Open Letter to the Heads of State and the President of the European Council

Dear Heads of State, dear President of the European Council,

In view of the European summit, we are calling you to introduce federalist reforms to improve the functioning of the European Union.

The EU finds itself at another crossroads, between union and disunion. We need a fundamental shift in the approach of the European Union, from the paralyzing format of an intergovernmental European Union to a truly Community approach as the only way out of the crisis.

The current sovereign debt crisis started from the incompleteness of the European construction and could have been properly encountered if the European project would have already been achieved with an economic government. European federalism is the only way to overcome the political stall that affects global and local issues in daily life of all European citizens.

We believe that the establishment of the European Federation would erase the persisting contradiction of a common currency without a government. It is the role of the European Commission and not of the Council to play the role of a European Economic Government. The European Commission is the only political actor able to perform coherent economic governance through the setting up of a European Ministry of Economic and Financial affairs accountable, being part of the Commission, fully accountable to the Parliament.

We call the Eurozone countries to take all necessary decisions to save the Euro, starting with the creation of Eurobonds towards the establishment of a fiscal Union. The monetary policy should remain an exclusive competence of the Union, with an independent European Central Bank responsible for the single currency. We encourage all Member States outside the Eurozone to join as soon as possible and put an end to the practice of opt-outs.

A common economic policy should also lay on a larger European budget based on own resources to avoid the “fair return” comportment of member states and to establish a clear connection between the EU’s goal and the allocation of its budget and lead to a common economic plan for sustainable development and social welfare in Europe.

Moreover, we want to remind you that a Federal Europe goes beyond an economic mandate to include common social, energy, climate, immigration and foreign policies.

In view of the COP17 summit, the European Member states should adopt a united approach towards climate change and a single European Energy policy for the sake of negotiating as a united platform with foreign suppliers and international partners.

The recent worldwide events proved also that there is a strong need for a strengthened Common Foreign, Development and Security Policy if the EU really wants to play a significant role on the world stage in fostering peace, democracy and stability throughout the world;

But we want to stress that all proposals for the next steps of European Integration must be discussed in a transparent and democratic way. A new Convention could be a relevant step to involve citizens and their representatives in the European unification process. This basic democratic right to participate in such an important matter may not be sacrificed for old-style “behind-closed-doors” negotiations. The support of European citizens will only be won with an open debate involving all parliaments and governments, as well as the European Commission.

We ask you to fight against the rise of extremism, nationalism and populism in Europe which may lead to the fragmentation of the EU. The European Union today is facing a severe legitimacy crisis because of the outdated and paralyzing format of intergovernmental cooperation and internal hesitations to

follow a Community-based approach. Many of European citizens feel disconnected from Europe because they feel alienated by politics in general. We believe that it is high time to act and give Europe the ambitious federal reforms it needs and deserves.

The current European situation needs political leadership and bravery for the renewal of the European Union. The European youth counts on you.

We remain at your disposal to continue discussing and lobbying for this extremely important cause.

Yours sincerely,

On behalf of JEF-Europe

Pauline Gessant, President