Today, following an initiative of Spain and Luxembourg, we, the 18 countries that have ratified the European Constitution, are meeting in Madrid. Together, we constitute two-thirds of the 27 EU member states, and we represent over 270 million European citizens.

We want to assist the German presidency in the difficult yet pivotal task of finding a solution to the current constitutional impasse. We also want our voice to be heard in the debate on the future of Europe, on our collective future. Because the key question we Europeans must answer is not whether the European Constitution is still alive. Instead, it is “What model of Europe do we want for this 21st century?” Or, in other words, “What do we Europeans want to do together?”

In this ever more globalised and interdependent world, a united and capable Europe is more necessary than ever. Proud of their way of life and the very specific European values, our citizens feel anxious in the face of globalisation. To respond to these challenges and concerns in various areas such as employment, health, the fight against terrorism and illegal immigration, climate change, job precariousness, poverty in the third world, energy security and the fight against organised crime, we will be more effective acting on a European level than on an exclusively national level.

Beyond our borders, the United States, Russia, China, Japan, Latin America, Africa and Asia are requesting Europe to actively participate in addressing the major issues and debates that are dividing our planet.

In recent times however, Europe has not been up to par. It has not acted as resolutely as could be expected of a great political and economic power which is also the largest area of freedom in the world. Various factors, some real and others fictitious, have contributed to spreading discouragement and apathy. Fragile economic growth has been compounded by fears of delocalisation and job losses, apprehensiveness over a poorly explained enlargement, and continual criticism of “Brussels” regarding whatever appears to be negative.

Today, some think there is too much Europe and they are requesting the re-nationalisation of policies, less European legislation and a retreat into national identities. This would constitute a step backwards with no future. We, on the other hand, believe it is necessary to have a better Europe, able to act in a more coordinated and effective way, on the strength of more common policies such as those on immigration or energy. These problems which affect us daily cannot be solved at a national level.

The European Constitution was negotiated in order to reinforce the leadership of an enlarged Europe within a more complex world. The text of the treaty defines the model of Europe that the 18 countries meeting today in Madrid believe must be the basis for the future, a model that can be summed up in four ideas:

1. A political Europe, with common policies

We cannot resign ourselves to Europe being no more than a huge market or a free trade area. We need a Europe that is a player and not a mere spectator. A Europe that defends our values and our interests. One that protects its citizens by providing them with greater security within and without its borders. We want a political Europe that can speak with one voice, and with one Foreign Affairs Minister and a common foreign service.

We want a Europe maximising the potential of the common market and with common policies such as the social and economic cohesion policy, and those concerning protection of the environment, agriculture, trade, competition, fisheries and transport. There lies, to the eyes of our citizens, Europe’s added value.

But we must also actively promote new policies concerning immigration, police and judicial cooperation, energy, climate change, foreign affairs and defence.

2. A Europe of values and solidarity

These are the principles and values that unite us: respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy, the rule of law, gender equality. These values are the cornerstone of our identity.

Our societies define themselves in terms of pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, equality and solidarity, both within Europe itself, via economic and social cohesion and social protection, and at an international level, by means of trade policy, conflict prevention, human rights promotion, development cooperation and humanitarian aid.

3. A Europe of and with its citizens

Europe must be brought closer to its citizens, explaining better the added value of its policies with regard to their rights, their prosperity and security.

Europe should not be a byword for bureaucracy but rather it should open avenues for citizen participation. It must be based on the double legitimacy of states and citizens.

We must develop and provide more real meaning to the concept of European citizenship, which has considerable potential for the future.

The Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Citizens’ Legislative Initiative are good examples of the advances the Constitutional Treaty offers in this respect. Europe will be constructed with its people, or not at all.

4. A Europe that is more effective, more transparent and more

democratic

If Europe has been popular until now, it was because it proved to be effective. We need strong, democratic and effective institutions that are capable of taking decisions, implementing common policies and developing new ones, respecting subsidiarity. If it was difficult with 15 member states to reach unanimous agreements, now that we are 27, unanimity as conceived in our current treaties is close to impossible.

Our common goal is then to give more scope to qualified majority decisions as well as to simplify procedures so that European action is more understandable to the citizens. To this end, we must also involve further our national parliaments as foreseen in the Constitutional Treaty.

That is our proposal, open to dialogue and reflection with the states that for one reason or another have not yet ratified the treaty.

We want to contribute to the effort that the German presidency is making, during the six months of its tenure, to find a way out of the present paralysis.

After the frustration and setbacks, the time has come for the European countries to overcome obstacles together so that Europe is up to the task of addressing future challenges.

Alberto Navarro is the Secretary of State for the European Union of Spain

Nicolas Schmit is the Delegate Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Luxembourg