Europe Month: an interview with Andrew Glencross, Director of ESPOL

Why have some countries not adopted the euro?

Today, 21 of the 27 European Union member states use the euro. As a result, the gap between eurozone countries and those keeping their national currencies is gradually narrowing.

However, the six countries that have not yet adopted the euro share a common objective: preserving a degree of economic and monetary sovereignty. By maintaining their own currency, these states retain greater control over monetary policy and certain national economic tools.

This decision is also tied to national identity and history. For some countries, currency remains a strong symbol of sovereignty and national attachment. Nevertheless, the European Union still views joining the eurozone as a long-term goal for all member states.

Why was May chosen for Europe Month?

May refers to 9 May 1950, the date of the famous Schuman Declaration, widely regarded as the founding act of European integration. Through this declaration, Robert Schuman proposed building lasting political and economic cooperation between European countries in order to prevent the return of the conflicts that had devastated the continent during the twentieth century.

May therefore represents an opportunity to commemorate this declaration, reflect on its impact, and highlight the new expectations European countries and citizens have regarding the future of European integration.

Why does the European Union not have a common army?

The idea of a European army is not new. In the 1950s, during the Cold War, a common defence project had already been considered. However, it never came to fruition.

Even today, member states remain attached to national sovereignty in defence matters and wish to retain control over decisions of war and peace. This explains the absence of a fully integrated European army.

Nevertheless, European military cooperation does exist. Alongside NATO, the European Union has developed coordination, planning and funding mechanisms in the field of defence.

Since the return of geopolitical tensions in Europe, particularly due to the war in Ukraine and the Russian threat, European defence cooperation has gained renewed momentum.

Why does European law take precedence over national law?

The principle of the primacy of European law means that when there is a conflict between a national rule — even a constitutional one — and a European rule, European Union law prevails.

This principle is essential to the functioning of the Union itself. Without it, each member state could block or alter the implementation of European decisions according to its own national laws, making coherent economic, social and political integration impossible. The European Union therefore relies on a common legal system ensuring the uniform application of rules across all 27 member states.

The European Commission plays a central role in this process: it proposes European legislation and ensures its proper implementation. In cases of dispute or non-compliance with EU law, it may intervene and, if necessary, refer the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Union, which is responsible for settling disputes.

Can a member state actually be excluded from the European Union?

European treaties do not provide for the complete expulsion of a member state. However, Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union allows certain rights to be suspended in cases of serious violations of the rule of law or democratic principles.

This procedure may notably lead to the suspension of a country’s voting rights within European institutions. Nevertheless, European obligations would still continue to apply to the country concerned.

The aim of this procedure is not to permanently exclude a state, but rather to sanction it in order to encourage changes in practices or policies considered contrary to the European Union’s fundamental values.

Bonus question: why continue teaching Europe?

For ESPOL, teaching Europe is part of its very identity. The school fully embraces its European dimension through the study of political Europe, but also cultural Europe and this European identity approached with both commitment and critical reflection.

The objective is to better understand how European integration can provide concrete responses to major contemporary challenges: geopolitical tensions, climate change, environmental protection, and the transformations linked to artificial intelligence.

In an international context marked by the return of conflict in Europe and increasingly tense geopolitical situations, teaching Europe also means imagining the solutions the European Union may offer in the years and decades to come.