« The EU must reassert the trade-off or else we must stand ready to fall back behind the borders of the Nation- State« , Pascal Lamy warned as he closed the « Notre Europe tomorrow » symposium organised on 18 November at the French Senate House in partnership with Le Nouvel Observateur-Challenges.

Arguing that the latter option is neither possible nor desirable, Pascal Lamy, Director- General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Honorary President of Notre Europe proposed: « The European project is still relevant but is hampered by a definition issue, between two visions. On the one hand, the vision of a Europe seeking to protect herself from globalisation, on the other, a European construction adjusted to globalisation thus (intending) more regulation« . With this, he brought to a close the debate that had gathered at the Senat European figures from the political, economic and trade-union stage, there to ponder the future of the European Union.

« A trade-off is feasible, and essential if we are to matter, for globalisation is neither to be stopped nor to be taken lying down,«  Pascal Lamy went on. « It is to be taken in hand so that its benefits can be had and its faults corrected. This is not just an internal debate: the rest of the world is watching us. If Europe says « protection », it is a signal for developing countries. This issue must be debated and a compromise reached. The points on which we are in agreement must be identified, as well as the countries in agreement to mark out a zone.« 