The EU's external relations commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, looks set to swap portfolios with her trade colleague Catherine Ashton once the Lisbon Treaty comes into effect on 1 December. The imminent switchover, divulged by a number of EU officials on Monday (23 November), will facilitate Ms Ashton's move to her new foreign policy job as the EU's high representative. Ms Ashton's departure had raised a question mark over who would take over in the important trade post, with a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial conference set to take place in Geneva between 30 November and 2 December.
The imminent switchover, divulged by a number of EU officials on Monday (23 November), will facilitate Ms Ashton's move to her new foreign policy job as the EU's high representative.
Ms Ashton's departure had raised a question mark over who would take over in the important trade post, with a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial conference set to take place in Geneva between 30 November and 2 December.
A leading group of MEPs on Friday (20 November) warned European Commission President José Manuel Barroso not to create a separate climate action department in the next EU executive, as rumours abound in Brussels that the environmental portfolio currently held by Stavros Dimas could be split in two. In a letter, the MEPs urged Barroso to keep the current environment portfolio and appoint an extra commissioner for climate action instead. "We still find no reason for reducing the portfolio of competences of your directorate-general for environment regarding climate policies," reads the letter, seen by EurActiv.
In a letter, the MEPs urged Barroso to keep the current environment portfolio and appoint an extra commissioner for climate action instead.
"We still find no reason for reducing the portfolio of competences of your directorate-general for environment regarding climate policies," reads the letter, seen by EurActiv.
The Greek government on Friday nominated Maria Damanaki, a member of the ruling Pasok party, to be the country's next member of the European Commission. Damanaki, 57, was elected to the Greek parliament in 1977 as a member of Greek Communist Party and later for Synaspismos, a left-wing party whose president she became in 1989. She won a place in parliament for Pasok, a socialist party, in 2003. Damanaki, a chemical engineer by training, has been a member of the parliamentary committee on culture, science and education.
Damanaki, 57, was elected to the Greek parliament in 1977 as a member of Greek Communist Party and later for Synaspismos, a left-wing party whose president she became in 1989. She won a place in parliament for Pasok, a socialist party, in 2003.
Damanaki, a chemical engineer by training, has been a member of the parliamentary committee on culture, science and education.
Conservative Climate Minister Connie Hedegaard is Brussels-bound as EU Climate Commissioner in an appointment likely to be announced at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, according to B.T. B.T.'s sources say that Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has chosen Hedegaard as Denmark's commissioner partly because EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso wants more women in his commission, and partly because the Conservative Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Lene Espersen wants Hedegaard (Cons) in Brussels. The newspaper suggests that the only thing that can make Løkke Rasmussen change his mind is if the post of Climate Commissioner does not carry a heavy enough portfolio.
B.T.'s sources say that Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has chosen Hedegaard as Denmark's commissioner partly because EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso wants more women in his commission, and partly because the Conservative Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Lene Espersen wants Hedegaard (Cons) in Brussels.
The newspaper suggests that the only thing that can make Løkke Rasmussen change his mind is if the post of Climate Commissioner does not carry a heavy enough portfolio.
British diplomats are fighting a rearguard action to prevent France from taking the key financial job in Brussels after Baroness Ashton of Upholland's appointment as foreign affairs chief. With Paris and Berlin setting their sights on controlling the EU's economic agenda, a former French Foreign Minister, Michel Barnier, is being tipped to take the plum commission portfolio overseeing the internal market and financial services. Germany is seeking the industry or energy jobs in the European Commission line-up due to be announced this month, while also preparing its national bank chairman to take over at the European Central Bank. The Times reported on Saturday that Lord Mandelson and other ministers advised Gordon Brown that he should have tried to secure an economic role for Britain rather than the foreign job won by Lady Ashton.
British diplomats are fighting a rearguard action to prevent France from taking the key financial job in Brussels after Baroness Ashton of Upholland's appointment as foreign affairs chief.
With Paris and Berlin setting their sights on controlling the EU's economic agenda, a former French Foreign Minister, Michel Barnier, is being tipped to take the plum commission portfolio overseeing the internal market and financial services.
Germany is seeking the industry or energy jobs in the European Commission line-up due to be announced this month, while also preparing its national bank chairman to take over at the European Central Bank.
The Times reported on Saturday that Lord Mandelson and other ministers advised Gordon Brown that he should have tried to secure an economic role for Britain rather than the foreign job won by Lady Ashton.
Losing to Belgium is always painful for the Dutch, whether in football or in politics. On Thursday night a Dutch TV news anchor gave voice to the hurt national pride when he said: "Why Van Rompuy and not Balkenende? How could this happen?" The Brussels correspondent offered that the EU leaders preferred someone "with a blank slate" to someone with "experience". Herman Van Rompuy had only been prime minister of Belgium for less than a year, whereas Balkenende is leading his fourth government in a row. The TV audience was reassured: our compatriot had simply been overqualified. The reality is that the Belgians once again demonstrated that they know how to play the European game down to their fingertips. First of all the Belgian media strategy was brilliant. Belgian editorials emphasised Van Rompuy's qualities as a statesman and pointed out Balkenende's shortcomings. The latter is in charge of an increasingly eurosceptic country, which voted against the European constitution, and he his leadership at home has been weak, it was said. This analysis soon found its way to international papers like Le Monde. Let it be a lesson to Dutch diplomacy: yes, the ultimate decisions are taken in the very closed circle of the 27 heads of governments, but the media do play a role in the run-up. Belgium's candidature was a clever balance between discretion and publicity.
The reality is that the Belgians once again demonstrated that they know how to play the European game down to their fingertips. First of all the Belgian media strategy was brilliant. Belgian editorials emphasised Van Rompuy's qualities as a statesman and pointed out Balkenende's shortcomings. The latter is in charge of an increasingly eurosceptic country, which voted against the European constitution, and he his leadership at home has been weak, it was said. This analysis soon found its way to international papers like Le Monde. Let it be a lesson to Dutch diplomacy: yes, the ultimate decisions are taken in the very closed circle of the 27 heads of governments, but the media do play a role in the run-up. Belgium's candidature was a clever balance between discretion and publicity.
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, 49, talks to SPIEGEL about the European Union's new president and foreign minister, Spain's goals for its upcoming EU presidency and hopes for a new beginning in Europe. SPIEGEL: Mr. Prime Minister, the Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy has been appointed as the first permanent European Council president and the British EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton is to become the EU's first foreign minister. Can this really be the outcome of close to 10 years of tough battles to reform the EU? Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero : That's your interpretation. I, at any rate, congratulate the Swedish council presidency, because its proposal was accepted unanimously. The Belgian prime minister is a European through and through, and he has demonstrated leadership ability as the head of his government. I am also very pleased that we have found a woman for the post of foreign minister. I know her from the family of socialists within the EU, and I supported her. I have always been convinced that we need women in top offices. SPIEGEL: Spain was the first country in the union that approved the European constitution, which later failed, in a referendum. And now it will be the first country, starting in January, that will have to implement, together with the new EU leadership, the rules of the Lisbon Treaty during its presidency of the European Union. Will you be giving Europe a new start? Zapatero: The Lisbon Treaty must give Europe fresh energy. The new stage begins with three main goals. Our economic policy must become more efficient. Europe must play a much more active and more important role in the world. And, finally, Europe must be a greater champion of more civil rights and a policy of equality. This, most of all, is what characterizes our European identity. This large democratic zone cannot lose its appeal.
SPIEGEL: Mr. Prime Minister, the Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy has been appointed as the first permanent European Council president and the British EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton is to become the EU's first foreign minister. Can this really be the outcome of close to 10 years of tough battles to reform the EU?
Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero : That's your interpretation. I, at any rate, congratulate the Swedish council presidency, because its proposal was accepted unanimously. The Belgian prime minister is a European through and through, and he has demonstrated leadership ability as the head of his government. I am also very pleased that we have found a woman for the post of foreign minister. I know her from the family of socialists within the EU, and I supported her. I have always been convinced that we need women in top offices.
SPIEGEL: Spain was the first country in the union that approved the European constitution, which later failed, in a referendum. And now it will be the first country, starting in January, that will have to implement, together with the new EU leadership, the rules of the Lisbon Treaty during its presidency of the European Union. Will you be giving Europe a new start?
Zapatero: The Lisbon Treaty must give Europe fresh energy. The new stage begins with three main goals. Our economic policy must become more efficient. Europe must play a much more active and more important role in the world. And, finally, Europe must be a greater champion of more civil rights and a policy of equality. This, most of all, is what characterizes our European identity. This large democratic zone cannot lose its appeal.
Leading the E.U. is basically a process of consensus-building, and here both Mr. Van Rompuy and Mrs. Ashton have fairly solid credentials. A veteran of Belgian Christian Democratic politics, the low-key, ascetic Mr. Van Rompuy was tapped by Belgium's King Albert II last December to heal a serious rift between the Flemish and French-speakers. To a great extent he did (leading to no small anxiety in Belgium over what will happen when he moves on next month). Mrs. Ashton, for her part, was credited with steering the Lisbon Treaty, intended to streamline and strengthen the E.U., through a hostile British House of Lords, and she has won considerable respect in her current E.U. trade job. These achievements, of course, do not amount to a wealth of experience on the world stage, and the debate over how strong the E.U.'s leadership should be will rage on. But that debate is really over how much power its members are willing to cede to Brussels. So far they've preferred to remain a relatively loose coalition, and that requires leaders more adept at coordinating and cajoling than at summiteering. Mr. Van Rompuy and Mrs. Ashton seem to fit the bill, and we wish them well.
Mrs. Ashton, for her part, was credited with steering the Lisbon Treaty, intended to streamline and strengthen the E.U., through a hostile British House of Lords, and she has won considerable respect in her current E.U. trade job.
These achievements, of course, do not amount to a wealth of experience on the world stage, and the debate over how strong the E.U.'s leadership should be will rage on. But that debate is really over how much power its members are willing to cede to Brussels. So far they've preferred to remain a relatively loose coalition, and that requires leaders more adept at coordinating and cajoling than at summiteering. Mr. Van Rompuy and Mrs. Ashton seem to fit the bill, and we wish them well.
A row over cats has erupted between Cyprus and Turkey, adding a surprising new flavour to a long-standing stalemate between the communities of the divided island and its difficult relationship with Turkey, the divided EU country's biggest neighbour. The Cypriot Feline Society is fighting for the recognition of two separate breeds of Cypriot cats, but groups from Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are also trying to lay claim to the island's feline legacy, the Cyprus Mail reports. "This cat belongs to its country," said Rania Razorenova, president of the Association of Cyprus Purebred Cats. "There is a real danger that foreigners - and particularly groups from Turkey - will try to officially register a Cypriot breed of cat outside Cyprus," she said.
The Cypriot Feline Society is fighting for the recognition of two separate breeds of Cypriot cats, but groups from Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are also trying to lay claim to the island's feline legacy, the Cyprus Mail reports.
"This cat belongs to its country," said Rania Razorenova, president of the Association of Cyprus Purebred Cats. "There is a real danger that foreigners - and particularly groups from Turkey - will try to officially register a Cypriot breed of cat outside Cyprus," she said.
Once a conflict gets under way anything can be used to erect In-Group/Out-Group boundaries.
The next step: "OUR rocks are better than (sneer) YOUR rocks."
Germany plans to have immigrants sign "integration contracts" that would oblige foreigners seeking to live in the country to avow certain values, such as freedom of speech and equal rights for women. German Integration Commissioner Maria Boehmer has said that she wants to move on plans to have new immigrants sign a contract with the state. Such a move, she argues, would make integration efforts more binding. Boehmer said the contracts would explain what services and assistance were available to new immigrants, and at the same time would clarify "what we expect from them."
German Integration Commissioner Maria Boehmer has said that she wants to move on plans to have new immigrants sign a contract with the state. Such a move, she argues, would make integration efforts more binding.
Boehmer said the contracts would explain what services and assistance were available to new immigrants, and at the same time would clarify "what we expect from them."
AFP - A long-awaited public inquiry into Britain's role in the Iraq war opens Tuesday, with former civil servants first to appear in hearings set to climax with Tony Blair taking the stand. One-time top officials from the foreign and defence ministries will outline Britain's policy towards Baghdad in the early 2000s as a five-member committee begins investigating what lessons can be learned from the US-led war. Inquiry chairman John Chilcot, a former civil servant, said he was confident of producing a "full and insightful" account of the decision-making that led Britain to join the 2003 invasion against strong opposition at home and abroad. An appearance by former prime minister Blair, who took Britain into the conflict, is likely to be the highlight of the inquiry, although he and other Labour government figures are not due to give evidence until next year.
His honours include CB (1990), KCB (1994), and GCB (1998). He became a Privy Counsellor in 2004, and was a member of the Butler Review of the use of intelligence in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003. He is described as "a mandarin with a safe pair of hands", though some doubt his forensic skill. International lawyer Philippe Sands is reported as saying "Having some familiarity with Sir John's questioning ... it is not immediately apparent that he will have the backbone to take on former government ministers."[3] Sands also commented specifically, in the Observer, on Sir John's questioning of attorney-general Peter Goldsmith during the Butler inquiry: "He [Lord Goldsmith] gave evidence on 5 May 2004. The uncorrected transcript shows some members of the inquiry pressing him [Goldsmith] hard. By contrast, Sir John's spoonfed questions give every impression of being designed to elicit a response from the attorney general that would demonstrate the reasonableness of his actions and those of the government." [4]
His honours include CB (1990), KCB (1994), and GCB (1998). He became a Privy Counsellor in 2004, and was a member of the Butler Review of the use of intelligence in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
He is described as "a mandarin with a safe pair of hands", though some doubt his forensic skill. International lawyer Philippe Sands is reported as saying "Having some familiarity with Sir John's questioning ... it is not immediately apparent that he will have the backbone to take on former government ministers."[3] Sands also commented specifically, in the Observer, on Sir John's questioning of attorney-general Peter Goldsmith during the Butler inquiry:
"He [Lord Goldsmith] gave evidence on 5 May 2004. The uncorrected transcript shows some members of the inquiry pressing him [Goldsmith] hard. By contrast, Sir John's spoonfed questions give every impression of being designed to elicit a response from the attorney general that would demonstrate the reasonableness of his actions and those of the government." [4]
