The conference in Brussels on Tuesday by the IFRI think tank on the challenges of the French Presidency provided an opportunity for several European figureheads of various nationalities to freely express their views on the situation in the EU following the Irish “no” on the Lisbon Treaty. I will highlight some of their thoughts and what I feel were important comments.
1. A referendum can “parody democracy” and Ireland didn't have to call one. Philippe de Schoutheete strongly challenged the idea that democracy by referendum was “more democratic” than representative democracy. The former can even parody democracy, degrading and distorting it, acting like a plebiscite. Asked whether Ireland could have avoided calling a referendum, de Schoutheete answered that it could have changed its constitution (as other member states have done, some have even changed their constitutions several times) to bring it in line with the European project. See my column in yesterday's issue for other aspects of this question.
2. The Lisbon Treaty answers all the objections of the Irish. Writer and academic Jean-Paul Jacqué said that the Lisbon Treaty fully answers all the concerns of the Irish - neutrality, fiscal autonomy and autonomy of civil law (divorce, abortion and euthanasia). The Irish got what they wanted and more besides. When it comes to European commissioners, their no vote actually weakens their position because the Lisbon Treaty foresees that the current system (one commissioner per country) would apply until 2014, but the Nice Treaty (which remains in force due to the Irish no vote) cuts the number of commissioners in 2009.
3. The EU is not paralysed, but strengthening of democracy has been blocked. Several speakers pointed out that the EU is functioning and will continue to function - decisions are taken and common policies are drawn up. Some measures from the Lisbon Treaty can be brought in early using the legislation in force, for example setting up a single diplomatic corps and even the introduction of a stable president of the European Council (but opinion is divided on the latter). Jan Tombinski, Poland's permanent representative, noted that various vital EU achievements (the single currency and the Schengen Area) had emerged outside the treaties in the past. Jean-Paul Jacqué stressed, however, that progress in democratisation, notably extending EP-Council co-decision to new areas, will be lost without the Lisbon Treaty. He recognised that political will was the most important issue here but added that institutions able to function properly can carry on during times when political will is lacking.
4. No to a two-speed Europe, yes to 'strengthened cooperation'. A clear majority of speakers rejected the idea of splitting the EU into two different groups - nearly everyone said that the right road to follow was “strengthened cooperation”, which is already possible. The French secretary of state for European affairs, Jean-Pierre Jouyet, said that strengthened cooperation would be particularly appropriate for justice and home affairs and defence issues.
5. Financial speculation and its impact on the price of oil. Jouyet said speculation accounted for around 20% of the price of oil. While significant, this is lower than people sometimes suggest.
6. The French Presidency's main concerns. On the Irish problem, Jouyet said that the French Presidency would listen to Dublin's plans. First the Irish should say what they want and then the Presidency will look at how to take this into account. The French Presidency is planning to come up with a blueprint of a solution before the end of its six months in office. It believes that over and above the political and legal issues, changes in the economy will play a vital role. Noting the Presidency's priorities and objectives, Jouyet also mentioned things like the European Council's conclusions documents. The document published last week is no fewer than 25 pages long but only two issues were actually discussed by the heads of state. Even for issues that are discussed, one should stick to the crux of the matter.
(F.R.)
Note: For an overview of the conference organised by IFRI in cooperation with Agence Europe, see yesterday's newsletter (on institutional issues and foreign relations) and related articles in this issue (on economic and monetary affairs and defence).