EUParliament: Franco-German Leaders to boost €uroArea Integration. EUCitizens need Stimulus MEPs say

*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- At EU Parliament, certainly Nobody knows yet, if Today's main anouncements by the Franco-German Leaders will remain in History, (despite, or rather, Because of various Hard Challenges), as a kind of "BirthDay" for a New Europe, or not.

    But, by an extraordinary, and perhaps Symbolic, Coincidence, German, Chancelor Angie Merkel and French President Francois Holland's joint Move towards a Political Integration of €uroArea,  comes at the Same Date with ...Russian President Vladimir Putin's personal Birthday,

(Russia President Vladimir Putin spends its 63 BirthDay by Playing Ice Hockey)

and, even the Day after "EuroFora"'s Scentific Advisor, Constantin Marcopolos' own Birthday, 30 Years ago in Strasbourg, who came back here from faraway China, where he Teaches Natural Sciences, for this special event. Making it all look as if a kind of a ...3rd Birthday in a row, this Time for EU's Core, might have just Started to be on the Making,

Just before even a 4rth one, later this same Week, since  Merkel is due to visit also British Prime Minister David Cameron, (who is negotiating a Flexible Status in a MultiSpead EU, where €uroZone Countries could Advance further, according to a 12/2011 Franco-Germano-British Deal), at Chequers, on Saturday October 9, aftermath of his own BirthDay this Friday...    

 Such an Exceptional Series of almost ... 4 BirthDays in a Row, this same Week, each one of them having a specific GeoPolitical Symbolism, naturaly incites to Think about EU Core's Future role in the World, particularly vis a vis the Anglosaxon networks, Russia, China, etc...

---------------------------

Already, some 30 years ago, as many Political Observers noted, the Former Division of Europe, after certain Tensions, appeared Ready to be overcome, and this was, indeed, realized by the World Famous Symbol of "Berlin Wall's Fall", shortly afterwards, on 1989, when former French President Francois Mitterand, together with former German Chancelor Helmut Kohl, welcomed by the then Spanish President of EU Parliament, Baron-Crespo, (as, Today, with the New Spanish King), spoke to EU Parliament in Strasbourg, almost as Hollande and Merkel did Today.

------------------------------

    Indeed, as  initialy Anounced, as early as right from the Beginning of September 2015 in Strasbourg, by the popular Young French Minister of Economy, Emmanuel Macron, on the occasion of his Visit here, (shortly after visiting Germany), in order to Inaugurate the European Fair of 2015 with Guest of Honour, this Year, India (i.e. a  Member of the "BRICS" new and growing conglomerate, which brings together China, Russia, Brazil, India and South Africa : Comp. also other Topical Macron's Replies to "EuroFora"s Questions on 4/9/2015, f.ex. at : .....), the German Chancelor and the French President, in just "a Few Weeks' time", indeed, "anounced Initiatives" mainly towards a Political, Integration of €uroZone, spreading from Economy, Security and Freedom of Movement, protection of EU's External Borders, etc., up to Foreign Policy.

    Meanwhile, long-time former French President Jacques Chirac, had already pointed, just after his Famous row vis a vis the controversial former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, back on 2005, towards a Franco-German Integration as the only remaining Solution for the Development of Europe, particularly in moves made, before a landmark France-Germany-Russia Summit with Chancelor Merkel and President Putin at Compiegne Castle on September 2006, particularly since May 2006 at Nearby Mulhouse city, just after Inaugurating a New Electric Power Generating Dam on the Rhine River, at the Franco-German Borders, together with the then EU Commissioner Jacques Barrot, (Comp. "EuroFora" co-Founder's NewsReports from those two events, at Compiegne Castle and Mulhouse/Rhine river, published f.ex. by "TCW", etc).

    The Next, and quite Comprehensive, Strategic Geo-Political Move in this Direction, was Officialy done, by 2 Franco-German Summits at the Beginning and at the End of the Year 2010, (i.e. just after the 2009 EU Parliament's Elections, and while both French President Sarkozy and German Chancelor Merkel had Won their respective National Elections since 2007 and 2009, respectively, having Both enough Time to Think and Act, in front of them :  Starting with a long List of concrete Projects of Cooperation, on January 2010 at Elysée Palace in Paris, (Comp. "EuroFora"s NewsReport from that Elysée event), and Culminated at an Inter-Governemental Franco-German Summit, on December that same year of 2010, at Nearby Freibourg (in Germany : See "EuroFora"s NewsReports, then, both from Neighbouring Offenburg , with relevant Statements that gave us then, the former German Minister for EU Affairs, Werner Hoyer, currently President of the EIB, as well as from the above mentioned Nicolas Sarkozy - Angie Merkel Franco-German Summit at Freibourg : ..... + ...)

 -----------

However, both Earlier Today, as well as on the Historic 1989 Mitterand - Kohl Speeches in EU Parliament, then Chaired by Enrique Baron-Crespo, (with whom "EuroFora"s co-Founder worked later-on, during the early 1990ies), as well as at a Landmark Tripartite, France-Germany-Spain Summit that former long-time French President Chirac had organized on 2005 at Elysée Palace in Paris, with then Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero, (Comp. "EuroFora" co-Founder's NewsReport from the spot, published at "TCW"+), Merkel and Hollande, symbolicaly Continued that Tradition of trying to associate also Spain in at least some among their most Important Franco-German Top Summits, by taking a joint Photo Together with the New Spanish King Felipe, who had been invited to address EU Parliament's Plenary at Noon

     -----------------------------------------------------

     - Welcoming, at the Beginning of this Afternoon, the Franco-German Leaders, EU Parliament's President, Martin Schulz, (who had invited them in Strasbourg for this October 2015), reminded that "for more than a Century... Germany and France - sworn enemies, ...were Trapped in a spiral of war, defeat, humiliation and revenge. Only after millions of lives were lost and Europe was depressed, destroyed, they succeeded, thanks to the courage of two Leaders : ... Charles de Gaulle and Konrad Adenauer, to bring Reconciliation", which "was also a Big Step on the Road to Peace and ReUjification in all Europe" + Moereovern, "duribng the Last Decades, we (Europeans) learned that, when the Franco-German Cooperation doesn't work, it's all Europe which Suffers".

However, in fact, "it's not just when they Agree or are United that Europe can Advance further, but whebn there are Contradictory Ideas and Divergent Views, because, if France and Germany conclude a Deal, the Negotiations, even if they might be Hard, generaly result in a Good Compromise, which integrates the advantages of both sides, for the Benefit of All Pertners, throughout the entire EU", he concluded, calling the 2 Leaders to reveal to MEPs what "Ideas and Stimulus you Aim to Give to our (EU's) Common Future"

----------------------------------------------------------

 François HOLLANDE :

-----------------------------------------------------------

 - "26 Years ago", on 1989, when former long-time French President and German Chancelor, "Francois Mitterand and Helmut Kohl", respectively, "addressed, here", in Strasbouirg, "the European Parliamentarians", following the Historic Berln Wall's Fall, which led to the ReUnification of Europe, "they were both Convinced... to Build a Political Union of Europe,  extending the Mandate given by (EU's) Founding Fathers", reminded from the outset Hollande, in his speech.

 - He pointed, in this regard, f.ex. at the "Creation of a Common Market, with Social Rules", and at "the Project of a Common Currency" : "All this had to become part of one and same Process, and to be led with the same Determination", the French President observed.

 - "Today, 26 Years later, Chancelor Angie Merkel and myself, we address you (MEPs), at first because it's the 25th Anniversary of then German ReUnification", (Yesterday, October 3), "but mainly because Europe faces New Dramas, which raise New Challenges to our Continent", Hollande stressed.

    - Citting f.ex. "the Financial Crisis, which was born Elsewhere" (in the USA), "but Spred and Provoked an Economic Crisis from which we (EU) are roughly getting out, and a Social Crisis, with Millions of (mainly) Young People without Jobs. Now, we (EU) must face also an Humanitarian Crisis, with an Influx of Refugees, provoked by the Destabilisation of entire regions in the Middle East and in Africa, due to Armed Conflicts, and with the Return of Religious Hatred", as he said. "And we can't forget" also "the Security Crisis, with a War not so far away, at Europe's Borders, in Ukraine, and, moreover, those Terrorist Attacks, which affected many Countries of our Continent, including mine (France)", he reminded.

    - "At each Crisis, Fears were expressed". However, "You may live with fear, but you must Never live Dominated by Fear", Hollande advised. "Nevertheless, there is a Temptation for a National return Backwards, each time that we have to pass a Test. But the most Vain thing is to search to be Saved Alone, to Shy away, and seek for Cover, when Major Events are taking place throughout the whole World", Hollande warned                                                                                                                                                                   
    
    >>> In such cases, "we have to Speak by Experience, it's History that tells us and confirms that, such Interrogations may be Sincere, but canNot Condemn Europe to Fear and Impotency. On the Contrary, they Plead for an offensive  Europe , able Both to ensure the required Protection of its Citizens, and to keep its Rank, according to its Interests and its Values, which have Justified the ReUnification of our Continent". In fact, "there isn't any other Solution than a Strong Europe, in ordre to Guarantee our own Sovereignity", the French President stressed.

    --------------------

     - "In fact, throughout several (Topical) Issues concerning Europe, always one and Same Debate is held. It exists here (inside EU Parliament), as also in each one of our Countries. It's the Debate between Sovereignism and Sovereignity", as he called it. -"Sovereignism in each Country, or Sovereignity for Europe. It's the Debate between Renouncing or ReinForcing, between Division or Union", he Warned. In reality, "it's Not the Debate between Less or More Europe", but rather "between Confirming Europe, or puting an End to Europe", he dramatized. "Yes, the End of Europe, i.e. Returning Back to National Borders, Dismantling Common Policies, Abandoning the €uro", he pointed out.

    - "Francois Mitterand, 26 Years ago (1989), when he was leaving from power, he had come at the European Parliament to express what he throught to be the Lessons of his own Experience and of History : He had said that <<Nationalism, is War>>. His Warning remains still valid Today", the current French President noted.

    + "But, I shall Add a Complement : The Sovereignism (Comp. Supra), it's a Decline. It's also Dangerous not to give Hope to the Population, Not to Build Anything Together, in the name of a National backlash, without a Future in front of Trials" to face. -"I am Convinced that if we don't Advance Further, then, not only we will Stop, but we'd also Retreat" backwards. "And this would be the End of the European Project", Hollande warned.

    => "That's why I propose that the Economic and Monetary Union, and, inside it, the €uroZone, would be Consolidated and Strengthened, ... in order to Coordinate our Policies, support Convergence, realize Fiscal Harmonisation, Fight against Fiscal and Social Dumping, Invest more, even Beyond of what we (EU) are (currently) doing with the Juncker Plan", he suggested.

    >>> For that purpose, "Institutional Choices will be Necessary so that €uroZone can be Governed, for the Rules to be Respected, so that Solidarity could Benefit to all. These Choices will commit the States which wish to do so. EU Parliament will exerce its Monitoring and will Guarantee the overall Cohesion of a Europe which will make Progress according to a Differentiated Integration".

    ++ "At the Same time, we (EU) have to Define a more Coherent Asylum Policy, which involves a Joint List of Safe Countries of Origin, the rapprochment of Procedures, a Convergence on the Rights and Conditions offered to all those who Benefit from a Protection. I.e. a real Common Status for Asylum inside the EU", he added.

    +++ "We (EU) always Need such Courageous Choices, and we'll have to do so, next December, during the Paris' Conference on Climat" Change : In this regard, "Europe's commitments .... were Decisive in order to bring China, USA and many Others towards the perspective of an Agreement", which "can" and "must be as Ambitious as Necessary", because "Too Many Countries haven't yet presented their Contribution. And we, Europeans,  must be able to establish a Big Carbon Market, in order to Guide Investments towards the Best Technologies", stressed the French President.

                                                                                                                                                                                                     - "This Same Ambition, we (EU) shall have it also vis a vis Funding. ; It's very Important for us to gather those 100 Billions $ needed for the Energy Shift in the most Vulnerable or Developing Countries". Because "we are not yet there". "We have 2 Months" (until the December 2015 International Conference on Climate Change in Paris), and, if this Agreement wasn't reached, let's realize what  a Catastrophe" it would be, "let's become Conscious of what our Responsibility for the Future Generations would be... A Moment comes when Choices must be made, Decisions must be Taken, get Involved. It's up to the European Governments, First of all, as well as to All those who will be Present in Paris' Conference, to stand at the Height of the Responsibility" : "I wish, one day, to return at EU Parliament, at least Proud about that, not just to have hosted a Conference in Paris, but to have been there  on the Day that all Countries of the World ... would have Settled, for the coming Decades, a great part of the Climate Issue. It's, for our Generation, the Rendez-vous which must Not be Missed"; Hollande underlined. 

                                                                                                                                  - "In all these Issues, we must Choose ... to Advance Forward, instead of Returning Back, something which would bring us back to Impotency", he warned.

    => "I'd like to Conclude by this throught, which concerns us all : I can't imagine that there might be, here, MEPs who wouldn't be (real) Europeans, who wouldn't be conscious of the fact that We Belong to One and Same overall Entity, that we are Linked by so many Common Values, that Europe has a History to share, and a Future to get involved"?

    - "Thus, 25 Years after the Continent was ReUnified, We (Europeans) always have to Face Challenges, and, therefore, to Make Choices" ;

    - First of all, "we have to Respond to the Urgency. It's right Here, and Nobody can Close his Eyes on the Realities of the World.... There are No Borders, No Barbed Wire to Shield us from the Threats which come from Abroad. It's up to us to Take Decisions. We must react to the Urgency", he reiterated, (apparently evoking the current Issue of a Sudden, Unprecedented and Unexplained, exceptionaly Huge, Irregular Mass Immigration, mainly through Turkey, mixing both Real Political Refugees, War Refugees, and many Economic Migrants, for the 1st Time in History, from Non European Countries, of a Differend Culture, Religion, Language, etc., and in a way which doesn't exlude not even the possible and even anounced infiltration of several agents provocateurs and/or Extreme Islamic Terrorists, as both Media and several EU Officials have acknowledged).

    + But we (Europeans) have also to "Stay the Course on the Long Term : That of a Federation of Nation-States, which must remain our Horizon", the French President pointed out. But, "in a way, after 25 Years (since Berlin Wall's Fall), it's anOther Unification that we have to set up : That of Projects, of Peoples, of Common Interests", Hollande highlighted, (but without being more specific, at least for now).

    In fact, it all boils down to "one sole Question : Do we (Europeans) Want to Live in a Voluntary Entity with Cohesion, for the Next Century ? I made my Choice : It's that of Europe ! With the Will to Search, on Each Issue, as much as possible, the Highest Compromises" (between EU Member States). "And that's the Meaning of the Cooperation that we have engaged with Angie Merkel and (all) Germany, in order to be Partners able to meet the Challenges of this Century", Hollande concluded.

--------------------------------------

Angie MERKEL
-------------------------------------------

 Even if she had already arrived at EU Parliament much Earlier Today (since 11.30 !), particularly in order to meet with the ChristianDemocrat/EPP Group of MEPs, (where she was greeted also by its former long-time Chairman, and current President of the European People's Party, Headquartered in Brussels, Joseph Daul from Strasbourg, that she had invited as Key-note Speaker at the Governing CDU Party's Annual Congress last year (2014) in Germany), nevertheless, Merkel spoke after Hollande : 

  - "The Last Time that a French President and German Chancelor spoke Together in EU Parliament, here in Strasbourg, back on November 1989, shortly after the Berlin Wall came down, Francois Mitterand and Helmut Kohl", "knew how to find Common European Answers, with crystal-clear Words, at that special Moment", when "they both Felt the Uphevals in Germany and in Europe", .. .from which they were "Deeply Moved. So, finaly, the ReUnification of Germany was followed by the ReUnification of Europe", reminded from the outset German Chancelor Angie Merkel.

 - "Today, .... a Free and United Europe seems Obvious to us. But this Historic Achievement required Great Efforts", she observed. F.ex., "New Forms of Governance had to be Developed. EU Subsidies had to be ReDistributed in favor of the New Member States", while, "in the Old (EU) Member States there were Fears and Scepticism : .. The Number of EU's Member States would almost Double", and "Many saw the Movement of Millions of New EU CItizens as a Threata ti their own Jobs", etc.

- But, "Today we acknowledge that this Effort paid out for all of us (Europeans). It "Helped us to be More Prosperous. It has not given us Less, but More Freedom"... "Overcoming the opposition between East and West has proved to be a Huge Success story". "To put it in a nutshel, they Helped us to get More Europe", the German Chancelor praised.    

 - "The element, which allows us to do, which enables us to Freedom in Responsibility, is Tolerance. She is a Valuable asset". "That's what" helped "the Drawing up of the (EU) Charter of Fundamental Rights, and the Lisbon Treaty".

    + All this "Shows us what we, Europeans are Able to Do, if we realy Want to, if we show Courage, and if we Stick Together", Merkel stressed, pointing also to the Recent examples of "the Experience of the International Financial Crisis, that we have Managed Together, and from which we have Emerged Stronger", as well as of "the European Sovereign Debt Crisis, in which we Acted Together", despite "Difficult Negotiations". (etc).

    - "It also shows that there is absolutely No reason to let yourself Discouraged by Setbacks, which, of course, exist always. In a word: It shows us What is Possible" : F.ex., thanks to the "Fact that We (Europeans) Acted Together, now we Can SafeGuard €uroZone's Cohesion", Merkel observed optimisticaly.

- Today, "we speak at a Time in which Europe, once again, has to Cope with Major Challenges", which include certain "Tests of Historic Proportions", she warned.
+ F.ex., among others, "A Decisive Contribution of Europe is Needed, Today, in order to Solve the current Crisis of War and Displacement of People" from Neighbouring Countries such as Syria, Iraq or Libya, etc., affected by "Terrorism and Political Prosecution", and/or "Poverty and Lack of Prospects", the Gerrman Chancelor Highlighted, pointing at an obviously very Vast Horizon.

- "We in Europe ...are closely Linked to Global Events, whether we like it or not". And, "Never since the Second World War were So Many People on the Run, as now :  about 60 Millions. This Number renders the entire Dimension of the Task". But, aémong our "Immediate Neighbours", "Turkey plays a Key Role", because "it is a Starting Point for Irregular Migration", she denounced, after it was revealed that the Bulk of the current Irregular Mass Immigration "Tsunami" had started, indeed, from the Turkish Coasts towards Europe, where a lot of Smugglers were reportedly Exploiting Migrants by asking some 2.400 € per Person, and sending them (mainly those who were Practicing Muslims, but almost None from the Persecuted Christian Minorities), to Greek Islands mostly inside Fragile Dinghys, which were pierced and Dangerously drown just before reaching Land.

- "We (EU) must say that Economic Migrants can Not Stay" in Europe, "so that we can Help those who really Need our Protection from War and Persecution. For this, we Need a Political process to ReSolve the Crisis in Syria, with all Regional and International Actors, and a  Stronger Role for Europe". But it's "Only Together that we (EU Member Countries) will be Able to Cope with the Daunting Task of Integration, that will Challenge us". "This requires compliance with the applicable Rules here, as well as Learning the local Language", she Warned, while also pleading for "the Humanitarian minimum Standards", in the "Accomodation and Care for Refugees", as well as "for the Asylum Procedures".

- That's why "I am convinced that we (EU) Need to Align our Foreign and Development Policies more clearly on Solving Conflicts, and Combat Causes of (Asylum Seekers and other irregular Mass Immigrants') Flight. We will have to get involved Financially much Stronger than we did until now. The necessary Decisions must be made Quickly", Merkel urged.

+ Moreover, "of course, We (EU) will deal Further with the improvement of our Competitiveness", "with the Digitization of our Societies, with Sustainable Development" and "a common Energy Policy, ... Free Trade agreements with other countries on the basis of our Principles". In addition, "Right now is more than ever Needed, indeed, an Economically Strong Europe, which uses the opportunities of the Single Market". For this purpose, we (EU) need to improve Economic Policy Coordination in the €uro zone, and Correct, on this basis, the Errors" committed in the Past, at "the Creation of the European Economic and Monetary Union" .                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
    => - "All this will Change Europe again, just as Europe has changed Profoundly after the upheavals in Central and Eastern Europe, 25 Years ago", she Warrned, even if ""France and Germany will make their contribution", for that purpose.

    - But, "the Entire EU is Needed in Tackling these Tasks. We must Not succomb to the temptation to fall Back into National Government Action", f.ex. "in the Refugee Crisis". "On the Contrary, we Need More Europe right Now. We Need, more than ever, that Courage and Cohesion, that Europe has always Proved when it Mattered. Germany and France are Ready" for that purpose, she firmly declared.

    - In fact, "pan-European Challenges can Not be Solved by a Few Member States alone, but Shared by All", Merkel stressed.

    - For that purpose, "We (Germany and France) are for our Europe to make a lot of Persuasion. After Centuries of war and Hatred between our two Peoples, ... We are Fighting Together for the Same Goals. I invite you All here in this House  to boost a Common Persuasion for our Europe. Each MEP plays an Important Role - in their home Countries, in their Constituencies, (etc), compared with the Pan-European Public", (Directly addressed by EU Parliament's work, as well a by PanEuropean Media, such as "EuroFora", etc).

    => "Let us Work Together" to realize that. "As Helmut Kohl proposed in 1989 in the European Parliament, regarding the upheavals in Central and Eastern Europe - and I Quote him - "With Wisdom and sound Judgment, with Ingenuity and Flexibility", the German Chancelor concluded.

-----------------------------------------
MEPs' Warnings and Calls Focus mainly on EU Citizens :
---------------------------------------------

During the Debate which followed the Franco-German Leaders' Speeches, the Presidents of all, various Political Groups of MEPs, all Focused, more or less but always, on EU Citizens feelings :

    - In fact, even a Convinced European from the Franco-German core of the EU, as ChristianDemocrat/EPP Group President, Manfred Weber, from Bavaria's co-Governing Party in Germany CSU, who Pleaded, in principle, for "More Speed" in "Strengthening" and "Deepening" the "€uroZone", nevertheless, also Warned, from the outset, that, "First of all, it's Important that (EU) Citizens' Fears should be Taken Seriously into Account", and started to Discuss "the Answers that we (EU) can Give to the People", while also Welcoming Political "Courageous Leadership" as "the Scepticism in Europe is Increasing"

    - A Differend, but also mainstream pro-European MEP, the Italian Gianni Pittela, President of the Socialist Group, who stressed anew his Support to both the ChristianDemocrat/EPP former long-time Prime Minister of Luxembourg and €uroGroup's Chairman, currently Elected New EU Commission's President, Jean-Claude Juncker, as well as EU Parliament's Head Schultz, who "have both Proven to be Up to the Challenge" that faces the EU Today, by Needing "a New Vision", as he said, nevertheless, also Warned that even "Great Political Projects", who "are Not Defeated by an External Ennemy", Risk to "Disappear when they No Longer Believe in themselves, when they Lose their Sense of History : This is the Risk that Europe runs Today", he said.

    - "People accross the EU are Concerned", thinking "that Their Viewpoint does Not Matter, Some are Ignored, Others Bullied, others still are Villified", while "they see a Ruthless Power Play" hidden behind "a thin veil of Rhetoric", Denounced even Stronger,  the Representative of the European Conservatives and Reformists' Group, (which includes UK Prime Minister Cameron's Governing Conservative Party's MEPs), Ryszard Antoni Legutko. - "I Urge you to be More Responsive", because "More People are being Left Behind, Not Listened to, and Pushed Outside a territory of Respectability"? "European politics Need ... More ...Fairness. Otherwise, the EU risks to be increasingly looked at with Reluctance and Disdain, if not outright Hostility. And we do Not Want thatn, do we ?", he questioned.

    - But even, perhaps, the Most Pro-European Federalist among all MEPs, former Prime Minister of Belgium and current President of the Liberal Group in EU Parliament, Guy Verhofstadt, who Asks for "a Big Leap Forward" in the European Construction, so that "Europe" finds asap. "One Strong Heart", that it "Needs, in order to Survive in the Future", nevertheless, also Warned, Today, that EU must "Make Sure that this Decade does not become a Lost Decade for a Number of People", as he said.

    - German MEP Gabby Zimmer, President of "EuroLeft" Group, as it was expected, pointed at certain Policies "Rejected by the People", particularly when they feel that, in some sectors, there is "Not even the Semblance of (nearby Frankfurt University Philosopher, Jurgen) Habermas' Facade Democracy",  and Found that "a Retreat into National, Nationalist and Xenophobic Forces are on the Rise", "not only in France, but also in Germany". Meanwhile, even if "it's Encouraging that, on the Other hand, Many People are Standing there and want to be Helpful, to Accomplish Something". "But ... We (EU Politicians) must Not Let them Alone", she urged. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
    - "Uncertainty among (EU) Citizens" was Denounced by the long-time co-President of the "Green" Party, Rebecca Harms, from Germany, who felt, f.ex., that "at the moment, Hundreds of Thousands of Workers in the EU are Worried about their Future", and Criticized some "Car-Industry Interests", pointing also at the recent "VolksWagen Hybris", despite her "Wishes for Success" to Chancelor Merkel and President Hollande's "Will to Build Trust within the EU", and nonobstant alseo her "Belief" that €uroZone Needs, indeed, a Common Fiscal and Economic Policy", as well as "a Government in this area", as she agreed.

    - Brittish EuroSceptic, President of the European Freedom and Direct Democracy Group, Nigel Farage, naturaly 99% Critical, accused, inter alia, also certain  attitudes which "meet Objections from some" sectors, on specific  EU Policies, (f.ex. on the recent Controversy about a Sudden, Unpercedented in Volume, Irregular Mass Immigration and various Asylum Seekers, mainly through Turkey, even from a reportedly big number of Fake Pseudo "Syrian" so-called "Refugees"), just by ..."Crushing" Different "Opinions", Warning against any such "Recipe for Resentment", as he said.

    - French EuroSceptic Rightist, Marine Le Pen, President of the controversial "National Front" Party, which, nevertheless, got the Most Votes in the latest May 2014 EU Parliament's Elections, claimed to "represent the Voice of Free Europeans", i.e. "of our Sovereign Peoples who Turn Away" from some Unpopular EU Policies, as she claimed.

    - Last, but not least, French MEP Professor Gollnish, speaking on behalf of the Independent MEPs, (who include mainly various EU Countries' Rightists, but also some Communists, etc), urged for "More Respect to ... the Will of the People, ... More Freedoms, Less Bureaucracy, and, above all, to Restore Family Values, Cultural and Spiritual Values, which have built the greatness of Our (European) Civilisation" : "Are you Ready to Hear the Growing Cry of the People ?", he wondered. "Let God help that it hasn't yet become Too Late", he concluded.

-----------------------------------------------
=> Hollande + Merkel's REPLIES :
------------------------------------------------------

    - Replying First to MEPs' observations, German Chancelor Angie Merkel stressed from the outset that, as a matter of Principle, indeed, "Europe Works well only if we Respect the Opinions of Others".

    -  In this regard, "We are 29 Member States in the European Council", she reminded. So that "Germany and France can, develop a Common Stance", but, "we Often have to Travel a Distance in order to get a Common Position" engaging all the EU. Naturaly, "there is already a Compromise in any Franco-German Agreemeent. But, .. we only have an (EU) Agreement if all other 26 (Member Countries) Join also".

    + Moreover, "We (Heads of State/Governments) are Representatives of our States, but also of our National Parliaments"' Majority, Merkel added. "That's why I'm advocating .. to repeatedly seek a Contact with the National Parliaments abnd the Ideas that Expressed there, because, without this "Bridge", those (Heads of State/Government) who are sitting in the (EU) Council -who are, of course, Committed to Justice, Law and Democracy- could Not be Able tio Move Europe Forward", she warned. "Therefore all Parliaments are Important, while EU Parliament has notoriously got by the Lisbon Treaty even More Importance", as she reminded.

    However, Chancelor Merkel invited some MEPs "to be Careful, so that you don't become a bit Depressed (by being 100% Critical) : We have also Successes in Europe !", she pleaded, smiling.

     As for German "Green" MEP Harms' criticism of Car Industry, while naturaly agreeing that the recent affair of Biaised Estimations of Car Pollution in some Volkswagen selling areas, revealedn, indeed, "un Urgent Need for Investigation and Transparency by that Company", Merkel however advised Harms "Not to to Condemn all the Car Industry, as a Whole, thus Endangering Thousands of Jobs in Europe", particularly since she had spoken herself about Fighting "Unemployment" (Comp. Supra). - "We should Not do that", the German Chancelor concluded, as far as such Exagerations are concerned.

--------------------------------------------

    + French President Hollande concluded Today's Debate by giving longer Replies to some MEPs' criticism :

    - We, Political Leaders of France and Germany, are here, Today, in front of you (EU Parliament's Plenary), not so much because our 2 Countries would be the Most Populated in Europe, not even because they have the 2 Main European Economies. But, much more, for another, Historic reason : Simply "because there have been 2 World Wars during Last Century, when Germany had been Opposed to France",  he reminded in substance. That's why, "shortly after that Tragedy, it's Germany and France who wished that Europe can be built out of the Horrors from which it had Suffered"

    - "That's why those in charge of our 2 Countries, French and German, have Always wished to take the Initiative of New European Constructions", he explained. "F.ex.  General De Gaule and Konrad  Adenauer, .. then Francois Mitterand and Helmut Kohl, and others, (i.e. Giscard d'Estaing and  Chancelor Schmidt, Chirac and Kohl, afterwards Merkel, Sarkozy and Merkel, now Hollande and Merkel). "That's why we are here, (at EU Parliament, Today), Faithful to History and to our Responsibilities", the French President observed.

    + Turning to the Various Ideas, expressed by MEPs about "what could be Europe's Future", he stressed that, above all, "this Future must be that of a Stronger Europe".

    - In fact, "there are many Roads, (for Europe's Future), and they were evoked, here, in one way or another" :

(1) First, there is a kind of "Intermediary" Pathway, sticking "at the Present Situation, that we already know : I.e. to Remain in a Europe of 28 (Member States), which is Not Easy to Manage, (because) it's not easy to organize a Decision". F.ex. "the Decisions that we take in the European Council are taken Unanimously. Even if France and Germany might have Agreed, .... we'd have, moreover, to Convince also the 26 Other" EU Member States".

(2) "Facing this Europe which has some Difficulties to Decide, there is also a 2nd possible Waay : The Path towards Strengthening the EU. Iit's about this one, that Mrs Merkel and myself, we Want to Work with You", Hollande told EU Parliament's MEPs. Because, Today, "we (Europeans) Need a much More Strong Europe, than what it is now, in order to assume its Responsibilities" : F.ex. , "the 1st" thing "whenever one Wants to have a real Foreign Policy, is the (EU's) Common Defense policy". Because, for the time being, it's often France which takes an Initiative to send  its Army, f.ex. in Africa, Thanks to whom, there is No more Massacers Today in Mali, Central Africa, etc", he pointed out. But, "we (EU) Need also a Common Migration Policy, on Asylum, etc", Hollande added, citting Topical Examples.

(3) "If somebody doesN't want neither that "Intermediary" Situation, that we are experiencing now" (Comp. Supra), "nor to Strengthen Europe, then, remains only 1 way : It's that of  which spoke (the Head of Brittish Independence Party, UKIP, Nigel Farage : Indeed, "the Only Way for all those who are Not Convinced by Europe, is to GET OUT of Europe. Simply, there is Not Other Way ! It's Aufull, but it's pure Logic : Get out of Europe, Get out of €uro, get out of Shengen, and, even, if they could, get even Out of Democracy !", denounced "Ad Absurdum" Francois Hollande, (pointing also at the Leader of French Rightist Party "National Front", Marine Le Pen, who is also President of the  new "Europe of Nations and Freedom" Group of MEPs).

- On the Contrary, "what I Call for, is Not to Abandon Sovereignity, but it is the Real Sovereignity, which has Nothing in common with the "Sovereignism" : It's the European Sovereignity, i.e. to be really Able to Decide ourselves, (without being, in fact, subordinated, under the Influence of some Other, Big Countries in the World), and to Avoid a Return of Nationalism, of Populism, and of Extremism, which might Oblige us, Today, to walk a Road that we haven't chosen", as Hollande said.   

  However, quesioned later by Journalists in Strasbourg, the French President prefered to stress that all his Statements at EU Parliament concerned only his Vision for the Future of Europe, and not at all any National Electoral Competition between various Political Parties : Nobody should Mix up these 2 Different Matters. Otherwise, he/she risks to fall into a slipery slope, Hollande claimed, (in reply to a Press Question by a collegue about Marine Le Pen)... 

--------------------------------------- 

The Right TIMING ?

------------------------------------------------

    In fact, the most Crucial Question is not, so much, What should be done, but, much more : - "When ?". I.e. how, a decisive New Move for more EU Integration might Succeed at a Moment when Many EU Citizens are notoriously still Upset from too High Unemployment, unprecedented since World War II surrounding Tensions/War Threats, and a Never seen before, Uncontrolled yet, but Massive Irregular Immigration from Non-European Countries, mainly through Turkey, which obviously aggravates European People's Concerns both for Safety and their Cultural Historic Identity, Values and Way fo Life, as many Polls and Top EU Politicians currently Warn.

    But it's also a Fact that, at least the development of a joint Economic Policy capacity by the EU had been initially foreseen for much Earlier, almost shortly after the Introduction of €uro's Monetary Union, back at the End of the 1990ies, (See f.ex. the landmark EU Parliament's Debate on "the State of the Union" and the World, with full participation of all EU Institutions, including EU Council, and even UNO's Secretary General -then Boutros-Ghali- etc) back on October 1985 in Strasbourg, (Comp. "EuroFora" Co-Founder's NewsReports to "TCW", etc), while, now (i.e. at the Beginnin of the 21st Century), it has become Necessary to closely Coordinate and to Integrate much more, at least €uroZone Member Countries' common Policies, (as, f.ex., German Finance Minister Wolfgang Scheuble, together with ChristianDamocratic/EPP Parties' President, Joseph Daul, have recently Stressed at a joint meeting in Strasbourg. While, almost in parallel, former French President Sarkozy anounced with German Chancelor Merkel a New , €uroArea Treaty,  back on August 16, 2011, at Elysée Palace (See "EuroFora"s NewsReport from the spot), afterwards debated, officialy decided and signed also by most Member cOUNTRIES from December 2011 up to January/March 2012 in EU Brussels' Summits, and finaly endorsed also by current French President Hollande from June 2012. As "EuroFora" had already Observed, then, €uroArea Treaty's main New Political point is, in fact, that Article which allows, for the First Time in History, for €uroArea Member Countries' Heads of State/Government's Summits, (possibly Trimestrial or even Monthy, if they decide so), to Discuss and Decide also on Any Issue, whatever, which may be of common interest for their Nations and People, (i.e. not only of Monetary and/or Economic, but also Political, or about Security and Defense, Culture and Education/Reasearch, etc. In addition, French Academician and former President Valery Giscard d'Estaing, in a Book presented just a few years ago in Strasbourg, followed by subsequent Speech in EU Parliament, (Comp. also VGE's Replies to "EuroFora"s Question, then : ....), had .. Earmarked "2015", and, eventually, "Strasbourg" , as the Best Space/Time coordinates for a Decisive Boost to €uro-Area's Governance.

    NB =>   Nowadays, the Big Challenges currently Faced by the EU, can become either Negative Obstacles, or Good Opportunities for a Decisive Boost to a Higher European Integration, according to whether our Political Leaders really decide and succeed to Tackle these Challenges, or not :

    F.ex., Irregular Mass Immigration's Crisis notoriously makes Necesarry for the EU to find, for the 1st Time, Efficient ways to Protect its External Borders, to foster a succesful Socio-Cultural Integration of carefuly chosen Immigrants, (including Real Refugees fleeing Political Prosecution/Harassment, particularly from War-striken Countries, Not Opportunists or even Thugs send by Turkey from irrelevant far away Countries, often with an obvious Islamisation Agenda, and/or involved in various other Traffics/Mafias, possibly even Extreme Islamic Terrorism "dormant" submarines, as many Media and/or EU Politicians warned, (while, on the Contrary, Real Victims of Persecution/Harassments don't even have enough Money to Pay the Turkish a.o. Smugglers for a Trip to Greek "Jet"-propulsed Sea Cruises) : An obviously unavoidable Risk as long as the current Lack of Monitoring "Who enters inside the EU, and Where do they go", still persists, as f.ex. several mainstream German Officials recently denounced), both Economicaly and by adequate Cultural/Education means. As for the Economy and the obvious Need to eradicate Unemployment, in fact, it all Depends from the Emergence, or not, of a Real Political Will for Europe to become an Independent and Equal Player in the World, (f.ex. vis a vis the USA, but also Russia and China, Japan and Australia/Canada, etc), which Practicaly means, f.ex., at least to Develop its own Digital Technology and Tools (i.e. Computers' Operating Systems, Mobile Phones, Networks, key Softwares, etc), Geo-Localisation instruments (GALILEO), Early Warning Air/Space tools (for an Autonomous Security/Defense Policy), re-launching also its scandalously abandoned Hypersonic Airplanes' capacities (f.ex. by inventing a New Trans-Continental Airplane, Successor to Concorde), Very High Speed Trains (at 600 km/h+), as well as to Start Courageously developing and using its own Energy Natural Resources in Oil/Gas (f.ex. around Cyprus, Greece, etc) and Direct Strategic Pipeline and/or River/Sea  routes (+ including from the Caspian Sea, through Azerbaidjan and Georgia, possibly also Russia, via the Black Sea, towards Romania and Danube/Rhine rivers, and/or from Neighbouring Egypt and Israel, together with EU Member Cyprus' South-Eastern Mediterranean recently Growing Gas Findings, directly towards the EU, by Ships and/or UndeSea Pipelines, while preparing also the Trans-Saharian Oil/Gas Pipeline, from Nigeria's a.o. African Countries' huge Resources, up to the Mediterranean SeaCoasts, ready to be efficiently linked to Europe both by Pipelines and NLG transporting Ships, etc). Naturally, such a Move would also warrant, in order to Succeed, to Boost EU Citizens' feelings about a Common European Identity, made both from EU's particularly Rich and Ancient, Cultural and Historic roots, (in the whole World, only China has Today something similar to Europe's brillant Ancient Civilisations whose Memory, Language and Culture, Achievements, etc, have remained known until now), and from the Consciously and Voluntarily adopted European "Values", (mainly in reaction to certain World War II - related Anti-Democratic Regimes of an Atrocious Past that Nobody wants to see repeated again), including Popular Awareness-Raising, and a, much-Needed, "Big Dream" Vision towards certain Large Horizons of the Future.

(../..)

-----------------------------------

***

(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already send to "EuroFora"'s Subscribers/Donors, earlier. A more accurate, full Final Version might be Published asap).

***