Klkl

Is the European Union an empire?> The EU is an empire enlarged by

negotiation and consent> The EU is an empire without an emperor> The EU is an empire governed by

indirect rule

What did European integration bring?> Cooperation instead of conflict; Europe a

global player.> Prosperity through free markets and free

trade> Free space to travel at affordable prices> Monetary stability through the Euro

What does the EU lack? > Connection to the people. Public view is

hostile or distant:> EU: Brussels is a monster, a behemoth> Top EU leaders are unelected; Mandarins

call the shots> EU is felt as a bureaucratic occupation

force

Constitution did the wrong thing> to put the EU on a federal footing> Political elite far ahead; public did not

follow> Constitution strengthened perception

of ‘imperialist empire’> Constitution turned EU into threat to

national identity

New Treaty, does it improve?> Does the text re-connect European

integration to the people? (not aconstitution, but unreadable and elusive)

> Does the Treaty streamline the institutionalframework? (size of Commission,European Parliament, duplicity, agencies)

> Is mission of EU concentrated on limitedpolicy-areas? (CAP, Regional Policy,Energy Policy, Immigration Policy)

Conclusion

> Bureaucratic machinery: streamliningtoo slow; mission unfocused

> Enlargement: enlarge economicconcept EU, not EU itself.

> Estrangement from people: someleading positions should be elected, like EU President, Commission

President and Commissioners.

Thank you!