‘Euro-Visions’: Deutsche Welle Offers Online Dossier Covering Europe’s Future
July 23, 2008
DW-WORLD.DE is bringing new life to the European debate with a series of guest articles from personalities from the world of politics and science, who will provide their views of a new Europe. For its “Euro-Visions” dossier, Deutsche Welle has gathered authors from extremely different areas and political orientations. Among them is German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who answers the question “Whither Europe?”
Other authors include the European delegates Elmar Brok, Martin Shulz, Cem Özdemir and Silvana-Koch Mehrin, the political scientists Werner Weidenfeld and Winfried Böttcher, the sociologist Ulrich Beck and the journalism professor Gerd G. Kopper.
In his article, Steinmeier pleads for the continuation of the Lisbon Process – irrespective of the Irish referendum: “The Irish 'no' should not lead Europe into a cul-de-sac.” The reasons seem simple to him: The agreement makes Europe more democratic and capable of acting. In addition, he says the Lisbon agreement gives Europe a more recognizable voice in the world. Therefore, he believes that there is no alternative to the ratification process. “And I am optimistic that ultimately it will be possible to find a solution that is acceptable – even to the Irish.”
July 22, 2008