The State of the European Union. The European Parliament faces its most important elections yet

THE STATE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 140 things as the financing of employment insurance at the EU level. In order to make progress in this direction, the ESM must be strength- ened so as to have the capacity necessary to determine the sustain- ability of a country’s public debt by means of exercises of the type conducted by the IMF. 4. Migration and asylum – ������������������������������������������������������������������� The Global Pact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration is an ambi- tious initiative, which although non-binding represents a good starting point for establishing a basic framework for multilateral cooperation, shared responsibility and solidarity among signatory states. In this light, the Union must be urged to develop migration policies coherent with the commitments achieved in this agree- ment. – ������������������������������������������������������������������� The alarming rise in xenophobic and racist discourses targeting mi- grants over the past few years underscores the urgent need to de- velop measures that foster coexistence, favour inclusion and fight discrimination. – It is crucial for the EU and its Member States to align the goals and actions envisaged in the Global Pact for Migration and the Global Compact on Asylum with their respective sustainable development and climate change agendas. – Last but not least, is the fundamental duty to ensure the adequate follow-up and assessment of progress made towards the objectives established in the Global Pact for Migration and the Global Compact on Asylum, as this will constitute the best possible proof of a solid political commitment to leave no one behind. 5. EU foreign policy and transatlantic relations – As a general rule, it makes sense for Europe to stick to its policy of ‘strategic patience’ with the U.S and act as a block to provide glob- al leadership. – The withdrawal of the United States opens up opportunities for Europeans, in spite of their internal problems, in the form of trade and development agreements with Mexico, the Mercosur, Japan, China and Africa.