Europe - Fondation Robert Schuman

Home

Policies

Economy

Society

International

Lisbonne

Quizz

Links Contact

News Tuesday 9th February 2010

Conference: "French Influence in Brussels: what is true and false" - Paris

10th February 2009

On the initiative of Jean-Dominique Giuliani, Chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation and Jérôme Bédier, Chairman of the Europe Committee at the Medef, the Foundation organized on 10th February an evening debate in partnership with the Medef entitled "French Influence in Brussels : what is true and false."

In the presence of:

- Jean Quatremer, journalist specialising in European matters for Libération, author of Les maîtres de l’Europe, Notre Europe and of the blog Les coulisses de Bruxelles
- Anne Dufermont, government & industry affairs director, Rohm & Haas
- Henri Thomé, director of European affairs, Bouygues
- Michel Troubetzkoy, senior vice-president and permanent representative of EADS in Brussels
- Sonia Plecita-Ridzikova, policy officer, general management of economic and financial affairs at the European Commission and former parliamentary assistant
- Bertrand Deprez, senior consultant at the European Think Tank, The Centre

Listen to the debate:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Left to right:
V. Deprez, H. Thomé, A. Dufermont, A. Fleury, M. Troubetzkoy, S. Plecita-Ridzikova, J. Quatremer

Left to right:
V. Deprez, H. Thomé, A. Dufermont, A. Fleury, M. Troubetzkoy, S. Plecita-Ridzikova

Europe Live

France
Financial Crisis
In the forecasts communicated to Brussels on 2nd February the French government said that it committed to reducing the French public deficit (State,... Commission
Loans
The European Commission paid the second part of its loan to Latvia to a total of 1.2 billion euros on 27th July together with the first payment of... Personal Data
Parliament
The Civil Liberties and Justice Commission at the European Parliament voted on 4th February against the so-called SWIFT agreement - the name being... Savings
Eurostat
According to data published by Eurostat on 28th January household savings rates declined in the third quarter of 2009 in comparison with the previous... Romania
Financial Crisis
On 27th January the IMF and the EU announced that they were resuming their anti-crisis aid to Romania. The total amount expected is 3.3 billion... Slovenia
Financial Crisis
On 4th February the Slovenian government adopted a plan to emerge from the crisis aiming to guarantee sustainable development of the economy and to... Georgia/Russia
Studies/Reports
The Danish International Studies Institute has published research by Pertti Joenniemii entitled "The Georgian-Russian Conflict: a Turning Point?" The... Franco-German
France
The next Franco-German Council of Ministers will take place in Paris on 4th February. This is the first joint ministers council after the entry into... SME
Germany
The German government has established a special microcredit fund of 100 million euros to help very small companies which banks refuse to make loans... Turkmenistan
France
During an official visit to France on 1st and 2nd February the Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow met his French counterpart Nicolas... Personal Data
Commission
The European Commission adopted a decision on 5th February that updates the contract clauses for the transfer of personal data to data intermediaries... ECB
Financial Crisis
The European Central Bank's Council of Governors decided on 4th February to leave its main rates unchanged at 1%. During a press conference... Euro
Estonia
The Estonian Finance Minister announced on 23rd January that Estonia now met all criteria to adopt the European currency which it hopes to do in... Treaty ratified
Italia
Italian deputies have voted at the unanimity on july, 31th the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, just one week after the positive vote from the... General Elections
Czech Republic
Czech President Vaclav Klaus announced on 5th February that the next general elections would take place on 28th and 29th May. The 200 seats in the... Unemployment
Eurostat
In December 2009 unemployment rose to 10% in the euro area and to 9.6% in the European Union in comparison with 9.9% and 9.5% the previous month and... Council
General Affairs and External Relations
On 27th July the 27 Foreign Ministers called on the Commission to issue an opinion on the request for EU membership on the part of Iceland. They... Reforms
UK
During a speech delivered on 2nd February British Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke of the next stages in the government pogramme and the... Agriculture
Studies/Reports
Just as the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is under discussion the Institute for a European Environmental Policy published a study on... Franco-German
France
On 4th February the 12th Franco-German Council of Ministers took place bringing together both French and German ministers with Nicolas Sarkozy and... Czech Republic
Financial Crisis
The annual IMF mission to the Czech Republic ended on 25th January. According to its conclusions the rate of the country's economic growth is due to... Davos
Financial Crisis
The Davos Forum ended on 30th January on a note that was far from euphoric because as growth has started again the budgetary problems of states such... Space
Slovenia
The Slovenian Minister for Higher Education Gregor Golobic signed a participation agreement on 22nd January with regard to Slovenia in the European... Italy
Financial Crisis
In December the unemployment rate reached 8.5% increasing by 0.2 points in comparison with the previous month and by 1.5 points in comparison with... Agriculture
Foundation
Nicolas-Jean Bréhon, an agricultural economist, published an article in le Monde on 30th January entitled "The CAP is dead, long live the CAAP". He... Greece
Financial Crisis
Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou acknowledged on 27th January that Greece was suffering a "credibility deficit" on the financial markets. He... Georgia
Publications
Palgrave Macmillan has published a book by Ronald Asmus, Executive Diretor of the Transatlantic Centre of the German Marshall Fund in Brussels: "A... Finland
Financial Crisis
The Finnish Finance Minister announced on 2nd February that Finland was due to raise its taxes and reduce public spending in order to bring its... Competitiveness
Studies/Reports
On 2nd February fifty of the biggest industrialists gathered for the European Round Table of Industrialists and called on the EU to act to save jobs... Industry
Eurostat
According to data released by Eurostat on 2nd February in December 2009 the industrial price index increased by 0.1% in the euro area and remained... Waste
Commission
European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said on 1st February that the Commission supported the creation of a European Waste Agency to improve... Court Cases
Belgium
On 28th January the European Commission referred Belgium to the Court of Justice because it has failed to transpose Financial Transparency Directive... EU/Belarus
Studies/Reports
The German Society for Foreign Policy (DGAP) has published a study by Maria Davydchyk and Marie-Lena May entitled "Die Gunst der Stunde nutzen:... Employment
Commission
According to a report published on 4th February by the European Commission Europe has to take immediate action to make up for its competence deficits... Inflation
Eurostat
According to estimates published on 29th January by Eurostat the annual inflation rate in the euro area lay at 1% in January 2010 against 0.9% in... Digital
Studies/Reports
Bruegel has published a "paper for the attention of the new commissioner responsible for the digital agenda". In spite of progress achieved with... Gas
Italy
On 4th February the European Commission said it was satisfied with the answer given by the Italian natural gas company ENI with regard to its concern... Training/Women
Auditors Court
In a report presented on 26th January the European Auditors Court looked into professional training for women co-funded by the European Social Fund... Afghanistan
UK
On 28th January the UK was the host for an international conference on Afghanistan together with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Afghan... Energy
Germany
On the occasion of the visit to the Max Planck Institute on 1st February German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for the development of research into... Moldova
Romania
Romanian President Traian Basescu, who visited Moldova on 27th and 28th January for the first time since the end of communist rule over this country,... Culture
European Council
The President of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy took part in a seminar on 25th January entitled "Which language, which culture in a universe... President
Greece
On 3rd February the Greek Parliament re-elected Carolos Papoulias as President of the Greek Republic. The only candidate running, he was elected in... Film/Berlin
Culture
From 11th to 21st February the 60th Berlinale, the Film Festival of Berlin, will take place. Around 400 films have been chosen - 20 are running for... BERD
Bosnia-Herzegovina
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development granted a loan of 67 million euros to Bosnia-Herzegovina on 27th January to support its... Gas
Hungary
On 29th January during a working visit by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zoubkov to Budapest Russia signed an agreement with Hungary with... Russia
NATO
NATO and Russia renewed their military links on 26th January with the scrutiny of a cooperation programme for 2010 particularly with regard to... Resignation
Slovenia
During a parliamentary debate on 26th January Slovenian Environment Minister Karl Erjavec whose resignation had been demanded by Prime Minister Boru... Climate
Commission
On 28th January the EU made its support to the Copenhagen Agreement on the Climate official and presented its commitments in terms of goals to reduce... Parliament
Financial Crisis
On 28th January the special committee on the financial, economic and social crisis auditioned experts in view of preparing a report that will be... Conference
Foundation
The General Assembly of the "Amical des Agronomes Français de Belgique" took place on 2nd February in Brussels. Pascale Joannin, Director General of... Trade
Eurostat
According to Eurostat figures published on 3rd February in December 2009 in comparison with November 2009 the volume of retail trade sales remained... Yemen
UK
On 27th January in London a meeting took place to re-iterate the support of the international community to Yemen. A meeting of donor countries to... Telecoms
Commission
On 28th January telecommunications regulators of the 27 Member States met for the first time in Brussels as members of the new Body of European... Referendum/Iceland
Foundation
On 6th March the Icelanders are being called to vote by referendum on the law approved on 31st December by the Althing (Parliament) whereby the... France
Financial Crisis
The number of unemployed, those without work at all, declined in December in mainland France by 18,700 over one month to lie at 2.61 million at the... Appointment
NATO
The Chief of Staff of the French Army, Stéphane Abrial was appointed "Supreme Allied Commander for the Transformation" of NATO on 29th July. This... Unemployment
Spain
According to figures published on 2nd February by the public employment service Spain recorded an increase of 124,890 more unemployed in January 2010... Europe
USA
The security of Europe "is a cornerstone of the American foreign policy," said American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on 29th January in Paris... Election/Greece
Foundation
Carolos Papoulias was re-elected President of the Republic of Greece on 3rd February almost unanimously by the members of the Vouli, the only chamber... Pensions
Spain
The Spanish government announced on 29th January that it was going to suggest delaying the retirement age to 67 years instead of the present 65 in... Banking Secrecy
Germany
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble believed that banking secrecy had "had its moment" and that "it had no future" and that included... Elections
Moldova
Together the four main opposition parties won the early general elections in Moldova with 50.7% of the vote and 53 MPs ahead of the Communist Party... Rural Development
Commission
On 29th January the Committee for Rural Development approved the use of available funding as part of the European plan for economic recovery and the... Cyprus
UN
UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon is in Cyprus from 31st January to 2nd February to aid negotiations. "The leaders have asked me to say that... General Elections
Slovakia
The President of the Slovakian Parliament, Pavol Paska announced on February 1st that the next general elections in Slovakia will take place on 12th... Foreign Affairs
Council
Given the scale of the earthquake that has struck Haiti the 27 Foreign Ministers who met on 25th January approved aid of 300 policemen and the... Security
Germany
The 46th Conference on Security took place in Munich from 5th to 7th February. Discussions notably focused on resource security and on the... Portugal
Financial Crisis
Just as the governor of the Bank of Portugal declared on 2nd February that the reduction of the Portuguese public deficit was a necessity and that it... Competitions/Schools
60 years/Schuman Declaration
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the declaration in which Robert Schuman set the foundations for the construction of Europe on 9th May 1950... Bank note/Chopin
Poland
The Polish Central Bank (NBP) announced on 4th February that on the occasion of the bicentenary of the composer's birth it was selling on-line from... ICTY
Serbia
In parallel to the visit of the head of Serb diplomacy to Brussels on 26th January, who hoped to make progress with regard to his country's accession... France/Germany
Studies/Reports
The Genshagen Foundation has published its first issue of the "Genshagener Papiere" series on the theme of "A new agenda for Franco-German... Security
Parliament
On 27th January MEPs looked into two issues which are the focus of debate between the Union and the USA: body scanners in airports and the transfer... Services
Studies/Reports
Just as the transposition deadline came on 28th December 2009 only one third of the 27 Member States are said to have fully set in place measures... Greco/Brussels
Culture
The Palace of Fine Arts in Brussels is presenting an exhibition devoted to Greco until 9th May. This is a unique chance to see the greatest... Ulster
UK
On 5th February an agreement was signed at Hillsborough Castle between British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Irish PM Brian Cowen with regard to... Auschswitz
Poland
On 27th January former prisoners of Auschwitz-Birkenau and many personalities including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to the... Motorways of the Sea
Commission
On 27th January the European Commission authorised the public funding of the Fres Mos project, a Sea Motorway" between the French ports of... Greece
Financial Crisis
During a speech to the nation on 2nd February Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou announced new measures to fight the crisis. Stressing that his... Unemployment
Spain
According to the Spanish National Statistics Institute the unemployment rate rose to 18.83% of the working population in the fourth quarter of 2009... Jacques Barrot
Commission
In an interview with Agence Europe Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security reviewed... Commission
Financial Crisis
On 28th January the European Commission published data for the month of January showing an improvement for the 10th consecutive month in the business... Government
Sweden
On 2nd February the Swedish government announced the appointment of Birgitta Ohlsson as European Affairs Minister a post which was left vacant after... Seminar/CERI
Foundation
On 9th February the Robert Schuman Foundation and the CERI are organising a seminar entitled "The EU in quest of political legitimacy : towards new... Spain
Financial Crisis
On 29th January the Spanish government announced an austerity plan of 50 billion euros over three years that aims to reduce drastically public... Seminar/CERI
Foundation
The Robert Schuman Foundation and the CERI are organising a seminar on 9th February entitled "The problem of the EU's denomination: how should the EU... Germany
Financial Crisis
The German government has just raised its growth forecasts for 2010 to 1.4%; the GDP fell by 5% in 2009. According to Economy Minister Rainer... Deficit
Commission
On 27th January the European Commission asked Latvia and Hungary to bring their public deficits down below 3% within the set time whilst Malta and... Carneval/Italy
Culture
On 6th February the Carneval of Venice and that of Rome started and will last until 16th February. In Venice a mysterious, baroque population... Audition/Georgieva
Parliament
During her audition on 2nd February Bulgarian Kristalina Georgieva, Commissioner designate for Humanitarian Aid promised that Haiti would be her... General Affairs
Council
On 25th January the Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos presented the programme of the Spanish Presidency of the Union to his... Carbon Tax
Eurobarometer
An survey undertaken by Eurobarometer and published on 29th July shows that Europeans do not support the idea of a special tax on products that are... Exhibition/Denmark
Culture
The Art Museum, Louisiana in Humlebaek will be devoting an exhibition to colour until 13th June. This exhibition entitled "Colour in Art" presents... Museum/Essen
Culture
The new Folkwang Museum in Essen, which has a wealth of Impressionist paintings, opened its doors on 30th January. The opening to the public is one... Defence
UK
On 3rd February the British Defence Minister presented his Green Paper on the future of British Defence to the House of Commons. Several strategic... Belgium
Financial Crisis
The Franco-Belgian bank Dexia accepted on 5th February to reduce its balance sheet by a third by 2014 after the sale of assets notably in Spain and... Spain
Financial Crisis
The Spanish economy continued to contract in the fourth quarter of 2009 maintaining the country in recession with a quarterly GDP decline of 0.1%... Social Situation
Eurobarometer
Eurobarometer published a study on 2nd Februay on the social situation. According to this study Europeans are satisfied with their personal situation... UK
Financial Crisis
According to statistics published on 26th January by the National Statistics Office, the UK is no longer in recession: growth increased by 0.1% in... Agreement?
Serbia
Serb Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic travelled to Brussels on 26th January. He notably met High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security... Government
Lithuania
Audronius Azubalis, former journalist and chair of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee was appointed on 29th January as head of Lithuanian... Industry
Eurostat
In November 2009 the new industrial orders index rose by 2.7% in the euro area (up to 10.3% in Austria) and by 2.6% in the Union in comparison with... Counterfeiting
Commission
A joint customs operation as part of the ASEM (Asia-Europa Meeting) led to the confiscation of more than 65 million counterfeit cigarettes and... Interim Government
Belgium
Outgoing Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt succeeded in reaching agreement on 19th December to form an interim government until 23rd March next... Parity
Council
The Vice-President of the Spanish government Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, Equality Minister Bibiana Aido and British Minister for Women and... Jerzy Buzek/France
Parliament
Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament undertook an official visit to Paris on 2nd and 3rd February. He met with French President Nicolas... Hungary
Financial Crisis
The Hungarian Central Bank MNB reduced its main rate by a quarter of a point to 6% on 25th January after an identical reduction at the end of... Unemployment
Germany
The gross unemployment rate in Germany leapt to 8.6% in January due to a traditional slowing in activities after the end of year celebrations... Reform
Macedonia
During its last two sessions the Macedonian government adopted 37 draft laws that aim to harmonise national legislation with that of Europe. These... Presidential Election
Ukraine
According to partial results announced by the Central Electoral Commission after the counting of voting slips in 97% of polling stations, Viktor... President
European Council
Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council travelled to Poland, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic. On 26th January he spoke with Polish... Exhibition/Portugal
Culture
Under the title of "Resistência. Da Alternativa Republicana à Luta contra a Ditadura" the Portuguese Centre for Photography in Porto is organising an... Poland
Financial Crisis
According to figures published on 28th January Poland recorded growth of 1.7% in 2009, the only country in the EU to have increased its economic... Ulster
UK
Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen and his British counterpart Gordon Brown met in Dublin and London on 25th and 27th January to discuss the situation... Portugal
Financial Crisis
Portuguese Prime Minister José Socrates has showed that he is determined to bring his country's the public deficit below the 3% mark by 2013. During... Kosovo
Italy
Italian Deputy Foreign Minister, Alfredo Mantica travelled to Pristina on 1st February. He met the Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaci. The aim of... Pensions
Spain
On 3rd February the Spanish government delivered a corrected version of its stability programme 2009-2013 to the European Commission. The programme... Greece
Albania
On 27th January the Constitutional Court annulled an agreement signed between Albania and Greece with regard to the delimitation of the territorial... Cyprus
UN
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said on 1st February that the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders will need more "courage and determination" to reach... Court Cases
Italy
The European Commission launched a procedure against Italy on 28th January for the non-respect of community standards in terms of private life in... Germany
Croatia
Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor travelled to Berlin on 3rd February and met German Chancellor Angela Merkel. They called for increased... Election
Greece
The election of the president of the Greek republic by Parliament (Vouli) will take place on 3rd February said the President of Parliament Philippos...

Newsletter

Flux Actualités Fil RSS

Flux Publications Fil RSS