Future of Europe
The EU’s Progress Report on Turkey’s Accession: Derailment or Shunted into a Siding? (ARI)
The European Commission’s damning report on Turkey’s progress in accession negotiations sets the scene for a ‘train crash’ if Ankara does not make sufficient headway by the middle of December when EU leaders hold their summit.
Who fears globalization in the EU? (ARI)
Globalization has become a controversial subject that raises great suspicion. This work, based on the Eurobarometer carried out by the European Commission in late 2003, addresses the question of who fears globalization and why?
To Enlarge or Not to Enlarge the Union: That is Not the Question
In a considerable number of European capitals the possibility is being discussed of closing the doors of the European Union to new members as part of a possible solution to the constitutional crisis. In France, specifically, but also in Austria and other capitals, this issue seems to dominate the provisional agenda for the next European Council to be held in Brussels on 15-16 June. However, the argument put forward in this analysis is that the problems experienced by the Union have nothing to do with enlargement but with depth
The Vienna Summit between Latin America / the Caribbean and the EU: relative success despite low expectations
The fourth EU–Latin America / Caribbean Summit was held on May 11-12, 2006, in Vienna, Austria. The results suggest that the process has a future, but that it needs to be significantly strengthened for more substantial biregional relations
The State of the Union: Period of Reflection or the Sound of Silence
The recent issue of EU-25 Watch, a joint European project in which the Elcano Royal Institute participates, provides a valuable insight into national debates on key EU topics such as the Constitutional treaty, enlargement, foreign policy and the Lisbon agenda during the so-called ‘reflection period’. The analysis of this broad overview prepared by authors from all EU member states plus Bulgaria, Rumania, Croatia and Turkey suggests five observations regarding the current ‘state of the Union’
Spain and the European Union: Country Update for the EU/25 Watch
The most recent issue of EU-25 Watch, a joint European project in which the Elcano Royal Institute participates, provides a valuable insight into the national debates on key EU topics such as the constitutional treaty, enlargement, foreign policy and the Lisbon agenda during the so-called ‘reflection period’. This ARI reviews the country study on Spain and Spain’s European policy
Denmark: The Ugly Duckling in International Politics?
This analysis deals with the publication of the Danish cartoons on Mohammed. It has released a Danish identity crisis both with regard to Danish foreign policy and to domestic identity
Presidential Elections in Portugal: Cavaquism, Sebastianism and Popular Hopes
Former prime minister Aníbal Cavaco Silva has been elected in the first round of the Portuguese Republic’s presidential elections. His anticipated victory reflects the expectations of voters who, at a time of economic and social crisis in Portugal, have chosen a charismatic leader capable of going beyond mere protocol and working actively in the presidency to solve the country’s problems
French Nuclear Deterrence According to President Chirac: Reform, Clean Break or Reminder?
This ARI analyses the speech by French President Jacques Chirac on January 19, 2006, at the Île Longue base in Brest, Finisterre, on the subject of France’s nuclear deterrence doctrine. The purpose is to determine whether or not the speech contains doctrinal changes and whether it may be interpreted as a veiled threat to Iran.
The United States, Germany and the New Balance of Power in Europe
The meeting paved the way for an easing of tensions between Germany and the United States after three years of friction. In what Merkel called the opening of a ‘new chapter’ in US-German relations, she promised to work closely with Washington to achieve a common approach to the nuclear crisis in Iran. The two leaders also laid the groundwork for greater cooperation in the war on terror. And in an important shift in German policy, Merkel proclaimed that ‘NATO is the forum’ for transatlantic discussions about security. As American strategists digest all the good news, however, they will be most happy about her indirect repudiation of the long-standing Franco-German axis. Merkel’s efforts to strengthen Germany’s bilateral ties with pro-American allies such as Britain and Poland will restore to Berlin its traditional role as mediator between Europe and America. Merkel’s ascendancy will therefore re-establish a healthy balance in Europe, one that is Atlanticist in outlook
Five Specific Questions for General Disagreement: The Hampton Court Summit and the UK Presidency
The UK presidency has put in motion an initiative of questionable use. Furthermore, it has done so from a position that is structurally at odds with Tony Blair’s clear desire to exercise leadership. The following analysis provides hypothetical content for a possible Spanish response to the questions that Blair posed in his letter of invitation to the EU’s leaders. The conclusion is clear: Spain fully shares the concerns laid out by the UK presidency and, precisely for this reason, should ask the UK to put aside its historic distrust of European integration and equip the European Union with the powers and resources necessary to address these concerns. (Please note that the original Spanish version of this paper was published on Tuesday, October 25, 2005.)
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