*** BRUNO REMOND: De la démocratie locale en Europe. Presses de Sciences Po (44 rue du Four, F-75006 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 44393960 - Fax: 45480441 - E-mail: info@presses.sciences-po.fr -Internet: http: //http://www.sciences-po.fr ). "La bibliothèque du citoyen" series. 2001, 157 pages, 75 FF, 11,43 Euro. ISBN 2-7246-0841-0.
High-ranking civil servant and professor at Science Po and at the Ecole normale supérieure de Cachan, Bruno Rémond proves with this new work that he is decidedly one of the great French specialists in the development of public responsibilities and decentralisation in France. He analyses the territorial politico-administrative systems that prevail in France - he qualifies it as the French exception - by comparing it in a critical manner with the highly comparable realities perceptible elsewhere in Europe, the "common law" being "that of the local actions and the regional authorities". Five European countries catch his attention, in particular: two federal States (Germany and Belgium), two regional countries (Italy and Spain) and one multinational State, the United Kingdom. As much partner countries with France, which with the institutional variations and the conceptual variations, have similar practices despite the differences of the political structures.
Firstly, the author discusses the diversity of the views that exist in terms of power sharing before enlightening, country by country, the specificity of the institutions. He then envisages the legitimacy given to the actions of the institutional systems infra-States before examining the responsibility that falls unto them through the missions they carry out. Many theme based examples broached and succinctly presented, which, according to Bruno Rémond, bring proof that territorial autonomy can be seen without calling upon self-determination and without leading to independence. In the "guidelines" that he develops to conclude his work, the author calls for a radical and urgent revision of the French model that is "no longer a model", even daring this question: As there exists a European law, distinct from national law while being superior to it, could there not exist a territorial law, distinct from national while being subordinate to it?"
Michel Theys
*** Regional and Local Government in the European Union. Responsibilities and Resources. Committee of the Regions (92-102 rue Montoyer, B-1000 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 2822211 - Fax: 2822325 - Internet: http: //http://www.cor.eu.int/ - Distributed by the Office for the official publications of the Communities). 2001, 242 pages, 35 Euro. ISBN 92-985-0011-5.
Produced by the Danish Institute of Local Government Studies, this study presents, in a researched manner, the financial powers and resources available to the regions and cities in the European Union. Through a detailed description, country by country, of the administrative structures and regional and local policies, their fields of competence, the various sources of revenue as well as the sectors of significant spending thus appear, explains the President of the Committee of the Regions, Jos Chabert, in his foreword. All the importance of the role played by the infra-national entities to ensure for the Union - and even more so the countries that are part of the Euro zone - a dynamic and healthy economic development. Only available in English, this work of research constitutes a gold mine of trustworthy information.
(MT)
*** La Commune. Union des Villes et Communes de Wallonie (53 rue d'Arlon, Bte 4, B-1040 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 2332003 - Fax: 2333113 - E-mail: commune@uvcw.be). 2000, 299 p, 1,180 BEF, 29.25 Euro.
This book aim to be a vade-mecum for the use of local politicians from the francophone part of Belgium. Highly developed, this third edition has as presentation to be a serious, practical presentation and within the reach of all persons, on all that needs to be known. Useful for Europeans for comparative purposes.
(MT)
*** THOMAS JANSEN: Pan-European Political Parties. The Federal Trust for Education and Research (Dean Bradley House, 52 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AF. Tel: (44-020) 77992818 - Fax: 77992820 - Internet: http://www.fedtrust.co.uk ). "European Essay" series, N° 14. 2001, 29 pages, 5 £. ISBN 1-903403-07-3.
Thomas Jansen - who, before being the "chef de cabinet" for the President of the EU Economic and Social Committee, was in particular member of the forward looking cell of the European Commission - talks here of something he knows well, having closely followed for many years the developments of the European People's Party and the EPP group in the European Parliament. The author recalls the difficult path of the European political parties - at present, only four - which already exist: thus, the confederation of Socialist parties of the European Community was created in 1974, but the European Socialist Party was only founded in November 1992; the European People's Party, which had engaged itself to become a European party from its foundation in 1976, adopting in November 1990 a statute asserting this aim; the federation of liberal parties and democrats, established in 1976, becoming the European Liberal, Democrat and Reformer Party only in December 1993; as for the European alliance of Green parties, it formed itself in the summer of 1993 as a "pan-European federation", by envisaging a closer association at the European level for a later stage.
Thomas Jansen also analyses an interesting characteristic of the European political parties (on which the European Parliament constitutional affairs committee has just adopted the report by the Bavarian CDU member Ursula Schleicher), namely the relationship between the party itself and its parliamentary group in the European Parliament. Also, strong from his experience on the ground, he notes that tensions exist everywhere between the parties and their elected "parliamentary representatives", but at the European level, the balance is clearly displaced in favour of the latter for several reasons: the fact that the European parties still have nothing to say over the selection of candidates in European elections, the weakness of the organisation of European parties, which remain financially dependent upon their national formations as long as their legal status is not clarified… The European parties being "from the outset, children of the groups in the European Parliament, which has ensured from the outset a major influence by the groups on the life of the parties, notes the author, Thomas Jansen (who does not linger over the problems that may stem from the fact that certain national parties are members of the political groups in the European Parliament, but are not fully fledged members of the European party) sees in the future a future politicisation of the debate over the European Union - also meaning a greater democratisation and transnationalisation, with a more incisive role for European parties that contribute , according to him, to the consolidation of the European Union as a democratic and federal political system".
(MG)
*** FRANCOIS LONCLE: La Charte des droits fondamentaux de l'Union européenne. Délégation pour l'Union européenne de l'Assemblée nationale (Kiosque de l'Assemblée nationale, 4 rue Aristide Briand, F-75007 Paris. Internet: http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr ). "Les documents d'information de l'Assemblée nationale" series, N° 2616. 2000, 96 pages, 20 FF, 3.05 Euro. ISBN 2-11-109408-0.
As is often the case, this information report by the French National Assembly delegation to the European Union provides evident interest. Firstly because it enlightens a dossier. Then, because it allows to isolate certain French sensitivities. This is especially the case with this report by François Loncle, not only attached with texts on what, before Nice, was still the "draft Charter of Fundamental Rights" of the EU, but also explanatory remarks. For MP Loncle, this Charter has obeyed a double necessity in that it codifies the "common values" on which is founded a Europe that "could not limits itself to a market, a budget and a currency". He then works towards answering three questions. First, how was it drafted? For him, the Convention possibly prefigures a new institutional Europe, even if its works have borrowed more from parliamentary debates than from a classical diplomatic negotiation, since the search for a consensus has been systematically sought. Either way, the Convention had the sole concern for transparency and has seen civil society "highly attentive" in its works. A judgment that is not without importance when is now open the question of knowing who should be the actors in the next institutional reform. Second question: what rights are consecrated in the Charter? François Loncle notably observes that it "consecrates seven new rights" compared to the European Human Rights Convention and that we can legitimately support, which, thanks to it, the European model has acquired a true social dimension. He explains, in this framework, the difficulties faced by France with regards to minority rights and the diversity of cultures (he publishes the letter he sent, on this topic, to President Herzog). Finally, he brings a French answer to the question of knowing what is the scope of the Charter: "in the short term, this text must be seen as a political declaration". None the less it remains, concludes François Loncle, that the values it proclaims and the rights it consecrates, the Charter is a factor of legal security, other than the fact that it also constitutes "the first document in which our citizens can see themselves".
(MT)
*** RICHARD GRIFFITHS: Europe's First Constitution. The European Political Community,1952-1954. Federal Trust (Distribution: Kogan Page, 120 Pentonville Road, London N1 9JN. Internet: http://www.kogan-page.co.uk ). 2000, 275 pages, £19.95. ISBN 1-903403-21-9.
This first European constitution, it's the draft treaty on the European political community completed in March 1953, but abandoned by the governments of the Six eighteen months later, asserts Prof. Griffiths, who had dived into the nearly forgotten world of the European political community fifteen years ago, in archives in the Netherlands and, then, as research director at the Florence European University Institute. The present has come remind him of this past when, last year in Berlin, in their speech on 12 May to the Humbolt university and on 27 June to the Bundestag, Joschka Fischer and President Chirac, after having made a references to the situation fifty years ago, the idea of a European federal constitution, but without recalling a single word that, fifty years ago, the idea of a European federal constitution was at the centre of the political debate, nor the facts that in 1952, the six founding members of Europe had ordered a draft federal treaty for a European political community and that in 1953, they had even formed a intergovernmental conference to discuss it. It is as if this phase in the history of the European Union had been erased, as old photos of the Kremlin leaders in the 1930s and 1940s, notes Prof. Griffiths for whom the time has come to save the European political community from the void of non-history in which it had consigned itself. Let us not all lack the understanding that prevent us learning from the past, puts forward the author in his wisdom, while making the link between the past and the present and when noting that the political and intellectual climate in which the debate unfolded at the time and the nature of the problems to which they where confronted while the European political decision-makers recall in a "strange" manner the present situation. The value of this look back, thanks to the careful eye of a historian who also sees the present clearly, is evident, at the time when in Europe, we dare once more to talk of a federation and even a constitution.
(MG)
*** Europ Magazine. Fondation Journalistes en Europe (4 rue du Faubourg Montmartre, F-75009 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 55772000 - Fax: 48244002 - Internet: http: //http://www.europmag.com ). Spring 2001, 99 pages, FF 28, EUR 4.27. Annual subscription: FF 100, EUR 15.25.
Several wide ranging topical themes are tackled in this issue of the magazine by the Foundation which, for decades, initiates young journalists from around the world in European policy and the reality of the Member States. Created in cooperation with Europartenaires, it is dedicated to the building sites of Europe including immigration, with an examination of the situation in seven Member States and an article in which Lucile Schmid, from the editorial committee from the Esprit review, asserts that Europeans must make migrations compatible with their social and economic interests, while assuming their humanitarian responsibility. Concerning the socio-economic identity of the European Union, Pierre Héritier Secretary General of the Laboratoire social d'actions, d'innovations, de réflexions et d'échanges, and Henrik Uterwedde, Director of the Franco-German DFI Institute in Ludswigsburg, underlines that the construction of Europe will not be long-lasting without social partners capable of building trans-national networks. Defence is another building site broached, in particular in the meetings with François Heisbourg, President of the Political and Security Centre, and Ian Duncan Smith, Defence Secretary in the British Conservative "shadow" cabinet and ardent adversary of a defence Europe. Enlargement is another major theme raised, not forgetting various dossiers forming part of the Europeans "daily life" (GMO, sport, role of the nationals parliaments, Euro…).
(MG)
*** HUBERT HAENEL: La XXIIIe réunion de la Conférence des organes spécialisés dans les affaires communautaires. Délégation pour l'Union européenne du Sénat (Paris). "Les Rapports du Sénat" series, N° 106. 2000, 89 pages, FF 25, EUR 3.81. ISBN 2-11-110193-1.
This report by the French Senator Hubert Haenel gives an account of the works held by the Conference of bodies specialised in Community affairs of the Member State Parliaments (six parliamentarians from each Member State and three parliamentarians, with the observer status, from each candidate country) last October in Versailles. A meeting which, according to the rapporteur, marked an additional step in the direction of a re-approval of Europe by the national Parliaments. Let us note this remark by Herman De Croo, President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives: "if we consider that the governments only represent majorities, we can say that in Biarritz, at best only 55% of the population was represented while here, in the COSAC, most of the political forces are represented"…
(LD)
*** Business Guide to EU Initiatives. The EU Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium (50 av. des Arts, Bte 5, B-1000 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 5136892 - Fax: 5137928 - E-mail: EUC@post1.amcham.be - Internet: http://www.eurocommittee.be ). 2000, 205 pages, EUR 50, BEF 2,017. ISBN: 2-930073-81-0.
The 2001 edition of this guide aimed more specifically at the business world by the American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium remains faithful to a well-established tradition of great quality. After a general presentation of the legislative competences and procedures of the Union, it covers in a clear and reliable manner eleven specific sectors of Community action. Each EU initiative is put into perspective and its potential implications for the business world are assessed. Very useful.
(MT)
*** Fedechoses. Pour le fédéralisme. Presse fédéraliste (12 rue Président Carnot, F-69002 Lyon). 2001, 1st quarter, N° 111, 23 pages, FF 15. Annual subscription: FF 50.
"Yes to a constitution for Europe, no to the spirit of Nice": thus is the title of the plea that the European Parliament European Constitution Intergroup sent on 7 March to all those who, parliamentarians and/or citizens, will be called upon to rule over the Treaty of Nice. Other themes broached: on the sidelines of the Nice summit, civil society organised itself into a force for proposals and in partnership with Heads of State and Government, speeches by Alain Lamassoure, Daniel Cohn-Bendit and Jo Leinen on the sidelines of the Nice summit, a preamble to the thesis by Bertrand Vayssiere on the history of the UEF from its creation to 1956, the Ligue fédéraliste de Bretagne: antifascists from the first hour, Are the Flemish nationalists against Europe?, a paper on the meeting of the Council of the world federalist movement in Japan, gain the rebirth of citizen confidence in the WTO, regional organisations and globalisation, regional integration and the Middle East, Tobin Tax or world currency?, an interview by Prof. Daniel J. Elazar on federalism, democracy and the European constitution…
*** Notabene. Observatoire social européen.(13 rue Paul Emile Janson, B-1050 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 5371971 - Fax: 5392808 - E-mail: ose.eur@skynet.be). April 2001, N° 121, 19 pages. Annual subscription: BEF 800 (institutions: BEF 2,000).
In this issue of the letter by the European social observatory, the European civil servant Andrea Pierucci, close to the former Commissioner Emma Bonino, paints a critical assessment of the Treaty of Nice, which we will remember, according to him, for its strange and extraordinary findings to drown the fish. Furthermore, Janine Goetschy formulates criticisms, replies and suggestions with regards to the method of open coordination of which the European strategy for employment represents, to this day, the most accomplished form. Finally, Cecile Barbier looks at enhanced cooperation and the future of the Union.
*** Rapport annuel 2000. EFTA Surveillance Authority (74 rue de Trèves, B-1040 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 2861811 - Fax: 2861800). February 2001, 116 pages.
This report discusses, in a detailed manner, the situation within the European Free Trade Association last year.
*** L'Acier Belge en 2000. Groupement de la Sidérurgie (47 rue Montoyer B-1000 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 5091411 - Fax: 5091400). April 2001, 24 pages.
This report allows one to become familiar with the importance of steel, its various uses, its potentials and the importance of a Belgian steel industry integrated into leader groups in the world market and which markets close to 85% of its production outside the UEBL.
National reviews in short
*** Bulletin d'information et de documentation. 2000, Luxembourg. In summary: OECD report on the environmental performance of Luxembourg, assessment of the 2000 tourist season, look at transport policy, draft law on data protection, agreement on rail freight between the Ministries for Transport of Luxembourg, France and Belgium, report on the Luxembourg energy policy, convention on social security between Luxembourg and the Czech Republic, signing of a financing agreement with the World Food Programme. *** Actualités OMD. April 2001. This fact sheet dedicated to the tariff and trade issues notably mentions the 33rd scholarship programme that took place from 26 February to 6 April for the attention of 14 Francophone customs officers from developing countries, the European Union, France, Switzerland being associated with the WDO to ensure its financing.