The European crisis is not really the European Union\u2019s fault.<\/p>\n
This is according to president of the European Commission, Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso and the Danish Prime Minister, Ms Helle Thorning-Schmidt at the Ceremonial Hall of the University of Copenhagen. They had met up to debate \u2018The future of EU \u2013 Moving forward together?\u2019 as a part of the EU 2012Series hosted during the Danish presidency of European Union.<\/p>\n
\u00bbCitizens look to the EU when things go wrong to solve their problems, but we were not responsible for the domestic decisions that derived from different problems that struck the member states,\u00ab Mr Barroso said at the meeting.<\/p>\n
\u00bbHowever, we feel responsible to solve their problems, especially the economic uncertainty and the high rates of unemployment, which are unacceptable,\u00ab he added.<\/p>\n
Ms Thorning-Schmidt supported his point of view: \u00bbEach member must keep its own house in order\u00ab, she said. <\/p>\n
\u00bbThe current problems are not derived from institutional European problems, they have been also created by the member states. They must assume their share of responsibility with sound fiscal policies and balanced budgets, and this not only for the sake of these countries, but also for the sake of the whole union\u00ab.<\/p>\n
In his speech Mr. Barroso emphasised the efforts that the EU has to make now, in order to respond the challenges of the financial crisis.<\/p>\n
\u00bbIf Europe wants to maintain its values and prosper, it is now the time to take measures, and together become stable, smart and sustainable,\u00ab he said. <\/p>\n
Mr Barroso warned against \u00bbthe stratification of the EU economies and the famous \u2018two speed Europe\u2019\u00ab.<\/p>\n
In her speech Ms Thorning-Schmidt pointed to the positive things that have come out of the latest euro crisis. It has, she said, \u00bballowed the EU to achieve goals of co-operation and set up new common rules, as in the Fiscal compact and in the example of the Greek bailout, which have shown a will to work together\u00ab.<\/p>\n
\u00bbDecisions have to made fast. And the ones achieved in the past months within the EU regarding economic reforms were seen as impossible not so long ago. They go in the right direction,\u00ab she said.<\/p>\n
Ms Thorning-Schmidt closed off her speech on a positive note: \u00bbThe European Union will survive, because our values are stronger than this crisis\u00ab.<\/p>\n
universitypost@adm.ku.dk<\/p>\n