European failing to pass (6)
I believe the answer is:
elapse
'pass' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'european failing' is the wordplay.
'european' becomes 'e' (abbreviation e.g. EU).
'failing' becomes 'lapse' (a moral failing).
'e'+'lapse'='ELAPSE'
'to' is the link.
(Other definitions for elapse that I've seen before include "Slip away" , "Go by - pass away" , "pass in silence" , "'Pass by, as time (6)'" , "Tick by" .)