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EUPolitix
Member states are running scared from discussions on the future of Europe, European Commission chief José Manuel Barroso said on Wednesday.

Speaking ahead of an informal summit on the EU’s future, Barroso attacked national governments for failing to spark frank debate after rejection of the constitutional treaty.

“The EU council called for a period of reflection. There has not been much reflection,” said the commission president.

“There have not been many initiatives. I would ask just what debates have been launched?”

Barroso said the EU must become a “listening ear” adding that commissioners would be visiting member states to take note of what citizens had to say.

But in a call for humility, he warned EU officials against taking an arrogant or heavy handed approach.

“We haven’t always got it right,” he acknowledged.

“We must not lecture, we need to listen to the public and recognise that maybe our working methods are not always the best.”

Calling on national governments to have “courage” in emerging from the fallout of the constitutional crisis, he said institutional problems must not stop the EU from acting.

“As we emerge from crisis, we must now bring people round to the idea of the EU. We need to show them the relevance of the EU.”

Referring to massive job cuts across Europe by the American computer giants Hewlett Packard, Barroso added that the EU must learn how to deal with the shocks of globalisation.

“Hewlett Packard will not be the last,” he said.

“We must master and embrace globalisation and learn how to protect people from its continuing shocks.”