*** HENRI MALOSSE, BERNARD HUCHET: Unifying the Greater Europe. Will the European Union Continue its Enlargement to the East? Bruylant (67 rue de la Régence, B-1000 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 5129845 - fax: 5117202 - E-mail: lib.bruylant@pophost.eunet.be - Internet: http: //http://www.bruylant.be ) and Librairie Générale de Droit et de Jurisprudence (Paris). "Axes" series. 2001, 370 pp. ISBN 2-8027-1529-1.
There are some books that are marked with the seal of intelligence, are valuably edifying and while not to be taken as gospel are a real source of reflection. The most recent book by Henri Malosse and Bernard Huchet (who published "Towards the Greater Europe" back in 1995) definitely falls into this category. Malosse is a member of the Economic and Social Committee and teaches at the Université Robert Schuman de Strasbourg. Huchet is Head of Department at the Université Paris I and has ensured the close collaboration of the University with the European institutions in his role of Senior French Civil Servant and his seconded role at the Commission. Both writers are great connoisseurs of Europe in its geographical richness and as committed Europeans, militants in their own way, identify the challenges that enlargement to the East will engender.
This is a book for militant Europeans because from the very first chapter up to the incongruous question of whether a European people exists - "even in the most pro-European milieus" - our two comperes answer forcibly, with arguments that are pertinent and substantial, "that which unites us is stronger than that which divides us". They then demonstrate to what extent and how western Europe has changed, reviewing the six founding nations (they point out that that the European Community based based both on the "Benelux model" and the Franco-German model, which leads them to place a bet on the Europe of tomorrow being, "closer to that of a larger Benelux model" than a "political entity brimming with self-confidence") and the countries that joined it over the years. There are so many profiles that sometimes it becomes irritating. For example, when the Luxembourg "compromise" of January 1966 is presented as a genuine compromise. When they assert that Brussels has not managed to "develop an internal and external representative system that is credible" and that it needs to be more than, "simply a place full of cold and impersonal European institutions". When they say that Finland shares the same "feeling of distrust" towards Europe as its Scandinavian neighbours. This feature of the book is, fortunately, not always so open to debate when describing the protests within the Union. For example, the authors consider that the famous British rebate and historic response of, "I want my money back" by Margaret Thatcher, as "the first and most serious blow to the principle of Community solidarity". Or when they adopt the "spare the rod and spoil the child" approach and describe France wavering "between a Jacobinism unable to redefine itself but whose great legions of the State and enormous public sector constitute an effective rampart, a regional revival to the still uncertain and eternal angst about confronting liberalism", which means that the "heirs to the Great Nation strive to recognise themselves as part of a European project" etc.
The same technique of profiling is used for the candidate countries and those countries in the East which are not yet candidates. This is very useful for Western Europeans whose ignorance of how the people live who are going to join us, and who tend to shove them all in the same basket is enough to make us shudder. Nothing is further from the truth, stress the two writers, who dissect the false comparisons made of the Baltic States and illustrate that once these three countries are in the Union, they will further their own individual interests and the concept of Baltic States as an entity will become blurred as conflicts of interest between them arise. They are interested in the "Polish exception", a country that is sometimes described as the new Spain and potential powerhouse of Europe or rather, as a new United Kingdom, hesitant about too hasty integration and slightly alarmed at US and a too free-trade based vision of Europe. Together with its false friends, the Czechs and Slovaks; the authors are of the opinion that the Czech Republic will not be an easy partner with its "scepticism similar to that of the Soldier Swejk" and which could well turn against the Community administrative set-up. With Hungary, they diagnose a, "subdued expansionism", which could bring the Union a, "loyal and committed partner", whereas its Romanian cousins would be at the crossroads and ready to make a good or bad job of it whatever the case may be. As for "beautiful Bulgaria", the authors believe that the Union should be firm with it in order to help it, "replunge into its roots to restore it moral and ethical values, which seem to have greatly diminished over the last few years". This central European journey ends where the Balkans begins, with of course Slovenia which is heading towards Union membership as a "model pupil", but also the other countries of ex-Yugoslavia, and Albania.
On the basis of a very instructive cartography, Malosse and Huchet then tackle the weighty issues of enlargement (the national question, the pitfalls - notably the social issues - to overcome in order to ensure an effective adaptation of the candidate countries, the frontiers of the greater Europe) before identifying the new players, new methods and new policies required for achieving European unification successfully, which leads them to defend the "restoration of the Monnet method". Not all the ideas that they put forward with regard to this idea hold water but they are certainly capable of provoking a very lively debate!
Michel Theys
*** Towards a Pan-European Union. Reports to the Government. Scientific Council for Government Policy (2-4 Plein 1813, Postbus 20004, 2500 EA 's-Gravenhage. Tel: (31-070) 3564600 - Fax: 3564685 - E-mail: info@wrr.nl - Internet: http: //http://www.wrr.nl ). 2001, 400 pp. ISBN 90-12-09322-8.
The WRR, a body advising the Dutch government, has analysed the impact of enlargement to ten new Member States in central and Eastern Europe. The WRR's research, led by Prof. Scheltema, looks at the adoption of the Community acquis by the countries in question. The WRR distinguishes between the non-negotiable fundamental acquis and the remaining acquis which can be altered in line with the capacities of the candidate country in question. The WRR feels this would avoid the temptation of postponing enlargement. This is the English translation of the original Dutch report.
(MT)
*** ANN L. PHILLIPS: Power and Influence After The Cold War. Germany in East-Central Europe. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (4720 Boston Way, Lanham, Maryland 20706. Tel: (1-800) 4626420 - Internet: http: //http://www.rowmanlittlefield.com ). 2000, 217 pp. ISBN 0-8476-9523-9.
Following field studies carried out in the critical years after the fall of the Berlin Wall into Germany's relations with Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic, Ann L. Phillips has published this book looking at the reality of German "hegemony" in central and eastern Europe. After looking at the broad outlines of the debate surrounding Germany's foreign policy, the author looks at Berlin's reconciliation policy with the central and east European countries in the light of the signature of bilateral treaties (the book also considers the impact of these treaties). Ann Phillips also examines German political foundations, and their programmes and partners, along with the full gamut of their activities, enabling her to measure Germany's influence in the region. The author aims to both provide new empirical evidence for the debate into German hegemony and take an updated look at how German domestic and international policies mesh, compared with existing literature. Her research is solidly illustrated and well arranged, with access to internal documents and more than a hundred interviews with important players in the four countries considered in the book.
(CB)
*** FRANCOIS LONCLE: La Bulgarie vers l'Union européenne: un effort continu et persévérant. 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. 3417. 2001, 37 pp, 3.05 euros. ISBN 2-11-115576-4.
Following a field trip to the country, this report by French MP François Loncle describes the valiant efforts by the Bulgarian authorities to prepare the country for accession to the European Union. The author concludes by stressing the political, economic and human imperative of helping Bulgaria in its task.
(MT)
*** PAUL MASSON: Quel marché du travail après l'élargissement ? Délégation pour l'Union européenne du Sénat (Paris). "Les rapports du Sénat" series, No. 291. 2001, 26 pp, 3.81 euros.
In this report, French Senator Paul Masson considers whether the principle of free circulation for workers can be applied to the nationals of the candidate countries as soon as their countries join the EU or whether it should be delayed.
(MT)
*** GERD FÖHRENBACH: Die Westbindung der baltischen Staaten. Zur Integration Estlands, Lettlands und Litauens in die bi- und multilateralen europäischen und transatlantischen Sicherheitsstrukturen während der 1990er Jahre. "Schriften für Europäische Integrationsforschung - Center for European Integration Studies" series, No. 23. Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft (Postfach 10 03 10, D-76484 Baden-Baden. Tel: (49-7221) 210460 - Fax: 210479 - Internet: http://www.nomos.de ). 2000, 269 pp. ISBN 3-7890-6725-3.
The strategic links between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and their western partners are examined in this excellent book which looks beyond the remit of NATO's security policy. Based on a doctoral thesis in politics, it provides a clear framework for the range of political initiatives taken at European, bilateral and multilateral levels and provides a very readable introduction to the political realities that prevail in the region. One of the strong points of the book is the fact that its author, who was formerly a Fellow at the European Integration Research Centre at Bonn University, has been in close contact with a large number of diplomats and political and military experts in the Baltic States, Germany and the United States. Dr Föhrenbach now works as a researcher at the Strategic Studies Institute for Germany's federal defence ministry.
Gerd Föhrenbach first of all explains the problems and fundamental issues posed by the integration of the Baltic States into European and transatlantic structures, paying particular attention to Russia's position. The second part of the book looks at multilateral relations between the Baltic States and NATO, the European Union and the Western European Union, explaining divergences between them. One chapter considers other multilateral initiatives concerning security issues, like Nordic-Baltic cooperation and the Baltic Balbat battalion. The next section looks at bilateral contacts between the Baltic States and Germany on the one hand and the United States on the other. The author arrives at the conclusion that the integration of the Baltic States into European and transatlantic structures should be stepped up and reinforced despite problems about joining NATO.
Presenting perspectives for both the Baltic State candidate countries themselves and the EU organisations, NATO, the United States and Germany, Dr Föhrenbach provides a realistic, down-to-earth and illuminating panorama of the complex relationship between the various partners. Based on in-depth research, the book provides clear, concrete prospects and will be very useful for anyone interested in the Baltic States and their future from any particular angle.
(PB)
*** WALTER C. CLEMENS JR: The Baltic Transformed. Complexity Theory and European Security. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (see above). 2001, 281 pp. ISBN 0-8476-9859-9.
Politics Professor at Boston University and Associated Professor at Harvard's Center for Science and International Affairs and the Davis Center for Russian Studies, Walter Clemens highlights and analyses in detail the unique nature of the experience of the Baltic States in this book, after they were liberated from Russian domination after the collapse of the Soviet System without this giving rise to war, unlike the situation in the Balkans following the disintegration of Yugoslavia. Eager to understand the reasons why, which he develops at length, the author also stresses the importance of the Baltic experience in the field of theories of international relations.
In the preface, John F. Matlock Jr., United States Ambassador in the Soviet Union from 1987 to 1991, stresses the determination displayed by the national liberation movements in the Baltic States to use peaceful means and act with moderation in order to avoid giving the Russians a pretext for intervening by force. John Matlock argues that the attitude of the Soviet and Russian leaders and the fact that the West never recognised the accession of the Baltic States by the Soviet Union were factors that played a far more determinant role than legal niceties. The author views the transformation of the three Baltic States - that foreign observers often wrongly consider as a homogenous block - as a lesson for other countries. The issue should be seen not only from the aspect of comparative policies, but also in terms of comparative imperalisms, notes the author, and in terms of comparative liberation struggles. He lays emphasis on the fact that few European states have been subjected to such bitter foreign domination for such a long time - a massive 800 years for the Baltic States - with each of the Baltic States only experiencing three decades of independence in the 20th century - the 20s, 30s and 90s. Since their independence in 1991, the Baltic States are the only former Soviet Republics to have been considered for entry into both the European Union and NATO.
(CB)
*** L'Observateur OCDE. November 2001, No. 229. Paris (Internet: http://www.observateurocde.org ). Subscription: 43 euros. The issues covered in this magazine include a very detailed dossier on health care and several articles on trade and development.
*** The EUROPEAN COMMISSION (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985, Luxembourg) has published the following documents:
*** InfoRegio panorama. DG Regional Policy (Fax: (32-2) 2966003 - E-mail: regio-info@cec.eu.int - Internet: http: //inforegio.cec.eu.int). February 2002, No. 6, 15 pp.
Cross-border cooperation is the central theme in this issue. In an interview, Joan Vallvé, President of the Association of European Border Regions, asserts that in a Europe characterised by the free circulation of goods and people, much remains to be done to ensure all citizens benefit from the positive repercussions of this freedom… Other issues covered include the Baltic Sea region which is a laboratory for enlargement, an overview of the eris@ 2001 annual conference on how the information society concerns the regions, French Guyana, a land of paradox, regions playing the tourism card and information from the Greek economics ministry.
*** Cordis focus. DG Enterprise (Fax: (352-4301) 32084 - E-mail: innovation@cec.eu.int - Internet: http://www.cordis.lu/news ). March 2002, No. 192, 27 pp.
In this issue, Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin welcomes Tony Blair and Wim Kok's appeal for a rise in R&D investment. Other subjects covered - the Commission starts a comparative analysis of policies in the EU for SME e-commerce, improving the SME environment in the EU, focussing on space research, innovation policy and practice and the fact that new research shows that innovation has never before been quite as important as it is these days.
*** Newsletter. DG Agriculture (Tel: (32-2) 2953240 - Fax: 2957540 - Internet: http: //europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/index/index_fr.htm). February 2002, 2 pp.
The promotion of the EU's agricultural products outside the Community is the main topic of this newsletter listing the promotion activity approved by the Commission for the 2002 to 2005 period. It endorsed eighteen of the thirty-eight promotion projects sent in by professional organisations. The programmes accepted focus on the Far East, the United States, Brazil, central and Eastern Europe accession countries.
*** Liaisons sociales Europe. Groupe Liaisons (1 av. Edouard-Belin, F-92500 Rueil-Malmaison. Tel: (33-1) 41299991 - Fax: 299670 - Internet: http://www.liaisons-sociales ). No. 51. March 2002. 12 pp, 25 euros.
Europe is friendly to lorry-drivers, but not to dockers according to the first page of this journal. It goes on to explain that the professional sectors involved in the free circulation of goods are coming under intense Community pressure aiming at liberalising them. Road transport and port services illustrate this approach which has an impact in terms of social affairs. Other issues covered include a balance sheet of working conditions in the candidate countries, gaps in the European labour market, the main labour legislation rulings in 2001 and a dossier on collective bargaining legislation and the formulation of social standards.
*** Chronicle. United Nations (Bureau DG1-530, One UN Plaza, New York, NY-10017. Tel: (212) 2539646 - fax: 9633489 - E-mail: publications@un.org - Internet: http: //http://www.un.org/pubs/chronicle et http://www.un.org/french/pubs/chronique ). December 2001 - March 2002, No. 4, 79 pp.
Contents: Towards a global community, the Durban appeal for tolerance, campaign plan for meeting millennium targets, democracy and national liberalisation in East Timor - a United Nations success story, appeal against the use of arms, women moving towards a solution to the problem of starvation and Ukraine as the world's third-ranking nuclear power (that has given up its weapons).
Reviews in brief
*** Courrier économique et financier. February 2002. Brussels. Official Development Aid is seeking a new direction, and enlargement of the Union is taking shape, explains this Belgian banking newsletter. *** Louvain. January-February 2002, No. 125. Louvain-la-Neuve. Under the heading "Women and commitment in society, this review of the Université catholique de Louvain reports on the granting of three honorary doctorates to three exceptional women.