UEF attended the culturally and politically rich program and contributed to the current political discussion with a proposal for a Resolution on the economic situation in the
EU. Together with other drafted opinions on that issue our position will be acknowledged in an EMI position that will be drafted soon. On top, UEF had the opportunity to show a presentation of our current projects. One of the many highlights was the election of former Bulgarian EU-Commissioner Meglena Kuneva as member of the EMI board.

In this resolution UEF France notably asks for:
- the EP to draft a proposal for a revision of the Treaties in the field of economic union and governance in time for the convening a Convention before 2014
- the External Action Service to be attached to the Commission so ask to preserve the community method
- the EP electoral law to be modified (inclusion of transnational lists) in time for 2014 elections
- the French Government to recognize officially the European symbols

The resolution launches an appeal to other European organizations to join the UEF France in the USE campaign.

This meeting was organized in cooperation with the regional branches of UEF, MEF, JEF and
Sauvons l'Europe. The honour guest was Gérard Onesta, ex Vice President of the European
Parliament.

The debate, co-organised by Europarl TV and Euronews, and shown as a TV program eight times, put together around a table the president of the EP, Jerzy Buzek, and the leaders of the political groups, Joseph Daul (EPP), Martin Schultz (S&D), Guy Verhofstadt (ALDE) and Daniel Cohn-Bendit (Greens/EFA).

Many issues were raised, in particular the creation of a European economic government (topic put forward by the federalists), the idea of a European tax on financial transactions, fiscal convergence, unemployment and youth perspectives. The need to strengthen the role of the European institutions and notably of the Commission was stressed by all participants.
Considering the interest that generally this topic is raising in the public debate among politicians and citizens, it is good that the federalists were perceived as those supporting the idea of an European economic and democratic government with a strong European budget, as a tool to increase EU credibility and efficiency, thus stimulating economic recovery.

To see the TV program on Euronews, click here.

"The Union of European Federalists (UEF) at its meeting on June 5 and 6 in Brussels, expressed its concern on the serious delay in setting up the External Action Service. This hampers the EU's efforts to be a credible player in international affairs at a time of growing insecurity. UEF urges the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament to rapidly settle their internal disputes so that the EAS can become operational and Catherine Ashton enabled to do her job. 

The rapporteurs made clear that a majority in Parliament is determined to use its full powers to support the following lines of action:

- The creation of the EEAS is an opportunity for the emergence of a European external policy combining each of the European external competences;

- As such, as the majority of these competences are by Treaty of the responsibility of the Commission, the service has to be as closely linked to the Commission as possible, particularly regarding budgetary and administrative matters;

- Such a link is also for the Parliament a prerequisite to guarantee political responsibility of the VPHR before the Parliament, which the Parliament views as essential for a democratic Europe, taking particularly into account the new role of the Parliament under the Lisbon treaty;

- To give ground to this political control of the parliament, all decisions concerning the external aspects of Community policies will have to be taken by the Commission as a body, even when it is integrating some actions concerning the EFSP competences of the VP-HR;

- Regarding staff matters, it is of the greatest importance that each member of the EEAS staff has a single loyalty towards Europe; the Parliament will secure that when co-deciding with the Council on the Staff Regulation.

"Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity."

The proposal to pool the coal and steel production of France and Germany made the two states depend on each other for mutual well-being. Their destiny was shared. 

"The pooling of coal and steel production should immediately provide for the setting up of common foundations for economic development as a first step in the federation of Europe ...".

Their example was to be followed by others. The new coal and steel community was from the outset "open to all countries willing to take part". 

"In this way there will be realised simply and speedily that fusion of interests which is indispensable to the establishment of a common economic system; it may be the leaven from which may grow a wider and deeper community between countries long opposed to one another by bloody divisions. By pooling basic production and by instituting a new higher authority, whose decisions will bind France, Germany, and other member countries, this proposal will lead to the realisation of the first concrete foundation of a European federation indispensable to the preservation of peace."

Sixty years on, after many successes and some failures, the goal of Robert Schuman and Jean Monnet to create a European federation has come closer. Sovereignty is pooled to a great extent in the European Union, whose constitutional architecture has many federal characteristics. The recent entry into force of the Lisbon treaty has widened the competences of the Union and strengthened the powers of its institutions. Yet building a federal Europe is still work in progress. Much remains to be done. 

The single market has still to be completed, not least in the services sector, intellectual property, science research and energy. 

The financial system needs to be made more transparent, buoyant and progressive, equipping the EU with the money it needs to fulfil its political objectives and meet the demands of its citizens. The EU needs more capacity to raise revenue, borrow and lend in order to boost investment in European public goods such as education, green technology and infrastructure. 

EU budgetary policy should promote Europe's economic recovery. In the impending mid-term review of the budget and in the design of the new multi-annual financial framework from 2013, spending should be transferred from the national to the federal level where economies of scale and cost efficiencies can be made, or to correct market failure. This is particularly the case in the military sector where the European Defence Agency shows the way forward. Conversely, where EU expenditure is no longer appropriate, national treasuries should play a larger role. 

Current negotiations on strengthening the regulatory framework for the financial sector should drive towards the eventual establishment of a single EU supervisor for transnational financial services. 

A return to fiscal rectitude and tinkering with the Stability and Growth Pact is not enough. An economic government is now urgently required, above all within the eurozone, with sufficient executive authority to oblige the state governments to adopt mutually reinforcing economic policies within an overall common strategy aimed at the twin objectives of stability and competitiveness. 

We urge the task force established under the authority of President Van Rompuy to emulate the Schuman Declaration in terms of courage and clarity of purpose. The members of the European Council must accept individual responsibility and be held accountable for their collective decisions. 

The European External Action Service must be set up as fast as possible with all the resources it needs to correct the current dislocated and uncoordinated external activities of the Union. The Commission and Council should set aside their institutional jealousies and follow the logic of the Lisbon treaty to establish a common diplomatic service with the capability of turning the Union into an impressive actor on the world stage. 

Those states which are militarily capable and politically willing should move soon to form an integrated defence structure on a permanent basis, as foreseen by the Lisbon treaty. 

The European Parliament must continue to upgrade its performance. The European political parties should revitalise themselves by campaigning to make a reality of EU citizenship and championing the development of the common area of freedom, security and justice. We strongly support the proposal to establish a transnational constituency for a certain number of MEPs in time for the 2014 elections. 

We the undersigned Presidents of two long-standing federalist organisations in Europe call on the institutions of the European Union and on national parliaments to recall the motivation behind the Schuman Declaration and to confirm the Union's mission to peace, solidarity and enlargement. These are the next steps towards the building of a European federation. 

Andrew Duff MEP, President UEF                                                        

Philippe Adriaenssens, President JEF            

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The purpose of this meeting is to discuss this founding document as well as to recognise the historic legacy we owe to MM. Schuman and Monnet, and to call for futher steps to be  taken towards building the European federation.

Participation in the discussion is open to all interested.

Andrew Duff, President of the UEF, said: "I am delighted to welcome Christian Wenning as the new Secretary-General of UEF. He has a tough act to follow to Joan Marc Simon, who has served the federalist cause exceptionally well over the last, fairly difficult years. Christian brings a lot of experience and commitment, and I look forward to working closely with him as we go forward to address the federal issues in further building the European Union and finding the way to economic recovery and financial stability."  

Christian Wenning: "I campaigned for the Euro, for the historic chance of Enlargement and fought for a more democratic EU. Still the hardest is ahead: The fight against hostility towards the European Idea. It is a great honour to serve the Federalist cause in this important position."

The Union of European Federalists has welcomed the decision of last week's European Council to establish an inquiry into the future governance of economic and monetary union.