*Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
Bulgarians and Romanians can be expelled through a so-called APRF, or 'prefectoral decision to be conducted at the border', on the basis of threats to public order or infringements of labour legislation. If the citizens concerned fail to produce a residence permit authorising them to work, they are subjected to such steps, Nabli explains, adding that the situation will remain unchanged until 2014, when nationals of the two EU countries will not be tied down by work restrictions. Another measure, called OQTF, or 'Obligation to leave French territory', can be taken in the event that the residence permit cannot be maintained or in the event of unemployment, when the individuals concerned do not have enough resources to meet their needs and are without medical coverage. Regarding the Roma expulsions, Nabli says that they appear to contradict the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which entered into force together with the Lisbon Treaty. He notes that the principle of non-discrimination protects the minorities' rights and prohibits collective expulsions. Nabli argues that "freedom of movement has no price" and consequently criticises the 300 euros of "assistance for departure" that the French authorities offer Roma (plus 100 euros per child) for receiving their signature on agreeing to leave French territory.
Bulgarians and Romanians can be expelled through a so-called APRF, or 'prefectoral decision to be conducted at the border', on the basis of threats to public order or infringements of labour legislation.
If the citizens concerned fail to produce a residence permit authorising them to work, they are subjected to such steps, Nabli explains, adding that the situation will remain unchanged until 2014, when nationals of the two EU countries will not be tied down by work restrictions.
Another measure, called OQTF, or 'Obligation to leave French territory', can be taken in the event that the residence permit cannot be maintained or in the event of unemployment, when the individuals concerned do not have enough resources to meet their needs and are without medical coverage.
Regarding the Roma expulsions, Nabli says that they appear to contradict the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which entered into force together with the Lisbon Treaty. He notes that the principle of non-discrimination protects the minorities' rights and prohibits collective expulsions.
Nabli argues that "freedom of movement has no price" and consequently criticises the 300 euros of "assistance for departure" that the French authorities offer Roma (plus 100 euros per child) for receiving their signature on agreeing to leave French territory.
A discussion on France's Roma expulsions, held in the Parliament's committee on civil liberties, justice and home affairs (LIBE), saw the European far-right take the floor in defence of Sarkozy. Due to time constraints, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, the chair of the committee, gave only one minute for each MEP to react to a Commission presentation on France's controversial policy. Françoise Le Bail, the Commission's new director-general for justice, explained that the EU executive had not yet finalised its assessment of the conformity of the measures by the French government with EU legislation.
A discussion on France's Roma expulsions, held in the Parliament's committee on civil liberties, justice and home affairs (LIBE), saw the European far-right take the floor in defence of Sarkozy.
Due to time constraints, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, the chair of the committee, gave only one minute for each MEP to react to a Commission presentation on France's controversial policy.
Françoise Le Bail, the Commission's new director-general for justice, explained that the EU executive had not yet finalised its assessment of the conformity of the measures by the French government with EU legislation.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The European Commission has in an internal report called into question the legality of France's recent dismantling of Roma camps and repatriations of roughly one thousand Romanian and Bulgarian citizens. "The Commission is seeking detailed information from the French authorities on whether and to which extent the safeguards required by the Free Movement Directive have been applied in recent cases," reads the report, seen by EUobserver. The 25-page long document, signed by three commissioners responsible for justice, home affairs and social affairs, requests "full clarification" on the voluntary repatriations, under which adults are paid €300 and children €100 to return home. "The fact alone that a lump sum is paid to EU citizens in case of return is (...) not sufficient for taking these returns out of the scope of the EU's free movement principles."
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The European Commission has in an internal report called into question the legality of France's recent dismantling of Roma camps and repatriations of roughly one thousand Romanian and Bulgarian citizens.
"The Commission is seeking detailed information from the French authorities on whether and to which extent the safeguards required by the Free Movement Directive have been applied in recent cases," reads the report, seen by EUobserver.
The 25-page long document, signed by three commissioners responsible for justice, home affairs and social affairs, requests "full clarification" on the voluntary repatriations, under which adults are paid €300 and children €100 to return home.
"The fact alone that a lump sum is paid to EU citizens in case of return is (...) not sufficient for taking these returns out of the scope of the EU's free movement principles."
Martine Aubry has been vocal in her opposition to French government policy, announced at the end of July, of dismantling illegal traveller camps and "repatriating" their non-French inhabitants, mainly to Romania and Bulgaria. Both countries are members of the European Union. ...On Wednesday, right-leaning daily Le Figaro published a letter written by Aubry's lawyer on July 19 to the main court in Lille, asking for an order for police to evict forcibly a Roma encampment in the northern French city.... Aubry hits back Aubry was quick to defend her actions and distance the "evacuation" of the Lille camp from the government's more hard-line policy of repatriation. ..."We do not want to be complicit in repatriations," she said in a statement, with the exception of cases where there is a serious security problem with certain individuals "which is certainly not the case in this instance". Aubry said that the administrative court at Lille had cancelled the expulsion from France of 11 people who had been arrested recently, on the grounds that "illegal occupation of land does not constitute a risk to public order".
...On Wednesday, right-leaning daily Le Figaro published a letter written by Aubry's lawyer on July 19 to the main court in Lille, asking for an order for police to evict forcibly a Roma encampment in the northern French city.
... Aubry hits back
Aubry was quick to defend her actions and distance the "evacuation" of the Lille camp from the government's more hard-line policy of repatriation.
..."We do not want to be complicit in repatriations," she said in a statement, with the exception of cases where there is a serious security problem with certain individuals "which is certainly not the case in this instance".
Aubry said that the administrative court at Lille had cancelled the expulsion from France of 11 people who had been arrested recently, on the grounds that "illegal occupation of land does not constitute a risk to public order".
Pressure on Eric Woerth, France's embattled labour minister, is mounting amid new allegations of wrongdoing and a new challenge from labour unions. His admission on Thursday, after months of denials, that he had in fact lobbied for a prestigious state award on behalf of his wife's future employer comes as the country's most powerful unions are squaring up to challenge Woerth over the government's proposed pension reform agenda. Despite solid support from President Nicolas Sarkozy throughout a summer of political controversy, a subtle hint was dropped this week that suggested Woerth's tenure in the cabinet may soon come to an end.
Entitled "A Journey" and responsible for a media frenzy in the UK, the memoir chronicles much of his domestic political struggles but also his fateful decision to go to war in Iraq and his close relationship with Mr Bush, the instigator of the global war on terror. It also dips into his unfulfilled relationship with Europe. When he came to power in 1997, Brussels was quick to note that he was the most pro-EU British leaders ever, leading to high hopes that he would take his country into the euro. ..."Unless it was economically plain that it would be good for Britain, it was simply not politically sellable," his book says, according to the Financial Times. "The political problem was the economics." He hoped that the economics would change but by election year in 2001, this was still not the case: "They didn't and, for me, that was that."
Entitled "A Journey" and responsible for a media frenzy in the UK, the memoir chronicles much of his domestic political struggles but also his fateful decision to go to war in Iraq and his close relationship with Mr Bush, the instigator of the global war on terror.
It also dips into his unfulfilled relationship with Europe. When he came to power in 1997, Brussels was quick to note that he was the most pro-EU British leaders ever, leading to high hopes that he would take his country into the euro.
..."Unless it was economically plain that it would be good for Britain, it was simply not politically sellable," his book says, according to the Financial Times. "The political problem was the economics."
He hoped that the economics would change but by election year in 2001, this was still not the case: "They didn't and, for me, that was that."
His book reveals that Mr Bush neither recognised former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt or knew what he was doing at a G8 meeting in 2001. "He didn't know or recognise Guy, whose advice he listened to with considerable astonishment," Mr Blair writes. "He then turned to me and whispered, 'Who is this guy?' 'He is the prime minister of Belgium,' I said. " Mr Bush then queried why he was there as Belgium is not part of the G8 leading Mr Blair to explain that he was currently EU president, under the rotating presidency system. "You got the Belgians running Europe?" Mr Bush reportedly responded before shaking his head.
His book reveals that Mr Bush neither recognised former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt or knew what he was doing at a G8 meeting in 2001.
"He didn't know or recognise Guy, whose advice he listened to with considerable astonishment," Mr Blair writes. "He then turned to me and whispered, 'Who is this guy?' 'He is the prime minister of Belgium,' I said. "
Mr Bush then queried why he was there as Belgium is not part of the G8 leading Mr Blair to explain that he was currently EU president, under the rotating presidency system.
"You got the Belgians running Europe?" Mr Bush reportedly responded before shaking his head.
...his name re-appeared in the news while the EU was deliberating on who should become president of the European Council, a post designed to give a Europe a global face at presidential level...."I would have taken the presidency of the European Union. I would have been delighted to do it and gone and done public service. And I may do a public service job again in the future."
...his name re-appeared in the news while the EU was deliberating on who should become president of the European Council, a post designed to give a Europe a global face at presidential level.
..."I would have taken the presidency of the European Union. I would have been delighted to do it and gone and done public service. And I may do a public service job again in the future."
Still dreaming of a nonexistent post, he is... *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
EUOBSERVER /BRUSSELS - With MEPs having something of a reputation for a patchy appearance rate in the EU chamber, moves are afoot to make sure that European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso is not humiliated during a first ever "State of the Union" speech. To get derrières on as many of the 736 seats as possible, the leaders of the political groups in the European Parliament have suggested fining those MEPs who dare to give the three hour slot for the speech and debate a miss. An electronic test will be carried out three times during the debate, starting early on Tuesday (7 September), and deputies who are twice conspicuous by their absence may be subject to a small financial penalty.
EUOBSERVER /BRUSSELS - With MEPs having something of a reputation for a patchy appearance rate in the EU chamber, moves are afoot to make sure that European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso is not humiliated during a first ever "State of the Union" speech.
To get derrières on as many of the 736 seats as possible, the leaders of the political groups in the European Parliament have suggested fining those MEPs who dare to give the three hour slot for the speech and debate a miss.
An electronic test will be carried out three times during the debate, starting early on Tuesday (7 September), and deputies who are twice conspicuous by their absence may be subject to a small financial penalty.
AFP - France and Britain announced Friday they are talking about sharing the cost of military aircraft programmes, but rejected reports that they plan to merge their aircraft carrier fleets. "In terms of actually being able to share an aircraft carrier, I would have thought that that was utterly unrealistic," British Defence Minister Liam Fox told reporters after talks with his French counterpart Herve Morin. "But when it comes to pooling assets in other areas such as strategic or tactical lift I would have thought that that was a different case altogether," he added, referring to military transport planes and helicopters.
AFP - France and Britain announced Friday they are talking about sharing the cost of military aircraft programmes, but rejected reports that they plan to merge their aircraft carrier fleets.
"In terms of actually being able to share an aircraft carrier, I would have thought that that was utterly unrealistic," British Defence Minister Liam Fox told reporters after talks with his French counterpart Herve Morin.
"But when it comes to pooling assets in other areas such as strategic or tactical lift I would have thought that that was a different case altogether," he added, referring to military transport planes and helicopters.
In his first official visit to France on Thursday, Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski stressed his determination to draw his country closer to its EU partners. "Poland wants to be active in deepening European integration," Komorowski told FRANCE 24 in an exclusive interview. Representing the centre-right Civic Platform (PO) party, which has enjoyed a majority in the Polish parliament since 2007, Komorowski has brought a markedly different image of Poland to Europe's capitals. During a European tour that includes stops in Brussels and Berlin, the new Polish leader is trying to turn the page on the euroscepticism that marked the tenure of his predecessor, the late Lech Kaczynski, who died in a plane crash last April. Poland 'wants the euro' "Yes, we want to be part of the eurozone," insisted Komorowski when probed on his conservative rival's efforts to impede the adoption of the EU common currency. Poland joined the EU in 2004, but is yet to adopt the single currency.
Representing the centre-right Civic Platform (PO) party, which has enjoyed a majority in the Polish parliament since 2007, Komorowski has brought a markedly different image of Poland to Europe's capitals.
During a European tour that includes stops in Brussels and Berlin, the new Polish leader is trying to turn the page on the euroscepticism that marked the tenure of his predecessor, the late Lech Kaczynski, who died in a plane crash last April.
Poland 'wants the euro'
"Yes, we want to be part of the eurozone," insisted Komorowski when probed on his conservative rival's efforts to impede the adoption of the EU common currency. Poland joined the EU in 2004, but is yet to adopt the single currency.
Speaking to the press after a special meeting with Polish ambassadors and his Polish counterpart, Radek Sikorski, in Warsaw on Thursday (2 September), Mr Lavrov said Poland backs Russia's draft proposal on dropping EU visa requirements: "We hope for a quick and positive response from Brussels. The Polish side has confirmed that it will support this draft."...For his part, Mr Sikorski did not correct Mr Lavrov at the press event. But his own statement on the subject was much more cautious. Referring to a separate plan to simplify visa rules but only for people living in Russia's EU exclave of Kaliningrad, the Polish diplomat said: "It would be an argument for the more conservative structures in the countries of the European Union, which are mostly the interior ministers, that if our neighbours have respected current simplifications, they would also respect further liberalisation." "Political will is one thing and fulfilling technical conditions is another thing," he added.
Speaking to the press after a special meeting with Polish ambassadors and his Polish counterpart, Radek Sikorski, in Warsaw on Thursday (2 September), Mr Lavrov said Poland backs Russia's draft proposal on dropping EU visa requirements: "We hope for a quick and positive response from Brussels. The Polish side has confirmed that it will support this draft."
...For his part, Mr Sikorski did not correct Mr Lavrov at the press event. But his own statement on the subject was much more cautious.
Referring to a separate plan to simplify visa rules but only for people living in Russia's EU exclave of Kaliningrad, the Polish diplomat said: "It would be an argument for the more conservative structures in the countries of the European Union, which are mostly the interior ministers, that if our neighbours have respected current simplifications, they would also respect further liberalisation."
"Political will is one thing and fulfilling technical conditions is another thing," he added.
A proposal for an application to recognise the Jewish state's data protection regime as equivalent to that in the EU was shelved on Thursday (3 September) after Dublin made it clear that it would oppose the move at a commission meeting in Brussels. Irish media are reporting that the commission conceded to the country's concerns, although the EU executive may return with similar plans, should Ireland's reservations be dealt with. Justice minister Dermot Ahern originally raised his objections in July, shortly after the country expelled an Israeli diplomat following Dublin's conclusion that Tel Aviv was behind the assassination of a Hamas leader by a hit squad in January in Dubai that had used eight forged Irish passports alongside a number of falsified passports of other EU states.
A proposal for an application to recognise the Jewish state's data protection regime as equivalent to that in the EU was shelved on Thursday (3 September) after Dublin made it clear that it would oppose the move at a commission meeting in Brussels.
Irish media are reporting that the commission conceded to the country's concerns, although the EU executive may return with similar plans, should Ireland's reservations be dealt with.
Justice minister Dermot Ahern originally raised his objections in July, shortly after the country expelled an Israeli diplomat following Dublin's conclusion that Tel Aviv was behind the assassination of a Hamas leader by a hit squad in January in Dubai that had used eight forged Irish passports alongside a number of falsified passports of other EU states.
Negotiations to form a rightist Dutch coalition government with the backing of anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders have floundered, the government information service said Friday. Negotiations led by Ivo Opstelten, an official appointed by Queen Beatrix to examine coalition options, "have failed to yield any result," it said in a statement three months after June national elections narrowly won by the pro-business VVD with Wilders' Party for Freedom (PVV) in third place.
Negotiations to form a rightist Dutch coalition government with the backing of anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders have floundered, the government information service said Friday.
Negotiations led by Ivo Opstelten, an official appointed by Queen Beatrix to examine coalition options, "have failed to yield any result," it said in a statement three months after June national elections narrowly won by the pro-business VVD with Wilders' Party for Freedom (PVV) in third place.
