A s European governments wrestle with the problems of an enlarged European Union, it is becoming increasingly clear that there are no easy answers. Despite nearly two years of preparation, a constitutional convention ended in stalemate last year. Last week, "the big three" -- Germany, France and Britain -- tried to provide some direction for the future and only raised concerns about leadership and the possibility of dividing the union. Fears of a two-speed Europe are understandable, but a failure to streamline decision-making will ensure that the EU does not move at all. Real leadership must be earned: Europe's big three has a long way to go.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, French President Jacques Chirac and British Prime Minister Tony Blair met last week in Berlin to find common ground for cooperation on economic policy. They have good reasons to coordinate. Four years ago in Lisbon, EU leaders agreed to turn the union into the world's leading economic area by 2010.
Yet today, per capita productivity is still about 20 percent lower in Europe than in the United States. Economies throughout the region are lagging; unemployment in both Germany and France tops 9 percent. The statement released following their conclave noted that "the stark reality today is that unless urgent action is taken by all member states to secure a significant improvement in the rate of employment growth, Europe will fail to meet the targets."