"But Maastricht was not the end of history. It was a first step towards a Europe of growth, of employment, a social Europe. That was the vision of Francois Mitterrand. We are far from that now"

Laurent Fabius's quote reviews the goals and existing truths of European integration, using the Maastricht Treaty as a referral point. The Maastricht Treaty, officially called the Treaty on European Union, was signed in 1991 and came into force in 1993. It marked a considerable leap in European combination by establishing the European Union (EU) and setting the foundation for the Euro, the typical currency. It was an essential step in unifying Europe economically and politically after the Cold War.

The expression "not the end of history" indicates that Maastricht was simply a start-- not a definitive conclusion-- in the task of European unity. It suggests that while the treaty was substantial, it was merely laying the structure for additional developments. François Mitterrand, then President of France, visualized the treaty as a path towards a Europe defined by robust economic growth, widespread work, and strong social policies. In essence, Mitterrand's vision was for a Europe that was economically dynamic however likewise socially accountable, balancing market forces with social welfare.

Fabius's declaration, "We are far from that now", mentions the range in between Mitterrand's aspirations and today state of Europe. Substantial financial and social difficulties have actually impacted the EU, such as financial stagnation, high joblessness rates, especially in the southern countries, and an increase in Euroscepticism partially driven by the financial crisis and austerity procedures. These concerns have hampered progress towards the sort of 'social Europe' Mitterrand envisioned.

Moreover, current political events, such as the UK's decision to leave the EU (Brexit) and the increase of nationalist movements, reflect stress within the union, challenging additional integration efforts and the awareness of a cohesive and socially-oriented Europe. Fabius's quote functions as a tip of the preliminary ambitions and highlights the need to reassess and revive those fundamental objectives of growth, work, and social unity in the middle of the changing political and economic landscape within the EU.