The agreement signed between Kosovo and Serbia on 19th April was a stunning and major breakthrough; a significant compromise that opens the possibility of a normalization of relations for the two former belligerents and could unlock their accession path to the European Union. It was yet another vindication of the constructive and leading role played by the EU in the Balkans for over a decade, in stark contrast with the traumatic failures of the 1990s. Thus, even during the Eurozone turmoil, the EU can still remain a major diplomatic player. It was also a very sweet moment for the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, who played an instrumental role in mediating the negotiations between Pristina and Belgrade. That accord will not be easy to implement, and will face some resistance. But it could prove a game changer in the Balkans, providing new momentum to the stalling process of reform in the various countries in the region and to their road to EU accession.
With the official nomination of President Obama’s Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics, Michael Froman, as the next U.S. Trade Representative, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)has taken a vital and important step closer to the negotiating starting gate. Froman, a close friend and advisor of the President, has been central to the Obama Administration’s trade agenda since 2009.
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is expected to be “a high-standard agreement that will benefit U.S. workers, manufacturers, service suppliers, farmers, ranchers, innovators, creators, small- and medium- sized businesses and consumers.”
In today’s globalized economy, many smaller states can no longer compete in the world market on their own. The formation of economic-political blocs provides a competitive edge by combining national economies into stronger and deeper regional partnerships. For some states however, the conundrum is figuring out which bloc best serves their long-term national interests.
A new English translation of Jacques Chirac's memoirs, fortunately, at a modest length (half the French version published in 2011), the reflections of the former President of France (1995-2007), offer a reminder and cautionary note that for all the globalization and homogenization taking place around the world, peoples and nations remain very different species.
The Honorable Viviane Reding, Vice President & European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights & Citizenship at The European Institute in Europolitics:
"Reding shares vision for 'United States of Europe'" by Brian Beary
| Why Europe Matters: A Bulgarian Perspective |
On May 1, 2013, The European Institute hosted The Honorable Rosen Plevneliev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria who discussed Bulgaria’s role within the European Union and the transatlantic relationship. President Plevneliev emphasized the importance of the European Union as an historic and global force, highlighting two of its biggest achievements: a common currency and spreading democracy East. The President also outlined the transformation his own country is undertaking to ensure a more transparent government, a stronger economy and the greater well-being and progressive future for its citizens. |
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Can the Serbia-Kosovo Deal Prove a Game-Changer for the Balkans?
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EU-U.S. Free Trade Pact—Now for the Hard Part
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ICT in the TTIP – an Opportunity to Enhance Services Trade and Cybersecurity
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Threading the Needle: Armenia’s Policy towards the EU and the EAU
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“Big Data, A Revolution that Will Transform How We Live, Work and Think,” by Kenneth Cukier and Viktor Mayer-Schonberger
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"My Life" by Jacques Chirac, with Jean-Luc Barre
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OUR MUST READS
European Public Debt Swings Wildly - Anders Aslund provides an interesting analysis of debt in EU countries, which shows in general that debt is high, mostly over the Maastricht Treaty obligation of 60% of GDP. Moreover the debt levels have swung wildly, contrary to conventional wisdom that debt levels are difficult to change. (3/25)
“What Would Happen if the EU Broke Up?”, Essay by John Bruton, former Prime Minister (Taoiseach) of Ireland, EU Ambassador to the U.S. and a member of the European Institute’s Board of Directors. Amb. Bruton thinks EU dissolution as a result of current crises would be a world class disaster and delivers a pungent and hard hitting defense of the EU as “a unique model for democratic rule making”; a crucial model for 21stcentury supra-national governance. The breakup of the euro poses a “serious existential threat” to the entire EU, and must be forestalled by radical steps including the forgiveness of the Greek debt and massive strengthening of the ESM (European Stability Mechanism). Bruton is highly critical of recent UK threats to veto EU budget and to renegotiate terms of EU membership. He notes that 50 percent of UK exports go to EU countries: “The UK wants access to the single market, but is not prepared to pay any entry fee.” Recommended by European Affairs (11/19)
Policy Memo from European Council on Foreign Relations—“Time to Grow up: What Obamas’s Re-Election Means for Europe”. While Europeans by a huge percentage favored Obama in the recent election, this excellent Policy Memo warns that in a second Obama term, Europe should be prepared for an America that seeks a multi-partner world in which the transatlantic relationship will be less special. Accordingly Europe needs to be more self-sufficient and engage the world independently. 11/15
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Dr. Peter Heffernan, CEO of Marine Institute Ireland at The European Institute in Europolitics:
"New focus on science cooperation in Atlantic" by Brian Beary
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The Honorable Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg at The European Institute in Europolitics:
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Robert-Jan Smits on "New Horizons for Transatlantic Research & Innovation Cooperation" at The European Institute in Europolitics:
"'We're rediscovering each other' on research, says Commission" by Brian Beary
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The Honorable Rosen Plevneliev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria at The European Institute in FOCUS:
"Bulgaria should reach economic growth of over 2%: President" by Ekaterina Katracheva
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European Commission Vice President & Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights & Citizenship Viviane Reding on the lack of economic development in certain EU countries at The European Institute in FOCUS:
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Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev's visit to The European Institute in Sofia News Agency:
Our Blog
Pew Survey Confirms Turmoil over Europe (5/14)
By Michael D. Mosettig, former foreign editor of PBS News Hour The numbers are as grim as the title of the latest Pew Research Center survey – “The New Sick Man of Europe: the European Union,” released today in Brussels.Perspective -- No More Visas Required for Poles Soon? But Do They Care? (5/13)
By Inga Czerny, U.S. Correspondent for the Polish News Agency The ongoing reform of the U.S. immigration laws opens the chance to resolve an issue, which for 20 years has divided Poland and the U.S.-- the tourist visa requirement for Poles traveling to U.S. Yes, Poland, once described by French diplomats as the U.S. Trojan horse in the EU, is one of only three EU countries (together with Romania and Bulgaria) that still are not a part of the Visa Waiver Program, which allows foreign tourists to visit the U.S. without a visa in advance. Why is that? Because the percentage of Poles who are denied visas or who remain in the U.S. for longer than their visas allow, exceeds the rigid legal limit of 3 percent.Washington Policy Wonks Wait for Froman as Trade Rep (5/3)
For Washington policy wonks it had become the equivalent of waiting for white smoke to emerge from the Vatican. But the selection of a new Pope came a lot more quickly in March than President Obama's appointment of his top international economic advisor Michael Froman as U.S. Trade Representative.European Parliament Rejects Reduced Emissions Trading Proposal (4/17)
By Dan Mahoney, European Affairs Editorial Assistant In a narrow vote, 334-315, the European Parliament this week rejected a Commission proposal to reduce the amount of carbon permits granted by the EU under its Emissions Trading System (ETS). The Commission’s plan is called “backloading” because the withdrawn carbon allowances would be offered in future years.Asia Now Spends More for Defense than Europe (4/15)
By Michael D. Mosettig, former Foreign Editor of PBS NewsHour Some times great historical transformations come bundled in packages of small statistics.EU and Japan Announce Launch of Free Trade Agreement talks (3/29)
By Dan Mahoney, European Affairs Editorial Assistant The first round of talks on the EU-Japan free trade agreement has been scheduled for 15-19 April in Brussels. The initial framework was agreed last year.Italian Economics Minister “Explains” Italian Elections (3/12)
By Michael D. Mosettig, former Foreign Editor of PBS News Hour It was hardly an enviable assignment, but Italian Economic Development Minister Corrado Passera has been making the rounds in Washington trying to persuade U.S. officials and think tank audiences that the recent national elections were not a disaster for his country and the European Union.U.S. Tech Giants Duke it Out in Europe (3/11)
By Caitlin Del Sole, European Affairs Editorial Assistant The European Union is becoming a prime arena for the latest tussles between two U.S. technology giants Microsoft and Google. With Google and another internet browser competitor Opera as whistle blowers, the EU competition authority has issued Microsoft a €561 million fine for failing to adhere to its 2009 settlement with Brussels.Kerry "Pivots" to Europe (3/5)
By Dan Mahoney, European Affairs Editorial Assistant Less than a month after becoming of Secretary of State, John Kerry embarked on his first international trip with an eleven day “listening tour” of Europe and the Middle East. In Europe, Kerry visited London, Berlin, Paris, Rome, and Ankara before moving on to Cairo. The State Department called Kerry’s choice to make Europe the first stop on his trip is “a real reflection of the degree to which we coordinate our global cooperation with these partners.”Serbia and Kosovo—Top Leaders in Talks, But Major Issues Remain (2/20)
By Dan Mahoney, European Affairs Editorial Assistant Top leaders from Serbia and Kosovo have had significant bilateral meetings in Brussels recently, raising some faint glimmers of hope for progress toward a more constructive relationship between the two former combatants.The Arctic – It’s Getting Warmer, But Probably Won’t Boil (2/8)
By Caitlin Del Sole, Editorial Assistant at European Affairs It’s cold now, but the north will warm as summer approaches, and so will interest and tension in the Arctic region. Again, large areas of the polar ice will melt making the Arctic Ocean much more navigable and exploitable. The expanding waterways provide an opportunity for new, more direct and less dangerous shipping routes to be developed during the summer months. As roughly 30% of the world’s undiscovered gas and 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil is located in the Arctic, it is an increasingly attractive target of investment and energy. With this new opportunity, however, comes new challenges of safety, environmental protection and conflicting interests. For example, the Financial Times reports recently that companies, like ConocoPhillips, have been pressuring Norway to open up more Arctic water for exploration.The Nagorno Karabakh Conflict: Hotspot in the Caucasus (2/6)
By Armen Sahakyan, European Affairs Editorial Assistant This year marks the 25th anniversary of the commencement of Nagorno Karabakh uprising, which continues as an unresolved major conflict in the Caucasus.Cameron’s “Big” Speech on Britain and the EU Calls for Renegotiation and Referendum (1/23)
By European Affairs In the highly anticipated speech on the EU today, British PM David Cameron laid out a plan to renegotiate Britain’s role in the EU after British general elections in 2015, to be followed by an “in-out” referendum on continued EU membership by the UK. For initial reaction to the speech across Europe see the attached compendium from the BBC. Full text of the January 23 speech can be found here. See also last week’s Michael White’s piece in ”European Affairs” on Britain’s eternally ambiguous relationship with the European Union.Europeans Celebrate Fiftieth Anniversary of Historic French-German Elyseè Treaty (1/22)
By Michael D. Mosettig, former Foreign Editor of PBS News Hour Twice in the past 100 years, leaders and representatives of France and Germany have gathered in glittering salons, amid gold trimming and mirrors, in Paris and its environs to sign historic treaties. The first, at Versailles in 1919, was an act of vengeance against a defeated Germany and helped pave the way for another war twenty years later.EU-U.S. Relations as Obama Starts Second Term (1/18)
By Brian Beary, Washington Correspondent for Europolitics As President Barack Obama begins his second term, a special report from Europolitics, the Brussels-based EU affairs daily newspaper, outlines the current state of transatlantic relations in 15 separate articles. Agreement and disagreements are covered, although the general tone is positive and upbeat. Included are articles on: the discussions to upgrade trade relations, moderated, however, by potential squabbles over agricultural subsidies; the dispute between the EU and U.S. on tax on airline emissions; global security issues including the fight against terror and U.S. policies that draw fire in some European circles; data protection issues, and the impact of shale gas in the U.S. on Europe. Key transatlantic relationship scholars are interviewed, and a useful compendium of key EU-U.S. events during Obama’s first term is presented. The full Europolitics report - “EU-US relations: Time for closer links” – is available at: www.europolitics.info Click on “Obama”The Uncertain Path Forward in Post-Election Catalonia (12/10)
By Ryan Barnes, Senior Trade Specialist at U.S. Dept. of Commerce The world was watching as voters hit the polls on November 25th in the most important regional elections in Catalonia since the return of democracy in Spain. Seen by many as a referendum on Catalan independence, the election created more questions than answers.Obama Signs "EU Emissions Trading Prohibition" Measure (11/29)
By Brian Beary, U.S. correspondent for “Europolitics” The transatlantic row over EU moves to force airlines to curb their emissions to tackle climate change has been directly confronted by the U.S. government. On November 27, U.S. President Barack Obama signed into law the ‘European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act,’ which Congress had sent to his desk earlier this month. The new law empowers the U.S. Transportation Secretary to forbid U.S. airlines from participating or paying penalties in the EU Emission Trading System (ETS). The ETS works by giving out emissions allowances to participating companies who, if they emit more than their quota must buy extra permits on the ETS market.President of European Parliament Supports EU-U.S. Trade Pact (11/28)
By Michael D. Mosettig, former foreign editor of PBS News Hour In the weeks since the U.S. presidential election, there has been growing talk in Washington policy circles and think tanks that it is time for a new push for a trans-Atlantic trade pact. But the idea runs into the practical question of whether the Washington political and policy machinery can handle two big trade deals at the same time, especially amid a still-faltering economic recovery. "A good idea whose time has not come," said one wag, recently, of a EU-U.S. trade agreement. Currently, the international trade community in the American capital is consumed with negotiations already well advanced on a Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) that would stretch from Canada to Chile and across to Southeast Asia and possibly Japan.Palestine, Europe and the UN (11/26)
By Geoffrey Paul, Middle East Specialist Based in London Coincidence or historical irony? Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas goes to the UN General Assembly on Thursday to seek an upgrade in the international status of Palestine from “permanent observer” at the UN to “non-member observer state,” the same status as enjoyed by the Vatican. His bid comes 65 years to the day since, on November 29, 1947, the UN passed a resolution calling for the establishment of separate Arab and Jewish states in the British mandated territory of Palestine.Remembering Europe’s “Remembrance Day”—94th World War l Armistice Day
By Michael D. Mosettig, former Foreign Editor of PBS News Hour For most Americans, it is the war that barely exists in historical memory, lost somewhere between the Civil War and World War II (and for the baby boom generation, Vietnam). For Europeans, as well as the British dominions, nearly a century later, World War I is the war that will not and cannot go away. Quite simply, the First World War changed almost nothing for most Americans. For all Europeans, nothing again would ever be the same.OUR SUPPORTERS
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