**** ERNST PIEHL, JÖRG TIMMANN, Eds.: Der Europäischer Beschäftigungspakt. Entstehungsprozess und Perspektiven. Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft (D-76520 Baden-Baden. 2000, 192 pages, DEM 49, ATS 358, CHF 45.70. ISBN 3-7890- 6552-8.
This collective work describing the process that led to adoption of the European Employment Pact and outlining its future perspectives is of particular topicality in the wake of the Lisbon Summit, where the necessity of strengthening efforts to combat unemployment in Europe was examined from the standpoint of economic reform and the information society "revolution" (though, thanks in particular to the Presidency's efforts, a certain balance was struck between these aspects and the social dimension). As stated in the introduction by its Editors Ernst Piehl (former Cedefor Director) and Hans-Jörg Timman (former Head of Division at the European Parliament), the volume is meant to be a "handbook of sorts", giving the floor to the principal players in this process, and leaving assessment of results and perspectives to experts and academics.
The work opens with a preface by Jean-Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg who played an important personal role in triggering the "Luxembourg process", which started with the extraordinary European Council in November 1997. The Union can no longer afford to see the rise in unemployment as inevitable, writes Mr Juncker (who at the time was also Finance Minister and Social Affairs Minister). Former European Commission President Jacques Delors also contributes to the work, in a chapter on the European social model and social dialogue in Europe, in which he points out that the Commission, in its work programme for 1985, was already emphasising the importance of the harmonious development of economic and social policies. "Our action", states Jacques Delors, "must be based on three inseparable principles: competition, which creates incentives; cooperation, which provides strength; and solidarity, which unifies. Solidarity and the strengthening of social dialogue, as well as harmony between the economic and social dimensions, are also the focus of the chapter by Walter Riester, German Minister of Employment, who notes that the German Presidency of the EU Council, during the first half of 1999, succeeded in improving the "institutional" integration of the social partners in the European employment strategy, thanks in particular to the reform of the Standing Committee on Employment. German Finance Minister Hans Eichel replies to those opposed to the Pact in the name of the law of the market, that the European Employment Pact and the national pacts mobilise all of European society precisely to foster the conditions making it possible to create more jobs. Dirk Hurdig, Secretary General of Unice, is critical of those who "are even dreaming of collective contracts at EU level", while stating that European employers are prepared, "within the limits of their competence", to contribute to improving the employment situation (but he adds that "well-being results from competitiveness and not from redistribution"). In contrast, Fritz Verzetnitsch, President of the European Trade Union Confederation (and of the Austrian unions), points out that European unions would like to see a bit more determination by governments and that they will be closely following implementation of the pact. He also notes that the applicant countries should follow attentively the development of relations between the social partners at European level so as to avoid being faced with social dumping. Allan Larson, Director General at the Commission, is encouraged by the conclusions of the Cologne Summit related to the Pact: this strategy has been given "new coherence", and more "strength of integration" (indeed, one can legitimately wonder whether, had there not been Luxembourg, Cardiff and Cologne, there could have been Lisbon). If the Employment Pact is not to be just "new wrappings on old content", a strategy needs to be developed at all levels and involving all players, states German Social Democrat Magdalene Hoff, Member of the European Parliament since 1979. Such mobilisation and motivation that are the raison d'être of this work. Marina Gazzo
*** ALAIN BARRAU: 2000: une étape nouvelle dans la politique européenne de l'emploi? Assemblée nationale (Kiosque de l'Assemblée nationale, 4 rue Aristide-Briand, F-75007 Paris. Internet: http: //http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr ). Report No 1944. 1999, 34 pages, FRF 20, EUR 3.05. ISBN 2-11-108484-0.
Chair of the French National Assembly's Delegation for the European Union, Alain Barrau presents a detailed panorama of decisions taken in recent months by Community and national authorities in the area of combating unemployment. In anticipation of the (now past) Lisbon Summit in March and the French Presidency of the EU in the latter half of this year, the study draws various conclusions from the fifteen national action plans and the Employment Package adopted in September 1999 by the European Commission. Welcoming the overall progression of employment and the continuing decline in unemployment in the EU, the Delegation calls for strong French support for the Guidelines for Employment for 2000 set out in a European Commission communication. The French MPs nonetheless propose numerous practical improvements to this catalogue of measures, such as the setting of target figures and a timetable for their attainment, efforts to combat sexual discrimination and the reduction of gender inequalities in integration into the job market, study of obstacles to the creation of jobs, the application of a reduced VAT rate on labour-intensive services, the launch of a European loan issue and better information provision for all EU citizens.(ED)
*** Le misure dell'integrazione e della dignità in Europa. Ed. A. Giuffrè (40 via Busto Arsizio, I-20151 Milano, Tel: (39-2) 38089290, fax: 38009582, Internet: http: //http://www.giuffre.it ). "Quaderni della Scuola europea" series, No 1/99. 128 pages, ITL 20,000, EUR 10.33. ISBN 88-14-07911-0.
The culmination of an international research programme financed by La Sapienza University in Rome, this publication brings together, in French and Italian, 12 essays on integration policy and the effort to fight social exclusion in Europe. The contributors examine the historical foundations and legal instruments used in the area of human rights and international immigration. The methodology section deals with measurement and statistical analysis of population flows, development indicators and the macroeconomic impact of the foreign labour force on domestic labour markets. Lastly, several contributions examine recent efforts to take account of the concept of human dignity in international relations and to provide access to schooling for immigrant populations in Europe. (ED)
*** GEORG HAIBACH, Ed.: Services of General Interest in the EU. Reconciling Competition and Social Responsibility. Developments in Telecommunications and Postal Services. European Institute of Public Administration (22 O.L. Vrouweplein, PO Box 1229, NL-6201 BE Maastricht, Tel: (31-43) 3296274, fax: 3296296, E-mail: m.simons@eipa-nl.com, Internet: http: //http://www.eipa.nl ). "Current European Issues" series. 1999, 192 pages, NGL 60. ISBN 90-6779-137-7.
This collective work reproduces ten papers presented at two international seminars held in Maastricht in 1996 and 1998 under the auspices of the European Institute of Public Administration. Focusing on the liberalisation of public services and the gradual opening of telecommunications and postal services in Europe, these meetings brought together national and Community experts, private and public operators and various representatives of academia. Part One deals with services of general interest, comparing the approach of the European Commission with the academic point of view. The role of the state in the European single market and the challenges for the national public services represented by European integration and competition are given particular emphasis.. Part Two examines recent developments and future prospects for the telecommunications and postal markets in the EU. The experiences in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands and Sweden are reviewed in detail, followed by two articles on the legal framework established by the Community to strengthen competition, guarantee universal service and dismantle the remaining national and local monopolies. A lengthy bibliography includes official European texts, excerpts of case law and relevant academic literature. (ED)
*** NICOLETTA RANGONE: I servizi pubblici. Il Mulino (37 Strada Maggiore, Casella Postale No 119, I-40100 Bologna, Tel: (39-051) 256011, Internet: httpp: //http://www.mulino.it ). 1999, 324 pages. ITL 40,000. ISBN 88-15-07309-4.
In this work, Nicoletta Rangone -official at the Italian competition body and Professor of Public Law at the University of Trent- reviews the transformations undergone by the national public services under the effects of liberalisation resulting from the creation of the internal market in the mid-1980s. After recalling the traditional definitions under French and Italian law of the notions of services of public interest and/or usefulness and of universal service, the author analyses at length the current organisation of European public enterprises in "network" activities such as railways, electricity and natural gas, telecommunications and postal services. Professor Rangone also examines the future prospects of both deregulation and a stronger role for services of general economic interest at Community level and in the internal legislation of each Union Member State. (ED)
*** STEPHANE LONGUET: Hayek et l'école autrichienne. Editions Nathan (9 rue Méchain, F-75014 Paris. Internet: http: //http://www.nathan-u.com ). "Circa" series. 1998, 192 pages. ISBN 2-09-190115-6.
Lecturer at the University of Amiens, Stéphane Longuet demonstrates in this volume that the Austrian school that emerged at the end of the 19th century cannot be summarised solely by the thinking developed by the champion of liberalism, Friedrich A. Hayek. An enlightening criticism. (MT)
*** INES NEUTZE, STEPHAN RABE, HENING SCHOPPMANN, Eds.: Kreditwirtschaftlich wichtige Vorhaben der EU. Bundesverband Öffentlicher Banken Deutschlands (VÖB-Service GmbH, Postfach 20 13 55, D-53143 Bonn. Tel: (49-228) 8192-0, fax: 8192-111, E-mail: georg_schell@vocb.de). 1999, 247 pages. ISBN 3-927466-54-9.
In this seventh edition -updated to 1 September 1999-, the Bundesverband Öffentlicher Banken provides detailed information on all the directives, regulations, recommendations and opinions of the European Union in the areas of banking, stock and securities exchanges, commercial and corporate law, movement of capital, fiscal law, and so on. This new edition includes a CD-ROM with the full text of the main EU regulations and directives addressed in the volume. (CB)
*** MICHAEL A. CUSUMANO, KENTARO NOBEOKA: Le management multi-projets. Optimiser le développement de produits. Ed. Dunod (Internet: http: //http://www.dunod.com , Distribution Benelux: Presses de Belgique, 117 boulevard de l'Europe, B-1301 Wavre. Tel: (32-10) 420347, fax: 420352). "Les réalités de l'entreprise" series. 1999, 243 pages, FEB 1,553. ISBN 2-10-004593-8.
Based on a study conducted as part of an international research programme directed by Massachussetts Institute of Technology, this work describes the principal strategic, organisational and managerial issues facing the major Japanese, American and European car manufacturers today. The authors, both Professors of Management, explain in detail how these companies have designed and developed several products simultaneously as a means of strengthening their position in the face of international competition. (ED)
*** PHILIPPE BRUNET: Dictionnaire des principaux termes de référence - Droit pharmaceutique de l'Union européenne. Editions de Santé (49 rue Galilée, 75116 Paris) 1999, 236 pages. ISBN 2-86411-127-6.
This work traces the main stages of development of the single market for medicinal products and presents a practical glossary for those having difficulty steering through the labyrinth of Community procedures, particularly in the context of market release authorisations for medicines. Available initially only in French, there are now also English and Spanish versions. Its author is a doctor of medicine and law. Upon joining the European Commission in 1998, Philippe Brunet took part in setting up the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products. He chairs the Standing Committee on Medicines for Human Use. (OJ)
*** Leader Magazine. Quarterly. Leader II programme (260 chaussée Saint-Pierre, B-1040 Bruxelles, tel.: 32/02 7364960, fax: 02 7360434, leader@aeidl.be.,http: //http://www.rural-europe.aelid.be ). 2000, No 22, 24 pages. Repopulating rural areas is the focus of this issue, which includes articles on the struggle to keep rural areas from being marginalised and to develop their strengths.
*** Cahiers de droit européen. Bruylant (67 rue de la Régence, B-1000 Bruxelles, tel: (32) 025126706, fax: 025117202). 1999, Nos 5-6. Annual subscription: FEB 5,700 (EUR 141.30).
Contributed by former European Commissioner for Competition Karel Van Miert, the editorial looks at the evolution of Community merger control. Explaining briefly how the growing number of international mergers raises new competition issues, Mr Van Miert insists on the need for close international cooperation by relevant authorities. The "Doctrine" section includes three studies, the first on abuse of rights in the Community legal order relating to the "Kefalas" ruling, the second on Community law and the recognition of same-sex couples, the third on undertakings under competition law.
*** Revue européenne de droit de la consommation. Quarterly. CDC Publications (Centre de droit de la consommation, Université catholique de Louvain, Place Montesquieu 2, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, tel: (32) 010478531, fax: 010478532, E-mail: legreve@cdc.ucl.ac.be). February 2000, 131 pages. Annual subscription: EUR 69.41.
This issue focuses on alternative consumer dispute settlement (titles include: "Consumer Dispute Commissions in the Netherlands"; "The Mediation System in the United Kingdom: the Proposal for a New Financial Services Mediator", "The National Consumer Dispute Commission in Lisbon"). Is the development of alternative means of dispute settlement an admission of the failure of the judicial system? Is it a denial of justice? Are consumer rights proteced with the assistance of a lawyer? Are the independance and impartiality of tehse bodies satisfactory? These and other questions are addressed in the different articles.
*** Bulletin de jurisprudence constitutionnelle. Editions du Conseil de l'Europe (F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, tel: (33) (0)3 88412581, fax: 88413910, E-mail: publishing@coe.int, Internet: http: //book.coe.fr). 1999/1, 180 pages, FRF 200. ISSN 1025-8108.
Published by the European Commission for Democracy by Law, also known as the Venice Commission, this bulletin reports regularly on the case law of constitutional courts and those with equivalent competence in Europe -including the European Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Justice- and in other countries of the world. Moreover, a special edition of this bulletin was published on the occasion of the 11th Conference of European Constitutional Courts, held in Warsaw from 17 to 21 May 1999. That issue consists of a working paper on Constitutional Courts and equivalent jurisdictions.
*** Comunidad europea. Aranzadi editorial (Carretera de Aoiz,Km. 3,5, E-31486 Elcano (Navarra), tel: (34-902) 444144, fax: (34-948) 297200/330845). March 2000, 88 pages.
This monthly bulletin provides an overview of current events in the Community. This issue discusses fraud control, cross-border payment systems, agricultural aid, Member States' employment policies, and the creation of jobs in the information society. Every issue also includes an analysis of competition law developments in the Community, a chronicle of EMU and a report on the recent activities of the Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance.
*** The Federalist. Edif (via Porta Pertusi 6, I-27100 Pavia). 1999, No 3, 66 pages. Annual subscription: ITL 55,000 (Europe).
In this issue: an editorial on the evolution of society in Europe and the United States explaining how Europe can serve as a model to its neighbours across the Atlantic, the unification of European and worldwide federalist movements and Europe's role in this process, reform of the EU financial system, Germany haunted by its history, the United States and the new international "anarchy".
*** Bulletin européen. Editions Nagard (Via Larga 9, I-20122 Milano, tel: (39-2) 58371400, fax: 58304790). March 2000, No 598, 22 pages.
In this issue: the EU in a time of change, the Kohl case and its consequences on the CDU, the risks and advantages of enlargement of the EU, enlargement on the agenda of the Intergovernmental Conference, UNESCO programmes and coooperation with the Council of Europe, religious culture and the policy of the orthodox world.