Notre Europe was founded in 1996 by Jacques Delors, then outgoing president of the European Commission. Its aim was to be a forum for study and thinking on the past, present and future of European integration.

On the occasion of its 10th anniversary, which coincides with the celebrations for the 50th birthday of the Treaty of Rome (see site of our partners), Notre Europe :

• organised a seminar , Notre Europe demain, to bring together such personalities as Jacques Delors, Wim Kok, Guy Verhofstadt, Pascal Lamy, Peter Medgyessy, Josep Borrell, Nicole Notat, Jacques Santer, Etienne Davignon, Karl Lamers, Jean François-Poncet, Emilio Gabaglio, Poul Rasmussen; the aim of the event is to inject new vitality into the idea of Europe as a complement to the nation and the world
• is publishing its charter, to define its vision and its values
• has published with Editions Saint Simon “Tragic and Magnificent Europe – What’s at Stake in Europe by Jacques Delors
• co-organised the First European Estates General on 17 March

Proceedings of colloquium: Notre Europe tomorrow

18 November 2006 – Senate

Notre Europe celebrated its first ten years at the end of 2006, a few months before the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. The coincidental timing of the two anniversaries provided a unique opportunity to take stock, to assess the lessons of the past, and to think about future possibilities for the European project. This was the aim of an important colloquium, entitled “Notre Europe demain“, organised at the French senate in partnership with Groupe Nouvel Observateur – Challenges. Referring to their memories and experiences – good and bad – of European integration, the participants appealed for the current crisis to be placed in the perspective of the many obstacles already overcome by the European Union. However, they also warned against complacency, against the risks of losing the support of public opinion, and of the necessity not to dilute the spirit of the “Community method”. According to the participants in the colloquium, a rolling back of the European construction remains a possibility, and will become an inevitability if member states cannot reach agreement on a new common vision. At the centre of this needs to be a compromise on Europe’s position with regard to globalisation – a phenomenon which the Union cannot defend unquestioningly, but must not defy.

Complete document (in French only) available for download.

10 years of Notre Europe

Synopsis of debate at the Conseil Européen d’Orientation “” meeting of 17 November 2006 18.00-20.00

by Gaëtane Ricard-Nihoul, Secrétaire Générale

Annual meeting of the CEO, aimed at adopting a text on the future political orientation of Notre Europe. Document (in French) available for download.