Revived Roman Empire News - the E.U.

[Shammu]

EU seeks leadership trio for new institutions
Mon Nov 5, 2007 12:08pm EST

By Yves Clarisse

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Even before European Union leaders sign a treaty reforming the bloc's institutions next month, speculation is rife in Brussels about who will take the three key leadership jobs in the new EU structure from 2009.

The reform treaty provides for a long-term president of the European Council of national leaders, appointed for a renewable two-and-a-half year term, a strengthened foreign policy chief at the head of an EU foreign service, and a president of the executive European Commission.

Diplomats say Jose Manuel Barroso, the centre-right former Portuguese prime minister, has a good chance of a second term as Commission president in 2009 thanks to the backing of France and Germany, whose previous leaders were cool towards him.

Barroso, 51, has implemented a relatively modest vision of the EU executive's role, preserving the single market, reducing new legislation to a trickle, axing some old regulations and focusing on the economy and environment rather than on politics.

A senior Commission official called Barroso's ambition for a second five-year term "the worst kept secret in Brussels".

Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, 53, the EU's longest-serving leader, has emerged as favorite for the new job of president of the European Council, with backing from Paris, Berlin and smaller EU states -- if he wants it, diplomats say.

The president would prepare and chair the bloc's four annual summits and be the EU's top face on the world stage.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy cited both Juncker and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as good candidates for the post last month, but diplomats say Blair, 54, would face hurdles because of Britain's semi-detached membership of the EU.

IN THE THICK

"Britain is not in the euro, not in Schengen (zone of borderless travel), not in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and now it has opted out of police and judicial cooperation," one senior diplomat said. "That's a lot, and when you realize that Blair wanted these new exceptions, it's too much."

By contrast, Juncker already chairs the Eurogroup of finance ministers of the 13 member states that share the single currency and has been in the thick of every EU compromise since he became head of government in 1995.

The chain-smoking Christian Democrat, who bridges most EU political divides but is seen by London as too much of a European federalist, chose to stay in Luxembourg rather than seek the Commission presidency in 2004.

If two moderate conservatives from small countries get two of the top jobs, the third member of the leadership triangle is likely to be a socialist from a bigger member state, for reasons of political and geographical balance.

That description fits perfectly with Javier Solana, the EU's current foreign policy chief, who is said by diplomats to be keen to stay on, although he will turn 67 in July 2009 and will have been in the job for a decade.

Solana, a former Spanish foreign minister and NATO chief, has built up the role through patient diplomacy, deferring to the big EU nations and staying onside with the United States.

EU diplomats said he might stay on as a bridge for a few months until a new European Commission is appointed in late 2009, but a new face is likely to take over after that.

Among possible contenders are former German foreign minister Joschka Fischer, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, respected but perhaps too outspoken for some, and current EU enlargement chief, Olli Rehn of Finland. But none is a socialist.

If Juncker goes to the European Council, diplomats say it will be hard to find a stable successor as Eurogroup chairman, an increasingly important role. Few euro zone finance ministers are guaranteed his longevity in domestic office.

If neither Juncker nor Blair runs, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, who proved a skilled negotiator during Dublin's 2004 EU presidency, is seen by some EU officials as a possible compromise candidate.

EU seeks leadership trio for new institutions

[Shammu]

Relief as EU leaders strike treaty deal
Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:52pm EDT

By Ingrid Melander and Mark John

LISBON (Reuters) - European Union leaders voiced relief at clinching a deal on Friday on a treaty to reform the 27-nation bloc's institutions, replacing a defunct constitution and ending a two-year crisis of confidence in Europe's future.

"It's an important page in the history of Europe. Europe is now stronger, more confident and ready to face the challenges in the future," Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates said after brokering agreement at an EU summit.

After their post-midnight deal, leaders hugged each other and toasted with champagne a treaty that will be signed on December 13 in Lisbon.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who faces uproar at home over his refusal to put the treaty to a referendum, declined the champagne. For enthusiastic European integrationists, on the other hand, celebration was tinged with regret for the constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who brokered the political mandate for the treaty in June, told reporters: "Certain items had to be taken out of the treaty but after what happened at the referendums we could not just go back with the same text. People would say that is not democratic."

This time, only Ireland is likely to hold a referendum.

Provided it is ratified by all 27 member states, the treaty will take effect in 2009 giving the EU a long-term president, a more powerful foreign policy chief, more democratic decision making and more say for the European and national parliaments.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy suggested former British Prime Minister Tony Blair or veteran Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker would make excellent candidates for the new president's job. He also hinted at endorsing Jose Manuel Barroso for a second term as president of the European Commission.

NEW PRIORITIES

The more modest treaty is not styled a constitution and omits any mention of an EU anthem or flag, but it retains all the key reforms in the original charter.

Barroso told a news conference: "We have said many times that reform is not an end in itself. With these institutions now, we can look after the most important priorities for our citizens."

To underline the point, the Portuguese presidency set out new priorities in a post-summit statement, including strengthening Europe's response to globalization, working for transparency on financial markets, and pressing ahead with ambitious climate change and renewable energy targets.

Brown, Sarkozy and Merkel issued a joint statement calling for market solutions in response to recent financial turmoil while urging EU finance ministers to study ways of increasing transparency to improve risk management in crises.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the agreement marked an end to "six years of institutional navel-gazing".

The opposition Conservatives and the mass-circulation Sun newspaper stepped up their campaign for Brown to give Britons a vote on the treaty, accusing him of breaking a promise to hold a plebiscite on the old charter.

"Brown surrenders Britain's power to Europe over dinner," said the tabloid Sun newspaper in a double page spread under the banner headline "The Last Supper" likening the British prime minister to Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus Christ.

In the final wrangling, Italy won one extra seat in the European Parliament. Poland won a guarantee that a provision allowing small groups of states to delay EU decisions could only be overturned by unanimity, plus a permanent advocate-general's job at the European Court of Justice for a Pole.

There were also concessions on side issues to Austria, Bulgaria and the European Parliament in a typical package deal.

Warsaw, which before the start of the two-day summit had threatened to delay the talks if its demands on new voting arrangements were not met, said its key demand had been met.

"Poland achieved all it wanted," President Lech Kaczynski told reporters.

Poland had fought against the changed voting system at a bitter summit in June, saying it would give too much power to Germany, Europe's most populous nation, at Warsaw's expense.

Other leaders ascribed Kaczynski's brinkmanship to the fact that Poland holds an early parliamentary election on Sunday. The president's brother, Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, is fighting for re-election and flagging in opinion polls.

Relief as EU leaders strike treaty deal

[Shammu]

EU Holds Talks with Israelis, Palestinians; Praises Olmert

Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  In Lisbon, the EU will try to pave the way for a later US meeting on Mideast peace
 
Foreign ministers from Israel and the Palestinian territories are holding talks with EU officials during a two-day conference in Lisbon. They are a prelude to upcoming discussions in the US on Palestinian statehood.

The foreign ministers will talk separately with senior European Union in Lisbon at the 9th Euro-Mediterranean Conference which runs until Tuesday, Nov. 6. Discussions are expected to focus on the Middle East peace process.

Tensions are now high in the Middle East after Israeli air and ground strikes on Sunday killed four Palestinians, including three civilians. Palestinian militants fired six missiles at western Israel, causing a power outage in one town.

There are not expected to be any direct talks between Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and her Palestinian counterpart, Riyad Malki, but the two of them are expected to face each other during a dinner Monday with fellow foreign ministers from the EU and the Mediterranean area.

The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership was set up in 1995 and aims on establishing a common area of peace and security and works toward enhancing cooperation between the EU and 10 of its southern neighbors.

Praise for Olmert

The European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Monday praised the "constructive" approach of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to the upcoming US-sponsored conference on the Middle East, saying it could help bring peace to the region.

Preparations are being made for the international conference to be held later this year in Annapolis, Maryland, although no specific date has been set.

"Olmert yesterday gave a very constructive speech, one of his best in recent times," Solana said. "If that is the spirit with which he is approaching the [Middle East peace] process, I think we have many chances of having a positive outcome."

Solana was addressing reporters in Lisbon ahead of talks between senior EU officials and the foreign ministers of Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

Speaking in Israel on Sunday, Olmert said he was willing to deal with the core issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the conference.

"[The conference] will be the start of a future process ... we will enter into intense and continuous negotiations," Olmert said.

Before Bush leaves office

Many of the players in these upcoming negotiations have said they hope that a two-state solution to the complex Israeli-Palestinian problem can be arrived at before US President George W. Bush leaves office in January 2009.

After talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the occupied West Bank, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she hoped the peace conference in the United States could be the "launching pad" for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations leading the way to a Palestinian state.

"Negotiations that I sincerely hope, as Prime Minister Olmert said last night, could achieve their goals in the time remaining in the Bush administration," she said.

Rice met Palestinian leaders one day after talks in Israel on her eighth visit to the region this year.

"All the parties agree and are determined to reach an agreement before the end of Bush's term in office and we are determined that this serves as our deadline and we are working towards that," said Abbas.

Olmert also said he hoped for the negotiations could be completed before January 2009. And speaking in Lisbon, the EU's Solana said Europe shared Olmert's hopes of seeing the peace process bring about results by that date.

The EU's foreign policy chief, whose official title is the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, plans to visit the region next week.

"I hope to see for myself what are the chances of success. I think a success is possible," Solana said.

EU Holds Talks with Israelis, Palestinians; Praises Olmert

[Shammu]

EU should create core membership

07.11.2007 - 09:24 CET   | By Honor Mahony
Luxembourg prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker has suggested that EU member states should have the possibility to become just part members of the bloc.

Speaking in Berlin on Tuesday (6 November), the veteran politician noted that without being fully conscious of the move, Britain is already moving towards this status.


"It must be possible not only to be a full member," said Mr Juncker, according to Austrian news agency APA.

"Without noticing it, the British are on their way to becoming part members," he noted, with London not taking part in the single European currency or the EU's borderless zone, the Schengen area, and lately having opted out of key areas in the new EU treaty, such as police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters.

Mr Juncker, who also heads the 13-nation eurozone, said that he believed the EU should develop a core of EU countries. Other countries who do not want to fully take part in all policies should be able to circle around this core and should be able to integrate to a greater or lesser extent in various areas.

In his opinion, the EU is heading towards a "crash" if it does not develop in this way.

This is not the first time that EU politicians have spoken about a core centre of countries that push ahead with integration leaving others to decide whether they want to join at a later date.

The main idea has taken various names include two-speed Europe, multi-speed Europe, Europe à la carte, a Europe of variable geometry, a concentric Europe and a core Europe.

However, in the past, ad hoc suggestions for greater co-operation among some countries have given rise to strong criticism with some member states fearing it will mean a directoire run by big states such as France and Germany, or that it would eventually lead to the break up of the EU.

The new EU reform treaty, supposed to come into force by early 2009, contains the means for pro-integration states to move ahead however, so long as there is a minimum of nine states involved.

EU should create core membership

[Shammu]

Peres and Abbas to address Turkish Parliament next week
Greer Fay Cashman , THE JERUSALEM POST    Nov. 6, 2007

President Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas have been invited to address the Turkish Parliament next week during their visits to Turkey as official guests of President Abdullah Gul.

Peres made the announcement on Tuesday at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert after the two met for a working session.

Olmert said no Israeli president had ever before addressed a Muslim parliament.

The invitation to Peres to visit Turkey is of great significance, he said, and the invitation to speak in the parliament "is an extraordinary event."

Both Olmert and Peres emphasized the good relations that exist between Turkey and Israel. Turkey could be an important facilitator in enabling Israel to have good relations with other Muslim countries, they said.

Peres said Turkey could "play a first-tier role in the peace process," adding that the country's moderate and democratic nature served as a counterweight to the extremist Islam embodied by Iran.

"If the Turkish way wins, all of us win - Muslims and Jews, Arabs and Israelis," Peres said.

The two presidents will address the parliament in Ankara on November 12, said Peres spokeswoman Ayelet Frisch.

Citing Peres's statesmanship and popularity abroad, Olmert said he was sure Peres would be received with great excitement in Turkey and that he would convey Israel's message in a powerful manner.

Asked by a reporter whether he would raise the issue of the kidnapped IDF soldiers while in Turkey, Peres replied that there was no visit abroad by Israeli officials in which the matter was not raised.

In addition to the positive ties Israel enjoys with Turkey today, Peres said, it should not be forgotten that Turkey provided a haven for Jews fleeing from the Spanish Inquisition more than 500 years ago. He said he was convinced that Turkey could also play "a very important role" politically and economically in creating a climate for peace in the Middle East.

Peres said he felt "very optimistic" about the upcoming Annapolis summit, especially after speaking to Arab leaders.

"I feel that they are also optimistic," he said, adding that America's involvement aided both sides.

Turkey's influence exceeds its borders, Peres said, and the Turkish school of thought could lead to peace.

Olmert said he expected the Annapolis meeting to take place at the end of the month, but could not name a specific date because the date had not yet been determined by the Americans.

If Israel succeeds in its negotiations with the Palestinians, he said, it will be beneficial to future negotiations with the Syrians.

Nabil Abu Rudaineh, an aide to Abbas, said the visit to Turkey was "part of the Palestinian relationship with friendly countries to coordinate positions and gain support, particularly before the Annapolis conference."

In September, Turkey demanded an apology from Israel after it said IAF jets crossed into Turkish airspace and jettisoned fuel tanks during a raid on a military target in Syria. Israel hasn't officially confirmed the raid, but Olmert offered an ambiguous apology last week, saying, "If Israeli planes indeed penetrated Turkish airspace," Israel regretted any harm that "might have been caused."

In an interview published Tuesday in Ma'ariv, Gul said, "We regard the matter as closed and hope it won't recur."

Peres and Abbas to address Turkish Parliament next week

[Shammu]

Oh this is big, oh this is big!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Turkey has just formally announced they are on in picture now.

[nChrist]

Oh this is big, oh this is big!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Turkey has just formally announced they are on in picture now.

Brother Bob,

There's really been quite a few big events recently that seem to be parts of the puzzle falling together. These are exciting times.

Love In Christ,
Tom

KEEP LOOKING UP!!

[Shammu]

Brother Bob,

There's really been quite a few big events recently that seem to be parts of the puzzle falling together. These are exciting times.

Love In Christ,
Tom

KEEP LOOKING UP!!

AMEN brother AMEN!!!!!!!

[Shammu]

EU leaders will fly across Europe just to sign treaty


David Gow in Brussels
Tuesday November 6, 2007
The Guardian

The European Union opened itself up to criticism from eurosceptics and environmentalists yesterday after agreeing to split next month's summit of 27 heads of state and government between Lisbon and Brussels. Barring a last-minute change of heart, 26 presidents and prime ministers will fly by private jet to Lisbon, swiftly sign the contentious new EU treaty and hop back onto their planes, returning to Brussels for the normal sumptuous summit dinner and discussions about climate change, the Middle East crisis and the credit crunch.

Article continues
Portugal, currently holding the EU presidency, insists that the new treaty be signed by the 27 leaders in its capital on December 13. That will ensure that the treaty, the successor to the doomed constitution, will go into history as the Treaty of Lisbon in the manner of the 1957 Treaty of Rome, the 1992 Maastricht Treaty, the 1997 Amsterdam Treaty and the 2001 Nice Treaty. Belgium, however, insists that the summit resume its business in its capital on the nights of December 13 and 14, in accordance with the 2001 treaty. Neither side will back down.

The decision by EU leaders to cave in to the demands of Portugal and Belgium that they fly at least 48,000 person-miles to sign into being a "reform" treaty designed to bring Europe "closer to its citizens" is being denounced as a wasteful extra cost and an unnecessarily increased carbon footprint.

A series of top-level meetings to resolve the diplomatic impasse has failed, with Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, who suggested staying in Lisbon for the whole summit, recanting, followed by the British, French and Italians.

Experts calculate that the split summit will add between 10 and 15 extra tonnes of CO2 to the carbon footprint of an EU that sees itself as the global champion of the fight against global warming - on top of the 20,000 tonnes produced by the monthly journeys to Strasbourg of MEPs, commissioners, officials and aides.

EU leaders will fly across Europe just to sign treaty

[Def]

EU leaders will fly across Europe just to sign treaty


David Gow in Brussels
Tuesday November 6, 2007
The Guardian

The European Union opened itself up to criticism from eurosceptics and environmentalists yesterday after agreeing to split next month's summit of 27 heads of state and government between Lisbon and Brussels. Barring a last-minute change of heart, 26 presidents and prime ministers will fly by private jet to Lisbon, swiftly sign the contentious new EU treaty and hop back onto their planes, returning to Brussels for the normal sumptuous summit dinner and discussions about climate change, the Middle East crisis and the credit crunch.

Article continues
Portugal, currently holding the EU presidency, insists that the new treaty be signed by the 27 leaders in its capital on December 13. That will ensure that the treaty, the successor to the doomed constitution, will go into history as the Treaty of Lisbon in the manner of the 1957 Treaty of Rome, the 1992 Maastricht Treaty, the 1997 Amsterdam Treaty and the 2001 Nice Treaty. Belgium, however, insists that the summit resume its business in its capital on the nights of December 13 and 14, in accordance with the 2001 treaty. Neither side will back down.

The decision by EU leaders to cave in to the demands of Portugal and Belgium that they fly at least 48,000 person-miles to sign into being a "reform" treaty designed to bring Europe "closer to its citizens" is being denounced as a wasteful extra cost and an unnecessarily increased carbon footprint.

A series of top-level meetings to resolve the diplomatic impasse has failed, with Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, who suggested staying in Lisbon for the whole summit, recanting, followed by the British, French and Italians.

Experts calculate that the split summit will add between 10 and 15 extra tonnes of CO2 to the carbon footprint of an EU that sees itself as the global champion of the fight against global warming - on top of the 20,000 tonnes produced by the monthly journeys to Strasbourg of MEPs, commissioners, officials and aides.

EU leaders will fly across Europe just to sign treaty

DreamWeaver Hello, please tell me is Pastor Roger Ok
Love in Jesus Def..

[Shammu]

Hello Def,

Pastor Roger is at his sons graduation from Boot Camp. He should be back in a few days.

[Def]

Hello Def,

Pastor Roger is at his sons graduation from Boot Camp. He should be back in a few days.

thank you .
Dreamweaver would you please pray for me.
Satan is practicing is bark on me again
 and i know that what is on the outside is not inside
He jumps at every chance and right  now he rattling and hissing
but  i need some prayer for strenght  here please.
He is using my work for christ against me, and it is at the door.
Love in Jesus Def

[HisDaughter]

I am sure that on here somewhere is a list of what countries are considered to be the 10 +1 little horn.  Since I am now ready through Daniel again I'd really like to see that list. 
Thanks. 

In Chirst,
Grammyluv

[Def]

thank you .
Dreamweaver would you please pray for me.
Satan is practicing is bark on me again
 and i know that what is on the outside is not inside
He jumps at every chance and right  now he rattling and hissing
but  i need some prayer for strenght  here please.
He is using my work for christ against me, and it is at the door.
Love in Jesus Def

Dreamweaver ,the reason i ask for the prayers
is because Jesus ask us to do so, to ask so i did.. hope it does not take to much  to send me a little prayer my way,
I as i will do every day your way
.. love in Jesus  Def.(+¸+)

[nChrist]

thank you .
Dreamweaver would you please pray for me.
Satan is practicing is bark on me again
 and i know that what is on the outside is not inside
He jumps at every chance and right  now he rattling and hissing
but  i need some prayer for strenght  here please.
He is using my work for christ against me, and it is at the door.
Love in Jesus Def

Hello Sister Def,

You will be and are in our prayers. Sister, I think that you know that many of us pray for each other every day, and I would appreciate you remembering me in your prayers. We all have needs and GOD loves to hear our prayers. Prayer is a part of our love for each other and our fellowship.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Colossians 3:15-16 NASB
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.