I fear Germany’s power less than her inactivity

by Radoslaw Sikorski

Financial Times
November 28, 2011

The break up of the eurozone would be a crisis of apocalyptic proportions, going beyond our financial system. Once the logic of “each man for himself” takes hold, can we really trust everyone to act in a communitarian way and resist the temptation to settle scores in other areas, such as trade? Would you really bet the house on the proposition that if the eurozone breaks up, the single market, the cornerstone of the European Union, will definitely survive? After all, messy divorces are more frequent than amicable ones.

If we are not willing to risk a partial dismantling of the EU, then the choice becomes as stark as can be in the lives of federations: deeper integration, or collapse. Moves to bring greater discipline to member states’ finances are a step forward. When drawing up national budgets, finance ministers will have to show their books to their peers. Members of the eurozone who break the stability and growth pact will face sanctions that are almost impossible to block. Rules may be introduced not as directives but as regulations.

Also, as long as the European Council sets in stone tough new rules, the European Central Bank should become a proper central bank, a lender of last resort that underpins the credibility of the entire eurozone. But more is needed. It is crucial we maintain coherence between the eurozone and the EU as a whole. Instead of organising separate euro summits or exclusive meetings of finance ministers, we can continue the practice from other EU forums where all may attend, but only members vote.

A critical issue is whether Britain, such an important member of the EU, can support reform. The eurozone’s collapse would hugely harm Britain’s economy. The UK’s total sovereign, corporate and household debt exceeds 400 per cent of gross domestic product. Can London be sure markets will always favour it? We would prefer Britain in, but if it can’t join, please allow us to forge ahead. And please start explaining to the British public that European decisions are not Brussels’ diktats but results of agreements in which you freely participate.

More