The daily La Vanguardia detects broad support for Sarkozy's plans for the French EU Council presidency: "Sarkozy used all his skills to present a policy that will receive the support of the majority of countries and members of the European Parliament. ... This is why his remark that the only way out of the crisis was to negotiate with Dublin was applauded by the majority, which has anxiously watched the Czech Republic and Poland throw a spanner in the works of the Union. Sarkozy used the podium to admonish ... Polish President Lech Kaczyński, who has refused to sign the Treaty of Lisbon." (11/07/2008)

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The conservative daily Rzeczpospolita harshly criticises Nicolas Sarkozy's calls for Polish President Lech Kaczyński to ratify the EU reform treaty for moral reasons. "This clever phrase comes from a man who changed his mind about not attending the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Beijing the day before he delivered his speech in the European Parliament. ... This is the same Sarkozy who received the Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi in December last year. ... The moral character of this gesture was underpinned by a 15 billion euro contract for French firms. ... Let us be frank: in politics, and in particular in foreign policy, morals are a relative concept. And just as Sarkozy takes care of the interests of his country by cuddling up to Gadaffi and fighting for the Lisbon Treaty, Kaczyński is defending his country's interests." (11/07/2008)

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All available articles from » Marek Magierowski

Philippe Ricard, Strasbourg correspondent for the French newspaper Le Monde, comments in a podcast on the warm reception Nicolas Sarkozy's speech was given in the European Parliament. "It is clear that he came with the intention of seducing the MEPs. One can see that since the beginning of his French presidency Sarkozy has been trying to fortify his ties to European institutions. ... And today he came to reap the fruits of his work. He presented the four top priorities of his presidency and stressed that he ... will need the support of the MEPs. This was a very welcome speech." (10/07/2008)

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All available articles from » Philippe Ricard

The Irish Times welcomes Nicolas Sarkozy's timetable for the implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon: "Sarkozy said he expects to propose a method and a solution to the problem by October or at the latest in December next, in co-operation with the Government. He ruled out any collective renegotiation by the other 26 member states as a result of the Irish vote. That makes it very much a matter of the assurances, clarifications and changes Ireland can secure, on the basis of which the Government might decide to hold another referendum. ... He is right to insist on a timetable for decisions by the end of the year. ... We are gradually becoming aware of the damage done to Ireland's reputation and loss of influence among political leaderships in existing and applicant states." (11/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Constitution, » Ireland, » Europe

Sweden's Foreign Miniser Carl Bildt comments on Nicolas Sarkozy's inaugural speech as EU Council president, and the potential for EU enlargement. "It was good that he made it clear what a demanding programme we have ahead of us, and that we must not sink into an 'institutional soap opera'. But that does not stop him from thinking about enlargement. He cautiously implies how difficult it will be to admit new members without reforming the institutions. But this is true only to a certain extent. It is not impossible to continue enlargement on the basis of the Treaty of Nice - but it would be more complicated." (11/07/2008)

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Following the tragic deaths of 15 North African immigrants who were stranded for six days in a boat drifting a few kilometres off the Spanish coast, the daily El Mundo ponders how the European Union can prevent the repetition of such tragedies: "At a time when the EU is seeking a common legal framework, we must avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. The reaction of the government during [Spanish head of government José Luis Rodríguez] Zapatero's first term in office to the tide of refugees was as bad as the Italian government's current policy of criminalising illegal migrants. Moreover [the Italian head of government Silvio] Berlsconi's policy violates the most basic tenets of the European model: its common values which encompass solidarity and protection of human rights as well as freedom and democracy." (11/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Migration, » Integration, » Minorities, » Italy, » Spain, » Europe

The daily Corriere della Sera condemns the European Parliament's criticism of the controversial fingerprinting of Roma minors in Italy. "Suspicions are running high that this is a politically motivated attack, instigated by the European Socialists' demonstrative harrying of Nicolas Sarkozy into cranking up the pressure on Silvio Berlusconi. ... Strasbourg's warning is not binding. It smacks of political manoeuvring, and was passed without waiting to hear the opinion of the European Commission. ... The fingerprinting of Roma children is a reflection of the cultural convictions of the majority. ... [Current EU Council President] Sarkozy answered the Socialists that [the fingerprinting] reflects a change of course on the part of the Centre-Right, and that this faction is led by Berlusconi, whom Italians have elected as prime minister for the third time. An irreproachable response. But it remains to be seen if it heralds the support of other EU countries, or if Italy must engage in yet another trial of strength with Europe. Some of Italy's opponents would no doubt like to see its solitude become isolation." (11/07/2008)

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All available articles from » Massimo Franco

EU Council president Nicolas Sarkozy will present plans for the Mediterranean Union at a special summit in Paris on Sunday. The business newspaper Les Echos analyses German-French relations in the light of the project. "This will be a moment of pride for Sarkozy. A consecration. The realisation of a long-time goal. On Sunday he will place the Mediterranean Union on the baptismal font in Paris. ... But first impressions are misleading. Because the real victor at this huge party will not be Sarkozy, but Angela Merkel. In her usual silent, inconspicuous way. ... The German chancellor has prevailed in trimming the wings of the Mediterranean Union. ... Angela Merkel did not want a Mediterranean Union that devides the 27. And she has held sway. Nicolas Sarkozy was forced to capitulate to save their marriage. ... After the disputes and the unfaithfulness, the couple once more comes across as united and harmonious. ... But further infidelity will not be tolerated. Angela Merkel has forgiven. But she does not want the Union to be disrupted once more. Nicolas Sarkozy is under observation." (10/07/2008)

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All available articles from » Stéphane Dupont

For the daily Dagens Nyheter Iran's continuation of its nuclear programme and missile tests pose a political dilemma: "The missile warning directed at the US is proof that Iran is not interested in world peace. No one wants a military conflict - but the prospect of a nuclear arms race in the Middle East is equally alarming. ... The disastrous course of the war in Iraq has diminished confidence that the Bush Administration can deal with the threat from Iran. Nonetheless it is morally correct to try to prevent an unscrupulous regime from getting its hands on nuclear weapons. ... If Iran is successful with its nuclear weapons programme, we will almost certainly witness a nuclear race in the region. What kind of world will we live in if Saudi Arabia and Egypt get hold of nuclear weapons - regimes that would push the button too soon rather than too late?" (11/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » U.S., » Middle East

Europe's security policy should seek to take better advantage of Europe's merits, writes the Austrian daily Die Presse: "Europeans must ... start to reflect on how and by which means the EU can defend and further its interests in the areas of stability and security policy. Europe need not copy the US in this respect because the continent has a series of advantages over the latter: for example, while the US regards practically the entire globe from the Middle East to the Pacific region as its sphere of influence, Europeans see themselves at most as a regional power. This view ... comes from the realisation that the times of imperialist thinking belong to the past. ... All this requires stronger cooperation among the EU partners. ... By integrating the available means and at the same time dismantling parallel structures, a lot of money can be saved and more modern and efficient armies would be the result." (11/07/2008)

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All available articles from » Thomas Seifert

The weekly magazine The Economist reflects on what lies in store for the EU if the Euro-critical Conservatives win the next British elections: "A complacent calm reigns in Brussels a month after Irish voters rejected the Lisbon treaty. ... If opinion polls are to be believed, the Conservatives will form the next British government by the spring of 2010. ... the most Eurosceptic government since Britain joined the club in 1973. ... In the European Parliament, the Tories are committed to severing their formal link with the other main centre-right parties in the European People's Party, and to set up a new formation of more sceptical parties, taking in allies from the ex-communist east. ... [Should the Treaty of Lisbon not yet be ratified, party leader] Cameron would hold a referendum and campaign for voters to reject the treaty. ... Europe faces a time of instability, in which Britain and other players do not have the measure of each other. That makes the calm that reigns in Brussels more than complacent: it is baffling." (11/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » EU Constitution, » United Kingdom, » Europe

Following the protests of US aircraft constructor Boeing, the US defence ministry has reissued a call for tenders for a defence contract worth 40 billion dollars which it had already awarded to European aerospace giant EADS. The German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung is nonetheless optimistic that the contract will go to Europe. "The US military's choice fuelled ... not only concerns about jobs but also aroused intense emotions and political opposition. ... Despite the political and emotional sensitivity of this issue, the deal is far from over for EADS after the decision in Washington. ... The reissuing of the call for tenders is politically awkward, not only because of potential transatlantic tensions but also because of the ongoing US presidential election campaign. ... Moreover the fleet of tankers plays a strategic role in ensuring operability for the US's armed forces. .... [But] it is the US consortium leader Northrop Grumman that supplies the components that are important from a military point of view. Therefore the argument that the move is necessary to protect national security is not very plausible." (11/07/2008)

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All available articles from » Paul-Anton Krüger

The Lithuanian news portal Delfi looks at strategic cooperation between Lithuania and Poland: "One gets the impression that the Lithuanians care more about the economy or the infrastructure, for example the construction of a long-planned electricity bridge or the 'Via Baltica' motorway, while the Poles are more concerned about the situation of the Polish minority in and around Vilnius. ... It is striking that between 1997 and 2004, Poland either created or modernised no less than twelve electricity bridges which connect its power network with those in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Sweden and Ukraine. And these bridges were not even classed as strategic projects. They were not considered state priorities, and neither the president nor the German chancellor nor the Swedish king wasted a word on them." (11/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Energy, » Infrastructure / Travel and Transport, » Economic Policy, » Poland, » Lithuania
All available articles from » Krzysztof Kolanowski

In spring 2007 the centre-right conservative Swiss People's Party (SVP) got up a petition against the construction of minarets aimed at the holding of a "Vernehmlassung" (by which interest groups are consulted before changes to the law). The required number of signatures was gathered and the Swiss will soon vote on the issue. Hugues Hiltpold, chairman of the Free Democratic Party of Switzerland (FDP), criticises the initiative in the Tribune de Genève: "This popular initiative aimed at banning minarets is not directed against Islamic terrorism. Not everything that tapers to a point is a missile. No, the real target of this initiative is religious freedom. ... A few Islamophobic fanatics are exploiting the fears of Islam to whip up a destructive nation-wide debate. The victim of this debate will not be religious extremism but religious peace and dialogue between faiths - and everyone's right to believe or not believe. ... It is our duty to defend the right to be Muslim in Switzerland. ... Switzerland is much more than just another country in this world: it is an idea. What all the Swiss have in common is their will to live in freedom and to ensure that their differences are respected." (10/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Architecture / Cities, » Religion, » Integration, » Minorities, » Switzerland
All available articles from » Hugues Hiltpold

Katarzyna Tubylewicz, director of the Polish Institute in Stockholm, calls for greater quality in the work of Polish cultural institutes abroad. "The truth is depressing. You only need to spend a short time in a Western European country to see that Poland is more readily associated with 'Polish cleaning ladies' or 'Polish plumbers' than with [the artists] Szymborska, Miłosz, Gombrowicz, Kieślowski or Chopin. Thanks to years of work by Polish elites abroad, Western European elites have learned about Polish culture. But that is not enough. The Polish institutes could improve things by promoting Poland in a professional way, in ongoing dialogue with local partners. They should pay attention to such basic things as a good Internet site, well-maintained mailing lists, newsletters and high-quality advertising materials. ... To effectively convey knowledge about Polish culture as a trademark, Polish Institutes themselves must be effectively trademarked." (11/07/2008)

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All available articles from » Katarzyna Tubylewicz

Since 1939 the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) has broadcast in Romania. The programme is to be discontinued as of August 1. In an article for the Romanian blog ACUM, former BBC employee Petru Clej gives a nostalgic review: "With the conclusion of Romania's BBC programme an important symbol will disappear. For the older generation it brings back memories of the war, when Radio London strived to correct the false information delivered by Hitler and Antonescu. During the times of the 'Cold War', which lasted considerably longer, the BBC once again broke the information block of a totalitarian regime, this time that of the communists. After the fall of communism the BBC service in Romania reached the peak of its popularity, with around 16 percent of Romanian adults tuning in to its programmes. ... In Romania the BBC was always a model for how public opinion can be formed: with rational, unbiased journalism that never relied on shrill tones or flashy but meaningless pamphlets as the Romanian media does. ... Farewell, BBC. We will miss you!" (11/07/2008)

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All available articles from » Petru Clej

The radar treaty with the US for the planned American missile defence shield was signed on the same writing table as the Soviet treaty settling the occupation of Czechoslovakia after the violent end to the Prague Spring in 1968. This fact has been the butt of jokes and biting commentary in the Czech Republic. Milan Vodička, commentator at the liberal daily Mladá fronta DNES, takes a different view: "I do not find it embarrassing. On the contrary, I see it as a historical liberation. On the same desk where a country was once humiliated, an agreement has been reached that will prevent such things from ever happening again. ... History does not repeat itself at all, as critics of the radar maintain. This new treaty is no decree forcing 4,700 Russian tanks on our country. We negotiated the document as a sovereign state, and the 250 Americans who will operate the radar are no occupation army." (11/07/2008)

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All available articles from » Milan Vodička