By Dr.Antonis St. Stylianou
The current state of affairs, at the global level, continues to be characterised by peculiar circumstances and significant challenges, primarily those related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The pandemic created a novel order of things that strongly affected European (as, of course, global) societies and had (and still has) an impact on all aspects of our everyday life. In this context, the vision for the Europe of tomorrow could not be anything other than the creation of those conditions that would allow the most dynamic regional political organisation in the world to react promptly to crises, to continue to play an active role in world affairs and to ensure its sustainability.
The priorities of the French Presidency of the European Council are focused on three main axes which are the quintessence of the above summary of the challenges for the Europe of tomorrow First, a European Union that demonstrates its sovereignty; second, a new European model of development; and third, a more human Europe - a Union closer to its citizens.
In relation to the first pillar, emphasis is placed on strengthening the Schengen area, protecting Europe's borders, controlling immigration and improving the European Union's asylum policy, while the Union's external action, including its defence policies, strengthening its role on the international scene, the interdependence of the European Union with its neighbours and the European Union, is also emphasised.
In relation to the first pillar, emphasis is placed on strengthening the Schengen area, protecting Europe's borders, controlling immigration and improving the European Union's asylum policy, while the Union's external action, including its defence policies, strengthening its role on the international scene, inter As regards the second pillar, the perspectives and challenges relate to the productive capacities of the European Union, the strengthening of innovation and technological excellence, the implementation of the climate targets set by the Union, Europe's role in the new digital environment and further support for the education and development sector. Finally, in relation to the third pillar of priorities for the European Union, the need for the Union to become more human and more accessible to its citizens is highlighted, stressing the importance for the Conference on the Future of Europe and emphasising culture, science and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, fully in line with the development of an inclusive, fair and accessible rule of law.
In particular, the agenda for tomorrow's Europe includes issues relating, for example, to the areas of general affairs as handled by the institutions of the European Union, with an emphasis on pandemic response, the vaccination programme, safeguarding human rights and fundamental freedoms, strengthening the concept of democratisation and respect for the rule of law, combating hybrid threats and economic, social and territorial cohesion, with particular emphasis on
Additional areas of interest relate to economic and home affairs issues concerning the European Union and its Member States, with emphasis on the coordination of Member States' economic policies, the full implementation of the recovery plan, the prospects for future growth and the digital transition, as well as the continuation of reforms concerning asylum and migration, the strengthening of police cooperation, civil protection and the adaptation of judicial cooperation to the new paradigm. At a critical geopolitical juncture, with the current challenges facing the international community and the enormous potential offered by the development of new technologies, the European Union must move forward on the basis of the above agenda and become robust, orderly and prosperous.
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
