PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 1 March 2017
Commenting on the White Paper on the future of Europe "Avenues for Unity for the EU at 27" presented today by European Commision President Jean-Claude Juncker, European Green Party Co-Chairs Reinhard Bütikofer and Monica Frassoni said:
"We welcome the fact that the White Paper on the future of Europe, formulated by the European Commission, is now available, even if its content cannot produce enthusiasm. With the Paper, the Commission provides a common point of reference to the necessary debate on the way forward for our European Union. Still the five scenarios presented describe the spectrum of some different development paths, but no clear choice or sense of the preferred direction is indicated.
"Indeed, with its White Paper, the European Commission does not dare to advertise for a clear way forward. It wants the Member States to choose between the different scenarios. This decision-making process will set off bitter fights, because Governments are divided.
"This is why now the time of the European Parliament has come. It has to take the initiative to lead the debate on the five scenarios and beyond on a broad basis, with national parliaments and civil society at large, while at the same time indicating its own priorities. If the Commission cannot lead and the Member States are divided, the European Parliament is all the more important to be the place where the debate on our common future in this EU should start and develop."
- ENDS -
Eliana Capretti
Head of Communications and Press
