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Meeting of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds with the Vice President of the European Parliament, Mr. Rainer Wieland
21/12/2010
Members of the CEAOEF held a meeting with Mr. Rainer Wieland – Vice President of the European Parliament. It was his first visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of Mr. Andrey Kovachev -a Bulgarian Member of the European Parliament, affiliated to the EPP Group and Chairman of the European Federalists’ Union.
The reason for Mr. Wieland’s visit is the new “Spinelli group” within the European Parliament, created on 15 September, 2010, which aims to promote federalism and transcend the narrow limits of nationalism. The group is open for politically active citizens, who are not party members. Applying a non-partisan approach, the Group will strive to bring the European agenda closer to the citizens. Mr. Wieland highlighted that if Bulgaria accepts such an approach, it would be the first Member State after Germany to support the idea of active federalism.
The Chairwoman of the CEAOEF, Ms. Monika Panayotova emphasized on the efforts of the Bulgarian politicians to intensify the citizens’ interest in European policy, making it more understandable to the public. According to Ms. Panayotova, active work is needed to form the feeling of a broader European identity and tangible affiliation to the European family. In this regard, the Chairwoman of the CEAOEF referred to Bulgaria’s determination for joining the Schengen area that would guarantee freedom of movement for the Bulgarian citizens and abolition of the physical borders. The Deputy Chairwoman of the CEAOEF, Ms. Meglena Plugtschieva, also expressed her confidence that Bulgaria’s efforts, aimed at the Schengen area accession would be appreciated not only by the European Council, but also by the European Parliament. Ms. Plugtschieva warmly welcomed the “Spinelli group” idea to stimulate a politically unbiased approach on the European affairs.
Mr. Wieland, for his part, explained that the future challenges in front of the EU are not related to the Four Freedoms, because these genuine European values should already be embraced by everyone. The EU efforts have to be directed towards the elaboration of Europe’s geostrategic imperative by finding the growth incentives, which would make the EU more competitive on the world stage. The vice-president of the EP emphasized that the EU shouldn’t be perceived as a privilege for ones and a burden for others- the benefit has to be mutual, as the African wisdom says “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.”
In conclusion, Ms. Panayotova added that if we want to build a competitive Europe, then the answer of the “go fast, or go far” question is in favor of the sustainable development which requires intellectual imagination, political will and the support of all citizens.
The reason for Mr. Wieland’s visit is the new “Spinelli group” within the European Parliament, created on 15 September, 2010, which aims to promote federalism and transcend the narrow limits of nationalism. The group is open for politically active citizens, who are not party members. Applying a non-partisan approach, the Group will strive to bring the European agenda closer to the citizens. Mr. Wieland highlighted that if Bulgaria accepts such an approach, it would be the first Member State after Germany to support the idea of active federalism.
The Chairwoman of the CEAOEF, Ms. Monika Panayotova emphasized on the efforts of the Bulgarian politicians to intensify the citizens’ interest in European policy, making it more understandable to the public. According to Ms. Panayotova, active work is needed to form the feeling of a broader European identity and tangible affiliation to the European family. In this regard, the Chairwoman of the CEAOEF referred to Bulgaria’s determination for joining the Schengen area that would guarantee freedom of movement for the Bulgarian citizens and abolition of the physical borders. The Deputy Chairwoman of the CEAOEF, Ms. Meglena Plugtschieva, also expressed her confidence that Bulgaria’s efforts, aimed at the Schengen area accession would be appreciated not only by the European Council, but also by the European Parliament. Ms. Plugtschieva warmly welcomed the “Spinelli group” idea to stimulate a politically unbiased approach on the European affairs.
Mr. Wieland, for his part, explained that the future challenges in front of the EU are not related to the Four Freedoms, because these genuine European values should already be embraced by everyone. The EU efforts have to be directed towards the elaboration of Europe’s geostrategic imperative by finding the growth incentives, which would make the EU more competitive on the world stage. The vice-president of the EP emphasized that the EU shouldn’t be perceived as a privilege for ones and a burden for others- the benefit has to be mutual, as the African wisdom says “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.”
In conclusion, Ms. Panayotova added that if we want to build a competitive Europe, then the answer of the “go fast, or go far” question is in favor of the sustainable development which requires intellectual imagination, political will and the support of all citizens.
