In Lockstep

Christophe Leclercq and Kristina Weich Hondrila from euractiv.com write in this Politik und Kommunikation article about the state of the EU at the end of the British presidency.

Europe’s citizens are scared of the future.  Are jobs and pensions still secure in the future?  During the British presidency EU leaders were asked to find an answer to this complicated question.

At the Social Summit focusing on the long-term sustainability of the European social model at the end of October 2005, the main question was how to improve the EU’s economic competitiveness.  Admittedly not many member states considered this summit to be of much political importance.  This is why the summit ended with a common diagnosis, but no concrete initiatives.

The negotiations about the EU budget are also still in deadlock.

Since the direction of the EU is not clear at the moment, it is no surprise that many citizens are sceptical.  The message that the EU will guarantee peace and prosperity is not enough anymore.  This is also one of the reasons why the new communication strategy’ is so important.

A complete version of this article (in German) can be downloaded here.

For more information see EURACTIV sections Public Affairs, Agenda 2004 and Corporate Social Responsibility.