The future of Europe

 

SUMMARY OF:

White Paper on the future of Europe — reflections and scenarios for the EU 27 by 2025

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE WHITE PAPER?

It sets out the main challenges and opportunities for the European Union in the decade ahead.

It is the first step in the process of the 27 EU countries (EU 27) deciding the EU’s future direction, and will be followed by debates in European capitals and a series of reflection papers by the European Commission on specific issues.

KEY POINTS

The White Paper establishes a number of issues which will influence the progress of the EU in the decade to come:

• A changing place in an evolving world — taking into account the EU’s decreasing share of the world’s population and its reduced economic power.
• A profoundly transformed economy and society — bearing in mind an ageing population, increased life expectancy, the evolving digital society and the increased importance of renewable energy technologies.
• Heightened threats and concerns about security and borders — noting the continued terrorist threats and refugee crises.
• A questioning of trust and legitimacy — stressing the ‘conditional’ support for the EU and the consequent need to narrow the gap between promise and delivery.

The White Paper also sets out five possible scenarios for the EU in 2025:

1. Carrying on — EU 27 carries on a positive reform agenda, relying on the Commission’s ‘Work Programme 2015 A New Start’ from 2014 and the Bratislava Declaration of 2016. By 2025, this could mean:

• Europeans driving automated and connected cars may face legal and technical barriers when crossing borders.
• Security checks at airports and train stations may require travellers to arrive earlier for their departures.

2. Nothing but the single market — the difficulty in finding common ground between the EU 27 on a number of policy areas means that emphasis is re-centred on the single market. By 2025, this could mean:

• Finding a job in another EU country becoming harder and the transfer of pension rights not being guaranteed.
• Potential higher medical bills for those falling ill in another EU country.
• Connected and automated cars failing to become popular because of a lack of EU-wide rules and common standards.

3. Those who want to do more — EU continues as before but allows coalitions of some EU countries who wish do more in areas such as defence, internal security or social affairs. By 2025, this could mean:

• A group of 15 EU countries setting up a police and magistrates corps to tackle cross-border crime. Security information being immediately exchanged as national databases are connected.
• Connected cars being extensively used in the 12 countries which have agreed common rules and standards.

4. Doing less, more efficiently — EU 27 focuses on doing more, more quickly, but in selected policy areas. Attention and resources are accordingly re-assigned. By 2025, this could mean:

• An EU telecoms authority having the power to free up frequencies for communication services within the EU, such as those used in connected cars. It would also protect internet and mobile phone users when in the EU.
• A new EU counter-terrorism unit helping to deter and prevent attacks through systematic tracking and flagging of suspects.

5. Doing much more together — EU countries to decide to share more power, resources and decision-making in all policy areas. Decisions at EU level are made and enforced more quickly. By 2025, this could mean:

• Connected cars being used widely across Europe because of common EU rules and an EU agency to enforce the rules.
• Citizens travelling abroad receiving assistance from EU consular services which may in some cases have replaced national services.

BACKGROUND

• ‘60 years of the Rome treaties’ on the European Union’s ‘Europa’ website.

MAIN DOCUMENT

White Paper on the future of Europe — Reflections and scenarios for the EU27 by 2025 (COM(2017) 2025 final, 1.3.2017)

last update 05.04.2017