There will be little movement toward the “ever closer union” envisioned in the Treaty of Rome. That might come as a relief for those in the United Kingdom and elsewhere who fear domination by Brussels, but it can only dismay those who hope that, despite its sluggish economy and declining population, Europe can become a relevant global actor.
因此，任命过程中最令人警醒的信息是，成员国领导人不会接受任何可能打破现状、推进一体化的人选。《罗马条约》（Treaty of Rome）中所规划的“日益紧密的联盟”将不会有什么进展。这对于英国人或其他害怕被布鲁塞尔主宰的人来说是个好消息，但对于希望欧洲克服经济停滞、人口下降等困难，成为重要全球行动方的人来说，这令人沮丧。