[FR] The European avant-garde, a new centre of gravity for Europe

Speech by Jacques Delors at the fourth Franco-German Colloquium, Témoins-Europartenaires-Friedrich Stiftung, Paris, 29 June 2000

“You will no doubt remember that six or eight months ago, when some of us in France and elsewhere raised questions about the future of Europe and the need for debate, we were met with deafening silence.

Fortunately, this is no longer the case today. The debate has been launched, and we can only welcome this. But in my view, this debate must focus on four inseparable questions, not just one: where do we want to go? With what means? Within what institutional framework? And under what legal system? Talking about institutions without answering the first two questions would be neither reasonable nor realistic. It would open the door to misunderstandings that often weigh heavily on subsequent discussions. I believe we need to clear up the ambiguity surrounding four frequently used concepts. Today, if you will allow me this brief methodological introduction.