After two terms as the first full-time president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy retired from front-line politics late last year. In a rare interview, he makes a case for a united Europe for security, peace and prosperity Since Herman Van Rompuy left office last December, the problems facing Europe could scarcely be more serious: far-right parties have continued to make advances in several member states and there have been mass demonstrations in Germany against what has been described as the threat of “Islamicisation”. In Britain, the UK Independence Party (Ukip) has exploited similar fears and is winning support for its campaign to leave the European Union. Crucially, the Islamist terrorist attacks in Paris and a foiled attack on police in Belgium have underlined