Commission postpones release of its vision for a reformed European Union

Media reported in February 2017 on the preparations for the release by the European Commission of Jean-Claude Juncker of a set of documents setting out its vision for the future of the European Union. This was in the context of parallel exercises being carried out by all the major EU Institutions as the EU faced multiple challenges and the need for a relaunch post the decision by the United Kingdom to leave the EU.

Facing resistance from member states regarding the release of an early document in time for the 60th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome in March 2017, the European Commission reportedly decided to release different papers on different aspects of the EU throughout the year which, together with the Declaration from March, would culminate in a wider discussion on the future of the European Union by December 2017.

Nevertheless, news sources reported on the 28 February 2017 that the European Commission would launch a 'White Paper' on the future of Europe at the European Parliament on the 1 March 2017 as its contribution to the institutional debate.

Media further hinted at the possibility of the Commission to advocate for a multi-speed Europe.

The first orientation debate held by the Commission on this topic followed the European Parliament’s adoption of three reports on the future of the EU.

• Primary Source

Reuters, 23.02.17: Juncker says to push for EU at different speeds http://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-future-juncker-idUSKBN1622GJ

Politico, 23.02.17: While Europe burns, Brussels scribbles http://www.politico.eu/article/jean-claude-juncker-martin-selmayr-as-europe-burns-berlaymont-fights-over-white-paper-for-rome-paolo-gentiloni/

Politico, 13.02.17: Juncker moves to stop countries from hiding behind Brussels http://www.politico.eu/article/juncker-moves-to-stop-countries-hiding-behind-brussels/

EUObserver, 24.02.17: Juncker envisages EU of core groups https://euobserver.com/institutional/137023

EurActiv, 24.02.17: Juncker: This Commission no longer regulates the flushing of toilets http://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/news/juncker-this-commission-no-longer-regulates-the-flushing-of-toilets/

The Guardian, 14.02.17: Plans for two-speed EU risk split with 'peripheral' members https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/14/plans-for-two-speed-eu-risk-split-with-peripheral-members

European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/17/341, 23.02.17: L'Europe aujourd'hui et demain. Discours du Président Juncker à l'Institut d'études européennes de l'Université catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-17-341_fr.htm

EurActiv, 28.02.17: EU centre-right sets the tone for the Commission’s EMU paper http://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/tuesday-european-peoples-party-innovation-holds-the-key-to-eurozones-future/

EurActiv, 28.02.17: Juncker to unveil post-Brexit plan http://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/eus-juncker-to-unveil-post-brexit-plan/

Politico, 28.02.17: Juncker’s call to EU leaders: Don’t make promises you can’t keep http://www.politico.eu/article/junckers-call-to-eu-leaders-dont-make-promises-you-cant-keep/

Deutsche Welle, 24.02.17: Juncker envisions EU overhaul, roles for post-Brexit UK and Turkey http://dw.com/p/2YAlU

EUObserver, 01.03.17: Juncker to outline EU forking paths https://euobserver.com/institutional/137063

Blog: Open Europe, 28.02.17: Juncker has 'four or five scenarios' in mind for EU integration after Brexit http://openeurope.org.uk/today/blog/juncker-has-four-or-five-scenarios-in-mind-for-eu-integration-after-brexit/

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