The prevailing idea voiced at a joint discussion of the Estonian parliament's European affairs committee and constitutional committee on the future of the European Union on Monday was that first of all federalization of the EU needs to be better defined and the competences of EU institutions and the member states set out.
The chairman of the EU affairs committee, Arto Aas, said federalization was not a danger but an opportunity to improve the functioning of the EU, spokespeople for the parliament said. "It's important to agree clearly what competences in Europe are subject to joint decision-making and what remain for the member states to decide. A division of power that is understandable to all will make the European Union stronger without diminishing the opportunities of member states," said Aas.
The chairman of the constitutional committee, Rait Maruste, said that as far as future of the EU goes the decision should be made between a federation and the so-called sui generis path. "The first path would be similar to the federation states of so far – the United States, Canada, Germany and others – and requires detailed and clear division of powers between the central government and the regional level, while the second would be a path that is unique, not seen before, and exclusive for Europe," said Maruste.
Maruste said the key to the development of the EU lies in the ability to avoid becoming bureaucratic and constant debates over competences. "The European Union is a union created by states, not vice versa. The European Union is lacking a competence of competence, therefore the EU should not expand its competence wilfully, but the right to make decisions in the EU must belong to the states," Maruste.
Both Maruste and Aas said that an efficient, strong and well functioning EU was in Estonia's national-strategic interest.
It's clear that in certain areas such as international interaction, matters of defense and the common market closer integration of Europe is good for Estonia, as it will increase our security and have a positive effect on economic growth, said Aas. "At the same time, we must defend the fundamental values set out in Estonian constitution, our language and culture," he added.
The MP said that debate over the future of Europe must be brought closer to the people so as to make the functioning of the EU better understandable and closer to the people through an open discussion. "Common ground of knowledge and greater involvement of citizens will heal also deficiencies in democratic legitimation. It makes sense that changes of principal nature in the EU's functioning require a strong popular mandate," Aas said.
European Commission Vice President Siim Kallas, who attended the meeting, also raised the topic of competences of EU institutions and member states along with the need to "re-word" the fundamental principles of the EU.
The discussion on the future of the EU was the sixth such discussion held at the initiative of the parliament's EU affairs committee. The previous meetings looked at EU financial and fiscal policy, possible changes in fundamental treaties and the EU institutional framework, matters related to the common agricultural policy and foreign and security policy.