Discuss the issues that led up to the European Union Rome Summit of 2017, and describe the extent to which that summit came up with solutions to the problems.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The process leading up to the EU Rome Summit in 2017 revealed the growing tensions and divisions over the range of futures identified in the 2017 White Paper on the Future of Europe. EU members were at odds over the directions to take, and the implications of the UK’s absence cast a shadow over the meeting. Ultimately, the EU 27 (leaders from all EU members but the UK) issued a statement calling attention to the contributions of the EU to the economic, political and social well-being of its members and region. This important post-Brexit statement also acknowledged key challenges, including elevating issues such as migration, terrorism, and rule of law to a more prominent place on the agenda. But, the EU 27 also expressed support for further integration, strengthening of the single market and euro-zone, and foreign/defense cooperation and commitment to NATO, among other things to maintain the EU.
Another vexing EU issue not decided at the 2017 summit was the future of the Eurozone. Allowing EU members using the euro to set their own fiscal policy means wealthier members (like Germany) may have to continue bailing out poorer members who pile up national debt (like Greece and possibly Italy, Spain, or Portugal). Switching to a single, centralized fiscal policy for all Eurozone members would solve that problem but, by further eroding state sovereignty, might create more “Brexit” situations in which frustrated states leave the EU.