WEEKLY SUPPLEMENT / European library

*** Revue du Marché Commun et de l'Union européenne. Editions Techniques et Economiques (3 rue Soufflot, 75005 Paris. Tel: [phone] - Fax: [phone]). N° 441, September 2000. Annual subscription: FF 1,060, EUR 161.60 (France) and FF 1,260, EUR 192.09 (abroad).

The latest issue of the review of which Geneviève Epstein is the Director and Daniel Vignes the Editor in Chief publishes a "dialogue" with Commissioner Pascal Lamy, who answers five questions concerning the WTO and multilateral trade negotiations, issues covering the role of the developing countries in the world trade system, the appeal by the United states against unilateral measures, the problem posed by the existence of free trade areas or customs and economic unions with sometimes the tendency of overlapping, the inclusion of agriculture in the negotiations and the future place of China within the World Trade Organisation.

In another article, Jim Cloos, who was in particular the Chef de Cabinet of Jacques Santer at the European Commission, questions the potentialities of "reinforced cooperation", by underlining in particular that it is necessary to ensure to establish a truly operational provision, which does not bring into question the acquis and which does not create a Europe "a la carte". The Luxembourger Jim Cloos also underlines that reinforced cooperation must not become "a circumventing of procedure", and recalls with regard to this that, during the negotiations that lead to Amsterdam, certain delegations "did not cease brandishing the threat" of resorting to reinforced cooperation in terms of taxation. However, he underlines, if the Treaty foresees unanimity on such and such a subject, "it seems hardly fair to try and circumvent it with punctual reinforced cooperation".

As for Pierre Maillet, emeritus professor at the University of Lille-1, discusses the results of the Lisbon Summit last March by noting: "a noble ambition, but curious methods". In fact, he notes that the Lisbon summit pushed the EU 15 further "into a practice, already rarely used" where the European Council adds to the role of "great inspirer and final arbiter of the execution of tasks normally carried out by Ministers".

Jean-Luc Sauron (from the State Council), who analyses "the Presidential function of the European Union", underlines a certain number of characteristic acquired by the Presidencies of the EU Council over the years, such as the explosion of Presidential roles between several holders (EU, WEU and Euro area Presidencies), the "collegial" definition of a significant part of the priorities in the framework of the European Council's, the importance of the place given to civil society, the growing desire to rely on it for the running of international affairs. It is a shame, said Mr Sauron, that a "serious definition" of the content and the limits of the presidential function are not on the agenda of the present intergovernmental conference.

Among the other articles, let us cite that of Jean-Pierre Chevalier, professor and the faculty of Law and Social Sciences in Poitiers, who discusses the EU financial perspectives for the 2000-2006 period, feels that the new financial framework created by the interinstitutional agreement of 1999 and by its financial perspectives, "despite the notably progress in the field of law and the budgetary procedure, does not open truly European political aims for the EU". According to him "behind this financial frivolousness is hidden, once more, reticence of Member States over the rhythm and especially the direction that is suitable to the European building process". Marina Gazzo

*** Stéfan Griller, P. Dimitri Droutsas, Gerda Falkner, Katein Forgó, Michael Nentwich: The Treaty of Amsterdam. Facts, Analysis, Prospects. Springer (4-6 Sachsenplatz, 4-6. P.O. Box 89, A-1201 Vienna. Fax: [phone] - e-mail: [e-mail] - Internet: springer.at). 2000, 643 pages, 1,386 Ös, 198 DM. ISBN 3-211-83162-2.

This volume of the Schriftenreihe des Forschungsinstituts für Europafragen der Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien made edited under Stefan Griller is the result of interdisciplinary team work which in mainly concentrated on the legal analysis of the Amsterdam Treaty. The authors, after having briefly recalled that recourse of the negotiations and the main contributions by Member States, examines the various parts of the Treaty and, in describing its "architecture", they raise in particular the theme, which remains topical today, of the simplification of Treaties in the chapter entitled "missed opportunity for a significant coding". In the title dedicated to reinforced cooperation, it is obviously the "very restrictive conditions" imposed by the Treaty to their launching, while asking themselves if "partial integration", between only a few States, would be a step forward in integration or rather a step backwards. As for CFSP and neutrality, Austrian researchers recalls that Austria has twice amended its constitution over matters concerning Foreign and Security Policy - firstly at the time of accession to the EU, then during the ratification of the Amsterdam Treaty - so as to explicitly authorise Austrian participation not only in economic sanctions against third countries, but also to Petersberg type operations. However the authors, go further, and assert that belonging to the EU and "permanent neutrality" are not compatible.

The conclusions that the authors draw from the analysis of the heavily described Treaty, and which according to them still achieved "both minor and major results in nearly all the fields", are very realistic, and have also been confirmed by reality. Thus, they recognised that the Amsterdam Treaty "certainly is not a stable basis for the future of Europe", but rather a document that "brings to the fore a pressing and persistent need for future reforms". This is in particular the result of the absence of a common vision by the Member States on a "Europe of the future", they say, finishing by asking themselves if the "Europe of the future" will not in the end be that of "differentiated integration". (MG)

*** GRAHAM WATSON, JOANNA HAZELWOOD (Edited by): To the Power of Ten. Essays by the UK Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament. Centre for Reform (Dean Bradley House, 52 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AF. Tel: [phone] - Fax: [phone] - e-mail: [e-mail] - Internet: http://www.cfr.org.uk ). 2000, 169 pages, GBP 9.99. ISBN 1-902622-17-0.

The ten British Liberal Democrat members of the European Parliament (five men, five women) had the clever idea, to present themselves together in public, to gather in this small volume their impressions on the subjects they have been called upon to deal with since the European elections of June 1999, and on the European building process in general. All newly elected except Graham Watson, these parliamentarians have, without an exception, been as of the first year of legislation, very present in the Parliament's works, each in his field, starting with Mr Watson, the very active and engaged President of the Justice and Home Affairs Committee.

In ten chapters, each of them expresses themselves of the common European works (work that is not at all new for some of them, such as the former Director of the Federal Trust Andrew Duff) and on his personal experience, by often emphasising the need to make Europe as concrete and close to the citizens as possible. Thus, Elspeth Attwoll discusses the Europe of "common interests" (such as the "fishing Community" or that of "education"), Liz Lynne on that of the handicapped (for whom she has made it a life long campaign) and Chris Davis that of the environment (in a Chapter entitled "Europe: clean and Green?). Andrew Duff, who was co-rapporteur (with Johannes Voggenhuber) on the EU Charter of fundamental rights, analyses the chances for the success of the IGC in Nice, and Nick Clegg launches other ideas for the reform of the EU institutions (see EUROPE of 16 September, p.5), while Christopher Huhne, who was a journalist in Brussels, deals with "Brussels and the European economy", and Diana Wallis on the harmonisation process (threat or opportunity?" she asks). Human rights, in Europe and the world, are the central theme of the chapters by Sarah Ludford ("the EU: from an economic Community to a Community of human rights") and Emma Nicholson ("Beyond the borders"). Graham Watson, who describes the acceleration of the progress achieved on the great European building site that is a common justice, freedoms and security area, also underlines, in the introduction, the "considerable powers" exercised in the meantime by the European Parliament, and in particular that of amending the budget, reminding that, in his first three months as MEP (in 1994, he was, with Robin Teverson, the first British Liberal to be elected to the European Parliament), he was able to establish a budgetary line enabling to help the promoter of civic rights in Hong Kong. (M.G.)

*** La lettre de confrontations. Confrontations (41 rue Emile-Zola, F-93107 Montreuil Cedex. Tel/Fax: [phone] - E-mail: [e-mail]). August/September2000, 24 pages, FF 30. This issue opens with an editorial by Philippe Herzog (who has just returned to the EP) dedicated to the "necessary cooperaiton between political and civil society" and has as dossier the social refounding.

*** RICHARD CORBETT, FRANCIS JACOBS, MICHAEL SCHACKLETON: The European Parliament. John Harper Publishing (27 Palace Gates Road, London N22 7BW, UK. Tel: [phone] - E-mail: [e-mail]). 2000, 363 pages. ISBN 0-9536278-1-0.

Here is the fourth edition that the President of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine, does not hesitate to qualify as a "wonderful guide", adding her voice to that of one of her predecessors, the German Klaus Hänsch, and by the present European Commission Vice-President, Neil Kinnock. These flower are not stolen: with his fellow EP compatriots, the British Labour MEP Richard Corbett offers, with this book, a remarkable image summarised and complete of this atypical Parliament, of its prerogatives and limits, political groups that fill it, of its working methods and practices, of its budgetary competence... In other words a complete work by men of experience who describe with detail and clarity the democratic heart of the Union. (LD)

*** Un traité fondamental pour l'Union européenne. Etude sur la réorganisation des Traités. Institut universitaire européen, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (9 via dei Roccettini, I -50016 San Domenico di Fiesole. E-mail: [e-mail]). 2000, 88 pages.

Here is some reading that will no doubt be of some use to the present IGC on institutional reform: but it is true that several of them say that the work carried out by the Florence Institute, handed to President Prodi last May, was extremely interesting, but that it should be further deepened and studied before being able to draw concrete conclusions… In the meantime, by reading this report by Hervé Bribosia, edited under Claus Dietere Ehlermann and Yves Meny and with the participation of the former Belgian Permanent Representative Philippe de Schoutheete, special advisor of Commissioner Barnier, each European fuelled by the desire to understand may realise that a Treaty must not necessarily be unreadable and stuffy. This result was obtained thanks to the considerable effort made to reorganise and restructure the existing texts, work which was done without touching, obviously, the content of the Treaties. The project leaders, carried out on request from the European Commission, say so: an important goal of the operation was to "clarify a body of complex rules to the Union citizens", as well as for those from candidate countries, and to give the Union a document "whose symbolic and identity giving value would complete in a happy fashion the Charter of fundamental rights presently being drawn up by the Convention. (MG)

*** C°A°Panorama. Nachrichten des Centrums für angewandte Politikforschung. (21 Maria-Theresia Strasse,, 81675 Munich. Internet: http://www.cap.uni-muenchen.de ). N° 2, 2000, 16 pages.

In this latest issue of the publication directed by Prof. Weidenfeld including in particular articles on "the finality of the EU" and on the recent work by the "Venusberg group", on the new security model for Europe (see large summery in EUROPE of 10 August, p.4). Other articles cover in particular the Intergovernmental conference which is presently negotiating EU institutional reform, on "global governance" and on the "rise and fall of governments". (MG)

*** ELEONORA BARBIERI MASINI: Penser le futur. L'essentiel de la prospective et de ses méthodes. Editions Dunod (Internet: http: //http://www.dunod.com - Diffusion: Presses de Belgique, 117 bld de l'Europe, B-1301 Wavre. Tel: [phone] - Fax: 412024). "Stratégies et Management" collection. 2000, 184 pages, BEF 952. ISBN 2-10-004697-7.

Heraclitus already asserted that nothing lasts except change. At all time, man had thus always looked to foresee the future. And it is especially the case in times of instability, when changes accelerate and multiply. As with today. Where the return of interest caused by the studies and research with a future studies, as true as it is that, as Fabienne Goux-Baudiment notes, "the future returns with force, at the heart of the thought process over governance". This work - which is a new up-dated edition and adapted to French culture of Why Futures Studies ?, published in 1993 - forms a remarkable introduction to the various facets and currents of this subject matter. Its author developed it as a manual. Though Eleonora Barbieri Masini contributes another dimension: the first woman member of the Club of Rome, advisor to UNESCO and President of the World Futures Studies Federation for twenty five years, she also delivers a reflection on the relations that each of us have with the future and on a number of themes such as power, cultural hegemony or the nature of visions of the world that mix both good and bad… As the other expert that is Fabienne Goux-Baudiment puts it so well, "both particularly crucial and topical subjects". (MT)

*** World food Programme: 1999 annual report. PAM, Public relations service (68-70 via Cesare Giulio Viola, I-00148 Rome. Tel: [phone] - Fax: [phone] - E-mail: [e-mail]).

During 1999, the WFP has had to contribute aid to Kosovo and East Timor. At the same time, it has been involved in large scale operations such as in Afghanistan, Angola, Sierra Leon or in Sudan. The number of WFP beneficiaries has increased to 17% in one year. This assessment gives figures, but also technical data that will help you understand this organisation. It also brings to light the coordination with the United nations and the integration of men-women equality. The WFP aims to reinforce its means: training of personnel, participation of local communities, strengthening of communication and respect for the environment.

*** Zeitschrift Dokumente für den deutsch-französischen Dialog (Bachstraße 32, D-53115 Bonn. Tel: [phone] - Fax: 695734 - E-mail: [e-mail]). August 2000, N° 4. Annual subscription: DM 63.

The main dossier is dedicated to the new dialogue for Europe: the talks between France and Germany with regards to the transition of the Union Presidency, the German vision of social Europe, the anti-Maastricht debate and French exception. The document on which this dossier is based is the speech made by Jacques Chirac before the Bundestag. The essay by Rudolf Herman tries to find the direction of Germany and its desires for partnerships. In the society chapter, the themes broached are the twining of the Europe of citizens service, a new Franco-German partnership at the management of border towns level and the life of French Catholics in Germany.

*** Revue internationale du travail. Bureau international du travail (CH-1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland. Fax: [phone]; Tel: [phone]; - E-mail: [e-mail]). Vol. 139, N°1, 2000/1. Annual subscription: USD 80, EUR 60.

Transfers taking place in the world have had a profound impact on collective bargaining agreements. The number of people covered by them had fallen while the agreements concluded under this umbrella continue to increase in number. The ILO is there to ensure the enforcement of standards from the conventions. This review draws a general overview of the issue and the degree of universal enforcement of the right to collective bargaining. Another theme broached is the compared effect of compensation schemes for unemployment on jobs and wages. The principal according to which the compensation of unemployment has negative effects on the labour market is brought into question. An analysis demonstrates that its effects on the duration of unemployment and wages are negligible if the compensation is financed by the unemployment compensation and social aid.

*** EUROPEAN COMMISISON. DG ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS. The economy of the Union: 1999 report. Chief editor: Jean De Lannoy, 202 avenue du Roi (1190 Brussels. Tel: [phone] - Fax: [phone] - E-mail: [e-mail]). N°69, 1999, ISSN: 0379 0983. Annual subscription: EUR 112 (surcharge included).

In summary of this report: "the EU economic situation and forecasts: a favourable international environment, the economic within the Union on the eve of a sustain recovery, improvements of results of labour market, development and inflation within the Union, present budgetary development, towards pan-European financial markets. Theme based studies: "Unemployment in Europe, origins and challenges", the obligatory contribution system and social contributions and incentives to work as well as job creation. The long-term economic and budgetary implications of an ageing population. The integration of markets and differences of price levels between EU Member States. Principals and developments on European share markets.

National reviews in short

***Growth in action. London, N°1, September 2000. In summary: 4.5 billion per year, it is what is represented by the goods and services market in Europe; air traffic risks doubling by 2015 and tripling by 2030, 42,000 peoples are killed each year on the roads of the Union. ***Opening up to choice. Luxembourg, July 2000. The gas market intends to progressively become more competitive. *** The post. Brussels September 2000. In summary: Kenya, the Central African Republic, the diamonds from Kivu and African cinema. ***Slovenia Weekly. Ljubljana, N° 19, September 2000. In summary: Slovenian house open in Sydney, the official start of the election campaign and the aims of the European rural development project. ***Qui Italia. Brussels, N°69, September 2000. In summary: the registering for local elections on 8 October, a government that has wind in its sails, immigration and citizens rights, rediscovering humility.