Unyielding Schäuble pleads for "a humanistic approach", in Europe

Wolfgang Schäuble, the rigid German finance minister, who was unyielding in his negotiations concerning Greece's debts, is now asking for the understanding of the Union's citizens and for their trust in the shared project, as "the European dream" has begun collapsing, after the vote of the UK vote to exit the EU. He also pleads for "a humanistic approach", in Europe, on the issue of migrants.

"EU citizens don't understand too well what the Union means for them", German finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, said yesterday, at a financial issues conference organized in Bucharest.

He said that the vote for Brexit was the expression of common grievances.

"The bridges between European institutions and European citizens are hard to identify. (...) it is decisive for Europe to come up with visible and palpable measures. Issues can only be overcome by remaining united", said Schäuble.

The German minister said that the British' decision was regrettable, but he asked for an additional effort from the European institutions to get closer to citizens, admitting that there is a gap between institutions and the average Europeans.

Schäuble said: "We all regret the British' decision. It affects all of us, but the British need to choose. If they want to be a part of the common market, then they need to follow its rules. We don't have to show too much flexibility. We need to demonstrate cohesion in Europe. The rules apply to everyone. We need to prove to people that Europe represents added value".

He added that the fragility of the European unity was visible in the migrants' problem: "These migrant flows, from the Middle East and Africa, whether we like them or not, they can endanger our internal stability. There is a need for a common protection of borders. We need to distribute the burden equitably. We have to collaborate with the neighboring countries, so that the migrant traffickers can be stopped".

He pleaded in favor of a humanist approach in Europe: "We should not leave refugees to die in the Mediterranean Sea. Solidarity doesn't mean a one way road".

Schäuble also suggested that the European Union must protect itself: "The Americans will not be able to fulfill this responsibility, in the coming years, the way we would want them, nor any other country in Europe - neither France, nor Romania, nor Germany, nor Luxemburg. Only together we can do this".

• Schäuble: "We are in a cybernetic war with Russia"

Wolfgang Schäuble says it is a shame that Europe had to impose sanctions on Russia: "But it was a necessary decision. We are pleading in favor of a tight cooperation with Russia, but on one condition - that it complies with international law. You can't intervene with force, you can't use threats to impose certain interests. We are in a cybernetic war. (...) If we are successful in telling Russia that we are interested in a constructive collaboration, we will also find the right path. But we are not naive".

• Schäuble: "Romania should expand dual education"

German finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, also said yesterday that Romania should extend the dual education system, which involves the combining by students of regular classes with practice in schools, to reduce unemployment among young people, which is still high: "Like in many other countries, unemployment among youth is high. I suggest you support dual education. It is one of the most important types of education. All degrees must receive recognition".

According to the latest official data, unemployment among Romanian youth aged 15 and 24 years old was 19.4% in the second quarter, way above the unemployment rate at the level of the entire workforce, for which it was just 5.9%, according to news.ro.

The German minister noted that Romania has one of the most dynamic growth rates in the European Union: "That, along with keeping the public debt below 40% of the GDP, needs to be maintained".

He also said that it is important to avoid a discussion about the conflict between Romanian and foreign investors: "There shouldn't be created a dispute between the small and big investors. The dynamic of the economy is driven by SMEs, but they need big companies as well. I want us to help Romania to become even more attractive for foreign investors. Our investment bank cooperates tightly with Eximbank".

Schäuble has also supported the austerity during the crisis in the Eurozone. In 2014, he drew up a national budget of 299 billion Euros, which allowed Germany not to take on new debt for the first time since 1969.

He played a key role in the negotiations with Greece, which was forced to accept harsh terms of the international creditors, including Berlin, in order to avoid going into default.

His harsh and inflexible stance was criticized by the leaders in Athens, as well as by other European leaders, who favored kinder terms for Greece.

In 2012, Schäuble rejected the requests of IMF director, Christine Lagarde, to offer Greece more time for additional spending cuts in order to lower its budget deficits. The same year, Greek president Karolos Papoulias, accused Schäuble of having insulted his nation.