Thursday, April 29, 2004
Tories warn of 'country called Europe'
"The Conservatives today became the first of the 'big three' parties to kick-start their European elections campaign, with a trio of launches in Manchester, Cardiff and Edinburgh.
The Tories are currently the biggest party from the UK in terms of seats in Brussels, with 36 out of a current 87 seats, and hope to capitalise on current fears about the new EU constitution and Saturday's expansion by 10 new states."
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Tories warn of 'country called Europe':
Tories warn of 'country called Europe'
European Muslims search for identity
"As the European Union gets bigger and more diverse with the entry of 10 new members in less than a week, the question of European identity and minorities will once again spring to the fore - including that of Europe's largest religious minority, the Muslims. "
BBC NEWS | Europe | European Muslims search for identity:
European Muslims search for identity
French Leader Gives Rare News Conference: Turkey's EU entry not desirable yet
"President Jacques Chirac said Thursday that Turkey's entry into European Union, which is set to expand to 25 members this weekend, is not 'desirable' now but it could be in the future.
'Its entry into the union is only possible under conditions that have not yet been fulfilled,' Chirac said at his first full-fledged news conference in six years.
'The destiny of Turkey has always been deeply linked to Europe,' Chirac said. 'Turkey has made considerable efforts,' he said, adding, however, that 'there is still a way to go.'"
Yahoo! News - French Leader Gives Rare News Conference:
French Leader Gives Rare News Conference: Turkey's EU entry not desirable yet
Unfinished symphony
"On Saturday we should all celebrate a dramatic enlargement of freedom in Europe
This Saturday, May 1 2004, is a great day in European history. Nothing - not the fears or the resentments, not the terrorists or the demagogues - should stop us celebrating this day as it deserves.
What we achieve with the eastward enlargement of the European Union is more than just the demolition of the remnants of the Berlin wall, which artificially divided Europe into 'west' and 'east'. It's an unprecedented step towards a Europe whole and free. Never before in European history have so many countries of central and eastern Europe been together with their western neighbours as democracies in the same political, economic and security community, with equal rights and obligations. For centuries, they've been second-class citizens, poor relatives, objects of others' designs. For centuries, they've had a complex of backwardness and exclusion, while west Europeans have caricatured them as exotic, eccentric and obscure. Ruritania. Dracula. Tintin's Syldavia. "
Essay by Timothy Garton Ash
Read on ....
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Unfinished symphony:
Unfinished symphony
EU implications for Africa?
"On 1 May, the European Union is set for a historic enlargement, as 10 countries from Central Europe and the Mediterranean become members.
The EU's membership list will increase from 15 countries to 25, its surface area will increase by a quarter, and its population by one fifth.
But what does this enlargement mean for Africa and Africans?"
BBC NEWS | Africa | EU implications for Africa?:
EU implications for Africa?
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Blair takes referendum call to France
"Tony Blair took his case for an EU referendum direct to the French people today - with a first-person piece on the front page of a major French newspaper.
The piece - which will increase the pressure on the French president, Jacques Chirac, to follow suit and grant a plebiscite on the new EU constitution - appears as the British prime minister prepares to host a Downing Street reception tonight for the 10 new accession members of the union.
But the difficulties of winning around a sceptical British public, informed by a largely Eurosceptic press, was highlighted this morning by the president of the European parliament, Pat Cox, who told British politicians - in a deliberate echo of arch-Eurosceptic Norman Tebbit's famous phrase - to 'get on their bike' to sell the referendum."
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Blair takes referendum call to France:
Blair takes referendum call to France
EU deficits row reaches court
"The key rules which underpin Europe's single currency are at the centre of a case being heard on Wednesday at the European Court of Justice.
The European Commission brought the case after the breakdown of the Stability and Growth Pact last year.
The Stability and Growth Pact was designed to ensure that countries joining the euro kept their economies in line."
BBC NEWS | Business | EU deficits row reaches court
EU deficits row reaches court
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Trio of ex-ministers rallies to Blair's defence
"Tony Blair's three most loyal former cabinet ministers rally to the beleaguered cause of the prime minister today, warning that defeat in the referendum on the European constitution will jeopardise the entire social democratic cause in Britain.
Writing in the Guardian, Alan Milburn, Stephen Byers and Peter Mandelson bluntly warn the cabinet's current heavy hitters not to use the remaining negotiations on the treaty to play up a phoney Eurosceptic threat.
It is the first time that the three have undertaken a joint initiative, and their decision to give conditional support for the referendum decision will be seen as a sign of the extent to which the prime minister has been left isolated by some of the big players in the cabinet. "
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Trio of ex-ministers rallies to Blair's defence:
Trio of ex-ministers rallies to Blair's defence
The EU referendum: All out to sell this treaty
"Take on the anti-Europeans and their neo-con Thatcherite politics
Stephen Byers, Peter Mandelson and Alan Milburn
Now that we are to have a referendum on the constitutional treaty - albeit not for some time - Labour pro-Europeans need to put their all into fighting for a decisive victory. Britain's place in Europe depends on it, as does the successful advance of a progressive, social democratic programme.
A year ago, we were looking forward to a referendum on the euro to be the 'make up your mind' moment for Britain in its relations with Europe. The lack of full economic convergence and of a compelling argument for joining the euro now mean it was not sensible economically or politically for this to be the issue around which pro-European forces coalesced."
Guardian Unlimited | Guardian daily comment | Stephen Byers, Peter Mandelson and Alan Milburn: The EU referendum:
The EU referendum: All out to sell this treaty
EU 'behind US' in competitiveness
"A study by the World Economic Forum suggests most EU countries, including those due to join on 1 May, are lagging behind the US on competitiveness.
The survey says four years after EU leaders agreed economic reforms to make the EU the most dynamic economy in the world by 2010, progress has been slow.
Only Nordic countries have managed to surpass the United States."
BBC NEWS | Business | EU 'behind US' in competitiveness:
EU 'behind US' in competitiveness
EU pledges aid for Turkish Cyprus
"The EU has pledged to release almost 260m euros (£170m) to Turkish Cypriots, following their approval of a UN plan to reunify the island.
The money is aimed at ending the economic isolation of Northern Cyprus after years of sanctions.
The UN plan was accepted by 65% of Turkish Cypriots, but Greek rejection means it cannot come into force.
Turkish Cypriot PM Mehmet Ali Talat has meanwhile formally asked the EU to freeze Greek Cypriot membership."
BBC NEWS | Europe | EU pledges aid for Turkish Cyprus
EU pledges aid for Turkish Cyprus
Monday, April 26, 2004
Date set for EU constitution talks
"Negotiations on Europe's constitution will restart on May 17 - with just one month to settle all outstanding issues before a deal is due at the June 18 EU summit.
The timetable was approved at talks between EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, where Jack Straw once more set out the UK government's so-called 'red lines' on foreign policy, taxation, social security, defence and the EU budget.
On all those issues, he said, any decisions at EU level had to remain subject to unanimous vote - effectively maintaining the right of national veto.
He was not alone, as most member states have their own 'red lines' in a complex negotiation which the Irish EU presidency is banking on completing in time for a summit deal."
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Date set for EU constitution talks:
Date set for EU constitution talks
EU to reward Turkish Cypriots for their "yes" vote to a unified Cyprus
"Results of the Cyprus referendum showed 65% of Turkish Cypriots voting yes and 76% of the Greek community voting against the UN reunification plan. The 30 year old island's division will continue as the plan needed a majority endorsement from both Greek and Turkish communities to take effect. The referendum result means only the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot southern half of the island will enjoy the benefits of Cyprus joining the EU. The partition line between the two parts of the island, the so-called 'Green Line', would become an external border of the EU on 1 May. 30,000 Turkish troops are based in the island's north and 1,200 UN peacekeepers police patrol the mined 'Green Line' partition strip of land.
In a statement following the results of the referenda in Cyprus, the Taoiseach and President of the European Council said: 'We regret that a United Cyprus will not join the EU on May 1 as had been hoped. Ministers for Foreign Affairs will discuss the situation at the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Luxembourg on Monday.' "
EurActiv.com Portal - EU to reward Turkish Cypriots for their "yes" vote to a unified Cyprus
:
EU to reward Turkish Cypriots for their "yes" vote to a unified Cyprus
Building a Transatlantic ‘Community of Action’ for cooperation in the Middle East and against terrorism
"The European Policy Centre and the Transatlantic Policy Network (TPN) co-hosted a Policy Dialogue on “Building a Transatlantic ‘Community of Action’ for Cooperation: Peace, Democracy and Development in the Extended Middle East and the War Against Terrorism.” Elmar Brok, Member of the European Parliament and The Honorable Phil English, Member of the US House of Representatives opened the discussion. Robert Cooper, Director-General for External and Politico-Military Affairs at the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, Piet Steel, Public Affairs Director at Solvay and Dick Oosting, Director of the Amnesty International EU Office completed the panel. EPC Political Director, John Palmer, chaired the event.
Terrorism in its current form was nothing more than a war against Western values and as such the EU and the US were united in taking action against this threat, Mr. Brok said. Recent events in Iraq had proven, however, that "the US can win every war, but it cannot win peace by itself," implying that a return to multilateralism could be the way forward. A strategic reorientation was needed, because military might alone could not win over the hearts and minds of the people on the ground. He advocated the use of broader instruments, including close cooperation of intelligence services across the EU and the Atlantic, and increased efforts to stamp out the root causes of terrorism. “There is no moral justification for terrorism, but once it exists, certain circumstances can make it grow," he said. "
Building a Transatlantic ‘Community of Action’ for cooperation in the Middle East and against terrorism
Building a Transatlantic ‘Community of Action’ for cooperation in the Middle East and against terrorism
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Referenda on EU Constitution - let the people vote?
"A draft EU Constitutional Treaty has been agreed by the Convention on the Future of Europe and is currently being discussed by Member States at the Intergovernmental Conference. Before entering into force the EU Constitution must be ratified by all Member States in the enlarged EU (ie the EU-25).
The ratification process is likely to vary from Member State to Member State with some favouring direct democracy (via a popular referendum) and others favouring parliamentary democracy.
Overview:
The following table is indicative in that it sets out whether or not a referendum is likely to happen in the EU-15 and the 10 future Member States. "
EurActiv.com Portal - Overview - Referenda on EU Constitution - let the people vote?:
Referenda on EU Constitution - let the people vote?
Blair: a no vote means no
"Tony Blair today suggested that he would not seek another referendum on the EU constitution if it was rejected by the British people.
Under repeated questioning from reporters on whether the poll would be rerun if the answer came back negative, Mr Blair responded: 'If the British people vote no, they vote no. You can't then start bringing it back until they vote yes.
'Once the British people make their decision, they make their decision.' "
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Blair: a no vote means no:
Blair: a no vote means no
Chirac urged to heed calls for poll
"Tony Blair's dramatic decision to call a referendum on the EU constitution has put Jacques Chirac under heavy pressure to follow suit and face his own sceptical voters.
The French president is the leader most exposed to the sudden change, diplomats said last night, though others fear British hostility to the union will affect an already negative mood elsewhere.
Publicly, governments and the European Commission said little about the u-turn, insisting formally that how EU treaties are ratified is a strictly national choice.
Gerhard Schröder, the German chancellor, who is not holding a referendum, said after the announcement by the prime minister: "My friend Tony Blair knows precisely why he has done that and will certainly ensure that [the referendum campaign] is conducted successfully for the benefit of Europe. But it is a sovereign decision that I am not going to comment on."
Privately, though, the news has been badly received. "
Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | Chirac urged to heed calls for poll
Chirac urged to heed calls for poll
'Concern' among new members over EU's Russia policy
"As Commission leaders prepare to jet off to Moscow for key talks, concerns are growing about the EU's policy towards its neighbour to the East, particularly amongst former Soviet satellites who are joining the EU next week.
In an interview with the EUobserver, the Estonian Foreign Minister Kristiina Ojuland has criticised the EU's handling of key ongoing negotiations with Russia, which she says has seen the EU acquiesce to Moscow's demands."
EUobserver: "'Concern' among new members over EU's Russia policy"
'Concern' among new members over EU's Russia policy
Straw: EU poll might never happen
Britain might not have a referendum on the EU constitution 'at all', Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has suggested.
There would be no need for a poll if member states could not reach agreement on the constitutional treaty at their meeting in June, he told BBC's Today.
His comments come as The Daily Express switched its backing to the Tories as a result of the referendum decision. "
BBC NEWS | UK | Politics | Straw: EU poll might never happen: "
Straw: EU poll might never happen
Verheugen feels "cheated by the Greek Cypriot government"
"Enlargement Commissioner G�nter Verheugen has voiced strong criticism of the Greek Cypriot government for calling for a 'no' vote in a referendum, to be held on 24 April, on whether to end the 30-year division of Cyprus.
EU officials and the FT recently reported that high level representatives from the European Commission and the United Nations are being prevented from appearing on Greek Cypriot television on the eve of the referendum (see EurActiv 20 April). "
EurActiv.com Portal - Verheugen feels "cheated by the Greek Cypriot government":
Verheugen feels "cheated by the Greek Cypriot government"
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
Blair confirms EU constitution poll
"Tony Blair says a referendum is to be held on the new European constitution - but he has not named the date for a poll.
For months the prime minister has denied the need for a vote, but on Tuesday he conceded it was time to 'let the people have a final say'.
He said MPs would debate the issue ahead of any poll - which is unlikely to be before the next general election.
But Michael Howard asked the PM: 'Who will ever trust you again?' "
BBC NEWS | UK | Politics | Blair confirms EU constitution poll:
Blair confirms EU constitution poll
Monday, April 19, 2004
Poll suggests big 'No' for EU vote
"Prime Minister Tony Blair will face a tough challenge convincing voters if he decides to hold a referendum on the planned European Union constitution, according to a survey.
The survey coincides with media reports that Blair is set to drop his long-standing opposition to a referendum, and could hold one some time after a general election, expected next year.
According to Monday's YouGov poll in the Sun, which takes a sceptical stance towards the EU, only 16 percent of Britons would vote 'yes' to a constitution, and 53 percent would vote 'no'. Another 28 percent said they were undecided.
Conservative leader Michael Howard, a staunch opponent of an EU constitution who has spent months demanding a referendum, urged Blair to hold the vote as soon as possible.
"Countries have constitutions. Nations states make treaties with each other. We do not think that Europe should become a country. We don't think it needs or should have a constitution," he told BBC radio."
Poll suggests big 'No' for EU vote:
Poll suggests big 'No' for EU vote
UK set for EU constitution vote
"Britain looks set to get a vote on the European constitution in what is being seen as a major U-turn by Tony Blair.
An announcement could be made after this Thursday's cabinet meeting, the BBC has learned.
The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have welcomed the government's apparent change of heart. "
BBC NEWS | UK | Politics | UK set for EU constitution vote:
UK set for EU constitution vote
OECD predicts more rule breakers
"The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, has forecast Germany and three other countries will again break European Union deficit rules next year.
Germany, Europe's largest economy, will break the rules for the fourth year running with a deficit of 3.2% of GDP. Worse still will be France with 3.5%. Italy and Portugal will also breach the 3% maximum rule. "
BBC NEWS | Business | OECD predicts more rule breakers:
OECD predicts more rule breakers
Friday, April 16, 2004
Only one month to wrap up constitution talks
"Heads of states are set to have only one month to wrap up the talks on the EU constitution. That will be the situation according to sources of the Irish EU presidency, who have stated that the proposed timetable is to formally restart the talks on 17 May. The plan will be debated at a Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg 26 April, where the Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen is exepected to propose a two day IGC session on 17-18 May, the first formal step to conclude the talks. "
EurActiv.com Portal - Only one month to wrap up constitution talks:
Only one month to wrap up constitution talks
EP approves new commissioners with some critical remarks
"No red cards, not even yellow cards, said EP president Pat Cox, while announcing that all the ten new Commissioner had been approved after a series of three day hearings in Brussels.
Some of the commissioners however did get critical remarks about lack of in depth policy knowledge. While not rejecting any of the commissioners, French EPP Jospeh Daul, who chaired the hearings, noted that some of the committees who conducted the hearings, had stated that some commissioners would need to learn more about their portfolios. "
EurActiv.com Portal - EP approves new commissioners with some critical remarks:
EP approves new commissioners with some critical remarks
Thursday, April 08, 2004
EC says most of eurozone is flouting deficit rules
"Half of the eurozone countries are heading for a breach of budget deficit rules, the European commission said yesterday as it warned that Italy could face punitive action.
Pedro Solbes, the commissioner for economic and monetary affairs, painted a gloomy picture in his annual spring forecast, with projected growth of 1.7%, compared with 4.2% in the US.
'The EU economy is not participating fully in positive global economic performance,' said the Spanish official, citing slow progress in reforming labour markets, pensions and health care systems. "
Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | EC says most of eurozone is flouting deficit rules
EC says most of eurozone is flouting deficit rules
Lost in translation: Translating is EU's new boom industry
"When 10 new countries join the European Union on 1 May, they bring with them an extra nine languages to add to the EU's existing 11. "
BBC NEWS | Europe | Translating is EU's new boom industry:
Lost in translation: Translating is EU's new boom industry
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
EU chews over tough label rules
"Tough new rules for health and nutritional claims on food labels are being finalised at a two-day meeting of the European Parliament this week.
Lawmakers hope to outlaw misleading or vague health claims - something welcomed by many consumer groups.
Campaigners complain that there is at present no EU benchmark for standards of food labelling.
But the food industry opposes the move, arguing that it could outlaw claims that are widely accepted to be true. "
BBC NEWS | Business | EU chews over tough label rules:
EU chews over tough label rules
Thursday, April 01, 2004
Barnier leaves Commission in French government re-shuffle
"The leader of the UMP party in the French National Assembly, Jacques Barrot, is to replace Michel Barnier as regional Commissioner after Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin announced his new government on Wednesday 31 March.
Barnier is to replace Dominique de Villepin at the Foreign Affairs Ministry while Mr Villepin has been named for the top job at the Interior Ministry formerly occupied by Nicolas Sarkozy who has been promoted to a beefed-up Economics and Finance ministry. "
EurActiv.com Portal - News nr 1507476:
Barnier leaves Commission in French government re-shuffle
Commission to downsize Brussels press room and go native
Aware of the dire need to improve its communications efforts, the Commission has unveiled a plan to delegate the bulk of its press operation to EU offices in Member State capitals, says chief spokesperson in exclusive interview with EurActiv.
EurActiv.com Portal - "Commission to downsize Brussels press room and go native":
Commission to downsize Brussels press room and go native
MEP Nick Clegg heads home to win "hearts and minds" for Europe
Alarmed at the prospect of a low turnout at the European elections a British MEP tells EurActiv that "journalists could and should make more of the huge range of fascinating political issues".
EurActiv.com Portal - MEP Nick Clegg heads home to win "hearts and minds" for Europe
MEP Nick Clegg heads home to win "hearts and minds" for Europe
Ireland cancels EU street party
"Irish authorities have cancelled a street party that was to be held in the capital Dublin to mark the enlargement of the European Union on 1 May.
The concert, featuring Irish and international pop stars, was expected to have attracted 10,000 party goers.
But the Irish broadcaster RTE, which was organising the event, could not agree arrangements with the city council over road closures.
The council and the Irish government blamed each other for the debacle. "
BBC NEWS | Europe | Ireland cancels EU street party:
Ireland cancels EU street party
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