Against nationalist agitation and economic ignorance

Berlin / Athens, May 5, 2010: The presidents of the European Movements in Germany and Greece, Dr. Dieter Spöri and Michalis Angelopoulos, comment on the current situation in Greece and Europe: Time is running out for the EU! and signed a common German-Greek manifesto for Europe.

“The months-long speculation against the euro is not only an immense fiscal and monetary challenge.  This speculation is also a very real threat to the European integration process coming into force as part of the enormously progressive Treaty of Lisbon. In recent weeks, several moments in the debate about the Greek financial crisis and the supporting action of the European Union in cooperation with the IMF (International Monetary Fund) showed worrying levels of nationalist prejudice as well as an incredible economic ignorance regarding the economic interdependence of Europe. Solemn commitments by politicians in both our countries to the success of European integration unfortunately remain perfunctory.

We, the Presidents of the European Movement in Germany and Greece, resolutely warn against continuing to misuse the political mistakes of the past and the current financial situation for polemic attacks under the trite slogan of “hard-working Germans paying for lazy Greeks”. It is undeniable that parts of the German media currently misrepresent the informational and educational mandate that they have in our democracy and our constitution in favor of spreading nationalist prejudice and economic misinformation. This kind of shallow agitation has already left its mark on the opinion polls. Even in politics some back-benchers attempt to make headlines by using shallow soundbites such as demanding the sale of ancient Greek buildings or islands.

Small wonder that this resorting to cheap nationalist shots leads to equally emotional and inane counter-reactions in Greek politics and media. This seed of a newly developing anti-European nationalism not only puts a strain on the relations between Germany and Greece but could also very quickly spread to other countries following the international financial and economic crisis, thereby destroying the ideological foundations of the European Union. Considering these tendencies, we not only call on the political actors but also on all media to act in accordance with their responsibility for the idea of Europe.

We call on all political actors in Europe, regardless of legitimate views on the introduction of the Euro and about future decisions that need to be made, to take real action without any further delay. Long decision-making processes, hold-ups and hesitation are a fertile breeding ground for financial speculation and maximize economic and financial damages.
This call is not only directed to the governments of the EU member states but also to all national and European Members of Parliaments who currently are dealing with the coming stabilizing actions:

Time is running out for Europe!
We call upon national and European political decision-makers to finally fully implement the necessary reforms to the international financial markets in a follow-up to the short-term stabilizing measures for the Euro. These steps are not new, they were announced in countless EU and G20 summits since the beginning of the crisis in September 2008.

If the current unlimited speculation by hedge-funds, investment banks and private rating-agencies is not brought under control by strict regulation of the markets, the proposed measures for the Eurozone and the European stabilization pact will only bring a short reprieve, and could result in more countries becoming victims of Euro-speculation. The Euro as the core of the economic strength of the European internal market with over 500 billion people could then shatter.

The member states of the EU and especially the Euro-zone have a common political and economic destiny. The truth is: Germany, Greece and all other members of the EU have and had huge and inextricably interconnected political and economic advantages due to European integration. Without a realization of that fact the disintegration of the European Union is imminent. The European countries would become pawns of international politics.

This is why all responsible politicians in Europe ought to decisively reform the political framework of the financial markets. They should not bow to nationalist media campaigns but proactively fly the European flag of Enlightenment and economic rationality.