*** DOMINIQUE REYNIE: Adresse européenne à Monsieur le Président de la République française. Fondation Robert Schuman (29 boulevard Raspail, F- 75007 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 53638300 - fax: 53638301 - Internet: http://www.robert-schuman.org ). 2002, 72 pp, EUR 10.
On the day following the controversial re-election of Jacques Chirac, Dominique Reynié, a lecturer at the Institut d'Etudes politiques de Paris, grasped her pen and addressed a letter to the President, which sparkled with militancy. The author described a Europe of fifty years in which she shows Member States searching for a way out of the woods in which they have lost their bearings. In this wilderness there is not only a resurgence of nationalism within the Member States but also a deconnection between institutional Community life and those for whom its exists …and through which it ought to exist, its citizens. Thus, "Europe finds itself in a difficult situation". Successive enlargement has driven it to assuming a status of "a world power of the first degree". The single market has generated growth from which Europe's nations have undoubtedly benefited. But elsewhere, "the huge failure on which it is founded and which is scandalous, is that of democracy and solidarity". Solidarity resting uneasily within the profound transformations impacting on global capitalism, and democracy, given that "with the exception of a few timorous and marginal advances, the Union is still but a figure of benign despotism". This can mean, "the political crises of the European democracies merging with the democratic crisis of Europe".
In his forward, Dominique Reynié reveals the "desperate inanity of pro-European discourse". It is certainly highly likely that the day after the war, only the will of the European political and social elite were able to give birth to the European project but, "for all that, this crying need does not allow for understanding why, for half a century, the desire for building Europe has never come from below". Presented as a natural phenomenon and therefore inescapable, construction possesses within it a major defect, that of making a public explanation into an authoritative argument. Public opinion is subject to it but is never convinced by it. The cornerstone of construction is therefore built on sand.
The author puts his finishing touches to his picture by way of an analysis of three identifying characteristics of Europe, which he calls "a spirit", "a people" and "a global power". The notion "of spirit" directly touches on the issue of identity, citizen consciousness about feeling European. Mr Reynié also demonstrates the different "fermentations of European spirit" which are likely to make real this feeling. He therefore mentions pluralism, the vector of a "creeping uniformisation", "a Community experience in exchange", "knowledge as the driving force of a knowing life" and "justice" foundation stone on which solidarity is based. The notion of a "people" is the second key put forward by the author. Observing that the model of democracy in the making over the last fifty years is showing signs of exhaustion, he calls for "a new status of citizenship", which would have as is guiding principle the multiplication of popular sovereignty, in the same way a national and European sovereignty. This would involve a certain number of reforms. According to the author it will first of all be necessary to elaborate a "new social contract of rights and responsibilities, individual and collective in both the present and future". It will also be necessary to begin a period of reflection on the balance between those mandating and those being mandated. In this respect, the author puts forward three proposals: "rethinking of the scale of political relations, in an unambiguous investment in regionalisation", "regeneration of political practices, particularly electoral practices" and finally, "definitions of a body of identifiable European political responsibility which is subject to the control of its citizens". At the heart of these proposals is the undeniable will to create a genuine European civil society. In the third key to the vaults, the notion of "global power ", Dominique Reynié interprets Europe as providing a solution to the decline in national power, the challenge of post-nationalism.
From turning points in history to perhaps its definitive historical turning point, Europe will find within this contribution a wealth of established remedies based on realistic observations, which are neither gloomy nor naively optimistic.
Alain Dremière
*** WILHELM LEHMANN: The New Europe: Governance in a Union of up to 30 members states. European Parliament, publications department (Luxembourg) Tel: (00-352) 4300 24053/20347 - fax: 27722 - Email: dg4publications@ep.ec). 2002, 63 pp. ISBN 92.823.1639.4. Price (in Luxembourg): EUR 10 excluding VAT
In July 2001, the European Commission adopted a White Paper on "European Governance". Presenting it at the European Parliament, Romano Prodi declared that this White Paper "on a new more democratic partnership between the different levels of governance in Europe, was a response to enlargement, which obliges us to significantly re-think all policy".
The author of this document believes that in order to reinforce democratic legitimacy, as well as the intelligibility of the European project, the European Union has to make a concerted effort to improve legislation, making it more simplistic, accessible and responsive to the aspirations of its citizens. According to the author, "This is a sine qua non condition"…"if we cant Community action to be better understood, better applied and better accepted by European citizens".
This working document therefore strives to outline the relatively recent concept of governance (sometimes understood in French as meaning: management of public affairs) such as that applied in the framework of the European Union, indicating that during a public plenary debate on the issue, many MEPs criticised the use of the term, which still remained widely misunderstood by Europe's citizens. Its objective is to act as a basis for future contributions that Parliament could make in the debate on governance launched in the European Commission White Paper. It also attempts to examine the consequences that such a discussion could have on the future institutional role of the European Parliament. (MF)
*** HILARY FOOTIT: Women, Europe and the new languages of politics. Continuum (The Tower Building, 11York road, SE1 NX London, United Kingdom. Internet: http://www.continuumbooks.com ). 2002, 193 pp. ISBN 0-8264-5297-3. £ 17.99
Hilary Footit aims to contribute to two debates. The first involves the representation and participation of women in politics. The second is linked to the role of language in this activity. Far from providing a traditional analysis of ideology, and the organisations and structures, politics is examined through the prism of language and the language of those who are active within it at the European Parliament. The author also scrutinises the language used in the work of MEPs and in the discourse that she herself uses and the image that they have of themselves. The book looks at an approach and a "social group" that we would like to see taking a more visible role in the limelight. ( A.D)
*** Visions for Europe. The Year Book of the Party of European Socialists. Zukunft-Verlagsgesellschaft (18 Löwelstrasse, A- 1014 Vienna.) 2002, 315 pp, EUR 12. ISBN 3-9501569-0-9
First edition of a book that is supposed to come out every year. It is in fact what could be described as the annual publication of the European Socialist Party and which aims to put down on paper the guidelines established by the group in 2002. In it we can find three themes: security in Europe, enlargement and the future of Europe. This is both a synthesis and a comprehensive publication, which is useful in clarifying certain positions. (A.D)
*** DANNY PIETERS: The languages of the European Union. Chamber of Representatives (rue de la Loi. B-1008 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 5498078 - fax: 5498302 - E-mail: EURO@lachambre.be). 2002, 81 pp. ISBN 90-807420-2-3.
This short book is dived into four parts. The first provides an insight into the linguistic diversity of the European Union. The seconds seeks to describe the theory and practice of language use at a Union wide level. The third studies Union policy in the promotion and protection of non-official languages. The last section examines the "various modes for approaching the linguistic system in the Union". The author is a Member of the Federal Chamber of Representatives in Belgium and a Deputy Member of the European Convention.
(A.D)
* * * DANIEL C. ESTY: Thickening the International Environmental Regime. European University Institute (Badia Fiesolana, I-50016 San Domenico di Fiesole (FI), Italy). June 2002, No. 02/8, 19p.
Tension between the Union and the USA over the environment and the different decisions taken in this arena are becoming more intense. This publication makes an initial attempt to locate the possible causes of this tension. It highlights the very different perceptions in the Union and the USA regarding international environmental policy. It lays bare the institutional weak points (limited budgets, insufficient political support, atomisation). Daniel Esty, Director of the Yale Centre for Environmental Law and Policy, observes how these divergences can lead to other problems, notably in the area of trade relations. The World Trade Organisation is the first to be targeted. Bereft of a coherent international environmental policy, we still expect this body to be able to resolve both environmental and trade disputes. The WTO was not originally set up to deal with environmental issues, which are turning out to be something of a mission impossible. The article proposes making international environmental policy more substantial and stronger, that should, concludes the author, be multi-dimensional, which feeds off the burgeoning number of debates on the subject, hence providing a larger opening to NGOs and increased transparency. (ML)
* * * MICHEL CHATELUS, GIACOMO LUCIANI, EBERHARD RHEIN: EU-GCC Co-operation in the Field of Energy. European University Institute (Badia Fiesolana, I-50016 San Domenico di Fiesole (FI), Italy). January 2002, No. 02/3, 40 p.
The figures prove it, EU demand for energy (notably oil and gas) will continue to increase significantly over the next decades. Michel Chatelus, a lecturer in economics at the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Grenoble, examines the dangers increased dependency in the EU on exporting countries could engender. The main problem to resolve is to try to guarantee a certain market stability, which could turn out to be more difficult when dealing with countries such the Gulf State, which are often politically unstable. One possible solution would, according to the author, be to build relations of interdependency in order to be of mutual interest. In Giacomo Luciani's opinion, a lecturer at the ENI in Rome, diversification of the localisation of energy sources is crucial, as well as transport problems. (ML)
* * * NORDINE AIT-LAOUSSINE: The Impact on the Mediterranean of the European Gas Market Liberalization Process: A Producer's Perspective. European University Institute (Badia Fiesolana, I-50016 San Domenico di Fiesole (FI), Italy). February 2002, No. 02/6, 15pp.
After stressing the increasing importance of natural gas on the world energy market, the author of this article analyses the consequences that could emanate from the liberalisation of the European market on producers. The author believes that this could produce greater price volatility and as a result, increased risks for produces. He also thinks that co-operation between producers and consumers would be preferable to a futile confrontation between each party. (ML)
* * * NAJI ABI-AAD: Assessment Gulf Gas Export to the European Union. European university institute (Badia Fiesolana, I-500016, San Domenico di Fiesole, Italie - Internet: http: //http://www.iue.it/RSC/MED/ ) and The Robert Schuman Center for advanced studies, The Policy Papers Series, No. 02/4, February 2002, 16 p.
The Gulf region is well known for its significant oil reserves and it is now becoming even more renowned for its abundance of natural gas. With more than 50,500 billion square meters, a figure that underestimates the real potential of the region, according to the experts, the Gulf States possess a third of all world natural gas resources. This document assesses the obstacles preventing these countries from using this energy source before the region establishes itself as a market leader and dedicate itself to exporting toward Europe, for example. (BJL)
*** JEAN-PAUL CHAMBAS (with Francis MARMANDE): L'enlèvement d'Europe. Ed. Atlantica (F-64600 Anglet). 2002, 106 pp. ISBN 2-84394-511-9. Price: EUR 26
This book is certainly not a book for everyone … written by theatrical interior decorator, Jean-Paul Chambas, and university lecturer, writer, journalist and musician, Francis Marmande, this short abundantly illustrated book provides an interpretation of Europe that loyally follows the three thousand year old mythical Europe, which is in fact very novel and original. The Phoenician princess, apparently "enraptured", and Zeus displaying himself … in every position. (J.-R.R.)
*** La COMMISSION EUROPEENNE (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985, Luxembourg, http: //publications.eu.int) 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 ). 21 October 2002, No. 207, 27pp. Free subscription.
For European Commissioner, Philippe Busquin, the creation of the European Research Council represents, " the proof of the impact of the European Research Area (ERA) on attitudes, notably among national research institutions". The Council could enter the scene when national research policies need co-ordinating, with this institution providing genuine consistency to the ERA. Other subjects: "Iceland wants to be the European laboratory for hydrogen projects?", "MEPs call for equitable treatment of candidate countries in the framework of the 6th FPRD", "Rectifying the enterprise deficit in Europe" and Commission funding for the Grid project in the fight against breast cancer etc.
*** European Economy. DG for Economic and Financial Affairs (European Commission -BUI - 1049 Brussels - Johan.Baras@cec.eu.int ). 2002, No.1 (Special Report). 110pp. ISBN 92-894-3784-7. Price: EUR 40.
The first "Special Report" in the series known as "Responding to the Challenges of Globalisation, a Study of the International Monetary and Financial System for Development", attempts to answer a request deliberately made to it by Commission Finance Ministers. The two major problem areas examined are: "Reform of the international monetary and financial architecture as a response to the global financial crisis and the promotion of development as a response to world-wide inequality".
*** Liaisons sociales Europe. (1 av. Edouard-Belin, F-92500 Rueil-Malmaison. Tel: (33-1) 41299991 and 299623 - Fax: 299670 - Internet: http://www.liaisons-sociales ). From 3 - 16 October 2002, No. 64, 8pp. Price of issue: EUR 25.
In this issue: "Tidying up the Co-ordination of Social Security Systems". Members States are currently discussing the areas of "sickness" and "maternity" in the context of revising regulation 1408/71 in order to reduce the difficulties encountered by "mobile workers", their employers and more broadly, European citizens. Jurisprudence is also analysed: "third country foreign nationals and free movement, 2nd part", "Health and Safety at Work", "Temporary Work - state of play on the draft interim directive" and "Reinforcing Mechanisms for dealing with bullying" etc.
*** Europe infos. Monthly bulletin of COMECE (Commission of the Bishops' Conference of the European Community) and The Catholic European Study and Information Centre (CESIC). (42 rue Stevin B-1000 Brussels - Tel: (32-2) 2350510 - E-mail: europinfos@comece.org). October 2002, No. 42, 11pp.
"Borders to cross", leaders of the Union facing historic decisions concerning European enlargement to the East. On this subject, "Development of European consciousness, in parallel to our local, regional and national feelings and identity, is not just desirable not necessary for meeting the political, ethnic and anthropological challenges facing the European Union".
*** IOM News. International Organization for Migration ( PO Box 71- Geneva 19. Tel: (41-22) 7179111 - Fax: 7986150 - E-mail: info@iom.int - Internet: http: //http://www.iom.int ). September 2002, 19pp.
In this issue: "The Bantu Somali Exodus", "Electricity bringing hope to Afghan villages", the migration phenomenon in the Dominican Republic, "Reintegrating victims from trafficking from the Ukraine" and "Refugee Families Reunited in Australia".
*** Comme la Ville. (194, avenue du President-Wilson - 93217 Saint-Denis-La Plaine - Tel: (33-1) 49174618 - http://www.ville.gouv.fr ). October 2002, No.11. Price EUR 4.57.
This special anniversary issue of the "magazine for city dwellers" looks at the diversity of life in French cities: "Glances on future landscapes", "Looking at two years of meetings with professionals working passionately in the inner cities and neighbourhoods", "Barcelona: a City on the Move", "Two years of Reflection on how to tackle and live in the City another way" and finally, "Looking at the initiatives and Books".