*** MARTIN ORTEGA (Ed.): Global views on the European Union. Institut d'études de sécurité de l'Union européenne (43 av. du Président Wilson, F-75775 Paris cedex 16. Tel.: (33-1) 56891930 - Fax: 56891931 - E-mail: institute@iss-eu.org - Internet: http: //http://www.iss-eu.org ). "Chaillot Paper", No. 72. 2004, 135 pp, 10 euros.
Human beings only have a reflection of themselves, physically speaking (leaving aside the even more complex nature of other aspects), the image reflected back to them by the mirror. Beautified or faded, this image is virtual, indirect and therefore truncated. To see what we really project, nothing can match the eye of another person. Hence the utility of this Cahier de Chaillot in which 'external' authors, diplomats or academics, describe how they perceive the European Union and its desire, set out in the European security strategy adopted by heads of state and government in December 2003, to play a global role on the international scene. As Martin Ortega explains in the introduction, these "external views" were not sought from people who have the best knowledge of the EU, either because they are neighbours (Russia and the Mediterranean countries) or because they are connected with the EU, like the United States and various NATO partners, through solid political links. The views come from further afield, Africa (South Africa and Senegal), Latin America (Brazil and Mexico), Asia (China, Japan and Asia as a unit), and from Down Under, in New Zealand.
How is the European integration process viewed in your country or region? Are there lessons to be learnt from it? What is your assessment or current relations between the EU and your country or region? In your opinion, what type of relations should the EU establish with your country or region in the future? What role should the EU play with a view to achieving a global order and maintaining international peace and security? How do you assess the development of a European Security and Defence Policy? These questions were submitted to the authors. Their replies, mainly in English, with two in French, give rise to rather reassuring comments by Nicole Gnesotto, Director of the EU's Institute of Security Studies: "while lack of enthusiasm and even doubt often dominate the European internal scene, the views of our distant partners is generally more positive, enthusiastic even. Seen from a distance, and purged in a way of daily problems, the achievements and progress of the EU over the past ten years look in fact like undeniable historic progress". It is one of the strong points of this exercise, reminding us in a very convincing way of the extent to which the European project, beyond its daily vicissitudes, is an exemplary process! Some people, during this time of ratifying the Constitution, would do well to become aware of this …
It is of course impossible, in this European Library column, to report on all the manifold ideas expressed in all the articles. So we will restrict ourselves to mentioning some of the points mentioned by Martin Ortega in his conclusions. Firstly, the new global role the EU has taken on board is welcome, because it is seen as a 'vector of stability in international relations'. However, the 'respective positions of the EU and its Member States give rise to perplexity', with some authors seeing this characteristic - caricatured during the Iraq crisis - as a weakness. All, however, believe that a global role requires a more global presence of the EU in the world. All authors say they support the 'effective multilateralism' recommended by the European Security Strategy, with one author even writing that the 'EU's potential contribution to restoring a fair and equitable multilateral order seems vital'. The essential message that comes from the essays is, in Martin Ortega's view, that integration is now of such importance in the world that the EU should 'make the promotion of the construction of regional bodies one of its main strategic global objectives' without, however, trying to ensure the EU's model is strictly copied elsewhere.
Michel Theys
*** ERNST PIEHL, PETER W . SCHULZE, HEINZ TIMMERMANN: Die offene Flanke der Europäischen Union. Russiche Federation, Belarus, Ukraine und Moldau. Berliner Wissenschaftverlag (54 b Axel-Springer Strasse 54b, 10117 Berlin. Tel.: (49-30) 841770-0 - Fax: 841770-21 - E-mail: bwv@bwv-verlag.de - Internet: http: //http://www.bwv-verlag.de ). 2005, 557 pp. ISBN 3-8305-0898-0.
The authors of this hefty tome, dense with information, have analysed developments in what they call the EU's 'open flank', and have witnessed the formidable acceleration of history that led to regime change in Ukraine. The series of interviews with people in the countries in question have enabled them to draw a nuanced and very up-to-date picture, all the more up to date since the launch of the EU's 'neighbourhood policy'. In the introduction, former minister under Willy Brand, Egon Bahr, one of the precursors of German Ostpolitik, highlights the interest of both Europe and the United States for there to be stability in this 'dangerous and attractive region'. A very interesting and useful book.
(MG)
*** ALEXANDRA GOUJON: Les nouveaux voisins de l'Union européenne. Stratégies identitaires et politiques en Ukraine, Biélorussie et Moldavie. Centre d'études et de recherches internationales (56 rue Jacob, F-75006 Paris. Tel.: (33-1) 58717000 - Fax: 58717090 - E-mail: info@ceri-sciences-po.org - Internet: http://www.ceri-sciences-po.org ). "Les Etudes du CERI", No. 109. 2004, 41 pp.
Since 1 May 2004, the Ukraine and Byelorussia have been new neighbours of the EU, and Moldova will become one of the EU's neighbours once Romania has joined, scheduled for 2007, if all goes well. This enlargement to the East has given rise to debate about the relations the EU should have with its new neighbours. The debate led to the drawing up of the European Neighbourhood Policy, combining a regional approach based on common values and differentiated approached adapted to the specific nature of the countries in question. Since they became independent, Ukraine, Byelorussia and Moldova have developed different identity strategies, which the Neighbourhood Policy aims to respond to without creating new divides. This research sheds very useful light on these strategies that juxtapose people wanting to integrate European values into their country's political role with those who, on the contrary, reject European values. Alexandra Goujon explains that the link between identity and politics is all the more crucial for the EU's eastern neighbours because it falls back on weakly institutional practices, whether in terms of national construction, the political system or foreign policy. The comparative approach used in this research feeds into the idea that the EU's new neighbours form a regional singularity because of their common past as Soviet Republics, and their geostrategic position. It also shows the gradual differentiation of these States between themselves and their transformation into distinct political areas requiring the creation of nationalised modes of forming identity and politics.
(PBo)
*** MICHEL ROSTEN: L'immortelle. Editions l'Age d'Homme (CP 5076, CH-1002 Lausanne. Internet: http://www.agedhomme.com ). 2005, 413 pp, €24-30. ISBN 2-8251-1931-8.
This novel would not normally have a place in the European Library. But exceptions are always needed to confirm the rule. This book provides us with just such an exception. The journalist author, Michel Rosten, was one of the most leading experts on Eastern Europe when he was a prisoner of the Iron Curtain. During his multiple reports on this 'other' Europe, so mysterious and disquieting, he met the leaders of the time - Gierek, Honecker, Ceausescu, Dubcek, and General Jaruzelsky, etc. - who gave him the official view of the events of the time. But it was in collecting the accounts and thoughts of Mrs Bonner (Sakharov's widow), Rostropovitch, Walesa, Michnik and Father Popielusko that he discovered the heroes of a quasi libertarian epoch that against all expectations precipitated the collapse of the Eastern Bloc. He also discovered the named or unnamed characters in this very historical novel, where he describes imaginary and actual scenes announcing the fall of the bloc. Why the title 'The Immortal'? Because that was the name given to a game of chess because of the beauty and strategic intelligence displayed in it. In 1851, the world chess champion of the day, a German, sacrificed no less than the queen, the two castles, a rook and two pawns, before moving to check-mate in twenty-three moves against his opponent. The author links the destiny of his characters to the destiny of the pawns and other pieces moving on the chessboard since, as he explains, 'this battle is similar to the one that very few men, with miserable resources, led until the fall of the Berlin Wall and the falling apart of the Soviet Empire, seen as a superpower until its final breath'.
(MT)
*** KATHRIN BLANCK: Flexible Integration in the Common Foreign and Security Policy. Europainstitut der Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (39-45 Althanstrasse, A-1090 Vienna. Tel.: (43-1) 313364135 - Fax: 31336758 - E-mail: europafragen@wu-wien.ac.at). "EI Working Paper", No. 61. 2004, 48 pp, €7-20.
This both dense and detailed study looks from the juridical angle at the potential of the 'strengthened cooperation' instrument and the new mechanisms allowing flexible integration in the field of the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the European Security and Defence Policy. After describing the existing forms of flexibility, the author also considers possible tangible cooperation scenarios outside the framework of the Treaties. Kathrin Blanck demonstrates in this manner that the new options available in the framework of the Constitution, whether ad hoc mechanisms in the framework of strengthened cooperation, or new forms of pre-defined and even permanent flexibility, could breath life into these two European policies, although prudence suggests not counting one's chickens until they've hatched… (PBo)
*** Sécurité et défense de l'UE. Textes fondamentaux 2004. Institut d'études de sécurité de l'Union européenne (see above). "Cahier de Chaillot" series, No. 75. 2005, 446 pp, 15 euros.
A particularly useful work tool, this fifth volume in the series of Textes fondamentaux published by the European Union's Institute of Security Studies, looks at the EU's decisions and actions in terms of security and defence in 2004. The first part of the book looks at texts concerning the European Security and Defence Policy, such as the creation of the European Defence Agency, decisions on combat groups and a European police services, launching the Eujust operation in Georgia and Althea in Bosnia Herzegovina, the Headline Goal 2010 and the huge development of the civilian arm of crisis management. The first part also gives much space to combating terrorism, the EU's relations with Iran, the Middle East, Iraq, Africa, and the Commission's series of initiatives to fund research and restructure the arms market. The second part of the book is entirely devoted to the Constitutional Treaty, with pertinent extracts on defence matters and also on foreign and security policy in the widest sense.
(PBo)
*** OLIVIER ROY: Afghanistan: la difficile reconstruction d'un Etat. Institut d'études de sécurité de l'Union européenne (see above). "Cahier de Chaillot" series, No. 73. 2004, 73 pp, 10 euros. ISBN 92-9198-065-X.
The European Union's Institute of Security Studies asked Olivier Roy, Research Director at the CNRS in France, to assess the situation in Afghanistan three years after Western intervention. A relevant choice, as explains the Institute's Director, Nicole Gnesotto, in the preface, because of "his direct knowledge of the area and the main local players, his familiarity with the different ethnic groups and cultures throughout the region, his work in the various incarnations of Islamic fundamentalism which have long made him one of the most recognised international experts on Afghanistan and the Muslim world". The author explains that the Afghan State can only rebuild itself from a political culture of the home-grown, meaning that reforms fit into a legitimate ideological framework (nationalism and Islam) while adapting to the political anthropology of the country where important local individuals and groups play a greater role than big tribes and ethnic groups. Olivier Roy explains, in fact, that contrary to received ideas, there are not determining ethnic divides in Afghanistan. The war no doubt accentuated ethnic polarisation, but he argues that President Karzai had managed to marginalise the big warlords through a policy of gently extending the state apparatus. The author says that the main risk of testability in the country comes from drugs, although the country's stability is intimately liked with the stability of the entire region. In this connection, the French researcher claims that the two neighbouring countries that have the greatest means to bear weight in Afghanistan, namely Pakistan and Iran, are themselves elements of instability, and only the strong international presence in the former Taliban stronghold limits their capacity to do damage. In the - inevitable - prospect of the United States reducing its presence, the author concludes that Europe should prepare for a long-term presence in the country, where it will have to attempt to balance humanitarian aid, discreet security operations and an open war against the Taliban.
(PBo)
*** Rapport 2004. Organe international de contrôle des stupéfiants (United Nations. Internet: http://www.incb.org ). 2005. This report by the United Nations specialist agency focuses on the connection between supply and demand for drugs, governments only being able to focus on supply. Much of the study looks at the critical situation in Afghanistan.
*** Liaisons sociales Europe. Groupe Liaisons (1 av. Edouard-Belin, F-92500 Rueil-Malmaison. Tel.: (33-8) 25800929 - Fax: (33-1) 44722027 - Internet: http//http://www.liaisons-sociales.com ). March 2005, No. 12, 122 pp, 32 euros. Annual subscription: 867.85 euros.
"Social Europe is not dead, it is still moving", says Liaisons sociales Europe in the light of the Social Agenda 2005-2010 unveiled by the Commission. The Social Agenda puts forward ambitious proposals but the publication says it is weak on action to be taken. It has been welcomed with relief by trade union organisations but given a lukewarm welcome by NGOs on the Social Platform. It was with employers, however, that it created the greatest waves. The employers are not satisfied with the overall package and are blocking on four issues. Other articles look at collective layoff procedures, assess the Dutch law on adjusting working time and mobilising people in the UK who are not in the workforce.
*** Europa-Informationen. EKD-Büro Brüssel (166 rue Joseph II, B-1000 Brussels. Tel.: (32-2) 2301639 - Fax: 2800108 - E-mail: ekd.bruessel@ekd.be). January -February 2005, No. 106, 16 pp, Annual subscription: 27 euros.
The review starts with an article looking at the danger for Churches of dealing (like other 'services') with problems caused by the draft directive to liberalise services. It outlines the mandates of the five 'groups of Commissioners' and describes the Commission's strategy fro the next five years. There are articles on opening accession negotiations with Turkey, reviewing the Lisbon Strategy, bioethics and the Commission's efforts with regard to training young people.
*** Parität EU- Jahresreport. EU-Repräsentanz der Paritätische Wohlfahrtsverbandes (159 rue Belliard, B-1040 Brussels. Tel.: (32-2) 2381000 - Fax: 2381009 - E-mail: eu.bruessel@paritaet.org). 2005, 54 pp.
This is the second review of the year by this EU Representation, looking at policies in Europe in 2004. The report is divided into six topics: health policy, social policy, employment policy, research and knowledge policy and institutional issues. These themes are subdivided into last year's current events. Health policy looks, for example, at advances in the open coordination method in health, patient mobility and the new European health card. The social policy heading looks at European anti-discrimination policy, immigration policy and the situation of social NGOs in the new central European Member States.
*** AmCham Business journal. AmCham Belgium (50 Av. des Arts Box 5, B-1000 Brussels. Tel.: (32-2) 5136770 - Fax: 5133590 - E-mail: gmuyshondt@amcham.be - Internet: http://www.amcham.be ). 1st quarter 2005, No. 553, 40 pp, 6-20 euros.
This issue focuses on the pharmaceutical industry, with AmCham Belgium inviting major players in the pharmaceutical industry in Belgium to a discussion. There is an interview with Rudy Demotte, Belgian Heath Minister, defending the Belgian government's position against criticisms that it causes problems for the industry through high taxation. It also studies the decline in European pharmaceutical R&D with regard to the United States. Other areas like the slow take-off of generic medicines and efforts to reform the European company merger surveillance system are also considered. There is also an article looking at how the right balance can be struck in healthcare policy.
*** CATO Policy Report. Cato Institute - Center for Trade Policy Studies (1000 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. Tel.: (1-202) 8420200 - Fax: 8423490 - Internet: http: //http://www.cato.org ). January - February 2005, No. 1, 20 pp, 2 US dollars.
The CATO Institute publishes ideas, penned by Will Wilkinson, on the links between capitalism and human nature in the light of a booming scientific discipline, evolutionary psychology. The editorial looks at the reasons behind how people voted in the US presidential elections and the impact of "limited government", in other words, restricting the action of government as much as possible in certain areas, like authorising workers to transfer all the money usually paid towards their pension to private pension funds. Other articles outline research by the institute and report on conferences and forums in areas like trade, money, defence and the links between trade and the future of American workers.