Lajčak's messages before the EU summit: We must see what went wrong in the EU and define what we want it to be

The EU Summit will be held in Bratislava on September 16, which was the reason for the text authored by the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia, Miroslav Lajčák. Patria publishes Lajčák's authored text.

"All eyes are on Bratislava this week. The leaders of the 27 EU member states will meet in the Slovak capital to discuss what to do with the European project.

The European Union is facing numerous crises. An effective response to them does not lie in succumbing to pessimism, tolerating or even increasing fragmentation, and accepting defeatism. Nor can it be found in denying problems and postponing solutions. Europe deserves a proper diagnosis.
 
I expect, and I am convinced, that the upcoming informal summit in Bratislava will initiate the process of identifying what has gone wrong in the EU and defining what kind of EU we want to have and build after the United Kingdom leaves the Union. It will also shed light on the way forward and highlight the direction we want to go. The things we want to improve. The reforms we want to implement. I hope the summit will initiate a process of new revival for Europe - otherwise, we will have to fight for the survival of the EU.
 
As a promoter of a positive European agenda, the Slovak Presidency of the EU wants the summit to focus primarily on issues and projects that unite us, not divide us. We should not end up in a vicious cycle of endless discussions about the EU's problems. We want to prevent the current sense of skepticism in Europe. Quite the opposite. We must send a clear message to our people and the world that the EU27 is still strong, united, ready to reach agreements, and ready to improve the lives of citizens.
 
The emphasis should be placed on what concerns Europeans the most. Security in all its forms - economic security, job security, social security, internal security and terrorism, as well as climate security. Migration - how to manage it in a sustainable and long-term manner.
 
Attention must be paid to the communication gap between EU institutions and citizens, especially young people. People no longer feel that they benefit from EU policies. We must all work very hard to regain citizens' trust and their support for the European idea. Complicated bureaucratic language will not get us there. (Nor false political correctness). The EU, its institutions, and leaders need to adopt and use understandable, clear language when addressing citizens.
 
The summit is highly anticipated. Preparations are in the hands of the European Council. However, as a fair mediator, the Slovak Presidency wants to contribute to a positive atmosphere and outcome of the summit. Many meetings have been held so far to ensure that the summit procedure goes smoothly, and the agenda is ambitious and realistic. Visionary and concrete at the same time. The summit should result in a clear identification of key issues that we must address in the coming weeks and months, and determine the steps that need to be taken. It should also put an end to the blame game. Instead, it is necessary to emphasize the importance of empathy, the willingness to listen to each other, and the readiness to compromise.
 
The summit will not be a one-off event. This time we must be patient, as quick solutions will not solve the problem. Bratislava will only be the beginning. The beginning of a deeper reflection process that leads to a new unifying vision that strengthens the EU's power and eliminates its weaknesses. Let's hope that the EU27 will be able to offer such a vision at the summit in March 2017, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome.
 
I firmly believe in the EU, and despite some of its failures, it is the best peace project in the history of mankind and still a source of global inspiration and aspirations. I am sure that if we look at our past failures as an opportunity to act better, success will not be lacking. And I truly hope that Bratislava will initiate a process from which a new, enthusiastic, clear, understandable, and even more united European Union will emerge."
 
Slovakia currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU. It took over the presidency on July 1.