European issues directly affect every single moment of our daily lives and the future Europe we will give our sons and daughters. Although European governance may appear distant from the everyday reality of European citizens, we shouldn’t become trapped by euro-scepticism. 

The EU is not an impenetrable ‘Kafkian castle’, but an evolving tangible reality that we, as the electorate, have the opportunity to shape according to our needs and values. It is most unfortunate that it is still evident that Europeans have widely not taken advantage of this opportunity, as more than half of citizens did not exercise their democratic right in the Parliamentary elections last week. Criticisms of the EU’s shortcomings, as of many national and supranational institutions, are well-circulated and, in certain cases, quite valid. However, this article is devoted to acknowledging the undeniable achievements the EU has ensured for its citizens.At the heart of the EU mandate is the commitment to pursue Europe’s common values of democracy, individual rights, solidarity and sustainable economic development- principles for which Europe shares a common history and future. In recent history, the European Union has served as a platform in which resolutions   in the interest of all European nations are achieved. The ‘dream of Europe’ has pushed the resurrection of a democratic Eastern Europe after 50 years of Communist rule, has nullified tension between old World War enemies, and served as an example for many countries to pursue a democratic future.

This political stability has served as the foundation on which Member States can build peace and economic prosperity. The creation of a Single Market for goods and services has multiplied EU citizens’ business opportunities and allows consumers to have better products and services due to increased competition. Contemporarily, in respect of the principle of solidarity, the EU launched a set of regional development policies- the cohesion policies- to make sure that every region of Europe enjoys the opportunities offered by the internal market.  For example, Europe supports your business through policy strategies which are specifically targeted to support SME’s and local innovation.

The single market is now a reality, creating jobs and prosperity in the continent and beyond by allowing European firms to freely expand and operate in the richest consumers market in the world.  The Euro has further enhanced this process by eliminating currency exchange costs in the Euro area for both firms and consumers.  Further, the EU has launched a common regulatory strategy through which citizens now enjoy easy and accessible banking. The reduction of banking fees, and the ease of money transfer and withdrawal of cash throughout the EU was specifically designed for the benefit of all European clients

In addition to political economic interests, the EU has imposed its authority both at a continental and global level to support an environmentally sustainable development strategy.  The EU has in a wide range of sectors the highest environmental standards among developed economic areas. These contribute to ensure a better future for coming generations but also, in reason of the importance of the European market, push companies from all around the globe to adopt high environmental standards in order to compete in the Internal Market. As opposite the average size of European member states, none of them alone would have enough impact to adopt effective measures to fight climate change. The EU is the only actor in Europe that holds the competences and the resources to transform our economies into green economies.

European collective action has also served to ensure adequate consumer protection with the development of product standards that are superior to those of the WTO (e.g.- food products), meaning citizens can be sure the items they purchase are the safest, and of the highest quality.   At the same time, the EU has taken measures to protect producers, therefore preserving domestic culture and identity, and the interests of rural populations.

Considering these achievements, it seems unthinkable to return to a divided Europe of nations.  Who would want to return to a Europe where travel is obstructed by borders and passport controls, and educational choice is limited to national offer.  The EU is now an economic and political reality that plays a central role in the evolving panorama of globalization. The impossibility of a range of small-sized countries effectively dealing with growing economic powers such as China, India and Brazil must be understood. And, how could a group of divided nation states push for a global strategy on climate change? 

It is true that Europeans differ fundamentally in many ways including culture, language and history, but the EU provides a means for Europe to unite on a common set of values, aims, and principles. Institutional weaknesses remain, primarily in the interest of transparency, democracy and accountability. Therefore, democratic consensus should be built around targeted structural reform in order to overcome the increasing lack of participation.

Now more than ever before, Europeans have a stake in this political process, even so only 43% of Europeans have pursued their ideals of democratic Europe. The EU is gaining momentum, producing achievements that cannot be ignored; it is an exciting time to be a part of the EU- it is an exciting time to take advantage of the benefits that come along with being an EU citizen.