https://youtu.be/dBJZP8pyJAQ
“We are witnessing a wave of hatred and violence,” said Paolo Berizzi, the European Union’s ambassador to Uruguay, during the conference titled “The European Union 30 Years After Maastricht: From Political to Geopolitical Union.” The event was organized by the Department of International Studies at the Faculty of Administration and Social Sciences of Universidad ORT Uruguay took place on Thursday, June 9.
Berizzi holds a law degree from the University of Pavia in Italy. He has served as the European Union’s ambassador to Uruguay since September 2021; he previously held the same position in Paraguay from 2017 to 2021.
Establishment of the European Union
Berizzi reviewed the history of Europe since the end of World War II, when the European powers decided to form an economic union to prevent another conflict. Robert Schuman, France’s foreign minister at the time, described it as a tool for maintaining peace.
The treaty signed in 1992 in the small Dutch city of Maastricht transformed the European landscape, based on three pillars:
- The European Community: the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital, and the creation of a true European citizenship.
- Cooperation in the areas of justice and home affairs.
- The Common Foreign and Security Policy.
The idea of the euro, which is currently used by more than 340 million people in Europe, originated in Maastricht. “The euro means having a very strong currency on the global stage, but at the same time, each country gives up its own monetary policy,” Berizzi said. This relinquishment of sovereignty “is a bold move, a major challenge.”
Starting with the EU, Europe is adopting common measures to defend its external border. Berizzi believes that the deepening of relations between states—which have been strengthened since the agreement’s implementation—is one of the most striking aspects for those interested in international studies.
“A European Union where some countries are very rich and others very poor is not acceptable,” he said, explaining that the goal is to achieve balanced growth through various fiscal measures. However, there are limits to this development. “Economic growth must not come at the expense of the environment,” he said.
The Institutional Framework of the European Union
“Three decades after the Maastricht Treaty, ‘it’s fair to say it was very ambitious,’” Berizzi said. Currently, 60,000 people from 27 different countries work for the EU. “What sets the European Union apart from any other organization is its vast institutional framework,” he said.
“Between 60% and 80% of the decisions made by European heads of state are linked to this political union,” he said, adding that the EU is constantly evolving. “It has gradually implemented political and institutional changes designed to improve its ability to deal with future emergencies,” focusing on further deepening and institutionalizing integration, at the expense of individualism.
The ambassador reviewed some of the turbulent milestones in European history, such as the 2009 economic crisis, the 2015 migration crisis—which necessitated measures to combat human trafficking—and the recent Brexit. “Brexit was based on a horrific disinformation campaign,” he recalled, noting that the cohesion and conviction of the member states prevented a wave of breakaways from the bloc.
Work in the European Union and Life After the Pandemic
“Like Uruguay, the European Union is aging rapidly,” he said. “In a few years, there will be no way to fund our pension system. There are countries that need young workers, whom we don’t have. It’s a bit unpopular to say, but we’re going to need immigration of young people who can enter the workforce.”
“The pandemic sparked a spirit of solidarity, a recovery plan for Europe, and a renewed commitment to multilateralism.” According to the ambassador, Europe envisions a different kind of recovery—one that is greener and more digital—based on the premise of not using the debt incurred during the pandemic to finance measures that would simply return us to the pre-pandemic status quo.
As a result, the EU took measures such as establishing a stockpile of medical supplies and coordinating medical response efforts across member states. “Efforts were made to strengthen the Union’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond rapidly to health emergencies.”
From political union to geopolitics
“No one can accept that, in the 21st century, international disputes are resolved through the use of force. It’s a terrible step backward,” he said regarding the conflict in Ukraine, adding that “we are witnessing a wave of hatred and violence, driven by Russia.”
Based on these developments, the European Union’s transformation from a political union to a geopolitical one is now complete. “We have imposed sanctions as a clear political tool in our relations with Russia,” the ambassador explained. The measures include economic penalties against various Russian industrial sectors, trade embargoes, and, for the first time, the use of part of the European budget to purchase weapons that were delivered to Ukraine.
All of this sparked a debate about the requirement for unanimity in European decision-making. Currently, security policies must be approved by all member states and can be vetoed by any of them.
The European Union and Latin America
Finally, Berizzi addressed the relationship between Europe and Latin America. “The assets of this supercontinent that is the Southern Cone must be protected,” he said, adding that Europe’s intention is to contribute to the sustainable development of the economy. Latin American countries share common interests with European nations, particularly on issues related to human rights.
Berizzi also noted that Uruguay stands out for the strength of its democracy and highlighted the volume of European investment in the country, which accounts for 40% of all investment in the country.