„Doing less more efficiently!” – Focus on the essentials as the guiding theme for the future of Europe
The shaping of Europe is currently a demanding challenge in turbulent times.
The European Union (EU) is currently facing numerous challenges both internally and externally, such as the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU, challenges in the negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework and the effects of the migration crisis. At the same time, many citizens feel alienated from the EU as a result of past crises.
In this challenging environment, Austria will take over the Presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 July 2018 and will have six months to work with its European partners to find answers to the concerns of our citizens.
In view of the current challenges, Austria will be guided by the motto "A Europe that protects". In order to live up to this motto, Austria is in favour of strengthening the principle of subsidiarity.
This means that the EU should be big on big issues and small on small issues: The EU can best protect our Europe as a secure, peaceful and economically strong area if it focusses on the big issues, such as foreign and security policy or external border protection.
On the other hand, the EU should take a back seat on minor issues where the member states or regions are better placed to make their own decisions. In this way, a strong EU can also simultaneously do justice to the richness of its regions, their diverse cultures and thus also its motto "United in diversity".
This year's Wachau Europe Forum offers the opportunity to discuss with high-ranking international guests how the future of Europe can be successfully shaped by focussing more on the essentials.
In addition, working groups in citizens' dialogues will discuss how citizens imagine a Europe of the future and what concrete answers are needed to make Europe more tangible again and bring it closer to citizens.
