtual Impunity" of criminals, without comparison to European countries.
- "Why not Ukraine, instead of Turkey ?", asked EuroFora a Journalist from "Kiev : the city where it's enough to cross the streets in order to realize that it's a European town", as Sarkozy recently said, before solemnly declaring this week, together with Ukranian President Jushenko and EU Commission's chair Baroso, EU's "recognition that Ukraine is a fully European Country, linked to Europe by culture and History".
Europe's "Christian roots" and Values, with "openess and mutual respect" to other cultures and beliefs, were highlighted by Sarkozy in harmony with Benedict XVI.
The Human person should be protected "from his inception until his natural death", added the Pope, faithful to BioEthic principles defended by his predecessor and collaborator, John Paul II, of topical importance in France, Europe and the World today, as Sarkozy announced :
- "Fast and important progres in Genetic Science and procreation raise delicate BioEthical Questions to our Democracies", which "involve our view of Humans and Life, and can lead to Social Mutations. That's why they cannot remain only a business of experts", hestressed.
- "It's Politician's responsibility to set a proper framework for such Public Debates", as "France will do on BioEthics in 2009". "Religious and Philosophic traditions must take part, with their ideas and centuries' long experience : A positive Laicity is an open invitation to Dialogue", he said.
- "France engaged in Europe at another Debate on how to make Financial Capitalism more moral", and the "Social doctrine of the Church fits well what is at stake in modern Globalized Economy"
- "But, a "Real Dialogue is not for an elite of a Globalized world : It penetrates deep into the People : That's why Churches should actively participate : .. It's bringing New Oxygen to Public Debates", stressed Sarkozy.
- "Democracy must not be cut off Reason", which is "compatible with Faith", thanks to "the meeting between Christianism and Greek philosophy ", he added, referring to Pope's views. "It means to advance with logic arguments, search what's best and respect common principles of thinking :... It's an everyday need for Public Administration and the Political Debate", he added.
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Pope Benedict's 1st visit to France looked like the start of a brillant, manifold demonstration that this was well-founded and could become true in the lives of the People : After its Theoretical foundations unfolded at a "speech to the world of Culture", inaugurating Bernadins' cultural centre, and its dogmatic instrument shaped at an address to the Clergy in the Historic Notre Dame' Cathedral, he started to resolutely reach out to the People :
The move went upwards like Bach's music : Begining with a call to more than fifteen thousand enthousiastic Youngsters gathered at Notre Dame's parvis with overnight celebrations, it gained strength in an impressive open-air Mass at Paris'central Invalides'area facing Alexander III's bridge, attended by more than 150.000 people, French Prime Minister Fillon, many Ministers, Foreign Ambassadors, etc, and culminated in a series of pan-European Mega-meetings at Lourdes 150th anniversary, together with all French Bishops, EU Commission's vice-Chairman Barrot, and some 200.000 enthousiastic People from all over Europe and beyond : After a Sea of Lights astonishingly braved Saturday Night's rain, an open-air mass at riverside fields among Pyrenees' Mountains Sunday Morning, was followed on Monday by a Sea of "Compassion" to those facing Health or Life threats, surrounded by an endless gathering of People, whose gigantic dimensions obviously surprised the organisers..
Meanwhile, Benedict had the occasion to speak to the French Priests at Notre Dame of Paris, and with the Bishops at Lourdes, where they prepare a crucial November plenary meeting, due to take important decisions on imminent EU debates and choices about Europe's identity, BioEthics, etc.
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- "A new way of thinking about Laicity has become necessary", agreed the Pope with President Sarkozy at Elysee. While keeping the "distinction between Politics and Religion, to guarantee Citizens' Liberty", "religion is important for shaping Consciousness and contributing, together with others, to create a basic Ethical Consensus in society".
- "Searching Essential realities", (as "God" for christians), needs "Speech : "Logos" in greek, i.e. Reason", "able to shape a Community","with creative work transforming Human History". But "Dialogue" is instrumental for "Reason", because it's the way to "search" for Truth", in "Liberty", according to Greek Platonic Philosophy, with Socrates' dialectics. "Reason" implies "Spirit and Liberty", hence the polyphonic "Music" of "Dialogue", in a responsible, "well balanced" way, to avoid "destruction".
Starting with a "Dialogue between christians and intellectual or artistic movements" highlighted at Bernardins' Cultural Center. with former Presidents Chirac and Giscard d'Estain, UNESCO's chair Anastassopoulos, etc., as well as representatives of Muslim Communities, (including a separate Turkish), after contacts with Jews at Vatican's Embassy, the Pope turned towards the People :
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To French Priests : "Church built on the rock" !
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- Speaking to thousands of French Priests at Notre Dame's Cathedral, Benedict highlighted a solid "Church built on the Rock" of conscious and active persons, transmitting "a lively, energetic and sharp" "God's Speech, actively working on Human History".
"Praying together" with "representatives of Christian Churches and ecclesiastic communities", (as Orthodoxes, Armenians, Protestants, etc), he called "to reinforce the Unity of the church", against "any form of Division", around Holy Spirit', "the Word","Christ's Justice", and "Love" to fellow- humans : Essentials which "resume all holy scripts", as he said.
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To Young People : "New Horizons"
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To some 15.000 enthousiastic Young People at Notre Dame's parvis, along Seine's river, Benedict spoke about "the Energy of the Holy Spirit" and "the Mystery of the Cross" : - "The Holy Spirit opens New Horizons to Human Intelligence .. and makes it conscious of the real greatness of Christ's sacrifice, dying and resurecting for World's life".
Some "may slander you as crazy, laugh at you, or even persecute you. But, "the Holy Cross is a symbol of God's love", and "givesmoral strength" : "Witness of People's pains, it's at the same time, a precious, unique expression of their Hopes", he told them at Paris' dawn.
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Invalides' plateau : "People chosen to become God's friends"
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At the 1st open-air Mass in Paris' center area of Invalides, facing the Grand Palais, along the river Seine, during an impressive gathering of more than 150.000, French Prime Minister Fillon, Ministers Alliot-Marie, Bachelot, Dati, Jouyet, Assembly's President Accoyer, Senate's Chair Poncelet, former 1st Lady Bernadette Chirac, former Prime Minister Raffarin, many foreign Ambassadors, and other political personalities were present. (While earlier, from the Socialist opposition, Paris' Mayor Delanoye, artist Robert Hussein a.o. assisted at the Elysee meeting).
But the "Entry Song" focused on the "People chosen to become God's Friends". The September 11 mass was Dedicated to "Saint Chrysostomus, that great priest of Constantinople", with his "wonderful eloquence and great courage to face challenges", who "made out of despaired and godless people, a people of brothers", opening a possibility to "become all one complete entity", as Pope Benedict reminded.
- "Reason never enters in real contradiction with Faith", stressed Pope Benedict, who prepared his speeches for France during a short Summer rest at Brixen/Bressanone's Seminar, whose Library honors both "Faith and Science".. - "We must use not only our Reason, but also our Faith" : "Get away from Idolatry", "cupidity", "avidity for money, power or even knowledge deviating from essential aims", and other "falses appearances". and "build your Home on the Rock", "with the force that Holy Spirit gives to those who let it act in them", he said to the People of Paris.
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Benedict at Lourdes : - "Become Light (even) in the Dark !"
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- "Our World needs Hope", stressed Pope Benedict, addressing an impressive TorchLight procession at Lourdes' sanctuaries, where a Sea of Lights held by Hundreds of Thousands of People gathered at Pyrenee's Mountains from all over Europe astonishingly kept their flames despite a heavy Rain at a windy Dark Night...
- "150 years earlier (1858 - 2008), ..here, in the cave, ... a simple young girl, Bernadette .. saw a Light". "The everyday life of her Family was, however, made of Misery, Sadness, Sickness, Misunderstandings, Rejection and Poverty... It was hard to live in Jail". Today, "we think to all Human Beings who suffer : The innocent Victims who face Violence, War, Terrorism, Hunger, Injustices, Catastrophes, Hate and Oppression, Violations of Human Dignity and of their fundamental Rights, of their Liberty to act and think. We also think to those who face Familial problems, sufferings from Unemployment, Sickness, Infirmity, Isolation, or their situation as Immigrants, without forgetting those who suffer and die for the name of Christ", he said.
- "But the Shadows of the Earth, did not hinder Sky's Light to shine : <<The Light shines in the Dark>>" ..."A Way full of Light opens in Human History even in its Darkest moments" : ..."As Night falls, Christ tels us : <<- Keep your Lamps alight !>>."Hold a Light while walking in the Night .. sums up our condition as Christians on their way : "We need light, and we are called to become Light !", Benedict stressed to People setting in motion Lights, Flags and Songs with enthousiasm.
"<<- She looked at me as a Person, who speaks to another Person>>, the poor girl had noted."Light emerges from such a Dialogue", stressed the Pope : "A small Flame called Hope, Compassion and Tenderness dwells inside those who return after being moved by Lourdes' experience". "Christ .. entrusts us with the Mission to let the Light of Charity shine : To make of our Prayers an Act of Love to our brothers and to Fraternal Charity", he concluded.
(../..)