Clarity and courage. Bravo Angela Merkel! Clarity and political courage are two qualities regularly demanded from political figures but which are almost never obtained. The German Chancellor has demonstrated that she possesses both of these qualities. I am referring to European affairs (it's not my role to take a position on national choices or the internal policies of a Member State). We will have to wait until next January to get the official presentation of the German presidency's programme for the Council of the Union when the presidency begins. Ms Merkel has, however, provided an early look at some orientations and in this exercise has demonstrated the two qualities mentioned above.
We may or may not agree with her on one or other of the points; each to their own. But she avoided making any vague utterances or chit-chat that would have just about pleased everyone else. Her message (EUROPE 9282) responds, in particular, in an explicit way, to the following issues:
1. Europe's borders. This question is at the centre of endless debates, knowledgeable analyses and historical and geographical quarrels that are often very passionate. Ms Merkel's position is very clear: “Europe has to say where its borders are”. This does not mean that the EU has to decide on a particular day or other whether Ukraine or Byelorussia can join some day or whether Turkey (whose territory and capital are essentially in Asia) can be considered as European. But it does require some reflection on the matter and the principle for Merkel already exists: Europe must have its borders (which gets rid of the absurd idea that the more the EU expands, the stronger it becomes, as if geography and political cohesion had no meaning and close ties were impossible through other formulas other than accession).
2. Constitutional Treaty is necessary. Angela Merkel considers that Europe needs a constitutional treaty. The affirmation might appear banal but some Member States and certain political forces could do well without it. The German presidency's report it will be presenting to the next June summit will include a road map for achieving this objective. Merkel does not come down on one side or the other in the two discussions: a) the so-called Sarkozy formula of the two phases - firstly a limited treaty with limited reforms to enable the EU to function efficiently and then (after the European elections of 2009) arranging a Convention to prepare a new complete draft; b) the so-called Leinen, which aims to adapt the current draft (with a few more protocols but fewer Articles) and re-launch ratifications so that the constitutional treaty could come into force in 2009. Before choosing, Merkel has the institutional duty of firstly consulting all Member States and taking into consideration all opinions but she has reaffirmed the principle that the constitutional treaty is indispensable; the declaration that the Heads of State and government will adopt on 25 March 2007 (for the 50th anniversary of the Rome Treaties) should reaffirm values that will be reflected in the constitutional treaty.
3. Rules for world trade. By supporting a form of world governance, Merkel has avoiding falling into rhetoric and stock phrases and has put the emphasis on a number of operational actions by citing: the fight against counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property; fairer rules for world trade. This is against the concept of free trade at any price, which is unacceptable if rules and discipline do not accompany it.
4. Result of negotiations with Turkey has to remain open. Ms Merkel does not share the opinion of those who (including those at the European Parliament) reject any other formula but accession. She believes that “the result should remain open”. Several days before, she declared in a personal capacity that she thought a “privileged partnership” was preferable to accession. This is a reversal in the official German position.
In the meantime, European Commission president, José Manuel Barroso reaffirmed that the Commission's duty was to pursue accession negotiations but “We cannot prejudge the final result”, adding, “If you ask me can Turkey become a member of the Union today, the answer is no. But in fifteen, twenty or twenty five years, who can say what the situation will be in Turkey or Europe?” Mr Barroso is not as explicit as Ms Merkel on the question of Europe's borders but on Turkey, he's taking his time…
Tomorrow I will return to some developments in the Turkish dossier.
(F.R.)