EC's Frans Timmermans: Europe will be able to determine its future if it sticks together

AGERPRES special correspondent Adina Panaitescu reports: Europe will be able to determine its future if it sticks together, said First Vice President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans during a trans-border dialogue with Bulgarian and Romanian citizens, held together with Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev and Romanian Justice Minister Robert Cazanciuc, on Thursday, in Ruse, Bulgaria.

"Many Europeans ask themselves if we can be better than we are today. (...) In most parts of Europe the answer is most definitely yes, but in other parts it is uncertain... People become hesitant in sharing their future with other Europeans. But one thing is fdor sure, either we shape our destiny, or others outside Europe and thus build our own future, or others outside Europe will shape our destiny. This is the effect of globalization," said Frans Timmermans in the debut of the debates with Romanian and Bulgarian citizens, organized by the European Commission to develop a better understanding of the needs of European citizens.

Referring to a question regarding the solidarity between EU member states and the high social differences existing in Europe, the European Commission official showed that solidarity is a delicate thing, stemming from the assumption that people offer solidarity if they feel they will in turn receive it when in need, "the problem in Europe today is that many people believe that solidarity is asked from them, but that once they might need it they will not get it" "The divide in Europe today is not between old and new member states, but between Northern and Southern Europe, between old and old member states" said Timmermans, showing that is the divide in which the problem of solidarity is most poignantly felt today.

Within that...