*** JACQUES VANDAMME, LAURENT VAN DEPOELE (Ed.): L'élargissement de l'Union européenne: défis et opportunités. Groupe d'études politiques européennes (Brussels). 2002, 206 pp. ISBN 90-807064-1-8.
The advantages of enlargement outweigh the disadvantages and provide a challenge, of course, but also an opportunity to the European Union. This is the main conclusion drown by the authors of this report from the Groupe d'études politiques européennes - the Belgian wing of the Trans European Policy Studies Association - on the request of the Belgian economics and scientific research minister, Charles Picqué. The authors are all Belgian academic experts who have studied the economic impact of enlargement as far as Belgium is concerned, but their research has a broadly European scope based on European data and the conclusions therefore apply to all Member States.
After the introduction where Jef Van Ginderachter (Emeritus professor at the University Faculties of Notre-Dame de la Paix in Namur and honorary director at the Commission) outlines the "economic and general policy framework", the first part of the book covers general economic issues. In three essays, Prof. Alain de Crombrugghe (who teaches at the same college and also at the European College in Natolin) looks at macroeconomic aspects of growth in central and eastern European countries, at the impact of enlargement on trade and goods and services markets and the prospects of candidate countries joining Economic and Monetary Union. Sylvain Plasschaert (Emeritus Professor at Antwerp and Leuven Universities) looks at Foreign Direct Investment in the candidate countries, while Jean-Claude Koeune (lecturer at the Université catholique de Louvain after a career as Chief Economist at Banque Bruxelles Lambert) considers banking and financial services. The fallout for companies of the activity of the European Reconstruction and Development Bank is studied by Bernard Snoy who is a high-ranking civil servant at the Bank for Belgium, Luxembourg and Slovenia.
The second chapter deals exclusively with the relocation of employment and the opening up of central and eastern Europe by Prof. Joep Konings (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven). He also considers integrating CEECs from the point of view of labour mobility, integration through trade and the relocation of multinationals. In the conclusions he argues that the main reasons for investing in central and east Europe concern expanding the company into new markets and acquiring a strategic position in new markets, rather than exploiting a cheaper workforce. Prof. Konings stresses that in any case, average productivity is seven times lower in central and east Europe than in Belgium. The third part of the book looks at the repercussions of enlargement on various Community policies. Laurent Van Depoele (Professor at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and Honorary Director at the Commission) looks into the Common Agricultural Policy, Henri Capron (Université libre de Bruxelles) considers the Structural Funds, Michel Cincera (Université libre de Bruxelles) research and technology, Soukaïna Fares (Groupe d'études politiques européennes) and Catherine Smits (Université libre de Bruxelles) the internal market and competition and Robert De Bauw (Honorary Director at the Commission) energy policy. The final part of the book sees budget and financial issues dealt with by Jef Van Ginderachter, who predicts spectacular changes in EU spending, for example, ranging between 1.40% and 1.50% of GDP after 2006. He argues that this means that a fair and equitable European tax will have to be considered.
Michel Theys
*** MICHAEL J. BAUN: A wider Europe. The process and politics of European Union enlargement. Rowman & Littlefield (4720 Boston Way, Lanham, Maryland 20706. Tel: (1-800) 4626420 - Internet: http://www.rowmanlittlefield.com ). "Governance in Europe" series. 2000, 257 pp. ISBN 0-8476-9037-7.
This book looks at the European Union enlargement process from the 1989 events to the Helsinki European Council of 1999. Professor of International Politics at Valdosta State University, Michael Baun examines why the EU is enlarging, the pre-accession strategy that has been implemented for candidate countries and efforts to prepare EU policies and institutions for enlargement. The potential impact of enlargement is also considered in this book, which provides useful, well-signposted and explanatory food for thought.
(LD)
*** Business guide to EU Enlargement and Wider Europe. The EU Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium (50 av. des Arts, box 5, B-1000 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 5136892 - Fax: 5136892 - E-mail: eucommittee@amcham.be - Internet: http: //http://www.eucommitee.be ). 2002, 219 pp. ISBN: 2-914685-05-X
This book from the US Chamber of Commerce in Belgium is a practical guide, with analysis by Commissioner Verheugen and Elmar Brok MEP in the introduction. After briefly outlining the history of enlargement, the book describes the economic and political situation of the candidate countries, the Balkans and the CIS. Concise, exhaustive analysis is given by country and topic with contact details for the players and the economic and financial instruments for enlargement are given pride of place (Phare, Meda, Tacis, etc). Three chapters cover the policies of the European Parliament, the Commission and Council and the book winds up with a list of global organisations and NGOs.
(AD)
*** MARIE-HELENE AUBERT, ALAIN BARRAU, JEAN-CLAUDE LEFORT, FRANCOIS LONCLE: Contributions pour l'élargissement de l'Union européenne. Bulgarie, Malte et Slovénie. Délégation de l'Assemblée nationale pour l'Union européenne (Kiosque de l'Assemblée nationale, 4 rue Aristide Briand, F-75007 Paris. Internet: http: //http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr ). "Les documents d'information de l'Assemblée nationale", No 3645. 2002, 75 pp, 3.50 euros. ISBN 2-11-1156653-1.
The fruit of missions carried out in each of the countries in question, this report outlines the conclusions made by French MPs to their colleagues in the Délégation de l'Assemblée nationale pour l'Union européenne. Slovenia is described as a country determined to anchor itself in Europe and preserve its hard-won national identity, and as a candidate country that is well-positioned in the negotiations. François Loncle outlines aspects in Bulgaria where economic and institutional challenges still have to be faced, moving on to analyse various areas of negotiations and the pre-accession phase. Hélène Aubert argues that Malta has advanced well in its preparations, but consensus has not yet been won.
(AD)
*** WILLIAM HOPKINSON: Elargissement: une nouvelle OTAN. Western European Union, Institute of Security Studies (43 av. du Président Wilson, F-75775 Paris cedex 16. Tel: (33-1) 53672200 - Fax: 47208178 - E-mail: ies-ueo@iss-weu.com - Internet: http://www.weu.int/institute ). "Cahiers de Chaillot" series No 49. 2001, 112 pp.
What is the point of NATO? This apparently provocative question is vital for the future of the Alliance. According to good logic, the Allies should first of all agree on the future role and priorities of NATO before considering expansion. But expansion has become an end in itself rather than a necessary stage in the process of adapting NATO to the post-Cold War world. This is the approach taken in this issue of "Cahiers de Chaillot" by William Hopkinson, former high-ranking British civil servant and Senior Visiting Fellow at the Western European Union's Institute of Security Studies. He argues that the best option for European security in the long-term would be to incorporate all candidate countries, along with Croatia, which would amount to a process of "socialising" these countries and their élite. The reverse side of the coin would be NATO losing effectiveness and influence to the extent that its collective defence organisational structure would be altered. Hence Europeans should improve their performance in the diplomatic and military fields, with the objective for European and North American countries of politely cooperating in a more equal partnership. The author argues that it would also be appropriate to examine NATO's relationship with Russia over the long-term, without ruling out Russia joining the Alliance, and to seriously consider the role of the Ukraine and other countries that are members neither of NATO nor of the European Union.
(LD)
*** DIMITRIOS TRIANTAPHYLLOU (Ed.): Quel statut pour le Kosovo? Institut d'études de sécurité de l'Union de l'Europe occidentale (see above). "Cahiers de Chaillot" series No 50. 2001, 119 pp.
This issue of "Cahiers de Chaillot" explores the question of Kosovo today through the eyes of experts - Dana Allin, Franz-Lothar Altmann, Marta Dassù, Tim Judah, Jacques Rupnik, Dimitrios Triantaphyllou and Thanos Veremis - who each gives their ideas on the issue of Kosovo's status. It boils down to a basic equation that has to be solved in a framework aiming to encourage stability and regional cooperation rather than putting it off. The essays demonstrate that the criteria for measuring stability vary substantially according to whether the author is concerned about the destabilising effects of Kosovo's independence or whether on the contrary they are concerned by the reaction of the Albanian population. Despite disagreements about the direction to be followed, each essayist argues their case with conviction, bridging the gulf between US and European politicians in this connection.
(LD)
*** ROXANN PRAZNIAK, ARIF DIRLIK (Ed.): Places and Politics in an Age of Globalization. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (4720 Boston Way, Lanham, Maryland 20706. Internet: http: //http://www.rowmanlittlefield.com ). 2001, 329 pp. ISBN 0-7425-0039-X.
Multicultural society is the key issue in this series of essays by researchers at universities in the US, Europe and New Zealand. Based on an academic conference held at Duke University in 1995, the first part of the book analyses identity theory and politics of place, moving on to multinationals and ethnic identify up against work, capital and community problems, and then taking an ecological perspective and looking at development policy. Influenced by post-colonialism and post-modernism, despite its general title, the book basically puts forward ideas about the situation facing ethnic minorities. It is aimed at students and researchers.
(PB)
*** JEFFREY N. WASSERSTROM, LYNN HUNT, MARILYN B. YOUNG (Ed.): Human Rights and Revolutions. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (see above). 2000, 253 pp. ISBN 0-8476-8737-6.
The paradoxical relationship between revolutionary movements (liberation movements at times, activist and totalitarian at others) and the development of human rights is the key theme covered by the authors of this collection of academic essays, mainly sociologists and historians from North-American universities. The Chinese Revolution, the UK's Glorious Revolution, the US Revolution and the Russian Revolution are considered as historical examples. Other essays look at revolutionary situations in Vietnam, Africa, Poland and Peru. There are also two critical chapters on the Kosovo War and an essay on radical Islamic revolutionary currents (described as revolutionary by the author in terms of structure and moral content. The book will be particularly useful for people interested in revolutionary history, contemporary history and human rights.
(PB)
*** ANTOINE GAZANO: Les relations internationales. Les données, les acteurs et les règles, les enjeux et les défis. Gualino éditeur (31 rue Falguière, F-75741 Paris cedex 15. Tel: (33-1) 56541600 - Fax: 56541649 - E-mail: gualino@wanadoo.fr). "Mémentos" series. 2001, 228 pp, 18 euros. ISBN 2-84200-403-5.
Specially aimed at students in international relations, this book strikes a just balance between theory and current events. Senior Lecturer at the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, the author covers all the cross-border relations and trade, in both tangible and non-tangible goods that can be formed between two or more individuals, groups or communities. The book is divided into three parts. In the first, the author gives an outline of the international arena and doctrinal approaches to elements that compose international relations through public figures in modern international society. This is enriched with a brief historical outline of international relations since 1945. International relations stakeholders and rules are then outlined - the nation state, naturally enough, but also inter-governmental organisations and multinational companies, not forgetting new stakeholders like the NGOs. In the third part, Antoine Gazano explores the challenges facing international relations in illuminating chapters on War or Peace, Wealth or Poverty, Protected or Damaged Environment, Uncomfortable or Restored State. A very detailed and enlightening book.
(LD)
*** The EUROPEAN COMMISSION (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985, Luxembourg) has published the following documents:
*** Cordis Focus. DG Enterprise (Fax: (352-4301) 32084 - E-mail: innovation@cec.eu.int - Internet: http://www.cordis.lu/news ). 3 June 2002, No 198, 27 pp.
According to Timo Summa, the Commission's first SME emissary, SME needs and concerns have to be relayed to the European Union's political leaders much earlier. Other issues covered include the future of sustainable surface transport, companies and innovation, Commissioner Liikanen explaining that research networks are the key to the European Research Area and an article on UNICE's support for reaching the target of 3% of R&D spending.
*** Rapport annuel sur la mise en œuvre de l'aide extérieure de la Commission européenne. DG Development (12 rue de Genève, B-1140 Brussels. Fax: (32-2) 2992525 or 2993002 - E-mail: development@cec.eu.int - Internet: http: //europa.eu.int/comm/development). 2002, 151 pp. ISBN 92-894-0767-0.
The implemention of the Commission's external aid is a subject closely followed by European politicians and public opinion. This report outlines the situation as at 1 January 2001. The introduction by Director General of the EuropeAid Cooperation Office, Giorgio Bonacci, gives an overview of the problems encountered in distributing aid. Other subjects covered include the new policy known as "combating poverty", the new structure for managing external aid, human rights, the environment, cooperation with South-East Europe, the Balkans and partner countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the Southern Mediterranean and the Middle East, priorities for cooperation with ACP countries, Asia and Latin America, financial tables and rich annexes (assessment and harmonisation of contract award procedures, development in the internet era, relations with big international institutions, etc).
*** Forum Information Service for Journalists. DG Development (see above). 2002, No 1, 8 pp.
The first issue of a new magazine for journalists writing on development issues includes articles on the 3rd Conference of less developed countries, AIDS ("more than a health issue"), conflict prevention that Commissioner Poul Nielson describes as an essential aim, the award of the Lorenzo Natali Prize to journalists dealing with democracy and human rights or development policy, a list of recent development publications, national sources and international organisations, a development video-library and a short chronicle of EU-ACP cooperation.
*** A to Z. List of Abbreviations. DG Development (see above). 26pp.
This little brochure belongs in the pocket of anyone involved in development since it lists abbreviations used in development jargon in both French and English. Alongside definitions, the website is given of organisations whose acronym is mentioned.
*** ESC Info. European Economic and Social Committee (2 rue Ravenstein, B-1000 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 5469207 or 5469393 - Fax: 5469764 -E-mail: press@esc.eu.int - Internet: http: //http://www.esc.eu.int ). 2002, No. 3, 2 pp.
The ESC argues in favour of SME access to a new European legal statute to supplement the European company statute that is designed with bigger companies in mind, in the words of the ESC rapporteur on the issue, Henri Malosse (France). Other issues covered include an article on "the time has come for action with regard to European governance", the EuroMed Summit of Economic and Social Councils in Athens, news from the Convention, opinions adopted at the previous plenary and events organised by the ESC.