Revived Roman Empire News - the E.U.

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EU ministers call for more defence research and technology
20 November 2007, 18:53 CET

European defence ministers have called for more joint spending on weapons research so as to boost the EU's military coherence.

'Investing in the right technology is critical for the future of European defence, and the strategy is exactly in line with the absolute requirement for us to spend more, spend better and spend more together,' said Javier Solana, the Head of the European Defence Agency (EDA).

The ministers agreed that they should boost their spending on equipment procurement by half a percentage point to 20% of total defence outlay, and make at least 35% of all procurement expenditure in collaboration with other members.

'Today's decisions have put in place building blocks for our common work of making Europe's armed forces and military budgets fit for the challenges of the 21st century,' said Alexander Weis, Chief Executive of the EDA.

The ministers agreed to raise their spending on weapons research and technology (R&T) from 1.2% to 2% of their total defence budgets, with a fifth of that amount being spent on collaborative European projects - double the current rate.

Although these collective benchmarks are voluntary, they will be monitored annually by the EDA, Mr Solana said.

Member States should also work more closely together to identify the most important weapons technologies that should be developed at EU level, ministers agreed.

The call could prove controversial, as some Member States are fiercely protective of their national arms-development programmes - an issue they see as a matter of national security.

The ministers agreed to increase the annual budget of the EU's armaments agency by almost one third, from EUR 22 million in 2007 to EUR 32 million in 2008.

The EDA is controlled by the defence ministers of all EU Member States except Denmark. It was founded in 2004 to promote weapons research, production and cooperation in Europe.

In 2006, EDA members spent a total of EUR 200 billion on defence, with EUR 38.7 billion spent on equipment development and procurement, according to official figures.

By comparison, the US spent just under USD 500 billion (EUR 338 billion) on defence in 2006, with USD 86 (EUR 58) billion spent on equipment.

EU ministers call for more defence research and technology

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EU-Turkey membership talks to move a step further in December
20.11.2007 - 17:26 CET | By Elitsa Vucheva

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – The EU is planning to open two new chapters of its accession negotiations package with Turkey in December, it was announced on Tuesday (20 November).

The two chapters – consumer and health protection, and trans-European networks – would "probably" be opened on 18 December, said Portuguese foreign minister Luis Almado, whose country currently holds the six-month EU presidency.

The EU is hoping that the opening of the new chapters will give Ankara the political motivation to heed European calls to pick up the pace on reform.

"The European perspective of Turkey has proven to be a key incentive for the reforms in the country," EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn told MEPs last month.

An EU progress report on Turkey released on 6 November cited persisting shortcomings in the country in the area of freedom of expression, the civilian control of the military, and the rights of non-Muslim communities.

It also criticised the lack of progress concerning the "normalisation" of bilateral relations with Cyprus.

In 2006, the EU suspended eight chapters of Turkey's 35-chapter EU negotiations package, in order to sanction Ankara's continuing blockade on traffic from EU member Cyprus - which is illegal under an EU-Turkey customs agreement.

On Tuesday, Mr Rehn "reiterated the importance" of Turkey meeting its obligations on this point and expressed the commission's "support for beginning serious negotiations on a comprehensive settlement on the Cyprus problem under the auspices of the United Nations".

The decision to press ahead wih opening the two new chapters also comes despite France's insistence that such a move should not be taken before a 'wise committee' has been set up to discuss the future of the European Union.

Asked to comment on the French position and on how it could impede the process, Mr Almado remained optimistic saying that "the EU is a very dynamic entity (...) The European Union is adapting and is moving and has a very peculiar dynamic".

In addition, the opening of the chapters would take place only a few days after a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels, which will be an opportunity for the French stance to be discussed, the Portuguese minister said.

For his part, Turkish foreign minister Ali Babacan underlined that "political issues should not put an obstacle before our accession process and our EU friends should do their best in order to prevent this".

The chapters, which are technically ready, should be opened without delay and "not be subject to any discrimination", he added.

"Those discussions are much more important than the political choices of certain countries and we believe that the political agenda globally is much more important than short-term political interests."

EU-Turkey membership talks to move a step further in December

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Interview with Javier Solana, Common Foreign and Security Policy, ahead of Annapolis conference
22/Nov/2007

The 65-year-old Javier Solana is EU’s High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy since October 1999.

In July 2004 he was appointed for a second 5-year mandate.

Born in Madrid, the Professor of solid-sate physics entered politics in the Sixties when he joined the Spanish Socialist party.

After being elected at the Parliament, he held various posts in the Spanish government, notably as Minister for Culture, Minister for Education and Science and in 1992 Minister for Foreign Affairs. In 1995 he was named secretary general of NATO.

EJP: Are you more optimistic about the Annapolis meeting than before your Middle East trip?

Javier Solana: During my recent trip to the Middle East, I met Egyptian, Palestinian and Israeli leaders and in my discussions with them I gained the clear impression that although it will be very difficult, it is possible for the international meeting in Annapolis to launch a bilateral negotiation process that will lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. It is "doable". All leaders are fully aware that a failure at Annapolis will have dramatic consequences. There is a momentum towards re-launching the peace process; the international community is behind it, with the active involvement of the international Quartet and the support of the Arab League. All parties must do their utmost to ensure that the meeting has a successful outcome because failure is not an option. The period after Annapolis will be more important than the meeting itself and it will be crucial to have a political follow-up, in which the international community will play an important role.

EJP: What was your report to the European Parliament this week?

Javier Solana: In my discussion with European Parliament Group leaders at a special conference they convened on the European contribution to the Middle East peace process, I briefed them on my recent trip, my impressions in the run-up to Annapolis and the role of the European Union in accompanying and supporting the Peace Process.

EJP: What do you expect from the Israeli and Palestinian parties ?

Javier Solana: We expect the parties to begin negotiating final status issues and to implement their obligations under Phase 1 of the Road Map in parallel. The Israelis and the Palestinians have to demonstrate their commitment to the two-state solution by taking without delay the measures needed to prepare the ground for the end-game. Israel has to freeze and then reverse its settlement policy in the Occupied Territories. The Palestinians have to demonstrate their will and their ability to assume the responsibilities that come with statehood, including the responsibility for security.

EJP: Which role should the EU play at the Annapolis meeting ?

Javier Solana: The EU will be present at the Annapolis meeting as a member of the Quartet. A number of Member States will also be present. In the run-up to Annapolis the EU has focused on creating the conditions that would allow for a successful meeting. At the meeting the EU will join the international community in supporting the bilateral talks between the parties and the final status negotiations. The EU is also ready to adapt its policies and activities in the light of progress in the peace process.

EJP: Do you think additional sanctions against Iran are still avoidable?

Javier Solana: In June 2006 the EU put forward to Iran a generous and comprehensive offer. Iran still has the option to re-enter negotiations on that basis. The international community and the European Union will continue to pursue its dual-track policy of working at UN level on measures to apply if Iran does not suspend its uranium enrichment activities and of holding out at the same time the June 2006 offer of negotiations on a broad relationship if Iran does suspend those activities. On 28 September 2007 I received a clear mandate from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, with the full backing of the 27 EU member States, to encourage Iran to return to talks on a long-term agreement. I have, as you know, been in regular contact with the Iranians in order to see whether we can create the conditions for starting these negotiations. After the 23 October meeting in Rome I hope to be able to meet the Iranian negotiators again very soon, preferably before I brief, at the end of this month, the permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany on the outcome of my contacts with the Iranians.

EJP: What is your view on ElBaradei’s report?

Javier Solana: The international community has asked the Iranians to do three things to restore confidence: deal with outstanding issues relating to the past; implement the Additional Protocol, relating to the present; suspend their uranium enrichment activities in order to enter into negotiations for an overall agreement, relating to the future. The report by Dr ElBaradei, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, deals mainly with the first issues, relating to the past. This represents a modest step forward but leaves many issues unresolved. There was some progress in dealing with the past but I would like to see more clarity about the present and the future situation.

Interview with Javier Solana, Common Foreign and Security Policy, ahead of Annapolis conference

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EU 'super-president' idea

By Bruno Waterfield in Brussels and James Kirkup
Last Updated: 1:44am GMT 26/11/2007

Gordon Brown has broken his promise to prevent the creation of a European Union "super-president", the Conservatives have claimed, as the new treaty comes under fresh scrutiny this week.

A Government White Paper on the European Treaty, published in July with a foreword by the Prime Minister, pledged that any future EU president would be ruled out of simultaneously holding the powerful job of European Commission president. But the final treaty text, agreed by Mr Brown in Lisbon last month, allows one person to hold both posts, creating the risk that power will be further centralised in Brussels.

The prospect of a new "super-president" is already being enthusiastically discussed by many Brussels officials. Tony Blair is among the contenders for the post, to be elected by Europe's leaders in late 2008 for a two-and-a-half-year term.

William Hague, the Tory spokesman on foreign affairs, has written to David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, asking why "the Government has reneged on its promise". "It is clear that there could be a new EU super-president, something Brown and Miliband promised would never happen," he said.

"Did they forget about their promise? Brown and his ministers have proved as poor at negotiating as they are at running anything. Labour is now running very short of public trust. While they continue to break their promise of a referendum on this treaty that trust will not be rebuilt."

Mr Hague is concerned at the power one person would wield if the jobs were combined. "The consequence of one person holding both posts would be an effective president of Europe, determining the EU's agenda, able to propose as well as being in charge of guiding through EU laws with real clout on the world stage," he said.

The pressure on Mr Brown comes as Parliament's European scrutiny committee makes the unusual decision to publish a second report on the treaty, The Daily Telegraph has learned.

The committee's first report last month embarrassed the Government by concluding that the new treaty was "substantially equivalent" to the EU constitution rejected by the French and Dutch in 2005. Tomorrow, the Labour-led committee will publish a second report, casting a critical eye over the treaty negotiating tactics.

EU 'super-president' idea

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European security treaty raises worry
Might affect US interests, analysts say

By Charlie Savage, Globe Staff  |  November 26, 2007

WASHINGTON - European nations are poised to ratify a treaty that would give the European Union sweeping power over the continent's security policies, raising concerns among homeland security specialists here that keeping track of suspected terrorists across the Atlantic may become more difficult for the United States.

Although the EU Reform Treaty has received scant attention in the United States, analysts say it could profoundly affect American interests. Until now, the US government has worked nation-to-nation with Europeans on homeland security matters from issuing visas to sharing intelligence.

But the treaty, which will be signed next month and subject to ratification by member countries next year, would increasingly centralize authority over security in the EU, which has been less willing to cooperate with the United States than the governments of some European countries.

"The treaty will be a big deal for law enforcement and antiterrorism agencies in Europe and the US," said Stewart Baker, the assistant secretary for policy at the US Department of Homeland Security. "Europeans will be transferring responsibility for some of their law enforcement to Brussels. That's bound to change the way American agencies work with their counterparts in Europe."

The Bush administration has been largely satisfied with the level of cooperation it has received from European countries on counterterrorism. But some US security analysts worry that if the Reform Treaty is ratified, the larger EU government would be more likely to cite privacy concerns to shield data or to allow political differences with the United States to interfere with cooperation.

Earlier this year, several said, the EU Parliament condemned European nations that had quietly cooperated with the CIA on its "extraordinary rendition" program to seize, transfer, and interrogate terrorism suspects without legal rights. The Parliament also has been reluctant to share data about European airline passengers flying into the United States, citing EU privacy laws.

"There is a concern that if and when the European Parliament is engaged, it is not going to be helpful to law enforcement," said Stewart Verdery, who was the Bush administration's top homeland security policy official from 2003 to 2005. He added, "Clearly the Parliament has been to the left of the European governments' structures as a whole."

Sally McNamara, a European specialist at the conservative Heritage Foundation, said the EU has often been "anti-American" in recent years, more quick than many of its members to take exception to US government policies on a range of matters. She warned that a stronger EU might punish the United States in future disputes by restricting cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.

The reform treaty would give the EU greater authority over a range of security issues including immigration, asylum, freezing the assets of suspected terrorists, criminal defendant rights, defining terrorism-related offenses, and making rules for the "collection, storage, processing, analysis, and exchange of relevant information" for law-enforcement purposes.

The accord would not give the EU exclusive control over security matters; instead the EU and member-nations would largely share authority, with an extensive process for resolving disputes. But most analysts believe the EU position would prevail on broad matters involving cooperation with the United States. In addition, they say, the EU's new authority over security matters would affect the United States both in the negotiation of any new policy agreements and with cooperation on individual counterterrorism cases.

Upcoming policy issues to be negotiated include an effort by the United States to require European travelers to register their fingerprints before visiting America, and the future of US rules that allow citizens of some European countries, but not others, to travel to the United States without first obtaining a visa - rules the EU has already denounced as discriminatory.

As an example of how involvement by the EU can complicate negotiations over security policies, analysts point to a dispute over data about airline passenger name records. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the United States wanted to set up a system to check names and addresses of people flying in from Europe against watch lists of suspected terrorists.

Under existing law, the EU controlled air travel regulations. The Bush administration struck a deal with the European Commission - the EU's executive branch - to get the records in 2004. But the European Parliament voted against the deal, and an EU court struck it down, saying the deal violated EU privacy laws. The EU and United States finally struck a replacement deal in July.

"The European Parliament is out, basically, to frustrate the American-led war on terrorism," said McNamara. "They are the bastion of human rights and think that the war on terrorism is an evil thing. That's why we [at the think-tank] believe that further European integration in these areas is a bad idea."

The Reform Treaty might also affect US homeland security by complicating the sharing of sensitive classified intelligence.

For now, even if the Reform Treaty is ratified, the United States and individual European nations would still be able to share high-level intelligence - without including the EU - when investigating specific terrorists plots. But if the treaty is ratified, the EU could play a larger role in sharing watch lists of suspected terrorists across the Atlantic Ocean, analysts said.

Paul Pillar, a former senior CIA counterterrorism official who left government in 2005 and now teaches at Georgetown University, said US officials have long preferred to share intelligence with individual nations that they trust not to leak the information. Pillar said his former colleagues would be leery about handing sensitive classified information to the 27-member EU.

"The more countries you get involved and the more it becomes multilateral, the harder it is to deal effectively with matters of counterterrorism because of problems of sharing information more broadly," Pillar said.

"This would come into play when dealing with a huge bureaucracy of multiple nationalities, as opposed to just the British or just the French or just the Germans," he said. "It's not that the US doesn't want to deal with the EU as a policy preference - it's just the practical matter of dealing with classified information."

European security treaty raises worry

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"State building for peace in the Middle East: an EU Action Strategy."
25/Nov/2007 16:38

BRUSSELS (EJP)--- Here is the full text of the document "State building for Peace in the Middle East: an EU Action Strategy" endorsed by the EU Council of Foreign Ministers ahead of the Annapolis Mideast Summit November 27.

 

NEW MOMENTUM IN THE PEACE PROCESS

"Recent developments have created a sense of cautious optimism for progress towards resolution of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert are engaged in a substantive and wide-ranging bilateral dialogue. The United States Government is actively supporting their efforts, including by calling for an international meeting before the end of the year, in order to launch a bilateral negotiation process that would lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. The new momentum in the peace process benefits from the full backing and active involvement of the Quartet. Arab support has been expressed through the voice of the Arab League follow-up Committee.

Comprehensive peace in the Middle East is a strategic objective for the European Union. Any lasting and just settlement to the conflict should be based on the principle of land for peace, relevant UNSC resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, the Roadmap and previous agreements reached between the parties.

The EU considers that the present opportunity should not be missed and is ready to take its responsibilities, in accordance with the vital European interests involved. The EU is therefore committed to supporting current efforts in a serious and substantive way, offering a comprehensive and coherent contribution to the process, including during the crucial implementation period.

The European Union calls on all other interested parties to support the current process, bearing in mind the high cost of failure for everyone involved.

The forthcoming international meeting in Annapolis should launch a bilateral negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians on final status issues, as a first step towards a comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict. It should establish a robust follow-up process under the auspices of the Quartet and with the involvement of the international community.

The EU calls on its Quartet, Arab League and other international partners to contribute to the success of the upcoming donors conference in Paris, which will constitute an indispensable complement to the political process launched at Annapolis.

To accompany a credible political process the European Union commits to:

• Support the Parties in their bilateral efforts;
• Support the US Government in its current facilitation efforts;
• Ensure the active involvement of the Quartet in the run-up to the international meeting and in its follow-up;
• Continue cooperation with Arab partners in advancing the Arab Peace Initiative.
• Sustain its high levels of support to the region and accompany the political process with a shift to post-conflict support in due time.

SUBSTANTIVE SUPPORT TO A SUBSTANTIVE PROCESS

Only an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state can be a reliable neighbour for Israel. The EU’s commitment will therefore focus on assisting Palestinian state building efforts as well as providing support for the transition period. We will strengthen ongoing activities and adjust our priorities in light of developments in the political process, working in partnership with the Palestinian Authority government. The results of the Annapolis meeting and the kind of process it will set in motion will determine the pace and the extent of these adjustments.

Developments on the ground will also play an important part in creating the conditions for success at Annapolis and beyond. Israelis and Palestinians will have to fulfil their responsibilities in that respect, by refraining from measures and decisions which undermine the bilateral process, and by pursuing efforts to improve security and lift obstacles to access and movement. International monitoring and assistance will be crucial for progress in this area.

Palestinian State building

• Supporting the establishment of modern and democratic police forces, in full cooperation with the US Security Coordinator. The EU will expand the work of its existing police mission to cover training, equipment and reconstruction of police, prison and training facilities. Our assistance to the civil police will be complemented by wider support to the rule of law, including helping to establish an efficient penal and judiciary system.

• Comprehensive institution building and good governance. For over a decade the EU has been at the forefront of efforts to empower the PA via institution building and its work in the Jerusalem based "Governance Strategy Group". The EU foresees intensifying these activities, in areas which complement PA plans, for example health, education and the judiciary.

• Support for sustained growth of the Palestinian economy. We will build on existing support to the Palestinian private sector including credit guarantees, vocational training and trade facilitation. These efforts will have a positive effect on the PA’ s revenues.

• Customs and trade: the EU will build on its activities in this area, inter alia by providing technological solutions for the swift control of goods passing through the borders of the future Palestinian state, and supporting the PA’ s efforts to develop its trade policy and institutions (such as an agency dealing with customs and border issues). The EU is ready to resume the work of its trilateral trade policy group.

Support for the transition period

• Support to sustainable PA finances. Achieving a sustainable financial situation will require support to public recurrent and development expenditure, but also the generation of adequate revenues. The EU will continue to encourage private sector activity as well as its institution building work in the area of customs/ tax revenues and accountability of public finances.


• Planning modalities for institution building and economic revival, as well as the implementation of projects with quick impact on the ground, will be closely coordinated with Quartet Representative Tony Blair. Active involvement of the Palestinian Authority is necessary for these efforts to have their full effect, in line with the priorities set out in its Reform and Development Plan. In parallel, Israeli cooperation is needed for their implementation, in particular with respect to access and movement as a pre-requisite for Palestinian economic revival.

• Emergency and humanitarian support: the EU will continue to deliver various forms of aid in the West Bank and Gaza. It will sustain its provision of fuel, which is vital for the continued provision of electricity and clean water; its allowances to low income families; and its support to Palestinian refugees. ln Gaza, the EU will design its programmes and activities so as to contribute to the unity and contiguity of the future Palestinian state.


Support for Conflict Resolution

• East Jerusalem: part of building a Palestinian state involves resolving the status of Jerusalem. For many years the EU has supported hospitals, schools and community centres for the people of East Jerusalem. In the context of a political process, these activities could be stepped up.

• Refugees: Since 1971 the EU has been providing significant support to the work of agencies providing vital services to the Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). It is committed to adapting this support as appropriate, in pursuit of a just and equitable solution to the refugee issue.

• Security arrangements: if requested, the EU will be ready in due course to contribute to a system of security arrangements that would be agreed between the parties in the framework of a permanent settlement.

It is our view that the range of support offered by the EU will assist the parties in taking the steps necessary to achieve conflict resolution and the two-state solution. As the process develops, the European Union is ready to help meet the expectations of all regional parties and realise the dividends of peace. In that context, it will continue to work with Israel to upgrade bilateral relations. The EU will also make full use of existing instruments and frameworks to leverage the benefits of regional cooperation for post-conflict rehabilitation, sustained economic and social development and regional security."

"State building for peace in the Middle East: an EU Action Strategy."

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There is so much happening lately that it is hard to keep up with. If we are still here, 2008 is gonna be a blast to watch unfold.......

I don't think the EU or the UN care a whip about peace. They only care about destroying Israel. Everything they do is to that end. If they had let the Arabs fend for themselves after they attacked Israel each time, they would have long ago moved into Muslim countries instead of being a thorn in Israel's side for all these years. But, Europe tends to support anyone that is against Israel.

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African nations in EU trade deal
27 November 2007

The five countries that make up the East African Community have agreed a plan that will gradually open their markets to the European Union (EU).

Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda are covered by the EU deal.

The new agreement will replace preferential trade obligations, which are due to expire in December and have proved controversial in recent years.

A number of other nations in Western Africa, and some Pacific nations, have yet to accept the new arrangements.

Steady move

The East African Community (EAC) trading bloc has agreed to "gradually open their markets to goods from the EU over a period of 25 years", an EU official said.

Despite giving European firms more access to their markets, some industries will still be protected from competition to prevent local businesses from going bankrupt.

Under the terms of the new deal, about a fifth of EAC trade would still be exempt from the requirement to lower customs duties.

Industrial products and agriculture are among the sectors that are to be given extra protection.

The EU said that negotiations would continue next year in an effort to have a more comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in place by 2009.

Tough choices

The new deals will replace earlier preferential trade obligations that linked the EU and many of its trading partners but which have been heavily criticised by other nations, particularly those in Latin America.

The deals have been ruled illegal by the World Trade Organization and the 27 members of the trade bloc have until the end of the year to establish new arrangements with partners.

But it is not thought that all 80 nations in Europe's former African, Caribbean and Pacific colonies will have signed up to the EPAs by 1 January because there is still a lot of opposition to the deals.

Critics argue that the EPAs could damage developing economies by cutting their customs revenue and making it harder for local businesses to compete with larger foreign rivals.

African nations in EU trade deal

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EU-India talks follow China visit
29 November 2007

Asia is expected to become the new driver of global growth
The European Union (EU) is expected to hammer out details of a proposed free trade deal with India at bilateral summit this week in New Delhi.

Such an agreement, which both sides want in place by 2008, would help support the global economy, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said.

The talks come in the same week that EU officials met Chinese leaders to push for fairer access to China's markets.

The booming Asian economies are key to future EU growth, analysts have said.

On Friday the president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barrsoso, will meet with Indian Prime Minsiter Manmohan Singh.

It is thought they will put in place a timetable for future negotiations to thrash out an agreement that the EU hopes will reduce barriers to trades in goods and services.

Increasing intellectual property protection and boosting investment flows between the countries are also on the agenda.

Both countries have a lot to gain from an "ambitious" free trade pact, Mr Mandelson observed.

'More encouraged'

While India's economy has been expanding at a break-neck pace in recent years - second only to China - it is in need of hundreds of billions of dollars of foreign investment to sustain this growth.

"Spurring Indian economic growth (and) poverty reduction, is of course very good for India, but it would also take up the slack if, as is widely expected, other parts of the global economy begin to slow," said Mr Mandelson.

Separately, EU officials have been ratcheting up the pressure on China to reform its currency policy that they say is causing dangerous trade imbalances.

They also want Beijing to tighten its intellectual property protection laws to create a more level playing field.

Mr Mandelson has been deeply frustrated by what he has seen as China's intransigence over investment barriers and counterfeiting.

But after the summit, he said: "I arrived unhappy and leave more encouraged.

"There is a clearly stated political commitment by the Chinese leadership at the highest level to address the deficit including market access and intellectual property issues."

EU-India talks follow China visit

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EU-Iranian Talks Break Up; No Compromise
By George Jahn
Associated Press Writer
November 30, 2007

CBNNews.com - LONDON -- Talks between Iran and the European Union broke up Friday without compromise on Tehran's refusal to freeze uranium enrichment, and the top EU foreign policy envoy said he was disappointed at Tehran's refusal to budge.

"I expected more and therefore I am disappointed," EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said after a five-hour session with the Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili. The failure of the meeting was likely to increase pressure for new U.N. Security Council sanctions, with the five permanent council members set to discuss such actions Saturday.

Just minutes before Solana spoke, Jalili had sent a different message, describing his meeting as "good" and saying the two men had arranged to meet again next month.

But Solana's words - and his tense body language - made clear they had failed to reach common ground. The fact that the two men spoke to reporters separately also appeared to reflect the divisions between them.

Before the talks between Solana and Jalili, senior European officials said that nothing short of an Iranian pledge to seriously consider freezing its enrichment program would defuse a push by the U.S. and its allies for new sanctions. While not going into specifics, Solana's statement made clear the Iranians had not budged on their refusal to do so.

Throughout the 18 months of EU-Iran talks, Tehran has publicly insisted it will never suspend enrichment. Although Tehran says it wants the technology to create fuel for nuclear reactors, concerns that it might use it to produce the fissile core of nuclear weapons have led to two sets of sanctions since December.

The London talks will be followed by a strategy session Saturday in Paris by top representatives of the Security Council nations plus Germany - the six countries at the forefront of efforts to dissuade Iran from developing its enrichment program.

While the Paris meeting will formally wait for a report from Solana on the outcome of his talks with Jalili, European officials told The Associated Press that there were few illusions that Tehran would change its mind on enrichment.

Comments Thursday by British Foreign Secretary David Miliband indicated the low expectations the Western powers - the United States, Britain, France and Germany - had for the London talks. He told reporters that "work is already under way and will continue" on the language of a Security Council resolution that would impose a third set of sanctions on Tehran.

"There's a lot of discussion going on about the content of a resolution," he said - an allusion to differences among the Western council members and Russia and China, who have watered down the two previous sanctions resolutions and appear skeptical about a third. Still, he said, "the marching orders. are set out."

The council first imposed sanctions on Dec. 23, 2006, ordering all countries to stop supplying Iran with materials and technology that could contribute to its nuclear and missile programs, and freeze assets of 10 key Iranian companies and 12 individuals related to the programs.

In March, the council imposed moderately tougher sanctions, including banning Iranian arms exports and freezing the assets of 28 people and groups involved in Iran's nuclear and missile programs.

Both times, Iran responded by expanding enrichment. Tehran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and designed to generate electricity for civilian use. Many fear it masks a plan to develop weapons.

Iranian officials have repeatedly insisted that enrichment is not up for debate. During the EU-Iran discussions, which began in June 2006, the six nations have offered technological and political incentive if Iran mothballed the program.

Tehran was at pains to reinforce its message as late as Tuesday, when Iranian government spokesman Gholam-Hossein Elham told reporters that suspension of enrichment is "not on the agenda" of the London talks.

A switch of Iranian negotiators complicates the chances of success. Ali Larijani, who resigned last month, was a relative moderate. But Jalili is loyal to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who has shown no sign of compromise in the nuclear dispute. One of the officials said that the rapport established at the talks had disappeared with the replacement of Larijani.

EU-Iranian Talks Break Up; No Compromise

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Germany Not Keen On Intrusive EU-Wide Census Proposals
Senior citizens protesting pension reform
How many intrusive questions will a population tolerate?
 
The first hurdle on the road to a major national census in 2011 has been crossed, but Berlin is resistant to Brussels's plans for a unified EU census.

The census will be the first in Germany since reunification. Expense and sensitive data protection issues mean that it will less comprehensive than those carried out in West Germany in 1987 and in East Germany in 1981. But it will nonetheless comprise data gathered from up to 8 million citizens and 17.5 million property-owners.

The project has been mired in controversy over a range of issues. Most problematically, the various states objected to the financial contribution they were expected to make. The preparations alone are set to cost 176 million euros ($261.4 million), in addition to the 137 million-euro expense of the actual census.

Harmonizing data

But there are even more ambitious plans afoot.

Keen to end the practice of 27 states asking different questions at different times, Brussels this month discussed the possibility of a unified EU census, which would need approval from EU governments.

Last week, plans to harmonize census data across the EU were approved by members of the committee on civil liberties, justice and home affairs at the European Parliament.

They include a list of questions the EU would like all member states to ask on how people live -- including education, occupation, hours worked, and marital status -- which would result in better quality data on areas such as housing and population. The European Commission says it needs this information to formulate policies.

While this form of information is usually gathered nationally, the Commission is arguing that it needs more central control to help its work.

"The data has to be fully comparable at the European level, and is often requested at a level of regional detail and in a quality that can only be guaranteed by European legislation on population and housing censuses," its said in a statement.

Prurient questions

The data requested would include ethnicity, literacy, size and type of family, religion, while the survey also wants to find out about issues such as computer literacy, number of cars owned, cooking facilities and "durable consumer goods possessed by the household."

Other questions were considered too prurient and have since been dropped. Supposedly, one would have asked the "date(s) of the beginning of consensual union(s) of women having ever been in a consensual union: (ii) first consensual union and (ii) current consensual union."

Many felt these questions were too intrusive, while others feared that confidentiality could not be guaranteed.

Doubtful that privacy could be ensured on a European level, Thomas Mann, a Christian Democrat and Member of the European Parliament, believed that it was inadvisable to pass national data on to the EU's Eurostat office in Luxembourg.

"Does anyone seriously think that data protection is as thorough everywhere as it is in Germany?" he asked.

Germany Not Keen On Intrusive EU-Wide Census Proposals

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oint Parliamentary Meeting on "the Lisbon Treaty: new foundation for the EU's future"
Institutions - 29-11-2007 - 13:56
Members of the 27 EU national parliaments and of the European Parliament will be at the EP in Brussels on 3 and 4 December 2007 for a fourth joint meeting on the future of Europe. This conference will give citizens' national and European representatives an opportunity to discuss key issues of concern to them as the ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty gets underway.

The first three meetings, held on 8 and 9 May 2006, on 4 and 5 December 2006 and on 11 and 12 June 2007, helped to the re-launch the debate on the future of Europe.
 
The issues to be addressed during this meeting, in working parties and in plenary, will include: "enhancing the role of Parliaments in the EU, wider responsibility for national Parliaments", "ratification and implementation of the Lisbon Treaty" and "the new institutional set-up: more efficiency and coherence".
 
This event, jointly organised by the European Parliament and the Portuguese Assembleia da Republica, will also contribute to the ratification process of the new Treaty.

oint Parliamentary Meeting on "the Lisbon Treaty: new foundation for the EU's future"

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Mediterranean Union no alternative to EU membership

The New Anatolian / Ankara
28 November 2007

President Abdullah Gul said the Mediterranean Union project could not be an alternative for Turkey's full membership to the European Union.

In an interview with the French daily Le Figaro, President Gul said Turkey's relations with the EU had legal foundations and stated that the negotiations for its membership are underway.

Gul said Turkey is part of the Barcelona process in which the Mediterranean Union Project --proposed by French President Sarkozy- has been debated.

"We are interested in everything that touches the Mediterranean. We are also studying attentively the project proposed by Mr Sarkozy," Gul said.

"Negotiations are ongoing, the goal has been set. There is no question of the (Mediterranean) project being an alternative to our joining the European Union.

"The negotiations process is launched, we will pursue the reforms whatever the outcome and, when the time comes, I am sure that those who are sceptical today will understand that Turkey has a lot to offer the European Union."

Answering a question on the French opposition to Turkey's membership to the EU, Gul said Turkish-French relations had a historical dimension and in the past France served as a gateway to Europe for Turkey .

"Nobody doubts that there are more Renault brand cars in the the streets of Istanbul than in Paris," added Gul.

Sarkozy says Muslim but secular Turkey is not really part of Europe and should instead be offered a special partnership with the bloc, and floated his Mediterranean Union idea as a way to deflect Turkey's EU interest.

European External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said this month the French proposal over a Mediterranean union was no alternative to Turkey's EU ambitions.

Answering a question regarding the resolution on the incidents of 1915 submitted to the French Parliament, Gul said this draft contradicts with the freedom of expression that France was loyal to.

When asked about the possibility of Turkey launching a crossborder operation to the north of Iraq, Gul said the instability in northern Iraq made this region a safe haven for the terrorist organization and said Turkey would absolutely not tolerate PKK attacks.

Later addressinga press conferebce in Paris after meeting French Prime Minister Francois Fillon Gul said that Turkey has never weakened democracy while fighting terrorism and added that Turkey has broadened fundamental rights and freedom while several countries restricted them in the name of cambatting terrorism.

"Democracy isolates terrorism and terrorists. Turkey has broadened fundamental rights and freedom while several countries restrained them in the name of fight against terrorism. All these helped isolate terrorist group," Gul said.

"Consolidating democracy in Turkey will strengthen our fight against terrorism," Gul told reporters.

Gul also said that the closure case regarding Democratic Society Party (DTP) was not discussed at his meeting with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon. He said it is Turkey's own business.

Gul said French Prime Minister Fillon, it is historians, not politicians who must decide on the Armenian allegations regarding the incidents of 1915.

"If Izmir hosts the EXPO 2015, this would contribute to the promotion of Izmir, the Aegean region and whole of Turkey," Gul said. He was in paris to promote the Izmir bid.

"The theme of Izmir's EXPO is health. Health is a matter of interest to both rich and poor nations," Gul stressed.

In reference to his upcoming visit to Pakistan, Gul indicated that "Pakistan is a very friendly and brotherly country for Turkey. We will visit Pakistan to provide support to them."

Mediterranean Union no alternative to EU membership

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EU prepares for early 2008 Kosovo independence

05.12.2007 - 09:16 CET | By Lucia Kubosova and Elitsa Vucheva
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The outgoing prime minister of Kosovo, Agim Ceku, has suggested that a declaration on the province's independence is planned for early next year, while the European Commission has urged the bloc's member states to stay united on Kosovo "if needed."

Less than a week before a UN deadline on finding a solution between the Serbs and ethnic Albanians on the future status of Kosovo, Mr Ceku told EUobserver "We are not willing to accept any continuation of discussion and any delay of the declaration."

He said that the move is foreseen for "very shortly after 10 December" and added that it would be "along the line" envisaged in Brussels, around January or February.

According to diplomats, the European Commission itself has informally asked the member states to use all their diplomatic efforts to convince the Kosovo Albanians to delay the declaration of independence at least until after the presidential elections in Serbia, scheduled for 20 January and 3 February.

One floated scenario suggests that if Pristina accepts such a plan, it will then be able to announce independence as a result of "coordinated" procedure with the international community - despite lacking the formal blessing of the UN's security council.

It would also immediately implement the practical proposals of an independence blueprint drawn up by UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari, especially on the protection of national minorities, while the EU would then take over the chairing of civilian and police missions in Kosovo.

"With all this preceding the actual announcement of declaration and Kosovo claiming to have coordinated it with the international community, the idea is that the EU would then formally 'take note' of the declaration as earlier in the case of Montenegro and leave it up to member states to recognise it or not," said one diplomat.

Question marks over EU unity

But even given these conditions, the EU's unity on the issue is not guaranteed. Romania and Cyprus are seen as key critics of independence without UN approval, while Slovakia also remains hesitant.

Speaking to journalists after meeting Slovak prime minister Robert Fico on Tuesday (4 December), European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said "It is my duty to ask all governments of Europe, including the Slovak government to reach a consensus on Kosovo."

"In case - unfortunately it seems to be the case - they [Serbs and Kosovo Albanians] don't reach an agreement, it is important that the EU reaches an agreement," he noted.

"The Americans have a position, the Russians have a position. I hope that Europeans will have a position as well, if needed," he said.

Mr Fico replied: "I would consider it a huge mistake if the EU got divided over Kosovo. It would make us weak and I have a feeling some superpowers are relaying on this weakness even ahead."

But he said the Slovak government's standpoint has not changed. "We want to be very communicative and cooperative on this issue but we can hardly imagine that we would recognise Kosovo that would unilaterally announce itself as being independent."

Who is afraid of unilateral independence?

Speaking at a Brussels conference organised by Friends of Europe on Tuesday (4 December), Mr Ceku dismissed suggestions that unilateral Kosovo independence could lead to violence in the region.

He argued that after having worked with UN officials for eight years, the Kosovars' plan can no longer be viewed as "unilateral" but rather as continually prepared and "the most unsurprising and predictable event" that South Eastern Europe has seen for generations.

Meanwhile Serbian deputy prime minister Bojidar Djelic spoke out against the move.

Stressing that Serbia was offering Kosovo "a level of self-government that no other region in no other country has seen", Mr Djelic said that all Belgrade is asking for is "not to break up our country".

"Is it too much to ask for a solution which Belgrade can be part of?", he added.

In this he was backed by Russia, a traditional ally of Serbia.

Also a firm opponent to a Kosovar independence which would by-pass Serbian feelings, Russian ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov argued that any such decision would go against international law.

Russia wants to "stick to the principles of international law above all" according to which respect for the territorial integrity of states is guaranteed, said Mr Chizhov.

He said he was against "splitting" Serbia without Belgrade's accord.

EU prepares for early 2008 Kosovo independence

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Merkel warns of EU break up amid Sarkozy's Mediterranean Union plans
Berlin, Dec 5, IRNA

Germany-France-EU
German Chancellor Angela Merkel here Wednesday warned of an imminent collapse of the 27-nation European Union amid plans by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to press ahead with the Mediterranean Union, news reports said Wednesday.

Pointing to the threat of the Mediterranean Union, Merkel said it could ultimately lead to the 'corrosion of the EU's core area'.

"This could unleash explosive powers in the EU which I do not wish for," added the German leader, speaking at a conference in Berlin.

Merkel, who is due to meet Sarkozy in Paris on Thursday, said common EU resources should not be used to create a Mediterranean Union.

The French president has repeatedly called for such a strategic alliance since winning elections in early May.

Sarkozy seeks to include countries like Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Libya, in this union.

Merkel has been at odds with Sarkozy on several issues including the French nuclear deal with Libya and the degree of autonomy of the Frankfurt-based European Central Bank.

Both leaders are also openly vying for the European leadership role.

Merkel warns of EU break up amid Sarkozy's Mediterranean Union plans