"Habermas on European Union
Habermas on European Union
SPIEGEL online has a feature about the 'Disunity in the European Union', including lengthy analyses by Dirk Kubjuweit and Jürgen Habermas.The piece by Habermas contains much the same diagnosis that I forwarded in a shorter version in the intro of the euroblog roundup. Not to claim originality, mind. Here are some of the more hard-hitting quotes:
Suddenly roused out of complacency, European governments don't want to appear helpless. They are looking for a "technical" solution -- which would result in a repeat of the Irish referendum.
EU problems and priorities
A few more post-Irish Referendum thoughts - because the EU really, really needs to know what it is that it should be doing if it’s to work out what is the best way forward from its ongoing Constitutional/Lisbon Treaty navel-gazing. More suggestions for priorities gratefully received in the comments.
Art of influence
Shedding light on Europe's army of lobbyistsEU-Russia summit: Medvedev follows in Putin's footsteps
As the two sides prepare to launch talks for a wide-ranging bilateral treaty at a summit in Siberia this week, Europeans should not expect Moscow to change its well-known positions, Vladimir Chizhov, the Russian ambassador to the EU, told journalists in Brussels ahead of the meeting.Global competition and European companies' location decisions
Only 8% of job losses announced in Europe between 2003 and 2006 were due to the relocation of work to other countries, a new study by the EU agency Eurofound reveals.Libertas: Liars
This post has been cross posted at 63 Europium.During the campaign in Ireland I really should have stayed on top of the issues. I just looked at the Libertas webpage and at there 8 points to say "No". Lets have a look:
Europe’s trance of unreality, Ivan Krastev
There is something unreal and profoundly disturbing about the latest crisis in the European Union. In theory the results of the Irish referendum held on 12 June 2008 are a fatal blow to the Lisbon treaty and the prospects of reforming the European Union. In theory the only logical outcome of the referendum should be either a Europe of "two speeds" or a paralysed Europe. In reality, however, nobody believes that the Irish vote will bury the Lisbon treaty. The only genuine question is when the Irish will be forced to vote "yes" after they were so unreasonable as to vote "no".
Does the No vote herald a new Ireland?
There is a theory that the Irish rejection of the Lisbon treaty marks the start of a new era in Irish relations with Europe. Formerly a very pro-European country, it will now become an ally of the British Eurosceptics. Daniel Hannan makes this case here.Can the treaty proceed without Ireland?
It is sometimes suggested that the Lisbon treaty should go ahead on the basis of only 26 ratifications, without Ireland, after the result of the referendum last week. Looking at the text of the Lisbon treaty, this is clearly impossible. In the final provisions of the treaty, Article 6 reads as follows:Union for the Mediterranean has potential to resolve region’s problems by SAMİR SALHA
The Mediterranean Summit, proposed by French President Nicholas Sarkozy and scheduled to take place on July 13-14 with the participation of 40 countries, has already sparked serious discussions and debates. Commission launches lobbyists register
The European Commission yesterday (23 June) launched a voluntary register for lobbyists seeking to influence its policymaking amid criticism from transparency groups that the scheme does not go far enough.Single European Sky: Towards greener air travel?
With 27 separate airspaces, Europe's skies are getting increasingly crowded and polluting, leading the EU to push for the realisation of a "Single European Sky". But member states' reluctance to hand over sovereignty in this area appears to be slowing down the process.EU relief over new pro-European government in Serbia
Following six weeks of tense negotiations, the Serbian Socialists yesterday (23 June) agreed to form a government with the pro-European bloc of President Boris Tadic, in a move seen as an important step towards Serbia's future EU membership.French university funding reform faces renewed opposition
French proposals to reform the country's university funding by introducing a more performance-oriented approach have attracted renewed opposition among students.Luxembourg and Ireland richest in EU | Top News | Reuters
US Nukes not Secure in Europe
"Most European military sites equipped with US nuclear weapons fail to meet Pentagon security requirements, according to a US Air Force study." reports Reuters:
Hans Kristensen, director of the [Federation of American Scientists'] Nuclear Information Project, said the security problems occurred at installations operated by the national militaries of Germany, Belgium, Holland and Italy, all NATO members. About 200 to 350 nuclear weapons are believed to be stored at the sites.
Is Europe ready for a "how-to" era?
Self-interest trumps self-sacrifice
THINGS are still looking murky in Europe after Ireland's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty. But the period of questioning and self-examination that has ensued may ultimately be healthy, John Vinocur argues. His analysis may strike some as overly cynical: average people don't like the European Union enough to care about it, "unless the matter at hand directly concerns new benefits, unwanted obligations or the fear of reducing the multiple and already-pocketed individual advantages of EU membership."
Erasmus Mundus: Broadening Europe's knowledge base
A Europe open to the world and proud of welcoming foreign students to share its cultural diversity and its educational wealth with them is the main message of Marielle De Sarnez (MoDem, France) in her report on the "Erasmus Mundus" programme, adopted today in the European Parliament's Culture Committee. "European higher education must be competitive to attract many foreign students who otherwise would have left to follow their studies in the United States," Mrs de Sarnez commented.
MAIN FOCUS: Zimbabwe on the verge of civil war | 24/06/2008
The situation in Zimbabwe is coming to a head: after repeated acts of violence by supporters of President Robert Mugabe, the leader of the opposition Morgan Tsvangirai has withdrawn his presidential candidacy and sought refuge in the Dutch embassy. The threat of civil war looms ominously. How should Europe react?
ISN Security Watch - Europe's trance of unreality
For the complete report from ISN Security Watch click on this linkEurope's trance of unreality - by van Krastev
There is something unreal and profoundly disturbing about the latest crisis in the European Union. In theory the results of the Irish referendum held on 12 June are a fatal blow to the Lisbon treaty and the prospects of reforming the European Union. In theory the only logical outcome of the referendum should be either a Europe of "two speeds" or a paralyzed Europe. In reality, however, nobody believes that the Irish vote will bury the Lisbon treaty. The only genuine question is when the Irish will be forced to vote "yes" after they were so unreasonable as to vote "no."
Populism on the left and right - an analysis
I have been sent an advance copy of the publication “Democracy, Populism and Minority Rights”, published today by the Socialist Group in the European Parliament, on the basis of a common seminar with the Renner Institute in Austria. The book is edited by Socialist Group MEPs Hannes Swoboda and Jan Marinus Wiersma although not all the contributors are socialists.
Italy's choice: risk from Roma vs Roma at risk , Marco Brazzoduro
The legal and physical assaults which Roma people have experienced in Italy in May-June 2008 have caused outrage and perplexity in equal measure. What is the context of these attacks, why have they occurred, and what needs to be done to prevent their reoccurrence? This brief article addresses these questions from the perspective of a long-standing engagement with Roma issues in Italy and the countries from which many Roma people in Italy originated.
