*** WERNER WEIDENFELD, WOLFGANG WESSELS (Edited by): Jahrbuch der Europäischen Integration 1999/2000. Institut für Europäische Politik (22 Bundesallee, D-10717 Berlin) and Europa Union Verlag (32 Bachstrasse, D-53115 Bonn. Internet: http: //http://www.europa-union.de/buecher/210_index.html ). 2000, 531 pages, 89 DM, 45.50 Euros. ISBN 3-7713-0594-2.
Ever since 1980 this work of reference presents, year after year, an exhaustive assessment and a precise and complete documentation of the development of the European integration process. The list of the sixty-odd authors who's contributions are present in this edition nearly constitute a German Who's who of academic research (especially political sciences) on the European Union, not counting international researchers as well as experts working in the Community institutions.
This twentieth edition is more specifically based on the problematic of Union enlargement. The volume begins with general assessments, political and scientific, European events taking place during the 1999/2000 period. In a second part, all the European institutions are one after the other examined, including the European Council, the Court of Justice and the European Central Bank, which are often neglected in this form of exercise. The third and fourth parts tackle the internal and external policies of the Union by geographic regions and themes. In this framework, transversal and more specialised subjects - such as human rights, competition policy and external economic relations - are examined. The role of European political parties, of lobbying and public opinion are analysed in a fifth chapter, while the following two parts of the work - including the contributions are for the most part the work of national experts - provide an instructive picture of European policy as it is implemented in each Member State and in each candidate country (except the Baltic States, which are sadly regrouped into a single article), including Turkey. A look at the policies of the other European organisations and very useful annexes with a detailed chronology, thematic bibliography and guide of web sites complete this high complete work.
In conclusion, the Jahrbuch confirms its being a work of reference crucial for all libraries and research centres, but also for all those who want to rapidly learn and in a concise and clear manner the way in which Europe has developed over the years. Without a doubt one of the best publications concerning the European Union that is present on the market, a necessary read to remain in up to date and an analytical and academic attachment to the remarkable annual general report on the Union, which is published by the European Commission.
Peter Bender
*** FRANKLIN DEHOUSSE, TSONKA IOTSOVA: L'Europe de l'énergie: un projet toujours reporté. Centre de recherche et d'information socio-politiques (1A place Quetelet, B-1210 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 2110180 - E-mail: crisp@cfwb.be). Collection "Courrier hebdomadaire", N° 1698-1699. 2000, 76 pages, 500 BEF.
There does not truly exist a European energy policy… A tough judgment of this kind, comes as no surprise when from the pen of Franklin Dehousse, this university professor specialist on Europe with the acid pen and the corrosive tongue. Though, with his partner, the intellectual serves his views with a rigorous reasoning which, without excess, unveils and explains the failings he notes as much as he regrets. While the sudden rise in oil prices in 2000 - and we are still feeling the effects today!- brought to the fore the energy dependency of the Union countries, it is the absence of a coordinated approach in this strategic economic area and the reasons that are the cause, which the authors works to demonstrate and understand in this Review of great scientific rigour from the CRISP. Firstly, they look at the specificities of the sector, necessary for the proper understanding of the Community energy issues. They then review the "slow development" of the various initiatives proposed in the Community framework (the provisions from the 1995 White Paper on energy passing by the cheap energy era, the times of the oil shocks, the beginnings of the internal market for energy and the integration of the environment into energy policy), before detailing the sector based aspects (liberalisation of the energy market and the natural gas market, developments in the oil market, nuclear energy, energy in the light of competition rules, R&D policy…). In the last part, they study the external dimension of the European energy policy. In their conclusions, they note that the influence of Europe has grown in the energy sector, even if it no longer exists in the European policy in this area. In their eyes, this is necessary and several factors could merge from lead to it.
(MT)
*** KATRIN FORGÓ: Die Internationale Energieagentur - Grundlagen und aktuelle Fragen. Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien, Forschungsinstitut für Europafragen (39-45 Althanstrasse, A-1090 Vienne. Tel: (43-1) 31336-4135 - Fax: 31336-758 - E-mail: europafragen@fgr.wu-wien.ac.at). Collection "IEF Working Paper", N° 36. 2000, 39 pages, 100 ATS, 7,27 Euro.
This working document by Katrin Forgó is entirely dedicated to the International Energy Agency (IEA), international organisation located in Paris, which deals with international cooperation in the field of energy, the oil sector in particular. The author first explains the historic links tied between the Agency, founded after the first oil crisis in the 1970s, and the OECD. Then, it presents the legal framework and the participation in the works by the Norwegian agency (country, which is not formally a member, but has a special cooperative status) before describing in detail the bodies, working groups, the functioning of the secretariat and the various commissions, as well as the internal regulations of the organisation. Katrin Forgó concludes that the decision-making procedures as well as the influence of the secretariat have contributed to the success and effectiveness of the Agency. More descriptive than analytical, the study, nevertheless, offer us a good introduction to the complex institutional and decision-making structure of a little know institution.
(PB)
*** LUIGI PAGANETTO (Edited by): Banche e concorrenza in Europa. Il Mulino (37 Strada Maggiore, Casella Postale N° 119, I-40100- Bologna - Internet: http: //http://www.mulino.it ) 1999, 182 pages, 28,000 ITL. ISBN 88-15-07227-6.
This publication offers interesting ideas on the effect of the introduction of the Euro in the banking system during a forum organised by the International economic and development studies centre from the University of Rome Tor Vergata. The essays cover the new context within which are structured the relations between banks and companies, context in which the risk of change has disappeared, and over the possibilities created by the opening of an enlarged European financial area. On the strictly financial level, attention is paid to competition which is developing between the stock and options markets in view of attracting investments and savings, as well as the financial system seeking to seduce companies through tax complexity and the provision of systems that finance investments.
(GC)
*** DANIEL C. ESTY, DAMIEN GERADIN (Edited by): Regulatory Competition and Economic Integration. Comparative Perspectives. Oxford University Press (Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DPAGES Tel: (44-01865) 556767 - Internet: http://www.oupagescom ). Collection "International Economic Law". 2001, 433 pages. ISBN 0-19-829905-2.
This work of great academic value was coordinated by Daniel Esty, lawyer specialised in the environment at the University of Yale, and Damien Gerardin, Law Professor at the University of Liege and the College of Europe in Bruges. Under their umbrella, the high-level specialists worked on one of the hottest topics of recent years: in a world each day more globalised, to what extent must we regulate competition? Also beyond, it is right to leave intact the sovereignty of the States in this matter where, on the contrary, it is necessary to impose supranational rules? In other words, the authors question the pertinence of the principal of subsidiarity in a precise world, that of trade relations and company mergers. With, as corollary, the whole issue of the marriage between economic efficiency and social well being. An enlightening book.
(DDF)
*** KIM FEUS (Edited by): The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Text and commentaries. Federal Trust for Education and Research (Dean Bradley House, 52 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AF. Tel: (44-20) 77992818 v- Fax: 77992820 - Internet: http://www.fedtrust.co.uk ) and Kogan Page (120 Pentonville Road, Londres N1 9JN). Collection "Constitution for Europe". 2000, 268 pages, £16.95. ISBN 1-903403-04-9.
As is very well explained by Lord Lester of Herne Hill in his introduction, this book - which is the fruit of a series of seminars organised by the Federal Trust - shows in a very clear manner the Charter of fundamental rights provided to the Union, as necessary as it may be in the eyes of the majority, causes disagreement, sometimes deep, over its aims, statute and content. For this Liberal Democrat Peer, the Charter is seen by some as the move towards the recognition of new rights, by others as a way of making certain socio-economic rights legally applicable, by others simply as a political and rhetorical instrument aiming to inform the citizens of their rights. After having recalled that the Select Committee on the European Union in the House of Lords had adopted and defended, over this problematic, a less frivolous attitude than that of the government lead by Tony Blair, Lord Lester heavily insists, in his introduction, on the fact that the best way to truly guarantee the protection of citizens would be, in his eyes, to allow the Union to become a member of the European Human Rights Convention and to allow them, through it, to have access to the European Court of Human Rights.
His work casts a perfect light on the various sensibilities that are expressed on the European charter. A first part is dedicated to the institutional and political points of view. Thus, the MEP Andrew Duff feels that to contribute towards the definition of the EU identity and underline the values and rights, the Charter needs to be incorporated into the EU Treaty and have a legally binding effect, Lord Goldsmith - who was the United Kingdom representative to the Convention - supports that the Charter has as vocation to proclaim existing rights and to show, through this, the limits in powers of the Union institutions, the Charter could not be seen as an instrument aiming to create new rights or as an embryo Constitution for the federal States of Europe. That is to say the distance that can separate the artisans of the work. In the same section, the MEP Timothy Kirkhope looks at the statements of Lord Goldsmith (for him, the fact that the Charter does not give any assurances to citizens against a violation of their rights by the Union institutions constitutes a lost opportunity, he also regrets that the convention has formed links towards a constitution…), while the President of the Council of Europe Assembly, Lord Russell-Johnston, without rejecting the idea that the Charter be legally binding, calls for the Court of Justice in Luxembourg to be, in terms of the interpretation of the fundamental rights, submitted to appeal, as a final instance, to the Court in Strasbourg , which implies the accession of the Union to the Convention… Still in the same section, Jeremy Smith assesses the Charter from the point of view of local government (according to him, it may contribute towards gluing together the "paternalistic attitudes" of the governments at all levels). In the three other sections of the book, it is first lawyers who speak, the persons specialised in economic and social law, finally experts - institutional or on the ground - who envisage the Charter under the angle of social discriminations, minorities and the consequences that it may have on the framework of the enlargement process. A complete book on the issue, even if it does not close the issue.
(MT)
*** ANDREA CHITI-BATELLI: L'Union de l'Europe au tournant du siècle. Presses d'Europe (10 av. des Fleurs, F-06000 Nice. Tel: (33-4) 93979397 - Fax: 93979398 - E-mail: cife@webstore.fr - Internet: http: //http://www.cife.org ). 2000, 146 pages, 48 FF, 7.32 Euro. ISBN 2-85505-170-3.
This publication from the International centre for European training founded by Alexandre Marc and today lead by Prof. Kinsky reproduces, for the most part, articles published in L'Europe en formation in the middle of the 1990s. Thoughts from partisans to full federalism remain of interest at a time when the great debate on the finality of the European building process grows and the Danish "no": to the Treaty of Nice imposes, at the least, a certain questioning. With the European currency, the institutional approach of the small is over: or there will be a qualitative jump towards the federal, or the European building process risks sinking, asserts as an example the author who, among others, underlines the priority requirement of providing Europe with a security and defence policy. Andrea Chiti-Batelli - also calls for the establishment of a Confederation of democracies in view of forming a sort of world government - critic of the system of political representation and calls for the creation of a European party, for lack of which the Federal State and the European constitution will remain ideas. Finally, a third part of the work is dedicated to European culture as well as an essay on ideology.
(MT)
*** La lettre de confrontations. Confrontations (41 rue Emile Zola, F-93107 Montreuil Cedex. Tel: (33-1) 49881194 - Fax: 49881184 - E-mail: Confrontations@wanadoo.fr - Internet: http://www.confrontations.org ). April-May 2001, N° 49, 28 pages, 30 FF.
Renate Horning-Draus notes, in this issue, that the results of the Nice European Council have confirmed the breakdown of the Franco-German engine, main force of European integration. The challenges of participation by civil society in the framework of the Franco-German partnership in Europe are the object of a dossier. Other themes broached: the social responsibility of companies being debated, financial Europe which progresses without a public debate, European works councils, which are a necessary for transnational debate, Food safety and the questioning of CAP, the strategy of civil society actors on the European arena, the bringing into the European sphere of influence of trade unions, which will become a test of truth…
*** Liaisons sociales Europe. Groupe Liaisons (Service Diffusion, BP 52, F-92502 Rueil-Malmaison Cedex. Tel: (33-1) 41299991 - Internet: http: //http://www.liaisons.sociales.com ). 23 May-5 June 2001, N° 33, 12 pages. Subscription: 3,200 FF, 457.35 Euro.
The European Commission recalled the laws applicable in restructurings, the Directives being adopted or revised as well as good practices in companies. This issue discusses the issue. Other themes broached: the role of the EU in terms of social protection, reform of pensions in Germany, the law on conciliation between the private life and professional life in the Netherlands, guaranteeing rights in the professional pensions schemes…
*** Innovation and technology transfers. European Commission , DG Enterprise (EUFO 2290, L-2920 Luxembourg. Fax: (352) 430132084 - E-mail: innovation@cec.eu.int - Internet: http: //http://www.cordis.lu/itt/itt-fr/home.htlm ). May 2001, N° 3, 28 pages
Stockholm European Council brought to the fore four main points: Internet, research and innovation, cutting edge technology and the lifting of obstacles to entrepreneurship in order to enhance the production and innovation capabilities of our economies. The structure proposed for the sixth European Framework R&D programme 2002-2006 will contribute towards creating a more coordinated strategic approach. Other themes broached: European research an added value?, less taxes and more innovation, GSM standards, sow the seeds of enterprise and learn the language of knowledge.
Reviews in short
*** Le Courrier. Brussels, Dec. 2000. In summary: "Cotonou agreement: novelties in programming, joint parliamentary assembly: a growing role for a new-look body, a very complete report on Gambia, a meeting with Koos Richelle, new Director General for development at the European Commission, Mozambique which is reborn from the ashes... *** Défis Sud. Brussels, May 2001. In summary: "Is the Internet at the heart of a counter-power to globalisation and the liberalism of all sorts?, a dossier on the theme "what is a poor, less developed country?, Europe which, compared to these countries, seduces without convincing.... *** La lettre d'information from the French Ministry for Culture and Communication. Paris, May 2001. In summary: "Magyart, the Hungarian season in France ", "Cinéfondation: discover the directors of tomorrow ", a dossier "Charter of missions of public services for the institutions of contemporary art ", the Honegger donation... *** Bulletin financier from the BBL. Brussels, May 2001. The family shareholder returns with strength to the Brussels stock market where, on the basis of statements made in the framework of the law on transparency, individuals directly or indirectly control, 19% of the capitalisation at the end of 2000 against 11% one year earlier. *** Septentrion. Rekkem, 2001. This art, literature and culture review for Flanders and the Netherlands raises Felix Timmermans and francophonie, "Renaat Braem: build for a better world ", "Set melancholy: the plastic work of Lili Dujourie", "Octopus" or the reform of the Belgian policies... *** Courrier économique et financier. Brussels, May 2001. The theme broached in the shareholders general assembly for the KBC Bancassurance Holding SA, held on 26 April 2001, was the development of the capital markets and its impact on the a financial institutions in general. *** Look Japan. Tokyo, June 2001. In summary: The Japanese and their house, 50 years in UNESCO, a priority to marriage and hope and charity. *** Annual review. London, 2000-2001. This review from the international navigation chamber discusses the sinking of the Erika and presents its structures and choices for the future.