09.05.11
Open markets – don’t close borders!
young european swiss | yes wishes that Europe encounters the democratic uprising in the Arab world positively. Instead of fueling populist fears and cut back the suc- cesses of European integration such as a border-free Europe, Europe shall recognise the historical potential of these revolutions. Yes demands that the euro- mediterranean partnership is revived. Economic growth offers the best chance to increase living standards in North Africa, reduces migratory potential, weakens ex- tremist forces in the region and lays ground for modern and democratic states around the Mediterranean. Therefore, yes urges the EU and all European States: “Don’t close your borders – open your markets!”
Within a few weeks, all common assumptions regarding the states bordering the Mediterra- nean Sea lost their validity. As dictator after dictator tumbled and fell, Europe’s politicians were as clueless on how to react as its citizens. Suddenly, waves of migrants could not be excluded and the secular bulwarks of the dictatorships were swept away by the revolution- ary forces. Unsurprisingly, comparisons were quickly drawn to the developments in Central and Eastern Europe at the end of the 1980s.
As the democratic change in Central and Eastern Europe, the current movement for democ- racy in the Arab world offers challenges and chances for Europe. Today too, there is a risk of bloody clashes between different groups which could culminate in long civil wars. But the change equally offers opportunities, many of which would have been considered totally illusionary until very recently. An educated and courageous Arab youth demands a funda- mental change of their societies, increasing social justice and eradicating corrupt regimes who did not respect human rights, democracy and prosperity shall be reachable for every- one – these demands are all ideals to which Europe tries to live up itself and which it at- tempts to spread around the globe.
Fundamental change creates fear of the unknown. Following the swift occurrences in the Arab World, many Europeans are anxious and urge their politicians to act against potential migratory waves and extremist reinforcements in the close neighbourhood. Such calls for security are seized on by populist forces, as the current debate on the reform of the Schengen agreement and the possible re-introduction of border controls clearly show. Na- tional solutions to European problems are sold as quick silver bullets. Still, the true intention behind such short-sighted and allegedly pragmatic proposals is often the nationalist desire to backtrack important steps of European integration – if only due to electoral reasoning.
young european swiss | yes is convinced that a passive observation of the „Arab spring“ cannot be in the longterm interest of Europe and therefore aks the Commission as well as European governments to support the democratisation process in the Arab world actively. History offers Europe currently a unique chance to help Arab people building democratic societies. Only if their quest succeeds and Arabs can achieve a more benign order, Europe will be strengthened sustainably.
But how may Europe contribute to their success?
Experiences of the regime changes in Europe may give hints. Even as Arab states do not have the prospect of joining the EU, the Common Market of the EU plays a central role. Access to it is of vital significance to those countries, as their exports to Europe create growth and welfare in the region. Besides market access, fundamental reforms of the states (ie. separation of powers, rule of law, fighting corruption) shall not be neglected. Economic reforms must therefore be accompanied by political reforms in order to guarantee the long- term success of those democratic revolutions. As a consequence, yes demands that the euro-mediterranean partnership (EUROMED) be “revived” and the plans for a free-trade area – which should have been established by 2010 but were put on a hold – with the newly democratised states are resurfaced. A better economic outlook improves living conditions in Northern Africa, reduces migratory pressure to Europe, fosters the creation of modern and democratic institutions in the region, weakens fundamental forces and creates long-term conditions for the „circle of friends“, as suggested by the late president of the EU Commis- sion, Romano Prodi, at the beginning of the millennium.
Hence, yes demands that the...
- Commission and Member States (incl. associated states such as Switzerland) shall revive the euro-mediterranean partnership to support the democratic transition
- Commission shall outline a swift road-map for countries in democratic transition to start market-opening talks
- Commission must counter vigorously populist initiative to „re-nationalise“ European competences such as the re-introduction of border controls and fight against the weakening of the successes of the Schengen agreement
Yes is convinced that the „Arab spring“ offers great chances for Europe too. With an intelli- gent set of policies of economic incentives and institutional and civil society know-how ex- change, Europe may contribute significantly to the Arab youth’s quest to fight for a better and more just future. Fighting the causes of injustice by such means is not only morally the right thing to do but thanks to its sustainability also economically superior to fighting symp- toms such as installing border controls and funding anti-terror policies. Therefore, yes urges the EU and all European States: “Don’t close your borders – open your markets!”
For questions and remarks, please do not hesitate to contact.
Sabrina Würmli, secretary general yes
sabrina@y-e-s.ch / 079 723 03 31
www.y-e-s.ch