Press Summary Archive

Sarkozy vows to scrap national vetoes: “no member state should be able to stop the Union advancing”

01 March 2007

According to Le Figaro, Nicolas Sarkozy has said that a “simplified treaty” would be necessary for the correct “functioning of the institutions” of the EU. He explained that the abolition of national vetoes in EU decision-making was essential, arguing that “It is inconceivable that a single member state, indeed even two, should be able to stop the Union advancing”. He reiterated his opposition to Turkish EU membership, saying “George Bush wishes to see Turkey integrated in Europe. For me it’s no! Turkey is not a European country”.

According to the FT, Sarkozy mapped out his desire for a more assertive French foreign policy, at the heart of a similarly assertive EU, suggesting that greater integration in this area was essential. He said, "After half a century of European construction, we are sufficiently united to ensure that none of our states can conduct a great diplomatic action on its own, but not enough to act together and to count significantly on the international scene."

He went on to defend Europe's agricultural policies, saying the security of food supply was a "strategic issue" that could not be left at the mercy of commodity traders in London and New York.

According to a separate article in Le Figaro, pro-Constitution “partisans” have criticised Sarkozy’s plans for a mini-treaty, with Spanish Europe Minister Alberto Navarro, along with his counterpart from Luxembourg, urging a “Constitution-plus” instead. The article notes that Berlin is more quietly opposed to Sarkozy’s plans. One of Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier’s aides told the paper that “the French have a bad habit of always wanting to simplify everything.”

EUobserver reports that Navarro has also criticised the British stance on the Constitution, apparently puzzled by the change in London’s position since 2004/5. ”I don't know what has changed exactly and why they are so many problems now," he said.

The article also notes that Navarro reminded Poland and the Czech Republic, who have emerged as vocal critics of the Constitution, that they are getting "billions" of euros of EU subsidies, appearing to suggest that they should be more grateful towards the EU. On the BBC website Mark Mardell looks at how member states’ governments are attempting to avoid holding a referendum on the EU Constitution.

EUobserver AFP Le Figaro Le Figaro 2 Le Monde Guardian FT Times FT2 IHT BBC

Berlin worried about growing Polish opposition to EU Constitution

Handelsblatt reports that Berlin now sees Poland as the biggest obstacle to its attempt to bring back the EU Constitution. It reports that Warsaw is concerned that the Constitution will reduce its influence in the EU because of the “double majority” voting system. “The double majority is unacceptable to most Poles,” said Marek Cichocki, an adviser to president Lech Kaczynski.

Handelsblatt

According to AFP, Berlin will recommend that the EU summit in June should set up an intergovernmental conference to negotiate the details of the new treaty.

AFP

Romano Prodi narrowly won a vote of confidence in the Italian Senate last night despite warnings from Silvio Berlusconi’s coalition that “his days are numbered”.

FT El Mundo Times IHT Deutsche Welle Independent

Is Eastern Europe heading for a “hard landing”?

The FT reports that analysts Standard and Poors have warned that Latvia’s economy is “overheating” and may be heading for a “hard landing”. A separate study from Danske Bank has claimed that a crisis in Latvia could spread across the Baltics and into Eastern Europe, reminiscent of the Asian crisis in 1997.

Chief execs step up pressure on Doha round deal

In two separate letters to the FT, the International Chambers of Commerce and the European Roundtable of Industrialists call on negotiators to bring the WTO Doha round to a successful conclusion. Trade correspondent Alan Beattie reports that the letters reflect an increase in sustained business pressure on the issue.

FT FT-letter FT-letter2

The Scotsman reports that the EU Commission has begun preliminary discussions on reforming the CAP.

Scotsman

Airbus restructuring to see 10,000 job losses in Europe – Commission promises EU help

The restructuring of Airbus will see 10,000 jobs losses across Europe, with France taking the brunt with reductions of 4,300. Germany is expected to lost 3,700, and the UK 1,250. EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot said according to Reuters, "We at the European Commission will be looking at helping Airbus by strengthening once more research and development programmes to help the company." Barrot said the company has paid "a heavy price for bad governance."

Le Monde Telegraph Guardian Reuters

Witches cash in on EU grants

The Sun reports that witches in Romania are selling spells to businessmen in a bid to help them land EU grants. Witch Florica, from Pitesti in southern Romania, said: "It's a new type of spell that we had to work out of course. You cannot pretend you are a real witch if you cannot help a businessman get the European Union funds he wants.”

Ananova

The FT reports that Tony Blair is set to complete a U-turn and support the EU’s proposed 20% mandatory target for renewable energy.

Britain is planning to withdraw its 600 soldiers from Bosnia, presumably as part of an overall EU reduction of troops, the IHT reports.

IHT

The IHT reports that the EU has given Poland a week to stop work on a highway running through a unique protected habitat in a test case of how the new EU member states deal with environmental issues.

IHT EUobserver AFP

EUobserver reports that the EU fundamental rights agency will be launched today and looks at some of the criticisms of the new body.

EUobserver

World

CIA says European criticisms are damaging the war on terror

According to El Pais, John Bellinger legal advisor to the US State Department, has said that criticism of the activities of the CIA in Europe and attempts from Germany and Italy to prosecute US agents have caused “a cooling in cooperation between the intelligence services of the US and Europe.” He told the newspaper that European governments should be doing more in the war on terror, claiming that although European countries are ostensible supporters of the Geneva Convention, “more and more Europeans are recognising that existing laws are not sufficient for combating the threat of Al Qaeda”.

El Pais

Republican senator John McCain has announced his candidacy for the presidential elections.

El Mundo

Ex-ministers challenge Brown’s ‘coronation’

Labour MPs – led by ex-ministers Alan Milburn and Charles Clarke - are demanding that Gordon Brown include them in discussions about the party’s future direction. After launching a new “discussion forum” the2020vision.co.uk yesterday, former Home Secretary Charles Clarke said, “The Labour Party doesn’t belong to Gordon or any one other individual. We need to reinvigorate and revive what we stand for if we are to avoid sleepwalking to disaster.” James Blitz argues in the FT that the website is “a last prod” to see if David Miliband will challenge Brown for the leadership.

Times FT FT2 Mirror Independent

UKIP’s troubles deepen

The Times reports that “The UK Independence Party’s troubles deepened yesterday as it suspended one of its MEPs after allegations that he had embezzled European funds. Two other MEPs [Mike Nattrass and former leader Roger Knapman] who were upset by the decision then threatened to leave the party.“ The Independent reports that “The UK Independence Party has been accused of discrimination after it barred a man from standing as a candidate in a winnable council seat because he is disabled.”

Times Times2 Times3 Telegraph Independent

In the Times Anatole Kaletsky argues that the reason private equity firms make large profits is because of “the overregulation of pension funds, public companies and other investment institutions.”

Times

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