In these times of global tectonic changes ...

Before the informal Valletta summit on 3 February the 27 heads of state of government received President Tusk´s "United we stand, divided we fall" letter and also a short "concept paper" to serve as a basis for an open discussion about the future of the EU. The concept paper, drawn up by the European Council Presidency in cooperation with the Italian Government, warned that the EU was at a historical turning point, experiencing dramatic challenges both from within and outside: … 

externally, globalisation based on cooperation and competition is giving way to increasing rivalry, confrontation and even conflict, putting into question the fundamentals underpinning the rules-based international order.  We are also facing important internal challenges as exemplified by Brexit.

In these times of global tectonic changes the EU needs strength and determination to keep unity and to better respond to the expectations of its citizens in the areas of security, economy and social inclusion. ...

The metaphor tectonic changes is interesting. It refers generally to movements in the crustal plates - a type of geological forces that humans can not regulate. But that is a misleading picture. The dramatic challenges "both from within and outside" which the EU experiences today are partly consequences of globalisation - a policy the EU has contributed to and which the concept paper intends to continue. It´s "more Europe", not the much needed decentralisation, the paper seems to advocate:

 ... the essence of political consolidation should be the renewal of cooperation within the EU ...

...greater unity in foreign policy...

...further deepening the Economic and Monetary Union and developing the single market based on our four freedoms...

...Europe as an area without internal borders implementing our comprehensive migration policy and increasing internal security... 

With such EU reforms the "tectonic changes" will continue.