EU-DIGEST

Labels: EU, Unity

One Europe in one confusing world order - by Dominique Mois

Nowadays, there is both too much and too little Europe, or, to put it differently, too many European countries are represented in the world's premier forums, with too many voices. But, in terms of weight and influence, there is not enough united Europe. In the early 1980s, former French Foreign Minister Jean Francois-Poncet suggested that France and Britain give up their seats on the U.N. Security Council in favor of a single European Union seat. Germany would no longer seek a seat, Italy would not feel left out, and Europe's international identity would be strengthened in a spectacular way. Of course, this was not to be. France and Britain were not willing to give up the symbol of their nuclear and international status. They are probably are even less willing to do so today in the name of a union that is less popular than ever, at least in the British Isles.

It would be absurd to set U.S. President Barack Obama and EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso against each other as equals. Whereas Obama owes his election in large part to his charisma, Barroso is likely to succeed himself precisely because of his lack of charisma, because he says very little in so many languages.

Europe's last chance to be a credible actor in a multipolar world rests precisely on its ability to present a single, united, responsible voice. Europe currently exists as an economic actor, not as an international political actor. In today's global age, with the rise of emerging powers and the relative decline of the West, the only Europe that will be taken seriously is a Europe that can speak and be seen as one.

Labels: EU, European Integration, Unity

To inflict unity on Europe's diverse peoples is so divisive - by Richard Pine

"The financial crisis has highlighted the lack of a common European policy among its leaders. With Gorbachev modelling Vuitton handbags, one wonders what sort of world glasnost has created. But also – and much more seriously I think – it demonstrates a systemic crisis. Having already given away so much of their sovereignty, countries and regions are now expressing a distaste for, or suspicion of, what unity actually means. The appeasing catch-all slogan “unity in diversity” is an obscenity – at best, high-octane bovine effluent, at worst an arrogant condescension to the smaller and more diverse cultures, designed to fool the greatest number of people for as long as possible.

It is diversity which actually creates Europe – more interesting in its differences than in its conformity and orthodoxy. Europe has more chance of being saved by a Sarakatsani folk-singer’s wisdom than by the prancing of a financial or political princeling or, god forbid, an economist. I want Europe to be a vibrant, positive, constructive entity, but I see less and less of it every day, compared to the 1970s, when my enthusiasm was ignited and my European work began. Europe needs integrity without integration, coherence without cohesion."

Labels: EU, Unity

EU leaders reject protectionism - by Ilona Wissenbach and Marcin Grajewski

European Union leaders rejected protectionism on Sunday to prevent a new "iron curtain" dividing the 27-nation bloc into rich and poor halves during the global economic crisis. At a summit called to bridge differences over how to handle the crisis, leaders made a new commitment to the EU's single market -- a response to concerns that any protectionist moves to prop up national industries would undermine EU unity. They did not agree on any regional aid package to the whole of central and eastern Europe after opposition from German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Hungary called last week for rules on entering the 16-nation euro zone should be relaxed to help others to enjoy the exchange rate stability it offers. But Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, who chairs the group of euro zone countries, ruled this out. "I don't think we can change the accession criteria to the euro overnight. This is not feasible," Juncker told reporters.

Labels: Eastern Europe, Economy, EU SUMMIT, Protectionism, Unity

Recent weeks show how tough it may be for America to unite behind an economic fix-it plan. Some governors differ with the president, while in Congress, Republicans and Democrats bicker. In Europe, though, a financial crisis pits nation against nation, East against West. The crisis threatens a decades-long drive toward unity. Or does it? It may yet happen that the economic challenge in Europe becomes so acute that, in the end, the crucible of crisis actually forces stronger financial and political bonds between countries. French President Nicolas Sarkozy serves as Exhibit A.This week, he and other West European leaders endorsed a global doubling of contributions to the International Monetary Fund. The IMF can surely use the infusion as it tries to catch tumbling economies in Eastern Europe.While exposing divisions, the financial and economic crisis in Europe also reveals how connected and interdependent all of these countries are. It points to the need for pan-European solutions, not a retreat to nationalism.

Encouragingly, such solutions are starting to be voiced. The idea of a euro-bond has been raised as an economic burden-sharing tool to support weaker countries. Austria, whose banks have the largest exposure to Eastern Europe, is pushing for a broad effort to help the East. Now, crisis is tearing Europe apart by the seams. In the long run, it could stitch it closer together.

Labels: EU, EU Economy, Unity

The EU needs leadership, not wilful determination - by John Wyles

The competition between European leaders to be the first to reach Cairo, Jerusalem or Moscow, highlights again the EU's lack of influence. Those of us who once lamented the lack of leadership in the European Union should have been reminded at the time of the old adage “be careful what you wish for”. Today the EU is awash with leaders dashing to Cairo, jetting into Jerusalem, acting as envoys to Moscow, stopping over in Kiev – all in a furious competition to acquire power and influence for themselves, their country and, sometimes, for Europe. Unfortunately, the spectacle to which we are all being treated is not one of carefully considered initiatives designed to make the best use, at the best time, of Europe's meagre political resources and slender influence in international affairs. Instead, our leaders are projecting disunion, disarray and a wilful determination by the big member states to continue pushing the European Commission into the political background.

Note EU-Digest: Very true, all this positioning by national European leaders on the International scene is just pathetic and bad for the image of the EU. Why can't we show some unity and get the Lisbon treaty passed. We in Europe complain about the ignorance of the US population having chosen George Bush twice, but at the same time the European population also shows that same weakness if they believe any individual member state within the EU could independently stand on their own against powers like the US, China, India or Russia.

Labels: EU, Leadership, Unity

GREAT JOB PRESIDENT SARKOZY - who ends his 6 months EU presidency

By clinching European agreement on climate change and an economic stimulus plan, French President Nicolas Sarkozy can hail success as he wraps up a six-month EU presidency marked by a series of crises. Indeed, Mr Sarkozy has capitalized on such dramatic events as the Russia-Georgia conflict and the financial meltdown to prod change into European institutions he has belittled as rigid. As he wrapped up his last summit in Brussels Friday with the twin climate and finance accords, the French president was also the first to recognise his achievements, calling the climate change pact agreed to by the 27-member bloc 'historic'. 'We are starting to change the way we do things in Europe - talking less and doing more,' Mr Sarkozy told reporters.Mr Sarkozy's hard-charging persona is a stimulating break from the EU status quo. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has praised the French leader's 'positive impatience' and EU Parliament President Hans-Gert Pottering 'his very strong attitude'.

'He has given Europe a new momentum by jostling entrenched habits and many countries are pleased with that,' one European diplomat said.

Labels: EU, Nicolas Sarkozy, Unity

Labels: EU, Unity

Labels: EU, Unity

60 Ideas for Europe- Building together the Europe of the Future

Isabel Aspe-Montoya wrote: "Immigration is currently one of the largest challenges facing European societies. This has been declared the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, and one of its objectives is the promotion of interaction between Europeans and different cultures, languages, ethnic groups and religions on the continent and elsewhere. Erasmus has proved to be one of the most important ways to strengthen European identity and the creation of new personal and long-lasting bridges between different cultures, countries, languages and traditions. This important Year of Intercultural Dialogue demands a new Erasmus: an Intercultural Erasmus. This programme for university studies would be especially related to specific regional areas defined by the European Commission, such as the Mediterranean, Latin America, Russia and candidate countries. This will enable both Europeans and the societies providing the immigrants to get to know and respect each other and create the possibility of working together for a better world."

Labels: EU, Europe, Unity

Europe's weaknesses laid bare (+video) - Catherine Field

A craze of fault lines appeared across the political map of Europe yesterday as the continent grappled with Kosovo's proclamation of independence. European Union foreign ministers struggled to agree on a statement that would paper over cracks within the 27-nation bloc. The major EU powers declared they would recognize Kosovo as a sovereign state, but some dragged their feet or even branded the declaration of independence as illegal.

Note EU-Digest: the above shows once again the weakness of the EU. There is no unity and everyone seems to be playing their own political game when it comes to foreign policy. Also absolutely no unity in dealing with energy supplies. This has resulted that the Russians are being able to make separate deals with individual nations as to energy supplies instead of the EU using their combined economic force to set the rules. This also goes for dealing with the Russians as they have "bogus" companies controlled by the Russian government enter the European financial markets. The list could go on and on. This is not the way for the EU to succeed.

Labels: EU, Unity

Belgium’s Identity Crisis--A Sign of Things to Come for the European Union? - by Ryan P. Denee

A drive through the countryside of Belgium is a unique and relaxing experience not soon forgotten. The scenic tree-lined roads, with trunks sometimes inches from the pavement, are an expression of order and natural beauty. The branches springing from opposing sides of the road intertwine to form a comforting tunnel of lush foliage. Yet this seemingly idyllic, peaceful country has just experienced an unprecedented political crisis.From the national elections in June 2007 through late December, the country was without a government. For more than six months, disagreeing politicians and parties were unable to form a coalition to lead Belgium.

Belgium was created by Britain in the 1830s. The northern Flemish region (predominantly Dutch-speaking) was combined with the southern Walloon region (largely French-speaking). Arguably, this was beneficial to the region at large, but not without consequences for the people living within its borders. In the 19th century, the Walloon region had many natural resources. As a result, the Walloons were the wealthy people of the land. In effect, they dominated the country at the time, with many looking down on the Flemish with an air of superiority. In fact, it was not until well over 100 years later that Dutch became an official language.

The very country that also holds the capital of the European Union is struggling to combine differing peoples, cultures and languages. Could this be a sign of things to come for the EU? To have 27 nations agree on even simple things—butter, cheese and chocolate—enormous bureaucracies have been created. But these are only the “unimportant” issues of diplomacy. Bureaucratic layers of committees are used to define and control everything that occurs in the EU. However, these large and growing institutions of the EU cannot appease every faction; compromise has found its limits time after time.

The story of Belgium underscores the reality that the EU faces a tough road ahead. The number of differences within these 27 countries will create tremendous political crises. When these crises come to a head, Europe will be at a crossroads. They will need a solution—something to unite them.

Labels: Belgium, EU, Unity

Expansion, Norfolk and Europe - by James Rogers

The European Union is surrounded by a region not so dissimilar, metaphorically speaking, to the natural environment of chaos and uncertainty that plagued mediaeval Europeans. And like that natural environment of the European past, the contemporary world beyond Europe will not be changed, and the threats which emanate from it will not be reduced, by our so-called ‘soft power’, or by shirking our duties and obligations to others. Regions and societies plagued with chaos and conflict will not be domesticated without the exercise of power, or more importantly the willingness to deploy power in the service of our interests. If axes, scythes and ploughs were the tools used to hack down and domesticate the thicket, then armed forces, peacekeepers and political will are the instruments needed to domesticate zones of chaos and turmoil. As Europeans, we must re-acquire the ‘will to power’, and stand firm in defending our collective interest. If we fail to do so, others will assert and expand their own interests, and as they grow in strength and confidence, we Europeans might also come under their sway, just as so many came under our sway in the past. Given the importance of Europe, that can be in nobody’s interest, especially those on the side of liberal democracy, justice and freedom.

Labels: EU, Unity

Passport-free zone envelops Europe - by Doug Saunders

As midnight approached in the centre of Europe yesterday, hundreds of border guards left their posts for good and began tearing down the last remains of the old Iron Curtain. At the border of Germany and Poland, the guards spent the day removing kilometres of tall steel fence, leaving unmarked and unguarded fields between the two once hostile nations. On the road between Vienna and Bratislava, Austrian and Slovakian leaders met to saw through border-crossing barriers. In Estonia, the government put its border-inspection stations up for auction.“It's going to be a new Iron Curtain for all intents and purposes,” Samuel Horkay, a Ukrainian citizen who has discovered that it will be much harder to visit his mother in neighbouring Hungary, told the Bloomberg news agency yesterday. “That's a strong way to put it, but Europe loves to guard its borders.” That is the central paradox that lies behind today's celebrations: Even as Europe is turning its national borders into historical footnotes — European Union countries currently have fewer independent powers, in most areas, than Canadian provinces do — the 27-nation federation is making entry from outside the EU far more difficult.Comment EU-Digest: This is another step in the right direction towards complete unity within Europe.

Labels: EU, Schengen Treaty, Unity

In an interview with William Bourton, the French political scientist Jean-Yves Camus expresses his fear of separatist movements in Europe. "The question is not whether there is a collective identity. That is irrefutable in the cases of the Basque country, Catalonia and the Flanders region. The question is whether or not these distinct identities can live with others. Basically, do we want to apply the principle of one land, one people, one language, one state? ... The Catalonia example is striking, with non Catalan-speakers being treated as second class citizens, forbidding them, for example, jobs in the public service. There is a risk of balkanisation in Europe, with each ethnical group wanting its independence. This is a paradox in view of globalisation. The balkanisation prevents the emergence of a European power and plays into the hands of the American super-power. It complicates the integration of people from immigrant backgrounds, fuelling 'ethnicism' and racism."

Labels: Balkanization, EU, Unity

The European Counterweight--Part 1: A Leaderless Superpower - by Bruce A.Ritter

It has more people (454.7 million) than the United States—a larger consumer market—more troops (collectively, almost two million armed forces personnel)—and, with more votes on the United Nations Security Council and every other international body, stronger political muscle.It has a president, a legislative body, a flag, a national anthem, a motto (“Unity in Diversity”), open borders between member states, a constitution (yet to be ratified), a Bill of Rights, and a court system that can overrule the highest of any member court.It also has an emerging common culture that speaks a common language: English.

A common European culture is emerging among the generation ranging from ages 15 to 40. Known as “Generation E” (or “the Nineties Generation”), it consists of college-educated young professionals who grew up in one part of Europe—Edinburgh, Madrid or Florence, for example—studied at universities in other parts of the continent—such as Oxford, Paris or Frankfurt—and are pursuing professional careers in still another section of Europe, as in Rome, Brussels or Dublin (called “the Silicon Valley of Europe”). Increasingly, those in Generation E view themselves as Europeans first—secondarily Scots, Spaniards, Germans, Italians or otherwise. In their eyes, Europe is more than just a continent—it’s their national homeland. And English is emerging as the common language.

Labels: EU, Unity

MEPs defy member states on EU symbols - by Mark Beunderman

The European Parliament is considering flying the EU flag and playing the EU anthem more often in its own buildings as part of a political message to those member states who have scrapped the union's symbols from the proposed new EU treaty. The parliament on Wednesday (11 July) adopted its opinion on the EU's reform treaty which was agreed by EU leaders last month and which will be subject to detailed negotiations in a so-called Inter Governmental Conference (IGC) in the coming months. Note EU-Digest: The Unity of the EU at home and abroad is expressed in Symbols; including the Flag, the Anthem and our strong EURO. Those who want to do away with it better get out of the European Union.

Labels: Anthem, Currency, EU, Flag, Unity

Poles smudge EU agreement before the ink has even dried - by David Charter

A deal on Europe’s future, stitched together at last week’s bad-tempered summit, began to unravel yesterday after the intervention of the EU’s most unpredictable leader.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the Polish Prime Minister, who sent his brother Lech, the President, to the summit, stunned Brussels by declaring his determination to renegotiate the compromise. The twins spent much of last week’s detailed negotiations on the phone to each other and Lech had said that his brother was content with the package. But Jaroslaw, who demanded extra voting power for Poland, insisted yesterday that the deal had not taken full account of Poland’s demands.

Note EU-Digest: The fact that Poland elected Jaroslaw and Lech Kaczynski as their leaders should be a major worry to the rest of Europe on the sanity of the Polish electorate. It's time the EU cuts Poland down to the size. If the Poles don't accept being part of a European team, the rest of us should at least have the courage to kick them out.

Labels: EU, Poland, Unity

EU SUMMIT Leaders agree deal on new EU treaty after marathon meeting

Leaders of the EU finally agreed a deal on a treaty to replace the bloc's failed constitution after a marathon session that went into the early hours of Saturday. After hours of wrangling, agreement was finally reached on the blueprint document to reform EU institutions that will now be carried forward and signed at the end of the year. Negotiations had dragged through the night after a row on voting rights with Poland threatened to scupper the entire deal.

"Poland agreed in principle to the German idea of ‘double majority’ – the rule of approving all decisions in the EU by 55 percent of countries whose population accounts for more than 65 percent of the EU population. Poland has been promised a postponement of the introduction of the new voting system till 2017. Also, Germany succeeded in securing Britain’s consent to the concept of a new agreement. It agreed to the renaming of the office of the EU foreign minister, who from now on will be called the high representative of the European Union. Britain was also given guarantees the charter of fundamental rights mentioned in the treaty would cause no effects on its legal system. The details of the agreement that took nearly 36 hours to finalize have not been disclosed yet, but many European sources say the EU heads of state and government agreed on the mandate of an international conference commissioned to produce the full text of the EU treaty.

Merkel hopes the treaty will be finalized, signed and ratified by June 2009."

Labels: EU CONSTITUTION, Europe, Unity

Labels: EU, Unity

New grand design for Europe is doomed to fail – again-Europhiles have been far too complacent and unquestioning - by Alan Milburn

Europe is on the verge of repeating history rather than learning from it.Pro-Europeans usually point the finger of blame for such public ambivalence at external influences. The media are a favourite target — and of course sections of the press have waged an unrelentingly negative campaign against Europe. The blame game also fingers governments for failing to win over public opinion — and in the UK members of Tony Blair’s Government could have done more to make a consistent case for Europe. But these explanations are excuses: a soft comfort blanket that merely induces complacency.

Unaccountable decision-making no longer works in an era when the public is far more informed and inquiring. The new democratic thirst that exists among citizens requires from the EU a more modern modus operandi.

Labels: EU, EU CONSTITUTION, Unity

The gambler who is betting on the constitution - by Wolfgang Münchau

Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, took two large calculated gambles at the beginning of Germany’s presidency of the European Union. The first was an emphasis on climate change, the second an attempt to revive the EU constitution. Not everybody thought this was a smart choice at the time. The first gamble paid off handsomely for Ms Merkel in political terms, no matter what you may think about the details of last month’s climate deal. I would expect the second gamble to pay off as well.

Ms Merkel has some personal qualities that matter immensely in this difficult process. She is a good listener, and talks straight but does not hector. A physicist by training, she has good attention to detail. Having grown up under the communist East German regime, she is better than most other west European politicians at dealing with central and east European leaders.

Labels: EU CONSTITUTION, Leadership, Merkel, Unity

Europe is increasingly fading away - by Honor Mahony

Joschka Fischer, ex-German foreign minister-turned-Princeton-professor has a very sober view of the European Union's position in the world as it dusts itself off from recent 50th birthday celebrations. "This is a development which is definitely accelerating, so when you talk with the [US] political elite, the weaker Europe is, the less interest you will find.

"Relating a recent incident where a former Indian foreign minister came to lecture at Princeton and said that the 21st century will see three superpowers – India, China and the US – Mr Fischer said "I was sitting there and I thought, 'why the hell is nobody in Europe realising what is going on!'" Note EU-Digest: "The reason Mr. Fischer is that most of the European politicians are looking inward, consider unity a dirty word and are overcome with a feeling of self importance."

Labels: EU, Integration, Politics, Unity, World Trade

Europe frozen by French 'non' - by Noëlle Lenoir

Not long ago, an American political analyst compared France's loss of influence in Europe following its "no" vote in the 2005 referendum on the EU constitutional treaty with the country's surrender in 1940. A provocative analogy, but is it apt? The collapse in 1940 revealed the fragility of France's democracy and its loss of confidence in the country's capacity to face outside threats. In rejecting the European constitution, France expressed its fear of, among other things, globalisation. A better analogy for the no vote was the rejection in 1954 of the treaty to establish a European Defence Community (EDC). In both cases, a major historical mistake was made. France had to a large extent initiated both treaties and had managed to get them accepted by its European partners, but in the end vetoed its own undertakings.

The real question has more to do with France's credibility and its capacity to remain a driving force in Europe. A journalist recently expressed the view that France's special role in Europe was due to its "centrality," meaning that the French are, in equal measure, both open to the world and attached to their nation. They also participate successfully in a market economy while seeking to preserve an egalitarian social model.

Labels: Elections, Europe, European Integration, France, Unity

Merkel urges EU treaty as foundation of unity

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called in Warsaw Friday for greater unity among the 27 members of the European Union in order for the bloc to be a "global player" capable of meeting the economic and political challenges of the modern world. Key to that unity was the adoption of a blanket constitution, she said. Germany currently holds the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union and has made jump-starting work on the stalled constitutional treaty a top priority.

In an address at Warsaw University, Merkel also called for the EU to forge ahead with greater technological innovation, achieve energy security through greater use of renewable resources, slash bureaucracy and strengthen ties with NATO, top trade partner the US as well as Russia.

Labels: European Integration, Unity