Belgian PM: EU must carry on integrating without Britain; “the train has to drive on anyway”
08 March 2007
Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt has called for the EU to press ahead with greater integration even if the UK objects. He told Die Welt that he expected the German EU Presidency "not just to have put down a roadmap for the new Constitution by the end of June, but also an outline of the content. Only then is it guaranteed that an intergovernmental conference will really be short and that the necessary changes can go into force by the upcoming European election in summer 2009." When asked what the EU should do if the UK blocked a new treaty he said, "then the train has to drive on anyway. Should the British Government block the new attempt for agreement on the constitutional treaty, then the European Union must progress without Great Britain."
Die Welt EUobserver
EU summit split over binding EU targets for renewables – CBI attacks targets
According to the FT, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will push at today’s EU leaders’ summit for binding EU targets for renewable energy use of 20% by 2020. The article notes that at least 12 member states oppose the mandatory targets which the UK, Sweden, Germany, Italy and the Commission are strongly in favour of. The strongest criticism has come from the new EU members. Mirek Topolanek, Czech prime minister, told the newspaper the target was "unreasonable, non-sensical". He went on to say, "We have grown up since the days of communism when we were given five-year plans". "We don't want to go back to that situation." Prague’s ambassador to the EU Jan Kohout told the Wall Street Journal that whilst it was all very well for Denmark to adopt large scale wind power, the Czech Republic would have no capacity to adopt wind or solar power on account of geography and climate. Other governments opposed to the plans cite huge costs and threats to competitiveness. According to PA, the Confederation of British Industry has also voiced its opposition to mandatory EU wide targets. CBI Deputy Director-General John Cridland said "The goal should be to meet carbon reduction commitments, not artificial targets for any one form of generation - the market is the most efficient mechanism to determine the mix."
Le Figaro reports that Jacques Chirac will use his last European summit today and tomorrow to try to convince his European counterparts to make more use of nuclear power and “non-carbon energies” so that these make up 40% of Europe’s energy resources by 2020. In addition to Germany, Ireland and Austria are hostile to the idea. Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik is quoted saying, “We don’t think it is useful to have a debate on nuclear power at the Council.”
Le Figaro Le Monde WSJ BBC Today FT IHT El Pais Times Independent Independent-Gore BBC
Sarkozy calls for devaluation of euro - “Europe needs a real economic government”
In a speech on Tuesday Nicolas Sarkozy said “I do not believe in the doctrine of a minimalist state. I do not believe in the doctrine of laissez-faire. I do not believe that in France the State should be reduced to a secondary role… I do not think the nation can continue to exist without a strong State…If Europe and globalisation are synonymous with dumping and unfair competition for too long and on too big a scale, there will soon be no more Europe, nor free trade... If our economy, if our jobs, if our businesses, if our technology remain at the mercy of the predators of the whole world then the situation will quickly become unbearable.”
“Europe must protect, and for that reason I will propose to our partners if I am elected that the policy of over-valuation of the euro, which is at the moment exacerbating all the problems at Airbus and accelerating the de-industrialisation of Europe, is abandoned. I want the currency to be at the service of jobs and growth…. Europe needs a real economic government.”
“Europe must protect and for that reason I will propose to our partners that we establish a community preference which allows us to face up to unfair competition and confront dumping. Europe… must contribute to the moralisation of financial capitalism. If I am elected, I will propose that moralisation of financial capitalism be one of the main objectives of the eurozone…. I will propose to our partners that in no case must European aid be used to finance fiscal dumping between member states.”
Speech
EU treaty change not necessary for Croatian accession
EUobserver reports that the Croatian government has been reassured by the European Commission that the country will be allowed to join the EU even if the bloc has not agreed a new treaty. Croatia's Foreign Minister Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic said, “We have been reassured by a number of people from the Commission and from the EU member countries that should there be no constitutional arrangement that there are other means... that would provide for Croatia to join as the 28th member". She suggested two possibilities: amending the Nice Treaty or adding details to Croatia's own accession treaty.
EUobserver
Cameron challenges Blair over support for Constitution
The Telegraph reports that David Cameron has challenged Tony Blair to be clear about whether he backs further European integration and the German plans to bring back the EU Constitution. Cameron said: "Over the last few years this Government has had seven different positions on the EU Constitution and now it is not clear what they want.
First, they were against a Constitution. Then they were for it. Then they signed it. Then they refused a referendum on it. Then they agreed a referendum. Now they are briefing against a new Constitution but they don't have the courage to oppose it in public.”
Telegraph
Czech Republic to hold referendum on new EU Constitution?
EUobserver reports that the Czech government has said that it will consider holding a referendum on a new treaty if it is similar to the Constitution. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Vondra said "We could hold a referendum if there is a Constitution-like document at the end of negotiations". He is also reported to have spoken in favour of a slimmed-down treaty.
EUobserver
Divisions remain over Berlin Declaration
Le Figaro reports that the German EU Presidency has confirmed that the word ‘Constitution’ will not appear in the Berlin Declaration, and will be replaced by “reform of the institutions.” The text will be written by a German writer or journalist, whose identity is described in Brussels as “Berlin’s best kept secret.” While the content of the text “remains a mystery in EU capitals”, Le Figaro reports that extracts were circulated yesterday, and Angela Merkel intends to “test” reactions at the summit. Paris is against allowing any reference to enlargement of the EU to new members in the section on the EU’s future priorities, and is demanding mentions for “cultural diversity” and “solidarity.”
Les Echos reports that the “heads of state and government are expected, in their conclusions on Friday evening, to assert the need to re-launch the EU’s social dimension.” According to a text put forward by the French and to be discussed in the Council today, “Europe of 27 cannot be reduced to a free-trade area and must ensure the crucial balance between economic freedom and social rights.” The French Centre d’Analyse Strategique has sent Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin a report including proposals for the laying down of “minimum social norms” for the EU, including mutual recognition among national employment and social protection systems.
Angela Merkel is said to believe the divergences among member states over the Berlin Declaration text are surmountable. She said, “We need to remember that the member states, alone, cannot face the big challenges of the future: globalisation, migration, terrorism or climate change. Today, we need more Europe and not less.”
Le Figaro
UK could be outvoted on open skies deal
According to the WSJ, the European Commission has said that it may resort to a simple majority vote to solve the dispute over the EU’s open skies deal with the US. This would mean that the UK, which is opposed to the controversial deal, could be overruled.
WSJ
Peel: Both Brown and Cameron will have to engage in European politics
Quentin Peel argues in the FT that both Gordon Brown and David Cameron “share a mistrust of the European process”. But that “as both men get closer to the prospect of power, an awful reality seems to dawn on them. Whether as prime minister, or leader of the opposition, they will have to engage in European politics after all.”
FT
On the Fistful of Euros blog Alex Harrowell looks at how EU-funded meetings intended to reach out to voters are “being wasted on people who are already strongly committed to the cause”.
AFOE
Cass: The Commission needs to return to “a more respectful” view of intellectual property rights
In the WSJ, Ronald Cass of Boston University looks at the European Commission’s row with Microsoft over alleged overcharges of other companies for access to technology. Cass argues: “Businesses everywhere, and Europe's consumers most of all, should hope that [the Commission] returns to a more modest view of its own capacities and a more respectful view of intellectual property rights. On its present course, Brussels will do much harm to the very citizens it is supposed to defend, as well as the principles of limited law essential to economic and personal security. Ultimately the law, not Ms. Kroes, should be boss.”
WSJ
World
The FT reports that both E.on and Centrica are aiming to secure gas contracts from Iran.
FT
UK
MPs last night voted in favour of a fully-elected House of Lords, which could lead to the most radical change to the upper house in 96 years.
FT Guardian Times Telegraph
The Telegraph reports that new research by the Government’s Low Pay Commission, shows that around 1.7m people, or almost 8% of the adult workforce, now receive the minimum wage.
Telegraph
