Op-Ed Contributors

EU may find a way out even this time

By Zheng Xiwen (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-24 07:39

The crisis has prompted the Europeans to focus more on the future of their union. Some commentators believe that European integration is no longer only on the minds of merely a few elites, but enjoys more public support. Furthermore, the EU has its unique competitive edge and great potential, which will not be easily affected by the crisis. Its advantages are that it has one of the world's most stable currencies in the euro, a dynamic single market, good infrastructure, well-educated people, extraordinary history, heritage, culture and quality of life.

All these advantages make it possible for the EU to get to the vantage point in the new round of global competition. At the beginning of this year, the EU issued The EU Strategy 2020, which sets the 10-year goal of "smart growth", "green growth" and "inclusive growth", which are not out of reach.

History seems to indicate that, when everything seems irreversible, Europe can always find a way out and survive and, even more, gain new impetus. Whether the EU can once again convert crises into opportunities will depend on the political determination of its leaders, how well the countries coordinate their interests, and how sustainable and effective the actions will be. Let us keep our eyes open for this.

The author is a Beijing-based expert on international relations.

(China Daily 06/24/2010 page9)