Europe must develop a vision to inspire its citizens, otherwise it will be driven to an existential crisis and a deadlock, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Friday after a meeting of the EU’s 27 leaders in Bratislava.
He noted that for the first time, a social agenda and the has been added in the joint conclusion of the summit, while it mentions the statements made by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker who spoke about unemployment, inequalities and social cohesion.
“If we do not embrace the notion of solidarity we will not escape from the crisis,” Tsipras said. “Citizens are not inspired by Europe because their lives have worsened. The stability and growth pact must also help growth,” he added.
“We must therefore discuss again about the European social acquis, expand social protection and to stop believing that rules [of the stability and growth pact] are Moses’ 10 commandments,” he said.
Commenting on the issues discussed at the summit, he said that differences remain on the measures that have to be taken, but a small step was taken towards establishing a social agenda and this is the direction the EU must take.
Asked if he’s pessimistic after the meeting, he said: “No, I don’t leave more pessimistic, I leave cautiously optimistic that something can be changed.”
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