Editor's note: Waiting for Blair
Some could say there's no other solution, as Britain takes over the EU presidency and has to overcome the impasse one way or the other. The question is: How? Blair gave no clear-cut answer. However, under the current circumstances calling a spade a spade is already a huge step forward. Blair was bold enough to say aloud what all those concerned about the EU's future had been thinking for months.
If Europe makes no resolute and - most importantly - rapid step forward, it will experience a slow and painful fall. Europe's social model can no longer be defended. We cannot turn our backs on globalization. We cannot forget the priorities of the modern world - spending on education, new technologies and support for entrepreneurs. How do we change the EU's viewpoint and how do we convince the leaders of other EU countries to modify their way of thinking? Blair provides no easy solution. What's more, he is less than elaborate on the issues that are of major importance to Poland.
The most crucial thing for Poland is to quickly arrive at the budgetary compromise, as the promised billions of euro will have a major impact on the pace of Poland's economic development. To that end, Blair has to reach an agreement with Chirac.
Poland, herself a new member state firmly supporting the idea of enlargement, feels very strongly about the future of the countries who have already been promised a place in the EU and those who, like Ukraine, have only been allowed to peep in through the cracks in the door. Finally, for Poland and all other EU members, the priority is to overcome the constitutional impasse.
However, those three key problems remain unsolved. Blair hasn't got much time left. During the six months to come he will have to show whether he is only putting on the mask of European visionary in order to woo public opinion or he is indeed a great politician who can put his bold ideas into practice.
Eliza Durka
Editor-in-chief
If Europe makes no resolute and - most importantly - rapid step forward, it will experience a slow and painful fall. Europe's social model can no longer be defended. We cannot turn our backs on globalization. We cannot forget the priorities of the modern world - spending on education, new technologies and support for entrepreneurs. How do we change the EU's viewpoint and how do we convince the leaders of other EU countries to modify their way of thinking? Blair provides no easy solution. What's more, he is less than elaborate on the issues that are of major importance to Poland.
The most crucial thing for Poland is to quickly arrive at the budgetary compromise, as the promised billions of euro will have a major impact on the pace of Poland's economic development. To that end, Blair has to reach an agreement with Chirac.
Poland, herself a new member state firmly supporting the idea of enlargement, feels very strongly about the future of the countries who have already been promised a place in the EU and those who, like Ukraine, have only been allowed to peep in through the cracks in the door. Finally, for Poland and all other EU members, the priority is to overcome the constitutional impasse.
However, those three key problems remain unsolved. Blair hasn't got much time left. During the six months to come he will have to show whether he is only putting on the mask of European visionary in order to woo public opinion or he is indeed a great politician who can put his bold ideas into practice.
Eliza Durka
Editor-in-chief
