newsitems

 *Strasbourg/CoE+EUParliament/Angelo Marcopolo/- The Need to urgently develop New Media able to motivate EU Citizens and develop a European space with Topical Debates for EU Decisions with strong Democratic Legitimacy on important common issues, was strongly stressed by German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble, together with EU Parliament's biggest Group (ChristianDemocrats/EPP) President, French MEP Joseph Daul, speaking at the Historic CoE's Hemicycle in Strabourg, shortly before crucial Scheuble meetings with New Greek Finance Minister Stournaras tomorrow in Berlin, followed by a much-awaited ECB collective decision-making session at nearby Frankfurt, on the occasion of a Conference on EU's Future organized by the prestigious French Senior Administration Officials' School "ENA", in cooperation with Paris' International Manager School ECSP's "Europe" section, in the Original frramework of  a Simulation of EU Decision-Making process with the participation of more than 650 Students from various EU and other Countries, followed also by relevant statements to Strasbourg Journalists including "EuroFora". :

- "Strasbourg is one of the Best places to Discuss Europe's Future", because, in addition oif being "the Seat of several European Institutions" (such as the PanEuropean CoE and the ECHR, the full plenary sessions of EU Parliament, etc., the City "has also become a Symbol for both Franco-German Reconciliation (since the 1960ies), and European Unity", (particularly since the 2004 EU Enlargement, prepared by a Decade of CoE previous extension to former Central-Eastern European Countries between 1993-2003), stressed in this regard from the outset its "Neighbour" from the other side of the Rhine, based at nearby Offenburg.

=> - In fact, the main Risk is not so much Economy as such, but to "lose sight at how to Advance Europe's (Democratic) Legitimacy with its Citizens" (See Infra) :  

    - "I'm deeply convinced" that "all .. Measures .. agreed in Europe about Stability and Growth-oriented policies .. will ultimately fail, IF we cannot convincingly Explain to (EU) Citizens and Markets why we Need Europe in the 21st Century", warned the experienced German Finance Minister

    - "My" brief Answer is that EU's "contribution to Global Prosperity", "Long-term, Stable and Sustainable Growth"; "Mix of Freedom and Social Equity", and capacity to provide Public Goods on a Global scale", that Member states cannot provide themselves"

    However, it's true that, today, "it's mainly Asian Countries (as China, India, etc) who are leading the way out' of the Global Crisis, while EU's and USA's contribution to Global Growth "has been fairly Limited", added to a "Demographic Decline", as well as "stubborn .. Unemployment", and "EuroZone Crisis".

     But, even if there is an unavoidable "Shift" of Growth rates towards Asian and other emerging Countries, nevertheless, EU's "differend" contribution to the World is that "We (Europeans) can provide Stability and Sustainable Growth", in the middle of "an Uncertain World", "if we overcome a too High Division", "prevent political Fragmentation", and create "Political and Economic Bridges", Schauble stressed,

    .. objectively pointing on September 2012, at a Warning already launched by the IMF at ECB's 1st Decade Anniversary Heads of State/Government Summit, back on June 2008 in Frankfurt (see "EuroFora"s co-founder's NewsReports from the spot at this exceptional Frankfut event, on which we had an interesting Question/Reply with IMF's Director for Europe, Alessandro ..., precisely also on how to overcome such a Competitiviness and Growth Diverging pattern denounced 4 Years earlier, on 2007-2008 just before the Global Crisis).. ------------------------------------------------------
    Because "Problems" such as "Nuclear Weapons" proliferation and "Climate Change", "Terrorism, Disease and Migration", as well as "Finance, Energy, Food and Water supply", are "Global Problems that require Global Solutions", which "cannot be addressed effectitvely by States, which have Sovereignity only within their own Territories", as he observed.
    -   
     + Moreover, "in the 21st Century of Globalizaton, which Changes the balance of Economic and Political Power" worldwide, there is an even greater "reason for European Unification", for "Europe to come ever Closer" together, to "become en Entity able to take Action in the World", and, therefore, "European Integration.. must create New SupraNational Governance structures", as "the Next Step towards European Unity", Schauble firmly anounced.
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    - Back "in the 1990ies", "we (EU) agreed to .. advance European Monetary Union", while "it was yet impossible to agree also on a Political Union, at the time, even if policy-makers were already "aware" that we needed that eventually", he revealed, acknowledging a pattern similar to "EuroFora"s earlier presentation, about Common Currency being created with €uro and ECB, with the expectation that subsequent Contradictions will incite Member States to establish also an Economic and Political Governance, sooner or later, as a landmark EU Parliament Plenary's Debate on "Europe and the World", together with the then UNO's Secretary General, etc? in Strasbourg, had already highlighted as early as since 1995, (See relevant previous "EuroFora"s NewsReports).

    - But, even if it had been foreseen from the start that States which couldn't or didn't want to respect the Stabiility Pact should be penalized by having to pay Higher Interest Ratezs, nevertheless, "it didn't work as scheduled", and several EU Member States enjoyed comparatively "Low Interest Rates for Years", and "allowed Public Deficits to balloon", while they were "Forgetting about the need to improve Competitiveness", Schauble denounced.

    However, this stopped "after 2008", when, "as a result of the (Global) Financial Crisis, ... Markets are increasingly Uncertain as to wheher .. Deficits and .. Debts will be .. Sustainable", so that "Investors' willingness to accept High Levels of Public InDebtedness Shifted" away, hiiting some €uroArea Countries badly, even if "this has not yet impacted the US", (whose growing Debt was practically leftin order to be examined in 2013, (i.e. after the forthcoming US Presidential Elections)...

    " A main Problem" that EU "Politicians are facing" is that, recently, "Investors lose Confidence in Europe", to the point that, sometimes, "We (EU) loose in 1 Month the Confidence that we are gaining only in Years and Years :  That's our problem, and we have to find a solution", Schauble pointed out speaking also later to Journalists in Strasbourg, including "EuroFora".

    >>> The principal reason is that Investors "don't understand why Decisions in Europe take so Long", since "Europe's constitution is Complicated, so that, if Decisions are taken with Democratic Legitimacy, they take Time" (f.ex.,  for 27 Member States to agree, both between them at EU level, and inside each Country, at National levels, etc), as he said. But, meanwhile, "Painful Reform Programs conducted by Countries in Trouble", and "Credits Guaranteed with Taxpayers' Money in "Solid" Countries",

    => To overcome that "Confidence Crisis", EU "Monetary Union has to make "Institutional  Reforms" (A), and "Troubled Countries .. have to implement Structural Reforms, that lead to Competitiveness and Growth" (B), Schauble pointed out.

                                                     (A)

    The first point means that EU "has to create a Fiscal Union, alongside the (already existing) Monetary Union", the experienced German Finance Minister stressed.

    Because "the Crisis cannot be solved just by Joint Debt Liabilities of €uroArea Countries, without a possibility to Press Members for Stability-oriented Policies", since "this would eliminate any Incentive for High-Deficit Countries to make necessary Efforts to Reduce these Deficits", he warned.

    => "In order to Prevent such Moral Hazard, Decision Power and Liability have to be in 1 Hand", so that we can have "Fiscal Consolidation in All €uro Countries", Schauble underlined. "This is an Important lesson from the Financial Crisis", as he said.

    - Indeed, "if you try to Solve the Problem of Sovereign Debt just nu Monetaru policies, you won't succeed, because this would Destroy any Incentive for any Member State to make necessary Reforms : We need also Fiscal Policy measures, in order to boost Stability and Sustainable Growth", Schauble explained further later-on, launching a Timely Warning just a few Days before a crucial ECB's Governing Council meeting at nearby Frankfurt scheduled for Thursday.

    => That's  why an important 1st step is the New €uroTreaty that we agreed a year ago (between August and December 2011 : See "EuroFora"s NewsReports from August 2011 Elysée Palace Franco-German Summit in Paris, and from December 2011 EU Summit in Brussels), which contains a "Debt-Brake" agreed by 25 EU States", he reminded, "since (Financial) Stability is a Pre-Condition of Sustainable Growth", as he said.

                                                          (B)

    - "But, if we want €uroArea to function properly, .. it will require also that Countries be economically Competitive as well" , he added.

    - "This is the Task of every single (€uroArea Member) Country, and, therefore, lies at the Core of the Adjustement Programs, agreed by the EU with the so-called "Program Countries", where some "Long-term Structural Problems .. must be addressed", as, f.ex., "Dysfunctional Labour Markets", disproportionate and/or counter-productive Public Sectors, etc., "in order to preserve and strengthen the EU and its Capacity to act in the World.

    Already, f.ex., "Recent Reforms in Estonia, but also some Years ago in Germany", as well as "Ambitious Reforms which are on track in Portugal, Ireland, Spain and Italy", "bear witness of EU's ability to Change for the better", he observed, while also noting, later-on, that Greece has also to catch up the Time lost (by previous, mainly PASOK Governments, since the 1990ies-2012) in completing necessary "Structural Reforms", (not only of the Labour Market, which has reportedly advanced rather well, but particularly on the Public Sector, where the Clientelism/Nepotism of mainly PASOK previous Governments, during the period 1981-2011+, has notoriously appointed a disproportionte number of counter-productive  Cushy Job Holders and/or abusive Political Lackeys, often Corrupted and/or otherwise Criminal, who have become Unpopular among a Majority of People; froim various Political Horizons, who strongly wish a kind of  "Clean Hands" Anti-Corruption campaign, throughout all the Greek State's assets : Comp. several relevant "EuroFora"s NewsReports published previously).

    + Concerning "Fiscal Discipline and Economic Coordination, .. some Fundamental Reforms were introduced by the so-called "Six-Pack", already since 2011, he reminded :

    - F.ex., there is now "a stronger focus on Prevention", as regards "the Maximum Levels of Deficit (3% of GDP) and of Debt (60% of GDP) set by the Stability and Growth Pact (the so-called "Maastricht" criteria), "by emphasizing the Medium Term Objective (MTO), towards nearly Balanced Budgets", and by "obliging now States to Reduce excessive Deficit by 1/20th each Year", as well as by "Earlier Financial Sanctions, and more Automatic Decision-making, with a "Reversed qualified Majority Voting", (i.e. Sanctions are imposed unless a Qualified Majority objects).

    + A "MacroEconomic Surveillance procedure helps to Prevent and Correct Imbalances", by "obliging States to address Structural weaknesses and improve their level of Competitihveness at an Early Stage", as he added.

    - Moreover, the "agreed "Fiscal Compact" (New €uroArea Treaty, on Stabiliy, Coordination and Governance), "on January 2012", (See "EuroFora"s NewsReports from 1/2012 Brussels' EU Summit), "amongst others", it also "requires States to  use "Debt Brakes", with an Upper Cap of Structural Deficit at 0,5% of GDP", whose "Implementation .. will be Checked by the European Court of Justice".

    ++ "A European Stability Mechanism (ESM) was created, as a Permanent Financial Assistance provider to States, if needed. The New €uroArea Treaty, links Solidarity and Solidity, by conditioning the Financial Assistance to the Treaty Ratification and to the Implementation of the Balanced Budget Rule.

    +++ In addition, the so-called "2-Pack", supplementary Reform, brings Stronger Monitoring of National Budgets, via the "European Semester" in the 1st Half of each Year, so that infringements of the Stability and Growth Pact "shall be Detected and Corrected the Soonest" : States submit a Draft Budget for Next Year before Mid-October, taking into account the Recommendations received since June, so that EU Commission can Assess the Draft and Request a Revision in case of "Serious Non-Compliance". Moreover, €uroGroup will Discuss EU Comission's assessment, and Results will be Published, in order "to increase Pressure on States to adhere to Maastricht Criteria".
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    >>> "But", all these "Improvements", "will Not suffice to overcome the Weaknesses of Economic Governance",  Schauble warned. Because the "Crisis revealed that, .. Monetary Policy must be combined with more EU Competences in Economic and Fiscal policies", for the Union to become able to function properly.

    => "F.ex. by introducing a VETO Right on Draft Budghets which don't comply with Stability Criteria", he suggested.

    + Thus, "we have to Think about a Further Transfert of National Competences", he concluded.

    * But, this "Raises Questions regarding National Parliaments' Budgetary Sovereignity, and DEMOCRATIC LEGITIMACY", the experienced German key Minister stressed.

    - "Treaty Changes have to be considered not only for the Tranfert of Competences, but also for Democratic Legitimacy improvements".

    - "That means that we need 27 Member States, because we'll Preferably do it by EU Treaty Change, and, therefore, we have to ask our Brittish Friends Not to Block such a Change, whose general lines are shared by all, as he found, pointing out that "we'd be happy ofo the UK would play a more Important role in Europe, as he added later-on.

    => But, the most Important point of all, is the fact that "EU's Nation States have definitively Lost their Monopoly on Regulation", even if "No one wants to impose an EU Super-State, because it would basically be an attempt to tranfert the Regulation Monopoly, (characteristic of Out-Dated Nation-States), to a Larger Unit", so "that would neither be New, nor Worthwhile", he observed.

    >>> So that "we have to address the Basic Problem" :  -  "Today, in 2012, EU Lacks the approval of Wide parts of its Peoples", but, at the same time, "We (EU) Need their Approval, if we re-allocate Political Powers and Responsibilities on a Large Scale", Schauble stressed.

    + Moreover, "If Europe is to grow together and become an Effective Entity, we Need much more than only the support of political, economic and academic Elites : What we Urgently Need is the Backing of the Wider Population" of EU Citizens, the experienced, Key German Minister warned.

    - "One of the underlying Problems, is the fact that HERE IS NO EUROPEAN PUBLIC", (yet), he regretted, (obviously pointing at a main aspect of "EuroFora"s Project, i.e. to actively contribute to create a European Public Area for EU Citizens Debates on main European Decision-making, which affects their Lives)....

    - "To put it more positively : - The chronic Problem of Democratic Legitimacy became more Accute, thanks to the €uro Crisis", also because, "on the Contrary, we are faced with a Worrying Tendency towards Nationalistic  Movements and a revival of prejudices and Hostilities". "But it's also clear that there is No Neat Solution  to the Problem of Democracy in the EU", he admitted.

    => Therefore, concerning "the EU, which represents a a genuinely New SupraNational politeia, Part Inter-Governemental, and Part Federal", "for me, it is indisputable that More Democratic Legitimacy for Europe requires Reforms at Both the National and the European Levels", Schauble pointed out.

    - "Because", "when the EU is aquiring More Powers", it obviously "needs" also more "Direct Democracy", he observed. Even the current "EU Treaty states that Members" States are "Resolved to continue the process of creating an even Closer Union among the Peuples of Europe, in which Decicions ae taken as Closely as  possible to the (EU) Citizens", he observed.

    >>> Thus, "we have to Strengthen the ... Links between Europe's Citizens and its Institutions", and that means that EU "Treaty Changes have to be considered not only with regard to the Transfert of Competences (from National to EU level), but also in order to improve Democratic Legitimacy", the German key Minister stressed.

    - This could be done, "F.ex. by a Direct Election of (EU) Commission's President, and/or a Stronger involvement of National Parliaments in the EU Legislative processes, (e.g. by establishing a 2nd Chamber or a Joint Committee)", etc., he suggested, among various such possibilities.

    "There is No Alternative to European Integration", because "in itself, No European State is Big and Powerful enough to play any Meaningful Role in a Globalized World", so that "if we are to Shape this World in the 21st Century, we must do it Together", Schauble pointed out, declaring that "Germany is determined" to resolutely advance "in the Path where "€uroZone's partners have embarked upon", on the basis of "the Right .. Principles" :

    - 1) "The central Economic Principle that Whoever Decides should be Liable for the Consequences of these Decisions",

    - 2)"a Balanced Mix of (Inter-Governemental) Cooperation and Sovereignity Transferts (to EU level),

    - 3) "as well as a Strengthened Democratic Legitimacy",

=> with which EU can "build a genuinely and durably Stable Monetary Union, thus expanding the influence of a Federal EU in the Making", as Schauble concluded, optimistically.

    - "This will not happen overnight", but, "on the contrary, it will take Time and needs Hard Work, but I'm deeply Convinced that it will finally pay off", the experienced German key Minister promissed
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    + Agreeing on this obviously Important point also for "EuroFora"s Project, the President of EU Parliament's greatest Political Group of MEPs, that of ChristiansDemocrats/EPP, Joseph Daul from Strasbourg, stressed, in conclusion, that EU must better communicate, in the way it speaks with our (EU) Citizens on main issues, such as Economic and Financial Policy, etc.. That's why "there is currently a Need for Press Media to come much Closer to (EU) Citizens", to Drop esoteric Technocratic "Formulas" (such as ... "6-Pack", "2-Pack", etc., Comp. Supra), but speak a language that "People can understand" in Public "Debates", "explaining" things in a "Simple" and crystal-clear way.

    Daul stressed that point on EU Media and Citizens in relation to Scheuble's call to build a Democratically Legitimized Political Union able to solve the current Financial Problems, just before an exceptionally important EPP Group MEPs' Conference at Florence, Italy, later this week, with the participation also of Prime Minister Mario Monti, EU Council's President Herman Van Rompuy, EU Commission's President Jose Manuel Barroso, vice-Chairman Antonio Tajani and Janusz Lewandowski, EU Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget, etc, who will al focus, precisely, on "a New Political Europe"...

    "EuroFora" remains, more than ever, firmly convinced, that our Initial, Original Idea, (initially conceived, formulated and published as early as since 1997, but which became much more necessary after the 1999-2004 unprecedented, sharp Majority Abstentions in EU Parliament's Elections, followed by the 2005-2007 three "No" to EuroReferenda in France, the Netherlands and Ireland, etc), to prepare and start stimulating topical, serious but pluralist European Debates with EU Citizens' active participation on the most important forthcoming and/or recent EU Decisions which affect their Lives, and related EU News, is one of the Best Ways to energetically and efficiently contribute into building that European "Public Space" (Offentlichkeit) and Popular support which is Urgently Needed in order to become able to create that Democratic and strong Political Union which has become of vital importance today (Comp. Supra).

*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- It is with a quest to "see how to Find Ways" for energetically engaging in topical "Debates" on crucial BioEthics, Family and other basic Values' issues, in Strasbourg's particular PanEuropean and even International cross-roads' meeting place, that was marked the ordination of Alsace's New Bishop responsible for Education and Press/Communication, Mgr. Vincent Dollman, as he told "EuroFora", after being apointed by Pope Benedict, following 3 Years of recent work at the Vatican (2009-2012), and at the eve of an exceptionaly important Synod, anounced for October 2012 in Rome, due to launch a "New Evangelisation" focused on People's current need for Faith's Values in front of today's Crisis, almost at the same time that another exceptional Mega-gathering for a "General Assembly of Christians" from all confessions, (Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, etc), is convoked in parallel in Strasbourg, which can become "a Laboratory for Dialogue", currently needed on such issues, both "with Specialists" and "between Cultures and/or Religions", as ArchiBishop Mgr. Jean-Pierre Grallet later stressed to "EuroFora" (See Infra), while "hot" controversies on Genetic Manipulation of Human Embryos, the need to protect natural Families', Marriage, Childrens' Birth and/or adoption, etc., come on the Agenda in France, Germany, Switzerland, USA, etc., even more and more frequently at the European Court of Human Rights...

- "Caritas (Charity, Love) of Christ urges us", as "Pope Benedict XVI reminded, citting Sait Paul, in his Letter "Porta Fidea", which invites Christians, on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Vatican II concilium", (the World-Famous event which tried to revitalise and renew the Christian Credo in order to face Modern World's challenges), "to renew their Faith at the Sources of Holly Texts and Church's Tradition", similar to "each Mass, where we can be enlightened and encouraged by the love which is in the Source of Father's Heart, revealed in Christ, and  given to the World by the Holly Spirit", stressed from the outset Mgr. Dollman, in his Thanks and "Message", that he read to the People after his ordination at Strasbourg's Cathedral, filled up with numerous People and representatives of various Public Authorities and Religious Communities from France, Germany, Switzerland, the Vatican, the CoE, etc., as well as from elsewhere in the World, (comp. Infra).

=- But, "Christ's Charity (Caritas, Love) which Urges us", also "incites as to live up to Concrete Commitments", particularly when "we realize Today's social Challenges, when everything seems to become Relative, object for Discussion : Even the Foundations of Society, as the Respect for Life and for Family", also Warned Mgr. Dollmann.  

=> - "Let's find in Christ's Charity (Caritas, Love), the Light and the Strength needed in order to take an active part in these Debates, which concern our Society's Future", he appealed in conclusion, largely applauded.

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 - "I think that Strasbourg is a Labo, it should be a Laboratory for Dialogue. If we can help from Strasbourg other Cities, other Regions, etc., to engage in Dalogue, also between different Cultures and/or Religions, I'd be very glad", replied afterwards to "EuroFora"'s questions ArchiBishop Grallet, (who was himself ordinated on 2007, i.e. the year which prepared Pope Benedict's official visit in France : Comp. "EuroFora"s 2008 NewsReports from Brixen/Bressanonen, Italy, followed, later-on, by Paris and Lourdes, on August and September 2008, while France had just taken over the Responsibility of EU Council's rotating Presidency).

+  Concerning "EuroFora"s specific question on BioEthics, given recent and/or imminent developments in France, Germany, Switzerland, even at Strasbourg-based ECHR, EU Parliament, etc., Mgr. Grallet focused to what he believes to be the Main point at this crucial juncture :

 - "I won't reiterate now all that I've said on BioEthics, because it would be too long. But, we must renew Dialogue with (Science/Technology) Specialists : There is not enough Dialogue !", he denounced.

- "That's why we have to Restore Dialogue between the Various Components of the Society today", Mgr Jean-Pierre Grallet appealed in conclusion at his statements to "EuroFora".
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    + Significantly, Vincent Dollmann was ordinated Today by Strasbourg's ArchiBishop Mgr. Grallet and his deputy, Mgr. Kratz, as well as the exceptionally visiting Mgr. Jean-Louis Brugues, former Secretary for Education at the Vatican, where they worked together for years under the auspices of Cardinal Grocholewski, at the Eve of undertaking his new Duties as responsible for Vatican's "Archives and Library", Tomorrow at Rome, where Pope Benedict has just appointed him : An area of ectivity obviously important both for clearly establishing recent Facts, as well as for eventual Historic Research on the "Sources" of Early Christians' initial spirit, Texts and Historic Tradition, able to inspire today's struggles too.

    - "Many (Persons) are linked with father Dollman, by Family links, by his office in Alsace, in Germany, and at Rome, as well as by links of Friendship", observed from the outset Strasbourg's ArchiBishop, Mgr. Jean-Pierre Grallet, after thanking also "the Neighbouring Bishops, who came from Germany and Switzerland : Mgr Felix Gmür from Bale, Mgr Rainer klug from Freiburg, Mgr Otto Georgiens from Spire, Mgr    Bischof from Munich", etc., in addition to an impressive list of French Bishops : "Mgr André Lacrampe, ArchBishop of Besancon, Mgr Claude Schockert from Belfort, Mgr Vinvent Jordy of Saint-Claude, Mgr Jean-Louis Papin from Nancy, Mgr Jean-Paul Mathieu from Saint-Dié, Father Jean-Marie Wagner, General Vicar of Metz", etc., as well as Vatican's permanent Envoy to the CoE, Mgr. Aldo Giordano, etc.

    + Mgr. Dollmann himself, concluding a subsequent reception in Munsterhof, the Historic meeting-place of Strasbourg's Cathedral, pointed at the "Diversity" among various participants in the Strategic Cross-roads City's event, host of EU Parliament's Plenary Sessions, of PanEuropean CoE, as well as of several International, University and other Scientific, Economic, etc. Organizations : - "Diversity of Social Origins, Diversity of Horizons, almost from everywhere, indicating the Christian Church's links to many places accross the World, be it f.ex. from Haiti or Syria, Austria or America, even Pakistan, etc., praising such opportunities for "Personal Contacts, while serving the Unity of the Christian Church, with responsibility and Tenacity", as he observed, after speaking in French, German, Italian and even Alsacian Dialect when he thanked all participants at the Religious public ceremony, earlier today.

    ArchiBishop Grallet officially entrusted Dollmann to carry out, inter alia, also the Responsibilities of Education and Cathechese for Adults, as well as of Communication, including for the Press.

    In his speech at Strasbourg's Cathedral, ArchiBishop Grallet associated Mgr. Vincent Dollmann's new mission with the task "to go right at the Heart of Caritas (Charity, Love) and Faith, as Pope Bendict XVI invites us, for that "Year of Faith" which will open" soon, (with an exceptional Synod convoked in Rome for October 2012), where "Faith without Charity (Caritas, Love) bears No Fruit, while Charity (Caritas, Love) without Faith would be a sentiment constantly at the mercy of Doubt". Because " Faith and charity, each require the other", as he reminded, citting the apostolic Letter "Porta Fidei" of October 2011, in which Pope Benedict anounced his intention to launch a "New Evangelization for the Transmission of Christian Faith”, since "we cannot accept that Salt should become tasteless, or the Light be kept hidden", as "the People of Today can still experience the Need to go to the Well...and to draw upon the Source of Living Water", "rediscover a taste for Feeding ourselves on the Word of God, ...and on the Bread of Life", with "a Unitary Cultural Matrix", appealing "to .. Faith and the Values inspired by it", able to help tackle today's "profound Crisis", as he denounced in the original text, while various Popular a.o. concerns and grassroots Movements, in Europe, in America and elsewhere in the World, clearly indicate an emerging Social need for basic Values, (be it in France and Germany, China or at USA's primaries for the forthcoming Presidential Elections, etc).

By another, interesting, interlinking "coincidence", Pope Benedict anounced officialy his decision to appoint Dollmann as a New Bishop in Strasbourg, the same Day that he anounced also the nomination at the Ponitical Council "for the Promotion of New Evangelisation", the Maronite ArchiBishop of Bayrut, Paul Youssef Matar, from Lebanon, that he intends to visit a few Days later this Month (on mid-September 2012), despite general concerns about the on-going Violent Crisis at neighbouring Syria.

*Strasbourg/ECHR/- Both jailed former Prime Minister Tymoshenko's daughter, Eygenia, her Lawyer Vlasenko, and Ukranian Government's Legal Agent Kulchytsky, speaking to "EuroFora" inside the ECHR after the 1st Public Hearing on the world-famous case, clearly pointed at important EU/CoE forthcoming developments in the following days/weeks, after today's controvercy on allegations of inhuman/degrading  treatments in prison, including mainly a New Application to EuroJudges, now on the Substance of this affair,  but also at a call for EU Sanctions "directly against" those who are held as responsible for what was denounced as a politically motivated prosecution against a prominent opposition leader in the country, while the current Ukranian Authorities claim that all this wouldn't be but only an attempt to politically discredit a fight against corruption and other crimes, before the forhcoming October 2012 Parliamentary Elections.

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- "EuroFora" was initially surprised by the fact, that during all ECHR's 1st Public Hearing on the case of former Prime Minister Tymoshenko, who has been already judged, condemned, and closed to Prison for almost a Year now (2011 - 2012), nevertheless,  there wasn't yet "any Discussion "about the Substance" of the issue, i.e. on the Condemnation istelf, but just about Prison conditions, as we observed in Questions raised to both Lawyers of Tymoshenko and of the Ukranian Government :

- It's "because ....this will be lodged the Day after Tomorrow", (i.e. immediately after the final verdict of the Ukranian Higher Court on Tymoshenko's complaint against her condemnation for allegedly brokering irregularly an Agreement with Russia on Gas transfert to the EU at prices now considered as excessive, by the current, Yanukovich Government), anounced, in reply to "EuroFora"s Question, Yulia Tymoshenko's Lawyer, Sergiy Vlasenko.

+ "No, the Susbtance (of the Tymoshenko case) was not included in this complaint. It was only about the preliminary procedure detention. So that the Condamnation couldn't be taken into consideration" in this Hearing. However, meawhile, "we have exchanged more concrete arguments before the ECHR through Reports by writting", added in reply to "EuroFora" the Legal Representative of the Ukranian Government, Nazar Kulchytskyy.

- "The Worst of all was that we couldn't yet raise the Main Issues on Article 6 (of the PanEuropean Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees a "Fair Trial"), because the (Ukranian) Authorities have been constantly Postponing the last Court's decision" (on Yulia Tymoshenko's Appeal), which will be published Tomorrow. And that's when we would be able to Start asking for my Mother to be Released, ......because the main point is that she's already in Prison for more than a Year", anounced also her Daughter, Eugenia Tymoshenko, speaking to Journalists including "EuroFora" at the ECHR's premisses after the 1st Hearing.

+ However, "a decision made by the European Court" of Human Rights, "would be a Support for our fight". "We need Outside Pressure,".. "because the situation inside the country is "Unacceptable", and  it's "the only way for my Mother to be Released".... "We believe that once the (European) Court makes the Decision that it has to take, and which, we hope, will be supportive in her struggle in the Prison", things can start to change. -"May be the (Ukranian) Government might not ... (fully comply with ECHR's judgement at once, but, of course we'll fight, and, still, we'll have some arguments and documents in our hands", in order to face an "Immense Pressure from the Regime", helping to prove the fact that "the Truth is on our side", the Daughter of the jailed former Prime Minister of Ukraine added.
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+ Meanwhile, replying exclusively to an "EuroFora"s question on the role that EU prospects for Ukraine's European Integration might play in helping to find a mutually acceptable solution and ease the conflict in this and other similar cases, the Daughter of the former Prime Minister appeared adamant :

- "Ukrania is not only a CoE Member, (i.e. in principle obliged to comply with ECHR's Judgements).  "Already In 2008, when my  mother  was Prime Minister, were made "1st steps" towards EU Integration". F.ex., "there were discussions (with the EU) on a Trade Agreement, an Association Agreement, etc.", she reminded.

- "But now, when the situation Worsened, and Today .. we have even Political Prisoners, as a New Phenomenon in Ukraine,  of course,.... because of this existance of Political Oppression, the existance of a Waning Freedom in Ukraine", as she said. In fact, "not only my Mother is politcal prisoner, but also, until the recent past, there were also another 2 Political prisoners, now there is 1 more. But there are also Dozens of People more who are running to escape from the regime and its pressure, and it's very important to realize that Dozens of People  are oppressed now by the Prosecution Machine, controlled by (the President)", as Eugenia Tymoshenko found.

=> - "That's why, the EU obviously cannot  say that Ukraine is moving towards abiding to European commitments on Freedom and Human Rights", the Daughter of the Jailed former Prime Minister criticized, denounced from her point of view, (which largely fits most recent Critical reactions from various ΕU Officials on this and other similar cases).
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>>> In consequence, "the only Influence that can be done (exerted) (by the EU) to Change the way the (Ukranian) Government is treating its political opponents, is by Sanctions  applied Directly to the People who exert those pressure against Human Rights : F.ex. by restricting their Travels, by seizing their (Bank)Accounts, etc".     

    
- "Because several People who are in the Government now, they don't care about the political Situation in Ukraine and its Position (vis a vis the EU)", she denounced, apparently trying to explain by that argument the relative Inefficiency of EU action until now.

- , That is to say, No (EU) Sanctions which might affect certain People, but not the whole County ?", "EuroFora" asked to clarify : -  "No, (only) Directly to the(se) Persons", Eugenia Tymoshenco concluded.
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    Denouncing what they claimed to be Inhuman/Degrading Treatments in Jail, contrary to Art. 3 of the PanEuropean Convention of Human Rights, during the 1st Publlic Hearing by ECHR, Yulia Tymoshenko's Lawyers criticized, among others, also a series of Concrete Facts, concerning, f.ex., Poor Food Quality, insufficient Water for Shower, bad Heating, insufficient or lacking facilities for Physical exercive, awakening at 5 a.m. to attend Investigations against her at Courts or even "in the Cell", Artificial Lights being kept open almost all day-long, Isolation, the only Window with a hole for Air Ventilation to her Cell being located "Too High" so that it was impossible to use it freely, Permanent Monitoring by Video, refusal of Independent Medical advise and/or Tests only by persons that she trusts, etc., as well as a "Violent" Transfert to a Hospital overNight, which would have caused "Bruises" to her Hands and Body, after allegedly being "beatten" by Guards, etc.

                                                                                                                                                                                       
    The Lawyers representing the Ukranian Government, dismissed such claims, pointing at several Changes by transfert to Betterr Cells, to the fact that Tymoschenko is using Food and Water by parcels brought by her Family or Friends, denied the alleged existence of permanently open Electric Lights, claimed that the Window wasn't inaccesible, (at least not in the latest Cell), contested the existence of 100% Permanent Video-monitoring and added thet Tymoshenko could ask from the Courts to stop or reduce Video-Monitoring, claimed that the former Prime Minister was in fact trying to avoid any Medical Treatment provided by State Doctors, even when they were included in a Committee with the participation of the Foreign Doctor she prefered, and denied any undue Violence during the precited overnight transfert to a Hospital, claiming that the alleged Bruises might have been caused by Herself, or be due to her supposed illness, etc., and criticized the fact that she had refused Forensic Examinations by a Medical Committee in which participated a German Doctor of her choice.

    ECHR anounced that it had asked both parties to discuss in particular the Permanent Video-Monitoring and the overNight Forced Transfert claims, while also asking the Ukranian Authorities to comment on the alleged bruises in Tymoshenko's body. Her Lawyer observed that it was her Right to freely choose the Doctor and the Medical team that she trusted for any crucial Examination, (f.ex. Blood tests, etc).

    Earlier, EuroJudges had intervened, with Urgent Measures, mainly in order to ask for an appopriate Medical Care, which apparently was at least partly obtained, later-on, convincing Tymoshenko to stop a "Hunger Strike" that she had started, particularly after a German Doctor of her choice was allowed to follow her Health condition, and provide advise. But ECHR afterwards refused another Tymoshenko demand which included a wish to be transfered to an Independent Hospital abroad, in Germany.
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    Speaking to Journalists, including "EuroFora", at ECHR's premisses after the Hearing, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's Daughter, Eugenia, described her Mother's version on what had happened during that "Forced Tranfert" to a Hospital :

- "It was late at Night", when "3 Guards came to my Mother's cell. She was lying down in pain,  and they tortured (took ?) her together. They said "we'll move you to the Hospital". She said that it was against the Law to Move her by Force. They said  : -"We've been given orders, we have to move you". ...So they grasped her, they took a blanket over her, and then, one put the Cuffs on her (arms), inside, through the blankets, ...And even though she was in the Blankets, because they didn't want to leave bruises on her body, still she had many bruises, because the Power used by the Guards was very Strong, and afterwards, she couldn't resist, and she just Cried, and cried  for Help, but .. (nobody heard her). She was kept  in the Hospital for 2 Days, and afterwars she showed her bruises", to her Lawyer, (who claimed, speakig earlier to EuroJudges, that he had immediately asked to see his Client, but was refused access for more than 1,5 Day under various pretexts).

    + By a symbolic coincidence, this 1st ECHR Hearing mainly focused on former Ukranian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's conditions of Detention, since now a Year, Christian Pope Benedict's "Prayer Intention for August" 2012, was anounced to be, precisely, "that Prisoners may be treated with Justice and Respect for their Human Dignity", as Vatican's Press service informed also "EuroFora" since the end of July 2012.                                                                                                                                                             
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    After many Months of Detention, suddenly, the incidents which incited ECHR to decide taking Urgent Measures about detention conditions in the Tymoshenko case, intervened while the Ukranian Autghorities had just anounced to the Press, on March and April 2012, that they felt to possess sufficient Evidence in order to start prosecuting the former Prime Minister also for 2 other, Different cases, concerning alleged Tax-Evasion when she had been working as a Business Manager in the Past, and a suspicion to have paid the Killers who had murdered another former Prime Minister and his wife, back on 1996, who had held also a Business with opposite interests, before being brutally gunned down by Killers who had allegedly been paid by a controversial former politician currently serving a jail-sentence in the USA, with whom she had briefly cooperated 15 years ago.      

    But Tymoshenko's Lawyer strogly denounced during the ECHR Hearing what he called the "Partiality" of Courts in Ukraine, claiming that there "was No Justice" possible as long as the current President Victor Yanoukovich's team was exerting excessive  "Pressure" against his political opponents in order to exclude them from the Political game.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
    President Yanoukovich's allies, including the deputy Prosecutor, etc., on the contrary, have claimed that Tymoschenko tried to discredit the Ukranian Auhorities' efforts against Corruption and Crime,  allegedly abusing of the Media and Political relations.
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    Meanwhile, at an earlier affair before ECHR, former JHA Minister Lutsenko, who was the 1st to be jailed among leading politicians of the opposition,  after being reportedly slandered by German Newspaper "Bild" about a supposed 2009 incident at the Frankfurt Airport, which was exploited by his foes, obliging him to quit, etc., before the Error was, finally, aknowledged by Bild, asking too late for excuses about the way they reported on what really happened at the nearby City, (whose Press-Reporters are known for gross Publicity in favor of Turkey, a GeoPolitical "Competitor" of Ukraine in EU Accession stakes)... 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    ----------------------------    

While previously, many Ukranian Media had reported that Detention was imposed to Tymoschenko for her behavior in front of the Court, on the contrary, the Ukranian Government's representative said today to ECHR in Strasbourg that the real reasons were a risk that she "might abscon", and/or "obstruct the establishment of the Truth" by the on-going Investigations, to which she was accused not to cooperate enough, but abuse of eluding tactics, (although her lawyer replied that she had been present, on time, in all Court's hearings, with the sole exception of a small delay of 20 minutes once, as he said).

    But similar claims have been already rejected by ECHR in a recent judgement on former JHA Minister Lutsenko, last July 2012, because Ukranian Courts had not replied properly to his arguments contesting the detention, while the Ukranian Authorities had motivated the deprivation of liberty by pointing to the big, National and International Press Interest for his case, alleged attempts to discredit the prosecution, while also contesting even his Right for Strong Critisicm against  excessive and/or groundless accusations. Added to rather "Selective" persecutions of mainly Opposition Politicians for alleged "Corruption", as ECHR found, Lutsenko's condemnation seems to have been made "Not only for suspicion to have committed an offense, but also for Other i.e. probably Political) reasons", EuroJudges concluded, condemning Kiev to pay more than 15.000 € to the jailed former Minister.
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    EU Parliament has adopted a Resolution on Ukraine since June 2011, which expresses MEPs' "Concern  about the increase in Slective Prosecution of figures from the political Opposition in Ukraine, as well as the Disproportionality of measures applied, particularly in the cases of Ms Tymoshenko and Mr Lutsenko", particularly on "Custody", and "expressed its support for the Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner, Nina Karpachova, who has asked the Ukrainian Prosecutor General to consider the possibility of applying preventive measures that do Not involve Detention".

    At the same occasion, MEPs "stressed that ongoing investigations of prominent Ukrainian political Leaders should not preclude them from actively Participating in the political life of the country", as their Resolution said on the occasion of "Yulia Tymoshenko and other key political figures", obviously in view of the forthcoming, October 28, 2012, Parliamentary Elections.

    + In addition, the PanEuropean CoE's Parliamentary Assembly's Bureau, which meets in Paris at the beginning of September, is due to examine also the Monitoring of Ukranian October 28 Elections, while it cannot be excluded that developments on the Yulia Tymoshenko and other such cases of Political Opposition leaders threatened with jail, might be discussed  in Strasbourg both by EU Parliament's forthcoming Plenary Session in Strasbourg from 10 to 13 September 2012, as well as in PACE's October Session, 1 to 5 October.

    Meanwhile, CoE's Committee of Ministers, which holds its scheduled Meeting for the implementation of ECHR's Judgements towards the end of September 2012, might eventually start examining also ECHR's condemnation of the Ukranian Authorities, back on July 2012, in the parallel case of jailed former JHA Minister Lutsenko, which contains several Legal points apparently similar to certain aspects also of Yulia Tymoshenko's affair, (comp. Supra), as a matter of general principle on controversial imprisonment of acting political opposition leaders.

    Experienced observers don't exclude the risk, (particularly if nothing is done, meanwhile, to find a mutually satisfactory solution, or, at least, to alleviate useless or disproportionate restrictions of liberty and/or avoid more sufferings), that some Lobbies opposed to Ukraine's European Integration strategic aims, (most often because they are also, in fact Anti-European, and therefore against any European Cultural, Historic and Geographic Identity, and/or prefer Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid), might exploit any attitude by the Urkanian Government which might be perceived and/or presented as contrary to Kiev's Human Rights commitments vis a vis the CoE, in order to provoke even more Problems, Blockades, etc., in its unfolding relations with the EU.
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    On the contrary, "EuroFora", as a matter of principle, has always strongly supported Ukrania's EU aspirations, being among those who believe that such an "unquestionably European Country", which might strengthen EU's Cultural, Historic and even Geographic Coherence and Identity, while also having an important potential on Gas Transport, interesting Airplane Technology (Antonov, etc., which could be used f.ex. in cooperation wit EU's Airbus in order to find a much better, more performant and less expensive solution for EU's Military Air-Transport needs, instead of the controversial, old, Low-Tech. and too expensive "A400M" old coucou, notoriously pushed by a pro-Turkish lobby), Danube River's Delta for Energy a.o. Ship Transports via the Black Sea, interesting Raw Materialls and good Agricultural Land, etc., in addition to its well-known, exceptional potential to serve as a "Bridge" between the EU and Russia, (both in Energy transfert, and in Culture, Language, etc).

    Therefore, (and while acknowledging the fact that "EuroFora" is not yet familiar enough with the rather complicated Internal Politics inside Ukraine), it seems wiser to try to find an adequate Solution able to ensure at least basic respect for Human Rights and Democracy, as well as the Stability of Ukraine, in a way which can be helpful to the Country's legitimate EU prospects.
    
    Attempts to accuse various Political Opponents, for differend Economic or other affairs, seem frequent, on Both sides of the Political divide in Ukraine's recent History : Even the current President, Victor Yanukovich, had been reportedly threatened himself by such methods in the Past.. But now that a basic Agreement appeared among various Political Parties on the need to both advance towards European Integration via the EU, (regardless of the Separate controversy of NATO, since many EU Members are not at all inside NATO, including the current EU rotating Presidency held by Cyprus, etc), while at the same time, now both main political sides also agree on the need to have good relations and links to Russia, the Time might have come f.ex., for President Yanukovich and/or his friends to take some initiatives whixh could honour Ukraine's well deserved place as an Historically, Culturally, Geographically and Economically integral part of a Political, Democratic Europe with a Popular identity, respecting its Citizens' basic Human Rights...

    He had already hinted himself, that he might be enclined to eventually consider taking such an initiative, that his Presidential capacity legally allows, (f.ex. decide a total or partial pardon, etc).
    

A new era with less Bureaucracy but more Investments might open in Greece, as reveal the Latest Financial Data, published yesterday by its National Bank, after a scandalous and obviously self-destructive Reduction of public Investments to Productive Economy (and, therefore, of Fiscal Revenues), while other State's Expenses were astonishingly still Augmenting, during the recent Past of previous, PASOK Governments led by controversial former Prime Minister Giorgos Papandreou in 2009 - 2011, (i.e. added to a 30 Years-long Debt notoriously provoked by various, mainly PASOK former Governments' Clientelism and Nepotism on 1980-2010), has just started to be Reversed, after 2 successive Political Changes, which brought initially a period of Tripartite, "Transition" Governments between December 2011 - May 2012, followed by a New, Antonis Samaras' (a ChristianDemocrat/EPP former Minister and MEP in Strasbourg's EU Parliament) led Government, from July 2012, who has already produced some promissing first Results. 

But the New Prime Minister seems to need further Energy (and almost certainly much more Political Change) in order to become really Free and Able to definitively overcome some persisting , mainly Political Obstacles and Reactions, loudly put by the remnants of a declining PASOK Minority and a smaller Center-Left party (currently minor Coalition partners), who continue to disagree on the most Crucial issue : That of the urgent need to, at last, Free Greece from a notoriously Disproportionate, too numerous Mass of largely counter-Productive cushy-job holders and/or corrupted, unpopular, often arbitrary and sometimes even criminal Political Lackeys appointed at the Public Sector mainly by former PASOK Governments during all the last 30 Years (1981-2011), while the country's Economy was condemned to a 6 6ears long Recession and too many People to a Record-High Unemployment rate (more than 23% !).
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In particular, as fresh Facts reveal, recent PASOK former Governments in Greece had diminished public Investments to productive economy (i.e. thereby provoking Recession and diminished Fiscal Revenues for the State, which needed, on the contrary, more money  to pay its Debt), but had.. augmented public Expenses for non-productive matters, (mainly to pay an excessive number of Civil Servants hired since 1980 and even recently, including until the May/June 2012 latest Elections !).
Astonishingly, this incredible and obviously damaging Scandal, went on, after the 2009 "explosion" of the unveiled Debt, (which, in fact, dates back since the beginning of the 1980ies, when Massive Hiring of "clients" and/or PASOK a.o.'s political cronies started to fill and occupy the Public Sector), but even during the following, crucial years of 2010 and 2011, when controversial former PASOK Prime Minister Giorgos Papandreou was promissing in Brussels' EU Summits, on the contrary,  to reduce State's cushy job holders' expenses, and to try to find more Fiscal Revenues to pay the Debt of the Past..

F.ex., between 2010 and 2011, the Annual Expenses for the Central Public Administration grew from 68,5  up to 71,5 Billions €, i.e. about 3 Billions € more !!!.
But, at the same time, public Investment to the Production was cut  down for -  5 Billions € and - 3 Billions € less, in 2010 and 2011, recpectively.

 In consequence, this started to diminish States' Fiscal Revenues, (which fell down, already in 2011, with - 1 Billion € less than back on 2010), and, therefore,  was augmenting its Deficit.

That's one reason more why Interests for inevitably more Loans grew, just between 2010 and 2011 from about 13,2 up to almost 16,3 Billions €, i.e. adding a surplus of + 3 Billions € more, (only for Interests)...
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On the contrary, afterwards, during the 1st seven Months of the Year 2012, (i.e. when the former PASOK Government withdrew since December 2011, leaving the State initially to a Tripartite Coalition, together with the Samaras' Center-Right "New Democracy" party and the Rightist Populists of "LAOS", before ChristianDemocrat/EPP National Political Leader Samaras becomes Prime Minister, when he won the June 2012 Elections), public Investments to Productive Economy didn't diminish as fast as before : "Only" roughly - Half a Billion € less, during Jan.-July 2012, instead of almost - 1,5 Billions € less, during the past period of Jan-July 2011, (i.e. it looks as if about 1 Billion € of public Investments, which were going to be cut, on the contrary were saved).

But, at the same, more Recent period, (i.e. between Jan-July 2012), public Expenses were, at last, drastically Reduced, for - 8,2 Billions €, (shriming from 40,8 down to 32,6 Billions €), for the First time.

And Interests for Loans were also Reduced from 10,2 Billions € down to less than the Half : 5,1 Billions €.

=> Thus, the public Deficit was Cut more than Half (- 55 %) , during that 1 - 7/2012 recent period, falling from -15 to - 7,1 Billions €.
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The Change became much more obvious after July 2012, (i.e. practically the 1st Month of Samaras-led New Government), when, for the First time after several Years, public Investments to the Productive Economy GREW for + 45 Millions €, instead of a Fall of - 44 Millions €, on the contrary, during the Month of July last year, back on 2011, according to the New Prime Ministers' clearly declared aim to strive to boost productive and competitive Growth, in order to augment Fiscal Revenues until they become able to pay, the soonest possible, the Debt of the Past.

Because, at the same time, (i.e., on July 2012), all other public Expenses were Sharply Reduced for almost - 3 Billion € less for that Month, Falling from 7,4 Billions for July last year (2011), down to 4,6 Billions for July this year (2012).

In parallel, Interests for Loans were diminished on July 2012, comparatively to July 2011, from 3,2 Billions €, down to just 0,9 Billion €, i.e. about - 450% less.

Thus, the public Deficit was energetically Cut for the latest Month of July 2012 down to - 0,7 Billion €, compared to a much Higher Deficit in the Past, for July 2011, of - 1,8 Billions, (i.e. about - 250% less !)
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If such a New Trend (with much less Bureaucracy Expenses, but more productive Investments), continues, and grows even Higher, then, real hopes to, at last, reverse the previous, catastrophic trend of Recession and even more Expenses (which was a blatant vicious circle : comp. Supra), can start.

But, for a real Economic and Financial Recovery of Greece to be generated, sufficiently robust and sustainable in order to progressively pay off and get, at last, rid of the Debt of the Past, as even the EU and the IMF have recently stresssed openly, (following also "EuroFora"s a.o.'s earlier warnings, as early as since December 2009 : Comp. our NewsReports from Bonn's EPP Congress and Brussels' EU Summit then, including a reply by former Prime Minister G. Papandreou to "EuroFora"s Question on the spot), the Greek State urgently needs to be liberated from the too heavy Burden of excessively numerous and/or damaging, counter-productive cushy-job holders and/or corrupted, arbitrary and unpopular, sometimes even criminal Political Lackeys, that former, mainly PASOK a.o. Governments of the Past have notoriously appointed by Clientelism and/or Nepotism during the last 30 Years (1981-2011+).

The Problem is that both PASOK's Venizelos and DIMAR's Kouvelis, (Minor Partners in the New Government's Coalition, led by ChristianDemocrats/EPP's Prime Minister Samaras who won the June 2012 Elections), are noisely refusing to even touch upon their former "clients"'/political lackeys' jobs at the Public Sector, asking from Samaras either to continue paying them full salaries, despite the Huge Debt provoked by 30 Years of notoriously irresponsible such policies, (that former "Socialist" Governments in the biggest EU Countries, back on 1999-2000+, had "overlooked", when they accepted an earlier than normal Entry of Greece to €uroZone, i.e. even before Athens accomplishes necessary Reforms, so that the then PASOK Government of Simites was helped to snatch the 2000 National Elections in exchange of a Political Deal at the Highest level, about "swallowing" Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid, which was decided almost at the same time : On December 1999 Helsinki EU Summit, while also a precocious €uroZone entry for Greece had been decided already before the April 2000 Parliamentary vote, the growing Debt having notoriously been "Covered up" by USA's Goldman-Sachs' and EuroStat's parallel, anorthodox, or even currently illegal, manouvers on Numbers and Dates)...

The small PASOK/DIMAR minor partners in the currently Governing New Coalition have even gone as far, during the row that they provoked by public statements to the Media these Days, that they even asked for their numerous "Clients" and/or political Lackkeys, notoriously appointed mainly by their former Governments at the Public Sector, in a so Disproportional ratio to the country's productive Economy, that they burden the Greek State with a growing Structural Deficit during the last 30 Years (1981-2011+, to whom they even added many more Recruitments of supplementary Staff, even during 2012 until the latest, May and June Elections' time, included !), to be, otherwise, given now, full .. "Retirement" privileges !

I.e., given all the above mentioned Facts, and the currently difficult Economic and Social situation provoked in Greece, they practically ask for already exhausted Poor People and a scandalously undermined Business' production, to continue to suffer and pay even more Money, during 20 or 30, maybe 40 Years more, to the same cashy job holders and/or political Lackeys scandalously appointed to the Public Sector by -mainly PASOK's- clientelist and/or Nepotist former Governments during the last 30 Years (1981-2011+), just for them to stay, from now on, without doing absolutely NOTHING, except to receive, each Month, early "Retirement" benefits, (that many Young or Older People, who have been condemned to Unemployment, and/or whose SME's and/or other projects, or career, had been undermined or blocked, destroyed, by notoriously Corrupt, Arbitrary and/or otherwise Criminal, Officials of the Past, risk even to be totally or partially deprived even of any retirement benefit themselves)). I.e. the Victims of a still unpunished Scandal would be, in practice, obliged to continue to "pay" even more for those who evicted them and persist to arbitarily occupy most Public Sector's jobs and offices...

Something which obviously is grossly Inefficient, from an Economic/Financial point of view (for the Factual Reasons already presented earlier), and scandalously Unacceptgable, from a Moral and Socio-Political point of view !

>>> Therefore, apparently, the only Solution for Prime Minister Samaras would be to either try to really convince, at last, his current, minor Coalition Partners (a diminished PASOK and the small Center-Left party DIMAR), the soonest, on the real Efforts and Changes which are Necessary in order to ensure Greece's present and future in Europe, or, otherwise, to decide to build a brand New Coalition, for a really New Governemental policy, by adequate agreements at the Right side of the Political spectrum : I.e. with the 2 New Parties of "Independent Greeks", to whom might be added, if necessary, also the Rightists of "Golden Dawn", (f.ex. in a kind of "support", perhaps without participation inside the Government, at least not immediately, on the basis of a Minimal Agreement, as it was done recently in the Netherlands, etc).

This is Mathematically Feasible, thanks to the Results of the latest Elections in Greece, where the People gave a clear Majority in the New National Parliament to "New Democracy"s  129 MPs, who can, together with "Independent Greeks"' 20 MPs and, if necessary, "Golden Dawn"s 18 MPs, build a strong absolute Majority of 167 MPs among a Total of 300 MPs, (eventually, with a "Dutch" formula of support without participation from the Rightists, on the strict basis of a minimal agreement, respectful of elementary Democratic Principles).

Among various obvious Obstacles, it's also true that both these 2 New small Parties, which emerged recently at the Right side of the Political spectrum, ("Independent Greeks" being mainly former Samaras' allies, who disagreed with the Polito-Economical Deal brokered with PASOK, but might welcome a few Honest Politicians even of Center-Left), have proclaimed their opposal to more Hard Austerity, at least in general terms.

But, an interesting, and probably Crucial point, is the Fact that they have also chosen to place the "Fight against Corruption", Nepotism and other Crimes reportedly committed by former, mainly PASOK Governments during the Past 30 Years (1981-2011), as their No 1 Priority in their respective, pre-electoral Programs, (and, at least "IG" are reportedly trying to at least start some Investigations on what really happened during this crucial period of the Past, in order to find and punish all those Responsible for grossly undermining the Greek State and Society, scaring all Europe, and attracting even a World-wide attention (including .. Financial Speculation), in a delicate context of intensifying International Competition in the way out of the Global Crisis.

Simply because a - largely Popular- real Fight against Corruption and other gross Abuses or even Crimes committed by notoriously failed and/or unscrupulus Politicians and their cronies during that crucial period of the last 30 Years (1981-2011+), could and should be adequately combined with the urgently needed Economic, Moral and Political "Liberation" of the Greek State from all those grossly Negative elements have scandalously undermined a GeoPolitically Strategic EU Member Country, whose World Famous, 4 Thousand Years-long, and exceptionaly developed Historic Civilisation, from Ancient Greece to Alexander the Great and Byzantium's 1st Christian Empire, etc., (together with Rome, Jewish culture, Renaissance, Enlightnement, Modern Europe, etc), is an obviously Necessary Ingredient and Symbol of Democratic and Cultural Values in a Succesful Recipe for a closer European Political Union, urgently needed today in order to become also able to, at last, efficiently face the Challenge of a really Unified Economic Governance around the €uroArea in the foreseeable Future.

New Greek Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras' forthcoming 1st official EU visits in his new capacities, during the next weeks or so, could naturally give a chance to craft an adequate, succesful, brand new recipe, given also the fact that the well known in Strasbourg former EU Parliament's MEP and former Foreign Minister, Political Parties' elected Head, etc., has already highlighted, his personal Agreement with the basic lines of "EuroFora"s Economico-Political Analysis and proposed Strategy on the way to forge the most Efficient Solution to the Crisis, as he has told us as early as since the latest, December 2011's Bi-Annual Congress of the European People's Party leaders (which currently holds the Biggest Political Group of MEPs in EU Parliament and the Greatest Number of Heads of State/Government throughout all Europe), which was organized in Marseilles right at the eve of an Historic EU Brussels' Summit which agreed politically the New €uroTreaty and practically initiated ECB's new, active role towards helping to generate Economic Growth, that is now expected to be further developed, according to June and August 2012's latest EU/ECB developments.

(Pending, naturally, what might also happen in the forthcoming Autumn's German Constitutional Court's judgement at nearby Karlsruhe, EU Parliament and EU Brussels' Summits, as well as other scheduled meetings by July-December 2012 EU rotating Chair Cyprus and elsewhere, apparently more Crucial than usual)...

Otherwise, New Elections in Greece, (even if the ..3rd in a row, this year, and not necessarily predictable 100%), might become soon necessary, in order to mark a really new political breakthrough, with an even stronger Popular support for a Healthy Change, after more than 30 years of an unacceptable and obviously destructive corruption and Nepotism, which now needs to be, at last, definitively eradicated, in order to guarantee the Country's Renaissance in a New European Political Union.