Open Europe : persoverzicht

[Politics.be]

French Foreign Minister: A Conservative victory would maintain Anglo-Franco relations but change UK attitude to EUFrench Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told a French Parliamentary committee yesterday that he "would not want to bet" either way on a Conservative or Labour victory in the upcoming UK elections. If the Conservatives would win the election, Mr Kouchner said that, "With regard to Europe, having received and met with Mr. Cameron and Mr. Hague, who would become Foreign Minister, I think that the partnership between the two countries will be maintained, I know this, I am sure of this. But, the position vis-�*-vis Europe, will not be the same".

He said, "It is quite clear, it will not be the same, and I can even tell you what Mr. Hague said to me during his visit; 'with you, we will do what you'd like, with Europe, by and large, we won't do much' and therefore if a peacekeeping operation was proposed, such as the operation we carried out in Chad, and I'd like to point out that the British didn't participate here, I asked him, would you have participated? He told me: with you, yes". However, it is understood that Mr. Kouchner was paraphrasing remarks by William Hague that related to defence cooperation only.



Meanwhile, writing in the Guardian, Timothy Garton Ash looks at the role of the EU in the election campaign and argues that the parties' differing views over Europe constitute "a big foreign policy choice in this election."

Assemblee Nationale AFP Guardian: Garton Ash



MEPs to vote to reopen Lisbon Treaty; UK Conservatives could block treaty change

European Voice reports that MEPs sitting on the EP's Constitutional Committee yesterday voted to re-open the Lisbon Treaty in order to allow an extra 18 MEPs, that were elected in the 2009 elections, to take their seats. MEPs sitting in plenary this May are expected to endorse the Constitutional Committee's decision, but any Treaty changes agreed at an Intergovernmental Conference would still need to be ratified in each of the EU's 27 member states, a process that could potentially take several years.



EUobserver notes that the reopening of the Treaty could trigger a referendum in the UK if the Conservatives were to win the General Election and that German Chancellor Angela Merkel might seek to implement her plans for an EU economic government.

EUobserver European Voice EU-Info.de



Greece increases its 2009 budget deficit to 12.9 percent

City AM reports that the Greek government has increased its 2009 budget deficit prediction to 12.9 percent of GDP, up from the 12.7 percent suggested previously. The announcement pushed the yield spread against German bonds to 7.13 percent, the highest level since October 1999.



The front page of the FT reports that Greece's four largest banks are seeking access to €14 billion in loan guarantees and €3 billion of special bonds, the remains of the €28 billion bailout fund provided by the Greek government in 2008, to help counter a liquidity shortage. Local savers transferred about €10 billion of deposits - around 4.5 percent of the total in the banking system - out of Greece in the first two months of the year.

FT City AM FT 2 Reuters Telegraph El Pais WSJ IHT Guardian Le Figaro FT: Hudson Irish Independent: Keenan Welt Handelsblatt De Standaard De Morgen



Commission to review proposal for EU tax in Autumn

European Voice reports that the Commission will present a review of the 2007-13 budgetary period in September, which will analyse spending issues such as the Common Agricultural Policy and the EU budget rebate for the UK, and address whether or not the EU should introduce its own tax. The review was due last year, but was delayed due to complications in implementing the Lisbon Treaty.

European Voice



MPs say EU directive prohibiting language tests for foreign GPs needs to be changed "as a matter of extreme urgency"

The Guardian reports that the House of Commons Health Select Committee has said the next Government must "as a matter of extreme urgency" demand changes to a 2005 EU Directive governing the free movement of labour, in an effort to more closely regulate the skills of foreign doctors. The BBC notes that the European rules mean the General Medical Council is unable to carry out clinical or language checks on doctors from EU countries, as it does for those from elsewhere in the world.



The Telegraph quotes from the Committee's report, which said: "As a matter of extreme urgency, the Government should press for change to the relevant EU Directive to enable the GMC to test the clinical competence of doctors and to undertake systematic testing of language skills."



The Independent notes that Mike O'Brien, Minister for Health, told the Committee that the UK would face sanctions if it tried to amend the EU Directive, although this was disputed by the GMC. But even though the GMC's hands were tied, primary care trusts (PCTs) who accept overseas doctors on to their "performers' lists" were required to make the checks, as were the employers who hired them. "Unfortunately, some PCTs have not done their job," the report says.

Independent Mail BBC BBC: Today programme Guardian Telegraph



The Parliament magazine reports on Open Europe's recent research report on regulation which shows that regulation has cost the UK economy £176 billion since 1998, £124 billion (71 percent) of which had its origin in EU legislation. It quotes Sarah Gaskell saying: "Our research clearly shows that it's far more cost-effective to regulate domestically than is it is to legislate through the EU. This means that passing laws as close as possible to the citizen is not only more democratic, but also vastly cheaper. The next UK government must take a radical new approach to cutting down on the many, and often unnecessarily costly laws coming from the EU".

The Parliament OE report OE press release OE blog



Van Rompuy: "The EU really does have a say over social policy"

De Standaard reports that EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy told the European Parliament yesterday that "the EU really does have a say over social policy". Van Rompuy was referring to the inclusion of social objectives in the new EU 2020 economic strategy. The article notes that the UK, Germany and the Netherlands argued at last month's EU summit that social policies should remain a national competence. He said that, "Even though I understand that argument, social inclusion within the competence of the Union, as outlined in the Treaty of Lisbon, and a key tool for our economic performance."



De Morgen notes that he also said he would give "high priority" to plans for strengthening EU economic governance but noted that "a new Treaty change could become a very delicate matter."

De Morgen Knack EP video Standaard DPA



EU finance ministers to discuss better coordination on failing banks

EU finance ministers will meet next week to discuss how to improve co-operation between bank regulators so that, in future, large banks that get into financial difficulties need not be broken up along national lines, as in the case of Fortis bank in October 2008, reports European Voice. EU Internal Markets Commissioner Michel Barnier wants member states to agree on a "framework" for co-operation, including arrangements for sharing bank losses.

European Voice



City AM reports that Angela Knight, head of the British Bankers' Association, has said that plans to introduce an EU-wide banking levy without international consensus could disadvantage banks in the bloc.

City AM



European Voice reports that the European Commission is in negotiations with the US over extending the controversial data sharing deal on the personal details of airline passengers travelling from the US to Europe.

European Voice Open Europe research



An analysis in the FT looks at Germany's changing attitude to the EU and quotes Ulrike Guérot, Berlin's representative of the European Council on Foreign Relations, saying: "The law community is the most important elite community in Germany. They have turned anti-European. The problem is not the general population. It's the elites who no longer carry the project."

FT: Analysis European Voice: Wyles



El Pais reports that Eurostat has released a second revised version of its report on the eurozone, showing that the zone's economy stagnated in the final quarter of 2009. Meanwhile, a report from the OECD released yesterday predicts that the British economy will have a faster economic expansion than the members of the eurozone.

Times FT OECD report EurActiv.es El Pais



Speaking before the European Parliament, President Herman Van Rompuy expressed regret that the commitments made by the major industrialised countries to reduce their CO2 emissions are "not enough" to limit global warming.

Le Figaro AFP OE research



Euractiv reports that the European Commission has given a concession to the UK and Germany in its plans to establish a centralised platform for auctioning CO2 emission allowances within the emissions trading scheme from 2013, allowing national governments to opt out and organise their own auctions for the first five years.

EurActiv



European Voice reports that Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier will next month seek to renew efforts to establish a single EU-wide patent, by presenting a proposal for a streamlined language regime for applications.

European Voice





Handelsblatt: "What remains of the Euro?";

German Bundesbank warns that Greek rescue plan would be threat to stability

Widespread newspaper coverage reports that interest rates on Greek bonds rose again yesterday, signalling that the eurozone's assurances of assistance as a last resort are not enough to calm the markets. City AM reports that the spread between Greek and German bonds widened to a euro lifetime record of 456 basis points yesterday, before falling back slightly. It also notes that Greece has enough cash on its books to service loans coming up for refinancing in April, but needs to borrow €11.5bn in May.



The BBC quotes Chris Pryce, senior Greece analyst for rating agency Fitch, saying: "Despite everything the EU and the eurozone have done, there is still a lack of clarity confusion about what they intend to do, when they intend do it and how much would be involved." Former Europe Minister Jean-Pierre Jouyet said this morning, on France Inter radio: "The markets are testing Europe more so than Greece...they are testing the capacity of reaction, action and decision of the European Union...They want to know if France and Germany are agreed on the scope of a agreement".



ECB Chairman Jean-Claude Trichet said yesterday that the ECB would maintain its relaxed collateral rules into next year, reports the WSJ, and accept Greek bonds as collateral, removing a source of uncertainty for Greek banks that rely heavily on Greek government bonds as backing for cheap ECB loans. This decision was met with anger in the German press.



The frontpage of Germany's leading financial daily Handelsblatt shows a €50 note going up in flames, with the headline: "what remains of the Euro?"



A leader in Handelsblatt by its Chief Editor Gabor Steingart argues that "yesterday, the German Bundesbank died." He adds that Trichet is no longer a believer in monetary policy focussed on controlling inflation, adding: "in the Greek crisis it appears that the European Central Bank is following political goals, rather than the stability culture" of the Bundesbank. He quotes a former Bundesbank President who once said: "Those who flirt with inflation, marry her", adding: "Trichet yesterday kissed her. For the spirit of the Bundesbank, that was a kiss of death."



Following Trichet's announcement that the ECB would carry on accepting Greek bonds as collateral, a comment in Boersen Zeitung argues: "it was a black day for the Euro...Trichet didn't manage to give an explanation which is in line with a stability oriented monetary policy."



The FT reports that Trichet said a decision on whether to activate the rescue package "is really in the hands of the Greek government itself". He added, "Taking all the information I have, default is not an issue for Greece."



Meanwhile, Frankfurter Rundschau reports on a leaked internal Bundesbank paper, which offers a scathing critique of the bailout agreement from EU leaders, saying the plan had been cobbled together without consulting central banks and will lead to monetisation of debt. "It brings problems in respect to stability policy that should not be underestimated", it reads. The article notes that, in the eyes of the Bundesbank, the rescue doesn't respect the 'no bailout' rule and the ban on direct financial aid between eurozone member states.

City AM Times IHT Guardian WSJ WSJ 2 WSJ 3 Irish Independent Telegraph: Hannan blog BBC EUobserver IHT 2 FT WSJ 4 Irish Independent 2 European Voice FT 2 Telegraph Independent: O'Grady NouvelObs Mail Irish Times Irish Times 2 Irish Times 3 Handelsblatt Frankfurter Rundschau Spiegel DW Boersen Zeitung Handelsblatt Leader Le Figaro France Inter



Franco Frattini: "It is necessary to create a European army"

In an interview with Le Figaro ahead of a Franco-Italian summit, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini says that the Greek economic crisis "requires us to reinforce European economic governance", believing that in "this area, France has a very important role to play: next year she will chair both the G8 and the G20" and that this represents an "excellent opportunity to define this new governance."



In response to the question "What must be done to reinforce the common European identity?" Frattini replied: "Building a Europe of defence, that is to say, a European army. In order to increase its capacity for intervention on the international scene. The creation of a Franco-Italian alpine brigade, which will be announced in Paris, represents a first step. We hope that other countries will adhere to this idea. Spain, why not, or Germany? This is not about imposing a European army, but about providing the means to intervene. If it wants to be credible in the fight against terrorism, the stabilisation of crisis zones and nuclear security, Europe must 'produce' her own security and not rely solely on that of the US."



He also affirmed his "complete" support for a European citizenship policy, arguing: "We have defined the mandate of the president of Europe, reinforced the powers of the Commission, and widened those of the European parliament. It is now necessary to address the European people, explore their roots reaffirm their fundamental rights. "

Le Figaro



EU wastes £260,000 on cookbook based on banned seal products

The Telegraph reports that, although the EU has introduced a ban on all commercial trade in seal based products, it comes after it spent more than £260,000 promoting the seal hunting industry, including a cookbook with a recipe for "Seal Wellington". The cookbook was part of an EU project named "Seal: A common resource", that received £262,000, between 2000 and 2007, to help hunters make the most of the animals they were allowed to cull. The book is now to be published in Canada because its recipes are now effectively outlawed in Europe.

Telegraph



Nick Clegg admits Britain was right not to join euro

Speaking to the BBC Today programme on Wednesday, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, when asked whether he was still as "keen" on joining the euro, said: "I don't think the euro is for now. I go even further and say I don't think interest rates under the eurozone over the last few years wouldn't have been right for the British economy...I accept that eurozone interest rates over the last few years would have been wrong for Britain."

BBC Today Programme



Writing in the Guardian former British diplomat Charles Crawford argues that "the UK is never going to be 'isolated' in the European Union, whichever party is in power here, for one simple reason: money. The other EU members hypocritically sneer at British supposed anti-Europeanness at the same time as clamouring for our more than generous contributions to the EU central pot."

Guardian: Crawford



Barnier writes to US Treasury Secretary with reassurances over AIFM Directive

The FT reports that EU Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier has written to US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner to assure him that the EU's proposed Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive will not shut foreign funds out of EU financial markets. The letter, sent last week, read: "I am convinced that access to the European single market should be granted to managers and funds domiciled in third countries, including the US, provided that high-level standards of transparency and security are guaranteed...By providing a level playing field for domestic and foreign players alike, we eliminate opportunities for regulatory arbitrage and create the conditions for fair competition."



Meanwhile the Telegraph reports that the BlueCrest capital hedge fund is relocating its headquarters to Guernsey due to a number of factors, including the risk of greater regulation.

FT Telegraph FT 2 OE research



Open Europe's recent research on the cost of eleven years of regulation in the UK is featured in Polish news magazine Wprost.

Wprost OE research OE press release



GMC accuses UK of 'gold-plating' rules on language requirements for foreign doctors

PA reports that the European Commission has responded to yesterday's report from the Commons Health Select Committee, and said that EU rules do not stop national authorities carrying out language tests on foreign doctors working in the UK. A spokesman said: "The competent authority cannot impose a general test regardless of a doctor's situation...If the competent authority is not convinced that the doctor has the right level of English they can then impose a language test", and said any language tests needed to be proportionate and on a case-by-case basis.



The General Medical Council welcomed the Commission statement on language testing of doctors, and claimed it was the "gold plating" of EU law in UK legislation that was the problem.

Guardian



Writing in Le Monde, its Editor-in-Chief, Alain Frachon, argues that it is still early days for EU Foreign Minister Catherine Ashton, and that her "hybrid post" is "an innovation", meaning that it "is impossible to imagine what she will go on to do". He concludes that "courtesy and caution mean she shouldn't be shot down too soon".

Le Monde



An article in the Economist looks at upcoming elections in several central European countries and suggests "a deeper trend across all central European countries facing elections this year is that voters may back politicians they know even if they dislike them, rather than risk new faces from outside."

Economist



The IHT reports that a senior US Treasury Department official has said that the US would cooperate with plans for a new EU system for tracking terrorism financing - although he did not say if such cooperation would extend to sharing American bank data.

IHT



The Economist's Charlemagne column looks at the ageing of Europe's population, which produces varying opinions on working issues across EU countries, and argues: "Europe must above all avoid being pulled apart, as some countries tackle ageing better than others."

Economist: Charlemagne



EUobserver reports that an overwhelming majority of MEPs on the EP's civil liberties, justice and home affairs committee yesterday backed plans to secure EU citizens interpretation in their own language when facing criminal trial in another EU member state. Translation and interpretation costs will have to be met by the member state, not by the suspect.

EUobserver EurActiv



US President Barack Obama was in Prague yesterday to sign a nuclear arms treaty with his Russian counterpart before hosting a dinner with 11 heads of state and government from selected European countries. The decision to not invite any EU officials has been viewed as another put-down by some in Brussels, after Mr Obama also cancelled an US-EU summit due to take place in Madrid in May.

EUobserver Metro Time OE blog



Knack reports that the European Parliament's Internal Market Committee has approved a proposal to implement standardised European clothing sizes.

Knack



The Telegraph reports that the Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Supervisors (CEIOPS) said it has lowered the capital requirements from the draft proposals issued last year, ahead of the introduction of the Solvency II requirements in 2012.

Telegraph





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