I would just like to add to yesterday's column with a few lessons that can be drawn from events of recent weeks.
The great fragility of personal alliances. Some Heads of Government have recently given the impression that they are basing their European policy largely on their personal relations with their colleagues from other Member States. They should have learnt by now how transient and unsteady alliances based on this criterion are, and that they can by no means replace the defining of European policy within the institutions of the Union, in line with the "Community method". What is left of Poland's common front with Spain over voting methods in the Council? The new Spanish majority has announced that it accepts the principle of "double majority", and negotiations are Community once more. What remains of the personal links between the Spanish and Italian heads of government? The new Spanish Prime Minister has said that his priority will be to rebuild solid and confident relations with Germany and France (the countries, not just their heads of government), and personal friendships vanish without trace.
'Directoires', triumvirates, weakening the European Commission, preference for the intergovernmental method. Nothing solid can be built on such foundations. The future Spanish Foreign Minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, has declared that even relations with the US "should be led, all together, in Brussels, not unilaterally in Madrid". The main thing is to be present, active and co-operative in Brussels, to play a direct role in defining the EU's positions.
"Old Europe" is still standing. After the Spanish elections, two major British newspapers (The Times and The Daily Telegraph) came out with practically identical headlines announcing Spain's return to the heart of "Old Europe". I have never used the absurd terminology of a new and an old Europe, because this tends to create a ridiculous and non-existent division, putting France, German, Belgium, Austria et al on once side, and Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, other eastern European countries, plus Spain and Italy, on the other. Personally, I'm proud to proclaim my allegiance to old Europe, which, for my money, also includes Prague and Budapest, Warsaw and Krakow, and many other cities and countries which stem from the same civilisation, our genuine common heritage. The speed with which we can put a country with its own culture, history and traditions from one category into another, depending on a change of head of government, proves that the distinction is really without meaning. To feel that you are a citizen of old Europe is an honour.
Anticipating a plank of the Constitution. Among the measures on which the Heads of Government are to take position is the "solidarity clause"; if a Member State is the victim of a terrorist attack, the other States will act in a spirit of solidarity, mobilising all the instruments at their disposition, including military means (see our bulletin yesterday, pages 5-6). This is the spirit and substance of article 42 of the first part of the draft Constitution, almost to the letter. Its anticipated application confirms the links between the Constitution and the fight against terrorism.
Inconvenience to put up with. The measures agreed by the Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA), on which the Summit will pronounce itself, will cause the citizens of Europe a bit of inconvenience: reinforced checks, verification of documents and baggage on journeys, etc. They will have to agree to this with goodwill, in the knowledge that it's the terrorists to blame, not the people carrying out the checks. The United Kingdom didn't even have identity cards, and freedom of speech was absolute there; we know who to thank if restrictions are introduced. Portugal would have to suspend the application of the Schengen rules for the forthcoming European football championships: identity checks on the border will be brought back in for the occasion. Flying has already become more of a bind, due to the increased checks. Given that fundamental freedoms and individual rights must be respected, this inconvenience will have to put up with resignedly and without protest. Once again: we know who to thank if Europe is forced to take a few steps backwards on the progress that's already been made.
The unacceptable. Almost everything is acceptable in the political fight: wanting to change regime, reject the EU's involvement, demand autonomy from a nation State. Everything but building alliances with Islamic terrorists with a view to getting one's own demands met. Anybody who does this excludes themselves forever from European civilisation, because they are working for its destruction. (F.R.)