In order to protect these achievements the Member States need to adhere to the Maastricht criteria and to implement sustainable financial and budgetary policies. According to Altmaier, the solution of the crisis lies in enhanced cooperation, not in excluding states like Greece from the Euro zone. The view that the European Union and its currency are worth fighting for was also brought forward during a panel discussion.

Dr. Ulrike Guérot, senior research fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, stated that the benefits stemming from a united and peaceful Europe cannot be calculated financially. Also Dr. Daniela Schwarzer stressed that the EU accomplished decades of peace and prosperity for its citizens. Today, however, the head of the research division on EU integration at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik) sees a danger of disintegration. The EU needs to develop a new vision and foster citizens’ participation in political processes. If these goals are attained, Europe can emerge from the crisis with new strength.