Integration and neighbourhood policy

• Author: Gaetano Dammacco
• Pages: 14-16

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INTEGRATION AND NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY

Europe is experiencing now one of the most difficult stages of its

history. The problems are numerous: concerns about the enlargement

process (the biggest expansion that Europe has ever known), the economic

crisis, derived from the financial crisis financial state (a fact which puts

new strains on the overall estate system), job crisis, environmental

pollution, climate of widespread violence, exploitation of religion, the

deterioration of neighborhoods. Not to mention the conflicts affecting the

Mediter ranean, especially that relating to the Middle East. A list of problems

that could continue, highlights the weakness of an integration process which

tends to exclude the popular consensus in favor the leadership of political

elites, as enlightened and forward looking. Moreover, the economic gap

between countries is considerable historical and enlargement and created

a great imbalance in the policies of “support” the weak areas. (GDP /

capita in Moldova is only 3% of GDP per capita average of 25, but these

values are close to Serbia (12%), Albania (8%) and Ukraine (6%). 13

countries are above 100% and between them there are all six historic

villages and almost all of the first enlargement. The first is Luxembourg,

with a GDP per capita of 224.1%, but we know that Luxembourg is a

special case, 6 is the second of the Netherlands with just over 123.7%

from Ireland, a country “depressed” the first enlargement of time with

142.7% of GDP per capita. An interesting thing is how the great

historical countries, France and Germany, not far from Italy, respectively,

with only 109.9% and 107.8%). The process of European integration

began May 9, 1950, the day when France officially proposed to create

“the first concrete foundations of a European federation”. It is founded on

the rule of law and democracy, the same objectives which underpin the

European Union. The stages of the integration process were defined by a

long and intense community work and be so indicated: Establish European

citizenship (Fundamental rights, freedom of movement; Civil and political

rights) Ensuring freedom, security and justice (Cooperation in Justice and

home affairs), Promote economic and social progress (the single market,

Euro, the common currency, Creating jobs, regional development,

environ mental protection); Enforcing voice in the world (policy Foreign and

Security Policy, The European Union in the world). Everything to gain only

real big goal, namely to build a society in which people can live in peace.

Peace must be seen as well that belongs to all and must involve everyone.

However, search for peace is not in itself eliminate the conflicts and

violence. For this, we must address the issues in d ispute and tra nsform

them, should always keep alive the processes that promote peaceful

change. Peace, therefore, is both a “journey” and a “good” complex,

which is built day by day and by many tools. The peace that can be built is