Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/800760
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 19 MARCH 2017 16 MIRIAM DALLI THE year was 1957, on 25 March, when the leaders of six countries gathered in Rome to lay the foun- dations of a European Economic Community, in what would later become known as the European Union. The agreement ushered in the longest period of peace in Europe's history by establishing a com- mon market where people, goods, services and capital could move freely. The underlying values and prin- ciples were those of peace and stability, borne of the desires to never repeat the horrors of World War II, but also to bind the affairs of warring nations – France and Germany as an example – through the interdependence of economic trade. Nothing perhaps illustrates this better than the EEC's forerun- ner, the European Coal and Steel Community, its name representa- tive of the raw material of war it- self. Fast-forward 60 years and the European project of integration spawned by visionaries like Paul- Henri Spaak, Robert Schuman and Jean Monnet appears to be at a crossroads. Brexit, the turn in the United States' consensus with Eu- rope, the rise of far-right populism and nationalism, the aspiration of strongmen leaders like Hungary's Viktor Orban to create "an illiberal state", and the ascendance of Ma- rine le Pen in France. The European Commission's new boss, Jean-Claude Juncker, has presented five possible exits he hopes will shape a major debate about the EU's future. The white paper was published ahead of the Rome Summit to be held this month, during which the remain- ing 27 EU leaders will present a declaration on their vision of Europe. The five scenarios presented in the white paper are, Option 1: carry- ing on, Option 2: nothing but the single market, Option 3: those who want more do more, Op- tion 4: doing less more efficiently, and Option 5: doing much more together. The scenarios are viewed as a positive sig- nal that the European Un- ion is not going to give up on itself – the mass hysteria that pre- ceded the Brexit referendum be- lieved that a UK exit would signal the end of the union. However, opposing positions are already emerging: while Paris and Berlin are among those who sup- port a multi-speed Europe, the V i s e g - rád Group – the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia – do not want federalisation, nor a return to only the single market and argue that a multi-speed Europe would leave countries behind. News Treasury Department In view of the forthcoming relocation of the Treasury Department please be informed that Offices will be temporarily closed for business as from Thursday, 23 March, 2017. Treasury will resume its operations as of Wednesday, 29 March, 2017 from Development House, Level 2-3, St Anne Street, Floriana. For any urgent matters kindly send an e-mail on accountantgeneral.mfin@gov.mt Ministry for Finance Ebba von Fersen Balzan In loving memory of artist Ebba von Fersen Balzan, who passed away aged 50 on the 16, March, 2008. Born in Darmstadt, Germany and who lived in Naxxar, Malta. Her memory lives on in her works and her paintings. Fondly remembered by Saviour Balzan, Antoinette and Ray Balzan, Mariella and Alan Dimech and niece and nephew Matthew and Francesca. Europe at a crossroads: what will guarantee a future? What will guarantee the future of an EU whose 60-year existence seems to have been placed in question? Alfred Sant