*** FABIEN TERPAN: La politique étrangère et de sécurité commune de l'Union européenne. Bruylant (67 rue de la Régence, B-1000 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 5129845 - Fax: 5117202 - info@bruylant.be - Internet: http: //http://www.bruylant.be ). 2003, 540 pp. ISBN 2-8027-1669-7.
"The European Union tends to be described as an eternal political dwarf, incapable of asserting itself in world affairs and destined to be impotent". This is the idea that the author, senior lecturer in pulbic law at Toulouse University, considers in his no holds barred approach to the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (established by the Maastricht Treaty in 1992).
At the time, heading V of the Treaty (measures concerning the Common Foreign and Security Policy) took over from the Single Act by adopting the “acquis patiently forged by political statements (Luxembourg in 1970, Copenhagen in 1973, London in 1981 and Stuttgart in 1983) and by two decades of activity where gradual improvements were made”. We should note that while the 1992 Treaty of the European Union dragged the debate out of the semantic field, it didn't open the door to an integrated area. Common policy, the book explains, is an area, in fact, where by virtue of an agreed transfer of competence to the EU from the Member States, is the subject of direct and decisive interventions from the EU institutions and concerted interventions from the Member States. But this has not yet happened for the CFDP. The author says the structure and potential dysfunction does not in itself explain the problems encountered in defining a common identity. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet block, Europe, through its economic wealth and without actually seeking it, gained factors indispensable to the global power game, but found it difficult to market the impact of its economic weight felt in the political field, explains the author. Nowadays, the end of the bi-polar world provides greater room for manoeuvre and extends the range of possibilities. That said, the “ten years after its creation, the CFDP is a potential rather than an achievement, raising questions more than providing certainties”. At this stage, comparisons with the US superpower cannot fail to underpin clever nit-pickers. Only greater will from nation states, which is neither crazy nor outside the current historical logic, will be capable in time of making reliable comparisons a possibility.
All the same, the author calls for consideration of the paradigms in place, particularly the paradigm of power. The author argues that seeing the CFDP and the European Union in terms of power, does not equate to asking whether western Europe is capable today of asserting itself in any circumstances and with regard to anybody - power is not international primacy. Likewise, Europe does not have to be seen as the United States' successor as dominant world power - North America is a y ardstick, and some see it as a model, but the European Union becoming a “relative” power could also lead to power-sharing.
By taking an non-ideological approach, Fabien Terpan puts his wealth of knowledge at the service of fresh ideas determined to stop blaming public opinion in a sterile way but to make it more responsible. He cannot fail to charm when he considers the social approbation of institutions which have arisen from a democratic procedure. He is one of the few authors to incorporate into his analysis the responsibility of media responsible for relaying the existence of the integration process. Who could disagree when the author notes that the strings of criticisms levelled against the EU's external policies seem to us to be rooted in the overplaying of crises in the media, usually displaying complete ignorance of the reality of foreign policy? Moreover, doesn't the criticism apply to the entire socio-political structure of the European project and to the shirking of media responsibility it has fallen victim to?
Alain Dremière
*** MURIEL ROUYER (Editor): Démocratie européenne. Presse de Sciences Po (44, rue du Four, F-75 006 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 44393960 - fax: 45480441 - E-mail: info@presses.sciences-po.fr). "raisons politiques" series. 2003, 199 pp, 17.50 euro. ISSN 2-7246-2962-0
At this moment of Union enlargement and reflection on its constitutional future, this issue of Raisons politiques, focuses on European democracy and the raison d'être beneath the foundations of political modernity and democracy.
This article considers that democracy, as an ideal of political self-determination bequeathed by ancient Greece, subject to shifting historic incarnations, expressed by various procedures, a certain control by citizens with regard to the agenda and taking decisions in the public sphere in circumstances of relative equality. It considers that it is a mirror to this changing democracy and and the institutional reality of Europe. Europe is growing, reforming its institutions and claims to provide more democracy, transparency and effectiveness in its construction, as borne out in the White Paper on governance and the Convention on the future of Europe. Does this mean that changes are taking place on the scale of democracy? Are we witnessing a third political revolution in Europe, that impacts on both national and supranational notions of democracy? If the answer is in the affirmative, what is the price for these re-definitions? These are the different issues that this article in attempts to answer. (MF)
*** In Europa. Rivista di Studi e di iniziativa europea. Centro in Europa (7/5 via Ippolito d'Aste, I-16121 Genoa. Tel: (39-010) 540928 - fax: 564356 - E-mail: ineuropa@euroframe.it - Internet: http://www.centroineuropa.it ). 2003, No. 1, 62 pp. 7,75 euros. ISBN 88-8163-228-4.
This issue of the publication, edited by former MEP, Roberto Speciale, focuses entirely on Genoa as the European capital of culture in 2004, with messages from the president of the Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, president of the Commission Romano Prodi, vice-president Loyola de Palacio (the latter is in charge of transport policy and she stressed that the port of Genoa has again become, following years of crisis and problems one of the main ports in Europe and above all, in the Mediterranean) and from Commissioner for culture, Viviane Reding. In this publication, which contains photographs of the main points of interest in the city, Egidio Canciani, from the Commission's enlargement directorate general, explains in the chapter on Europe's borders: "One asks whether Turkey is part of Europe? Yet, the very Genoan tour of Galata is being worked out, recognisable in the panorama of Istanbul". Roberto Salvarani, from Directorate General Transport and Energy, refers to, "Maritime motorways: Genoa's reality in the 14th century - and now?". Without forgetting the contributions of Genoans, who have always been scattered throughout the world, such as the person who wrote this publication. (MG)
*** MARC TENBÜCKEN: Corporate Lobbying in the European Union. Strategies of Multinational Companies. Peter Lang (15 Jupiterstr., CH-3000 Bern 15. Fax: (41-31) 9402131 - E-mail: info@peterlang.com - Internet: http: //http://www.peterlang.net ). "European University Studies" series, No. 446. 2002, 197 p.. ISBN 3-631-39033-5.
What factors most influence the decisions taken by the multinationals with regard to lobbying when they want to get the ear of the European institutions? This is the issue that the author attempts to tackle. Initially, Marc Tenbücken studies the reasons why lobbying activities are concentrated at a European level, leaving alone somewhat the national political decision making apparatuses (although in some urgent situations they can be decentralised on a case by case basis), which leads to the affirmation that "all roads lead to Brussels". He then studies the theoretical way in which multinational strategies are mapped out, notably in the light of exerting pressure in the case of the Directive on old vehicles. He also alludes to the role of organisations such as Unice, Eurochambres and the "Industrialists' Round Table". (LD)
*** VEERLE DECKMYN: Information Guide on the European Union. European Institute of Public Administration (22 Vrouweplein, PB-6201 Maastricht. Internet: http: //http://www.eipa.nl ). 2003, 77 p.. ISBN: 90-6779-179-2
This publication aims to assist all those seeking official information on the Union. Its writer, a Senior Lecturer at the European Institute of Public Administration at Maastricht, seeks to provide a brief description of the most up-to-date sources that are available. In the annex, the reader can also find an aide-memoir and list of useful addresses. (AD)
*** KARL VON WOGAU (Ed.): Auf dem Weg zur Europäischen Verteidigung. Herder (Freiburg im Breisgau. Internet: http://www.herder.de ). 2003, 422 pp. ISBN 3-451-20335-9.
Member of the European Parliament delegation for relations with the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO and erstwhile President of the EP's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, Karl von Wogau has collected a series of essays in this book bearing witness to the acceleration of attempts in recent years to define a European defence policy. The preface notes that all four major political groupings at the European Parliament support the idea of European defence.
Karl von Wogau recently called for a public debate on Javier Solana's first report on the EU's security policy. He says one has to start by asking what citizens may expect from a common European defence policy. He says that together with NATO partners, Europe should be able to respond to any attack on the territory of the EU, and develop its capacity to keep or restore peace in the area surrounding the European Union. He also feels the EU must have the means to carry out rescue operations anywhere in the world where EU citizens are involved. The CDU MEP calls for realism, however, noting that one must not lose sight of the fact that EU security interests are first and foremost regional European interests.
Several other MEPs have also provided essays, namely Elmar Brok, Philippe Morillon, Hans-Gert Pöttering, Enrique Baron, Graham Watson and Joost Lagendijk, as has Commissioner Erkki Liikanen (on the industrial aspects of the EU defence policy), the former US ambassador to NATO Robert E. Hunter, General Klaus Naumann, former President of NATO's Military Committee, and Robert Bell, NATO Vice-Secretary General, and Antonio Missiroli from the EU's Institute of Security Studies. Each one makes use of his experience on the various aspects (political, institutional and industrial) of a policy in full flux. (MG)
*** L'élargissement. Petites affiches (2 rue de Montesquieu, F-75041 Paris Cedex 01. Tel: (33-1) 42618787 Fax: 42860937 - redactions@petites-affiches.com). "Les dossiers de l'Europe", No. 112. June 2003, 32 pp, 7.60 euros. Annual subscription: 267.56 euros.
Enlargement will be one of the major events of the beginning of the century from a geostrategic point of view, for example. It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of many Europeans, however. Some are sceptical about the promised improvements in living standards. In order to give citizens a better picture of what's at stake, the editors of this dossier have interviewed European integration stakeholders. There are articles by figureheads like Enlargement Commissioner Günter Verheugen, writing on the geostrategic importance of enlargement, or the President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, who makes a lively case for enlargement, which he describes as our generation's challenge. (FR)
*** L'état du monde 2003. La découverte and Syros (9 bis rue Abel-Hovelacque, F-75013 Paris. Internet: http://www.editionsladecouverte.fr ). 2002, 674 pp, 23 euros. ISBN 2-7071-3799-5
Launched in 1980, this state of the world series was designed to marshall, orient and open areas of reflection through an original methodology combining an economic, geographic, demographic, political and strategic approach. Over more than twenty years, more than 4000 authors have contributed, hailing from various disciplines and forming a highly international network. They have systematically demonstrated their desire to take the most objective approach possible to the countries assessed, with the greatest independence vis-à-vis the authorities. Today, we can say that the state of the world series has genuinely international characteristics. This reference book is a vital supplement to traditional media in that it provides a more “settled” vision. First there is a broad overview of international relations, in entries on, for example, the United States' security policy or the European project. The economy is considered next, followed by general trends. There are then targetted analyses of 226 sovereign states and dependent territories, divided into thirty-eight geopolitical groupings, each with its own “identity card”. Each country's problems are considered in detail, supplemented by a series of information panels. The state of the world is a mine of useful statistics and contacts. (FR)
*** EUROPEENNE COMMISSION (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985 Luxembourg. Internet: http: //publications.eu.int) has published the following documents:
*** Studying, training, doing research, youth work or voluntary work in another European union country. DG Internal Market (Tel: (00-800) 67891011 - Internet: http: //europa.eu.int/citizens). "Europe Direct" series. 2003, 22 pp..
This document is for people from Union countries who seek to take up one of the activities quoted in the title. It will help them to take more advantage of their rights in this field and the opportunities that are open to them in the single market. The objective of this guide is to fully list the rights and responsibilities, as well as provide a practical idea of what's on offer.
*** Regional Revival - Successful projects financed by the Structural Funds in Austria . DG Regional Policy (Inforegio Service CSM2-A00/COU, B-1049 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 2960634 - fax: 2962305 - Internet: http: //http://www.europa.eu.int/inforegio - E-mail: regio-info@cec.eu.int ). 2003, 49 pp. ISBN 92-849-4376-6
Although the overall economic and social situation in Austria in the Union is positive, certain regions suffer more structural disadvantages and receive aid from the Structural Fund through twenty one programmes described in this magazine. The programmes are brought together according to region for which socio-economic data is provided, as well as the addresses of the regional authority and contact points for each project.
*** Paneuropa Deutschland. Paneuropa-Union Deutschland (Dachauer Str. 17, D-80335 München. Tel: (49-821) 528352 - fax: 528353 - Internet: http: //http://www.paneuropa.org - E-mail: paneuropa-verlag@t-online.de). No. 2, 93 pp. 3 euros. Subscription: 12 euros.
Through its articles: "Where Middle Kingdom?" and "Wholesaler or Grocer?", Paneuropa poses the question of Europe's place in the new world order. The magazine also highlights the role of the "White Rose" student group in German history. It also proposes an interview with Albrecht Fürst zu Castell, as well as the report of the twenty ninth "Paneuropa" day in Hidesheim.
*** News. European Agency for Health and Safety at Work (33 Gran Via, E-48009 Bilbao. Tel: (34-944) 794360 - fax: 794383 - Internet: http: //osha.eu.int - E-mail: information@osha.eu.int). 2003, n° 14,
12 p..
The agency's objective is to provide Community bodies, Member States and interested sectors, information on improving health and safety in the workplace. To do this, this publication initially looks at the agency's own news before beginning on Community and international news and information on certain key cases. It concludes with a list of publications. The articles are concise and include a contact address.
*** Liaisons sociales Europe . Groupe Liaisons (1 Avenue Edouard-Belin, F-92500 Rueil-Malmaison. Tel: (33-825) 825371 - fax: (33-1) 44722027 - Internet: http//http://www.ls-europe.com ). June- July 2003, No. 83, 8 p., 31 euros. Subscription: 757,58 euros.
The first page focuses on the revision of the European Strategy for Employment, whose guidelines have just been rationalised and simplified. "Co-ordination of Social Security for those outside the Community" also figures in the summary.
Reviews in Brief
*** Notabene. European Monitoring Centre. No 129/130, June 2003, Brussels. Services of General Interest in the Union. *** Ministry for Flanders. No. 38, June - August 2003, Brussels. Quarterly for the Promotion of Flanders. *** News from Cyprus. Press Office of the Embassy and Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union May - June 2003, Brussels. New perspectives following the signing of the accession treaty. *** Anadolu. Anadolu Asbl. No. 10 (Special Edition), June 2003, Wavre. This monthly looks back on forty years of Turkish immigration in Belgium. *** Monthly Bulletin. European Central Bank. June 2003, Frankfurt am Main. Monthly report of the ECB.