*** MARC MARESCEAU, ERWAN LANNON (Ed.): The EU's Enlargement and Mediterranean Strategies. A Comparative Analysis. Palgrave (Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS - Internet: http://www.palgrave.com ). 2001, 403 pp. ISBN 0-333-77281-4.
The Union cannot simply turn its eyes towards central European countries knocking at its door since it is an absolutely necessity for it to weigh up the repercussions of its future enlargement for the countries on its periphery, from Russia to the Mediterranean. This is the view of the former Commissioner Willy De Clercq (currently an MEP) in the forward to this book, which is the fruit of brilliant academic research involving the Universities of Ghent, Brussels, Liège and Rennes, and the Trans European Policy Studies Association. In concrete, the book analyses and compares and contrasts the preferential relations the Union has established with countries on its eastern and southern borders, since it dawned on Member States with great clarity in the middle of the 90s that the strategic importance of the Mediterranean Basin demanded a re-balancing of the EU's external relations and greater "geopolitical coherency". The EuroMed partnership that was launched with the Barcelona Conference in 1995 put flesh on this dawning of awareness and helped make the European Union a global player in its geographical environment. The authors of this book outline the methods and specific characteristics of the Union's various activities with regard to its neighbours.
The first part of the book is dedicated to the political and security dimensions and begins with a legal and political analysis of the pre-accession strategies by Prof. Marc Maresceau (University of Ghent), a leading specialist on Eastern Europe. Director of the Strategic and International Studies Institute in Lisbon, Alvaro de Vasconcelos, argues that Mediterranean countries that do not belong to the Union should be treated as full partners in all the security arrangements that may concern them, while Jean Raux (Emeritus Professor at the University of Rennes I and at the European College in Bruges and Natolin) traces a route that could lead in the direction of an association of pan-Euro/Mediterranean proximity. His contribution is the first to analyse the impact of enlargement on Russia (a subject also covered by Prof. Caterine Flaesch-Mougin - writing on the subject of differentiation and association in the pan-Euro/Mediterranean zone - and Marc Maresceau). All three members of the European Institute of the University of Ghent, Erwan Lannon, Kirstyn M. Inglis (idem) and Tom Haenebalcke, consider the different aspects of "conditionality" applied by the Union in its relations with its immediate neighbours.
The second part of the book is devoted to economic and financial aspects. Geoffrey Denton (College of Europe in Bruges), for example, studies the budgetary strategy being developed by the EU in the framework of Agenda 2000, while Alfred Tovias (Director of the Helmut Kohl Institute for European Studies at the Jewish University of Jerusalem) looks at the issue of Euro/Mediterranean relations in the light of the particular experience of Israel. Lode Van Den Hende considers the free circulation of services and the right of establishment in a pan-Euro/Mediterranean economic area, while Marianne Dony (ULB) does the same for the agricultural sector and Stefano Inama for rules of origin and the creation of a free trade zone. Alain Guggenbühl (IEAP in Maastricht) and Margareta Theelen (TEPSA) conclude this part of the book by comparing the financial aid granted by the European Union. The last part of the book is given over to socio-economic issues and human factors, with the general conclusion of the book being drawn by Prof. Peter Balázs, who is currently Hungary's ambassador to Germany.
Michel Theys
*** ALFRED E. KELLERMANN, JAAP W. DE ZWAAN, JENÖ CZUCZAI (Ed.): EU Enlargement. The Constitutional Impact at EU and National Level. T.M.C. Asser Press (P. O. Box 16163, 2500 BD The Hague. Distribution: Kluwer Law International, Distribution Centre, P. O. Box 322, 3300 AH Dordrecht). 2001, 600 pp. ISBN 90-6704-132-7.
The Asser Instituut organised a conference in September 2000 on the impact of future enlargement on the European Union and candidate countries (see EUROPE 28 August, 28 September and 18 October). It came up with the positive idea of compiling the contributions made at this event into this weighty volume - a real wealth of information and advice. It is a valuable book not only because of the impending accession of more countries to the Union, but also in view of the new reforms that will impact on the European institutions themselves. In the conclusions that are drawn; Jaap W. de Zwaan, President of the Institute's Scientific Council, points out that the impact on the constitutions of the candidate countries when they join the EU has not featured in pre-accession negociations. He also highlights the wishes of many participants to, "retain the expertise network in order to develop further".
(MG)
*** JEAN-BERNARD RAIMOND: Un nouvel élan pour le processus d'élargissement après Nice. 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, No.3103. 2001, 127 pp. 30 FF, 4.57 euros. ISBN 2-11-115216-1.
This information report by a member of the French National Assembly's Delegation to the EU, provides an insight into the enlargement process in the light of the closing institutional preliminaries at the European Council in Nice. It answers our questions about whether it is possible to integrate societies and economies with three different levels of wealth into a homogenous unity and also how, in the process of enlargement, a two-speed Europe can be avoided. Jean-Bernard Raimond's report calls for developing an ambitious European project.
(LD)
*** WITOLD ORLOWSKI, ALAN MAYHEW: The Impact of EU Accession on Enterprise Adaptation and Institutional Development in the Countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Sussex European Institute (University of Sussex, Arts A Building, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9SH. Tel.: (44-01273) 678578 - fax: 678571 - E-mail: sei@sussex.ac.uk). "Working Papers in Contemporary European Studies" series, No. 44. 2001, 74 pp, £6.
Professor of economics at the University of Lodz and advisor to the Polish Minister of Finance, Witold Orlowski, collaborated with a member of the Sussex European Institute to draft this report commissioned by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The report examines the effects of the European Union accession process on East and Central European candidate countries. After the Copenhagen Summit in 1993, the historic enlargement process that followedb and the decisions taken at the European Summit in Nice, the authors examine the priorities fixed by candidate countries in order to meet the criteria, as well as the progress they have achieved to this end. The impact of adapting in order to respect the EU acquis is also assessed in horizontal fields such as the environment, the social acquis and transport. The report pays particular attention to the situation in Poland.
(LD)
*** HANNA OJANEN (Ed.): The Northern Dimension: Fuel for the EU? Ulkopoliittinen instituutti - The Finnish Institute of International Affairs (15 A Mannerheimintie, FIN-00260 Helsinki. Tel.: (358-9) 4342070 - fax: 43420769) and Institut für Europäische Politik (Jean-Monnet-Haus, 22 Bundesallee, D-10717 Berlin. Tel.: (49-30) 889134-0 - fax: 889134-99 - E-mail: info@iep-berlin.de - Internet: http://www.northerndimension.org ). "Programme on the Northern Dimension of the CFSP" series, No. 12. 2001, 262 pp, 20.20 Euro. ISBN 951-769-116-5.
The "Nordic dimension" in the European Union is a new concept in the debate on European integration - it is an often neglected or even ignored dimension. This is a wasted opportunity, given that the Nordic dimension since 1997 when it was developed on the initiative of the Finnish government, could offer the Union the benefits of its practical experience gained from international co-operation in the Baltic Sea region and, perhaps, assist it in resolving important geo-political problems with Russia. These are the ideas and options examined and discussed in this publication by two political thinktanks in Germany and Finland. A number of researchers also look into the vicious circle of relations between Russia and the European Union, the future of the Kaliningrad region and the role the Nordic dimension could play in maintaining the security of the Baltic countries. This is a concise and useful book which sheds light on a dimension that is not only Scandinavian but fully European too.
(PB)
*** Revue trimestrielle des droits de l'Homme. Le droit face à la montée du racisme et de la xénophobie. Etablissements Bruylant (67 rue de la Régence, B-1000 Brussels. Tel.: (32-2) 5126709 - fax: 511720 - Internet: http: //http://www.revtrdrh.be ). 2001, No.46, 690 pp. Annual subscription: 4,000 FB.
Published with the support of the Emile Bernheim Foundation, this special edition is entirely devoted to the current and unceasing struggle waged against racism and xenophobia, the festering sores of humanity that won't go away. Even if, as the writer Robert Badinter notes in his forward, these sores, "are hidden beneath hypocritical masks". Lawyers are and must be in the outposts of this battle. In this edition, a number of lawyers highlight the serious problems to be confronted in this struggle. Issues such as the necessity of defending the freedom of expression and the increasing number of prosecutions for race hatred. Following the introduction by Pierre Lambert, the publication's Manager, on the "resurgence of racism, antisemitism and xenophobia in Europe", different specialists make an initial exploration of the instruments available to the legal authorities in the different Member States: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg and Sweden, as well as Switzerland in attempting to stamp out these damaging and irrational acts. Action by the European Union within this areana is then analysed by Professor Jean-François Flauss (University of Lausanne), while Caroline Picheral (Master of Conferences at the Faculty of Law at the University of Montpellier) draws up a balance sheet, beginning with jurisprudence, that reveals an insufficient application of the European Convention on human rights in the struggle against racial discrimination. Sébastien van Drooghenbroeck (Assistant at the university Faculty of Saint-Louis), asks whether Article 17 of this Convention - prohibiting activities and action aimed at destroying the rights and freedoms which it represents - is really essential. Other contributions include, "Freedom of Expression and Negationism", "Education on Civil Rights", "Should Racism be Punished?"
(MT)
*** Annales d'études européennes de l'Université catholique de Louvain. L'Europe des droits de l'homme. Etablissements Bruylant (67 rue de la Régence, B-1000 Brussels. Tel.: (32-2) 5126709 - fax: 511720 - Internet: http: //http://www.revtrdrh.be ). 2000, No. 4, 365 pp, 3,400 FB. ISBN 2-8027-1395-7.
These UCL Annals for the year 2000 bring together, for the main part, a range of multi-disciplines focusing on the subject of "Human Rights in Europe". Professor Silvio Marcus Helmons opens fire with an examination of, "50 Years of the European Convention on Human Rights", a text that he considers as the expression of the European nations and their people's "common heritage". Its influence can be found in the European Union's Charter of Fundamental Rights, the gestation and perspectives of which were developed - before its adoption in Nice - by Gilles de Kerchove (Head of the the Union Council's Secretariat General), Françoise Tulkens (a Judge from the European Court in Strasbourg) and Olivier De Schutter. In the chapter on, "The Anthropology and Sociology of Human Rights", Professor Mike Singleton observes that the concept of human rights on which the Convention is based, "aims to give expression to the identical, universal and lasting dignity of every human being". By emphasising the, "western character of such a discourse and the essentialist vision of human nature which it transmits", he ends up posing the disturbing question (summarised by the "boss" of the UCL Annals, Professor Yves Lejeune): "if mankind is subject to permanent discussion, why then are its rights regarded, definitively, as something that needs to be accomplished?" In this connection, Guy Jucquois et Henri Simonart use the example of the right to be tried by the different national courts "within a reasonable time-limit", to demonstrate that the Convention fullfils a legal "counter-culture" function by acting, "as an indicator of the real conditions of the workings of national law" and encouraging this to, "progressively integrate developments emanating from jurisprudence in Strasbourg".
In the section of the book entitled, "The Politics of Civil Rights", Catherine de Montlibert-Dumoulin (Institut d'études politiques de Paris, and a lecturer at UCL) is of the opinion that the Russians do not put so much store on the question of fundamental rights, as do the citizens of the EU. Professor Tanguy de Wilde d'Estmael makes a comparison between the instruments for punishment applied in the political arena against Austria when the FPÖ entered government and, on the economic field, against Russia battling it out with Chechens fighting for independence. A number of specific protection strategies are also studied such as, "Promoting the Political Conditions for Women", "Preliminary Genetic Tests for Employment", "Rights for Foreign Nationals", "The Development of a Romany Culture in the Current Age" and an examination entitled, "Towards the Principle of Religious Precaution in Europe?"
(MT)
*** ICOC. Summer 2001, Istanbul. This quarterly produced by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce highlights the advantages - economic, financial, cultural, tourism, etc - of Turkey, without concealing its hope to soon become a member of the European Union.
*** EUROPEAN COMMISSION (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985, Luxembourg) has published the following document:
*** Inforegio. Iinformation letter of the European Commission. Directorate General for Regional Policy (fax: (32-2) 2966003 - E-mail: regio-info@cec.eu.int - Internet: http: //inforegio.cec.eu.int). August 2001, No. 8/9.
This issue is entitled, "Objective 1 Programmes Covered with a Fine-Tooth Comb". It points out that on 5 July of this year, the Commission adopted a Communication on the quality of regional development programmes negotiated between Member States within the framework of Objective 1 for the period 2000-2006. In this connection, Commissioner Michel Barnier explains how this document clearly shows the added value of a coherent and strategic approach, "I am convinced that the way in which we concluded the partnership with the regions during negotiations demonstrates good governance in Europe".
*** The Voice of the Regions. Quarterly Newsletter from the Committee for the Regions (92/102 rue Montoyer, B-1000 Brussels. Fax: (32-2) 2822085 - Internet: http://www.cor.eu.int ) September 2001, No. 3.
This newsletter takes stock of the first six-months of 2001, a period particularly rich in activity for the Committee for the Regions. On the front-line in the second half of the year: the European Council in Laeken will outline the work to begin for reforming the Treaties in 2004. Given that Europe's citizens would like to know who does what and how in Europe, the Committee of the Regions has set themselves the task of shedding light on this issue, notably, on the new competency sharing changes that could possibly take place at the different decision-making levels. What future role will the Committee play in the new institutional architecture is discussed by Vice-President Manfred Dammeyer and the Belgian, François Roelants du Vivier. Another subject broached: Territorial Employment Pacts and "Innovation in the Service of the Territories".
*** Kangaroo Group Newsletter. The Kangaroo Group (c/o European Parliament, 60 rue Wiertz, EAS 260, B-1047 Brussels. Tel.: (32-2) 2844666 - fax: 2840784 - E-mail: info@kangaroogroup.org). 2001, No. 28.
To summarise: "The European Union: the New Economic Superpower?" (article by MEP and former Commissioner Willy De Clercq), extracts from a speech by the US Representative for Trade on the subject of, "The USA, Europe and the System of World Trade", and the Belgian Presidency of the Union, with points of view concerning the European Constitution, the free circulation of sports assets, legal co-operation, e-commerce, third generation mobile phones, the programme of the 16th Kangaroo Group Conference etc.
*** La Lettre du CEPII. La Documentation francaise (9 rue Georges-Pitard, F-75015 Paris. Tel.: (33-1) 53685514 - fax: 53685503 - E-mail: postec@cepii - Internet: http://www.cepii.fr ) July-August 2001, No. 203. subscription: 46 Euro.
This letter from the Centre d'Etudes Prospectives et d'Informations Internationales declares that… "Good Taxes Make Good Friends"! It also observes that the different countries in the European Union are involved in a movment to lower taxes in an effort to improve supply and demand and make the European Union more investor-friendly. Moreover, trade interdependancies, the unified monetary policy of the Euro-zone and the mobility of capital opens the way to fiscal competition and calls for greater co-ordination. But this still remains a difficult area insofar as the interests of the different European countries depends on their belonging to the EMU and their localisation. This explains why the case for harmonisation is difficult and why we appear to be only dealing with areas in which the most noticeable distorsions are the most apparent.
Journals in brief
*** EuropeInfos. Monthly trade and Ocipe journal. Antwerp, September 2001. The journal of the Episcopate Committee of the European Community and the Information and Initiative for Europe Office has launched an "appeal for democracy" based on the Commission's "White Paper" on governance. *** La Lettre de confrontations. Paris, June-July 2001. Anne-Marie Sigmund asserts that treating civil society and the market sparately is unrealistic. Ms Sigmund hopes that the Laeken Summit will open the way for citizens to be fully integrated into the debat on the future of the Union etc. *** De source tunisienne. Brussels, No. 1, 2001. This booklet explains the Tunisian position on relations between their country and the EU, as well as the broader situation and other developments.