Looking Back, Looking Forward -- Printout -- TIME

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Thursday, Mar. 22, 2007
Looking Back, Looking Forward
By JEFFREY T. IVERSON / Lille
Jacques Delors was President of the European Commission from1985-95, helping to make this a period of extraordinary transformationin Europe. During his tenure the European Community became the EuropeanUnion: a single market on its way to a common currency. More recently,the pace of change has slowed, even stalled. Delors, 81, hopes the 50thanniversary of the Treaty of Rome will give member states new impetusin building the E.U. He spoke with Time about Europe‘s future, itstumultuous past and why it‘s still "the Continent of doubt."
TIME: You have said that Europe risks unraveling. Why?
Jacques Delors: The European Union has been through other crises,but this one is more serious. None of the 27 member governments hasstepped up to frankly explain what they really think we are buildingthe Union for. We need fresh air, and fresh air comes through talkingclearly about our future.
What have 50 years of the E.U. and its precursors achieved?
It‘s absolutely spectacular how we‘ve stimulated the exchange ofservices, goods and capital, and even the free circulation of people.But in terms of cooperation, I‘m still waiting. In 1993 I proposedreforms to strengthen cooperation and add value in areas under nationalcontrol, like infrastructure for transportation, communication andinformation technologies. On that score, Europe has not evolved as I‘dhoped.
How else does today‘s Europe differ from your expectations?
I had not imagined we would be 27 members. In the 1960s I thoughtwe would grow a little. Though they were under authoritarian regimes, Ithought Greece, Spain and Portugal would one day join us. But I didn‘tknow the Berlin Wall would fall.
What were your ambitions for the Continent?
At the beginning of the 1970s, I was in the Cabinet of French PrimeMinister Jacques Chaban-Delmas and I watched the dollar wavering, theend of the Bretton Woods system and the first oil crisis. Faced withall that, I saw Europe as helpless, disabled and divided. I said tomyself that, if this continues, it will undoubtedly mean the decline ofEurope. The first measures I proposed as President of the EuropeanCommission permitted us to unite and react together against greatshocks from outside, and to become more competitive.
To most Europeans, national identity is still more important than any pan-European identity.
That doesn‘t shock me; I myself am a French citizen first, and thena European. What shocks me is the notion that, by withdrawing into ourown corners, we will resolve the great challenges of globalization andtechnological progress.
Europeans do not shy away from examining dark phases in their history. Is this a part of the European identity?
Yes, for a simple reason. Europe is the Continent of doubt,philosophically speaking. We have always been men and women who,especially in intellectual life, have called into question our ownjudgments. This gives a unique flavor and drama to life; that‘s theEuropean personality.
Why do some member states oppose Turkey‘s E.U. entry?
It‘s due to their anxiety about globalization, and to anunderestimation of the spiritual and geopolitical stakes at hand. Thebattle being waged against terrorism is a battle of convictions. Weneed to show that the Christian world doesn‘t reject the Muslim world,because when we do that, we encourage the extremists.
Are you disappointed that candidates in the current French presidential campaign rarely mention the E.U.?
Oh, yes, I‘m disappointed — to the point of indignation.
Do you regret never having run for France‘s top job? Polls indicated you might have won.
In 1994 I judged that unfortunately the conditions were not right. I would like to have been Minister of Education, though.
You‘re still active ...
I have been working for 63 years. For a country with a retirementage of 60, that‘s not bad, huh? My only regret is that for variousreasons I can‘t travel much anymore. New York is the best stimulantthere is. I haven‘t been for four years. I‘m in withdrawal!

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