The global economic crisis that recently occurred with uncertain duration and indefinite consequences will be an even harder test for the cohesion and effectiveness of Europe. Thus, it will be revealed whether Europe is indeed a living political reality.

But what is the general image of Europe in the world today? An objective assessment is not easy. For now, what one can say is that the wrinkles of Europe, a "lady of a certain age," seem to be getting deeper and deeper. Aesthetic intervention, a facelift, would not be enough to conceal the wrinkles. More or less, everyone says it, some loudly, others in a whisper, that some adaptation of the structural and functional framework of Europe needs to be sought in the face of new realities and challenges. In the short-term challenge of the recent economic crisis, but also in the long-term challenge represented by globalization.

Both challenges, especially the second one, require governments and peoples of Europe to reconsider under what form and within what timeframe structural changes should be made.

Would a thorough restoration of the European edifice be better? Or could a new separate edifice be built? Various thoughts are being heard and discussed. Our country should not be absent from such a search for the future of Europe.

Vyron Theodoropoulos (1920-2010)