Where is Europe heading as the EU celebrates the 61st anniversary of the Schuman Declaration? The state of play with EP Vice-President Isabelle Durant.

Interview: Europe Needs to Stand United - Isabelle Durant

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/15574624/N003-0119-EN.srt

Isabelle Durant, Europe is marking  the 61st anniversary

of Robert Schuman's declaration  in the Festival of Europe.

But Europeans are feeling  far from festive in these difficult times,

in terms of the economy,  the environment...

who will visit the EP this year  on the European Institutions Open Day,

what is the message  you're planning to give to them?

When the situation is difficult,  when there are budgetary difficulties,

when Europe finds it hard to speak  with one voice,

then you see those who support  the real European project.

So I'm not discouraged  even if the situation is hard.

This European project is worthy of our  interest and our support to make it grow.

We mustn't get discouraged  when it's hard.

Nationalist reactions generally bring  only bad solutions in the end.

One of the keywords  in Robert Schuman's speech in 1950...

I'll read it  because I don't know it by heart.

"Europe will be built  through concrete achievements

which first create a de facto solidarity."

Yes, there is, even if  it is damaged a bit sometimes.

It's been damaged over the question  of migrants and Schengen,

over the question of economic  governance of the eurozone.

It's been damaged in other areas when  heads of state try to show their strength

in relation to the EU or the European way.

So it's not easy to build solidarity,  but Robert Schuman was right,

and we're right to continue  to work on concrete achievements

and on solidarity, even if it's not perfect.

Let's talk in practical terms.  Current events are here to remind us.

Solidarity up to now was expressed,  concerning migration,

in the Schengen Area of free circulation.

Do you agree, like France and Italy, that  the Schengen rules should be reviewed,

particularly in order  to bring back temporary controls

in the case of a huge influx of migrants?

What is meant by a huge influx  of migrants and reviewing Schengen?

Schengen already allows border controls.

It's already possible under subsidiarity.

I don't see why  the rules should be changed.

Mr Sarkozy and Mr Berlusconi  are suggesting it for domestic reasons

linked to their internal electoral  campaigns and national problems.

As for the huge influx, the people  arriving in Lampedusa must be dealt with,

but we can't both support the democratic  movements in the Arab revolutions

and not accept the movement of people  that goes with them.

I'd like us to activate  the Temporary Protection directive,

so that we can deal with  these people properly,

so they can see how the situation  develops in their country.

You've talked about the Arab spring  for Muslims. It's far from over.

in order to face these events,  which were quite unexpected?

We need to review our relations  with the other side of the Mediterranean:

the Neighbourhood Policy,  the Mediterranean Partnership...

In practical terms?  -We need to develop cooperation more:

economic cooperation,  student exchanges,

who will hopefully come to power  in their countries.

We can no longer consider,  as has been the case up to now,

that these dictators are there  to prevent immigrants coming here.

Those policies are nothing like  a real partnership with the Mediterranean.

the heads of state and government  were watching over the eurozone.

An unprecedented plan was adopted  to save Greece from bankruptcy.

One year on, has the euro been saved?  -It's better, at any rate.

The measures that are being taken  to save Greece and support the eurozone

and the economic governance measures,  that we'll vote on before the summer,

include some that don't go  in the right direction.

I regret that the elements concerning  the monitoring of national debt

and the way that competitiveness  can be retained have been lost.

We've concentrated on spending  and public services, the cost of pensions,

It's not perfect, but it's helping  to protect economic governance.

Today, what could revive the European  Union in a sustainable way?

including what's happened in the US  with the capture of Bin Laden,

may be the end of a bad chapter  in the world.

It might bring us  better relations with the US

and give the European project back  its colour and strength.

It's difficult because in the Member States  caution is gaining the upper hand.

In every election,  populists or nationalists are gaining.

I think it's time for our tune to be heard

and that's the tune  I want to take to people.

Isabelle Durant,  thank you for your enthusiasm.

Interview: Europe Needs to Stand United - Isabelle Durant

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