Erasmus scholarships, the euro, the roaming European, but also immigration, Artificial Intelligence and youth unemployment. All of them are issues that affect us every day and we do not always know how much they have to do with the European Union. This was revealed this Thursday Jaume Duch, Elsa Arnaiz and Paola Cannataspecialists in European affairs who have participated in the live debate organized by laSexta and titled How does the EU influence our daily lives?.

In this regard, Jaume Duch, spokesperson for the European Parliament since 2006, wanted to take a look back to compile the great achievements of the EU that affect us all, such as the single currency, Erasmus scholarships, the roaming European, or social policies and gender equality. However, and looking at the present, with two wars on the European continent, Duch has highlighted an even more essential value: “In the world we live in now what the EU does is protect peace and democracy, which is what it was actually founded to do.”

Continuing with this initial theme, “we should ask ourselves How does the EU not influence you?“said Elsa Arnaiz, president of Talento para el Futuro, the first lobby that works to ensure that the voice of youth is represented in decision-making processes.

Arnaiz, who is also a professor at the University of Antonio de Nebrija, recalled the European Green Deal as an example of legislation against climate change, a global issue that affects us in many aspects.

Paola Cannata, a political scientist who was an advisor to the Government on issues related to social rights and institutional relations, has highlighted the capacity that the EU has had to deal with issues as serious as the management of vaccines in the pandemic or the Next Generation funds, from which Spain has benefited and which have allowed the crisis generated by the virus to be alleviated. It is “the lighthouse that has led the democratic currents of our society,” Cannata stated about the EU.

The wars in Europe and its future members

The scene of war in ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Hamas that has led to an Israeli siege on the Palestinians is something that also worries European youth.

How is the European Union acting to mediate in Israel’s war? Is Ukraine going to integrate into the EU? What other countries are in line?

Along these lines, Duch has assured that “one of the biggest concerns for the 27 is the massacre of palestinian citizens and that the Israeli hostages can return to their homes”, and recalled that the solution that the EU has been defending is the creation of two States, the same one advocated by the United Nations. Far from this situation for now, Duch has pointed out that in Brussels has applauded “that at least they have agreed to stop for four days, which we hope will be more.”

This issue, he points out, “will push the creation of a true European foreign policy.” As an example, the response to the invasion of Ukraine, which has shown the unity of the EU with its support for Ukraine and the approved sanctions packages against Russia.

However, the issue of Israel and Hamas has shown that on other issues “it is difficult to have a common position”, as Cannata has pointed out, who sees the actions of President Sánchez as positive, who “has led a position worthy of Europe.” in your opinion. The renewed leader of the Executive has asked Israel to comply with “international law”.

Regarding the new member countries, Duch has stated that there are no established deadlines, and that Ukraine will join “when possible” but that the EU also has to carry out “its internal reform.”

Immigration policy, concern of young people

In this debate, broadcast on streaming Through laSexta’s digital channels, experts have responded to questions posed by the public through social networks. Thus, several people have asked about the real possibility of an immigration policy common, something that the three experts have positioned themselves in favor of. “Not that it’s possible, The question is how we make it possible“Arnaiz defended.

Cannata has criticized that “what has been decided so far it has not worked”something to reflect on: “We must be aware that Migrate is a right. Europe cannot afford to have this melon on the table and not stop it,” he noted. Cannata has proposed opening “legal and safe channels” that “relieve the migratory burden” for receiving countries like Spain.

The spokesman for the European Parliament has acknowledged that this “is the most complicated and sensitive topic“, but which foresees that the Pact on Migration and Asylum “will be closed before the end of the legislature (April).” Last September the 27 gave green light in Brussels for the Crisis Regulationa priority of the Spanish Presidency of the European Union in matters of the Interior.

AI, regulated at forced marches

In addition to the toughest topics, in this debate the experts have addressed other issues of economic significance, such as youth unemployment or the regulation of Artificial Intelligence.

Thus, Arnaiz has demanded that the EU “get its act together” to end youth unemployment in order to “not to burden this generation” and Duch has recalled, regarding the European fundsthat the EU provides the money, but then the countries and autonomous communities have to manage it.

Regarding the advancement of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its risksa matter that the EU has been prepared to address regulate in a pioneering way On an international level, Arnaiz has criticized “the AI goes much faster than what we legislate because we do not agree on the essentials.

As spokesman, Jaume Duch has defended that he hopes that the European law proposal “is approved before the end of the legislature.” However, its entry into force is scheduled for later, which is why Cannata, former secretary general of the +Democracy association, which works for the democratic regeneration of political institutions, asks the EU to reflect “on its decision-making processes.”

European elections in 2024

Of course, and speaking of the European Union, we could not go without debating some elections that are just around the corner. In Spain we will vote on June 9, 2024 for our representatives in the European Parliament.

In this sense, Duch foresees an increase in participation in the European electionsusually low, and assures that “there is a greater mass of people interested in voting than five years ago.”

In a few months we will see if his forecasts are met. For now, it is clear, after these intense 45 minutes of debate, that as European citizens, regardless of where we live, where we work or where we spend our free time, the European Union has an impact on our daily lives, but that there is many hot topics and challenges still to be faced.