For almost four decades, there was a need for a European patent that could safeguard our research and inventions on a larger scale. The concept was generally accepted, but its implementation caused trouble. A decade later, there was a mandate that required large companies to have a minimum representation of females on their board of directors. These changes could take a considerable amount of time. Matters like the outbreak of Covid-19 and the civil war in Ukraine have pushed the time scale further back, and it is no longer a priority at present.
The proposal for the directive is still sitting at the council’s table, gathering dust, and has become a significant disappointment for the European Union. The issue keeps coming back every six months, like a boomerang. However, the Member States have demonstrated that they can make prompt decisions in times of crisis. It is essential to find a solution to this perpetual problem sooner than later.
It took nearly 40 years for the Member States to agree on the idea of a European patent to protect our inventions, our research on a European scale. Again, no one disputed the principle, it was rather its implementation that posed a problem.
It also took 10 years to impose a minimum presence of women on the boards of large companies.
So yes, it can take a long time. Especially since, in the meantime, there was the covid crisis, then the war in Ukraine… the time change is not the priority at the moment!
Not only is this proposal for a directive gathering dust on the Council’s table, but it is now seen as a major failure of the European Union. Especially since every 6 months, this big failure comes back to him in the face, like a boomerang. A kind of perpetual movement of the loose to which a solution will have to be found. Member States have demonstrated that in an emergency, they can take quick decisions. It will soon be time to get back to it
In conclusion, the implementation of the time change directive in the European Union is a long-standing issue that has yet to be resolved. It is a reminder that progress can be slow and the road to change can be challenging. However, with the recent successes in emergency decision-making, there is hope that the EU will soon prioritize finding a solution to this ongoing problem. As we continue to face new challenges and crises, it is important not to forget the unresolved issues that still need attention. Only by addressing them can we move forward towards a stronger, more unified Europe.