Brexit a populist move says Belgian former PM
Sairaj Iyer
“There is a need for a new political system in EU that addresses 5 essentially interconnected questions. These questions are on Brexit, economic stagnation, protectionism, internal security issues, and migration,” Yves Leterme, former PM of Belgium, shared while speaking on the sidelines of a Gateway House Summit in Mumbai. The regional approach in EU coupled with complications like Brexit, he says, are troubling.
Leterme, labelling UK’s referendum as “people’s choice”, said, “This is populist and they haven’t thought about the next steps. It will be tough not only to reach agreements but also to reach common goals. To do that (Brexit) in the course of 2 years sounds unrealistic.”
The new world order problem, immigration, migration and their challenges also found a mention in his address. “EU that shares 2/3rd geography with Eurasia has found difficulty in drawing the right figures for immigration. Migration has been perceived as a challenge while it should have been seen favourably. Lower fertility rates than 2.1 and the rising population of old can be overridden with migration. There is a need for new people. We should have a positive and open culture of giving opportunities, and integrating lives,” he shared.
Speaking on the problem of economic stagnation, he said that the average growth has been in the range of 1.4- 1.6% and there is a need for Europe to refigure its position with respect to its long-time ally - US, but the wave of protectionism that has submerged Europe is thwarting free-trade contrary to the very identity of the EU.
“That domain (funding of NATO) needs to be rebalanced. EU has outsourced its security with NATO & US allies and the US contributes nearly 70% of NATO’s expenditure. Another particular development post-Brexit is that only France is now a permanent member of the EU within the UN Security Council. That calls for a debate on the reconstitution of the Security Council,” he pointed.
Sustainability of Europe’s trade neither comes from protectionism nor from building walls. And as such, the prospects for free trade seem bleak in EU’s future, but Leterme is hopeful that block-to-block negotiations will continue.
Referring to the positive economic strides that India has been taking he reminisced of the days when Belgium was the first country to establish its diplomatic relations with a newly Independent India in 1947. Since then India and Belgium continued a robust bilateral relationship with India being its fourth largest trade partner outside of EU. It is, therefore, understandable to find genuine appreciation for India’s economic progress from the former prime minister.
“I am in Mumbai for the first time, and I remember the days of fruitful co-operation with your country. We have a bilateral trade agreement with your country. EU and European nations are anxious about progress. Although we can’t take these strides (GDP of 6 & above), we can certainly learn from India’s dynamism,” he said, appreciating India’s growth.
to success.