Macron speech in Germany

[DaveW]

Listening to it on France 24. He has some interesting views on Europe moving forward and including future EU members and members that have left.

I think he has a positive vision and hope the UK can get on board.

[niemeyjt]

Link - https://www.france24.com/en/europe/2022 ... ukraine-uk

"This new European organisation would allow democratic European nations ... to find a new space for political cooperation, security, cooperation in energy, transport, investment, infrastructure, the movement of people."

But I would say do we really need yet another organisation. Isn't the EEA already fulfilling the role of "halfway house"?

I would also say that Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of NATO - although maybe it is good that he now ascribes a security role to this organisation rather than an EU army.

[Blaze]

I agree that Macron has a positive vision and hope that the situation in Ukraine has also shown the importance of unity in Europe. Co-operation is more important than trying to created one organisation as countries want to keep what they perceive as their national characteristics.

[niemeyjt]

It is one thing to make a speech - another to see reality. But maybe it is a good start - or restart - as it seems to mirror his previously mooted "opinion rings" approach.

@Blaze I agree countries want to preserve what they see as national characteristics - and the primacy of their own laws and not those imposed by Brussels.

However, will the Visegrad countries see it as a way to move "trouble makers" away from the centre of EU matters?

And for the UK to participate I think we need a major change in mindset in the Government, if not a change of Government as a whole.

[niemeyjt]

Well, with a change of PM maybe we have the change of mindset:

Liz Truss will fly to Prague to join new ‘European political community’

Liz Truss is set to meet European leaders next week at a new community initiative proposed by France’s Emmanuel Macron.

The Prime Minister will jet to Prague for the inaugural gathering of the “European political community”, marking her second overseas visit since taking the reins of Downing Street.

source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/20 ... community/

[Bayleaf]

Any excuse to keep running away from the UK media it seems! She needs to stop jetting about and deal with the shite on her doorstep.