Jacques Delors: Europe needs a "soul"

Europe needs a secular "soul" and the European project is running into trouble through a combination of individualism, globalisation and a lack of interest from national governments. These are some of the thoughts of former President of the European Commission Jacques Delors. He addressed the European Parliament Thursday (7 October) to mark the 20th anniversary of the reunification of Germany. We caught up with Mr Delors afterwards.

As President of the EU's executive from 1985-1994, he played a crucial role in the Single European Act, the single market and in ensuring that East Germany would become part of the European Economic Community when it reunified with the West in October 1990.

Mr Delors, you were the President of the European Commission at the time of German reunification. What was your role in this "acceleration of history"?

Jacques Delors: The events which accelerated in 1989 could have led, if not to a world war, at least in bloody clashes at a time of instability.

We must especially note the achievements of President Gorbachev, of President Bush senior, Chancellor Kohl and Mr De Maiziere (Democratic Prime Minister of East Germany) that all this has not gone wrong. The Heads of State and Government of the Community rallied quickly to the idea that East Germans were part of Europe.

In all this, I was President of the European Commission so I had a right of initiative (regarding the then European Economic Community) and was the "guardian of the treaties". I had tried since 1988 to attract attention to the situation and the day after the fall of the Berlin Wall to explain that the East Germans had their place in Europe. I was criticized by some but it has contributed to a movement in history.

Did you have concerns about the integration of East Germany in the European Community?

JD : Yes. The final balance is positive, but a responsible man like me has to have fears. I explained to the West Germans - the "Wessis" and "Ossies" - that there could be problems.

It was not sure it would work. On the other hand, there was enthusiasm by Germans from the West who wanted to help the East. Many people in West Germany came to start businesses in East Germany, whose economic condition was terrible.

Overall, it is not over. But I think Germany has done a good job in twenty years.

Can the lessons of German reunification can help Europe meet the challenges of today, including integration of new member countries?

JD: The situation is rather different. The events of 1989 have opened a part in the unification of Germany and also the enlargement of Europe. Nevertheless, I think what happened in Germany was highly emotional for many Western Europeans and the Germans.

For other countries, I have always been a supporter of EU enlargement, but that's another story. Maybe it did not happen with the right method. Anyway, if I had been in power, I would have facilitated it.