Alexandre Holroyd, a French MP close to Emmanuel Macron, said he expects Dublin to back the French president’s aim for greater EU solidarity ahead of May’s European Parliament elections. As one of five “ambassadors” tasked with promoting Mr Macron’s idea for greater EU integration, he reminded politicians of the solidarity Europe gave Ireland during the protracted Brexit negotiations. Mr Holyroyd is travelling all over the EU and was in Dublin this week for a series of meetings, The Irish Times reports.
Mr Holroyd told Irish politicians a deepening of European “solidarity” across defence, security, competition policy, taxation, regulation of internet companies and the environment is needed if the European project is to survive.
Citing Finland and Estonia, he said: “There are some countries that are more concerned by defence solidarity.
“Now if go to southern Europe, it might be the contrary.
“And if I go here – I mean, Ireland has been the main beneficiary of European solidarity in the Brexit negotiations.
“At a point of crisis, where Ireland needed Europe to stand behind it, Europe did.
“Solidarity has to be across priorities, otherwise you never achieve anything.
“Because how do you convince a Finn to support an Italian on financial issues if you don’t say the Italian will support you on defence and security issues? It all comes together.”
Earlier this month Mr Macron published his manifesto for the future of Europe, including the plans for greater integration, in an article in newspapers all over the EU.
Mr Holroyd argues that unless the EU works better – and depends its integration – it will not survive.
He said: “The world is moving forward, and it’s changing… we have to change the way we approach the world.”
“The EU will cease to function if we don’t find a way that citizens are more convinced of its efficiencies. We have to get out of the status quo.”
Due to Britain’s decision to leave the EU, he warned: “Anti-European feeling is growing.
“Either we look at it and we don’t do anything about it… or we offer a positive alternative.”
