EUROPE UNCENSORED

European Leaders on the future of Europe

July 8, 2020

Online Event

ZOLTÁN BALOG

Foundation for a Civic Hungary

Dear European Citizens,

The international crises of the last decades have indicated the potential benefits, the frames and the limits of European cooperation. Whether it's a financial crisis, mass immigration or a deadly pandemic, we see, that countries across Europe have very different answers to common challenges. We have to be able to redefine the areas and methods of European solidarity and to find the common elements of our reactions to the main challenges of the future.

Current discussions about Europe deal primarily with economic, legal issues, or with the technique, how the EU should distribute incoming migrants and ignore the fact that Brexit and growing Euroscepticism are symptoms of EU-citizens losing their trust in European institutions and the European project as a whole.

Today's European Union is in an identity crisis as it seems to be losing its points of reference. We have to define our standpoint, our goals and how we should shape Europe of the future. A strong, competitive Europe, that is a homeland for so many nations.

We need an open and honest discussion about our core values. We should not shy away from issues, which are unpopular in the leftist dominated mainstream media. We do not want an ever-closer Union based on empty slogans. We want to save our Judaeo-Christian tradition, our Christian democratic heritage and culture, our regional and national identities.

The Foundation for a Civic Hungary launches a European debate about the future. It is an honour to have three great statesmen and a brave French politician-philosopher at our first web conference, who will share with us their views about these crucial questions.