aitor, spain

Ana�s Camus met Aitor, a 25 years old Spanish translator who has now returned to university. He lives in Madrid, Spain.

Question: What comes to your mind when I say �European Union�?

Aitor: There are two lines of thought: what it is (or seems) and what it should be. It seems like an international organization to protect corporate interests (see Bolkenstein). It should be a forum to defend human rights and democracy. It privileges Russia and Saudi Arabia and then gives lectures on democracy.

Question: At the moment, what opinion do you think the people have of the EU?

Aitor: I think the general public has a positive impression of the EU without thinking too much about it.

Question: What fears do your people have of the EU?

Aitor: The feeling I get is that we are only Europeans when it�s convenient. We are Europeans to work abroad and improve companies� productivity, but then there�s an endless bureaucracy to have my social and pension contributions recognized back in my country.

Question: How is the relationship between your country and bigger countries like Germany and France? And what do you think about it?

Aitor: It seems France and Germany control European institutions to suit their interests (see the flexibility that was applied to them when their deficits surpassed 3% of their GDP). Spanish media depict Spain as one of the �big� countries, but it seems more like Spain is just following France.

Question: What would be your worst idea about the EU?

Aitor: Bolkenstein gathers it all: defending corporate interests and reducing social rights.

Question: Do you know how the EU works?

Aitor: I have a slight idea

Question: If I told you that about 70% of the new laws in your country come from Brussels would that be ok for you?

Aitor: The source of the legislation is not the most important element for me.

Question: Keeping the last questions in mind, what do you think about the role of your national parliament?

Aitor: Culturally speaking, we are very close to each other. That means that in most cases we would end up having very similar laws. You can have one supra-national institution to legislate once, or 27 national parliaments to write the same thing 27 times (and 27 times as many politicians making a living out of it).

Question: Do you think there should be more information about how the European institutional system works?

Aitor: Yes, please

Question: According to you, what should the EU focus on? And why the EU should itself deal with it?

Aitor: Internally, it should develop a �national� European feeling, some core values that keep us together, based on differences, integration, human rights and democracy (we have more things in common than differences, in the end). The moment we see each other as �Europeans�, and not French, German or Spanish, it won�t matter whether Airbus 380 is assembled in Germany, using expensive German materials, or if it�s done efficiently but in a politically-incorrect factory.

Question: Do you think that it is important to have, on the international scene, a Europe as one entity in the world or do you think it's better to have strong States who cooperate together?

Aitor: Several states which cooperate will inevitably show division at certain points, like the war on Iraq. One single foreign policy would give the EU strength and reliability.

Question: Would you like the EU to become a federal State?

Aitor: Very much

Question: What about a European army?

Aitor: I oppose armies in general, but I�d much rather one single European army than 27 national ones.

Question: Should there be a common language in the EU?

Aitor: I can�t see why not. Although I am a translator and make a living out of different languages, a common language would eliminate linguistic obstacles and help develop a European feeling.

Question: Do you believe that there is a limit to the development of the EU? If yes, how to know where that limit is?

Aitor: I believe its only limit should be democracy (real, not corporate dictated), human rights and respect, regardless of geographic or religious considerations.

Question: Do you think this is worth the adventure? Do you think the whole development is too fast?

Aitor: I think it�s too slow

Question: One says that you tend not to care about something as long as it�s not related to money. Do you think that setting up a European tax would raise the people's interest in the EU or it would only be another step towards a United States of Europe-like structure?

Aitor: It depends on what you do with that tax, and what other tax you cut in exchange. If you just impose an additional tax, on top of the ones we already have, and don�t re-invest it in, say, health and education�

Question: According to you, is the EU too bureaucratic?

Aitor: WAY too much.

Question: Would you say that the EU is democratic?

Aitor: If you compare it to North Korea, yes. Otherwise, Parliament should have all the power and the Council should only be a consultation organism (if even so).

Question: Last, but not least, what is the impact of the EU on your daily life?

Aitor: Impact is considerable. I have lived in EU countries other than Spain for over three years, and that wouldn�t be possible without the EU. I am a student again, so the Bologna process has a direct influence on what I do at the moment. Besides, much of the legislation that affects me comes from Brussels, and I can�t just ignore that.