Bulletins

• 1) The French EU Presidency: what to expect
  
• 2) EU Constitution round-up
  
• 3) News in brief
  
• 4) Open Europe in the news

France will assume the EU Presidency on 1 July with an extremely ambitious agenda for further EU integration. Top priorities include developing an EU defence force, forging a common immigration and asylum policy, and implementing institutions of the Lisbon Treaty supporting the new EU Foreign Minister and permanent EU President.  Other issues on the French agenda include combating climate change, protecting French agriculture in CAP negotiations, and conceptualising Nicolas Sarkozy's proposed "Mediterranean Union."

Open Europe has released a briefing note, "The French EU Presidency 2008 - what to expect", which can be downloaded here:

http://www.openeurope.org.uk/research/frenchpresidency.pdf

In the recent Anglo-French meeting on 27 March, Gordon Brown claimed that he and Sarkozy "share the same vision of Europe." 

However, there remain many issues on which the UK and France fundamentally disagree. Major differences persist on CAP reform and trade protectionism, EU defence, EU immigration policy, future European integration, enlargement and Turkish membership, the EU budget and tax. 

For example, on the issue of the CAP, Gordon Brown emphasised the importance of reform in a speech in 2005, arguing that "ending the EU's agricultural barriers and subsidies could raise the income of farmers in developing countries by more than $8 billion each year." However, Sarkozy presented a very different perspective, saying "Those who want to destroy the common agricultural policy don't believe in Europe. There is no reason to leave the field open for our American friends."

On EU defence, a clear disparity between UK and French positions is also clear.  Sarkozy has said "I want Europe to be capable of ensuring its security autonomously," with newspaper Les Echos stressing that "Nicolas Sarkozy would like to create in Europe a permanent command structure, which would compete with NATO."  In contrast, David Miliband has stated that "When the cooperation makes sense, we must go with it. But I do not think it is necessary to create new defence institutions."

On immigration policy, the UK and France have also expressed strong differences.  Sarkozy, a keen advocate of a fully fledged common EU immigration policy, argues: "Let's face it: thanks to the simplified treaty we are going to have a common immigration policy... the very first thing we are going to do is tackle a European immigration pact". In contrast, David Miliband has insisted that "Nothing in this treaty will reduce the UK's sovereignty over immigration, asylum, visas, police co-operation or civil law."

Open Europe has released a new briefing note summarising likely future conflicts between the UK and France on key EU issues.  Download the briefing here:

http://www.openeurope.org.uk/media-centre/pressrelease.aspx?pressreleaseid=71

The Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords will reverse the party's position of abstaining on a referendum in the Commons, and will now vote with the Government against a referendum.  A Lib Dem abstention on a referendum in the Upper House would have significantly boosted the chances of a referendum. Lord McNally, Lib Dem leader in the Lords justified the decision by arguing that "The arithmetic in the Commons is different from the Lords", and that therefore the Party would vote with the Government against a referendum.   Baroness Shirley Williams, who is rumoured to have threatened defection to Labour if the Lib Dems backed a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty said of her party's manifesto promise of a referendum: "That commitment was embarrassing. I believe it was not in the interests of this country or in the interests of a good relationship with the rest of the EU."  (BBC EUobserver Spectator Telegraph, 2 April)

The latest Lib Dem u-turn has reportedly angered those former front-bench MPs who resigned their positions in order to vote for a referendum, rather than abstain in the Commons. One Lib Dem MP told the Telegraph: "A lot of us are furious about this... Those of us in marginal seats who had to make a significant compromise on this issue are now being undermined by people who won't ever face the electorate." (Telegraph, 3 April)

In the New Statesman, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg argued it is time to listen to the people and, "build something new." He noted that "The elitist, Establishment view is this: the people (bless their cotton socks) are misguided, and should be ignored...the old, exclusive politics, with power and influence sewn up between a few chums at Westminster, is doomed." (New Statesman,13 March)

During his state visit to Britain, French President Nicolas Sarkozy thanked Gordon Brown for his "courage and loyalty" in pushing through the Lisbon Treaty without a referendum. The President said that every other European leader was grateful to Brown for his efforts. "I am not the only one in Europe who appreciates what he has done. What he has done was necessary for Europe," he said. During a private meeting, Sarkozy also rebuked David Cameron for his pledge to put the Lisbon Treaty to a vote.  (Telegraph, 29 March)

Sarkozy insisted that his Government had taken on board the message sent by the 'no-votes' on the EU Constitution in France: "People wanted a different Europe. And we have achieved that, thanks to the simplified treaty". (BBC Today, 26 March)  

In Brussels, secret negotiations have now commenced on some of the most controversial aspects of the Lisbon Treaty - the office set-up for the proposed new full-time President, the shape of the diplomatic service and the power-sharing arrangement for the regular ministerial meetings in Brussels. The President will reportedly be in line for a salary of around 270,000 euros, a chauffeured car, a housing allowance and a personal staff of around 20.  (EUobserver, 14 April)

Meanwhile, in Ireland, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's announcement of his resignation has been widely interpreted as necessary to help secure a 'yes' vote in the country's referendum.    A senior Irish government official told the Guardian: "If we lost Lisbon because of Bertie's personal issues that would be a disaster for both Ireland and Europe, so this move was made in the national interest". (Guardian, 3 April)

MEP expenses scandal: 58 million euros missing. Hans Martin Tillack has revealed that while MEPs are supposed to account for how they spent their 17,000 euro a month office allowance, for the years 2004 and 2005 receipts worth 58 million euros were not produced.  Tillack commented that "we are not talking about a few black sheep but a flock which covers half the parliament."  (Stern blog Waterfield blog, 17 March)

Bus journeys limited to 30 miles by EU regulations. Thousands of passengers are being forced off buses midway through journeys to comply with EU laws, as a Brussels ruling has banned local services longer than 30 miles to ensure drivers do not spend too long at the wheel.  Under the laws, drivers have to pull in when they reach the 30 mile limit and order everyone off their bus, then change the route number on the front and invite passengers to get back on before resuming the trip. (Sun Sun leader, 25 March)

Majority of doctors believe EU's 48 hour week will have a negative impact on medical training. A British Medical Association survey has found that more than two in three (64 percent) of junior doctors believe that compliance with the EU's 48-hour working week will have a "negative overall effect" on their training.  New EU laws come into force in 2009, cutting the number of hours junior doctors are allowed to work from the current maximum of 56 to a maximum of 48.  When asked what they were worried about the most, 33 percent feared an impact on the quality of their training while a further 32 percent were concerned about the impact on their ability to learn the skills needed to practice safely. (PA, 10 April)

Brown cornered by EU and trade unions on Temps Directive - 250,000 jobs on the line.  Britain has been trying to strike a behind-the-scenes deal to "lessen the risk of an embarrassing defeat" on the controversial EU Temporary Workers' Directive.  The CBI estimated that the Directive, if passed, would cost the UK 250,000 jobs. According to the article, defeat for the UK has been looking increasingly likely since last autumn. (FT, 9 April)

EU Emissions Trading Scheme handing £60bn windfall profits to energy firms "for doing nothing". Power companies stand to gain windfall profits of billions of pounds from Europe's Emissions Trading Scheme, a report from Point Carbon commissioned by WWF has found. Because permits to pollute under the ETS have largely been given away for free, energy firms are simply being handed profits on a plate, according to the report. The report estimated potential windfall profits in the power sectors of the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy and Poland in the current phase of the ETS, running until 2012 at £60 billion. In the UK's case, the report estimated the possible windfall profit margin at between £4.7 and £11.8 billion. (Independent on Sunday EUobserver WWF Guardian, 7 April)

MEPs call for special EU benefits rights for itinerant artists. The EU Culture Commissioner Jan Figel has lent support to a proposal from MEPs to grant working artists in Europe a special social status enabling them to travel and practise their art throughout the Union without missing out on social rights.  The MEPs argued that the special nature of the art business should give artists special rights to claim pensions or unemployment benefits across the EU.  (EUobserver, 7 April)

Commission to spend 7.2 million more euros on promoting EU.  The Commission has presented "Debate Europe" - part of Commissioner Margot Wallstrom's "Plan D" - aimed at making the EU more popular and increasing the involvement of EU citizens. Among other things, the project will establish 'European public spaces', including regional and local exhibitions, debates, seminars and training sessions that involve EU officials and citizens.  The budget is 7.2 million euros.  Svenska Dagbladet noted that "at the press conference Wallstrom had difficulties giving examples on how the proposals from citizens' meetings had led to any concrete proposals from the EU Commission." (EUobserver Telegraph Hannan SVD, 3 April) 

Only 14 percent of MEPs have business experience. According to research carried out by the Industry and Parliament Trust only 14 per cent of MEPs have any business experience at all. (FT, 2 April) 

Government failure on EU laws has cost business £45bn.  A report from the British Chambers of Commerce found that ministers' failure to effectively negotiate new EU laws has added £45bn to the burden on British business over the past decade. (FT BCC Burdens Barometer)

Winemaker faces EU bill of £30,000 for using wrong bottle. An award-winning winemaker was facing a £30,000 bill after European bureaucrats ruled that he was using the wrong-shaped bottles.  Jerry Schooler, who sells 400,000 bottles of fruit wines and mead a year, was threatened with prosecution over his determination to use traditional measurements.  The proprietor of the Lurgashall Winery in West Sussex, had been told to halt the sale of beverages such as mead, silver birch wine and bramble liqueur in 75cl and 37.5cl bottles. If he continues to sell them, he could be taken to court under a new EU directive that permits the sale of such products in 70cl, 50cl or 35cl measures only. (Times, 25 March)

'Palace, jet and personal staff of 22' for the new EU President
Telegraph 11 April

The Telegraph reported on the discussion of new powers and perks of the future EU President. Open Europe was quoted saying, "EU politicians claim that the Lisbon Treaty will make the EU more transparent and accessible to voters, but this latest example of secretive horse-trading shows that if it ever does come into force it will be business as usual in Brussels."

France and Britain poles apart on key EU issues
Telegraph 1 April

Neil O'Brien of Open Europe had a letter in the Telegraph questioning the assertion of Roland Rudd and Sir Stephen Wall of Business for New Europe that the British and French governments share the same view of the EU.  Neil wrote: "The recurring illusion that other leaders have exactly the same vision of Europe as we do - when they clearly do not - has hampered Britain in Europe for years."  

Open Europe's Mats Persson appeared on Al Jazeera English discussing the extension of the Schengen area to include nine new member states.
1 April
  
UK contributions to EU budget set to rise from £3.3bn to £6.4bn
Telegraph Sun Mail 29 March

Several papers reported that the UK's net financial contributions to the EU will rise by almost £1 billion this year, taking the country's net contribution to more than £4 billion..  Paul Stephenson of Open Europe was quoted in the Express: "These figures just highlight the sheer level of Blair's sell-out to Brussels in 2005. It's hardly surprising that he's now the frontrunner to become the next president of the EU. Last year the EU's accountants were unable to sign off over £43bn worth of spending. Until the EU gets its house in order, Gordon Brown should refuse to send any more cheques to Brussels."  

Sarkozy calls for new Anglo-French brotherhood
Newsnight (25 mins in) 27 March

On his state visit to London, Nicolas Sarkozy called for a new French-British "brotherhood" urging the two countries to "write a new page in our common history".  On Newsnight, Open Europe's Neil O'Brien argued that while Sarkozy talks a good game, the reality is that his priorities are quite different to those of Gordon Brown and the UK.  For example, despite his praise of globalisation and CAP reform, he is in favour of higher trade tariffs.   

Harmonizing England and Europe
Town Hall 26 March

On American website Townhall, Herb London of the Hudson Institute picked up on Open Europe's recent publication "The EU and You". He noted, "This is indeed an odd historical moment. A democracy that people often take for granted is challenged by a 'soft' authoritarianism that is barely recognised by the public at large. If there was a referendum or several such referenda that would be one thing, but, in fact, most of the anticipated regulations will occur below the radar."

Peter Mandelson's days in EU post numbered
Telegraph14 March

The Telegraph reported that a House of Lords report on the Lisbon Treaty concluded that the UK does not have a watertight opt-out from the Charter of Fundament Rights. Open Europe's Neil O'Brien was quoted saying: "This report shows again that it is a significant transfer of power, that the Government have not been honest."