All eyes on Kosovo at Brussels EU summit

After having arrived in Brussels following yesterday's signing ceremony for the new EU treaty in Lisbon, European leaders are today seeking to reach a common position on the future status of Kosovo.

Kosovo recognition to be left to EU states, Danish PM says

Activists see new lobbying prospects in EU Treaty

With national parliaments set to gain more powers to scrutinise EU laws, environmental NGOs are hoping that European capitals will offer a new battleground to defend their cause. But others warn that the new powers are essentially defensive and could lead to obstruction.

Eurozone inflation hits 6-year high

Eurozone inflation for November was revised to its highest levels in 6 years following the impact of rising fuel and food prices

Progress Seen at Climate Talks

by Juliet Eilperin

NUSA DUA, Indonesia, Dec. 14 -- International negotiators continued to meet around the clock here today, making some headway in their effort to forge a road map for achieving a new global climate pact by the end of 2009, including agreement on a deal to protect the world's tropical forests.

Bali progress on forests and tech transfers despite EU-US row EN

With the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali set to wind up amidst outrage over US-led opposition to binding emissions cuts, delegates have agreed to include efforts to curb deforestation and to promote clean technology transfers to developing countries in the Bali 'roadmap'.

Old Europe on show

A princess at a summit

 

Honey, the Cold War is over

By The Evil European

An interesting comment by James Connaughton, the senior US negotiator at the Bali conference of climate change, for me sums up the main problem with the current US mindset to not just climate change but a wide range of issues.

"The US will lead, and we will continue to lead, but leadership also requires others to fall in line and follow."
The Guardian, 14/12/07

Small step or giant leap?

By Richard Laming

Another signing ceremony for another treaty. I cast my mind back to the signing of the Constitutional Treaty in Rome in June 2004, when my Italian hosts (I was in Italy at the time) were offended by the bad behaviour of their prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi. He had picked up his copy of the treaty to swat a fly, apparently. The Italians do not appreciate a lack of respect.

DOSSIER: The Swiss populist Blocher sent to the opposition | 14/12/2007

The populist Swiss People's Party (SVP) left Switzerland's governing coalition on Thursday, December 13th. The previous day, its former leader, Christoph Blocher, minister of justice for the last four years, was not reelected into the cabinet. The SVP, Switzerland's largest party, heads to the opposition benches as a result. The European press analyses this strategic shift in Swiss politics.

Britain at the heart of Europe - not

By Jon

It makes me so sad, so disappointed. The UK cannot even be a diligent enough European country to manage to get its Prime Minister to Lisbon to sign the EU Reform Treaty on time.

EU reflection group to be headed by former Spanish PM

Der Spiegel Independence Plan: Europe Looking for Kosovo's Future

Labour bloggers like ostriches on EU issues

by Jon

Gordon Brown manages to make the matter of signing the EU Reform Treaty a national disgrace, so what are the reactions? The eurosceptic papers unsurprisingly whine about signing away sovereignty (good piece from Political Betting). William Hague has a field day, accusing Brown of being rude and at the same time signing up to the Treaty. More EU favourable papers like The Guardian publish leaders admonishing Brown, and rather polite comments urging him to do more.

 

Agree or disagree, but never hide

If he disagrees with the EU Treaty, the PM should have withdrawn Britain from it. If he believes in it, he should have signed with pride and alacrity, writes John Kampfner

Case for EU referendum remains

If Gordon Brown is so uncomfortable at being associated with the EU treaty that he avoids the formal signing, then he should honour that pledge and let the people decide.

The Euro-American Religious Divide

by Joerg Wolf

Many Americans have criticized German politicians for using Anti-Americanism in their election campaigns. Now it seems that at least one US presidential candidate wants to try out Euro-Bashing. Roger Cohen writes in the International Herald Tribune:

Brussels to push ahead with asylum policies in 2008

Sarkozy says 'reflection group' will discuss EU borders

Assez de nostalgie pour la ” petite Europe “

Le Monde (France), samedi, 15 décembre 2007, p. 24

Christian Lequesne *

Alors que les Vingt-Sept s’apprêtent à signer le traité de Lisbonne, l’entretien qu’a donné récemment le député européen Jean-Louis Bourlanges (Le Monde du 3 décembre) éclaire une facette peu connue du débat européen en France

 

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