European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas says he does not expect “a movement or general shift towards extremes or nationalism” after the 2024 European elections, noting that these forces “are not in the majority in Europe”.
“I think the Europe that will emerge will be more resilient and more aware of this fact. I don’t expect a movement or a general shift towards extremes or nationalism. I do not believe that elections can lead to greater isolation or more nationalism or more solutions nationalists,” he told Lusa in an interview on the sidelines of his participation in the La Toja Forum in Galicia, Spain.
Asked whether this is realistic at a time when some countries seem to be moving in that direction, Schinas replied that “I wouldn’t say that some countries, but some forces within those countries are moving in that direction,” but “these forces are not the majority in Europe”.
“We have to respond to these forces, to what they say, but I don’t expect any movement or general shift towards extremes or nationalism after the elections. [de junho de 2024]”, he claimed.
The Commissioner believes that “the vast majority of Europeans will be on the side of moderate and collective European responses.”
“When Europeans vote, they will be very aware of two things. The first is the unprecedented nature of crises, threats and pressures facing Europe. Of all kinds: pandemic, war, migration, climate change. All these crises are the same for all Europeans, wherever they live,” he stressed.
The second thought, he says, will be to ask whether the answer to these problems “can be national, regional or populist, or whether we can achieve improvements if everyone works alone”.
“Inevitably – and I think we have proven this in this committee – it is only the collective strength of Europeans that can buy vaccines, build resilience and help Ukraine,” he stressed.
The vice-president of the European Commission rejects the idea that the European project is under threat. “The EU is not at risk. But we have many enemies who would like to see the European project fail. That’s not the same. We are not at risk,” he assured.
Schinas notes that in 2016 there was “a school of thought that questioned the viability of the European project”, especially “as a result of ‘Brexit’, jihadist terrorism, Russia’s occupation of Crimea, the financial crisis”. “But all these issues, in my opinion, have strengthened the European project. They have made the project stronger,” he emphasized.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, the Commissioner considered that the EU’s support was “spectacular, massive and unanimous”.
The EU’s support for Ukraine is “irreversible”, he assured. “Even despite the differences, we will remain with Ukraine as long as necessary,” he assured. If this doesn’t happen, “the costs will be higher later.” “Europe will support Ukraine for as long as necessary. Let’s see who else will do that,” he emphasized.
For the commissioner, “the costs of leaving Ukraine will be enormous”, not only for Europe “but also for the Western world”.
Migration pact after 2024 elections would be “suicidal for Europe”
European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas also indicated that 75% of the migration pact has been “practically agreed” and considered it “inevitable” to conclude negotiations before the 2024 European elections, as otherwise it would be “suicidal” are for Europe. “.
“It will be suicide if Europe misses this opportunity of political opportunity. When Europeans vote, I want them to do so with the certainty that Europe will finally get the system it needs. [para regular migrações e asilo]. If we do not do this, demagogues and populists, both right and left, will attack Europe again and we must deprive them of this pretext,” the Commissioner defended.
For Schinas, it is “inevitable” to conclude the issue before the elections and “the plan is to reach a great European understanding, if possible with all Member States” or, if this is not possible, “by majority to decide”.
According to Schinas, the EU has “practically agreed on 75% of the legislative proposal”, while the remaining 25% is missing.
“Of course, everything will only be agreed upon, but we are not far from this historic moment of final agreement,” he assured.
Asked about the resistance of some countries to the issue of migration, the Commissioner stressed that, given “the continued pressure” Europe faces, “there is a high and significant level of understanding”.
“There are two countries that we disagree with at the moment: Poland and Hungary. I would like to count on them. We had problems at the last minute with other countries, but I think in the end it will work and everyone that will do.” on the same page,” he said.
If “one or two” countries disagree, Schinas points out that the decision can be taken by qualified majority.
What is needed to reach a final agreement, he says, is “more negotiation”, especially because “in complex negotiations the most difficult is always the last mile”, and this requires both “the agreement of the Member States and the European Union ‘. Parliament”.
The parties represented in parliament agree that this reform is necessary and that “convergence is finally happening with the Member States,” he emphasizes.
Regarding the possibility of a repeat of the 2015 migration crisis in Europe, Schinas warns that this was something unique. “In 2015 we were not prepared at all. Now we have a Frontex [Agência Europeia da Guarda de Fronteiras e Costeira] strengthens. We have more money in the budget, we are better prepared, but we still do not have the legal framework that only the pact can provide,” he noted.
In June, at a meeting between the 27 ministers responsible for Migration, EU Member States agreed by majority vote (with two votes against and four abstentions) on an overall approach to reforming asylum rules.
Since then, the package has been discussed by the co-legislators (Council and European Parliament), with the aim of reaching a final agreement before the European elections in June 2024 (given the necessary negotiation process) to ensure a fair distribution of responsibilities. Member States and act in solidarity when tackling migration flows.
The EU plans to relocate 30,000 migrants every year and contribute EUR 660 million to the fund that will finance migration policy.
Accession process of Ukraine and Moldova possible from 2024
European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas believes that the accession process of Ukraine and Moldova to the European Union (EU) “could formally begin in early 2024” and that thinking about enlargement in 2030 is “possible, realistic and visible”. .
“These two countries – Ukraine and Moldova – are at the forefront of the geopolitical divide. They stuck their necks out for Europe. That is why it is a great moral and political necessity to have them on board. [do projeto da UE]. I think it will be possible that accession will formally start early next year,” said Schinas, for whom the prospect of EU enlargement in 2030 is “possible and realistic”.
“Just like in our lives, when we wait for someone to come to our house, we organize the house accordingly to accommodate them. This is something we have to do. We have to look at how we decide, how we vote, how we spend money… it is an adjustment we have to make,” he noted.
One of the things that could “facilitate” the EU’s preparation for enlargement would be a “switch to majority voting instead of unanimity on some issues,” he claimed.
“For example, we have a unanimous vote on foreign affairs. Personally, I am convinced that a majority vote would facilitate the way we decide. No one would lose with a majority vote and it could also facilitate our preparation for enlargement,” he said. .
Schinas believes that this change “will not require a ‘big bang’ institutional reform”. “We can use the basis of treaties, because member states can unanimously decide to vote by majority on certain matters,” he said.
Regarding enlargement, Schinas says that “candidate countries must also do what is expected of them”. “There will be no shortcuts or looking the other way. Countries must show that they meet all negotiating factors,” he stressed.
The subject of enlargement will be on the table during the third summit of the European Political Community, which will take place on Thursday in the Spanish city of Granada. The next day, an informal European Council will take place in Spain as part of the Spanish presidency of the EU Council, also dedicated to expanding the community bloc.
In mid-2022, EU member states adopted a historic decision to grant candidate country status to Ukraine and Moldova, joining a broader group of countries, some of which have long been in the ‘queue’ to join the EU to join. progress in recent years.
This list now consists of Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, North Macedonia, Albania, Ukraine, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On Wednesday, the President of the European Parliament defended in an interview with Agência Lusa and other European news agencies in Brussels that formal negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU should begin by the end of the year. states that “millions of people do not disappoint”.
Enlargement is the process by which states join the EU after meeting political and economic requirements.
Any European state that respects and commits to promoting the democratic values of the community can apply for membership of the EU, but to do so it must undergo a process of formal negotiations (which can only be unanimously approved by the current Member States). Member States), followed by the implementation of the necessary reforms.
Source: DN
