About the FES-EU Office

The EU Office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), with its headquarters in Brussels and activities in Brussels and Strasbourg, was opened in 1973.

The EU Office participates in the European integration process, backs and accompanies the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany in Europe and contributes to shaping the external relations of the European Union.

As an agency of dialogue, education and consultancy, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung thereby fulfils its special role as a ‘political network organisation’ for and with the various European institutions.

Read more: About the FES-EU Office

 

Weichenstellung für eine nachhaltige europäische Wohlstandsstrategie (Januar 2010)

Die Vorbereitungen der EU2020-Strategie sind für den Arbeitskreis Europa der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Anlass, einige grundsätzliche Aspekte der Politikkoordinierung in der EU zu hinterfragen.

Das Papier erklärt zunächst Mehrwert und Notwendigkeit einer europäischen Absprache und Einigung auf gemeinsame Ziele dezentral stattfindender Politiken. Zweitens wird mit der "nachhaltigen Wohlstandsstrategie" die Notwendigkeit eines neuen europäischen Leitbilds skizziert, das sich abwendet von der Dominanz des reinen Wachstumswettbewerbs der auslaufenden Lissabonstrategie. Schließlich werden drittens Vorschläge unterbreitet, welche zusätzlichen Elemente der Instrumentenbaukasten zur erfolgreichen Umsetzung dieser neuen Leitidee europäischer Koordinierung enthalten sollte.

 

Tasks of the New European Commission

The financial and economic crisis represents a window of opportunity for an active European Commission. The Barroso I Commission has largely confined itself to managing the EU rather than acting as a driver of reform. The new European Commission will have to be measured by whether it will go beyond the necessary crisis management. What the EU needs is a long-term paradigm shift towards a social EU with a sustainable approach to the economy and a global presence. This is key to the EU maintaining its viability, playing a role on the world stage and re-inspiring EU citizens about the European project. In this line of thought the Study Group Europe of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung has elaborated a catalogue of policy requirements for the working program of the next Commission.