EU’s founding members seek ‘more Europe’, even if it is smaller

The six founding members of the European Union reiterated on 9 February 2016 their commitment to an 'ever closer union', even if it meant leaving less enthusiastic partners behind. A joint press release was issue following informal talks in Rome, in which foreign ministers of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands admitted to being 'concerned about the state of the European project'.

Ministers stated the EU was facing 'very challenging times' due to the migration crisis and the threat posed by terrorism. They insisted that the answer was more, not less, integration while also acknowledging that not every country among 28 member states should have to agree.

The dinner meeting was called by Italy. Its centre-left government had made it clear it wanted a core of EU countries to forge ahead with steps towards further integration, with moves towards a banking union, tighter fiscal harmonisation and increased political and security cooperation.

• Primary Source

Euronews, 10.02.16: ‘Critical times’ for EU say the bloc’s founding members http://www.euronews.com/2016/02/10/critical-times-for-eu-say-the-blocs-founding-members/

Luxemburger Wort, 10.02.16: Luxembourg & 5 other EU founding members commit to 'ever closer union' https://www.wort.lu/en/politics/rome-luxembourg-5-other-eu-founding-members-commit-to-ever-closer-union-56bad46c0da165c55dc52ad9

Deutsche Welle, 09.02.16: EU founding members meet in Rome to reinforce the need for unity http://dw.com/p/1HsOk

The Local.it, 10.02.16: Italy wants UK to stay but will march on with fellow founders http://www.thelocal.it/20160210/two-speed-europe

Deutsche Welle, 09.02.16: [Opinion] Opinion: What remains of the European Union ideal? http://dw.com/p/1HsFm

EUObserver, 10.02.16: EU founding members pledge deeper integration https://euobserver.com/political/132204

Italy: Ministry of External Affairs and International Cooperation: Joint Communiqué - Charting the way ahead. An EU Founding Members’ initiative on strengthening Cohesion in the European Union http://www.esteri.it/mae/it/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/comunicati/2016/02/joint-communique-charting-the-way.html

Politico, 09.02.16: ‘Core’ Europe committed to more Europe http://www.politico.eu/article/core-europe-committed-to-more-europe/

Politico, 10.02.16: ‘Eurozone needs a finance minister’ http://www.politico.eu/article/eurozone-needs-finance-minister-padoan-economic-banking/

ESO: Background information: Italy's Renzi criticizes Franco-German dominance in EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/italys-renzi-criticizes-franco-german-dominance-in-eu/

ESO: Background information: Merkel, Hollande plan historic European Parliament address http://www.europeansources.info/record/merkel-hollande-plan-historic-european-parliament-address/

Germany: Federal Foreign Ministry: Press Release, 11.02.16: Reviving the European spirit behind the birth of the EU http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/sid_FDC7783013F2252B8B580A32E263781A/EN/Europa/Uebersicht-Aufmacher_node.html

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