Unbearably Harsh and Unjust
2009/07/10
BERLIN/HAMBURG/MUNICH
(Own report) - The German media has been criticizing the peace treaty, ending World War I, signed in Versailles June 28, 1919. Ratified by the victorious allied powers, the USA, Great Britain and France on the one side and defeated Germany, on the other, the treaty is alleged to have violated the "right of self-determination", barring, "in violation of international law", the "entry" desired by "millions of Austrians and Sudeten Germans" into the German Reich. At the same time, the treaty's terms, which were "humiliating" and "harsh" for the German side, had to inevitably lead to demands for revision, which is why "a second world war had to follow the first". With such statements, the German media is rendering support to the claims raised for years by the so-called "associations of expellees" against Germany's eastern neighbors, while delegating the political responsibility for the Nazi war of conquest, expropriation and extermination to the WW I Allies.
Humiliated
According to the latest edition of the German "Der Spiegel" news magazine, the Treaty of Versailles is why the "Second World War had to follow the first". France, in particular, "didn't miss a chance" to "publicly humiliate the Germans". The treaty is itself the outcome of military pressure exerted by the WW I Allies: "Allied Commander in Chief Ferdinand Foch, a Frenchman, had already planned the advance toward the Main River, seeking the political division of Germany into a northern and southern sector. The unity was at stake."[1]
Become Larger
The "Spiegel" then denounces the treaty itself, as a violation of international law, writing that the peace treaty was based on the principle of the "right of self-determination" announced by the US President at the time, Woodrow Wilson, and caused "huge expectations" in Germany. But because Wilson failed to "consequently apply his premise", these expectations were utterly frustrated. According to the "Spiegel", the German Reich would have had to become "larger rather than smaller" - because "millions of Austrians and Sudeten Germans wanted integration into the Weimar Republic."[2]
Without Identity
The German daily "Die Welt" takes a similar position and writes that the Versailles Treaty and the accompanying peace treaties rendered the "principle of the right of self-determination" ad absurdum. For example, the Treaty of St. Germain did "not bring happiness" to the Austrian Republic: "The majority of Austrians did not feel a separate identity."[3] The "annexation" imposed on Austria in 1938 by Nazi Germany, under the threat of military force, is presented as a necessity and politically opportune: "The Nazis were following a policy to revise WW I and won enormous sympathy among the German population," asserts the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" for example.[4]
Occupied Territory
With such statements, the German press is closely following the argumentation of the "associations of expellees", which have, for decades, raised claims against neighboring countries to the east, often criticizing the Treaty of Versailles. For example the organ of the "Homeland Association East Prussia," the "Preußische Allgemeine Zeitung", writes, "contrary to the right of self-determination, Germans in Austria and in the German Reich were denied unification."[5] The arguments of "Sudeten German" organizations are very similar. In a current exhibition of the "Sudeten German Homeland Association" one can read for example that the "lands of the Sudeten" had been "occupied" after WW I and had "never belonged legally to the CSR." This is why the September 1938 Munich dictate, in which Nazi Germany annexed large parts of Czechoslovakia under the threat of military force, should be seen as being in accordance with international law (german-foreign-policy.com reported [6]). Still today, the Federal Republic of Germany has refused to officially declare that the Munich dictate was "null and void" from the outset.
Attack on German Life
The media's discussion of the Treaty of Versailles is opening the possibility for the German extreme right to link this discussion to the propaganda of the Nazis. The peace treaty facilitated the "general attack, directed by Prague and Warsaw, on German life in the abandoned regions" and permitted "the arbitrary military assault on German state territory by Germany's opponents," writes the nationalist conservative "Junge Freiheit".[7] This journal exceeds the statements of other press organs, making WW II appear not only as a logical consequence of the peaceful order laid down in Versailles but even as a legitimate war of self-defense.
Unfeasible
Though the German Left does not share those standpoints, yet it obviously seems that some of them are considered common knowledge. The "Neues Deutschland" the daily newspaper close to the "THE LEFT" party, writes of the "harsh cessions of territory" and "high reparations" imposed on the Germans by the Treaty of Versailles. This "socialist daily" therefore calls the treaty "unfeasible".[8]
[1], [2] Klaus Wiegrefe: Der Unfriede von Versailles; Der Spiegel 06.07.2009
[3] Sven Felix Kellerhoff: Ein nur gut gemeinter Frieden; Die Welt 26.06.2009
[4] Gerd Krumeich: "Deutschland hat durch den Krieg seine Leidenschaft für die Tyrannei befriedigen wollen."; Süddeutsche Zeitung 27.06.2009
[5] Manuel Ruoff: Diktat statt Verständigung; Preußische Allgemeine Zeitung 27.06.2009
[6] see also An Educational Venue
[7] Stefan Scheil: Versailles als Beispiel: Deutschlands Elitenversagen; Junge Freiheit 19.06.2009
[8] Erwin Könnemann: Das Diktat von Versailles... und wie das Völkergemetzel 1919 beendet wurde; Neues Deutschland 27.06.2009
************
I actually agree the Versailles peace treaty was fatally flawed, but where does Germany go with this? Truth can be used for good or exploited for evil. According to biblical prophecy, I dare say Germany will increasingly shake off all guilt for WWII and become violently angry at those who imposed guilt upon them. Let the world be warned: Germany is back with a vengeance!
Is Germany in Danger of Backsliding?
Germany Behind the Mask
The Intelligence Summit Misses the Mark: the German-Jesuit Threat to World Peace
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Disturbing Nazi-Catholic Connection
Pope Benedict and National Socialism—the Connection
By Ron Fraser
Few commentators have picked up on the connection between Pope Benedict’s recent encyclical on the global economy and Nazi ideology. Cause and effect. There’s a binding universal law that connects the two. So it is with Pope Benedict’s most recent, long-awaited encyclical, “Caritas in Veritate” (“In Charity and Truth”). That encyclical is inherently joined to a consistent theme that has run through Catholic social doctrine over the past 120 years, finding its most extreme political outlet in the National Socialism that gripped Europe in the wake of the great global crisis of the 1920s and ’30s.
Is it entirely coincidental that this pope would choose the worst global economic crisis since the Great Depression to profoundly endorse those same principles that laced the economic theories of fascism and Nazism just one lifetime ago during a similar crisis?
Pope Benedict’s encyclical is the latest contribution to Catholic economic theory, traditionally known as Catholic social doctrine. That doctrine is founded upon Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical “Rerum Novarum” (“On the Condition of Labor”), issued in 1891 in response to the tensions that resulted between capital and labor in the wake of the Industrial Revolution. It endorsed an essentially socialist approach to economic control.
Building upon the theme established in “Rerum Novarum,” Pope Pius XI issued his encyclical of May 15, 1931, titled “Quadragesimo Anno” (“On the Reconstruction of the Social Order”). The text of that encyclical introduced the concept of subsidiarity that has long since become a catch cry of the European Union.
Pope John XXIII followed up with the introduction of the theme of globalism, calling for all peoples to live as one community working for the common good, in his encyclical titled “Mater et Magistra” (“Christianity and Social Progress”), issued May 15, 1961. This publicized the concept of a global “common market,” working for the good of the “global community,” themes that are deeply embedded in the general philosophy that is behind development of the EU.
The theme of solidarity then threaded its way into Catholic social doctrine with the release of the encyclical “Populorum Progressio” (“The Development of Peoples”) by Pope Paul VI, March 26, 1967. Twenty years later, “Solidarity” became the motto of the Vatican-sponsored Polish workers movement, which was the prime mover behind the effort to break the Communist yoke on Eastern Europe thus enabling the EU to build its long-awaited eastern leg ... Click here to continue
By Ron Fraser
Few commentators have picked up on the connection between Pope Benedict’s recent encyclical on the global economy and Nazi ideology. Cause and effect. There’s a binding universal law that connects the two. So it is with Pope Benedict’s most recent, long-awaited encyclical, “Caritas in Veritate” (“In Charity and Truth”). That encyclical is inherently joined to a consistent theme that has run through Catholic social doctrine over the past 120 years, finding its most extreme political outlet in the National Socialism that gripped Europe in the wake of the great global crisis of the 1920s and ’30s.
Is it entirely coincidental that this pope would choose the worst global economic crisis since the Great Depression to profoundly endorse those same principles that laced the economic theories of fascism and Nazism just one lifetime ago during a similar crisis?
Pope Benedict’s encyclical is the latest contribution to Catholic economic theory, traditionally known as Catholic social doctrine. That doctrine is founded upon Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical “Rerum Novarum” (“On the Condition of Labor”), issued in 1891 in response to the tensions that resulted between capital and labor in the wake of the Industrial Revolution. It endorsed an essentially socialist approach to economic control.
Building upon the theme established in “Rerum Novarum,” Pope Pius XI issued his encyclical of May 15, 1931, titled “Quadragesimo Anno” (“On the Reconstruction of the Social Order”). The text of that encyclical introduced the concept of subsidiarity that has long since become a catch cry of the European Union.
Pope John XXIII followed up with the introduction of the theme of globalism, calling for all peoples to live as one community working for the common good, in his encyclical titled “Mater et Magistra” (“Christianity and Social Progress”), issued May 15, 1961. This publicized the concept of a global “common market,” working for the good of the “global community,” themes that are deeply embedded in the general philosophy that is behind development of the EU.
The theme of solidarity then threaded its way into Catholic social doctrine with the release of the encyclical “Populorum Progressio” (“The Development of Peoples”) by Pope Paul VI, March 26, 1967. Twenty years later, “Solidarity” became the motto of the Vatican-sponsored Polish workers movement, which was the prime mover behind the effort to break the Communist yoke on Eastern Europe thus enabling the EU to build its long-awaited eastern leg ... Click here to continue
Open Europe press summary: 14 July 2009
Europe
Demonstrations expected in Stockholm against EU-wide surveillance scheme
Stockholm expects to see around 30 different demonstrations this week when EU ministers meet under the Swedish Presidency, reports Dagens Nyheter. Major demonstrations are expected in connection with the EU Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Ministers (JHA Council), which will discuss the 'Stockholm Programme'. Plans entailed in the programme to create a centralised EU surveillance body are particularly controversial, and several different civil liberties groups have raised concerns over the plans' implications for privacy rights.
A leader in Expressen argues that the Stockholm Programme risks becoming a "milestone on the road towards a more repressive Big Brother-EU...In accordance with the tradition, the public was not supposed to know the details of the [Stockholm] programme before it's too late to protest [against] it. The only reason we know is because many of the details have in fact been leaked. Should there be a Europe wide surveillance regime the EU should at least bother to discuss it with the people it seeks to monitor."
Expressen Dagens Nyheter
Sun: German Court decision on Lisbon Treaty rejects EP as a democratic body
The Sun reports that German Constitutional Court judges called the Lisbon Treaty an "illegal power grab", in their judgement last week, as the Treaty takes away sovereignty from nation states in a number of areas, such as the right to set laws on defence, taxes, the police and education. The Treaty cannot be ratified in Germany until a new law guaranteeing the rights of the German parliament in the EU-decision making process has been approved by the parliament. Open Europe is quoted as saying: "British MPs need to wake up -- and demand the same powers."
A leader in the Sun writes that the German court decision "even rejects the EU Parliament as a democratic body - pointing out that it does not even have a proper Opposition. This must surely put paid forever to the grandiose dream of a European superstate?"
Meanwhile Czech daily, the Prague Monitor reports that some Czech Senators have indicated that they might lodge a complaint over the Treaty with the Czech Constitutional Court in the first half of August.
Sun EUobserver Sun: Leader Prague Monitor
Butter mountains to return to the EU
EU agriculture ministers have agreed to continue buying off excess butter and skimmed milk powder until March 2010, despite plans to end the measure in August, amounting to a subsidy worth €27 million, Die Presse reports.
European Voice notes that the measures are expected to be signed off in October, despite objections from the UK and Denmark, who oppose the plans on principle. It notes that the Commission has bought 81,000 tonnes of butter and 203,000 tonnes of skimmed milk powder this year. The extension agreed yesterday means that an extra 31,000 tonnes of butter and 50,000 tonnes of skimmed-milk powder is likely to be bought between September 2009 and January 2010.
Le Monde reports that dairy farmers are set to demonstrate today in Strasbourg in the hope that MEPs will decide on a reducing of dairy quotas, to increase dairy prices, and that a fixed regulation of the sector will be established.
European Voice Liberation Le Monde European Voice RTE News l Die Presse Handelsblatt Kerknet Kauppalehti Maerkische Allgemeine European Voice
Pöttering calls on "pro-European MEPs to co-operate well so the anti-Europeans cannot make their voices heard so strongly"
The Times reports that, during the inaugural session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday, Hans-Gert Pöttering, outgoing President of the European Parliament said, "I think it is very important that the pro-European MEPs co-operate well so the anti-Europeans cannot make their voices heard so strongly." The article notes that the opening ceremony involved the raising of the European flag by the Eurocorps and Beethoven's Ode to Joy (the European Anthem).
Meanwhile, the Telegraph reports that critics have accused federalists of hijacking the opening ceremony, noting that symbols of statehood such as the anthem were dropped from the Lisbon Treaty following the French and Dutch 'No' votes to the EU Constitution in 2005. Timothy Kirkhope, leader of Conservative MEPs in the Parliament, said "These displays are Europe attempting to take upon itself a character that the vast majority of its citizens do not want."
El País reports that former Polish PM Jerzy Buzek was elected yesterday as President of the European Parliament but that Barroso's nomination as President of the Commission is still at risk. According to the article, a member of the EPP said "if Barroso isn't elected in July, his candidature is practically dead". EurActiv reports that Martin Schulz, the leader of the Socialist group in the European Parliament, has formulated eleven demands for the next President of the Commission, which the article reports appear to be largely inspired by the Socialists' own manifesto for the European elections.
The IHT carries the headline "Heading European Parliament Brings Prestige, Not Power or Pay", noting that Buzek will receive the same salary as an MEP but "all official travel is paid for and the president has the V.I.P. trappings of an international leader".
Times BBC Telegraph El Pais IHT BBC El Mundo El Mundo 2 Le Figaro El Mundo 3 EurActiv El Mundo 4
New EU directive aims to control banks' remuneration and proprietary policies
An EU directive published on Monday would require that banks "roughly double current trading book capital requirements" the FT reports. The document, which was published with the Basel Committee's draft global rules for financial regulation, could cost banks profits, as it would be twice as expensive to practice proprietary trading, or betting with the banks' own money.
City AM and EurActiv note that the EU directive will further regulate the market by targeting banks' remuneration policies and penalising bonuses that encourage unnecessary risk. The WSJ states that key industry lobbying group, European Banking Association, warns that banking supervisors should not have control over the remuneration policies of banks.
FT City AM EUobserver EurActiv WSJ El Pais Forbes RP
FT: EU's proposed directive on hedge funds will depend heavily on who serves as 'rapporteur'
An analysis in the FT looks at the EU's proposed directive on alternative investment funds and writes that amendments to the proposal are likely, but "progress in parliament is hard to predict because of deal-making over party agendas and jockeying for committee posts following last month's elections... Much will depend on who serves as 'rapporteur' - the MEP whose job is to oversee the legislation's passage through the parliament." It goes on to say, "if, as often happens, the parliament and council end up with substantially different legislative texts [on the directive], the real haggling will start. A crucial role could be played by diplomats from Spain or Belgium, the next to hold the rotating presidency. An additional unknown is who will take over from Charlie McCreevy as internal market commissioner."
Meanwhile, writing to the Guardian, Conservative MEP John Purvis urges the hedge fund and private equity industries to "open up and build alliances across Europe and within the European institutions to tackle this politically inspired and misguided legislation."
FT: Analysis Guardian: Letters City AM
Barroso: Irish must vote Yes to keep commissioner
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has warned Ireland that they must vote Yes to the Lisbon Treaty in order to keep the right of appointing a Commissioner, the Irish Times reports. Barroso said in an interview, "With Lisbon it would be always possible to have one commissioner per member state... if you keep Nice then member states will not have the possibility to send a member to the commission all the time. So that is an important argument to vote for Lisbon I believe".
Irish Times
Turkmenistan and Iraq say they are ready to supply Nabucco gas pipeline
The Telegraph reports that four EU countries and Turkey have signed a deal to build the €7.9 billion Nabucco gas pipeline. It will have the capacity to pump 31 billion cubic metres of gas from the Caspian Sea to Austria, bypassing Russia. The article notes that both Turkmenistan and Iraq have indicated that they could provide supplies for the pipeline.
A leader in the FT notes that "Nabucco remains far from a done deal: it is unclear where the gas will come from", saying that, "Iran, Turkmenistan and Iraq have large reserves, but hardly qualify as riskless sources of supply". The IHT quotes Ana Jelenkovic, an Analyst at Eurasia Group in London, adding, "We have no map. There are no committed supplies, and no committed financing."
Telegraph 1 Telegraph 2 Euractiv FT FT: Leader WSJ 1 WSJ 2 IHT Le Monde Irish Times Zeit DPA FTD Wiwo Seeking Alpha Sueddeutsche
New temporary 'financial perspectives' committee to be created in 2012?
The Coulisses de Bruxelles blog reports that an agreement between the main parties foresees the creation in January 2012 of a temporary European Parliamentary committee on 'financial perspectives' (focussing on the budget of the EU). Quatremer adds that it seems likely the Committee President will be from the EPP and the rapporteur a liberal.
Coulisses de Bruxelles
EurActiv reports that the EU's central web portal Europa is being revamped and will be unveiled in the coming weeks. The article reports that EU officials now admit "there is too much information and it is hard to know where to start looking".
EurActiv
The Coulisses de Bruxelles blog reports that French MEPs have been excluded from senior posts in the European Parliament Bureau (Vice-Presidents and Quaestors), despite gaining control of some committees. A French diplomat said "It is the first time for a very, very long time that this has happened".
Coulisses de Bruxelles
The Coulisses de Bruxelles blog reports that EPP President Joseph Daul has confirmed that the European Socialists are ready to vote on the investiture of Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on 16 September. Daul however added that it will be formally decided tomorrow during a meeting of the presidents of the main political groups in the European Parliament.
Coulisses de Bruxelles
An opinion piece in the WSJ by Andrew Wilson and Nicu Popescu, Policy Fellows at the European Council on Foreign Relations, argues that the EU's policy toward eastern Europe should not be based on the "remote prospect of accession, nor on 'enlargement-lite' policies that are effectively trying to export the EU's rulebook and promote EU interests without offering accession or substantial financial assistance in exchange."
WSJ
EUobserver reports that non-EU countries Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein will renew a scheme to fund energy, social and democracy projects in the EU's poorest member states.
EUobserver
The Telegraph reports that the newly elected BNP MEPs will collect combined salaries and allowances worth over £700,000 a year.
Telegraph
Spain's Partido Popular (PP) is urging José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's government to produce an agenda for the country's upcoming EU presidency with concrete themes on which the government will focus during the six month period. In a press conference yesterday, he noted that Spain's priorities will be tackling illegal immigration and strengthening Frontex.
El Mundo El Mundo 2
The WSJ reports that the European Association of Automotive Suppliers has started pushing for the EU to set up a €3 billion fund that would let auto suppliers that are owed money by car makers get paid sooner, as many are suffering from cash flow problems.
WSJ
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
Demonstrations expected in Stockholm against EU-wide surveillance scheme
Stockholm expects to see around 30 different demonstrations this week when EU ministers meet under the Swedish Presidency, reports Dagens Nyheter. Major demonstrations are expected in connection with the EU Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Ministers (JHA Council), which will discuss the 'Stockholm Programme'. Plans entailed in the programme to create a centralised EU surveillance body are particularly controversial, and several different civil liberties groups have raised concerns over the plans' implications for privacy rights.
A leader in Expressen argues that the Stockholm Programme risks becoming a "milestone on the road towards a more repressive Big Brother-EU...In accordance with the tradition, the public was not supposed to know the details of the [Stockholm] programme before it's too late to protest [against] it. The only reason we know is because many of the details have in fact been leaked. Should there be a Europe wide surveillance regime the EU should at least bother to discuss it with the people it seeks to monitor."
Expressen Dagens Nyheter
Sun: German Court decision on Lisbon Treaty rejects EP as a democratic body
The Sun reports that German Constitutional Court judges called the Lisbon Treaty an "illegal power grab", in their judgement last week, as the Treaty takes away sovereignty from nation states in a number of areas, such as the right to set laws on defence, taxes, the police and education. The Treaty cannot be ratified in Germany until a new law guaranteeing the rights of the German parliament in the EU-decision making process has been approved by the parliament. Open Europe is quoted as saying: "British MPs need to wake up -- and demand the same powers."
A leader in the Sun writes that the German court decision "even rejects the EU Parliament as a democratic body - pointing out that it does not even have a proper Opposition. This must surely put paid forever to the grandiose dream of a European superstate?"
Meanwhile Czech daily, the Prague Monitor reports that some Czech Senators have indicated that they might lodge a complaint over the Treaty with the Czech Constitutional Court in the first half of August.
Sun EUobserver Sun: Leader Prague Monitor
Butter mountains to return to the EU
EU agriculture ministers have agreed to continue buying off excess butter and skimmed milk powder until March 2010, despite plans to end the measure in August, amounting to a subsidy worth €27 million, Die Presse reports.
European Voice notes that the measures are expected to be signed off in October, despite objections from the UK and Denmark, who oppose the plans on principle. It notes that the Commission has bought 81,000 tonnes of butter and 203,000 tonnes of skimmed milk powder this year. The extension agreed yesterday means that an extra 31,000 tonnes of butter and 50,000 tonnes of skimmed-milk powder is likely to be bought between September 2009 and January 2010.
Le Monde reports that dairy farmers are set to demonstrate today in Strasbourg in the hope that MEPs will decide on a reducing of dairy quotas, to increase dairy prices, and that a fixed regulation of the sector will be established.
European Voice Liberation Le Monde European Voice RTE News l Die Presse Handelsblatt Kerknet Kauppalehti Maerkische Allgemeine European Voice
Pöttering calls on "pro-European MEPs to co-operate well so the anti-Europeans cannot make their voices heard so strongly"
The Times reports that, during the inaugural session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday, Hans-Gert Pöttering, outgoing President of the European Parliament said, "I think it is very important that the pro-European MEPs co-operate well so the anti-Europeans cannot make their voices heard so strongly." The article notes that the opening ceremony involved the raising of the European flag by the Eurocorps and Beethoven's Ode to Joy (the European Anthem).
Meanwhile, the Telegraph reports that critics have accused federalists of hijacking the opening ceremony, noting that symbols of statehood such as the anthem were dropped from the Lisbon Treaty following the French and Dutch 'No' votes to the EU Constitution in 2005. Timothy Kirkhope, leader of Conservative MEPs in the Parliament, said "These displays are Europe attempting to take upon itself a character that the vast majority of its citizens do not want."
El País reports that former Polish PM Jerzy Buzek was elected yesterday as President of the European Parliament but that Barroso's nomination as President of the Commission is still at risk. According to the article, a member of the EPP said "if Barroso isn't elected in July, his candidature is practically dead". EurActiv reports that Martin Schulz, the leader of the Socialist group in the European Parliament, has formulated eleven demands for the next President of the Commission, which the article reports appear to be largely inspired by the Socialists' own manifesto for the European elections.
The IHT carries the headline "Heading European Parliament Brings Prestige, Not Power or Pay", noting that Buzek will receive the same salary as an MEP but "all official travel is paid for and the president has the V.I.P. trappings of an international leader".
Times BBC Telegraph El Pais IHT BBC El Mundo El Mundo 2 Le Figaro El Mundo 3 EurActiv El Mundo 4
New EU directive aims to control banks' remuneration and proprietary policies
An EU directive published on Monday would require that banks "roughly double current trading book capital requirements" the FT reports. The document, which was published with the Basel Committee's draft global rules for financial regulation, could cost banks profits, as it would be twice as expensive to practice proprietary trading, or betting with the banks' own money.
City AM and EurActiv note that the EU directive will further regulate the market by targeting banks' remuneration policies and penalising bonuses that encourage unnecessary risk. The WSJ states that key industry lobbying group, European Banking Association, warns that banking supervisors should not have control over the remuneration policies of banks.
FT City AM EUobserver EurActiv WSJ El Pais Forbes RP
FT: EU's proposed directive on hedge funds will depend heavily on who serves as 'rapporteur'
An analysis in the FT looks at the EU's proposed directive on alternative investment funds and writes that amendments to the proposal are likely, but "progress in parliament is hard to predict because of deal-making over party agendas and jockeying for committee posts following last month's elections... Much will depend on who serves as 'rapporteur' - the MEP whose job is to oversee the legislation's passage through the parliament." It goes on to say, "if, as often happens, the parliament and council end up with substantially different legislative texts [on the directive], the real haggling will start. A crucial role could be played by diplomats from Spain or Belgium, the next to hold the rotating presidency. An additional unknown is who will take over from Charlie McCreevy as internal market commissioner."
Meanwhile, writing to the Guardian, Conservative MEP John Purvis urges the hedge fund and private equity industries to "open up and build alliances across Europe and within the European institutions to tackle this politically inspired and misguided legislation."
FT: Analysis Guardian: Letters City AM
Barroso: Irish must vote Yes to keep commissioner
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has warned Ireland that they must vote Yes to the Lisbon Treaty in order to keep the right of appointing a Commissioner, the Irish Times reports. Barroso said in an interview, "With Lisbon it would be always possible to have one commissioner per member state... if you keep Nice then member states will not have the possibility to send a member to the commission all the time. So that is an important argument to vote for Lisbon I believe".
Irish Times
Turkmenistan and Iraq say they are ready to supply Nabucco gas pipeline
The Telegraph reports that four EU countries and Turkey have signed a deal to build the €7.9 billion Nabucco gas pipeline. It will have the capacity to pump 31 billion cubic metres of gas from the Caspian Sea to Austria, bypassing Russia. The article notes that both Turkmenistan and Iraq have indicated that they could provide supplies for the pipeline.
A leader in the FT notes that "Nabucco remains far from a done deal: it is unclear where the gas will come from", saying that, "Iran, Turkmenistan and Iraq have large reserves, but hardly qualify as riskless sources of supply". The IHT quotes Ana Jelenkovic, an Analyst at Eurasia Group in London, adding, "We have no map. There are no committed supplies, and no committed financing."
Telegraph 1 Telegraph 2 Euractiv FT FT: Leader WSJ 1 WSJ 2 IHT Le Monde Irish Times Zeit DPA FTD Wiwo Seeking Alpha Sueddeutsche
New temporary 'financial perspectives' committee to be created in 2012?
The Coulisses de Bruxelles blog reports that an agreement between the main parties foresees the creation in January 2012 of a temporary European Parliamentary committee on 'financial perspectives' (focussing on the budget of the EU). Quatremer adds that it seems likely the Committee President will be from the EPP and the rapporteur a liberal.
Coulisses de Bruxelles
EurActiv reports that the EU's central web portal Europa is being revamped and will be unveiled in the coming weeks. The article reports that EU officials now admit "there is too much information and it is hard to know where to start looking".
EurActiv
The Coulisses de Bruxelles blog reports that French MEPs have been excluded from senior posts in the European Parliament Bureau (Vice-Presidents and Quaestors), despite gaining control of some committees. A French diplomat said "It is the first time for a very, very long time that this has happened".
Coulisses de Bruxelles
The Coulisses de Bruxelles blog reports that EPP President Joseph Daul has confirmed that the European Socialists are ready to vote on the investiture of Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on 16 September. Daul however added that it will be formally decided tomorrow during a meeting of the presidents of the main political groups in the European Parliament.
Coulisses de Bruxelles
An opinion piece in the WSJ by Andrew Wilson and Nicu Popescu, Policy Fellows at the European Council on Foreign Relations, argues that the EU's policy toward eastern Europe should not be based on the "remote prospect of accession, nor on 'enlargement-lite' policies that are effectively trying to export the EU's rulebook and promote EU interests without offering accession or substantial financial assistance in exchange."
WSJ
EUobserver reports that non-EU countries Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein will renew a scheme to fund energy, social and democracy projects in the EU's poorest member states.
EUobserver
The Telegraph reports that the newly elected BNP MEPs will collect combined salaries and allowances worth over £700,000 a year.
Telegraph
Spain's Partido Popular (PP) is urging José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's government to produce an agenda for the country's upcoming EU presidency with concrete themes on which the government will focus during the six month period. In a press conference yesterday, he noted that Spain's priorities will be tackling illegal immigration and strengthening Frontex.
El Mundo El Mundo 2
The WSJ reports that the European Association of Automotive Suppliers has started pushing for the EU to set up a €3 billion fund that would let auto suppliers that are owed money by car makers get paid sooner, as many are suffering from cash flow problems.
WSJ
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Open Europe press summary: 13 July 2009
Europe
Joschka Fischer: "Europe will... continue to progress as an alliance of states in a state of integration", whether German court likes it or not
In Die Zeit, former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer criticises the judgement of the German Constitutional Court, saying that "Europe will, despite numerous setbacks and crises, continue to progress as an alliance of states in a state of integration, whether Karlsruhe likes it or not".
Handelsblatt reports that the Bavarian CSU party has declared that the German Parliament should have extensive binding powers with regards to the German government's EU policies. Horst Seehofer, CSU leader is quoted saying that "Europe should be able to function, but it also has to be democratically legitimate" adding that "one should not cut down on democracy to save time". Sueddeutsche notes that CSU's stance following the German Constitutional Court's judgement on the Lisbon Treaty is increasingly becoming a problem for the credibility of Angela Merkel's EU policies.
Meanwhile, in his FT column, Wolfgang Münchau argues that "European integration ends with the Lisbon treaty", as the judgement said that "member states must have sovereignty in the following areas: criminal law, police, military operations, fiscal policy, social policy, education, culture, media, and relations with religious groups." Singling out fiscal policy, Münchau argues, "A decision that essentially rules out effective economic crisis management in a monetary union, by anchoring all relevant political decisions at the national level, is hardly consistent with a sustainable single currency". They concluded that "at the very least, anyone locked in a monetary union with Germany should be very worried."
Handelsblatt Sueddeutsche FAZ 1 FAZ 2 Sueddeutsche 1 Sueddeutsche 2 Sueddeutsche: Grosser AFP Focus FT: Münchau Die Zeit OE blog
EU politicians line up to visit Ireland ahead of second referendum
EurActiv reports that Jerzy Buzek, the likely next President of the European Parliament, has said that if he is elected, he will travel to Ireland ahead of the second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, "to tell people what the treaty is for" and "what's going on in it". He also indicated that he could travel there with former EP President Pat Cox. The article reports that this is a significant about-turn for the EU political establishment, which in the run-up to the first Irish referendum made a point of not actively involving itself in the 'yes' campaign. The article reports that this time around, the 'yes' forces will have no such qualms about making their presence felt in the Irish referendum run-up.
EurActiv OE blog
New EU data centre to have €100 million budget
El Mundo covers a report in Der Spiegel saying that the EU is preparing to establish a data centre which holds sensitive personal information. The article notes that the centre has a budget of €100 million and will unite data centres which currently function independently. It will be called the 'Agency for the management of large IT systems in the field of liberty, security and justice'. German liberal MEP Alexander Alvaro said "centralising such a gigantic quantity of different data only makes sense if they want to create profiles of people".
El Mundo
Leading investors: EU's proposed directive on alternative investment could make pension schemes less affordable
Some of Europe's leading institutional investors have strongly criticised the EU's proposed directive on alternative investments, claiming the directive will significantly limit their investment options and make pension provision more expensive, the WSJ reports. According to the article, the National Association of Pension Funds and the Association of British Insurers will seek to lobby the EU institutions to seek changes to the proposal.
Lindsay Tomlinson, the incoming chairman of the NAPF and European Vice-Chairman of asset manager Barclays Global Investors, said: "if implemented as drafted, [the directive] would have many consequences that in aggregate do not seem to benefit investors. The problem in amending this draft is to decide where to start". Richard McIndoe, Head of the Strathclyde Pension fund, one of the biggest of the UK's local government schemes, said: "As an investor in private equity, I don't see further regulation of the industry as necessary", adding that the Directive "will have a dramatic impact on the affordability of defined benefit pension schemes".
Meanwhile, Jerry Moriarty, Director of Policy at the Irish Association of Pension Funds, said: "Irish pension schemes have been steadily increasing their holdings in alternative and international asset classes and, if implemented, the directive would adversely impact their diversification strategies".
In Saturday's Telegraph, Damian Reece criticised the proposal, noting that "Far from hacking at [the City] with blunt regulatory tools to try to beat it into submission, the EU should be embracing it as one of the few truly modern, ground-breaking industries of a global scale that it has. What else is there? Steel? Farming?" In the Independent on Sunday, Margareta Pagano argued, "Surely the real point is that nobody is a winner in this battle, neither Paris nor Frankfurt nor any other European city. In fact, the reverse is true".
On his Telegraph blog, Dan Hannan MEP argues that "Now you can blame an awful lot of people for the credit crunch...one set of people you can't blame are managers of private equity".
WSJ Independent on Sunday-Pagano Observer-Hutton Telegraph: Reece Telegraph: Hannan blog
CBI calls for cut in spending on renewables as Government warns of increase in energy costs to reach EU targets
The Telegraph reports that the Government's renewable energy strategy, due to be unveiled on Wednesday, is expected to say that more than £100 billion must be spent to build Britain's renewable energy infrastructure by 2020. The funding will come from a levy on energy bills, meaning a rise of up to 20 percent or more than £200 annually. About 2 per cent of Britain's energy is currently derived from renewable sources but the Government has promised to increase this to 15 percent within the next 12 years, under EU rules.
A separate article looks at a new McKinsey report, commissioned by the CBI, which calls for the Government's "overly ambitious" targets on renewable energy generation to be offset by nuclear power. It suggests rising nuclear spend by £15bn and carbon capture by £7bn, while cutting investment in expensive gas projects by £11bn and wind by £12bn. The CBI argues this would mean 83% our electricity will come from low-carbon sources, compared with 64% under a business as usual model. Meanwhile, power sector emissions would halve by 2020 and halve again by 2030, getting the UK back on track with its longer-term carbon targets.
Meanwhile, Roland Rudd of Business for New Europe argues in the Telegraph that the EU has a "crucial role" to play with regards to climate change efforts. John Grummer, the chairman of the Conservative Party's Quality of Life Policy Group, said that the Kyoto Treaty is evidence of the EU's influential powers, "the very fact that the EU made Kyoto possible should fire us up to raise our game on climate change".
Telegraph Telegraph 2 Telegraph 3 OE research FT FT 2 CBI press release
New European Parliament session meets in Strasbourg this week
European Voice reports that French socialist MEP Pervenche Beres is likely to head up the new Employment and Social Affairs Committee, and centre-right German MEP Herbert Reul could chair the Industry Committee. Italian MEP Mario Mauro is likely to be chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee as a consolation prize for backing out of the race for EP President, and UK Labour MEP Brian Simpson is to chair the Transport Committee. Membership of the new committees will be finalised at the first plenary session on Thursday.
The FT reports that Poland's former Prime Minister, Jerzy Buzek, is likely to be elected as President of the European Parliament this week, strengthening the influence of eastern Europe in the EU.
EUobserver European Voice EurActiv EurActiv 2 EurActiv 3 Sueddeutsche FAZ El Mundo FT
French star architect refurbishes Brussels Euro-quarter
Handelsblatt reports that the winning architect of the Urban Planning competition for the rejuvenation of the European quarter in Brussels, Christian de Portzamparc, has indicated that he envisages an additional 400,000 square metres more of office space in an attempt to bring life back to the Brussels 'ghost-town' Euro-quarter.
Handelsblatt
EU governments agree to reduce 2010 budget
On Friday, EU governments agreed to cut next year's budget by €613 million, bringing the proposed budget to €138 billion, European Voice reports. However, El Mundo notes that the 27 member states want an even smaller budget than the one proposed by the European Commission.European Voice El Mundo
Sarkozy willing to give up Strasbourg for NATO?
El Mundo reports on the poor construction of the Strasbourg Parliament, noting that following the collapse of the roof, it has been discovered that the building does not meet fire safety standards. The article notes that the European Parliament's Strasbourg seat is controversial and there are rumours that French President Nicolas Sarkozy is willing to give up the Parliament if the NATO headquarters moves to Strasbourg.
El Mundo
New EU law on seasonal workers could threaten wages, unions warn
Six Swedish Union Presidents argue today in an opinion piece in Svenska Dagbladet that a law drafted by the European Commission could lead to wage dumping. They note that the law, which concerns seasonal workers born outside of the EU, is unclear and should therefore be scrapped.
Currently citizens from outside the EU can work for up to three months without applying for a resident's permit, provided that they fulfil the visa requirements. If the new European law is implemented, citizens from outside the EU would be allowed to work for a period of nine months per calendar year for a maximum period of four to five years. The agricultural sector along with the tourism and construction sectors are likely to be the most affected, should the proposal become law.
Svenska Dagbladet
The Mail on Sunday reported that the UK's £750million e-Borders scheme, which is due to become fully operational by December next year, has been accused of breaching EU law.
Mail
Writing in the Telegraph, Ambrose Evans-Pritchard looks at the economic prospects for the EU and writes, "Viewed strategically, Europe's mix of monetary deflation and rampant deficit spending by the states is nothing short of lunatic...How do Europe's voters sack the ECB?"
Telegraph
The Economist's Charlemagne blog examines the Swedish position on Turkish EU accession, and suggests that Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt "does not just talk about Turkey favourably because he thinks this goes down well with Swedish voters. His position is both more sincere than that, and much more challenging to French ways of viewing the world."
Economist: Charlemagne's notebook
The WSJ reports that President Dmitry Medvedev has said that Russia could rethink a controversial change in its plans to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO), saying that joining as part of a customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan could be "problematic".
WSJ
European Voice reports that the EU member states have today approved a planned trade deal with South Korea. The draft deal which comes after two years of negotiations with South Korea.
LeJDD European Voice Forbes
The EU has called for the United Nations to recognise a Palestinian state by a certain deadline, even without Israeli or Palestinian authorisation. In a speech on Saturday, Javier Solana, EU Foreign Policy Chief, called for an international deadline to be set. AFP
The Times reports that five countries will sign an agreement today intended to end Russia's monopoly on gas supply to Europe. However, delays in securing adequate funding and political agreement mean that the pipeline may not be ready until 2015.
EUobserver Guardian RFI Express RTBF Times Google News ABC Irish Times
BBC La Razon DN Liberation
Expansión reports that the European Commission is preparing a directive to create a guarantee fund for the insurance industry, which operates in the same way as the fund for the banking sector. The article notes that the fund would cover individuals and that for life insurance policies there would be a minimum limit of €100,000.
Expansion
The EU Law blog notes that the number of opinions the European Commission received from national parliaments has increased steadily from 53 in 2006, 115 in 2007, to 200 in 2008. It notes that the opinions of national parliaments tended to be in line with the positions taken by the member States in Council.
EU Law
The Irish Independent reports that Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo, a member of the European Central Bank governing board, has warned that Spain's economy will take longer to recover than most other eurozone countries. The article notes that the European Commission expects Spain's unemployment to rise to 20.5% next year.
Irish Independent El Pais
A leader in the FT focuses on Jose Manuel Barroso's re-appointment as Commission President, arguing that it seems uncertain. The article adds that, "Mr Barroso must show that he will be more independent in a second term".
FT: Leader
Writing for Conservative Home, MEP Nirj Deva proposes that "more than 75% of the laws that an ordinary British now lives under is indeed first made in the Europe".
Conservative Home: Deva
The Telegraph reports on the fact that Tony Blair has lost Nicolas Sarkozy's support in becoming the new President of the EU.
Telegraph
DPA reports that opposition from five members of Iceland's governing coalition is complicating the government's plans to make a bid for European Union membership this month.
DPA Fishupdate Handelsblatt Deutsche Welle Makfax LeTemps
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
Joschka Fischer: "Europe will... continue to progress as an alliance of states in a state of integration", whether German court likes it or not
In Die Zeit, former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer criticises the judgement of the German Constitutional Court, saying that "Europe will, despite numerous setbacks and crises, continue to progress as an alliance of states in a state of integration, whether Karlsruhe likes it or not".
Handelsblatt reports that the Bavarian CSU party has declared that the German Parliament should have extensive binding powers with regards to the German government's EU policies. Horst Seehofer, CSU leader is quoted saying that "Europe should be able to function, but it also has to be democratically legitimate" adding that "one should not cut down on democracy to save time". Sueddeutsche notes that CSU's stance following the German Constitutional Court's judgement on the Lisbon Treaty is increasingly becoming a problem for the credibility of Angela Merkel's EU policies.
Meanwhile, in his FT column, Wolfgang Münchau argues that "European integration ends with the Lisbon treaty", as the judgement said that "member states must have sovereignty in the following areas: criminal law, police, military operations, fiscal policy, social policy, education, culture, media, and relations with religious groups." Singling out fiscal policy, Münchau argues, "A decision that essentially rules out effective economic crisis management in a monetary union, by anchoring all relevant political decisions at the national level, is hardly consistent with a sustainable single currency". They concluded that "at the very least, anyone locked in a monetary union with Germany should be very worried."
Handelsblatt Sueddeutsche FAZ 1 FAZ 2 Sueddeutsche 1 Sueddeutsche 2 Sueddeutsche: Grosser AFP Focus FT: Münchau Die Zeit OE blog
EU politicians line up to visit Ireland ahead of second referendum
EurActiv reports that Jerzy Buzek, the likely next President of the European Parliament, has said that if he is elected, he will travel to Ireland ahead of the second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, "to tell people what the treaty is for" and "what's going on in it". He also indicated that he could travel there with former EP President Pat Cox. The article reports that this is a significant about-turn for the EU political establishment, which in the run-up to the first Irish referendum made a point of not actively involving itself in the 'yes' campaign. The article reports that this time around, the 'yes' forces will have no such qualms about making their presence felt in the Irish referendum run-up.
EurActiv OE blog
New EU data centre to have €100 million budget
El Mundo covers a report in Der Spiegel saying that the EU is preparing to establish a data centre which holds sensitive personal information. The article notes that the centre has a budget of €100 million and will unite data centres which currently function independently. It will be called the 'Agency for the management of large IT systems in the field of liberty, security and justice'. German liberal MEP Alexander Alvaro said "centralising such a gigantic quantity of different data only makes sense if they want to create profiles of people".
El Mundo
Leading investors: EU's proposed directive on alternative investment could make pension schemes less affordable
Some of Europe's leading institutional investors have strongly criticised the EU's proposed directive on alternative investments, claiming the directive will significantly limit their investment options and make pension provision more expensive, the WSJ reports. According to the article, the National Association of Pension Funds and the Association of British Insurers will seek to lobby the EU institutions to seek changes to the proposal.
Lindsay Tomlinson, the incoming chairman of the NAPF and European Vice-Chairman of asset manager Barclays Global Investors, said: "if implemented as drafted, [the directive] would have many consequences that in aggregate do not seem to benefit investors. The problem in amending this draft is to decide where to start". Richard McIndoe, Head of the Strathclyde Pension fund, one of the biggest of the UK's local government schemes, said: "As an investor in private equity, I don't see further regulation of the industry as necessary", adding that the Directive "will have a dramatic impact on the affordability of defined benefit pension schemes".
Meanwhile, Jerry Moriarty, Director of Policy at the Irish Association of Pension Funds, said: "Irish pension schemes have been steadily increasing their holdings in alternative and international asset classes and, if implemented, the directive would adversely impact their diversification strategies".
In Saturday's Telegraph, Damian Reece criticised the proposal, noting that "Far from hacking at [the City] with blunt regulatory tools to try to beat it into submission, the EU should be embracing it as one of the few truly modern, ground-breaking industries of a global scale that it has. What else is there? Steel? Farming?" In the Independent on Sunday, Margareta Pagano argued, "Surely the real point is that nobody is a winner in this battle, neither Paris nor Frankfurt nor any other European city. In fact, the reverse is true".
On his Telegraph blog, Dan Hannan MEP argues that "Now you can blame an awful lot of people for the credit crunch...one set of people you can't blame are managers of private equity".
WSJ Independent on Sunday-Pagano Observer-Hutton Telegraph: Reece Telegraph: Hannan blog
CBI calls for cut in spending on renewables as Government warns of increase in energy costs to reach EU targets
The Telegraph reports that the Government's renewable energy strategy, due to be unveiled on Wednesday, is expected to say that more than £100 billion must be spent to build Britain's renewable energy infrastructure by 2020. The funding will come from a levy on energy bills, meaning a rise of up to 20 percent or more than £200 annually. About 2 per cent of Britain's energy is currently derived from renewable sources but the Government has promised to increase this to 15 percent within the next 12 years, under EU rules.
A separate article looks at a new McKinsey report, commissioned by the CBI, which calls for the Government's "overly ambitious" targets on renewable energy generation to be offset by nuclear power. It suggests rising nuclear spend by £15bn and carbon capture by £7bn, while cutting investment in expensive gas projects by £11bn and wind by £12bn. The CBI argues this would mean 83% our electricity will come from low-carbon sources, compared with 64% under a business as usual model. Meanwhile, power sector emissions would halve by 2020 and halve again by 2030, getting the UK back on track with its longer-term carbon targets.
Meanwhile, Roland Rudd of Business for New Europe argues in the Telegraph that the EU has a "crucial role" to play with regards to climate change efforts. John Grummer, the chairman of the Conservative Party's Quality of Life Policy Group, said that the Kyoto Treaty is evidence of the EU's influential powers, "the very fact that the EU made Kyoto possible should fire us up to raise our game on climate change".
Telegraph Telegraph 2 Telegraph 3 OE research FT FT 2 CBI press release
New European Parliament session meets in Strasbourg this week
European Voice reports that French socialist MEP Pervenche Beres is likely to head up the new Employment and Social Affairs Committee, and centre-right German MEP Herbert Reul could chair the Industry Committee. Italian MEP Mario Mauro is likely to be chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee as a consolation prize for backing out of the race for EP President, and UK Labour MEP Brian Simpson is to chair the Transport Committee. Membership of the new committees will be finalised at the first plenary session on Thursday.
The FT reports that Poland's former Prime Minister, Jerzy Buzek, is likely to be elected as President of the European Parliament this week, strengthening the influence of eastern Europe in the EU.
EUobserver European Voice EurActiv EurActiv 2 EurActiv 3 Sueddeutsche FAZ El Mundo FT
French star architect refurbishes Brussels Euro-quarter
Handelsblatt reports that the winning architect of the Urban Planning competition for the rejuvenation of the European quarter in Brussels, Christian de Portzamparc, has indicated that he envisages an additional 400,000 square metres more of office space in an attempt to bring life back to the Brussels 'ghost-town' Euro-quarter.
Handelsblatt
EU governments agree to reduce 2010 budget
On Friday, EU governments agreed to cut next year's budget by €613 million, bringing the proposed budget to €138 billion, European Voice reports. However, El Mundo notes that the 27 member states want an even smaller budget than the one proposed by the European Commission.European Voice El Mundo
Sarkozy willing to give up Strasbourg for NATO?
El Mundo reports on the poor construction of the Strasbourg Parliament, noting that following the collapse of the roof, it has been discovered that the building does not meet fire safety standards. The article notes that the European Parliament's Strasbourg seat is controversial and there are rumours that French President Nicolas Sarkozy is willing to give up the Parliament if the NATO headquarters moves to Strasbourg.
El Mundo
New EU law on seasonal workers could threaten wages, unions warn
Six Swedish Union Presidents argue today in an opinion piece in Svenska Dagbladet that a law drafted by the European Commission could lead to wage dumping. They note that the law, which concerns seasonal workers born outside of the EU, is unclear and should therefore be scrapped.
Currently citizens from outside the EU can work for up to three months without applying for a resident's permit, provided that they fulfil the visa requirements. If the new European law is implemented, citizens from outside the EU would be allowed to work for a period of nine months per calendar year for a maximum period of four to five years. The agricultural sector along with the tourism and construction sectors are likely to be the most affected, should the proposal become law.
Svenska Dagbladet
The Mail on Sunday reported that the UK's £750million e-Borders scheme, which is due to become fully operational by December next year, has been accused of breaching EU law.
Writing in the Telegraph, Ambrose Evans-Pritchard looks at the economic prospects for the EU and writes, "Viewed strategically, Europe's mix of monetary deflation and rampant deficit spending by the states is nothing short of lunatic...How do Europe's voters sack the ECB?"
Telegraph
The Economist's Charlemagne blog examines the Swedish position on Turkish EU accession, and suggests that Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt "does not just talk about Turkey favourably because he thinks this goes down well with Swedish voters. His position is both more sincere than that, and much more challenging to French ways of viewing the world."
Economist: Charlemagne's notebook
The WSJ reports that President Dmitry Medvedev has said that Russia could rethink a controversial change in its plans to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO), saying that joining as part of a customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan could be "problematic".
WSJ
European Voice reports that the EU member states have today approved a planned trade deal with South Korea. The draft deal which comes after two years of negotiations with South Korea.
LeJDD European Voice Forbes
The EU has called for the United Nations to recognise a Palestinian state by a certain deadline, even without Israeli or Palestinian authorisation. In a speech on Saturday, Javier Solana, EU Foreign Policy Chief, called for an international deadline to be set. AFP
The Times reports that five countries will sign an agreement today intended to end Russia's monopoly on gas supply to Europe. However, delays in securing adequate funding and political agreement mean that the pipeline may not be ready until 2015.
EUobserver Guardian RFI Express RTBF Times Google News ABC Irish Times
BBC La Razon DN Liberation
Expansión reports that the European Commission is preparing a directive to create a guarantee fund for the insurance industry, which operates in the same way as the fund for the banking sector. The article notes that the fund would cover individuals and that for life insurance policies there would be a minimum limit of €100,000.
Expansion
The EU Law blog notes that the number of opinions the European Commission received from national parliaments has increased steadily from 53 in 2006, 115 in 2007, to 200 in 2008. It notes that the opinions of national parliaments tended to be in line with the positions taken by the member States in Council.
EU Law
The Irish Independent reports that Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo, a member of the European Central Bank governing board, has warned that Spain's economy will take longer to recover than most other eurozone countries. The article notes that the European Commission expects Spain's unemployment to rise to 20.5% next year.
Irish Independent El Pais
A leader in the FT focuses on Jose Manuel Barroso's re-appointment as Commission President, arguing that it seems uncertain. The article adds that, "Mr Barroso must show that he will be more independent in a second term".
FT: Leader
Writing for Conservative Home, MEP Nirj Deva proposes that "more than 75% of the laws that an ordinary British now lives under is indeed first made in the Europe".
Conservative Home: Deva
The Telegraph reports on the fact that Tony Blair has lost Nicolas Sarkozy's support in becoming the new President of the EU.
Telegraph
DPA reports that opposition from five members of Iceland's governing coalition is complicating the government's plans to make a bid for European Union membership this month.
DPA Fishupdate Handelsblatt Deutsche Welle Makfax LeTemps
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
An Irish Bedtime Story for all Nice Children and not so Maastricht Adults
The Happy Family
Once upon a time there was a family treaty-ing themselves to a visit in Lisbon.
On the sunny day that it was they decided to go out together.
Everyone had to agree on what they would do.
"So", said Daddy Brusselsprout "Let's all go for a picnic!"
"No", said Aunt Erin, "I don't want to".
Did they then think of something else, that they might indeed agree on?
Oh yes they did?
Oh no they didn't!
Daddy Brusselsprout asked all the others anyway, isolating Erin, and then asked her if instead, she would like to go with them to the park and eat out of a lunch basket....
Kids, we'll finish this story tomorrow, and remember, in the EU yes means yes and no means yes as well!
Panta Rei
Once upon a time there was a family treaty-ing themselves to a visit in Lisbon.
On the sunny day that it was they decided to go out together.
Everyone had to agree on what they would do.
"So", said Daddy Brusselsprout "Let's all go for a picnic!"
"No", said Aunt Erin, "I don't want to".
Did they then think of something else, that they might indeed agree on?
Oh yes they did?
Oh no they didn't!
Daddy Brusselsprout asked all the others anyway, isolating Erin, and then asked her if instead, she would like to go with them to the park and eat out of a lunch basket....
Kids, we'll finish this story tomorrow, and remember, in the EU yes means yes and no means yes as well!
Panta Rei
Open Europe press summary: 7 July 2009
Europe
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister criticised over plan to send out postcards costing €220,000 to "spin" the Lisbon Treaty
Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen has given Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin the job of leading the campaign for a Yes vote in the second Lisbon Treaty referendum in October. The Irish Independent reports that Martin is already embroiled in a "blazing row" over his plan to send out postcards costing €220,000 to every household in Ireland, giving an update on the Lisbon Treaty.
Postcards are being sent to households explaining the outcome of last month's European Council, confirming the retention of a European Commissioner, the lack of impact from the treaty on abortion, neutrality and tax, along with the protection of workers rights. Martin said the distribution is part of the "Government's determined effort to ensure that the public will be well informed about the treaty and Ireland's legal guarantees".
The Irish Times notes that the Irish government says that 'guarantees' on taxation, on the protection of the right to life, the family and education and Irish neutrality will become legally binding immediately once the Treaty enters into force. The postcard reads: "The Government has ensured, after discussions with all EU member states, that when the people vote on the Lisbon Treaty later this year, it will come with new legally-binding guarantees to address their main concerns." However, Ireland's 'guarantees' will not become legally binding in EU law until they are ratified by all the member states in a new protocol.
Former Green Party MEP Patricia McKenna, now chair of the People's Movement, said, "Taxpayers' money, from both sides of the Lisbon debate, is being used to peddle Government spin that these guarantees will somehow change the treaty's impact on Ireland." She added that "But this is legally impossible without changes to the actual text of the treaty, or legally binding protocols attached to, and ratified by, all member states before the treaty comes into force."
Legislation necessary to hold the second referendum will be passed by the Irish Dáil and Seanad after two days of debate this week. Irish Labour Party MP Joe Costello said MPs would have just six hours to debate it, adding, "It is unacceptable to deal with all stages of any Bill on a single day without giving time for debate, reflection and amendment."
Irish Independent Irish Times European Voice
Der Spiegel: German Lisbon Treaty judgment borders on "Declaration of War on the European Court of Justice"An analysis in Der Spiegel on the recent judgement of the German Constitutional Court on the Lisbon Treaty notes that the decision "very elegantly demolishes the old European idea that the recognised democratic deficits in the EU would disappear completely of their own accord by enhancing the rights of the European Parliament".
The article adds that the judgement borders on a "Declaration of War on the European Court of Justice", as "the German Constitutional Court has essentially declared itself the highest supervisory body in conflicts between Germany and the EU, and thus explicitly placed itself above the European Court of Justice (ECJ)."
The new law which the Court has requested would "allow every citizen to file a special EU suit with the German Constitutional Court against unpopular European regulations and standards." It adds that "the court has limited the highhandedness of the German government, which has all too often pushed through political goals that were difficult to achieve back home by going behind the back or against the will of the Bundestag."
In an article in the Irish Independent, Bruce Arnold debates the significance of the German judgment for Ireland, saying that the 'battle' of the second Irish referendum of the Lisbon Treaty "has been fundamentally, even irretrievably, changed by the German judgment". He argues, "While Germany has considered, in the Karlsruhe Judgment, its relationships with the EU and with the treaty, our leaders, Brian Cowen and Micheal Martin, have acted like corner boys and rabble-rousers, rushing to Europe for a quick fix designed to get a 'Yes' vote. There was no serious thought or dignity at all."
Der Spiegel Analysis in English Irish Independent: Arnold
Commission pushes for climate change pledge at G8;
WSJ: The EU's political will is fading in the face of economic realities
EUobserver reports that the European Commission will be pushing for clear climate change commitments from leaders at the G8 summit in Italy, ahead of the United Nations climate change meeting in Copenhagen. Specifically, the Commission is pushing for the leaders to agree on the need for a 50 percent reduction in global emissions by 2050 on 1990 levels, something that would necessitate an 80 percent emission cut from developed countries.
"This is the most important issue, to have binding targets from the developed countries. Without binding targets we will not convince the developing countries to give their contribution to this global response," said Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
Meanwhile, an editorial in the WSJ looks at the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), the EU's flagship policy for reducing carbon emissions, and argues that "enthusiasm may be reaching its limit. Governments in industry-heavy countries are now less willing to sacrifice jobs for cooler temperatures."
The article notes that "Germany's generally environmentalist Chancellor Angela Merkel insisted on exemptions for her country's industry from December's EU climate package", while "Italy insisted on a clause in the December climate deal that requires the EU to renegotiate its climate policy after the United Nations summit in Copenhagen later this year."
The article quotes Open Europe's estimate that the EU's climate package would cost governments, businesses and householders in the EU-25 more than €73 billion a year until 2020, adding that "No wonder leaders decided to water it down." It concludes, "Western European leaders are the latest to discover that climate-change talk is cheap, but carbon-emissions regulation is expensive."
EUobserver Euractiv WSJ: Editorial Reuters Open Europe research
Open Europe's Pieter Cleppe was quoted on Polish news site Onet.pl in an article evaluating the Czech Presidency of the EU.Onet.pl
EU plans new laws to strengthen capital requirements for banks
The front page of the FT reports that new EU laws to drive banks to strengthen capital requirements will be unveiled in October. A draft report, expected to be backed by EU finance ministers meeting in Brussels today, says that there is a "strong case" for curbing existing rules on banks' funding needs to build more resilient capital buffers in economic good times and avoid pro-cyclicality. The aim of the new laws would be to make it easier for banks to build up provisions in good times, which could then be used to weather future economic storms.
The Irish Times reports that finance ministers will also discuss a more immediate temporary relaxation of the Basel II rules that govern how much capital banks must hold. German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück is expected to urge other EU ministers to help alleviate capital pressures on banks during the crisis so they are able to lend to businesses that lack liquidity.
Meanwhile, the Telegraph reports that the EU has no plans to reverse economic stimulus measures, with Jean-Claude Juncker saying, "We haven't reached the time yet at which the exit strategy could be applied. We're still in the middle of the crisis."
FT City AM Irish Times WSJ Telegraph
Hedge fund industry "godfather" warns of retaliatory action for proposed EU directive
In an interview with the FT, Stanley Fink, the former Chief Executive of Man Group known as the "godfather" of the British hedge fund industry, said that the European Commission's proposed regulation on hedge funds would be "very restrictive for overseas hedge funds and then that could, and probably would, lead to retaliatory action whereby European hedge funds will be stopped from marketing in other jurisdictions, and that could be very bad for the industry." Asked if the restrictions could spark an international hedge fund war, he said: "I think that could be one of the unintended consequences."
He went on to say he thought that "quicker intervention from the UK Government could have stopped this more quickly going as far as it did in the way that it did" and added, "It is hard to imagine that legislation that harmed agriculture wouldn't have been killed at birth by the French, and legislation that damages the car industry wouldn't have been stopped by the Germans".
FT City AM Reuters
Jerzy Buzek for European Parliament President
Polskie Radio reports that former Polish Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek's chances of being elected President of the European Parliament have greatly increased after Italy's Mario Mauro removed his candidacy. The FT's Brussels blog offers a critical analysis to Buzek's imminent appointment saying that although EU politicians could be congratulated for giving the position to one of the EU's newer member states, "The fact is that, by giving this post to Buzek, older and bigger member-states in western Europe are making sure that they will get all the really big jobs [in the EU] when they come up for grabs later this year".
FT: Brussels blog Polskie Radio
Brown and Sarkozy urge EU governments to keep on spending
EUobserver reports that Nicolas Sarkozy and Gordon Brown expressed a "total convergence" of views in their meeting ahead of this week's G8 summit in Italy. Gordon Brown argued that governments must keep spending to return to growth: "If we can get growth, if we can get unemployment down, if we can keep interest rates and inflation down, then there is scope to do the things we want to do". Nicolas Sarkozy is quoted as saying, "Of course we need to combat indebtedness and try to restrain deficit, but we will only achieve that if we restore growth and if we restore our economies to health."
EUobserver Figaro Mirror Irish Times Independent BBC WSJ ABC
EU budget expected to rise by nearly 4%
Die Presse reports that the EU budget is expected to have risen by 3.79% by 2010 to €120.5 billion, representing 1.02% of EU-wide GDP.
Die Presse
Eurozone nations divided over single seat at the IMF
EUobserver reports that finance ministers from the 16-member eurozone are split on a decision that would give the currency area one seat in the IMF. European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Joaquin Almunia, said "The best way to have a clear and strong defence of our common interests as an economic and monetary union at the IMF level is to have a single chair". However, French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde said she did not see a European single-seat as realistic.
EUobserver
Barroso: "Let's be realistic: I am the only candidate for the position and I have the unanimous support of 27 heads of state and government"
The FT reports that European leaders yesterday agreed to make a legally binding recommendation that Jose Manuel Barroso should be re-elected for a second mandate as European Commission President. Barroso will still need to secure the approval of the European Parliament, whose vote has been delayed until the autumn, but the article notes, "The move put pressure on his opponents in the European parliament to stop obstructing his confirmation".
El Mundo reports that Barroso is "calm" about the delay of his nomination by the European Parliament. During a press conference in Brussels yesterday he said "I am very calm. Let's be realistic: I am the only candidate for the position and I have the unanimous support of 27 heads of state and government, I am calm and confident".
FT El Mundo El Mundo 2 Irish Times El Mundo 3
Javier Solana: "I think that 10 years is more than enough"
In an interview with Spanish newspaper ABC, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana spoke about his decision to retire in mid October when his ten year mandate comes to an end and said that there is no chance of him continuing in his current role, whether the Lisbon Treaty is approved or not. He added that despite having the satisfaction of being named the first High Representative, he could not take on certain responsibilities because the Lisbon Treaty was not approved and specifically because "the referendums didn't work".
El Mundo ABC
John Vinocur: EU falling flat on global stage
In the IHT, John Vinocur looks at the European Union's role in foreign policy, specifically addressing the new powers and posts of EU President and Foreign Minister that would be created by the Lisbon Treaty. He quotes Conservative Shadow Chancellor George Osborne saying, "I don't think that's how the EU becomes more relevant".
IHT
The Times reports that Jadrankar Kosor has become Croatia's first woman Prime Minister after Ivo Sanader stepped down last week. She has vowed to revive Croatia's bid to join the EU.
No link
G8 member state officials claim that preparations for the G8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy are so unorganised that they are considering expelling Italy from the group, leaving Spain to take its place.
Guardian
European Central Bank policy makers are worried the design of some European government bank-rescue plans is discouraging commercial banks from using public funds and could fail to resuscitate lending across the eurozone.
WSJ
LePoint reports that Latvia has accepted conditions put forward by the EU to maintain its deficit at 10% of its GDP in order to benefit from the bail out fund put forward by the IMF and the EU.
LePoint
Total Telecom reports that it is highly unlikely that EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding will retain her post for a third term.
Total Telecom
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Open Europe press summary: 6 July 2009
Europe
EU proposal discriminates against private equity, industry warns
In an interview with Euractiv, Javier Echarri, Secretary-General of the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EVCA), criticised the EU's proposed directive on alternative investment funds for being flawed and for discriminating against private equity, particularly through its strict disclosure requirements.
He said, "Requiring private equity-backed companies to disclose a quantity of information almost equivalent to what listed companies have to disclose is discrimination against those companies vis-à-vis their own competitors, which are often backed by a sovereign wealth fund, a rich investor or a family. They play the same game, but they will not have the same requirements." He added that 70% of the industry will have to comply with the new burdensome requirements.
A leader in the FT notes, "Try as it might, the Commission cannot explain why, exactly, it is proposing this hotchpotch...what politicians in Germany and France want is to smash some old scapegoats in the face."
Les Echos reports that at a meeting with international financiers in Paris last Thursday French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde addressed the proposal, saying "[the proposal] is a step forward but it does not meet my ambitions". According to the article, Lagarde wants to bring hedge funds which are registered offshore but operate in the EU within the scope of the regulation.
Melvyn Krauss, Senior Fellow of the Hoover Institution, argues in the FTD that if European investors were allowed to invest only in EU-regulated hedge funds, and not in US hedge funds, significant losses would occur in Europe. He also argues that the proposal is driven by protectionism and particularly French dissatisfaction of the concentration of hedge funds in London.
Wirtschaftswoche quotes Swedish Finance Minister Anders Borg, saying that "no one would be doing Europe a favour if the financial market were to shift from London to New York or anywhere else [as a result of burdensome regulation]".
The Sunday Telegraph reported that London's Mayor Boris Johnson is intending to help the City develop a strategy in the EU to lobby against the Directive.
City AM FT: Leader Sunday Telegraph Euractiv Euractiv 2 City AM-Fraser FTD Les Echos
European Parliament President to receive £156,000 pay rise
The NOTW reported that the next European Parliament President is set to get an extra £113,016 to rent a home plus £43,704 for entertaining on top of the current £36,778-a-year living allowance. The planned £156,720 pay rise, detailed in secret EU documents leaked to the paper, is to give the European Parliament President "more dignity". The pay rise would make his total yearly income around £214,000 and put the EP President in the same pay bracket as the President of the European Commission.
NOTW
France and Germany create 'working group' to block reform of EU farm policy;
French farm minister: "more regulation" will be France's guiding line in negotiations on the CAP
France and Germany have announced they will set up a 'working group' charged with outlining the future of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2013. Following a meeting with President José Manuel Barroso last week, French Farm Minister Bruno Le Maire, said that "more regulation" will be France's guiding line in negotiations on the CAP, adding that that the agricultural sector is far too "strategic" to be left to market forces alone. "It is absolutely necessary to regulate production," he said. He also announced that France and Germany are determined to resist reform of the CAP's distorting subsidies to dairy farmers. He drew a parallel between the European mobilisation to help the financial sector and how the same should be done to support the agricultural sector: "We must do with the agricultural sector what we have done with the financial sector. This will be our guiding thread for the reform of the CAP in 2013", according to L'Express.
'The working group' will now tour EU capitals, starting in London before going to Madrid, Rome, Bucharest and Warsaw, trying to win support for its position. The Commission is due to table its first ideas on CAP reform in September 2010.
Euractiv AFP L'Express La Tribune La France Agricole
Barroso nomination delayed until autumn
El Mundo reports that the European Parliament has delayed its vote on Barroso until the autumn. Swedish President Fredrik Reinfeldt, who currently holds the presidency of the EU, said "we have spoken with various group leaders and there will not be a decision on Barroso in the European Parliament in July".
Meanwhile, Liberation reports that Daniel Cohn-Bendit (co-leader of the European Greens) has suggested several people who would be 'much better than Barroso' for the post of European Commission President. They include Mary Robinson, previously Human Rights Advisor to the UN; ex-Belgian PM Guy Verhofstandt; current French PM Francois Fillon; or former EU Commissioner Chris Patten.
Monde Liberation El Mundo Le Figaro Liberation Svenska Dagbladet
Irish government delays report on spending cuts amid fears of Lisbon Treaty referendum backlash
The Irish Independent reports that ministers within the Irish government are unwilling to publish a new report on public spending cuts amid concerns it will scare voters ahead of the second Lisbon Treaty referendum. The report by the Expenditure Review Committee will set out options for €5bn worth of cuts to public spending and efficiencies in Government.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Finance Minister Brian Lenihan are still considering the issue of publication, amid differing views within the Cabinet. A leader in the paper notes that, "The rationale - if this absurdity can be distinguished by such a term - is that its bleak contents might frighten the voters, increase their discontent, and prompt them to vote 'No' in the second Lisbon referendum in the autumn".
Irish Independent Irish Independent: Sheahan Irish Independent: Leader
European leaders keen to help Brown in order to keep Lisbon Treaty on track
The Times reports that European leaders are so desperate for Gordon Brown to stay in power until after the Lisbon Treaty comes into force that they are willing to make diplomatic compromises to shore up his political position. Diplomatic sources told the paper that European leaders fear that a leadership challenge and early election could sink the Treaty, due to come into force by Christmas. The Conservatives are committed to a referendum if they are elected before it is ratified. The paper notes that the Prime Minister will be able to test the limits of this new power today when he travels to Evian in France with Lord Mandelson for a one-day summit with President Sarkozy.
Times
Handelsblatt: CSU demands could delay German Lisbon Treaty ratification until after German elections in September
Handelsblatt reports that the German ratification of the Lisbon Treaty could be delayed until after the German elections on 27 September, because of the demands of the Bavarian Christian Democrat CSU party with regards to the German Constitutional Court's requirement that a new law be passed to boost the role of the German Parliament in EU decision-making. Vice-Chairman of the SDP group Angelica Schwall-Düren also opposes fast tracking the law through parliament, saying "we don't want any modifications to the German Constitution, and especially not during the summer break".
Merkur quotes CDU MEP Elmar Brok remarking that the demands of the CSU mean that "Germany of all countries is now enforcing the destructive powers of Europe". It further reports that Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to pass the during the summer break.
Meanwhile, the German Europe Ministers of the various Bundesländer have demanded more of a say as a result of the Constitutional Court's decision, with the Chairman of the conference of Bundesländer Wolfgang Reinhardt saying: "the times when a German government takes decisions in back rooms in Brussels are finally over", reports DPA.
Handelsblatt Welt Merkur DPA1 DPA 2 AFP
Mario Mauro drops bid to become President of European Parliament
EUobserver reports that the centre-right Italian MEP Mario Mauro has abandoned his bid to become European Parliament President; Polish conservative Jerzy Buzek is now the sole candidate.
El Mundo EUobserver
Javier Solana to quit as EU foreign policy chief
EUobserver reports that EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana will step down when the post expires in autumn after 10 years in the job. Handelsblatt notes that Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn are seen as possible successors. If the Lisbon Treaty is ratified, Solana's successor will gain more power, becoming Vice-President of the European Commission, chair of all the EU foreign minister councils and head of a new EU diplomatic service.
Coulisses de Bruxelles L'Express RFI IHT EUobserver Diario de Noticias
Government prepares for battle with EU over Lloyds and RBS
The Independent on Sunday reported that the Government is preparing for a battle with the EU over threats to break up RBS and the Lloyds Banking Group, which both received large injections of state aid. The article quoted sources in the City saying, "The Government is terrified that the EU is getting ready to issue an ultimatum over Lloyds and RBS, forcing them to break up following the massive state injections of capital last autumn. This row is heating up and is likely to come to a head quite soon".
Independent on Sunday Sunday Telegraph
Lord Mandelson warns that loosening competition rules could threaten single market
In an interview with the FT, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said that while he agreed with the temporary loosening of EU competition rules to help struggling companies through the recession, he feared the changes could become permanent. He said, "There is no justification for having the rules permanently weakened. That will create a threat to the single market" and added that Britain was supporting new, EU-level supervisory and regulatory powers for the financial services sector, but that it expected a further degree of support from critics of "Anglo-Saxon capitalism".
He also said, "I hope that the quid pro quo is understood and that people understand the need for balance. We accept the need for reform but we will stand up for and defend important parts of the City of London."
FT
French Finance Minister questions relevance of G8
The FT reports that, ahead of the G8 summit in L'Aquila this week, French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde questioned the relevance of the group of industrialised nations, and said "The G8 is much older [than the G20] and without doubt is much less pertinent given its composition and the evolution of the world...The G8 absolutely must be enlarged to adapt to today's realities. Major actors [like India, China or Mexico] are invited with a small folding seat on the side."
Times City AM Irish Independent WSJ FT FT 2 EUobserver
Centre-right dominates Bulgarian elections
EUobserver reports that Bulgaria's Socialist-led coalition looks likely to fall after the general election on Sunday gave a clear victory to the centre-right opposition (GERB) party. With nearly 40% of the votes the victory was a blow to the socialists who received a less than expected 17.7%. GERB is now in talks with the smaller right wing groups in order to form a coalition government.
EUobserver Euractiv Monde Coulisses de Bruxelles IHT El Pais La Razon ABC
France warns Sweden to respect its view on Turkish EU membership
EUobserver reports that during a visit to Sweden on Friday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy warned Sweden to respect France's views on Turkey's accession to the EU, and said "France will not be against the opening of new chapters under the Swedish chairmanship but, of course, these chapters should allow that Turkey should be an associate member of Europe and not a fully-fledged member."
Meanwhile, El Mundo reports that Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero has said he is "clearly favourable" to Turkey joining the EU. He added that "Turkey requested membership, started the negotiation process to complete accession and for reasons which are not easily explicable there is a temptation to delay it".
An opinion piece in the Irish Times discusses the confusing nature of the European Union, claiming that 35 different chapters, including the recently discussed "taxation chapter" must be unanimously agreed upon by European countries before Turkey can enter the EU.
EUobserver NewEurope Xinhua El Mundo Irish Times
Turkey approves Nabucco gas pipeline deal
EUobserver reports that on 13 July Turkey will host the signing of an inter-governmental agreement on the Nabucco gas pipeline, which aims to reduce Europe's dependence upon Russia for gas. The article notes that the deal will "secure the legal basis and conditions for the use of the pipeline crossing EU candidate country Turkey and member states Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria".
EUobserver BBC
EU to improve security after several incidents of "espionage"
El País reports that the EU is going to improve its security system following various incidents where senior officials, including Javier Solana, have been spied upon. Solana said that he was "subject to espionage for months, without being aware, by a non-European power". The spies reportedly include an "attractive blonde intern", a foreign civil servant and an IT technician. The article notes that the laptop of the General-Secretary of the Council, who deals with "thousands of highly confidential documents" was subject to espionage. Another source told El País that "it isn't only Solana", adding that "there have been other cases".
El Pais Diario de Noticias
City AM notes that traders have broadly welcomed the Commission's proposal for more transparency in derivatives trading, but warned that expanding a central clearing house to include all derivatives - alongside one already planned for the US - would be confusing.
City AM WSJ EUobserver
Writing for the Guardian's Comment is Free website, Simon Tilford, Chief Economist at the Centre for European Reform, argues that calls for a renegotiation of the Lisbon Treaty "or of the UK's relationship with the EU more generally, ignore that this would inevitably lead to at best semi-detached membership of the EU, and more probably divorce."
Comment is Free
The FT reports that Pascal Lamy, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, has said that bank bail-outs pose a threat to free trade, and will urge the G8 to resist growing pressures for protectionist measures.
FT WSJ
Writing in the FT, Wolfgang Münchau argues, "Judging by the co-ordination failure at the level of the European Union, the persistent failure to deal with the continent's 40 or so cross-border banks at European level, and in particular Germany's inability to sort out its toxic-asset contaminated Landesbanken, the economic prospects for the eurozone are infinitely worse [than the US]."
FT: Münchau
Writing in Handelsblatt, David Marsh argues rise of 'eurosceptic influence' in British politics is an "epochal influence on the global financial market".
No link
An article in New Europe examines the Swedish EU Presidency with the headline, "Now it's up to Sweden to solve all the EU's problems", but reports that Greens in the European Parliament have said they do not expect Sweden to achieve its goals in reducing carbon emissions and tackling global warming.
NewEurope Open Europe briefing
An article in the IHT examines Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and comments upon his unpopularity in countries "with questions to answer on human rights". He notes that a foreign affairs goal of the Swedish EU presidency is to ease tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
No link
The Observer notes that a new global blacklist of planes unfit to fly will be discussed this week at a summit meeting between Antonio Tajani, the European Transport Commissioner, and Robert Kobeh González, President of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
Observer
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
The New South Africa blog
Hierdie blog poog om 'n kroniek te wees van die ekstreme geweld en geheime volksmoord wat gepleeg word teen die blanke minderheidsgroep van Suid-Afrika. Tien duisende blankes is alreeds vermoor sedert 1994. Brutale marteling en verkragting is volop en nie eers jonk of oud word gespaar nie.
The New South Africa blog attempts to chronicle the extreme violence and secret genocide being committed against the white minority of South Africa. Tens of thousands of whites have been murdered since 1994. Brutal torture and rape is common and not even the young or elderly are spared.
http://www.dienuwesuidafrika.com
http://www.farmmurders.com
http://www.plaasmoorde.com
The New South Africa blog attempts to chronicle the extreme violence and secret genocide being committed against the white minority of South Africa. Tens of thousands of whites have been murdered since 1994. Brutal torture and rape is common and not even the young or elderly are spared.
http://www.dienuwesuidafrika.com
http://www.farmmurders.com
http://www.plaasmoorde.com
Friday, July 03, 2009
Open Europe press summary: 3 July 2009
Europe
Former Chancellor: "We need to fight" proposed EU hedge fund regulation;
Swedish government highlights need to re-work proposed regulation
In an interview with City AM, former Chancellor Lord Lawson said of the EU's proposed regulation of hedge funds and alternative investment funds, "We need to fight this legislation. Hedge funds do take risks but it is striking that while everyone is worried about them - largely because they don't understand them - hedge funds haven't had a problem throughout this." He went on to say, "This is being done from a European perspective because we have in London 80 to 90 per cent of total hedge fund business in the whole of the European Union. They are jealous of that success."
The Economist's Charlemagne blog quotes Swedish Financial Markets Minister Mats Odell - whose country is holding the rotating Presidency - saying, "Sweden is not a superpower that can impose its views on others. But we try to be based on facts. And if you look at the facts, it is very hard to say that private equity and hedge funds caused this crisis. That is not to say we should not regulate them, but we should not kill the industry."
In a memorandum to the Riksdag, the Swedish government highlighted the need to re-work parts of the proposed Directive, including separating between different types of funds and making sure that fund managers are not subject to stricter requirements than the companies with whom they compete.
A leader in Swedish daily Aftonbladet criticises the Swedish centre-right government for seeking changes to the proposed Directive, despite previously promising tougher rules for alternative investment funds. The article notes, "Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel capture a popular criticism of short-term speculation which is fully justified. The French President should ask [Swedish PM] Fredrik Reinfeldt where his election promises went."
City AM Economist: Charlemagne's notebook Memorandum to the Riksdag Aftonbladet
47 percent of Conservative candidates in favour of repatriation of powers from the EU;
In the Guardian, Patrick Wintour looks at a survey by Conservative Home of 144 Conservative candidates from the 220 top target or Conservative-held seats.
Asked about the UK's relationship with the EU, only 10 percent agreed with the statement, "The next Conservative Government should retain Britain's current relationship with the European Union as it is but cede no further powers to the EU". 47 percent agreed that, "The next Conservative Government should seek to repatriate powers in some areas from the European Union to Westminster", while 38 percent went further, agreeing that, "The next Conservative Government should seek a fundamental renegotiation of Britain's membership of the European Union".
Only 5 percent agreed with the statement, "The next Conservative Government should seek wholesale withdrawal from the European Union."
Guardian: Wintour Conservative Home Conservative Home: Survey
German governing parties in dispute over powers to be given to Bundestag over EU law
FAZ reports that the German CDU and its Bavarian counterpart the CSU are arguing over the extent of the Bundestag's influence on Germany's EU policy, following the demands of the German Constitutional Court that the Parliament have more say in EU law-making. The CSU is pushing for the German Parliament to have far more influence than CDU MPs want. CSU MPs are planning a three-point catalogue of demands, including a Basic Law amendment, which according to FAZ means essentially committing the federal government to gaining Bundestag consent in all Europe policy decisions. Politicians are looking for inspiration to the Austrian and Danish systems of parliamentary scrutiny.
Meanwhile, commenting on the Constitutional Court's judgement, Sueddeutsche says: "This is a very important judgement, since it clearly highlights the significance of the nation-state. Anyone who gives the nation-state precedence in this way is not necessarily anti-Europe". Polish newspaper Polska runs the headline: "Germans decide that states are more important than Brussels".
Czech President Klaus argues in Czech daily Dnes that the demands by the German court have not corrected the shortcomings of the Lisbon Treaty. He says: "I don't believe it's possible to eliminate the well-known faults of the Treaty of Lisbon by means of an accompanying law. It would be too easy," adding "It's not by chance that they propose resolving the contradictions between the treaty and the constitution by changing the country's legislation and not the treaty". He criticises the increasing weight of constitutional courts in judging the Lisbon treaty, saying this has resulted from the lack of serious political confrontation over the Treaty, and says, "I am convinced that the debate will go on and we are still a long way from the end".
AFP FAZ FAZ 2 Spiegel Tagesspiegel Zeit
Lord Myners: EU council meeting conclusions were "in accordance with what we set out to do"
In a debate in the House of Lords yesterday on EU proposals for increased EU-level financial supervision, City Minister Lord Myners said that the outcome of the EU Council meeting and the ECOFIN finance meeting was "absolutely in accordance with what we set out to do, which was to ensure that the holder of the ECB presidency did not naturally chair the European systemic risk council and that the three upgraded Lamfalussy level 3 committees should have advisory but not statutory responsibilities for supervision." He also said that he was "regularly engaged with the Commission and with the new Swedish presidency to fight Britain's corner" on the EU's proposed hedge fund directive.
Hansard OE Press release
Charlemagne: Swedes favour consensus for EU financial regulation
The Economist's Charlemagne column looks at the beginning of the Swedish EU Presidency and notes that because EU decisions on financial regulation can be taken by majority voting, some countries would be happy to outvote Britain and impose rules that would rein in the City of London, but the "Swedes believe that consensus is the best way to take long-term decisions that all can live with".
It says, "When it comes to the Lisbon treaty, Swedes are wary of anything that smacks of EU bossiness, or a power-grab by big countries...Swedish ministers are dubious about the new job of president of the European Council, preferring the idea of an "elected chairman" who can organise meetings of the 27 leaders." The column also describes Sweden's Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt, as a "giant in a Europe of diplomatic pygmies" and suggests he would make a "fine EU foreign-policy chief".
Meanwhile Le Monde writes that, as French President Nicolas Sarkozy visits Sweden today, there is serious tension between Paris and Stockholm. The biggest disagreement is over the question of Turkey's EU accession, which Sweden strongly supports.
The Swedish Presidency has also introduced 'Twitter' feeds to post brief remarks from key advisers and press secretaries to Swedish ministers to offer insight into the Presidency.
Economist: Charlemagne Monde Monde 2 Sweden 2009 SvD
Henry Porter: UK's proposed e-Borders programme violates EU's principle of free movement
On his Guardian blog, Henry Porter writes, "Evidence presented to the home affairs select committee on Monday suggests that Britain's plans to use airline, ferry and train operators to collect 53 pieces of information from everyone leaving the country may be illegal under EU law."
Guardian: Porter's blog
John Blundell: Cameron will have to initiate "a process of deregulation which stops the regulatory tsunami"
La Razón reports that the Director of the Institute for Economic Affairs, John Blundell has criticised Gordon Brown saying Brown was "arrogant" as Chancellor of the Exchequer for ten years and that the economy will be the fall of his government.
He added that David Cameron faces numerous challenges, including stopping "the tsunami of new regulation emanating from Brussels". He added that Cameron will also have to "negotiate a new relationship with the EU".
La Razon FAECS Debate OE Research
European Voice notes that the European Commission has laid out a proposal for a €100 million microfinance programme for small businesses and entrepreneurs affected by the financial crisis. If approved by national governments and the European Parliament, the programme is set to be established by 2010.
European Voice
European Parliament rules on hiring family members tested by Finnish MEP
Finnish MEP Mitro Repo of the Socialist Party of Finland has hired his sister-in-law as an assistant, Mtv3 reports. According to EP regulations, a sister-in-law is "in the grey zone" and does not constitute a "direct relative". Under new regulations coming into force this month MEPs cannot hire direct relatives to work for them.
Mtv3 Iltasanomat
Spanish MEP responds to criticism
La Razon reports that Spanish MEP Ramón Jáuregui has responded to criticism concerning a letter sent to the Spanish Parliament requesting that Spanish MEPs receive the salary of an MEP but the social security benefits and other perks of being an MP. Jáuregui said he understands why people disapprove but that the conditions of the new Members' Statute were unclear. He added that "once we have clarified that there is a sufficient system of provisions, we will give up any privilege and duplicity". However he defended the request saying that he thinks it is "unfair" that MEPs will not be protected as they "do not pay national insurance in any European public system". He also added the difference between an MP's salary and an MEP's salary "is only 2000 euros".
La Razon
EU blamed for German bank woes
The BBC news reports that a German state minister is blaming the EU for problems with the German banking system. Dr Werner Marnette said that banks had to change their operations when the EU told them they had to be more competitive. In 2001, the European Commission abolished guarantees that previously protected state owned banks. "In former times when these Landesbanks gave credits to a company, the risk was covered by the state" he told the BBC.
BBC News
The WSJ reports that the European Commission is to publish a set of papers today, proposing ways to reduce risks in the European over-the-counter derivatives markets. The papers will discuss issues relating to clearing of credit-default swaps, standardisation of derivatives contracts, central data depositories and trade execution services.
WSJ
The Bulgarian Sega writes that the European Commission has halted publication of critical progress reports on Bulgaria until the country's parliamentary elections on 5 July in return for Bulgarian support for Barroso's re-appointment. The paper criticises the Commission for "peddling influence" on Bulgaria, and not reflecting what Bulgarians see as a "functioning democracy".
Eurotopics
The Telegraph reports that British attempts at a "diplomatic walkout" of Iran were rejected yesterday by other EU member states. In particular, Swedish Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt said he thought it was too early for such actions. Angela Merkel believes that "a strong signal" to Iran should be instead sent by next weeks G8 summit.
Telegraph
The FT reports that a European Commission study has warned that Europe is likely to suffer a permanent loss in potential economic output as a result of the global crisis.
FT
Les Echos writes that economic disagreements between France and Germany are straining the relationship between the two countries. The article adds that the fiscal policy responses of the two countries go in complete different directions, and that Germany under Merkel is no longer interested in common European policy actions.
Les Echos
The Coulisses de Bruxelles blog notes that Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso's phone bill may well be very high this month- as he plans to personally phone every member of the ADLE, the ECR, and many of the Spanish, Portuguese and British Socialists in order to secure a 15th July vote for his re-nomination.
Coulisses de Bruxelles EU Observer Monde
EUobserver reports that the Commission has published guidelines stating governments should not limit a citizen's right to move freely around the EU when investigating false marriages between EU citizens and immigrants from third countries wanting to secure residency in the EU.
El Mundo EU Observer
The IHT reports that EU regulators have adopted new guidelines for the funding of public broadcasters and have tightened rules on financing new markets. The European Commission has said that the rules on broadcasting need to be revised because of technological advances and development.
No link
The FT reports that several countries (notably France, Italy and Sweden) have begun construction on new nuclear reactors as ways of fighting climate change whilst allowing for energy security.
FT
El Mundo reports that the new eurosceptic grouping consisting of 30 MEPs and led by UKIP will be called Europe of Freedom and Democracy.
BBC El Mundo
Le Monde reports that eurozone unemployment rose to 9.5 percent, over 15 million, in May, its highest since 1999. Spain had the highest unemployment rate at 18.7 percent.
City AM Irish Independent ANSA Le Monde BBC Eurostat
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
Former Chancellor: "We need to fight" proposed EU hedge fund regulation;
Swedish government highlights need to re-work proposed regulation
In an interview with City AM, former Chancellor Lord Lawson said of the EU's proposed regulation of hedge funds and alternative investment funds, "We need to fight this legislation. Hedge funds do take risks but it is striking that while everyone is worried about them - largely because they don't understand them - hedge funds haven't had a problem throughout this." He went on to say, "This is being done from a European perspective because we have in London 80 to 90 per cent of total hedge fund business in the whole of the European Union. They are jealous of that success."
The Economist's Charlemagne blog quotes Swedish Financial Markets Minister Mats Odell - whose country is holding the rotating Presidency - saying, "Sweden is not a superpower that can impose its views on others. But we try to be based on facts. And if you look at the facts, it is very hard to say that private equity and hedge funds caused this crisis. That is not to say we should not regulate them, but we should not kill the industry."
In a memorandum to the Riksdag, the Swedish government highlighted the need to re-work parts of the proposed Directive, including separating between different types of funds and making sure that fund managers are not subject to stricter requirements than the companies with whom they compete.
A leader in Swedish daily Aftonbladet criticises the Swedish centre-right government for seeking changes to the proposed Directive, despite previously promising tougher rules for alternative investment funds. The article notes, "Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel capture a popular criticism of short-term speculation which is fully justified. The French President should ask [Swedish PM] Fredrik Reinfeldt where his election promises went."
City AM Economist: Charlemagne's notebook Memorandum to the Riksdag Aftonbladet
47 percent of Conservative candidates in favour of repatriation of powers from the EU;
In the Guardian, Patrick Wintour looks at a survey by Conservative Home of 144 Conservative candidates from the 220 top target or Conservative-held seats.
Asked about the UK's relationship with the EU, only 10 percent agreed with the statement, "The next Conservative Government should retain Britain's current relationship with the European Union as it is but cede no further powers to the EU". 47 percent agreed that, "The next Conservative Government should seek to repatriate powers in some areas from the European Union to Westminster", while 38 percent went further, agreeing that, "The next Conservative Government should seek a fundamental renegotiation of Britain's membership of the European Union".
Only 5 percent agreed with the statement, "The next Conservative Government should seek wholesale withdrawal from the European Union."
Guardian: Wintour Conservative Home Conservative Home: Survey
German governing parties in dispute over powers to be given to Bundestag over EU law
FAZ reports that the German CDU and its Bavarian counterpart the CSU are arguing over the extent of the Bundestag's influence on Germany's EU policy, following the demands of the German Constitutional Court that the Parliament have more say in EU law-making. The CSU is pushing for the German Parliament to have far more influence than CDU MPs want. CSU MPs are planning a three-point catalogue of demands, including a Basic Law amendment, which according to FAZ means essentially committing the federal government to gaining Bundestag consent in all Europe policy decisions. Politicians are looking for inspiration to the Austrian and Danish systems of parliamentary scrutiny.
Meanwhile, commenting on the Constitutional Court's judgement, Sueddeutsche says: "This is a very important judgement, since it clearly highlights the significance of the nation-state. Anyone who gives the nation-state precedence in this way is not necessarily anti-Europe". Polish newspaper Polska runs the headline: "Germans decide that states are more important than Brussels".
Czech President Klaus argues in Czech daily Dnes that the demands by the German court have not corrected the shortcomings of the Lisbon Treaty. He says: "I don't believe it's possible to eliminate the well-known faults of the Treaty of Lisbon by means of an accompanying law. It would be too easy," adding "It's not by chance that they propose resolving the contradictions between the treaty and the constitution by changing the country's legislation and not the treaty". He criticises the increasing weight of constitutional courts in judging the Lisbon treaty, saying this has resulted from the lack of serious political confrontation over the Treaty, and says, "I am convinced that the debate will go on and we are still a long way from the end".
AFP FAZ FAZ 2 Spiegel Tagesspiegel Zeit
Lord Myners: EU council meeting conclusions were "in accordance with what we set out to do"
In a debate in the House of Lords yesterday on EU proposals for increased EU-level financial supervision, City Minister Lord Myners said that the outcome of the EU Council meeting and the ECOFIN finance meeting was "absolutely in accordance with what we set out to do, which was to ensure that the holder of the ECB presidency did not naturally chair the European systemic risk council and that the three upgraded Lamfalussy level 3 committees should have advisory but not statutory responsibilities for supervision." He also said that he was "regularly engaged with the Commission and with the new Swedish presidency to fight Britain's corner" on the EU's proposed hedge fund directive.
Hansard OE Press release
Charlemagne: Swedes favour consensus for EU financial regulation
The Economist's Charlemagne column looks at the beginning of the Swedish EU Presidency and notes that because EU decisions on financial regulation can be taken by majority voting, some countries would be happy to outvote Britain and impose rules that would rein in the City of London, but the "Swedes believe that consensus is the best way to take long-term decisions that all can live with".
It says, "When it comes to the Lisbon treaty, Swedes are wary of anything that smacks of EU bossiness, or a power-grab by big countries...Swedish ministers are dubious about the new job of president of the European Council, preferring the idea of an "elected chairman" who can organise meetings of the 27 leaders." The column also describes Sweden's Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt, as a "giant in a Europe of diplomatic pygmies" and suggests he would make a "fine EU foreign-policy chief".
Meanwhile Le Monde writes that, as French President Nicolas Sarkozy visits Sweden today, there is serious tension between Paris and Stockholm. The biggest disagreement is over the question of Turkey's EU accession, which Sweden strongly supports.
The Swedish Presidency has also introduced 'Twitter' feeds to post brief remarks from key advisers and press secretaries to Swedish ministers to offer insight into the Presidency.
Economist: Charlemagne Monde Monde 2 Sweden 2009 SvD
Henry Porter: UK's proposed e-Borders programme violates EU's principle of free movement
On his Guardian blog, Henry Porter writes, "Evidence presented to the home affairs select committee on Monday suggests that Britain's plans to use airline, ferry and train operators to collect 53 pieces of information from everyone leaving the country may be illegal under EU law."
Guardian: Porter's blog
John Blundell: Cameron will have to initiate "a process of deregulation which stops the regulatory tsunami"
La Razón reports that the Director of the Institute for Economic Affairs, John Blundell has criticised Gordon Brown saying Brown was "arrogant" as Chancellor of the Exchequer for ten years and that the economy will be the fall of his government.
He added that David Cameron faces numerous challenges, including stopping "the tsunami of new regulation emanating from Brussels". He added that Cameron will also have to "negotiate a new relationship with the EU".
La Razon FAECS Debate OE Research
European Voice notes that the European Commission has laid out a proposal for a €100 million microfinance programme for small businesses and entrepreneurs affected by the financial crisis. If approved by national governments and the European Parliament, the programme is set to be established by 2010.
European Voice
European Parliament rules on hiring family members tested by Finnish MEP
Finnish MEP Mitro Repo of the Socialist Party of Finland has hired his sister-in-law as an assistant, Mtv3 reports. According to EP regulations, a sister-in-law is "in the grey zone" and does not constitute a "direct relative". Under new regulations coming into force this month MEPs cannot hire direct relatives to work for them.
Mtv3 Iltasanomat
Spanish MEP responds to criticism
La Razon reports that Spanish MEP Ramón Jáuregui has responded to criticism concerning a letter sent to the Spanish Parliament requesting that Spanish MEPs receive the salary of an MEP but the social security benefits and other perks of being an MP. Jáuregui said he understands why people disapprove but that the conditions of the new Members' Statute were unclear. He added that "once we have clarified that there is a sufficient system of provisions, we will give up any privilege and duplicity". However he defended the request saying that he thinks it is "unfair" that MEPs will not be protected as they "do not pay national insurance in any European public system". He also added the difference between an MP's salary and an MEP's salary "is only 2000 euros".
La Razon
EU blamed for German bank woes
The BBC news reports that a German state minister is blaming the EU for problems with the German banking system. Dr Werner Marnette said that banks had to change their operations when the EU told them they had to be more competitive. In 2001, the European Commission abolished guarantees that previously protected state owned banks. "In former times when these Landesbanks gave credits to a company, the risk was covered by the state" he told the BBC.
BBC News
The WSJ reports that the European Commission is to publish a set of papers today, proposing ways to reduce risks in the European over-the-counter derivatives markets. The papers will discuss issues relating to clearing of credit-default swaps, standardisation of derivatives contracts, central data depositories and trade execution services.
WSJ
The Bulgarian Sega writes that the European Commission has halted publication of critical progress reports on Bulgaria until the country's parliamentary elections on 5 July in return for Bulgarian support for Barroso's re-appointment. The paper criticises the Commission for "peddling influence" on Bulgaria, and not reflecting what Bulgarians see as a "functioning democracy".
Eurotopics
The Telegraph reports that British attempts at a "diplomatic walkout" of Iran were rejected yesterday by other EU member states. In particular, Swedish Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt said he thought it was too early for such actions. Angela Merkel believes that "a strong signal" to Iran should be instead sent by next weeks G8 summit.
Telegraph
The FT reports that a European Commission study has warned that Europe is likely to suffer a permanent loss in potential economic output as a result of the global crisis.
FT
Les Echos writes that economic disagreements between France and Germany are straining the relationship between the two countries. The article adds that the fiscal policy responses of the two countries go in complete different directions, and that Germany under Merkel is no longer interested in common European policy actions.
Les Echos
The Coulisses de Bruxelles blog notes that Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso's phone bill may well be very high this month- as he plans to personally phone every member of the ADLE, the ECR, and many of the Spanish, Portuguese and British Socialists in order to secure a 15th July vote for his re-nomination.
Coulisses de Bruxelles EU Observer Monde
EUobserver reports that the Commission has published guidelines stating governments should not limit a citizen's right to move freely around the EU when investigating false marriages between EU citizens and immigrants from third countries wanting to secure residency in the EU.
El Mundo EU Observer
The IHT reports that EU regulators have adopted new guidelines for the funding of public broadcasters and have tightened rules on financing new markets. The European Commission has said that the rules on broadcasting need to be revised because of technological advances and development.
No link
The FT reports that several countries (notably France, Italy and Sweden) have begun construction on new nuclear reactors as ways of fighting climate change whilst allowing for energy security.
FT
El Mundo reports that the new eurosceptic grouping consisting of 30 MEPs and led by UKIP will be called Europe of Freedom and Democracy.
BBC El Mundo
Le Monde reports that eurozone unemployment rose to 9.5 percent, over 15 million, in May, its highest since 1999. Spain had the highest unemployment rate at 18.7 percent.
City AM Irish Independent ANSA Le Monde BBC Eurostat
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
CFR and Netanyahu
Benjamin Netanyahu: CFR Member
Not new but increasingly relevant information, a blast from the past:
Who Owns the National Bank of Israel? [who gets the NIS seigniorage?] - Barry Chamish, February 21, 2006
[Note: Up to now, each Israelite was stolen of about 800,000 US dollars-equivalent of seigniorage]
Where CFR sell each other's profits. [Barry Chamish continues with information from a reliable source]
I told you a couple of days ago that a CFR member, (Edgar Bronfman's son Matthew who purchased it for the family), purchased 6% of Israel Discount Bank, with option to buy another 25% the controlling interest, listen to this:
November 14, 2005, there was a press release from the Israel Finance Ministry, with EHUD OLMERT as finance minister, to the effect that 9.99% of Bank Leumi's shares had been sold to the "Barnea Investment Group" ( a Jewish enough sounding name, don't you think?), in parenthesis the Cerberus-Gabriel group, with option to buy another 10%, which would make it the controlling interest in the bank, in this particular case.
Prof. Amir Barnea is the founding Dean of the Arison School of business, teaches at the Recanati School of Business, TAUGHT AT TAU, SPECIALIZES IN CORPORATE FINANCE AND IS A VISITING PROFESSOR IN THE US, IN PARTICULAR IN HOUSTON, AT RICE UNIVERSITY, and is a partner in the Singer Barnea investment firm.
What the press release failed to mentioned, and what the Knesset official release in January of 2006 - complete with picture of beaming Ariel Sharon, Ehud Olmert, Stanley Fischer, and Jewish representative of the Barnea group - "failed to mention", and what the Israeli Press the world over failed to mention, is that the Barnea group is a front for the Cerberus hedge fund, (the Cerberus-Gabriel group, according to my research, only appears on the internet in connection with this single transaction of Ben-Leumi; with other words, it doesn't exist!). Who REALLY bought 9.99% of Bank Leumi, and who, by their own words, definitely plans to exercise their option to buy the rest, thereby making them the controlling interest of the "National Bank of Israel"? Well, the CERBERUS HEDGE FUND, WITH AT ITS HEAD NONE OTHER THAN DAN QUAYLE, BILDERBERG GROUP MEMBER, FORMER US VICE PRESIDENT, WHO FAILED TO OBTAIN THE LAST REPUBLICAN NOMINATION, WHO STILL HAS PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRATIONS, WHO REGULARLY VISITS THE WHITE HOUSE AND HELPS THEM WHENEVER HE CAN, WHOSE WIFE BELONGS TO A HOUSTON-BASED CHURCH.
More details: The Cerberus group was competing against six other bidders, and BID AS A STRATEGIC INVESTOR vs. FINANCIAL INVESTORS . With other words, Dan Quayle's purpose is not to make a lot of money, but to be able to do whatever he wants and actively control the bank. Not only that, but he paid so much more for the deal than what it is worth that the whole financial and banking community was in shock!!
WHY WOULD THE FORMER VP OF THE U.S. PAY SO MUCH FOR THIS ISRAELI BANK UNLESS THE US, IN PARTICULAR THE BUSH FAMILY (DON'T FORGET THAT HE WAS THE VP OF GEORGE BUSH SENIOR) WANTS TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF FUNDS HERE IN ISRAEL?
EHUD OLMERT, THEN FINANCE MINISTER, AND STANLEY FISCHER, DIRECTOR OF THE BANK OF ISRAEL, SOLD A STRATEGIC FINANCIAL ASSET OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL TO THE ENEMY! THE CFR IS THE ENEMY! THE BILDERBERG GROUP IS THE ENEMY!
And [the reliable source] found the source for the donations. They were both American members of the CFR;
Council on Foreign Relations Membership List (L-R)
2893. OLIVER COVEY T,CFR '84, 1988 annual rpt ,,
2894. OLMERT EHUD,CFR '92,,,
2895. OLMSTEAD CECIL J,CFR '92,,,
http://www.mega.nu:8080/ampp/roundtable/CFRL-Rlist.html#N
2803. NEMAN RICHARD A,, 1988 annual rpt
2804. NETANYAHU BENJAMIN,, 1988 annual rpt
2805. NEUMAN STEPHANIE G,CFR '92,
end
December 13, 2005
Cerberus-Gabriel hedge fund buys stake in Leumi Bank
http://www.fundstreet.org/2005/12/cerberusgabriel.html
Israel is on its way to privatization. The banking sector is amongst the first ones to take a step in this direction. Bank Leumi was in the market recently and attracted bids from several players. Bidder names include strategic investors like Lev Leviev, IDB and Bill Davidson and also financial contenders like UBS, Deutsche Bank and Citibank. However the winner was an American Hedge fund, Cerberus-Gabriel.
Cerberus-Gabriel has purchased 9.9% of the shares of the bank. The purchase of this stake was for approximately $500 million. The fund also has the option of buying an additional 10.01% in the bank. This will bring the total shares quantum to 20% and is roughly valued at $1 billion. This option of additional purchase has to be utilized with in the next one and a half years.
Ehud Olmert, Finance Minister of Israel, is reportedly quite satisfied with the outcome. He feels that this is a positive development and will help the over all Israeli economy. He is amongst the top promoters of privatization move. In his statement he also mentioned that the purchase will ensure healthy competition between the banks and will definitely contribute a lot to the local market.
Another person quite happy with the development is Yaron Zelekha, the treasury's accountant-general, who led the tender. He sees it as fulfillment of the promise made to the people of Israel about privatization of the entire banking system in 2005. Ynetnews reports:
“Cerberus-Gabriel offered NIS 2.474 billion (about USD 500 million) for 9.99 percent of the bank's shares, and has the option to purchase another 10.01 percent of the shares held by the State within a year and a half, and to reach a total holding of 20 percent of the bank's shares.”
Not new but increasingly relevant information, a blast from the past:
Who Owns the National Bank of Israel? [who gets the NIS seigniorage?] - Barry Chamish, February 21, 2006
[Note: Up to now, each Israelite was stolen of about 800,000 US dollars-equivalent of seigniorage]
Where CFR sell each other's profits. [Barry Chamish continues with information from a reliable source]
I told you a couple of days ago that a CFR member, (Edgar Bronfman's son Matthew who purchased it for the family), purchased 6% of Israel Discount Bank, with option to buy another 25% the controlling interest, listen to this:
November 14, 2005, there was a press release from the Israel Finance Ministry, with EHUD OLMERT as finance minister, to the effect that 9.99% of Bank Leumi's shares had been sold to the "Barnea Investment Group" ( a Jewish enough sounding name, don't you think?), in parenthesis the Cerberus-Gabriel group, with option to buy another 10%, which would make it the controlling interest in the bank, in this particular case.
Prof. Amir Barnea is the founding Dean of the Arison School of business, teaches at the Recanati School of Business, TAUGHT AT TAU, SPECIALIZES IN CORPORATE FINANCE AND IS A VISITING PROFESSOR IN THE US, IN PARTICULAR IN HOUSTON, AT RICE UNIVERSITY, and is a partner in the Singer Barnea investment firm.
What the press release failed to mentioned, and what the Knesset official release in January of 2006 - complete with picture of beaming Ariel Sharon, Ehud Olmert, Stanley Fischer, and Jewish representative of the Barnea group - "failed to mention", and what the Israeli Press the world over failed to mention, is that the Barnea group is a front for the Cerberus hedge fund, (the Cerberus-Gabriel group, according to my research, only appears on the internet in connection with this single transaction of Ben-Leumi; with other words, it doesn't exist!). Who REALLY bought 9.99% of Bank Leumi, and who, by their own words, definitely plans to exercise their option to buy the rest, thereby making them the controlling interest of the "National Bank of Israel"? Well, the CERBERUS HEDGE FUND, WITH AT ITS HEAD NONE OTHER THAN DAN QUAYLE, BILDERBERG GROUP MEMBER, FORMER US VICE PRESIDENT, WHO FAILED TO OBTAIN THE LAST REPUBLICAN NOMINATION, WHO STILL HAS PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRATIONS, WHO REGULARLY VISITS THE WHITE HOUSE AND HELPS THEM WHENEVER HE CAN, WHOSE WIFE BELONGS TO A HOUSTON-BASED CHURCH.
More details: The Cerberus group was competing against six other bidders, and BID AS A STRATEGIC INVESTOR vs. FINANCIAL INVESTORS . With other words, Dan Quayle's purpose is not to make a lot of money, but to be able to do whatever he wants and actively control the bank. Not only that, but he paid so much more for the deal than what it is worth that the whole financial and banking community was in shock!!
WHY WOULD THE FORMER VP OF THE U.S. PAY SO MUCH FOR THIS ISRAELI BANK UNLESS THE US, IN PARTICULAR THE BUSH FAMILY (DON'T FORGET THAT HE WAS THE VP OF GEORGE BUSH SENIOR) WANTS TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF FUNDS HERE IN ISRAEL?
EHUD OLMERT, THEN FINANCE MINISTER, AND STANLEY FISCHER, DIRECTOR OF THE BANK OF ISRAEL, SOLD A STRATEGIC FINANCIAL ASSET OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL TO THE ENEMY! THE CFR IS THE ENEMY! THE BILDERBERG GROUP IS THE ENEMY!
And [the reliable source] found the source for the donations. They were both American members of the CFR;
Council on Foreign Relations Membership List (L-R)
2893. OLIVER COVEY T,CFR '84, 1988 annual rpt ,,
2894. OLMERT EHUD,CFR '92,,,
2895. OLMSTEAD CECIL J,CFR '92,,,
http://www.mega.nu:8080/ampp/roundtable/CFRL-Rlist.html#N
2803. NEMAN RICHARD A,, 1988 annual rpt
2804. NETANYAHU BENJAMIN,, 1988 annual rpt
2805. NEUMAN STEPHANIE G,CFR '92,
end
December 13, 2005
Cerberus-Gabriel hedge fund buys stake in Leumi Bank
http://www.fundstreet.org/2005/12/cerberusgabriel.html
Israel is on its way to privatization. The banking sector is amongst the first ones to take a step in this direction. Bank Leumi was in the market recently and attracted bids from several players. Bidder names include strategic investors like Lev Leviev, IDB and Bill Davidson and also financial contenders like UBS, Deutsche Bank and Citibank. However the winner was an American Hedge fund, Cerberus-Gabriel.
Cerberus-Gabriel has purchased 9.9% of the shares of the bank. The purchase of this stake was for approximately $500 million. The fund also has the option of buying an additional 10.01% in the bank. This will bring the total shares quantum to 20% and is roughly valued at $1 billion. This option of additional purchase has to be utilized with in the next one and a half years.
Ehud Olmert, Finance Minister of Israel, is reportedly quite satisfied with the outcome. He feels that this is a positive development and will help the over all Israeli economy. He is amongst the top promoters of privatization move. In his statement he also mentioned that the purchase will ensure healthy competition between the banks and will definitely contribute a lot to the local market.
Another person quite happy with the development is Yaron Zelekha, the treasury's accountant-general, who led the tender. He sees it as fulfillment of the promise made to the people of Israel about privatization of the entire banking system in 2005. Ynetnews reports:
“Cerberus-Gabriel offered NIS 2.474 billion (about USD 500 million) for 9.99 percent of the bank's shares, and has the option to purchase another 10.01 percent of the shares held by the State within a year and a half, and to reach a total holding of 20 percent of the bank's shares.”
Thursday, July 02, 2009
The Naumann Caucus (Putsch in Honduras)
Newsletter 2009/06/30 - The Naumann Caucus
TEGUCIGALPA/BERLIN (Own report) - Right up to the putsch, Honduran President, Manuel Zelaya's liberalist opponents were being supported by forces close to the German Free Democratic Party (FDP). Zelaya's rival and current presidential candidate, Elvin Santos, is among them, as well as Roberto Micheletti. Micheletti took over the office of president following Zelaya's kidnapping, last weekend. During the course of his presidency, Zelaya, who, just a few years ago, had himself been supported by the FDP affiliated Friedrich Naumann Foundation, turned his back on the German organization's neo-liberal policy. He turned instead toward the ALBA international alliance ("Alternative Bolivariana para las Américas" or Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas) formed around Venezuela, Bolivia and Cuba. This has led to hefty power struggles inside his party. His opponents, who up until two weeks ago were being advised by an FDP affiliated strategist, have close ties to the Naumann Foundation. The putsch resolved the conflict to the advantage of the partners in the Naumann Foundation. Following the putsch, the representative of the foundation in Tegucigalpa wrote that Zelaya shares the responsibility for the military coup; he is "more the culprit than the victim."
more
http://www.german-foreign-policy.com/en/fulltext/56260
TEGUCIGALPA/BERLIN (Own report) - Right up to the putsch, Honduran President, Manuel Zelaya's liberalist opponents were being supported by forces close to the German Free Democratic Party (FDP). Zelaya's rival and current presidential candidate, Elvin Santos, is among them, as well as Roberto Micheletti. Micheletti took over the office of president following Zelaya's kidnapping, last weekend. During the course of his presidency, Zelaya, who, just a few years ago, had himself been supported by the FDP affiliated Friedrich Naumann Foundation, turned his back on the German organization's neo-liberal policy. He turned instead toward the ALBA international alliance ("Alternative Bolivariana para las Américas" or Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas) formed around Venezuela, Bolivia and Cuba. This has led to hefty power struggles inside his party. His opponents, who up until two weeks ago were being advised by an FDP affiliated strategist, have close ties to the Naumann Foundation. The putsch resolved the conflict to the advantage of the partners in the Naumann Foundation. Following the putsch, the representative of the foundation in Tegucigalpa wrote that Zelaya shares the responsibility for the military coup; he is "more the culprit than the victim."
more
http://www.german-foreign-policy.com/en/fulltext/56260
Open Europe press summary: 2 July 2009
Europe
Glenys Kinnock: Irish guarantees "do not change the Lisbon Treaty" and are not legally-binding
In a debate in the Lords yesterday, Europe Minister Glenys Kinnock confirmed that Ireland will be voting on exactly the same text of the Lisbon Treaty a second time around. She said: "Those guarantees do not change the Lisbon treaty; the European Council conclusions are very clear on them. The Lisbon treaty, as debated and decided by our Parliament, will not be changed and, on the basis of these guarantees, Ireland will proceed to have a second referendum in October." She added: "Nothing in the treaty will change and nothing in the guarantees will change the treaty as your Lordships agreed it."
When asked about the legal status of the 'guarantees', she confirmed that they will not be legally-binding until they are written into the EU treaties as a protocol, which will happen after the Irish referendum. She said: "My Lords, what we have in the guarantees will become binding in international law when the guarantees are translated into a protocol at the time of the next accession, which presumably will be when Croatia or Iceland comes in. Before that protocol can be ratified by the UK, Parliament must pass a Bill. As I said, Parliament will rightly have the final say."
During questions at the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee this morning, Foreign Secretary David Miliband reiterated that "Every head of state agrees that these guarantees do not change the Treaty."
However, he appeared to contradict the Europe Minister by stressing that "the guarantees are legally-binding in international law... It does not require ratification in order to have legal affect." This lead the Chairman of the Committee to ask, "If this is a legally-binding decision and doesn't need ratification, why does it need to be put in a protocol?" He asked, "Is it a stitch-up to get around Irish peoples' concerns? I can see why people would be suspicious."
European Voice reports that Ireland will next week pass a law allowing for a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty and formally name a date, expected to be 2 October.
European Scrutiny Committee Hansard EU Observer Euractiv European Voice Open Europe briefing
German Court decision provokes calls for other member states to strengthen parliamentary powers
Sueddeutsche reports that, following the German Constitutional Court's decision that the German Parliament must pass a law guaranteeing the Parliament's rights in the EU decision-making process before the Lisbon Treaty can be ratified, German Social Democrat MEP Jo Leinen complained that provisions in the Treaty which allow changes from unanimity to Qualified Majority Voting will not be possible without explicit approval by the German Parliament. "That is a brake on integration", he said. "Germany threatens to become the lame duck of Europe. Europe will always have to wait on Germany".
On his Telegraph blog, Dan Hannan argues that "If the Lisbon Treaty is insufficiently democratic for Germany, why is it good enough for everyone else? Shouldn't the other 26 member states demand the same statutory safeguards that the Bundestag will now adopt? I don't easily see how Gordon Brown or Nicolas Sarkozy or Brian Cowen could get away with refusing. Aren't the rest of as deserving of democracy as the Germans?"
French newspaper L'Alsace argues, "The German court has signalled that it is necessary - and possible - to convey rights upon the national parliaments in European decision-making. It's a pity such a message was not evoked by France". Likewise, Dutch magazine Elsevier writes: "What does this judgement mean for the sovereignty of other member states? Should they not also build a guarantee into their own legislation in order to secure their right to self-determination?"
A letter in the Irish Times mentions the poll published by Open Europe which found that 77 percent of Germans want a referendum on the Treaty, saying "this highlights the democratic deficit currently at play in the EU, which will be exacerbated by a 'self-amending' treaty".
Sueddeutsche Welt Der Spiegel analysis in English Zeit Press Survey NZ German Press Survey Eurotopics Zeit Monde Telegraph: Hannan blog Irish Times Irish Times: Letters OE Poll in German OE Poll EP press release
A letter to the Cumbrian News and Star cites Open Europe's transparency initiative, in which Green MEPs came top with 100 percent.
News and Star Open Europe press release
Swedish EU Presidency begins with defence of hedge funds and private equity
The FT reports that Sweden marked the first day of its six-month EU Presidency by coming to the defence of hedge funds and private equity, promising to press for improvements in EU proposals for tougher regulation of both groups. "There is an exaggerated fear that private equity contains big systemic risk. Our opinion is that it does not," said Mats Odell, Sweden's Financial Markets Minister.
Mr Odell added: "It is not private equity that caused the crisis, nor hedge funds. But in some countries, the political debate portrays private equity and hedge funds as the problem. That's not the same as saying we shouldn't regulate them. But the aim is to have sound regulation and not to kill the industry."
Lord Myners, the UK's Financial Services Secretary to the Treasury, last month labelled the Commission's proposals "flawed" and said they should be revised.
The FT notes that comments by German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück yesterday in Berlin suggest Sweden and the UK could still face stiff resistance in altering the Commission proposals. Der Spiegel quotes him saying, "Every now and then I see a clear abstinence of the City of London and the British Government in regulatory measures". He added, "I hear voices telling me that the chances of returning to the financial situation of before the crisis are high. Particularly the City of London looks very suspicious to me. They have the intuition of restoring, or possibly reconstituting the old situation."
Meanwhile, the Irish Times reports that at yesterday's launch of the Swedish Presidency, Sweden's Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt described tackling climate change as the "main challenge of our generation". The Guardian notes that his most difficult challenge in helping to deliver a successor to the Kyoto protocol will be to get the 27 countries of the EU to financially assist developing countries with the impacts of climate change and cutting emissions.
Sweden also wants to introduce a carbon tax for emissions from sectors not covered by the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme, such as transport. "The most effective way of dealing with the problem outside the ETS is energy taxation and CO2 taxes," said Anders Borg, the Swedish finance minister. But any such system in the EU would run into national vetoes, he acknowledged. "It won't be easy to reach consensus."
Meanwhile, in an article for Swedish daily Expressen Matthew Elliot, Chief Executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, argued that Sweden must respect the Irish 'No' vote on the Lisbon Treaty.
FT EUobserver Guardian Labourlist: Miliband Irish Times Monde Liberation Coulisses de Bruxelles TPA OE briefing
Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader has announced he will resign and withdraw from politics citing "personal reasons" and frustration with the slowness of the final steps in the country's accession bid to join the EU, according to The Parliament.
BBC Monde El Pais ABC La Razon The Parliament
Spanish MEPs demand MEP's salary with perks of a national MP
La Razón reports that Spanish MEPs from the PSOE and PP parties have written a letter to the Spanish Parliament demanding the perks of being a national MP or Senator, combined with the salary of an MEP. Under the new Members' Statute, due to come into force from the next European Parliamentary session, Spanish MEPs will earn €7,550 a month, while Spanish MPs earn between €3,000 and €4,000. Despite this, both parties want their MEPs to receive the social security and pension benefits of the Spanish Parliament. The article notes "So what else do they want? Very simple: the Spanish parliamentary social security system and the maximum pensions they are entitled to for occupying a seat for 8 years. They also want the Iberia airline cards which entitle them to fly for free across Spanish air space and the remuneration at the end of the legislature. The list is endless."
The Spanish Parliament has established a committee to investigate and reach a conclusion by 8 July.
La Razón La Razón2 Open Europe research
Swedish Foreign Minister: We need two EU foreign ministers;
Sarkozy backs Felipe Gonzalez for EU President over Tony Blair
European Voice reports that Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt has said that small and medium-sized member states do not want a 'strong' leader as the first full-time President of the European Council - a role created by the Lisbon Treaty. He said the choice would be "a balance between those who want a strong leader - a figure leading Europe - or more of a person presiding over meetings and co-chairing with the rotating presidency". He added, "Small and medium-sized countries are less interested in a strong leader."
The article notes that Carl Bildt, Swedish Foreign Minister, has suggested that the EU might yet need more than one High Representative for Foreign Policy - another new post created under the Lisbon Treaty. "Demand for the Union to have more input on the external relations front is increasing. There is no way we can have only one high rep," he said.
Bildt suggested that this might be a way of compensating for there not being enough dossiers to keep 27 European Commissioners occupied. He said that "If the Irish voters say 'Yes' [to the Lisbon Treaty], we are going to have a Commission of 27 jobs. We all know there are not 27 real jobs."
Meanwhile, according to the Independent, former Spanish PM Felipe Gonzalez could be challenging Tony Blair for the position of the EU's first ever President if the Lisbon Treaty is ratified. Gonzalez's spokesman, Joaquin Tajar commented on the subject saying, "M. Sarkozy is in favour of Mr Gonzalez's candidature once the Lisbon Treaty is passed, Sarkozy floated Tony Blair's candidacy and didn't get much response, so he decided to look elsewhere. But for the moment he wouldn't stand, we can discard the possibility for now. There are no proposals, just soundings, the situation is very fluid".
The Irish Times reports that David Miliband said that he thought Tony Blair would be an "excellent" choice for the first EU President.
Irish Times European Voice Independent Der Spiegel
Portuguese PM's corruption case could "lead to the decapitation of Eurojust"
In the Times, solicitors Arturo John and Ben Rose look at Eurojust, the EU body designed to coordinate the tackling of cross-border organised crime, under the headline "Eurojust, the EU fraud body, fails to fulfil its brief". In May, Portugal's general prosecutor launched a disciplinary procedure against Jose da Mota, the President of Eurojust, following an internal investigation "of alleged pressures" on magistrates investigating the PM's case. The article notes that beyond the ramifications for Portuguese domestic politics, the case "could also lead to the decapitation of Eurojust".
Times EUobserver
Barroso re-election delayed beyond July
The European Parliament will not hold a vote on José Manuel Barroso's re-appointment as EU Commission President at its July plenary, after the liberals and socialists agreed to wait until the second Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty this autumn, reports EurActiv. The article quotes French Green MEP Daniel Cohn-Bendit saying, "Forcing the issue on the table in July would result in a negative start for the Swedish Presidency. There must be no vote on the Commission President before Lisbon is ratified."
SZ European Voice Euractiv Euractiv 2 EU Observer Belga DPA Spiegel HS El Pais
A leader in the WSJ argues that "the president of the EU Commission can make the most of his likely second term by playing to his free-market strengths".
WSJ: Editorial
ABC reports that Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos last night confirmed that the EU has withdrawn all its ambassadors from Honduras.
El Mundo ABC La Razon
An article in the FT looks at a long-running dispute between a federation representing 650 breweries from the German state of Bavaria, and a Dutch brewer of Bavaria beer. The ECJ is expected to rule today on the case, which relates to a 1992 EU law protecting geographic description of foodstuffs.
FT
A new report published today by the World Trade Organisation has found that governments around the world have continued to erect trade barriers in spite of high-profile pledges at the G20 summit to resist protectionism. The WTO found that the areas most affected have been agricultural products - particularly dairy - iron and steel, vehicles, chemicals and plastics, and textiles, reports the FT.
FT
The Irish Times reports that Czech President Vaclav Klaus yesterday called a parliamentary election for October 9-10, in line with a political agreement to hold polls some nine months early, following the collapse of the Czech government in March.
Irish Times
EUobserver reports that a new, non-binding code of conduct came into force yesterday in 25 EU member states and Norway on defence procurement contracts. The code is intended to set standards for side-deals made by governments when they sign defence contracts, to channel side-investments into research and technology projects and to cap offsets to 100 percent of the value of the contract.
EU Observer
Anatole Kaletsky in the Times writes that the European Central Bank injected €442 billion (£377 billion) of new cash into the euro money markets last week, equivalent to half the US Federal Reserve's entire monetary expansion in the past 18 months. He points out that the ECB has been printing money much faster than the Federal Reserve.
Times: Kaletsky
Le Figaro reports that the French Transport Minister yesterday called for a global aviation blacklist to supplement the EU one after the spate of recent plane crashes.
Figaro EU ban list
Le Figaro reports that Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso claimed yesterday that he was 'not a liberal' in economic terms, and blamed 'caricatures' for putting him in negative light. "I am a reformist from the centre" he declared.
Figaro
The IHT reports on plans to keep the results of the planned "stress tests" on European banks secret and notes that before a decision can be reached, German and Spanish 'misgivings' must be overcome. Germany does not want to release potentially embarrassing findings before its election in September, and Spain has expressed concern over how the data might be used.
IHT
Iran has "disqualified" Europe from its nuclear talks, the BBC reports. Iran's military Chief of Staff has said that the "interference" from Europeans in Iranian political unrest following disputed elections meant that the EU has "lost its qualification to hold nuclear talks".
EU Observer BBC Global Post Financial Times IHT
El País reports that Spanish employment has fallen by 1.53 percent, but is still 49 percent higher than the same period last year.
El Pais Irish Times El Mundo
El Mundo reports that the European Court of First Instance has ratified the Commission's decision to fine Spain for fraud involving EU agricultural funds intended for the cultivation of linen and canvas. Spain was fined €134 million in 2005 by the Commission, for a lack of control over the funds between 1996 and 2000.
El Mundo Court Ruling
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
Glenys Kinnock: Irish guarantees "do not change the Lisbon Treaty" and are not legally-binding
In a debate in the Lords yesterday, Europe Minister Glenys Kinnock confirmed that Ireland will be voting on exactly the same text of the Lisbon Treaty a second time around. She said: "Those guarantees do not change the Lisbon treaty; the European Council conclusions are very clear on them. The Lisbon treaty, as debated and decided by our Parliament, will not be changed and, on the basis of these guarantees, Ireland will proceed to have a second referendum in October." She added: "Nothing in the treaty will change and nothing in the guarantees will change the treaty as your Lordships agreed it."
When asked about the legal status of the 'guarantees', she confirmed that they will not be legally-binding until they are written into the EU treaties as a protocol, which will happen after the Irish referendum. She said: "My Lords, what we have in the guarantees will become binding in international law when the guarantees are translated into a protocol at the time of the next accession, which presumably will be when Croatia or Iceland comes in. Before that protocol can be ratified by the UK, Parliament must pass a Bill. As I said, Parliament will rightly have the final say."
During questions at the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee this morning, Foreign Secretary David Miliband reiterated that "Every head of state agrees that these guarantees do not change the Treaty."
However, he appeared to contradict the Europe Minister by stressing that "the guarantees are legally-binding in international law... It does not require ratification in order to have legal affect." This lead the Chairman of the Committee to ask, "If this is a legally-binding decision and doesn't need ratification, why does it need to be put in a protocol?" He asked, "Is it a stitch-up to get around Irish peoples' concerns? I can see why people would be suspicious."
European Voice reports that Ireland will next week pass a law allowing for a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty and formally name a date, expected to be 2 October.
European Scrutiny Committee Hansard EU Observer Euractiv European Voice Open Europe briefing
German Court decision provokes calls for other member states to strengthen parliamentary powers
Sueddeutsche reports that, following the German Constitutional Court's decision that the German Parliament must pass a law guaranteeing the Parliament's rights in the EU decision-making process before the Lisbon Treaty can be ratified, German Social Democrat MEP Jo Leinen complained that provisions in the Treaty which allow changes from unanimity to Qualified Majority Voting will not be possible without explicit approval by the German Parliament. "That is a brake on integration", he said. "Germany threatens to become the lame duck of Europe. Europe will always have to wait on Germany".
On his Telegraph blog, Dan Hannan argues that "If the Lisbon Treaty is insufficiently democratic for Germany, why is it good enough for everyone else? Shouldn't the other 26 member states demand the same statutory safeguards that the Bundestag will now adopt? I don't easily see how Gordon Brown or Nicolas Sarkozy or Brian Cowen could get away with refusing. Aren't the rest of as deserving of democracy as the Germans?"
French newspaper L'Alsace argues, "The German court has signalled that it is necessary - and possible - to convey rights upon the national parliaments in European decision-making. It's a pity such a message was not evoked by France". Likewise, Dutch magazine Elsevier writes: "What does this judgement mean for the sovereignty of other member states? Should they not also build a guarantee into their own legislation in order to secure their right to self-determination?"
A letter in the Irish Times mentions the poll published by Open Europe which found that 77 percent of Germans want a referendum on the Treaty, saying "this highlights the democratic deficit currently at play in the EU, which will be exacerbated by a 'self-amending' treaty".
Sueddeutsche Welt Der Spiegel analysis in English Zeit Press Survey NZ German Press Survey Eurotopics Zeit Monde Telegraph: Hannan blog Irish Times Irish Times: Letters OE Poll in German OE Poll EP press release
A letter to the Cumbrian News and Star cites Open Europe's transparency initiative, in which Green MEPs came top with 100 percent.
News and Star Open Europe press release
Swedish EU Presidency begins with defence of hedge funds and private equity
The FT reports that Sweden marked the first day of its six-month EU Presidency by coming to the defence of hedge funds and private equity, promising to press for improvements in EU proposals for tougher regulation of both groups. "There is an exaggerated fear that private equity contains big systemic risk. Our opinion is that it does not," said Mats Odell, Sweden's Financial Markets Minister.
Mr Odell added: "It is not private equity that caused the crisis, nor hedge funds. But in some countries, the political debate portrays private equity and hedge funds as the problem. That's not the same as saying we shouldn't regulate them. But the aim is to have sound regulation and not to kill the industry."
Lord Myners, the UK's Financial Services Secretary to the Treasury, last month labelled the Commission's proposals "flawed" and said they should be revised.
The FT notes that comments by German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück yesterday in Berlin suggest Sweden and the UK could still face stiff resistance in altering the Commission proposals. Der Spiegel quotes him saying, "Every now and then I see a clear abstinence of the City of London and the British Government in regulatory measures". He added, "I hear voices telling me that the chances of returning to the financial situation of before the crisis are high. Particularly the City of London looks very suspicious to me. They have the intuition of restoring, or possibly reconstituting the old situation."
Meanwhile, the Irish Times reports that at yesterday's launch of the Swedish Presidency, Sweden's Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt described tackling climate change as the "main challenge of our generation". The Guardian notes that his most difficult challenge in helping to deliver a successor to the Kyoto protocol will be to get the 27 countries of the EU to financially assist developing countries with the impacts of climate change and cutting emissions.
Sweden also wants to introduce a carbon tax for emissions from sectors not covered by the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme, such as transport. "The most effective way of dealing with the problem outside the ETS is energy taxation and CO2 taxes," said Anders Borg, the Swedish finance minister. But any such system in the EU would run into national vetoes, he acknowledged. "It won't be easy to reach consensus."
Meanwhile, in an article for Swedish daily Expressen Matthew Elliot, Chief Executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, argued that Sweden must respect the Irish 'No' vote on the Lisbon Treaty.
FT EUobserver Guardian Labourlist: Miliband Irish Times Monde Liberation Coulisses de Bruxelles TPA OE briefing
Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader has announced he will resign and withdraw from politics citing "personal reasons" and frustration with the slowness of the final steps in the country's accession bid to join the EU, according to The Parliament.
BBC Monde El Pais ABC La Razon The Parliament
Spanish MEPs demand MEP's salary with perks of a national MP
La Razón reports that Spanish MEPs from the PSOE and PP parties have written a letter to the Spanish Parliament demanding the perks of being a national MP or Senator, combined with the salary of an MEP. Under the new Members' Statute, due to come into force from the next European Parliamentary session, Spanish MEPs will earn €7,550 a month, while Spanish MPs earn between €3,000 and €4,000. Despite this, both parties want their MEPs to receive the social security and pension benefits of the Spanish Parliament. The article notes "So what else do they want? Very simple: the Spanish parliamentary social security system and the maximum pensions they are entitled to for occupying a seat for 8 years. They also want the Iberia airline cards which entitle them to fly for free across Spanish air space and the remuneration at the end of the legislature. The list is endless."
The Spanish Parliament has established a committee to investigate and reach a conclusion by 8 July.
La Razón La Razón2 Open Europe research
Swedish Foreign Minister: We need two EU foreign ministers;
Sarkozy backs Felipe Gonzalez for EU President over Tony Blair
European Voice reports that Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt has said that small and medium-sized member states do not want a 'strong' leader as the first full-time President of the European Council - a role created by the Lisbon Treaty. He said the choice would be "a balance between those who want a strong leader - a figure leading Europe - or more of a person presiding over meetings and co-chairing with the rotating presidency". He added, "Small and medium-sized countries are less interested in a strong leader."
The article notes that Carl Bildt, Swedish Foreign Minister, has suggested that the EU might yet need more than one High Representative for Foreign Policy - another new post created under the Lisbon Treaty. "Demand for the Union to have more input on the external relations front is increasing. There is no way we can have only one high rep," he said.
Bildt suggested that this might be a way of compensating for there not being enough dossiers to keep 27 European Commissioners occupied. He said that "If the Irish voters say 'Yes' [to the Lisbon Treaty], we are going to have a Commission of 27 jobs. We all know there are not 27 real jobs."
Meanwhile, according to the Independent, former Spanish PM Felipe Gonzalez could be challenging Tony Blair for the position of the EU's first ever President if the Lisbon Treaty is ratified. Gonzalez's spokesman, Joaquin Tajar commented on the subject saying, "M. Sarkozy is in favour of Mr Gonzalez's candidature once the Lisbon Treaty is passed, Sarkozy floated Tony Blair's candidacy and didn't get much response, so he decided to look elsewhere. But for the moment he wouldn't stand, we can discard the possibility for now. There are no proposals, just soundings, the situation is very fluid".
The Irish Times reports that David Miliband said that he thought Tony Blair would be an "excellent" choice for the first EU President.
Irish Times European Voice Independent Der Spiegel
Portuguese PM's corruption case could "lead to the decapitation of Eurojust"
In the Times, solicitors Arturo John and Ben Rose look at Eurojust, the EU body designed to coordinate the tackling of cross-border organised crime, under the headline "Eurojust, the EU fraud body, fails to fulfil its brief". In May, Portugal's general prosecutor launched a disciplinary procedure against Jose da Mota, the President of Eurojust, following an internal investigation "of alleged pressures" on magistrates investigating the PM's case. The article notes that beyond the ramifications for Portuguese domestic politics, the case "could also lead to the decapitation of Eurojust".
Times EUobserver
Barroso re-election delayed beyond July
The European Parliament will not hold a vote on José Manuel Barroso's re-appointment as EU Commission President at its July plenary, after the liberals and socialists agreed to wait until the second Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty this autumn, reports EurActiv. The article quotes French Green MEP Daniel Cohn-Bendit saying, "Forcing the issue on the table in July would result in a negative start for the Swedish Presidency. There must be no vote on the Commission President before Lisbon is ratified."
SZ European Voice Euractiv Euractiv 2 EU Observer Belga DPA Spiegel HS El Pais
A leader in the WSJ argues that "the president of the EU Commission can make the most of his likely second term by playing to his free-market strengths".
WSJ: Editorial
ABC reports that Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos last night confirmed that the EU has withdrawn all its ambassadors from Honduras.
El Mundo ABC La Razon
An article in the FT looks at a long-running dispute between a federation representing 650 breweries from the German state of Bavaria, and a Dutch brewer of Bavaria beer. The ECJ is expected to rule today on the case, which relates to a 1992 EU law protecting geographic description of foodstuffs.
FT
A new report published today by the World Trade Organisation has found that governments around the world have continued to erect trade barriers in spite of high-profile pledges at the G20 summit to resist protectionism. The WTO found that the areas most affected have been agricultural products - particularly dairy - iron and steel, vehicles, chemicals and plastics, and textiles, reports the FT.
FT
The Irish Times reports that Czech President Vaclav Klaus yesterday called a parliamentary election for October 9-10, in line with a political agreement to hold polls some nine months early, following the collapse of the Czech government in March.
Irish Times
EUobserver reports that a new, non-binding code of conduct came into force yesterday in 25 EU member states and Norway on defence procurement contracts. The code is intended to set standards for side-deals made by governments when they sign defence contracts, to channel side-investments into research and technology projects and to cap offsets to 100 percent of the value of the contract.
EU Observer
Anatole Kaletsky in the Times writes that the European Central Bank injected €442 billion (£377 billion) of new cash into the euro money markets last week, equivalent to half the US Federal Reserve's entire monetary expansion in the past 18 months. He points out that the ECB has been printing money much faster than the Federal Reserve.
Times: Kaletsky
Le Figaro reports that the French Transport Minister yesterday called for a global aviation blacklist to supplement the EU one after the spate of recent plane crashes.
Figaro EU ban list
Le Figaro reports that Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso claimed yesterday that he was 'not a liberal' in economic terms, and blamed 'caricatures' for putting him in negative light. "I am a reformist from the centre" he declared.
Figaro
The IHT reports on plans to keep the results of the planned "stress tests" on European banks secret and notes that before a decision can be reached, German and Spanish 'misgivings' must be overcome. Germany does not want to release potentially embarrassing findings before its election in September, and Spain has expressed concern over how the data might be used.
IHT
Iran has "disqualified" Europe from its nuclear talks, the BBC reports. Iran's military Chief of Staff has said that the "interference" from Europeans in Iranian political unrest following disputed elections meant that the EU has "lost its qualification to hold nuclear talks".
EU Observer BBC Global Post Financial Times IHT
El País reports that Spanish employment has fallen by 1.53 percent, but is still 49 percent higher than the same period last year.
El Pais Irish Times El Mundo
El Mundo reports that the European Court of First Instance has ratified the Commission's decision to fine Spain for fraud involving EU agricultural funds intended for the cultivation of linen and canvas. Spain was fined €134 million in 2005 by the Commission, for a lack of control over the funds between 1996 and 2000.
El Mundo Court Ruling
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
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