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Winter/Spring 2005 Volume 6 - Number 1 & 2
Letter from the Publisher:
European Perspectives
Is EU Media Coverage Biased?
David Morgan, Professor Emeritus, Liverpool University
Europe's East-West Pay Gap Is Narrowing
Robin E. J. Chater, Secretary General, Federation of European Employers (FedEE)
The Commission Wants More Transparency in Brussels
Siim Kallas, Vice President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Administrative Affairs, Audit and Anti-Fraud
European Integration
What Will Happen If Some EU States Reject the Constitution?
Dana Spinant, Editor, European Voice
There is a fair chance that at least one or more of the 25 EU member states will reject the new constitution for Europe, signed in Rome in October 2004. As the constitution has to be ratified unanimously, such a rejection could create an unprecedentedly grave political crisis and force EU leaders to take far-reaching decisions on the future of European integration. But many different scenarios are possible, depending on the number of the countries rejecting the constitution, their size and the reasons why they may say "No."
The EU Should Welcome Ukraine as a Future Member
Anders Åslund, Director, Russian and Eurasian Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Although Ukraine has been expressing its desire to join the European Union for nearly ten years, it has consistently been rebuffed. Now that the country has a more democratic, intensely pro-European government, those hopes should no longer be disappointed. EU entry is still some way off, but the EU and Ukraine can agree on a number of important practical steps to integrate Ukraine into Europe while waiting for full membership.
EU and Russia Draw Closer, but Political Concerns Remain
Jo Leinen, German Member of the European Parliament
The economic links between Russia and the European Union have never been closer, and are likely to grow stronger. But there are concerns on the European side about President Vladimir Putin's handling of Chechnya and his attempts to introduce "managed democracy" in Russia. If Moscow does not respect human rights, guarantee press freedoms and move in a more democratic direction, it will be impossible for the European Union to develop the close partnership that it is seeking with Russia.
Cover Story: Britain and The European Union
Yet Again, an EU Crisis Looms for Britain
Reginald Dale, Editor-in-Chief, European Affairs
In the half-century since World War II, the British have failed to find a comfortable relationship with the European Union or decide what they really want in Europe. UK-EU relations have been plagued by Britain's reluctance to go as far as most of its partners want toward European political integration, and will face another crisis if British voters reject the EU constitution in a referendum likely to be held in 2006. But whether the vote is "Yes" or "No," there is no end in sight to Britain's European dilemma.
Politics and Society
Europe Needs a New Social Model for the 21st Century
Ann Mettler, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Lisbon Council, Brussels
Europe's economic decline has been caused by special interests groups that resist any change affecting their members, claiming that it would endanger the "European Social Model." In reality, however, the traditional European model is now severely damaging Europe's prospects for economic reform and the well being of its citizens. The model is based on conditions prevailing during the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century and is no longer relevant to today's fast-moving global economy.
Opinion
A Conservative Vision for U.S. Policy toward Europe
John C. Hulsman, Senior Research Fellow in European Affairs and Nile Gardiner, Fellow in Anglo-American Security Policy, Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies, The Heritage Foundation
Following the Transatlantic rift over Iraq, the U.S. should adopt a more proactive European policy, based on the recognition that the EU countries are economically, militarily and politically diverse and disagree on fundamental global issues. The U.S. should encourage a multi-speed Europe of sovereign states, which it can invite to join "coalitions of the willing" for specific security missions, and resist attempts to form centralized EU common foreign and security policies. Britain, above all,must remain free to act as America's most valuable ally.
Economy and Finance
New EU Members Are Well on Track to Join the Euro
Klaus Regling, Director General for Economic and Financial Affairs, European Commission
All ten countries that joined the EU in May 2004 have expressed their willingness to adopt the euro in the foreseeable future. None are yet ready to join the single currency, but several have made substantial progress toward meeting the entry criteria, especially with regard to reducing inflation. Estonia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Cyprus, Latvia and Malta want to join soon, while the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia would prefer to wait until perhaps 2009 or 2010.
International Development
We Must Build a New Transatlantic Development Agenda
Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid
The United States and the European Union should build a new Transatlantic Development Agenda to reduce the poverty gap between rich and poor countries and help developing nations meet the Millennium Development Goals agreed by world leaders in 2000. Three major world issues - security, trade and health - are all linked to development, and Africa must receive special priority.
There Is a Growing Consensus on How to Make Aid Effective
Andrew S. Natsios, Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development
International development takes a long time and must respond to recent changes in the world such as globalization and the September 11 terrorist attacks. Despite some political differences, the United States and the European Union work well together on practical programs and agree on many issues. International donors also increasingly agree on how to make aid effective, for example by insisting on good governance in poorer countries and helping them to make use of trading opportunities.
In Helping Poor Countries,Actions Speak Louder than Words
E. Anthony Wayne, Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs, U.S. Department of State
The U.S. and the European Union are increasingly cooperating in practical aspects of development assistance. The partnership has a great potential future, especially if it concentrates on getting out and doing things to help people in poorer countries, rather than just talking about foreign policy.
Homeland Security
The Terrorist Threat Will Strengthen U.S.-EU Cooperation
Asa Hutchinson, former Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The aim of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is not just to tighten security at U.S. borders. It is also to ensure that stricter controls do not diminish either the flow of visitors to America or trade with other countries. International cooperation, particularly between the United States and Europe, will be essential in making travel safer. Ultimately, this growing cooperation will strengthen the overall Transatlantic relationship.
There Must Be No Security Gap between Europe and America
Jonathan Faull, Director General for Justice and Home Affairs, European Commission
Although it is hard to agree among 25 countries on issues impinging on national sovereignty, more and more decisions in the counter-terrorism field are being taken at EU level. The United States will sometimes find progress too slow. It is a permanent daily struggle to stay ahead of the game. But Transatlantic cooperation and personal contacts are intensifying.
Trade Relations
The U.S. and the EU Must Work Together to Open up World Trade
Peter F. Allgeier, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative
Cooperation between the United States and the European Union to liberalize world trade is much more important than the bilateral disputes that divide them. Most other countries recognize that the Doha Round of trade negotiations will not succeed unless the EU and the U.S. work together. But Washington and Brussels must also strengthen their bilateral trading ties and manage their trade relations more effectively.
Rough Water Ahead in the Atlantic
Jean-François Boittin, Minister-Counselor, Economic and Commercial Affairs, Embassy of France
The outlook for U.S.-EU trade relations in the months ahead is not encouraging. Recent disputes are harder to solve because they concern not only trade but different social values.
Industry and Technology
Atlantic Partners Must Share the Costs of Medical Innovation
James C. Greenwood, President, Biotechnology Industry Organization
It seems impossible to satisfy simultaneously all the main objectives of health policy: universal access to affordable, high-quality health care, with sufficient incentives for continuing innovation. Europe is good at providing low-cost, universal access; the United States excels in quality and innovation. Innovation will eventually resolve the problem, but the U.S., Europe and Canada will all have to agree to charge high enough prices to provide companies with the incentive to innovate.
Book Reviews
Rumors of the West's Demise are Premature
Free World: America, Europe and the Surprising Future of the West
By Timothy Garton Ash
Reviewed by Helle Dale
A Lesson in How Not to Conduct Diplomacy
Parting Ways: The Crisis in German-American Relations
By Stephen F. Szabo
Reviewed by Bailey Morris-Eck
Letter to the Editor