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Juncker, Jean-Claude
2 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
The EU needs more plain language
With an eye to the failed referendums on various European treaties, Jean-Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, calls for a return to language that European citizens can understand. "It is idle to ask why [the Europeans] regularly give the cold shoulder to the EU through referendums. ... One ... reason for the rapid decline of the idea of Europe is no doubt the technical language we use when describing European processes and decisions. It is simply easier and more convenient to talk of Schengen or the Maastricht criteria than to make yourself clearly understood with precise statements. ... Instead of asking if citizens agree to this or that treaty, we should ask people across Europe if they are for freedom of travel or for controls at border crossings, if they are for or against the European single market, and if they want Europe to play a bigger or smaller role in world affairs. ... The list of fundamental questions could be extended at will. We should face the citizens of Europe with their responsibility by asking them the right questions."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » EU Constitution, » Europe
The proposal for a two-speed Europe
In an interview with Hannelore Crolly und Christoph B. Schiltz, Jean-Claude Juncker, prime minister of Luxembourg, explains his views on the idea of a two-speed Europe: "In 20 years the EU will have between 27 and 33 members. At some point this group will realise it can't agree on a joint future in all areas. Then, a core group will emerge that is not completely identical with the Eurozone group, but almost. This core group will be surrounded by the normal members. They won't be deeply involved in the key EU issues of taxes, domestic policy and foreign policy. I don't want this core Europe, but one day it will emerge of its own accord as the only way out of a collective crisis that makes in impossible to agree on common goals."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Europe
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