*** MARTIN BRUSIS, JANIS A. EMMANOUILIDIS (Editor): Thinking Enlarged. The Accession Countries and the Future of the European Union. Europa Union Verlag (32 Bachstrasse, D-53115 Bonn. Tel.: (49-0228) 7290010 - fax: 7290013 - E-mail: service@eu-verlag.de - Internet: http://www.europa-union-verlag.de ). "Munich Contributions to European Unification" series, No. 7. 2002, 162 p., 23 euros. ISBN 3-7713-0610-8.
What future do the candidate countries want for the European Union? This has now become a burning question due to the attitude adopted by a significant number of these countries in the trans-Atlantic spat, provoked by the war in Iraq and which has proved devastating. The demonstrativeness of their fondness for the US has quite rightly caused some countries in "old Europe" to question the real motivation and potential behaviour of their future new partners. This is the crux of this collectively written book, put together by the Fondation Bertelsmann and produced by the Villa Faber group, which from November 2000 to September 2001, brought together eighteen experts from current Member States and those on the threshold of Union membership. Their goal, stated at the outset in the introduction by Martin Brusis and Janis Emmanouilidis: contribute to the shaping of an identity of being a "member" in the countries they are joining. It is an ambitious objective but begun in a spirit of great humility. It is, as explained by Professor Werner Weidenfeld (University of Munich) in her preface, that candidate countries can, in the course that they take, bring a freshness of thought in the reflection process on what will become of the Union, which history has not allowed them to think with regard to the European Community due to the terms dictated by routine. This is also due to the transitions towards democracy, which they have experienced since the fall of the Berlin Wall and to which they covet an almost juvenile attachment to principles such as Parliamentary representation, citizen participation and transparency. The coordinators of the book clarify that, "it is in the interest of the Union to listen to the candidate countries and not reduce them to a role of policy recipient, which was essentially the case during the enlargement process". The authors highlight with great poignancy, "it is not just the candidate countries but the Union too, which must begin to enlarge the thinking process".
Initially, Janis Emmanouilidis examines the Treaty of Nice, pointing out that the reforms carried out on this occasion could also be positively assessed by the candidate countries as they have now ceased to be treated by the Union as "associated exterior countries". Deputy Director of the Institute of International Relation in Prague, Petr Drulák tackles the debate on the end result, pointing out that the representatives from the candidate countries have demonstrated their attachment to a common identity and solidarity on a European scale and hence to the emergence of a strong Commission, than their partners from the Fifteen. Ulrike Guérot notes that the debate on the end result really focus on the more or less federal character of the Union, with the ideas put forward by Fischer, Blair and Chirac demonstrating that the goals on this level remain very disparate and consequently leave little hope of a qualitative leap forward by all current Member States. Martin Brusis the explores the possible positions of candidate countries in the constitutional debate, based on the lines outlines by each of these countries. This is followed by an analysis by the writers of subjects such as financial solidarity in the enlarged Union (notably by Tamás Szemlér, who outlines some of the principles of a future "Taxation Constitution" for the Union), the border dilemmas of candidate countries, the way in which these countries view CFSP development and strengthened cooperation. The final section by the Villa Faber comes up with " strategic conclusions" which is of an equal value and interest as that presented in the whole of the book.
Michel Theys
*** BEATE NEUSS, PETER JURCZEK, WOLFGANG HILZ (Editors): Europäische Integrationsbestrebungen auf politischer und regionaler Ebene - Tschechien und Polen. Europäisches Zentrum zur Föderalismus-Forschung Mme Petra Reiter, 37 A Nauklerstrasse, D-72074 Tübingen. Tel.: (49-7071) 2977368 - fax: 922876 - E-mail: ezff@uni-tuebingen.de - Internet: http: //http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/ezff ). "Occasional Papers" series, No. 26. 2002, 163 pp, 5 euros. ISBN 3-9806978-5-1.
On the eve of EU enlargement towards central and eastern Europe, a closer look at the neighbouring regions, Member States and countries that will be joining them is required, particularly in the tumult provoked by the Iraq crisis. This is the focus of this book produced by the European Research Centre on Federalism, interdisciplinary reflection group at the German university of Tübingen, which reports on an academic symposium held in October 2001 at the University of Chemnitz, on the relations between the Czech Republic and Poland with Germany. Researchers, diplomats and professionals from these three countries discussed the practical problems, mutual perceptions, national identities and economic challenges facing these three countries with enlargement. In thirteen contributions, issues such as cross-border migration, development potential in neighbouring regions, changes in farming and the presentation of neighbouring countries in regional newspapers are studied by the authors who provide concrete examples gleaned from a range of empirical analyses. This collection of essays therefore provides a practical and regional dimension to the grand enlargement project, as well as a micro-analysis that is close to the citizens, which ought to stimulate the interest of researchers in this area.
(PB)
*** MARIE-ELIZABETH DUCREUX, ANTOINE MARES (Editors): Enjeux de l'histoire en Europe centrale. L'Harmattan (5-7 rue de l'Ecole-Polytechnique, F-75005 Paris). "Aujourd'hui l'Europe" series. 2002, 264 pp., EUR 21.35. ISBN 2-7475-1985-6.
The fall of the communist regimes and the perspective of Union integration have opened up a colossal range of study for historians: that of re-examining the history of central Europe and rethinking the pasts by way of a no holds barred reflection on national history in a region that has provided historians with a particularly interesting arena of study. The results of a symposium organised in 1996 by the French Social Science Research Centre in Prague, this book looks at the diversity of historians in the majority of countries in the region, including Austria, Germany and Russia.
(MT)
*** NATHALIE BLANC-NOEL (Editor): La Baltique. Une nouvelle région en Europe. L'Harmattan (5-7 rue de l'Ecole-Polytechnique, F-75005 Paris. Tel.: (33-1) 40467911 - fax: 43258203 - Internet: http://www.editions-harmattan.fr ). "Pouvoirs comparés". 2002, 173 p., 15 euros. ISBN 2-7475-2911-8
As well as Norway and Island, the Baltic region consists of all the countries that border it, namely: Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, the Russians regions of Saint-Petersburg and the enclave of Kaliningrad. It is clear that the citizens of the Union do not really know about the northern part of Europe and at the very least and scientific books have practically ignore the region. In this context, this book is an exception to the rule. It explains that "for around fifteen years, this region is undergoing a complete geopolitical make-over". Following the example of other parts of Europe, its is experiencing a sharp trend to regionalisation. This phenomenon is, however, economy-specific. In the context of the disappearance of two antagonistic blocks, this regionalisation also impacts on security, environment, culture, education, "overall, a wide range of aspects of the social life of the nations involved". In the first pat of the book, the writers examine the "geopolitical reconstruction of the Baltic region", the dialogue taking place in the Baltic area, "the dynamic of new interaction", the perspectives on offer to the region with NATO enlargement and "geopolitical and identical reconstruction in the Baltic area". In the second part of the book, contributions focus on and analyse the Baltic cooperation networks. The third and final part focuses on the challenges that the region has to face in the here and now. Three main angles are employed: relations with Poland, the impact of enlargement of the Union and the sustainable stability programme in Lithuania. This book was produced under the editorship of Nathalie Blanc-Noël, Senior Lecturer in political science at the Université Michel Montaigne of Bordeaux And Deputy Director of the Comparative Political Analysis Centre.
(AD)
*** VIVIANE DU CASTEL: L'équilibre instable de la zone baltique. Vers un désenclavement au carrefour de l'Europe… L'Harmattan (see address attached). 2002, 258 p., 22 euros. ISBN 2-7475-2786-7.
Although on the international scene, the USA now claims to constitute the incontestable geopolitical pivot in relations between countries, Baltic Europe has picked up the gauntlet "in the search for a developmental balance within itself " , while representing "unity in diversity". The book provides some of the answers t o three issues which are central to these challenges. The first is the of the following: "Towards regional integration ?" It is envisaged in the perspective of stability in the region itself, but also within the hypothesis of a likely "reorientation to the West " and "undisputed economic and social stability". The second issue focuses on the possibility of creating a common economy, torn between "Nordic tutelage" and "enlargement swept up by winds from the sea ". The ultimate question involves the debate on defence.
(AD)
*** HORST GUNTER KRENZLER, GIACOMO LUCIANI: Recent Developments in the Regulatory Regimes for Banking, Energy and Telecommunications in the Context of the Turkish Bid for Membership in the EU. Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute (Convento, 9 via dei Roccettini, I-50016 San Domenico di Fiesole, Italy. Tel/fax: (39-055) 4685775 - E-mail: forinfo@iue.it). "Policy Paper" series, No. 02/11. 2002, 47 pp.
This report initially presents the standard description of the Turkish banking system and the legal framework in which this has developed. It then looks at the issue of adapting the private banks to their new environment. The rapporteur of the group, Horst Günter Krenzler, who was the chairman in Florence, then focuses on the new regulations and opportunities observed in the electricity and gas sectors, at the same time as providing a description of the legal environment for telecommunications in relation to the Community Acquis in this area.
(Fro)
*** LAURE DELCOUR: La politique de l'Union européenne en Russie (1990-2000). De l'assistance au partenariat ? L'Harmattan (see address attached ). "Logiques politiques" series. 2002, 322 pp, 25.90 euros. ISBN 2-7475-2117-6.
In just over a year, Russia and the Union will share common borders. This part of what is part of Europe, geographically has remained practically unknown for a long time but has gradually opened up to the West, yet many areas remain in the shadows. This can be explained by the fact that the Community set about establishing many links with third countries but Comecon members remained on the sidelines. This book therefore attempts to provide an answer to the question: "How could the Community have responded to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the clash of a new economic and social system in Russia?" It was only really at the beginning of the 1990s that the question was framed in a concrete way. In this era the Community faced the double challenge that was brilliantly summarised by former President of the Commission, Jacques Delors: it was necessary to look "far and wide" and "reconcile ideals and necessity". The first challenge leads to a question centred on the relationship with a time scale. Rapid transformation of the former USSR pushed the Community to not only change its rhythm and act quickly but also look back in "the rear mirror ". It meant breaking with the model that constituted the negative pole but also "integrating the disappearance of the international framework in which the Community had been created". The second challenge deals with the issue of area. More than "a simple change of scale", this represents a new arrangement of space where "there is a cross over between a number of actors and territories ". Laure Delcour is a Doctor in political science, at the Institute of Political Studies in Paris. As a specialist on Russia, she has spent a lot of time there where she is currently working on the subject.
(AD)
*** Revue du Marché commun et de l'Union européenne. Editions techniques et économiques (3 rue Soufflot, F-75005 Paris. Tel.: (33-1) 55426130 - fax: 55426139). March 2003, No. 466, 62 p.. Subscription: 202 euros.
This review edition (Editor-in-Chief Daniel Vignes, former Senior civil servant at the Secretariat General of the Council) begins with a contribution by Noëlle Lenoir, the Minister Delegate for European Affairs in the government of Jean-Pierre Raffarin. The article provides assurances that the Franco-German founding couple still remains the "driving force". The title of the article "From operability to operations", by High Representative Javier Solana describes the most recent developments in the European security and defence arena. Former judge at the Court of Justice, Pierre Pescatore examines co-operation between this Court, national legal responsible bodies and the European court of Human Rights in the protection of fundamental rights. Other contributions go beyond the usual confines and focus on the case of Kaliningrad and competition, as well as the legal differences that exist between the Union and USA.
(FRo)
** La COMMISSION EUROPEENNE (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985, Luxembourg. Internet: http: //publications.eu.int) has published the following documents:
*** EGKS Investitionen 2001 - ECSC Investments 2001 - CECA Investissements 2001. 2002, 126 p., 25 euros. ISBN 92-894-4456-8.
This report provides an account, based on an investigation, of the investment situation in the coal and steel industry throughout the Community up to 1 January 2001. The results of the enquiry, founded on statistics provided by the companies involved, are worked out at a regional level (for the coal industry) and at a national level (for the steel industry).
*** RDT info. European Research Magazine. DG Research (ML DG1201, post box 2201, L-1022 Luxembourg. Fax: (32-2) 2958220 - E-mail: rtd-info@cec.eu.int - Internet: http: //europa.eu.int/comm/research/rtdinfo/rtd-adrf.html). February 2003, No. 36, 40 p..
The main article in this issue focuses on "the potential of superconductivity", in the context of the strong multidisciplinary mobilisation being developed in Europe to master potential applications of "high temperature" superconductivity, which could constitute a major technological breakthrough. Also included - a discussion with Jean-Pierre Changeux, specialist in molecular neurobiology and who is seeking to reveal the "physiology" of thought in human consciousness, an interview with Hans-Olaf Henkel who is in charge of the 80 Leibniz Community research organisations, as well as articles on immigration, the "Biomedical Gloves" project, tracking Endocrine Disrupters, and the worsening situation of tropical forests.
*** Liaisons sociales Europe. Groupe Liaisons (1 av. Edouard Belin, F-92500 Rueil-Malmaison. Tel.: (33-025) 825371 - fax: (33-1) 41299880 - Internet: http: //http://www.ls-europe.com ). 6 au 19 mars 2003, No. 75, 8 p.. Subscription: 643.23 euros.
The "first" article focuses on Union nationals who "force an administrative entry", which is basically the principle of freedom of movement for workers compelling France to revise its idea of employment that involve "prerogatives of the public powers" which was formerly reserved for French nationals. The publication also examines the main decisions taken in 2002 with regard to labour laws, the new parity pact for employment in Spain and protecting workers against noise related risks.
*** La Lettre des Européens. Mouvement Européen en France (95 rue de Rennes, F-75006 Paris. Tel.: (33-1) 45499393 - fax: 45499661 - E-mail: contact@mouvement-europeen.org - Internet: http: //http://www.mouvement-europeen.org ). December 2002-February 2003, No. 46, 11p., 8.38 euros.
This issue of the in the "Europeans' Letter", signed by Jean-Luc Sauron, Master at the Council of State and Lecturer at the University of Robert Schuman in Strasbourg, focuses on "the constitutional architecture of Europe", which was the subject of an interview with European Convention Member Pierre Lequiller, president of the National Assembly's Delegation to the European Union. Other notable figures - Michel Albert and Pierre Moscovici, - brig some useful responses to the issue of a suitable economic and social model for Europe.
In brief
*** La Lettre Europe & Entreprises. February 2003. Paris. Internet: http://www.europe-entreprises.com . This newsletter provides an account of a symposium held by the organisation, Europe & Entreprises, in November in Lyon, which focused on the economic and societal challenges contained in information and communications technologies. *** Carrefour de l'économie. 2003, No. 1A. Brussels. In this edition, the Belgian Minister for the Economy looks at the situation in the Belgian beer market, the electronic signature and the reasons for company mergers. *** Look Japan. April 2003, No. 49. Tokyo. The fiftieth anniversary of the Japanese public television channel NHK, is the subject of a detailed article. Other subjects include, the "rotten loans" of the Japanese banks and an interview with Philippe Ghelton, the owner of Hachette-Japon. International Narcotics Control Board: 2002 Report. United Nations. New York/Geneva. This report looks into illicit drugs and economic development and how the international drugs inspection system works, as well as providing an analysis of the global situation, region by region.