Open Europe press summary: 17 June 2009

Europe

EU leaders struggle to agree legal form of Ireland's Lisbon Treaty 'guarantees';
Critics argue that without ratification of a protocol the 'guarantees' will change "absolutely nothing" in EU treaties
The Irish Independent reports that negotiations on Irish 'guarantees' on the Lisbon Treaty are expected to go "to the wire" at tomorrow's EU summit. There is still no political agreement on the legal form the 'guarantees' will take with Britain, Poland and the Netherlands opposing any solution which will require ratifying a protocol with the 'guarantees' through their parliaments. "Thursday and Friday will be about concentrating on legal guarantees and making sure re-ratification is not needed by anyone, particularly the British, as they are paranoid about the Tories," a source said. The Irish Times describes the UK's concerns as the "main stumbling block" at the summit.

The alternative to ratifying a protocol is offering Ireland a "decision" issued by EU heads of state and government. Former Danish MEP Jens Peter Bonde said yesterday that a "decision" issued by EU leaders could not change anything in the EU treaties. "It is a creative way of giving people a feeling of legal certainty which does not and cannot exist since only properly ratified EU treaties, with their protocols, can offer binding legal guarantees in EU law."

Ireland Online reports that People's Movement Chairperson Patricia McKenna has accused the Irish government of engaging in a cynical exercise of "political manipulation" by promoting the concept of 'legally binding' Irish 'guarantees'. McKenna, who campaigned against ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in last year's referendum, said that "The so-called 'decision' changes absolutely nothing in the treaties. If it were to change even a single word, then it would have to go through new ratifications in all member states in order to be validated."

She added, "A 'decision' in the summit is not a legally binding document that requires ratification by member states. A common 'declaration' which may express the intentions of today's politicians accompanies it, but it does not stop future politicians from meddling with these 'assurances'". A leader in the Irish Times notes that "having made the commitment to get legal guarantees...it will be difficult [for the Irish government] to settle for less stringent undertakings in the form of political declarations or assurances."

The Irish Independent reports that it is unlikely that the summit will result in an official date being set for Ireland's second referendum on the Treaty, with a government spokesman saying that Irish PM Brian Cowen "probably won't announce a date".

The Irish Times notes that the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has strongly criticised the draft 'guarantees' offered to Ireland on workers' rights because they do not go far enough.

The paper also notes that the Irish government has drafted a bill to be enacted before the next Lisbon referendum to ensure that Irish participation in European Defence Agency (EDA) operations is subject to parliamentary approval and will not undermine Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality.
IOL Irish Independent Irish Times Irish Times 2 EurActiv Irish Times 3 Irish Times 4 Irish Times: Leader Reuters Irish Times: State of the Union blog

Ian Davidson MP: We need to "re-visit the question of a referendum on the EU constitution"
In a debate on European Affairs in the House of Commons yesterday, Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague said that as a consequence of poor election results, the Government would have little influence when it came to discussing Europe's institutional future, and that "Seldom can a British Government have gone into European negotiations with a greater lack of moral or democratic authority as a result of these elections", according to PA.

Gisela Stuart, Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, criticised the appointment of Glenys Kinnock as Europe Minister, saying "to have a situation where the
Europe Minister is not in the Commons, I think it is deeply, deeply unsatisfactory."

Labour MP for Glasgow South West Ian Davidson said that the results of the European elections were not solely due to the MPs' expenses scandal, adding "It's perfectly clear that being associated with ever-closer union is toxic and I would have thought the Government would want to take that into account. I don't think the Government's commitment to democratic renewal will be taken seriously until we re-visit the question of a referendum on the European constitution."
Hansard

Open Europe's findings that EU Commissioners leaving office this year can expect to receive £1 million each in pensions and pay-offs is covered in Polish daily Dziennik.
Dziennik Open Europe press release

House of Lords committee: EU proposals for financial regulations are worrying for UK national interest;
"The UK government have appeared to be behind the ball game at times"
The House of Lords EU Committee today published a report looking at the EU Commission's proposals for more regulation and supervision of the financial sector. The report criticises the Commission for failing to follow its own 'Better Regulation Principles' and prioritising rapid action over thorough consultation, most noticeably by not producing robust impact assessments and risk analyses. The Committee also warned that some of the proposed regulation may stifle the ability of European firms to compete globally.

In particular, the Committee criticised the Commission's proposal for stricter rules for hedge funds and private equity groups, arguing that "there is no need for 'rapid EU legislative action'" in this area. It also raised concerns over the proposal for the creation of three EU agencies with the power to overrule national regulators on decisions relating to banking, insurance and securities supervision. Labour peer Lord Kenneth Woolmer is quoted saying, "Financial services are a key, strategic industry for the UK. London operates in a global market place as well as in Europe. Many other EU member states do not share this perspective. The UK government must ensure these national interests are properly reflected in new regulations or in structural reforms."

He added, "There are some worrying signs. The timing and pace of Commission proposals appeared dictated by the timetable of the European Parliament elections and the twilight days of the old Commission. The content of some proposals, especially those on regulation of Alternative Investment Funds, was rushed with insufficient consultation and a weak assessment of likely impacts. The UK government have appeared to be behind the ball game at times. Getting things done right is now more important than getting things done fast."

Meanwhile EUobserver quotes EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso saying, "Given the urgency of the situation, the commission has proposed to go further than the Larosiere report by accelerating the implementation of the new architecture".

The Telegraph quotes Mark Hoban, Shadow City Minister saying, "It is the Treasury's job to make sure that new directives go through a proper process".

London Mayor Boris Johnson has backed the City's financial services sector saying, "It is crazy that we are so passively and supinely accepting EU directives on hedge funds, capital adequacy and other issues. We should be far more robust in defending the City of London", according to City AM.
House of Lords Open Europe research Bloomberg City AM Euractiv EUobserver Les Echos PA

David Cameron 'would not oppose' Blair becoming first EU President
The Times reports that David Cameron has told senior Conservatives that they should not oppose Tony Blair, should he become a candidate for EU President. The role will be created if the Lisbon Treaty is ratified by all member states and the President could be elected in December 2009 should the Irish vote 'Yes' in the second referendum.
Times El Mundo Conservative Home

Consultants to cover fall in junior doctors' hours under Working Time Directive
The Telegraph reports that hospital consultants will have to work more nights and weekends to support junior doctors, whose hours will be limited to 48 a week under the EU's Working Time Directive, due to come into force on 1 August.
Open Europe research

EU opens case against Germany over farm aid
EUobserver reports that the European Commission yesterday decided to take legal action against Germany, after the region of Bavaria refused to disclose the recipients of EU CAP subsidies. The infringement procedure can take several years, which can then be referred to the European Court of Justice, which could apply sanctions.

A leader in the FT Deutschland writes that the website which discloses the information "makes searching so complicated that systematic analyses are not possible". It adds that "it is well known that Brussels mainly gives to those who already have most. Direct payments are being attributed per hectare...The attempt to cover up information by Bavaria and the farmers' lobby is shameful."

DPA discloses a top 10 list of German CAP subsidy recipients, with sugar producer Südzucker AG Mannheim topping the list, having received €34 million in 2008.
EUobserver DPA: top 10 of German CAP subsidies recipients German Government publication of CAP subsidies recipients FTD Leader ARD Welt Commission Zeit

Cohn-Bendit calls for EP debate to block Barroso's reappointment;
New survey shows Barroso lacks public support
EurActiv reports that the leader of the Greens in the European Parliament, Daniel Cohn-Bendit, has called for a proper European Parliamentary debate on the re-appointment of José Manuel Barroso as Commission President ahead of an EU summit this week, saying "We must stop Barroso; there is no valid reason for making a formal decision to re-appoint him now". Bendit has argued that it is hypocritical of Barroso, who has championed the Lisbon Treaty, to insist that he is re-nominated under the rules of the Nice Treaty, which gives the EP less influence over his appointment. The Parliament reports that Cohn-Bendit has said there is a "sufficient majority" of MEPs to block José Manuel Barroso's re-election as Commission President.

Meanwhile The Parliament reports that the majority of the public does not support a second term for Barroso. A poll on the homepage of the Czech EU Presidency, says 73 percent of respondents believe he should not be reappointed while only 23 percent said he should.

Separate data published by the London School of Economics, puts Barroso fourth in a list of favoured candidates for the President of the EU Commission. One EU insider said, "This latest set of statistics seems to point to a gulf between what EU policymakers are saying about who should lead the commission and what citizens want."
EurActiv The Parliament Coulisses de Bruxelles Les Echos Figaro Prague Daily Monitor The Parliament 2 EUobserver El Mundo Publico

Swedish Foreign Minister says "door is open" to EU enlargement
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt has said that the issue of EU enlargement is still high on the agenda, adding "There have always been significant voices saying no more, let's deepen instead of widen, but at the end of the day when European democracies knock on the door of the union of European democracies, the door has been open".
Reuters FT

Conservatives disagree with Czech partners on other members of new alliance
The Times reports that the Conservatives have irritated their Czech partners over their new anti-federalist grouping in the European Parliament by refusing to allow more extreme parties to join the group. Czech ODS leader and former Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek wants as many parties to join the group as possible but David Cameron is reluctant to allow parties such as Italy's Northern League and the Danish People's Party (DPP) to join the alliance.
Times

EU to fine banks that engage in risky business
The Irish Independent reports that draft EU legislation to be published next week "will give regulators direct supervisory powers over remuneration for the first time by imposing a 'binding obligation'... that promote[s] sound risk management". A fine that would be imposed on banks that reward their employees for taking extra risks is included in the regulation proposal.
Irish Independent

Transparency International: Why do MEPs get €4000 a month for office expenses?
In an interview with Die Zeit, Transparency International Leader Jana Mittermeier asks how, in a time of modern communication and technology, €4000 a month for office expenses can be legitimate, saying "These types of office allowances are simply old-fashioned".
Zeit

Poland has revealed its candidate for its next EU Commissioner will be Janusz Lewandowski, a current MEP in the EPP grouping, according to EurActiv. He will replace Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hubner who was elected to the European Parliament last week.
EurActiv Polskie Radio

In a letter to the Guardian, Lib-Dem MEP Sarah Ludford argues "It is not acceptable to have EU-US deals on extradition, information collection and exchange, and border controls which are cooked up in secret and outwith the democratic control of the European and national parliaments."
Guardian: Letters

An analysis in FAZ by Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger notes that US President Obama is said to have told David Cameron that, if he becomes the next PM, then the quality of "our relationship" will depend on the quality of British engagement in the EU.FAZ

In a letter to the WSJ, Director of Business for New Europe Zaki Cooper argues that 'eurosceptic' MEPs are bad for business and that "In an age of economic interdependence, our parliamentarians need to engage with the process rather than lobby for retreat and withdrawal."
WSJ: Letters

The FT looks at the Czech's EU Presidency and writes, "the most important lesson from the Czech presidency is that it is fatal to let domestic politics contaminate a government's conduct of EU business."
FT

The Czech presidency has voiced its concern over irregularities in the Iranian national election and was supported by a number of other countries including the UK, France and Germany.
Eu2009 Toute l'Europe VOA

UK

The Independent reports that Chancellor Alistair Darling will give his annual Mansion House speech tonight, but a new ComRes survey for the paper of 203 business leaders reveals that only 14 percent have confidence in him. This is in contrast to 65 percent who had confidence in Ken Clarke, 62 percent for David Cameron and 61 percent for Vince Cable.
Independent

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.