Juncker voices concern over future of Europe

BRUSSELS, July 22 (KUNA) - The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, expressed in a newspaper interview Wednesday his concerns over the future of Europe due to rising nationalist sentiments and the growing gap between the general public and the EU project.
Juncker told the Belgian daily Le Soir that he was "worried about the future of things," not the specific case of Greece, but for Europe on issues like "migration and rupture of a factual solidarity." He pointed out to "the old demons, national resentment against others who are still alive." The head of the EU's executive body said "Europeans do not like Europe, which is in search of explanations. European integration, born of the will of the people, has become an elite project, which explains the gap between public opinion and European action." On Greece, he said it was fear that led to an agreement between Greece and its international creditors.
"The worst was avoided," Juncker said, adding that "it is fear that made the deal possible." He said that Greece would be wrong to feel humiliated as the European Commission had done everything possible to cut corners. (end) nk.ibi