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
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
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
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 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
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.)
The French and Dutch rejections of the European constitution, widely seen as a blow to enlargement, have hardened the atmosphere against Turkey and will make the country’s accession process even tougher. The negotiations are open-ended and could be called off at the slightest failure on Turkey’s part. The earliest date for membership, if all goes well, is 2015
The European Policy Institutes Network (EPIN), of which the Elcano Royal Institute is a member, has prepared a report that presents various concrete proposals on how the next few months could be profitably used to help the Union enhance both its legitimacy and the confidence of its citizens, prompting the latter to actively participate in the debate on European affairs
The British presidency of the European Union (EU) coincides with the most profound crisis in the organisation’s 50-year history. Tony Blair has initiated an ambitious agenda for debate in the search for solutions but, on a number of issues, he will find it difficult to achieve a consensus for change
José Luís Rodríguez Zapatero will meet Tony Blair in London next week to discuss the future of the European Union (EU) and ways in which they can improve the bi-lateral relationship between London and Madrid
London and its citizens were expecting a major terrorist attack basically since 11 September 2001. The question was never ‘whether’ such an attack would take place, but rather ‘when’ it would happen. On Thursday, 7 July, it finally did happen. This article will focus on the aftermath of the attacks and the fall-out for London, the UK, and Europe as a whole.
This ARI explores the implications of the London terrorist bombings of 7 July 2005 for British Muslims, and considers the various reactions and perceptions among Britain’s Muslim communities in the immediate aftermath of these atrocities. It examines the emerging impact of the bombings on British Muslims, and the ways in which the British authorities are responding to their concerns