Conference on the Future of Europe: recommendation 14

The European citizens expect concrete resultats from the Conference on the Future of Europe. Foto: Philippe STIRNWEISS / © European Union 2022 / Source EP

“We recommend that, in its relations with external countries, the Union strengthen the common democratic values within its borders. Only after this objective has been achieved do we recommend that the Union should become the ambassador of our democratic model in those countries that are willing to apply this model and have the will to do so, through diplomacy and dialogue.”

(Elsa Woeffler) – Looking inwards, rather than outwards. This is the measure proposed by the European citizens’ panel that drew up propositions and recommendations at the Conference on the Future of Europe. European diplomacy is sometimes too outward-looking, neglecting its own contours and borders. Indeed, according to the panel, it would be better to deal with European democracy, while supporting external countries in favor of this democracy. A favor asked of Europe, which wishes to fully achieve European values and objectives, before those of others. Thus, according to the panel, strengthening these values, but also European unity, will in the long run provide a better example of this model of European democratic unity for countries outside Europe that wish to apply it.

Thus, in order to help other states, Europe must ‘help itself’. Making Europe more united and less interventionist in the political systems of other states is a strong demand of this conference. In addition to the Conference on the Future of Europe, which allowed certain citizen panels to participate politically and democratically in the future of Europe, several initiatives, including that of the European Commission, have strengthened this dynamic of citizen participation, reinforcing Europe’s internal democracy. However, this fundamental system needs to be protected. Indeed, several threats such as the Covid pandemic, cyber-attacks, various social discontents, but above all, disinformation and manipulation, in order to turn the populations against the action of the Union. These coercive measures are well known to even the most established democracies, but the multiplication of hybrid threats must contribute to a multiplication of the responses given by Europe.

Looking to the future, while looking inwards to Europe, are the first foundations laid by the European Citizens’ Panel. The democratic challenges, sometimes in a Europe divided on certain issues, are multiple. European citizens are aware that democracy is fragile, so it is advisable to strengthen it internally in order to, perhaps, help and enhance other countries wishing to democratize their system.