Happy #EuropeDay from Brussels! Today marks 75 years since #Europe's Nations chose peaceful cooperation over war. On Europe Day I wanted to share a personal anecdote about that cooperation.
During my time in the European Parliament, I attended a crucial final negotiation between Portuguese, Danish, German, Romanian and French MEPs, only to discover there had been a mixup and we would have no interpretation (translators) for the meeting.
What followed was absolute comedy gold, as MEPs used broken English, harnessing quotes from films as part of their negotiating tactics, and political opponents translated for each other: ,
a Danish Liberal translated for the French far-right, a Spanish leftist whispered missing words to a Portuguese social democrat, the Romanian spoke German to the German who then got into an argument with another German because he understood the others proposal of the number "nine" in English as "nein" (No) in German, much to the amusement of everybody present.
In spite of all the challenges, we actually managed to agree a common position by the end of the meeting (much to my relief as we didn't really have time for another meeting).
Under a century ago, we were fighting each other in trenches, now we can work together and even laugh around a table together: that is Europe's greatest success.
The European project has lifted millions out of poverty, and brought us closer together, it has balanced economic growth and citizens wellbeing and prosperity. We have the world's best life expectancy, outstanding education, beautiful cities and nature, 24 languages and 27 incredible counties and cultures to discover. There is much to celebrate, and we should.
#NAFO @jmaris@eupolicy.socialBut Europe is also under threat: we must stand steadfast against attacks we face, no matter where from. We must stand with Ukraine and all those who fight for the values our Union represents around the world. We must protect the peaceful model and way of life we have built for ourselves and keep moving forwards. Most importantly, we must stay United and keep working, occasionally with laughter, on building the European project together.
As an additional note: people will say a lot about the #EuropeanUnion: it gets called neoliberal, or right wing, or over-regulatory, by a great many people, but what I see is the only honest attempt at limiting the excesses of capitalism in line with the needs of it's citizens and the planet. It's an imperfect Union, but I think the world is better for it, and it is close to my heart 
@jmaris The prose is wonderful and I agree, but I don’t want to laugh with anyone from the far-right 
@JensJot me neither, but I will say this: this one guy was among the least bad: he was a pragmatist, he worked hard, and although he had a great many views that I profoundly disagreed with, he was actually open to constructive discussion. He was removed by his party for being too constructive in the last election, though. This came as no surprise to me. I think that by the end he was more one of us than one of them.
Bravo.
So say we all.
@jmaris
As a volunteer in Ukraine, I so hope Ukraine joins the EU and eventually grants me citizenship. I’d love to be a citizen of the EU.
@djembro Can I just say thank you so much for taking action and going to Ukraine. I've been there 5 or so times since the war broke out and I'm conscious of the constant risks you face being there. I'm extremely grateful to you for taking those risks, Europe would be lucky and honoured to have Ukraine as a Member and you as a citizen
Agreed. Make the democracy saner and kinder, don't let wealth become financial aneurysms, fight for tolerance, build social wealth, protect Democracy.
On the path to even more freedom, to more generosity, to growth. And dancing.
Build two more Europe's, let Europes bloom worldwide.
The reason billionaires are trying to steal the world is because ITS A JEWEL of unimaginable beauty.
Society isnt collapsing, its blooming and assholes want it.
@jmaris I remember seeing something ages back about the UN reflecting certain tribal traditions where the value of the meeting isn't in the output, it's in bringing people together and generating a shared understanding. Sometimes getting people around a table to talk is the most important output of all.
Though don't tell my work colleagues I said that.
@jmaris I believe that currently, the world's most advanced societies are in the EU.
@NickSchwanck I think you are right, but we mustn't be complaisant, and we need to be aware of the risks. IMHO Finland is the country that is most aware of this, education on disinformation is incredible there.
@jmaris I agree. Sadly, I live in one of the world's least progressive societies.
@jmaris its citizens
@jmaris I agree EU has done a lot of good, from funding a lot of education initiatives in poorer parts of my country to protecting consumer rights on the Single Market.
But then there's Chat Control, Link Tax, and a few other deeply misguided would-be regulations that wouldn't benefit anyone except a few large companies, at the expense of regular internet users
And I'm amazed at how often these proposals come back, and how the EC keeps trying to push them through...
1/
And every time it takes a panic and some last-minute action by activist groups to stop it. I'm not familiar with EU's legislative procedure, but IIRC the EP wasn't eager to stop those either.
As an insider, do you know why this happens? I'm clueless and to me inexplicable why this stuff keeps happening (other than bribery but I'm hoping that that's not the case)
@wolf480pl the Parliament is extremely keen to stop Chatcontrol: in fact, their position is thzt we should remove mandatory scanning from the law completely (I know becaude I helped draft it).
The Council on the other hand, does not even have a position yet.
@jmaris awesome, that's great to hear!