~t;t"~Reporting
The scope of Europe linze de Boer
'The Scope ofEurope' was the subject ofaforum organized by the ]ASON Foundation on 16 March 1999. One day after the collective resignation ofthe European Commission, all matters European attracted more attention than ever, as witnessed by the 70-odd crowd in attendance. Radiojournalist Mr Gerrit van der Kooy acted as chairman, with State Secretary for European Affairs Mr Dick Benschop and European affairs expert Dr Jan Rood as speakers. The followingprovides a summary ofMr Benschop 5 remarks.
n excltlng evening in exciting times, was Mr Benschop's opinion. Agri culture reform firmly on (he agenda. Oskar Lafontaine, who resigned a week earli er. The talks at Rambo uillet whi ch would be resumed rhar very day. And, of course, the Eu ropean Commission handing in its resignation in the early morning. Exciting times in which, accord ing to Benschop, the scope of Europe is being redefmed.
Outdated 'management culture' Not very far ioto hi s speech it becomes elear rh ar with 'the scope of Europe' he refers (0 inrernal processes. As a consequence, he does not go iIlto the quesrion of the geographic scope of Europe: who is and is not included? Thc firsr 'redefinirion' co nce rn s thc Europcan Union's 'ma nage ment culture\ which in its prese nt farm is outdated. Up to now, said culture as weil as the EU'S structure are of a stri ct separation between, on the one hand, policy formulation, and on th e oth er policy execution and management. Commiss ioners arc rc sponsible for the farmer, officials in the directoratesgeneral for the latter. This model has proved unworkable, says Benschop, "for it creates avertical, hierarchical approach pro ne to abuse. lt allows fo r hu sding and old sc hool ti e polities. But, of course, perso nal responsibility does exist, as the Commission has experienced. H owever, inherent defects in the manage ment structure contribute in a major way." Today, citize ns expect governmcnt to act, cfflCiently, effectively and clearly. Poliey execution therefore ereates more polit-
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ieal problems than polier formulation. "The present structure and culture of'Europe' are not yet able to meet the demands for efficiency, effectiveness and c1arity. This conclusion is quite shodcing. H owever, the cu rrent crisis a1so se rves as a catalyst for re-examining and, where necessary, reforming the management structure and culture of the European Commission apparatus." l\1l eanwhile, people have to realize that for some time now, the Commission is a political body and rhar Commi ssioners are not just to p-level officials in a bureau cracy. "The Commiss ion should be reformed from an organization solely co nce rn ed wirh policy formu lat io n to one also re sponsible for adequate policy execution. 50, irs management culture ha s to change. Accountabiliry mu st be central to it and more time and effon have to be devoted to execution and co ntrol." The current cri sis must be re solved as quickly as possible. (At th e Berlin Summit, former IraJian Prime Minister Romano Prodi was 'appointcd' as th e future President of thc European Comm ission, ed.) Mr Benschop briefly di scussed Agenda 2000 and rwo elements of importa nce to the Netherlands. These are the country's position as a net conrributor to th e EU, and the Common Ag ri cultural Policy (CAP) including the Structural Funds. With regard to the first, he said the strongcst shouldcrs should carry the heaviest burden. The CAP, he remarked, is outdated. Savings resulting from its modif,cati on as weil as from an adjustmenr of the Ncrhcrlands contribution, are of key importance for the futu re of the
Volume 24