"The Union for the Mediterranean and a usual round up on EU affairs...

The Union for the Mediterranean

By nosemonkey

Launched officially today, and I’ve yet to work out what it’s all for (bar an ego trip for Sarkozy and a jolly for various heads of state, that is).

Mark Mardell has the handiest overview I’ve found so far - and also doesn’t seem to know quite what to make of it. Wikipedia is, as ever, useful if taken with a pinch of salt - largely thanks to the overview of the controversies and squabbles that have marred its birth.

One thing that is fun, however, is to compare the map of this new international club with that of the Roman Empire at its height…

Turkey complex

By ERDAL ŞAFAK, SABAH

Will the "victory" announced by French President [Nicolas] Sarkozy in the opening summit of the new Union for the Mediterranean on Sunday in Paris' Grand Palais be enough to save at least one part of France's post in the Middle East?

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Bastille Day!

What this has to do with the conservative French regime and society now? Revolution in their soul gone for ages...

Leaders mass for parade in Paris

Leaders from Europe, the Middle East and North Africa watch France's Bastille Day military parade in Paris

on this day:

Alpha Jets of the French Patrol trailing the national colours over the Champs-Élysées ?

1789: Bastille stormed by Paris mob
On this day in 1789, a mob advanced on the Bastille in Paris, demanding the arms and munitions stored there, but, when the guards resisted, the crowd captured the prison, an act that symbolized the end of the ancien régime.

Learn more about the Bastille

Continue reading "Bastille Day!" »

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"Rising costs dominate G8 summit

Rising costs dominate G8 summit

World leaders are starting a key summit in Japan that is expected to focus on soaring global food and fuel prices.

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"Rocky start to French presidency...

Rocky start to French presidency

President Sarkozy admits that France's EU presidency is off to a bumpy start, as Poland casts doubt on the Lisbon Treaty.

Sarkozy calls for major EU change

French President Nicolas Sarkozy calls for a profound change to the way the EU is built, as France takes on the presidency.

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"Big personality and big problems to mark French EU presidency...

Big personality and big problems to mark French EU presidency

Report reveals EU citizens' daily frustrations

Two weeks after the Irish voiced their discontent with the EU in a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, MEP Alain Lamassoure presented French President Nicolas Sarkozy with a detailed report on Thursday (26 June), providing an in-depth study of the byzantine obstacles Europeans face when it comes to asserting their rights in another EU country.

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"EU official: Russia 'advantaged' in negotiations over EU pact...

EU official: Russia 'advantaged' in negotiations over EU pact

Russia has an advantage over the EU by being able to speak with one voice, the Commission's chief negotiator for the future strategic partnership treaty between the Union and its largest neighbour, Eneko Landaburu, told EurActiv in an interview.

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"Habermas on European Union

Habermas on European Union

By nanne

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.

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"New directives, same old directions...

New directives, same old directions

By Ruben Andersson

It’s been a terrible month for migrants. In South Africa, they have been hounded, lynched and necklaced in pogroms that have left more than 50 people dead. In Italy, vigilante attacks on Roma have accompanied the new government’s xenophobic rhetoric and promise to deport even fellow Europeans. In France, Sarkozy has flagged a hardline EU-wide ‘pact on migration’ – including provisions on ‘European values’ – for when his country assumes the Union presidency. And to top it off, the European Parliament is set to vote tomorrow on the ‘return directive’, an initiative deplored by Amnesty that will allow member states to detain migrants for up to 18 months before deportation.

Continue reading ""New directives, same old directions..." »

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"New EU plan for illegal migrants...

New EU plan for illegal migrants

Euro MPs face a key vote on new EU rules for detaining illegal immigrants.

The Irish say “no” and Europe heads into yet another impasse

By David Robinson

In the European debate, we always come back to the same topic: democracy. Now that the Irish have rejected the Lisbon Treaty, Europe’s chronic inability to create ‘true’ democracy is once again at the forefront of the debate.

Continue reading ""New EU plan for illegal migrants..." »

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"EU vows to pursue Lisbon treaty...

EU vows to pursue Lisbon treaty

EU foreign ministers agree to keep the Lisbon reform treaty alive despite its rejection by voters in Ireland.

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"One more high-ranking officer confesses in Dink murder...

Apparently, Dink's murder was condoned!

Mehmet Ali Birand

One more high-ranking officer confesses in Dink murder

The former head of the intelligence unit in the Black Sea province of Trabzon where Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink's murderer came from testified he was aware of plans to kill the

Continue reading ""One more high-ranking officer confesses in Dink murder..." »

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"Ireland rejects EU reform treaty

Ireland rejects EU reform treaty

Voters in Ireland reject the EU's Lisbon treaty in a referendum, delivering a severe blow to leaders' plans for reform....

Irish vote No - some calm respect please

By Jon

I hope I’m premature writing this - final results in the Irish referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon have not yet been released but all the tallies so far point towards a No vote. That’s also the impression conveyed to me via people in Dublin. Irish Foreign Minister has also basically admitted defeat for the Yes side. So what has to happen?

Continue reading ""Ireland rejects EU reform treaty" »

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"EU's future hangs on knife-edge vote

EU's future hangs on knife-edge vote

The European Union's Lisbon treaty and the immediate prospects of the 27-nation bloc lie in the hands of 3m Irish voters turning out in Thursday's finely balanced referendum

Irish start to vote on EU treaty

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" Europe loses patience with its wealthy elite...

Decision time

At 11th hour, Irish still unsure what EU treaty means

Yes or No

Battle mounts ahead of Ireland's EU referendum vote

Accent on égalité: Europe loses patience with its wealthy elite

Popular unease over the gap between rich and poor is prompting European leaders to legislate against boardroom excesses. Some fear it could backfire

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"Petition for Ms. Europe"

Citizens sign up to petition for Ms. Europe

In just one day, over 1000 signatures were collected for an internet petition demanding that heads of state and government appoint at least one woman to the four top positions in the EU.

Continue reading ""Petition for Ms. Europe"" »

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"French Presidency seeks strong 'Small Business Act'

French Presidency seeks strong 'Small Business Act'

The Commission harbours great hopes that France will broker an agreement among the bloc on a 'Small Business Act' (SBA) for SMEs, considered vital to boosting Europe's competitiveness. Paris particularly aims to improve access to public tenders and promote greater R&D investment.

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Med Union and Eastern Partnership are Rivals in the EU-Vision Contest...

The French EU Presidency

Under the motto "a more protective Europe", France takes over the rotating EU Presidency in the second half of 2008 with a keen eye on energy, climate change, defence and immigration policy.

MY CONDOLENCES:

We are Grieving for our Founder and Chief Editor Detlev Albers

By Henning Laptop

On 31st May 2008, Social Europe Chief Editor Detlev Albers died after a short but severe illness. We are deeply saddened and shocked by his sudden death.

EU Observer website is redesigned:

EUobserver has changed

Continue reading "Med Union and Eastern Partnership are Rivals in the EU-Vision Contest..." »

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"EU: the most peaceful region in the world

EU foreign policy 'undermined' by flurry of national initiatives

Following France's example with the EuroMed proposal, Poland and Sweden are due to present an 'Eastern Initiative' at a meeting next week, in a move which diplomats warned could ruin the EU's patient efforts to craft a common external policy.

EU: the most peaceful region in the world

The Economist Intelligence Unit has compiled a ranking of the peacefulness of countries, measuring both domestic and international violence. The results are very favorable for the EU. How do you interpret this? First of all, the European Union was designed to create stable peace in a continent that had gone through the worst wars of mankind,

Europe's old boys need to make way for women

The scarcity of women in top jobs is not about a shortage of capable female politicians, but a question of men choosing men, writes Margot Wallström

Europe is a geopolitical dwarf

Most European geopolitical gurus believe that the EU can survive well as a free-rider on US power, counting on it to keep the world safe while Europe tends to its internal gardens. The paucity of European strategic thinking is stunning, writes Kishore Mahbubani

Top five Eurovision hits

By Martyn Hawkins

Since its first broadcast on 24 May 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest has seen hundreds of songs battle it out for the titles of the worst, the funniest and above all the best

Continue reading ""EU: the most peaceful region in the world" »

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"Parliament backs calls for EU anti-discrimination law

EU business, farmers criticise new WTO proposals

Despite optimism from World Trade Organisation officials that new negotiating drafts presented on 19 and 20 May will act as a "springboard" towards achieving a global trade pact, the EU and its major trading partners have reacted cautiously.

Think tank warns against EU diplomatic turf wars

The future EU diplomatic service, to be launched with the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty, is unlikely to bridge fundamental differences between EU nations when it comes to foreign policy, according to a Swedish think thak.

Parliament backs calls for EU anti-discrimination law

The European Parliament has reminded Commission President José Manuel Barroso of his commitment to put forward a directive outlawing discrimination on a whole range of grounds, including disability, age, religion or belief and sexual orientation, as Brussels finalises preparations for a social policy package to be presented in June.

Continue reading ""Parliament backs calls for EU anti-discrimination law" »

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"...alternatives to the 'Union for the Mediterranean'

Socialists introduce alternatives to the 'Union for the Mediterranean'

Party of European Socialists (PES)has presented a proposal designed to influence preparations in the European Commission for a European Union-Mediterranean summit, to be held in Paris on July

Club Med more dead than before

By Boz

Sarkozy must be beyond frustrated. Besides witnessing his cherished Mediterranean Union undergo a name change and a complete stripping of pretty much any novelty, Le Monde reports that his hope to start off the Union with a two year co-presidency between France and Egypt have now been dashed.

Continue reading ""...alternatives to the 'Union for the Mediterranean'" »

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"Analyst: National politics to dictate 2009 EU elections

Analyst: National politics to dictate 2009 EU elections

Politicians standing for the EU elections next year will have more to gain from keeping their national party happy than campaigning on common European themes, says Sebastian Kurpas, a researcher at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) in Brussels.

Continue reading ""Analyst: National politics to dictate 2009 EU elections" »

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"Europe's day of celebration

MAIN FOCUS: Europe's day of celebration | 09/05/2008

58 years ago today, the French Foreign Minister at the time, Robert Schuman, presented the vision of a united Europe to the world. Accordingly, each year on May 9 "Europe Day" is celebrated to mark the successful realisation of this dream. But there are also critical voices in Europe's press.

Europe Day, but not in Britain

By Richard Laming

Today is Europe Day, the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration that gave birth to the idea of the European Union. It is celebrated across Europe as a recognition of what the EU has achieved. In Poland, there is a parade through the streets of Warsaw; in Bulgaria, there are educational events around the country; and in Turkey, the foreign minister invited the ambassadors of the EU member states and candidate countries to breakfast.

Found here: French Kissing Map

Over 18.000 votes have been cast in a poll to determine once and for all the answer to the burning question: Combien de bises? That’s French for ‘How many kisses’, and kissing in France is a lot more complex the French’s somewhat overstated reputation for carefree libidinosity implies.

Europe Lacks a Risk Culture

by Joerg Wolf

InformationWeek:

London may be eclipsing Wall Street as the world financial capital, and the euro is trouncing the dollar, but Europe has yet to prove the equal of the United States in technological innovation.

Continue reading ""Europe's day of celebration" »

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"Commission pushing for 'New Social Agenda'

Commission pushing for 'New Social Agenda'

The Commission yesterday revealed plans to update the current social agenda and better integrate it into the EU's overall policy framework. The main focus lies in addressing cross-border health care, improving workers' rights and promoting better education systems.

Continue reading ""Commission pushing for 'New Social Agenda'" »

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"France pledges not to hinder Turkey's EU accession process

France pledges not to hinder Turkey's EU accession process

Turkey’s clash of values: memo to Europe by CEM ÖZDEMİR

For almost a year now, Turkey has been undergoing a profound domestic crisis.

Continue reading ""France pledges not to hinder Turkey's EU accession process" »

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"Sarkozy 'non' to Blair presidency

Sarkozy 'non' to Blair presidency

Nicolas Sarkozy has withdrawn his backing of Tony Blair to become the first EU president, sources say.

EU summit to open talks on full-time president

European Union leaders are pencilling in a Brussels -summit on June 19-20 for their first substantive discussions on who should become the bloc's first full-time...

Continue reading ""Sarkozy 'non' to Blair presidency" »

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"The end of Labour and the consequences for Europe

MAIN FOCUS: The end of Labour and the consequences for Europe | 05/05/2008

The Labour Party and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown have suffered disastrous results in local elections in England and Wales. It looks like the end is near for Labour after over ten years in power. What consequences does this shift have for Europe as a whole?

Continue reading ""The end of Labour and the consequences for Europe" »

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"Social Europe Interview with EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn

Social Europe Interview with EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn

By Henning Laptop

In the last years, the number of EU member states has almost doubled from 15 to 27 members. This major extension has obviously had economic, political and cultural consequences. How do you think this enlargement was absorbed by the Union? And were there any political consequences?

Gazprom Hardens Its Grip on Europe

Marek Swierczynski: Greece and Russia signed an agreement to build the southern branch of the South Stream natural gas pipeline. President Putin’s last victory hardens Gazprom’s grip on Europe and makes any energy diversification projects more difficult. Unless the EU looks at the map and acts.

Continue reading ""Social Europe Interview with EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn" »

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"Happy people live longer

Happy people live longer

A close relationship exists between age and happiness, argues a survey by the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research, which also notes that high income, health, family and friends significantly influence wellbeing.

Continue reading ""Happy people live longer" »

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"Blair and Merkel top EU-wide poll

Blair and Merkel top EU-wide poll

A poll by Harris Interactive found most European citizens consider German Chancellor Angela Merkel to be the most influential leader in Europe, while Tony Blair is currently the preferred candidate for the job of EU President. However, a large proportion say they would prefer the job not to be created at all.

Continue reading ""Blair and Merkel top EU-wide poll" »

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"NATO agrees common approach to cyber defence

NATO agrees common approach to cyber defence

Leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation have endorsed a common policy on cyber defence at their summit in Bucharest, agreeing to set up a new authority that will coordinate NATO's "political and technical" reactions to cyber attacks.

Continue reading ""NATO agrees common approach to cyber defence" »

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"Should Wilders be censored?

EU foreign ministers condemn Dutch film on Islam

EU foreign ministers on Saturday (29 March) broadly condemned a controversial film released by Dutch MP Geert Wilders which portrays Islam as a religion which incites violence, but defended the filmmaker's freedom of expression...

Continue reading ""Should Wilders be censored?" »

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"Fitna is out

Fitna is out as a film and also as what the word implies... As I have written before the best would be total indifference against that jerk, G.W. I am glad that the issue is not framed as freedom of thought by the EU or many concerned Europeans. Because of these jerks, freedom of thought and speech issues are clouded....

Fitna (film), a 2008 short film made by Geert Wilders
Fitna (word), an Arabic word
Fitna (فتنة) is an Arabic word, generally regarded as very difficult to translate but at the same time is considered to be an all-encompassing word referring to schism, secession, upheaval and anarchy at once. It is often used to refer to civil war, disagreement and division within Islam and specifically alludes to a time involving trials of faith, similar to the Tribulation in Christian eschatology. The term originally referred to the refining of metal to remove dross ^[1], but became common in apocalyptic writings and is often used to refer to the First Islamic civil war, in 656–661 CE, a prolonged struggle for the caliphate after the 656 assassination of the caliph Uthman ibn Affan. The Second Fitna, or Second Islamic civil war, is usually identified as the 683–685 CE conflict among the Umayyads for control of the caliphate. The third one refers to the taifas in the end of the Caliph of Córdoba's rule.

Fitna is out

By Guy La Roche on Wilders

Okay, Geert Wilders’ movie Fitna is finally online. It was posted sometime yesterday and the English version has already been viewed over two million times. As I write this the Dutch version is at 2.5 million views. Talk about word-to-mouth!

First, the good news. Wilders did not do anything really stupid and really irresponsible like tear up or otherwise damage or deface the Koran. In other words, there is no reason whatsoever why someone should want to kill him or anybody else over this*. Besides, it turns out there already has been more than enough ado about nothing.

Online, a Violent View of Islam

By Molly Moore on University of Amsterdam

THE HAGUE, March 27 -- A Dutch lawmaker known for his outspoken opposition to immigration posted a graphic film depicting Islam as a religion of violence on a maverick video-sharing Web site Thursday night after government and religious officials spent weeks trying to prevent its release.

Profile: Geert Wilders

Dutch MP Geert Wilders who has produced a short film on Islam is no stranger to death threats.

The new politics of EU internal security

By Centre for European Reform

by Hugo Brady

EU interior ministers are racing to finish a raft of new legislation on terrorism, crime and illegal immigration by the end of the year. One reason for their sudden sense of urgency is politics. Interior officials are anxious to make the most of the last few months of an old regime. If ratified as expected, the EU’s new rulebook, the Lisbon treaty, will give the European Parliament powers for the first time to amend future EU laws in these areas from 2009 onwards.

Continue reading ""Fitna is out" »

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"Why France and Britain must join forces

Why France and Britain must join forces

Brown and Sarkozy can use their summit to start a debate on Europe's role in the world, write Dominique Moïsi and David Manning

Continue reading ""Why France and Britain must join forces" »

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"EU to consider Beijing Olympics boycott

EU to consider Beijing Olympics boycott

The president of the European Parliament has said that European countries should consider a boycott of the Olympics in Beijing if the Chinese government continues to take a hardline attitude to unrest in Tibet

Dutch protest against Islam film

About 1,000 people march in Amsterdam against the planned release of a film critical of Islam.

Demonstrators hold banners during a protest against Dutch politician and anti-Islam filmmaker Geert Wilders on Dam square in Amsterdam, March 22, 2008. REUTERS/Ade Johnson

Erkan's note: The film is probably offensive, but so what? Muslims should be more pro-active instead of reacting every act of anti-Islam. Islamophobia will be there to survive. No need to take these acts too seriously.... But of course, the protest above has a different angle...

Continue reading ""EU to consider Beijing Olympics boycott" »

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July 16, 2008

"The Union for the Mediterranean and a usual round up on EU affairs...

July 14, 2008

Bastille Day!

What this has to do with the conservative French regime and society now? Revolution in their soul gone for ages...

July 07, 2008

"Rising costs dominate G8 summit

July 02, 2008

"Rocky start to French presidency...

June 30, 2008

"Big personality and big problems to mark French EU presidency...

June 26, 2008

"EU official: Russia 'advantaged' in negotiations over EU pact...

June 25, 2008

"Habermas on European Union

June 20, 2008

"New directives, same old directions...

June 18, 2008

"New EU plan for illegal migrants...

June 17, 2008

"EU vows to pursue Lisbon treaty...

June 14, 2008

"One more high-ranking officer confesses in Dink murder...

June 13, 2008

"Ireland rejects EU reform treaty

June 12, 2008

"EU's future hangs on knife-edge vote

June 09, 2008

" Europe loses patience with its wealthy elite...

June 06, 2008

"Petition for Ms. Europe"

June 04, 2008

"French Presidency seeks strong 'Small Business Act'

June 02, 2008

Med Union and Eastern Partnership are Rivals in the EU-Vision Contest...

MY CONDOLENCES:

EU Observer website is redesigned:

May 24, 2008

"EU: the most peaceful region in the world

May 21, 2008

"Parliament backs calls for EU anti-discrimination law

May 19, 2008

"...alternatives to the 'Union for the Mediterranean'

May 14, 2008

"Analyst: National politics to dictate 2009 EU elections

May 09, 2008

"Europe's day of celebration

May 08, 2008

"Commission pushing for 'New Social Agenda'

May 07, 2008

"France pledges not to hinder Turkey's EU accession process

"Sarkozy 'non' to Blair presidency

May 06, 2008

"The end of Labour and the consequences for Europe

May 02, 2008

"Social Europe Interview with EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn

April 18, 2008

"Happy people live longer

April 07, 2008

"Blair and Merkel top EU-wide poll

April 05, 2008

"NATO agrees common approach to cyber defence

April 01, 2008

"Should Wilders be censored?

March 28, 2008

"Fitna is out

March 25, 2008

"Why France and Britain must join forces

March 24, 2008

"EU to consider Beijing Olympics boycott