*** ANDRE DUMOULIN: L'Identité européenne de sécurité et de défense. Des coopérations militaires croisées au Livre blanc européen. Presses Interuniversitaires Européennes (Brussels: pie@skynet.be, http://www.pie-eip.com ) and Peter Lang (15 Jupiterstrasse, Postfach 277, CH-3000 Berne 15. Tel: (41-31) 9402121, fax: 9402131, peterlang@access.ch, http: //http://www.peterlang. ch). "La Cité européenne" series, No 19. 1999, 291 pages, FEB 1,250, DEM 63, FRF 200, ATS 417, CHF 50, GBP 22, USD 35.95. ISBN 90-5201-901-0.
André Dumoulin, research fellow at the European Institute for Peace and Security Research (GRIP), scientific adviser to Ceris (Université libre de Bruxelles) and expert whose opinions on defence issues are sought by the European Parliament and the Belgian Parliament, is a well known specialist in military matters. And like many experts, he writes for other experts. He does so in this work, which results from a study undertaken in the framework of an individual NATO grant and entitled "Perception of Security and Defence by European Countries: Towards Adoption of a European White Paper on Defence". His book is consequently scholarly, arduous and hermetic at times, but extremely enlightening at a time when the European Union is opening up to high-ranking officers and building at a stepped-up pace the foundations of its European security and defence policy. So in addition to specialists, the work should also interest European officials and those Europeans who wish to keep responsibly informed on the ongoing European integration process.
The author begins by reviewing the modes of expression of the European security and defence identity, revealing both its potential and limits (due to lacunae and illusions). He then studies military-operational parameters (harmonisation of policies for restructuring of the national armed forces, doctrinal and operational differences within the multinational framework, reciprocal military cooperation) and scrupulously dissects the organisational constraints ("Europeanisation" of NATO, "Nato-isation" of the WEU, Pertersberg missions). In Part Four, Dumoulin takes a look at strategic dilemmas, from the issue of concerted nuclear deterrence to possible Franco-British strategic convergence. He also examines the doctrinal foundations of the ESDI in the framework of elaboration of a European White Paper on Security and Defence.
In his conclusions, André Dumoulin observes that the ESDI "is a process rather than a hard reality", which is not only "evolving in the unsatisfactory triangle of limited reform of NATO, the meagre results of Amsterdam and the modesty of WEU missions", but also "does not always know if it is at the service of a Europe super-power, a half-power (...), a Europe of regions or a Europe of business, with no political dimension". Even worse, it does not know "whether its attributes are founded on a Europe identifying itself in relation to "the Others" representing the threat or as a civil and ethical power defending democracy, a sort of Scandinavia of the world". To top it all off, "an identify crisis, the overlapping of institutions, the rush to Eastern enlargement and the re-awakening of nationalism" are hindering different attempts to come to a "common view of the ESDI", which therefore must imperatively "be based on several determined actions": the drafting -"as a matter of priority with the future euro states"- of a genuine White Paper for the definition of a "European strategy blueprint" involving the urgent creation of a "genuine European defence academy, including a European officers' training school"; creation of a European rapid reaction force kept on stand-by; and the organisation of an intra-European caucus making possible a form of emancipation from NATO. In conclusion, Dumoulin observes that "the Europe of defence cannot be decreed". In his view, it will consist of the answers to four fundamental questions. These include: "Is it still possible to conceive of a so-called national defence?" "What will be the exact multiplying effect of the euro on ESDI?" And: Is such a policy possible without an initial core group?
Michel Theys
*** CLAUS GIERING, JOSEF JANNING, WOLFGANG MERKEL, MICHAEL STABENOW: Demokratie und Interessenausgleich in der Europäischen Union: Verlag Bertelsmann Stiftung (Gütersloh). 1999, 87 pages. ISBN 3-89204-844-4.
It was in anticipation of a possible Intergovernmental Conference that the Bertelsmann research group at the Centrum für Angewandte Politikforschung of Munich University developed the reform strategies proposed in this publication. What relationship is there between a political system's capacity for action and its democratic legitimacy? How will the European Union progress, in the wake of Amsterdam, in the areas of democracy and efficacy? What institutional reforms are needed to guarantee the Union's capacity for action after enlargement? The three studies in this volume attempt to provide answers to these questions, analysing the structural changes caused by the Treaty of Amsterdam and identifying needed reforms. The authors emphasise democracy, efficacy and the European public opinion. Michael Stabenow develops a specific example, i.e. adoption of the Community budget by the European Parliament. Wolfgang Merkel studies the different dimensions of legitimacy, on the basis of which he considers reform options. Josef Janning and Claus Giering propose institutional reforms to keep control over enlargement. But while Wolfgang Merkel calls for gradual reforms with long-term consolidation phases, Josef Janning and Claus Giering advocate far-reaching reforms and considerable expansion of majority decisions ahead of the next enlargement.
(CB)
*** VITTORIO MACCHITELLA, Eds.: - Verso une costituzione europea: quale impatto sugli Stati membri. Towards a European Constitution: What Ompact upon Member States?. ERL No 1. 1999, 71 pages. - L'impatto dell'allargamento sulla struttura geopolitica dell'Unione europea, con particolare riferimento allo sviluppo della dimensione nordica e in relazione alle prospettive mediterranee. The Impact of Enlargement on the Geopolitical Structure of the EU, with Particular Attention to the Development of Nordic Dimension as Well as the Future Perspectives inside the Mediterranean Area. ERL No 2. 1999, 82 pages. Unioncamere Sede di Bruxelles (22 rue de l'Industrie, B-1040 Bruxelles. Tel: (32) 025122240, fax: 025124911, sede.bruxelles@unioncamere.be). Series: "Laboratorio Europeo di Ricerca sui rapporti tra impresa ed instituzioni - European Laboratory Research on Relations between Enterprises and Institutions".
The "European Laboratory on Relations between Enterprises and Institutions", directed by Vittorio Macchitella, has come out with its first two brochures resulting from debates on two topical subjects in the European Union, "constitutionalisation" of the process of European integration (although the word "constitution" does not please everyone) and the impact of enlargement on this process, with emphasis on relations with Northern and Southern Europe.
Italian Senator (and former Member of the EP) Andrea Manzella, who led the debate on the first subject, states that "we can already speak of a European constitution", even if it only complements national constitutions. Giles Merritt, Secretary General of "Friends of Europe", a participant in the debate, admitted that he had problems with the term "constitution", preferring terms like "charter" or "code". Thomas Jansen, of the European Commission's Forward Studies Unit, stressed the development of "transnational democracy" in Europe, which "is bringing the European Union ever closer to a Citizens' Europe, remaining all the while a Union of nation states".
The preface to the brochure on enlargement is by Jean-Luc Dehaene, who outlines his ideas on the institutional reforms required by the forthcoming unprecedented enlargement of the European Union, and who argues in particular for more "operational" flexibility in an enlarged Union, while assuring that flexibility is "in no way directed against candidate countries and will not impede accession". Finland's Permanent Representative Antti Satuli observed that the idea of the "Nordic Dimension" addresses the "talents" and exploits the "opportunities" to be found in that region, in the interest of the Union as a whole and not just its Scandinaving members, and Andrea Mogni, Administrator at the European Commission, examined the potential of the "Northern Dimension" (observing that Russia is "absolutely important" not only in the Nordic Dimension but also in the "Central" and "Asian" Dimensions and the Mediterranean) and the "Southern Dimension". Several representatives of applicant countries contributed to the debate, including Haluk Nuray of the Turkish Foundation for Economic Development, who voiced scepticism about the usefulness of the opening of a debate on the EU's geographical frontiers.
(MG)
*** La démocratie et la société de l'information en Europe. European Commission (Official Publications Office, 2 rue Mercier, L-2985 Luxembourg) and Editions Apogée (4 bld Gaïtan-Hervé, BP 20224, F-35041 Rennes Cedex. Tel: (33-2) 99324595, fax: 99324598, apogee.rennes@wanadoo.fr). "Les cahiers de la Cellule de prospective" series. 1999, 111 pages. EUR 14.33, FRF 94. ISBN 92-828-7863-5.
The European Commission Forward Studies Unit, directed by Jean-Claude Thébault, offers reflections on a highly topical issue (one need only recall the main issues of the European Summit coming up later this month in Lisbon), insisting, as Mr Thébault notes in the preface, on the conditions for "the appropriation of this new 'agora' by the largest possible number". Information without "knowledge" remains an "inexhaustible and useless" mass for citizens, he observes and, recalling the activity developed in recent years by the Commission on Europe's potential in the field of new information and communication technologies, concludes that the Commission "can no longer put off a debate placing European democracy at the heart of the information society".
This work launches the debate with an interesting contribution, put together under the supervision of Jérôme Vignon, Jean-Claude Thébault and Agnès Hubert for the Forward Studies Unit, based on research by Bénédicte Caremier. The different contributors provide very specific clarification of the questions and problems that give rise to what Professor Contogeorgis of Athens University calls a "new approach from ancient democracy": Leda Guidi discusses the "Citycard" project initiated in Bologna nearly three years ago, Michel Hervé, Mayor of Parthenay, the "Digital City " project launched in 1994, Annie Cheneau-Loquay "African cyberspace", and others. The general conclusion is that the "coincidences of history are such that the new information and communication tools are appearing in our lives just as Europe is undergoing a turning point in its development and must commit to closer political union", and that the opportunity must be seized and "transformed into a chance to deepen Europe and democracy simultaneously".
(MG)
*** FRANZ H. U. BORKENHAGEN, THOMAS FISCHER, FRITZ FRANZMEYER, SIEGFRIED MAGIERA, PETER CHRISTIAN MÜLLER-GRAF: Arbeitsteilung in der Europäischen Union- Die Rolle der Regionen. Verlag Bertelsmann-Stiftung (see above). 1999, 69 pages. ISBN 3-89204-847-9.
Within the framework of a joint project managed by the Bertelsmann Wissenschaftsstiftung and the Centre for Applied Policy Research of Munich University, five experts have published their thoughts on the sharing of authority by regions, Member States and the European Union. They place particular emphasis on the possibilities and limits of regional involvement in European policy decision-making structures. Each of the contributors analyses the problem from a different angle, but all reach the conclusion that regardless of their extremely diverse nature (in particular the German Länder), the regions can boost their influence on Europe' decision-making structure through optimal use of the existing room for manoeuvre.
(CB)
*** JOEL RIDEAU: Droit institutionnel de l'Union et des Communautés européennes. Librairie Générale de Droit et de Jurisprudence (31 rue Falguière, F-75741 Paris Cedex 15. Tel: (33-1) 46338985). 1999, 1,104 pages., FRF 200, EUR 30.49. ISBN 2-275-01828-X.
This classic is now in its third edition. Updated as at 30 July 1999, it obviously includes the changes resulting from the Amsterdam Treaty, taking account of the new numbering it introduces. A Professor at University Nice Sophia-Antipolis, Director of the Pôle Jean Monnet in Nice and member of the Institut universitaire de France, Joël Rideau offers a comprehensive presentation of the European institutions and European institutional law, placing particular emphasis on case law, a key element. The major originality of this work resides in the importance it attaches to the way each Member State has adjusted to the requirements of Union. While the EU is undertaking another Intergovernmental Conference as a means of dealing with the new constraints that will be imposed by upcoming enlargements, students, teachers, researchers and professionals will find clarification of the present situation and of the many prospects for future development taking shape in this outstanding work. An extensive bibliography facilitates further research.
(LD)
*** Revue des affaires européennes - Law & European Affairs. Published by Mys & Breesch (Vlasmarkt 10, B-9000 Gent - Tel.: (32) 092236471 - fax: 2231364). 1999, n° 3&4, 202 p.. Annual subscription: BEF 8.950.
This issue assesses the future prospects of 25 years of Community environmental policy. The articles, in English or French, relate to the emergence of environmental policy, the five action programmes and their transcription into secondary legislation, Community environmental law in an economic perspective, the principle of subsidiarity and environmental law, integrating the environmental dimension in other Community policies, the principle of proportionality in environmental policy, Citizens' Europe and the Community's environmental policy, the Council and the Community's environmental policy, Community legislation on waste treatment and the role of the European Environment Agency and the European information and observation network for the environment.
*** Perspectives on European Business Law. South Bank House, London SEI 7SJ - Tel.: (44-020) 77934218 - fax: 77934048 - E-mail: subscriptions@pebl.co.uk). January/February 2000, 20 p.. Annual subscription: £440.
The new publication offers analyses drawn up by experts in matters of Community business law. This first issue contains an interview with Carlos Westendorp, Chair of the EP's Committee on External Trade, as well as articles on the challenges facing the world trading system following the Seattle Conference, hostile operations in Europe and the latest developments in Community competition law.
*** Europarecht. Nomos Verlag (D-76520 Baden-Baden - Tel.: (49-7221) 21040 - fax: 210427 - E-mail: Nomos@nomos.be). 1999, Heft 6, November-December 1999, 132 p.. Annual subscription: DM 187.
In this issue: political identity in Europe, the concept of flexibility in the framework of European integration, thorny issues within the EU and their relations vis-à-vis other European states, tax discrimination and its justification in national law. The "case law" part comprises an overview of cases dealt with before the European Court of Justice.
*** Diritto comunitario e degli scambi internazionali. Editoriale Scientifica (via Generale Orsini 42, I-80132 Napoli - Tel.: (39-81) 7642644 - fax: 7646084 - E-mail: capelli@pn.itnet.it - Internet: http: //http://www.editorialescientifica.it ). N° 4/99, 225 p.. Annual subscription: 120.000 lira.
In this issue: the consequences of EMU on collective bargaining and on labour law and social security, right of access to the documents of Community institutions, the "Rechberger" case and problems of transposing directives on "package" travel as well as the responsibility of Member States in this matter, public competition and adjudication, recent developments in the EU's Mediterranean policy. This publication also comprises sections on "Community case law", "Italian and foreign case law", "acts of the Community institutions", as well as a "documentation" part and a bibliography.
*** Comunidad europea. Aranzadi Editorial ( Carlos III, 34, E-31486 Elcano (Navarra) - Tel.: (34-948) 297297 - fax: 330845/297200). 1999, n° 12 (December), 80 p..
This "monthly information and studies bulletin on EU institutions" contains several topical articles in different sectors: the creation of a committee to combat fraud within the ECB, the recycling of end-of-life automobile vehicles, the name "orphan medicines", protecting competition in the steel sector and Member States' interventions in favour of the coal industry, safety in gas deliveries, workers' rights to information and consultation in companies of a Community dimension, criminal protection against the falsification of the euro, the rights of workers providing a service in another Member State, etc..
*** Revue de droit monégasque. Palais de justice de Monaco, BP 513, MC 98015 Monaco Cedex, FF 200 FF per issue.
In this issue: the role of the Conseil d'Etat de la Principauté de Monaco, the communal institutions of the Principality, how Monaco deals with revocation proceeding's and counterfeiting of patents, Monaco's public economy law. The "European chronicle" section compares European and Monégasque law, turns to the free movement of persons and Franco-Monégasque relations, and analyses implementation of Community law on the territory of the Principality. A "case law" section completes the volume.