Following Polish President Lech Kaczyński's announcement that he will not sign the EU Reform Treaty, journalist Adam Szostkiewic expresses concern about the possible damage to Poland's reputation on the blog of left-wing news magazine Polityka: "Now Kaczyński has destroyed the whole point of his meeting with other European politicians, and in particular [French President Nicolas] Sarkozy, to discuss the Lisbon treaty. Paris will not forget this. Nor will Berlin or Brussels. True, all attempts to revive Lisbon are probably in vain. But that does not mean that it no longer matters whether Kaczyński signs the treaty or not. It would be better if he did sign it. ... The populist tactics of [the conservative president and opposition party] the PiS are nothing new. The PiS has the same attitude toward Europe as the anti-European nationalist Right and the anti-European ideological Left. These forces want the Union to fail." (02/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » EU Constitution, » Poland, » Europe
All available articles from » Adam Szostkiewicz

For the Hungarian national newspaper Népszabadság, Eurosceptics are on the rise across Europe: "Nicolas Sarkozy, who took the helm of the EU yesterday, has had to swallow two bitter pills right at the outset: Neither the German nor the Polish president has signed the 'Lisbon Treaty' - at least for the time being. ... Horst Köhler's resistance seems more of a formal nature. ... And the Polish President Lech Kaczyński will also be open to persuasion, albeit for a high price. ... In most EU member states the ratification of the 'Lisbon Treaty' has gone relatively smoothly. But it would be naive to think that the Eurosceptics are now at a disadvantage - of course with the exception of the Irish. It is entirely possible that Lech Kaczyński or Czech President Vaclav Klaus will hit the brakes on EU integration." (02/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Constitution, » Europe
All available articles from » László Szőcs

Czech President Vaclav Klaus has stressed his approval of his Polish counterpart Lech Kaczynski's decision not to sign the Treaty of Lisbon. Political scientist Jiří Pehe cannot understand the "jubilation at Prague Castle": "With its stance on Lisbon the Czech Republic is manoeuvring itself into a situation that could seriously threaten its EU Council presidency in the first half of 2009. Prague's diplomats are once again overestimating their power, and this is beginning to annoy the rest of the EU. And worse still: the Czech Republic is making an enemy of those who are impatiently waiting to join the EU. The French and Germans have clearly said that without institutional reform there can be no further enlargement of the Union. Klaus promised to help the waiting states, but in reality the country is now becoming an obstacle in their path." (02/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Constitution, » Czech Republic, » Europe
All available articles from » Jiří Pehe

The Corriere della Sera comments on the EU treaty crisis and recommends a renewed surge of commitment. "Kaczyński is not the only spoilsport. The Czech Republic is waiting on the decision of its constitutional court. ... Even if the court rules in favour of the treaty, as in Poland it is President Vaclav Klaus who has the last word. ... And even if the obstacles in Warsaw and Prague are overcome, the way must be paved for a second referendum in Ireland. The overall impression is that Europe is entering the same tunnel it entered in 2005 after the French and Dutch rejection of the constitution. All we need now is for politicians to start talking about a pause for reflection, which is tantamount to admitting paralysis. ... The EU needs clear and unorthodox commitment upheld by the far-sightedness of its statesmen. Can Sarkozy initiate this?" (02/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » EU Constitution, » Europe
All available articles from » Franco Venturini

Libération newspaper reflects on the effect the Polish president's refusal may have on the French EU Council presidency: "The catastrophe continues. At least so it seems. Just a few hours after yesterday's start to the French EU Council presidency, the conservative Polish President Lech Kaczyński ... announced he will not sign the Treaty of Lisbon. ... This is another hard blow for Paris, where hopes were high that a crisis could be avoided and that the eight countries that have not officially ratified this document ... would remain immune to the No bug." (02/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Constitution, » France, » Poland, » Europe
All available articles from » Marc Semo, » Maja Zoltowska

The Estonian daily Postimees takes stock of Slovenia's EU Council presidency: "It is quite remarkable that the first presidency of a new EU member state ended on Monday without anyone having made any particular mention of it. Thanks to the name 'Treaty of Lisbon', the Portuguese presidency that came before Slovenia's is still present in people's minds. And France began its presidency yesterday with such a commotion that no one could overlook it. But even though Ljubljana's presidency went largely unnoticed, it can at least be relieved that it did not attract any negative attention either. All the criticism is currently directed against Ireland and its No to the Lisbon treaty." (02/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » France, » Ireland, » Slovenia, » Portugal, » Europe
All available articles from » Evelyn Kaldoja

Le Monde publishes a condemnation of the hyperactivity of the French parliament written by eleven employees of socialist Members of the National Assembly: "While the presidential orchestra plays the tune of constitutional reform, the parliamentary ship is slowly sinking. Since the elections of Nicolas Sarkozy and the start of the 13th legislature period in June 2007, 97 laws have been passed. ... This mass of new laws was ill conceived and poorly draughted under the pressure of current events, and it would be silly to be proud of them. ... Parliament is now in session almost without pause. ... The agenda is changed practically every day. Texts are read out at the last minute, making any reflection on them impossible. ... The government is forcing parliament to adapt to its rhythm, and putting its own media and tactical interests before the welfare of the people." (02/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » France
All available articles from » Antoine Casini, » Eliane Boutin, » Frédéric Convert, » Catherine Debuire, » Albert Delehaye, » Aurore Gillmann, » Sylvie Loisel, » Laurent Ollivier, » Daniel Perron, » Laurence Tavernier, » Eric Van Roy

The closure trial aimed at banning Turkey's ruling AKP began yesterday. On the same day 24 opponents of the AKP were arrested and charged with planning a putsch against the government. For left-wing daily die tageszeitung this is the beginning of an important process: "In essence the trial and the related conflicts are part of a major experiment such as the world has never seen before: namely reconciling a society of predominantly devout followers of Islam with the separation of church and state, the division of power and individual freedoms, without one part of that society forcing its beliefs on the other. ... The danger that this conflict degenerates into violence is constantly present. But as long as the dispute is carried on without the use of weapons, as long as the army stays out of it and the other side respects the existing state institutions, a new balance of power can develop step by step. This process will no doubt take several years, but in the end it could become an important model for both the Middle East and for Europe." (02/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Religion, » Crime and Law, » Turkey
All available articles from » Jürgen Gottschlich

A party marking the tenth anniversary of the founding of the German-Czech Future Fund was celebrated yesterday in the Czech capital Prague. The fund came into being as a result of the Declaration on Mutual Relations and their Future Development signed between Berlin and Prague in 1997. Wolfgang Jung, German news agency dpa's former Prague correspondent, praises the fund in a commentary piece for Lidove Noviny as "a framework for developing an authentic cooperation. The fund has given Germany the opportunity to play a partner role at an international level. The Czech side has demonstrated that it is in a position to solve the questions and conflicts of the past without simply sweeping them under the carpet. ... The significance of the fund goes beyond this: it focuses on investments in projects aimed at helping the citizens of the two countries to improve their knowledge and understanding of each other." (02/07/2008)

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All available articles from » Wolfgang Jung

Dejan Verčič, professor for public relations at the University of Ljubljana, reflects in a commentary for Delo newspaper on the significance of the Balkans for Slovenia. "Peace in our neighbourhood can be compared to a ride on a bicycle. As long as the countries between Ljubljana and Athens keep moving in the direction of full EU membership, everything is fine. ... But if they had to stop they would probably fall to the ground. And that can happen at any time. After the Irish No to the Treaty of Lisbon, further EU enlargement in the western Balkans is unlikely in the near future. ... That is bad news for Slovenia. ... Peace brings growth, and the hopes of many Slovenian banks and businesses ... that they will finally start to profit. ... Slovenia's strategy has been known for a long time. It runs: leave us in peace. But what will happen if peace no longer exists among our neighbours?" (02/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Enlargement / Neighbourhood Policy, » Trade, » Slovenia, » South East Europe
All available articles from » Dejan Verčič

Henry Kissinger, former US Secretary of State and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, analyses in the International Herald Tribune the new relations between the US and Russia. "My impression is that a new phase of Russian politics is under way. ... Whatever the ultimate outcome, the presidential election marked a transition from a phase of consolidation to a period of modernization. ... The operation of the Russian government with two centres of power - at least initially - may, in retrospect, appear as the beginning of an evolution toward a form of checks and balances lacking heretofore. ... The policy of assertive intrusion into what Russians consider their own sense of self runs the risk of thwarting both geopolitical as well as moral goals. ... Russia's leaders are conscious of their strategic limitations. Indeed, I would characterize Russian policy under Putin as driven in a quest for a reliable strategic partner, with America being the preferred choice. ... The Sochi declaration of Presidents Bush and Putin in April outlined a road map for an emerging strategic dialogue between the two sides. It remains for the new administrations in Russia and America to give it operational context." (02/07/2008)

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All available articles from » Henry A. Kissinger

France opened its labour market to Central Eastern Europeans yesterday. The liberal Slovak newspaper Sme points out that just three years ago the spectre of the Polish plumber spread fear and terror: "It was one of the reasons the French rejected the EU constitution in their referendum. But times have changed. ... Sarkozy's new strategy is in keeping with the priority Paris is giving to its privileged relations with Central and Eastern Europe. The French are beginning to realise that opening their labour market will not automatically lead to a rise in the unemployment figures. Consequently, not only the employers but also the trade unions called for this move." (02/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Enlargement / Neighbourhood Policy, » Labour market / Services, » Economic Policy, » France, » Central Europe, » Eastern Europe
All available articles from » Štefan Hudec

The Internet auction website Ebay has been ordered to pay a high fine to the luxury goods company LVMH for allowing fake products to be sold on the site. The French judgement could make Swiss luxury brands even richer, predicts Tribune de Genève: "Swiss luxury watchmakers have something to laugh about. They have won a major battle without having to take up arms themselves. ... In France the Internet auction site Ebay has been sentenced to pay 64 million Swiss francs to the luxury label LVMH, which accused the American web giant of allowing its products, and what is more, fakes, to be sold on their site. ... The fine of over 60 million Swiss francs has given the judges' arguments considerably more weight. The Internet dealers had already given vague promises that they would wage war on fakes. Now this will become a priority for them, perhaps even their solemn duty." (01/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Crime and Law, » Trade, » Corporations, » Switzerland, » Global
All available articles from » Edouard Bolleter

Foreign managers of the Russian-British oil company TNK-BP, a merger between British Petrol and the Russian company TNK, are no longer being issued with visas. A commentary in the Financial Times voices condemnation: "On the face of it, the partners have split over TNK-BP's management, with the Russian owners accusing BP of failures, including delays in cutting costly expatriate staff. But, in reality, this looks like a row over control between BP, with 50 per cent, and the four oligarchs who own the other half. ... State officials clearly have intervened over the crucial work permit/visa issue. Moscow bureaucrats would not have acted without support from their superiors. BP does not seem to be the target of a unified Kremlin plot. But it may be the victim of power struggles within the administration, which BP's partners can exploit. Whatever the truth, Mr Medvedev must rise above the fray and deliver on his promise to impose the rule of law. If he does not, Russia's reputation with foreign investors will suffer." (02/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Corporations, » United Kingdom, » Russia

The Swedish daily Svenska Dagbladet reviews the film "Lemon Tree" about a Palestinian woman called Salma who goes to court to save her lemon trees, which stand on the Border with the West Bank, from being cut down for allegedly posing a security risk. "'Security measure' is not a magic formula that automatically gives Israel the right to expropriate Palestinian property or curb the property rights of Palestinians," the daily writes, quoting the former judge of Israel's supreme court Aharon Barak. "On the contrary," it adds, "every insult must be weighed up against the interest of protecting lives. ... This does not save Salma's wood in the film. But for many Palestinian and Israeli Arabs it is legislative measures rather than political reform ... that make life somewhat more bearable." (02/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Film, » Crime and Law, » Middle East, » Israel
All available articles from » Paulina Neuding

Michel Platini, president of the European football association UEFA, arrives for talks today in Poland, which will co-host the EURO 2012 football championships. The liberal-conservative daily Dziennik comments on Platini's statement that he would do everything to ensure the games are held in Poland and Ukraine, but that the final decision would be taken in September. "This kind of statement is a perfectly normal tactic in the business world, to remind partners of the agreement. You have to bear in mind that football is big business. UEFA is presenting us with a lucrative offer. It awarded Poland and Ukraine the contract to prepare its product. It will earn huge amounts on the event, and allow us to profit as well. Too much is at stake to get the jitters and look laughable in the process. The argument that withdrawing the contract to organise the championships would be bad for UEFA's image - and an admission of an embarrassing mistake - is also true. And that is our additional trump." (02/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » Poland, » Ukraine
All available articles from » Cezary Kowalski