Home
- About us
- Robert Schuman
- Publications
- Events
- Partnerships
- Newsletter
The Robert Schuman Foundation represented by Jean-Dominique Giuliani and Xavier de Villepin inaugurated the first Robert Schuman Square in Albania on 31st May in the centre of the historic town of Berat, 120km south of the capital, Tirana. This visit presented an opportunity to speak in favour of European values of peace, reconciliation and co-operation between states as well as to look into the situation in Albania, Kosovo and to mention bilateral relations with several political leaders, including Prime Minister Sali Berisha.
France-General ElectionsThe French will elect the 577 members of the National Assembly, the lower chamber in Parliament on 10th and 17th June next. They will choose amongst 7,639 candidates 3,177 of whom are women. According to the latest polls the UMP allied to the New Centre (formerly UDF MPs who joined forces with Nicolas Sarkozy), is due to win 42% of the vote (ie between 410 and 430 seats). The PS, allied to the Radical Left Party (PRG) and the Republican and Citizens' Movement (MRC) is due to win 27% of the vote (between 101 and 142 seats). The MoDem (formerly UDF MPs who loyal to François Bayrou), is due to win 10% of the vote but would only take between 2 and 6 seats. The PCF with 4% would take 4 to 10 seats, the Greens with 3%, would have between 1 and 3 MPs and the MPF with 1.5% would have between 2 and 3 MPs.
Belgium - General ElectionsThe Belgians are being called to renew the two Chambers of Parliament on 10th June, ie the 71 Senators and 150 members of the Chamber of Representatives. The election will take place according to an integral proportional highest average system. The main issue will be to decide who Prime Minister will be. Traditionally this post goes to the leader of the main political party which provides the Dutch speakers with an advantage. Just one week before the election, Yves Leterme, President of the Dutch Christian Democrat Party (CD&V) and Minister President of Flanders, is the favourite in terms of succeeding Guy Verhofstadt (Liberals and Democrats, Open VLD). In Flanders the Christian Democrat Party which is allied to New Alliance (N-VA) is credited with 29.9% of the vote taking the lead over Vlaams Belang (VB), 20.7%, the Socialist-Spirit Party 20.4%, the Liberals and Democrats 17.3% and Groen (G) 8.4%. In Wallonia the Reform Movement is credited with 34.9% of the vote ahead of the Socialist Party 29.6%, the Humanist Democrat Centre 20.4% and Ecolo 11.7%.
Latvia-Presidential ElectionThe President of the Republic of Latvia has been elected by the 100 members of the Saeima, the only chamber in Parliament. Valdis Zatlers, the candidate supported by the four parties in the government coalition (People's Party (TP) led by Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis, Latvia's First-Latvia's Way (LPP-LC), the Farmers' Union and the Greens (ZZS) and the Union for the Fatherland and Freedom (TB/LNNK) was elected on 31st May in the first round of voting winning 58 votes against 39 for his adversary, former President of the Constitutional Court, Aivars Endzins, supported by the Harmony Centre (SC) and New Era (JL). Valdis Zatlers will officially take office on 7th July next when the 2nd term in office of the present President, Vaira Vike-Freiberga expires.
During the 8th Conference of Foreign Ministers of the ASEM on 28th and 29th May in Hamburg it was repeated that the 45 members of the ASEM co-operation now represented 60% of world exchange, 58% of the world's population and around 50% of international economic results. The ASEM's role as the main organisation for Asia-Europe relations is therefore a decisive one, likewise its ability to influence the world order. The aims of co-operation are to enhance multi-lateralism and the quest for answers to world globalisation challenges, competitiveness, sustainable development and cultural and inter-religious dialogue.
Middle EastOn 30th May the Middle East Quartet, consisting of the United Nations, the European Union, the United States of America and the Russian Federation, met to discuss the escalation in violence between Israelis and Palestinians. The Quartet urged a return to the cease-fire. The Quartet decided to meet the parties to the conflict in the region before the end of June. The dialogue with the Arab League will also be continued.
EU-JapanOn 29th May the European Union Troika met a delegation from Japan to discuss relations between the EU and Japan, their close strategic partners and topical issues with the upcoming EU-Japan summit on 5th June in Berlin in mind. They expressed their concern about stability and development in Central Asia and accepted responsibility for reconstruction and stabilisation in Afghanistan.
E-justice ConferenceDuring the conference "Work on E-justice" on 30th May in Bremen more than 500 experts and other interested parties from Europe, the USA and Asia discussed and analysed the opportunities that have arisen from the cross border use of ITCs in justice. "Modern information and communication technology makes the justice system more efficient and helps citizens and businesses seeking justice get help more quickly and easily". In a European area of freedom, security and justice with porous borders, information technology-based support of the justice sector must not end at the internal borders," indicated German Justice Minister, Brigitte Zypries.
Euro-Mediterranean Youth ParliamentOver 100 young people from the 27 Member States of the EU met between 26th May and 3rd June with representatives of 11 neighbouring states on the Mediterranean Sea for the Euro-Mediterranean Youth Parliament. The idea was to promote dialogue between Member States and their southern and eastern partners on the Mediterranean Sea, to wipe away prejudice and lay down intercultural bridges.
The 27 European Employment and Social Affairs Ministers adopted a conclusion in Brussels under the German presidency to establish a European Alliance for Families and also discussed an interim report of the Social Protection Committee on Social Services of General Interest. They did not however manage to come to agreement on the proposed directive with regard to the transfer of complementary pension rights the main objective of which is to enhance the quality of rights of contributors to complementary pension systems with the aim of improving the conditions of free movement of workers and professional mobility within Member States.
In a communication adopted on 30th May the Commission proposed the establishment of framework for Strategic Partnership during the first EU-Brazil summit which will take place on 4th July in Lisbon. Brazil is playing an increasingly major role in the international arena; its regional influence is growing and its bilateral links uniting it with the EU are strong. The Commission is proposing close co-operation with regard to the fight against poverty and inequality, environmental issues, particularly global warming, the protection of the forests, the management of water and biodiversity, energy, the enhancement of stability and prosperity in Latin America and on co-operation in terms of regional integration with Mercosur in the perspective of concluding an EU-Mercosur agreement.
Nutrition-ObesityOn 30th May the Commission adopted a White Paper entitled "A European Strategy for Health Problems associated with Nutrition, Excess Weight and Obesity," stressing the importance of enabling consumers to make informed choices, ensuring that healthy options are available; it calls upon the food industry to work on reformulating recipes, in particular to reduce levels of salt and fats. In the majority of Member States more than 50% of the adult population is overweight or obese. Furthermore, it is estimated that 21,748,312 million children are overweight in the EU with this figure growing by 400,000 each year.
HIV/AidsEuropean Commission President José Manuel Barroso promised on 31st May to provide the World Fund against AIDS, tuberculosis and paludism with 100 million euro in 2007. He suggested to add 300 million euro to this sum over the next three years. The total contribution made by the EU to the World Fund would therefore reach 400 million over a four year period.
TobaccoOn 31st May on the World Day without Tobacco the Commission launched a personalised e-mail aid service, "web-coaching", designed to help people who want to stop smoking. As soon as they register people receive mails at regular intervals to help them in their bid to stop smoking. In the first month the mail is daily. After the second month reminders help to check and see whether the person has not abandoned and for coaches to provide real advice to improve their life as a former smoker.
SerbiaThe German Presidency of the EU "welcomed" the arrest of the former Bosno-Serb General Zdravko Tolimir and "said it was pleased with the co-operation that was taking place between the security authorities of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia." The EU has therefore decided to take up its rapprochement negotiations with Serbia as a result of the arrest of the Bosno-Serb war criminal Zdravko Tolimir said European Enlargement Commissioner, Olli Rehn. "The Commission will decide on the date of the next round of discussions after the prosecutor of the ICTY Carla del Ponte returns from Serbia," he added.
European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering was on an official visit to the Palestinian Territories, Israel and Jordan between 28th May and 3rd June. He met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and King Abdullah of Jordan. He spoke in the Israeli Knesset and held talks with religious leaders and representatives of minorities in Israel.
Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis announced on 1st June the application of the new Convention on the prevention of Terrorism: "This new arm provides an energetic, effective response to the terrorist threat. It enables our governments to intervene rapidly and effectively and prevent terrorists from executing their plans to attack." This Convention is the first international treaty to turn several activites that are likely to lead to terrorist acts into criminal infringements; these include incentive to terrorism, recruitment and training for terrorist ends. By modifying the existing agreements on extradition and mutual legal help it also enhances international co-operation with regard to prevention.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero came to an agreement on 31st May in Madrid on the importance of all 27 Member States concluding rapidly on a treaty to reform the European Union which has been at stalemate for the last two years. "A country which voted "yes", a country which voted "no" share the same analysis and the same desire (...) Europe must move forwards and it must not remain static. We must work fast because Europe has already lost a great deal of time. A new treaty is required the content of which we almost agree on and which will free the situation," indicated Nicolas Sarkozy. José Luis Zapatero, whose country ratified the European Constitution with 76% of the vote in favour on 20th February 2005 stressed that, "one of the objectives we must agree on in this treaty is the immigration policy." He did however insist on mentioning a certain number of "vital points which have to be included in the text": the qualified majority, the reform of the running of the European Council, the stable presidency of the EU and a European Foreign Minister.
France-ItalyOn 28th May French President Nicolas Sarkozy received the President of the Italian Council, Romano Prodi, to discuss institutional reform. Romano Prodi stressed that the discussions had mainly focussed on "what we would like to see mentioned and we totally agree on the main points." The two leaders are in favour of the main institutional changes such as the reform of the voting rules and an increase in the use of the qualified majority vote, the establishment of a permanent presidency of the EU and the creation of the position of European Foreign Minister. "We hope to see a European Union that is not paralysed by veto rights. We do not want to suffer the problem of the unanimity vote," indicated the joint press release that came after the meeting.
The NetherlandsMost of the Dutch would like to see the organisation of another referendum on a new European treaty according to a poll that was published on 28th May two years after the "NO" won in France and the Netherlands. 65% of the 1,200 Dutch interviewed by the Maurice de Hond Institute said they wanted to be consulted again. In addition to this 57% of the Dutch approve of what their Prime Minister said last week when he stressed that the role played by national parliaments should be enhanced in the elaboration of European legislation. Finally 65% of the Dutch are against membership negotiations with Turkey.
Italy-PolandOn 30th May the President of the Italian Council, Romano Prodi met President Lech Kaczynski and his brother Jaroslaw, the Prime Minister. He spoke of major differences in points of view after the meeting with regard to institutional reform even though he had tried to convince them that a strong Europe was in the interest of all Member States. But the Polish Prime Minister said that Poland would prepared to "die" in order to push through its views on the new European treaty. Just three weeks before the European Council Poland still wants to modify the voting system in the European organisations and hopes that the EU will adopt a new way of calculation based on the square root of the number of inhabitants (in millions) of each Member State which Poland believes is more in its interest.
Spain-NetherlandsOn 30th May Spanish government head, José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and Dutch Prime Minister, Jan Peter Balkenende said they were optimistic about the chances of coming to an agreement on a new treaty in spite of the differences within the EU. Jan Peter Balkenende said he was in favour of an "amended treaty (...) that will allow us to adopt certain aspects of the constitutional treaty and to modify or amend the previous text." He recalled the Dutch position: "We want national parliaments to play a greater role and that criteria for new members to the EU be taken into account." The Spanish government leader is in favour of the maintenance of a major part of the Constitution notably with regard to community competence in the area of justice, police, diplomacy and immigration.
FinlandFinland would like a rapid renegotiation of the European Treaty and minimum changes made to its content, in line with the position adopted by the German presidency of the EU. Finland is working for a possible intergovernment conference responsible for renegotiating the text and for it to have "clear instructions and a short time span."
GreeceOn 1st June Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis stressed that his country would like to see the European Constitutional treaty rapidly put back on track with as "little change made to the text as possible." After an interview with his Hungarian counterpart Ferenc Gyurcsany he believed that the stalemate on the Constitution that came after the French and Dutch "NO" in 2005 should be resolved according to a detailed agenda so that "everything can be finalised by the next European elections in 2009".
Before the G8 Summit between 6th and 8th June the government has called on the USA to assume its responsibilities in the fight against global warming. Chancellor Angela Merkel re-iterated her position when she received the President of the American Chamber of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi on 29th May. She said she was pleased with the trend that the American Congress had adopted with regard to paying more attention to energy and climate related issues. However the Chancellor admitted on 3rd June that no restrictive objectives to reduce CO2 gases could be expected at the next G8 summit; she insisted on the need for all G8 countries including the USA to contribute to negotiations that were being led by the UN.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Serguei Stanichev was obliged to separate from his Minister of Economy and Energy, Roumen Ovtcharov, Vice-President of the Socialist Party and Justice Minister Gueorgui Petkanov to prove his will to fight all suspicion of corruption amongst his team just one month from the publication of a vital report by the European Commission on his country.
French Secretary of State for European Affairs, Jean-Pierre Jouyet spoke on 1st June of the creation of a Mediterranean Union when addressing leaders of the Mediterranean Forum, an informal organisation that rallies eleven States from the North and South of the Mediterranean Sea.
WTO-AgricultureFrench President Nicolas Sarkozy said on 29th May during a meeting with farmers that "France would use its veto" during WTO trade negotiations if French agricultural interests were threatened. "If an effort has to be made then everyone should do so," he declared adding, "For the time being I cannot see any effort put in by the USA," also quoting India and Brazil. This message was dispatched to Brussels by Peter Mandelsson, European Trade Commssioner and negotiator for the EU which indicated, "if the others cannot make a balanced effort than I shall have no other alternative but to review what Europe has put on the table."
TGV EastThe Eastern TGV that was inaugurated on 15th March will start running on 10th June. It will offer over 130 new direct connections and will link four European countries together: France, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg. Paris will also be linked via the highspeed connection - (320km/h)- to 20 towns in the East of France and ten other international destinations.
Lithuanian Defence Minister Juozas Olekas announced on 30th May that his country is ready to receive an anti-missile defence system on the part of NATO - even if this will exasperate Russia which is denouncing American and Atlantic "expansionism" on its borders. He ensured that such defence systems such as the American anti-missile shield that are to be deployed in Poland and the Czech Republic would not be directed against Russia. "They comprise a guarantee of stability in the region," he declared.
Having examined on 30th May the convergence programme of the Czech Republic the Commission recommended to the Council to conclude that the country has taken inadequate action to control its public finances and is, therefore, not on track to correct its excessive deficit by 2008. This recommendation is expected to be adopted by the Council on 10th July together with an opinion on the Czech Republic's updated convergence programme. "The updated convergence programme of the Czech Republic postpones the planned correction of the excessive deficit despite the fact that in 2006 the deficit was already below 3% and despite stronger economic growth than previously expected," said Joaquín Almunia, European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs.
During a speech in Parliament on 30th May Romanian President Traian Basescu called for the resignation of the liberal government led by Calin Tariceanu and for the organisation of early general elections. "Given the result of the referendum on 19th May when 75% of the electorate voted against the impeachment of the President the only honest solution now possible on the part of the government is resignation and the organisation of early elections," he indicated.
During an interview on 30th May in Moscow with Portuguese Prime Minister, José Socrates, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he would like to enhance strategic co-operation between the EU and Russian during the Portuguese Presidency. The day before he asked the Netherlands, the designated depository of the treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, to convene an extraordinary conference between 12th and 15th June in Vienna to review the treaty. "Russia hopes that this extraordinary conference will be the occasion for serious discussion about the situation. We hope that our partners will show political will in the quest for an acceptable solution for all that will enable us to put an end to the crisis over the Conventional Forces Treaty in Europe." Vladimir Putin had already announced a moratorium on the application of this treaty that Russia believes to be additional provocation after NATO's expansion to the East in 1999 and 2004.
Missiles targeting Europe?On 4th June in an interview that was published in several newspapers Russian President Vladimir Putin repeated his opposition to Washington's deployment of an anti-missile defence system in Central Europe and threatened to direct Russian missiles towards Western Europe. "If American nuclear power extends over European territory then we shall have to take up new targets in Europe (...) It is up to our military to define those targets and choose between balistic and cruise missiles (...) We want to re-balance defence instruments with more effective instruments of attack but we know that this may very well re-start an arms race which we would however not be responsible for," declared the Russian President.
The Serb government announced on 31st May the creation of a National Security Council and a Co-operation Council with the ICTY just days before the visit in Belgrade by the ICTY prosecutor, Carla Del Ponte, who is responsible for the assessment of the co-operation by the Serb authorities with her services. On 30th May it was announced that the Bosno-Serb General Zdravko Tolimir, accused of war crimes during the Balkan conflicts had been arrested.
On 31st May Turkish MPs adopted the constitutional reform enabling the election of the Head of State by universal suffrage in a final round of voting 370 votes in favour 21 against. Hence they confirmed the vote they took on 28th May last on constitutional reform that plans for the election of the president by universal suffrage in two rounds for a five year term in office which would be renewable once only (the term in office is 7 years at present). After this vote the Turkish President, Ahmet Necdet Sezer has two options: he either promulgates the law or he calls on the people for a referendum.
On 1st June the Ukrainian Parliament adopted all of the texts enabling the organisation of early general elections on 30th September which should open the way for a settlement of the political crisis which has troubled the Ukraine for the past two months. MPs adopted an electoral law, budgetary amendments to finance the organisation of the elections and they agreed on the new composition of the Central Electoral Committee. These votes complete the agreement that was reached between President Viktor Yushenko and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich to find a solution to the crisis that started at the beginning of April by the dissolution of Parliament.
The amended draft resolution of the UN Security Council on the status of Kosovo "does not meet with Russia's approval" declared Mikhaïl Kamynine, the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson on June 1st. However this amended project comprises a concession to Russia said Kosovo Prime Minister Agim Ceku adding that the changes made were acceptable for the Albanians in the province.
New legislation on chemical products, REACH, "Registration, Evalutation, Authorisation and Restrictions of Chemicals came into application on 1st June, in the form of the new European Chemical Agency established in Helsinki. REACH regulations will significantly improve the protection of human health and the environment and yet encourage innovation whilst preserving the chemical industry in the EU.
According to a Eurobarometer study published on 30th May eight out of ten Europeans support the use of organ donor cards, although only 12% actually carry one. The survey reveals that 56% of Europeans are willing to donate one of their organs after they die, and this rises to 77% among those who have discussed the issue with their family. However, only 41% of all Europeans have discussed the question of organ donation and transplantations with their family. Compared to a similar survey in 2002, the percentage of Europeans who would agree to donate an organ of a deceased loved one rose by eight percentage points to 54%. In a Communication adopted on 30th May the European Commission proposed the idea of a European organ donor card to increase the availability of organs.
According to figures published by Eurostat on June 1st Euro area seasonally-adjusted unemployment stood at 7.1% in April 2007, compared with 7.2% in March. It was 8.0% in April 2006. The EU27 unemployment rate was also 7.1% in April 2007, compared with 7.2% in March. It was 8.0% in April 2006.
In April 2007, the lowest rates were registered in the Netherlands (3.3%), Denmark (3.4% in March) and Ireland (4.0%). Unemployment rates were highest in Poland (11.2%) and Slovakia (10.5%).
Twenty-two Member States recorded a fall in their unemployment rate over a year, four an increase and in Romania the unemployment rate was stable. The largest relative falls were observed in Estonia (6.3% to 4.7%), Slovenia (6.4% to 4.8%) and Slovakia (13.8% to 10.5%). The highest relative increases were registered in Hungary (7.3% to 8.2%) and Portugal (7.6% to 8.0%).
According to the first estimates published by Eurostat on 1st June Euro area and EU27 GDP both grew by 0.6% in the first quarter of 2007, compared with the previous quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2006, growth rates were +0.9% in both the euro area and the EU27.
During the first quarter of 2007, household final consumption expenditure decreased by 0.1% in the euro area and remained unchanged in the EU27. Investments grew by 2.5% in the euro area and by 2.6% in the EU27. Exports rose by 0.3% in both zones (after +3.5% and +2.9%). Imports grew by 1.6% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU.
According to figures published by Eurostat on 1st June in the fourth quarter of 2006, the seasonally adjusted gross saving rate of households was 13.7% in the euro area and 11% in the EU27. The business investment rate lay at 22.0% in the euro area and 21.5% in the EU27. The profit share of non-financial corporations was 39.6% in the euro area and 37.8% in the EU27. This data which was released for the first time provides a comprehensive overview of the euro area and EU as single entities and allow for a wide-ranging analysis of the interactions between households, non-financial corporations, financial corporations and government. The accounts also show interactions between the euro area and EU and the rest of the world.
The statistics published on 31st May by the European Commission show that the number of counterfeit or pirated articles seized on the external borders of the EU in 2006 increased significantly in spite of the action taken by the customs authorities which has never been so vigorous. More than 36,000 seizures were undertaken ie an increase of 40% in comparison with 2005. Customs officers seized over 250 million counterfeit or pirate articles in 2006 in comparison with 75 million in 2005 and 100 million in 2004. Counterfeit medicines, cigarettes and other products likely to cause serious damage to consumer health continue to be produced en masse. Smugglers continuously swap itinerary in order to market products, with the use of the internet and the transportation of small quantities of goods via airplane or post - all factors that increase the problems encountered by customs officers in their work.
Social and Economic CohesionAccording to the findings of the 4th report on economic and social cohesion by the European Commission published on 30th May,the cohesion policy has had a proven effect in helping the European Union's regions to develop, but it will face some new challenges in years ahead. This report provides the economic, social and territorial situation of the enlarged Union of 27 Member States and 268 regions for the first time. The report contains detailed analysis of the position of regions in terms of GDP, productivity and employment. It identifies a series of challenges with which Member States and regions will be confronted in the years ahead. It provides a first assessment of the impact of European cohesion policy in the 2000-2006 programming period, as well as of the preparation for the new period 2007-2013. The report includes 10 questions to kick off the debate inside and outside the European institutions on the future of this major policy area.
Bathing WatersThe annual bathing water report presented by the European Commission on 31st May reveals that the large majority of bathing sites across the European Union met EU hygiene standards in 2006. 96% of coastal bathing areas and 89% of bathing sites in rivers and lakes are in compliance with the mandatory values. In 2006, 21,094 bathing areas were monitored in all.
European Youth Week
EU-Japan Summit
Economy-Finances Council
European Parliament Plenary Session - Brussels
Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council
G8 Summit
General Elections - Belgium
General Elections - France (First Round)
Agriculture and Fisheries Council
