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French Foreign Minister: "No more issues should be decided in one country - they must all be considered in Europe"
In a speech in Poland this week to Polish Ambassadors, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said "Without the Lisbon Treaty... we cannot speak about the future of Europe, about European defence, about the enlargement of Europe, about perfecting Europe. With 27 countries, it's not possible." He continues: "With this we will be the most politically significant entity in the world with a responsibility for our destiny, which goes well beyond our borders." He says, "There are no more issues anymore which can be decided in one country, they must all be considered in the Europe of 27."
He said, "We must bear in mind, the necessity of supporting our diplomatic efforts with a common defence, a European defence, as we showed in Georgia and Kosovo. Without this European defence, our diplomacy lacks strength. One way of strengthening this, making it less fragmented - and which will be one of the tasks of your Presidency - is to build a European diplomacy, through the European external action service, provided for in the Lisbon Treaty. The external action will be a European diplomacy which will not only be a diplomacy of bureaucrats. It is absolutely necessary that our diplomacies meet each other, unite and take their rightful place in this external action service, alongside the Commission." He concludes saying, "In Europe, I have learned something - I should say that with President Sarkozy it is quite easy to see - you have to be determined, solid, a little bit demanding, so as not to get lost in the complexities of sometimes interminable meetings."
Member states resist plans to re-open Working Time Directive negotiations
The Swedish EU Presidency's plans to re-open negotiations on the EU's Working Time Directive, which envisages a maximum 48-hour working week, are facing resistance from member states who are calling for a period of reflection following the collapse of talks earlier this year, according to European Voice. The talks were aimed at resolving the question of on-call time, particularly affecting doctors and healthcare professionals, which the European Court of Justice ruled in 2000/2003 must count as working time. The judgments led to a large increase in the number of governments opting out from the 48-hour rule - with 15 member states, including the UK, now applying the opt-out.
The European Commission must present a fresh legal proposal before talks between member states and the European Parliament can restart, but a source said the German government had informed the Commission that it would not welcome a proposal in the next two years, and is leading a group of countries saying that no quick attempt should be made to re-open the issue.
European Voice Open Europe briefing
Controversial EU arrest warrant not used by all member states because judges 'do not know how to use it';
EU justice ministers struggle to resolve differences on immigration and rights for criminal suspects
Agence Europe reports that at a recent meeting of EU justice ministers, Swedish Justice Minister Beatrice Ask noted that not all member states were using the EU's controversial European Arrest Warrant and called on the Commission to look into why this was the case. EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot reportedly said that national judges did not know how to use it and the Commission is therefore planning to organise training courses.
The article notes that Barrot is planning to restart the debate on an EU cross-border divorce law when Spain takes over the EU Presidency in January 2010.
European Voice reports that, at the meeting, EU justice ministers were unable to narrow differences on issues that feature in the EU's draft five-year plan for justice and home affairs, the so-called 'Stockholm Programme'. The Commission wants member states to agree to give suspects the right to translation and interpretation anywhere in the EU. The ministers of some member states, however, opposed a binding law.
There was also little progress on immigration issues, including the idea that it should be possible for refugees who arrive in one member state to be re-settled in another. Some member states, such as the UK and Germany, fear this would encourage refugees, while countries on the front line of immigration, such as Cyprus, believe others should take on a greater share of the burden.
Meanwhile, an opinion in the Swedish daily, Norrkopings Tidningar argues that a common migration policy, as proposed in the 'Stockholm Programme' might make conditions worse for immigrants as this might led to tougher restrictions and prevent individual countries from pursuing an independent and more generous policy.
Belgian MEP Derk-Jan Eppink has also criticised the Belgian legalisation of illegal immigrants, saying that Belgium is always in favour of a common EU immigration policy, but is breaching EU agreements itself, as the move will enforce social security tourism in Europe. He argues that Belgium preaches a pro-European message but does not live up to it, which is why a common European immigration policy is doomed to fail.
Norrkopings Tidningar European Voice Politics.be Telegraaf SE Times Euractiv
Institute of Directors accuses Government of 'gold-plating' Agency Workers Directive
The FT reports that the Institute of Directors has warned that the UK Government could be poised to "gold-plate" the EU's Agency Workers Directive, due to be implemented next year. The Directive aims to give temporary staff the same rights as permanent staff once they have been in the job a 12 weeks.
In May, the Government implied that the Directive would provide blanket protection for all temporary staff, however the IOD has received advice from the European Commission indicating that the Directive should apply only to those companies that have formalised pay structures. The Commission said that absolute pay parity between temporary and full-time staff should apply where "pay scales are in force". But "discretionary individual pay arrangements used in the user undertaking would be outside the scope of the principle of equal treatment". The IoD has calculated that applying the directive to all small businesses would cost them an "unnecessary" £1.2bn annually. The Department for Business said yesterday that the exact implementation of the directive had not yet been agreed.
Swedish EU Presidency plans to nominate EU President in October
European Voice reports that the President of the Czech Republic, Václav Klaus is attempting to "derail the Lisbon Treaty" and is threatening Swedish Presidency EU plans to see the Lisbon Treaty take effect before the end of this year.
Swedish Prime Minister Frederik Reinfeldt has said that he wants to see the EU "move over to the Lisbon treaty, if possible, late in our presidency". He has high ambitions for the next EU council meeting in October at which he wants member states to nominate a President for the European Council. In addition he wants the EU Parliament to hold hearings for commissioners, to then vote on the whole Commission line-up, including the vote on Jose Manuel Barroso as President, by the end of November. However, EU officials fear that Klaus could delay signing the Treaty into Czech law beyond October, meaning a delay in Reinfeldt's timetable.
"EU's climate policy is unscientific and dangerous"
An opinion in the DN by Jacqueline McGlade, Secretary General of the European Environmental Agency, and Professor Johan Rockström, Head of Stockholm Environment Institute argues that the EU's climate policy is "unscientific and dangerous" They argue that Barroso is in the wrong to claim that a 50 percent reduction of carbon emissions is possible to reach by the year 2050
Micheál Martin: "It would be unwise" to give investors reason to doubt Ireland's commitment to EU
Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin last night said that ratifying the Lisbon Treaty would be an "important step towards resolving Ireland's economic difficulties". He emphasised the importance of voting "Yes", saying that it would send a "strong political message" to foreign investors that Ireland was fully committed to the EU. He argued that investors came to Ireland because it is "fully plugged into the European Union. It would be unwise to give them any reason to think otherwise."
People's Movement Chairperson, Patricia McKenna rejected his comments as "scaremongering", arguing that "Britain is recognised as the most Eurosceptic member state [and this] has not stopped investors [from coming] there".
EU rebuffs calls for reform as support for farmers increase
The European Commissioner for Agriculture, Mariann Fischer Boel has unveiled new plans to support dairy farmers. At the same time, she rebuffed calls for a review of the EU agricultural policy, saying that the current problems were due to the economic crisis, not failed EU polices. The new plans will lift restrictions on individual member states giving loans of up to €15,000 to farmers struggling to get credit.
Meanwhile, an editorial in the Helsingborgs Dagblad reports that the current price on milk means that dairy farmers are actually losing money by producing milk. The EU has once again decided to intervene in the market by buying up excess milk. The editorial notes that there is something deeply sinister with a whole economic sector being dependent on subsidies from European taxpayers.
Helsingborgs Dagblad European Voice EurActiv
Intelligent Transport Systems raise concerns about citizens' privacy
A new EU Intelligent Transport System (ITS) aimed at tackling increased road congestion by collecting data for passenger and freight transport has received criticism for being unclear in its scope. European Data Protection Supervisor Peter Hustinx says the Commission should "clarify the specific circumstances in which a vehicle will be tracked" as well as spell out who will control the data, Euractiv reports. The ITS is said to collect potentially sensitive information, such as driving habits or journey patterns of average citizens.
CSU's continued demand for stronger powers for German Parliament could delay law on Lisbon Treaty
Welt online reports that CDU politician, Volker Kauder, has said that the CDU/CSU is making progress on a common position on the future involvement of the German parliament in the European law making process. The Constitutional Court has said that a law is required to clarify the German parliament's role in EU decision making before the Lisbon Treaty can be ratified. However, insiders note that the CSU is standing firm on its demand for stronger powers for the parliament than the Constitutional Court envisioned in its June ruling, which could delay any agreement.
French Foreign Minister "welcomes" Tony Blair's candidacy for EU President
Asked whether France would support Tony Blair's candidacy for EU President during a press conference, French Foreign Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner responded "You know what a friendship France has with Tony Blair, but talking about him is a bit premature".
Swedish Riksbank memo puts responsibility for Icelandic banking collapse on EU and Britain
The Telegraph reports there is domestic resistance to the proposed deal in Iceland to resolve the debts of the IceSave internet bank. Under the deal, Iceland will cover $5.5bn in deposits for some 200,000 British and 120,000 Dutch savers, and Britain and the Netherlands will provide a loan at 5.55pc interest. It must be repaid within 15 years, with seven-year grace period. Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen said this week that a deal is "absolutely necessary" to clear the way for Iceland's EU accession bid, but the paper reports that it is unclear if the deal will pass the Icelandic Parliament, with all opposition parties planning to oppose it.
Those opposing Iceland's EU accession bid are reportedly circulating an internal memo from Sweden's Riksbank that pins much of the responsibility for the IceSave debacle on Britain and the EU. It said "absurd" EU rules - which cover Iceland through the EEA - have created a regulatory mess and adds that, "The conclusion is clear: the EU host countries (UK and Holland) are also to blame for Iceland's disaster. Consequently, it would be reasonable that they carry some of the burden. It takes two to tango".
Asa Westlund, Swedish MEP, argues in Dagbladet that the Swedish government is focusing too much energy on getting developing countries to reduce emissions without suggesting adequate funding. She notes that the question of funds is absolutely central in order to get a new climate agreement in place at the Copenhagen Climate summit in December.
Jacques Barrot announces EU-US SWIFT agreement is temporary
EU Justice, Freedom and Security Commissioner Jacques Barrot has emphasised that the current EU-US agreement on the sharing of SWIFT financial data to counter terrorism is only temporary. He added that the Commission will only ask for a mandate after the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by all Member States, so that the European Parliament will have the power of co-decision.
European Parliament EUobserver
EU proposes simplifying the regulations on regional funding
European Voice reports that the EU Commission yesterday approved a proposal to relax rules on member states' access to regional funds.
Meanwhile, El Mundo reports that the plan has still yet to be approved by the 27 member states but that it could prevent Spain from losing €3.7 billion in EU funds.
El Pais DN European Voice El Mundo
Bulgaria and Romania struggle with corruption
Handelsblatt reports that the EU has criticised Bulgaria and Romania for a lack of political will to make use of existing anti-corruption tools, with the reform and independence of the judicial system seen as lagging behind. Romania and Bulgaria need to make a stronger commitment to curbing corruption and ensuring the rule of law in their countries, the European Commission said on Wednesday. Furthermore, the Commission said it may fully fund rather than co-finance projects in an effort to combat rising unemployment and speed up economic recovery.
Handelsblatt Sueddeutsche Focus El Mundo WSJ FAZ
The FT reports that a study from University College London has found that immigrants from the 2004 EU accession states have more than paid their way, contributing more in taxes than they receive in benefits and services from the UK welfare state.
The European Commission has formulated a restructuring plan to the Polish shipyard Gdansk after a €251 m grant caused a distortion of competition in the shipbuilding market. Under the plan, two of the three slipways will close.
The European Commission is set to extend aspects of EU competition law to the car sector. The Commission has said it wants to see more rivalry for after-sales service and repairs, which accounts for up to 40% of consumer spending on cars.
The French Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has hailed France's presence on European Parliament committees, saying "With 4 committee and sub-committee chairs, France has only one chair less than Italy, is equal to Germany and is ahead of the UK and Spain." He added that France "is one of the leading European countries in terms of the number of vice presidents."
European Voice French Government
On his FT blog, Gideon Rachman writes that Henry Kissinger's famous remark, "Who do I call if I want to speak to Europe?" may actually be a myth.
FT: Rachman blog Guardian: Moisi
Dutch newspaper Volkskrant reports that former Libertas Chairman Declan Ganley might be involved in the second referendum debate in Ireland even though he announced that he would leave politics after the European elections.
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