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The major part of Fischer's discourse is dedicated to the intellectual exercise of shaping the future of Europe, `far beyond enlargement', to a European Union that also comprises Central-Eastern European States. But does he really mean it? The speech can be considered to have been instrumental, not only in launching a debate about overall European architecture, but also in offering solutions to very present and practical dilemmas related to enlargement. The real concern of Mr Fischer seems, to us, to be the legitimacy of `today's' Europe; a concern that is dressed up in the noble mantle of a far-reaching vision. How, then, might we envisage the future? Mr. Fischer is making plans for an as yet unborn Europe, since half a good half of post enlargement Europe will comprise new members, mostly Eastern European states, who have very different identities and visions of the future Europe.