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Wyplosz, Charles --- "The challenges of a wider and deeper Europe" [2004] ELECD 147; in Liebscher, Klaus; Christl, Josef; Mooslechner, Peter; Ritzberger-Grünwald, Doris (eds), "The Economic Potential of a Larger Europe" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2004)

Book Title: The Economic Potential of a Larger Europe

Editor(s): Liebscher, Klaus; Christl, Josef; Mooslechner, Peter; Ritzberger-Grünwald, Doris

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781843769620

Section: Chapter 2

Section Title: The challenges of a wider and deeper Europe

Author(s): Wyplosz, Charles

Number of pages: 17

Extract:

2. The challenges of a wider and
deeper Europe
Charles Wyplosz1

1. INTRODUCTION

In just a few years, Europe will have deeply transformed itself. With the
launch of the euro in 1999, it has become much deeper. With the accession
of ten new members in 2004, it is becoming much wider. It is no wonder,
therefore, that an unprecedented Convention has been convened to mull
over the changes required to adapt our institutions to the new configura-
tion. The Convention's proposals are not driven by a powerful vision but
by a thick web of compromises, within the Convention itself, and between
the Convention and the national governments that will now decide what to
do with them. To some, these proposals represent a significant step forward,
to others they display Europe's tendency to crystallize current disagree-
ments into perennial arrangements.
It is tempting, indeed, to feel that Europe is not rising up to its challenges.
Where is the vision of the founding fathers? It is time to remember Jean
Monnet who, in the darkest hours of World War II, declared in August
1943: `There will be no peace in Europe, if the states are reconstituted on the
basis of national sovereignty . . . The countries of Europe are too small to
guarantee their peoples the necessary prosperity and social development.' 2
The subsequent 60 years have not fulfilled his vision, but Jean Monnet
would not be disappointed, for he was a patient man with a method:
`Concrete and resolute action on ...