COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
Brussels, 25.7.2001
COM(2001) 428
EUROPEAN GOVERNANCE
A WHITE PAPER
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................ 3
I. WHY REFORM EUROPEAN GOVERNANCE? ................................................................. 7
II. PRINCIPLES OF GOOD GOVERNANCE........................................................................ 10
III. PROPOSALS FOR CHANGE ........................................................................................... 11
3.1.
Better involvement ..................................................................................................... 11
3.2
Better policies, regulation and delivery...................................................................... 18
3.3.
The EU’s contribution to global governance ............................................................. 26
3.4.
Refocused policies and institutions ............................................................................ 28
IV. FROM GOVERNANCE TO THE FUTURE OF EUROPE.............................................. 32
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Today, political leaders throughout Europe are facing a real paradox. On the one hand,
Europeans want them to find solutions to the major problems confronting our societies. On
the other hand, people increasingly distrust institutions and politics or are simply not
interested in them.
The problem is acknowledged by national parliaments and governments alike. It is
particularly acute at the level of the European Union. Many people are losing confidence in
a poorly understood and complex system to deliver the policies that they want. The Union is
often seen as remote and at the same time too intrusive.
The Irish "no" highlights the impact of these problems on many people. This was reflected
not only in the final outcome of the referendum, but also in the low turnout and quality of
the debate whi