newsitems

*Strasbourg (after Cannes)/EU Parliament/Angelo Marcopolo/- The President of EU Parliament's strongest Group, that of ChristianDemocrats/EPP, Joseph Daul, replying to an "EuroFora" question, indirectly but clearly supported for Greece the alternative, compromise "Formula" that we had discussed in Cannes with a French President Sarkozy's Counsellor, at a crucial moment, at the eve of the "G-20" Summit of Heads of State/Government, before Sarkozy evokes it in a word, and, one day later, it becomes explicitly the official stance of the main Opposition party in Greece, that of "New Democracy" headed by former Foreign Minister and MEP, Antonis Samaras, given largely winner in all Polls during the last Months, (See "EuroFora"s NewsReports from Cannes).

It's, astonishingly, on the basis of this compromise Formula of Cannes, that an interim Government of National Unity was agreed in Greece, due to officialy endorse the Financial aspects of the Loan decided by the 26-27 EU Summit in Brussels, and lead to National Elections on the 19th of February 2012, while, on the contrary, the Economic Policy Plan with concrete Measures needed for the Country to really become able to meet its Financial obligations up to the Numbers and in the Time Deadlines highlighted by the EU Brussels' deal, was reportedly left to be definitively decided, mainly for a new Government, with a fresh Popular mandate.

+ Meanwhile, - "any Proposals can be discussed, if they meet the two basic Conditions of 50% "Haircut" and the Country's Debt's Reduction down to 120% of GDP", as reportedly said these days to negotiators a Senior Official representing a big private Bank from France. (BNP-Paribas).

- Thus, raising  "a delicate Question on Greece", "EuroFora" asked Daul whether, in his view, "once the (overall Financial) Agreement made at the 26-27 October EU Summit in Brussels will be definitively endorsed, if everything goes well, since the Majority of (Political) Parties (in Greece) agree now on that point, as it is well known,  afterwards, for the Future, is there a hope for the Accompagnying Program,.... to be well (examined and) thought this time, in order to really succeed ?"

- Naturally, (and according to the above-mentioned "Cannes" alternative compromise, which obviously distinguishes between 2 diferend aspects and moments of the overall EU action on Greece : Loans and Economic policies needed in order to honor is debts), that Program of concrete Measures "will concern the implementation of Economic Reforms, which are (needed) precisely in order to succesfully meet now those Numbers (of the overall Financial agreement) in practice", "EuroFora" also observed, in our question.

+ I.e. "if it's necessary to make certain Reforms, f.ex. in the Public Sector, for civil servants, etc., to fully advance resolutely forward", we added, as far as it concerns the obviously Indispensable Change in the Greek State-controlled sector, where Thousands of couterproductive cushy-job holders and/or abusive political lackeys have been notoriously hired by Past clientelist and/or Nepotist former Governments, mainly of PASOK, particularly since the 1980ies, accumulating a constantly growing Debt.

 - "But, eventually, if possible, without affecting (adversely) too much the Productive sector (of the Economy), so that the State becomes able to have enough (Tax) Revenues in order to pay the Debt", "EuroFora" went on to stress, clearly pointing at a Vital Need also frequently highlighted, mainly by the No 1 opposition party "New Democracy", as a "sine qua non" Condition for the agreement on the current, Interim Government of National Unity, due to prepare Elections soon.

[ These logical Economic Facts became even more obvious recently, when EU Experts observed that, despite PASOK's previous Plan to heavily Tax private Production and restrict even Poor People's Ecoomies; while practically leaving intact a notoriously too heavy Public Sector, full of counter-productive cushy job holders and/or  anusive political lackeys, massively hired by former PASOK Governments in the Past, mainly during the 1980ies, inevitaby resulted recently in ... "more Recession than scheduled", and, therefore, in less Tax Revenues for the State !...

At the same time, EU Experts have just observed that, despite PASOK's heavy restrictions against Production and Poor People's economies, which notoriously provoked heavier than expected Recession, added to Popular Revolts, nevertheless, curiously, "the Public Sector's Expenses remained Too High" !...          

Thus, it became now  obvious that any Real Solution needs to pass through a serious Structural Change    in the Greek State's Public sector, (i.e. by putting, at last, an end to the accumulation of too many counter-productive cushy-job holders and/or abusive political lackeys appointed by former clientelist and/or nepotist Governments in the Past, manly since the 1980Ies, paticularly by PASOK). But, in real practice, this coudn't be done by a simple "interim" Government, largely controlled by PASOK (wih 34 Ministers  !). Only a brand New Government, based on a  Fresh , Democratic Mandate by Elections, together with a popular "Anti-Corruption" Movement, able to provide both Political and Legal support, while, at the same time, joining Economic Efficiency with Justice. ]       

 

=> So, could this be better done, "in one way or another, with this, or with anOther Government, which may follow Soon ?", "EuroFora" concluded in our Question to Daul, obviously referring to the Agreement concluded between the 2 Biggest Political Parties in Greece, (PASOK and New Democracy, to which was added also a smaller party LAOS), to prepare Elections for a New Government in the middle of February 2012.
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 - "On Greece : Naturally we (EU) want to help Greece. This currently is on its way", started to reply to "EuroFora" from the outset the Head of EU Parliament's biggest Group of MEPs, apparently, already  agreeing that the Economic Program with concrete Measures obviously is a separate and distinct piece from the rest of the overall EU structure, on the condition that it fits.

+ "We have put (EU) Experts, who are EU Civil Servants, who are (currently) in the process of making an Analysis of what is needed to be set up in order to save Greece, I'd say, from the top", Daul went on to add, making even more Clear the Fact that the Program of Economic Policy Measures needed in Greece, hasn't been at all decided yet, not even described in the Financial overall Agreement brokered back in the 26-27 October EU Summit, but, on the contrary, it ..."is (currently) in the Process of making", (etc).

- "We (EU) shall put all necessary means, together with the Greeks, so that everything goes well", said also Daul, expressing a positive Will to act Efficiently this time, "during the next Years", as he added, probably indicating that the above mentioned Process is expected to durate so long, that at least the Main Decisions woud practically have to be taken by the EU "together" with a New Greek Government, which could be based on a Fresh, Democratic Popular Mandate, f.ex. in the scheduled February 2002 Elections, (Comp. supra)...
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+ Meanwhile, Daul also stressed, earlier, "concerning Greece, (that) ...I'm very glad that the Papademos' Government is setting up this National Unity, (because) I think that it's the Best way to face the necessary Reforms in Greece, if we have Democrats and proEuropeans United together", obviously considering it comparable to other countries.

- Moreover, "(EU) Solidarity goes through such Reforms, and I don't think that we could have an €uroZone of various Speeds", the President of  the biggest Group of MEPs in EU Parliament declared on this occasion, as far as related General issues are concerned.

- "I have always supported, and I will always support for Greece to stay inside (€uroZone), and establish Rapidly the (currently debated €uroZone) Governance also vis a vis Greece, so that it will be able to manage their country and solve their problems", Daul added.

- "The European Governance is a CDU proposal (of the German Governing party). I think that we are in front of a major U-turn in Europe's History !", the French Top MEP observed, speaking of the Annual, 2011 German ChristianDemocrats' conference, a few Days earlier.

 - "I'm very close to (the German) Chancellor Merkel, that I admire very much, and, in particular, the advance that she has made during the last Year, (when several German groups wanted to return back to the Mark, particularly that "controler" of Stuttgart, who are rather Anti-Europans in fact), and, when I see all that Unity that was achieved in Germany, and those Decisions taken to support €uro, as well as what the (Governing Party of ChristianDemocrats) CDU decided this week, without entering into details, f.ex. whether EU Commission's President should be Directly Elected (by EU Citizens), etc. , the will to support EU Integration, is a very Strong Signal which was debated and decided by the CDU".

- "I've already said, and I repeat, that the Solution to the (Global) Crisis is more Europe, so that I entirely support what CDU proposed.  I have a Rendez-vous Next Week  with the (German) Chancellor (Angie Merkel),  in order to advance discussions to Strengthen Europe in the middle of this (Global) Crisis."

=> But "we can't wait to change EU Treaty in order to settle this (Global) Crisis. I don't say that we won't, probably, need to modify it somehow. However, f.ex. in an Association, we have a Statute., but when Rapid Decisions are needed, there are also Internal Rules, which can be more easily adapted. Afterwards, we naturally can change the Treaty, with  National Parliaments having a say, etc.

>> - "And I'm sure that this European Governance must go ahead in the direction of a more advanced Democratisation", i.e. closer to EU Citizens. Daul went on to add, (making a point of obviously particular interest to "EuroFora")..

+ In parallel, "I said to EU Commission's President (Barroso) not to hesitate to bring in front of the (EU) Court of Justice any Head of State/Government who might not respect his/her obligations, ... If we have to continue working together", .. - Because, "I'm always moved when I receive  in my office particularly. Greek Citizens whose small Retirement benefits are being reduced, small Salaries are being cut, because we (i.e. some EU Heads of State/Government of the Past : Comp. "EuroFora"s analysis on the 1999/2000 Politico-Financial "Deal" concerning Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid, in exchange of Greece's earlier than normal entry in €urozone, even before making necessary Reforms, mainly on too many counter-productive cushy-job holders, abusive political lackey's etc., hired by PASOK's nepotism since he 1980ies) have not done what we ought to do" in the Past. "Politicians have all a Responsibility", Daul stressed.

- Both those 2 Concluding key points made by Daul : "move towards more Democratisation", and really raise issues of political "Responsibilities" for what really happened in Past Errors which provoked today's problems, obviously, at least in Greece's concrete case, fit better with Democratic Elections soon enough, as officially scheduled, (Comp. Supra).

*Strasbourg/CoE/Angelo Marcopolo/- The two co-Chairs, from both sides of the Mediterranean, of the 1st UfM. Ministerial Summit on Urban Sustainable Development, French Minister Philippe Richert, and Egyptian Minister Mohamed Fathi El Baradai, as well as Ambassador Serge Telle, responsible for all Union for the Mediterranean (UfLM)  projects in its inceptor, French President Sarkozy's Elysee palace administration, replying to "EuroFora"s questions, stressed the crucial and dynamic importance of Climate and/or Extreme Weather Events' topical issues needing a succesful, New Model of Urban development during the City Population "Boom" expected in the area in the forthcoming period up to 2025  :
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- "EuroFora" asked both main actors, Ministers Richert and Baradei, as well as Ambassador Tille, whether "Global Warming",  "Extreme Weather Events", and related potential risks in the Mediterranean could and should be dealt with by adequate Euro-Mediterranean concrete Projects also on Urban issues, (including "Renewable Energies, as f.ex. "Solar", Research, High-Tech, etc), what we might hope to achieve in this regard from that policy in the foreseeable future.

- "Projections show that we are due to have, before 2025 in the Mediteranean bassin area , a further augmentation for more  than  +20% in the Urban Population",  started by observing the EU Co-Chairman from the EU, French Minister for Territorial entities, and President of Strasbourg' s Region Alsace, Philippe Richert,  in reply to "EuroFora"s question.

- This "risks to become the 1st cause of Greenhous Gases", and, "given the magnitude of the expected Demographic and Geographic developments" there, we face a "Risk of a huge "Explosion" in Greenhouse Gases' Emissions, that we must prevent", warned the experienced in Climate issues co-Chairman of UfM's Ministerial Summit on Urban sustainable development.

=> Therefore, "we have the political Will" to seek to build a New Model of Urban development, able to "offer enough Economic Activities" to the rapidly growing Number of Populations there, but also to "preserve an Environmental Quality", by facing the issues of a "greater Density" of populations (i.e. in Urban centres), as well as the "Social links", and the "Solidarity" between People, i.e. what makes the basic "Quality of Living Together", Richert ambitiously concluded, making an indirect but obvious reference to the 1st Collective Resolution on Urban issues adopted today in Strasbourg by the UfM Ministers.

- On all these issues, we aim to prepare several Concrete Projects, (according to the practical inspiration of the Union for the Mediterranean from its inception, back on July 2007, by the Paris' Summit of Heads of State/Government from EU and third Mediterranean Countries, spreading from Turkey to Morocco, including Israel, etc), making good use of "European experiences", as well as all Mediterranean's Historic Culture and Natural Resources, also with the active contribution of Fund Raisers, which were present today in Strasbourg, such a, f.ex., the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, the French Agency for Development, etc, and various other Partners from the Public and Private sector", Richert added.

- "The big Changes, of primary importance, that we are currently experiencing in the Mediterranean region open up new Perspectives but also Challenges (such as Climat, Weather and Urban Populations, etc : Comp. supra), on which we must be Vigilent", he advised. 

Because "Mediterranean Cities are particularly Exposed to Global Warming's Effects" : Thus, f.ex. "the Mediterranean was marked, by the 4rth Report of the IPCC, among the Regions due to face the Most Extreme Weather Events in the World", which risk to provoke both Economic Destructions and Human losses !", Richert earlier warned.

- In fact, as he observed,  while, already, 2 out of 3 inhabitants in the Mediterranean area live in Urban areas, soon it's due to concern more than 3 our of 4 Persons". "In such a context, risks are huge, while Mediterranean Cities are spreading" all over its Southern Coasts, so thzt "Mediterranean Cities must take their part in the fight against Climate Change and Global Warming, particularly by ameliorating Energy Efficiency", since, "Cities, at a Global level, consume 2/3 of Energy and provoke more than 60% of C02 Emmissions". Therefore, "we must all unite together our forces, in all concerned Countries, both Governments and Private sector", in order to succesfully face such "Major Challenges", also by "a Diplomacy of Projects", UfM's Urban Ministerial Summit's co-Chairman pleaded.

- Thus, f.ex., among others, on Renewable Enerhy Sources, a "Solar Plan" could make good use, in this regard (See supra)  of Mediterranean's Natural Resources, from which, at a 2020 Horizon, we expect f.ex. to reach "a capaciy of 20 GIGA Wats", as Richard noted.
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=> Indeed, f. ex. "in Egypt alone, we are currently Building more than 17 New Cities across the Country", said to "EuroFora" the other Co-Chairman of the Union for the Mediterranean's 1st Urban Ministerial Summit, Egyptian Minister for Urban Development and Housing,  Mohamed Fathi Al-Baradai, who was in Strasbourg together with Minitser Ahmed Ateya for Local Development.        

 - That's why, the experienced Egyptian Minister, and UfM's Co-Chair on Urban Development policies, went on to stress to "EuroFora" that one of his Expectations is to create a win-win Partnership between the EU and the 3rd Mediterranean Countries in this area, mainly "by exchanging Solar Energy to be produced in Southern Mediterranean Countries (f.ex. by projects such as Germany-led "Desertec", on Production, and France-led "TransGreen", on Energy Transport), for European Technologies, f.ex. also on Sea Water Desalination, etc", as El Baradei told us.
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=> Topically, this "concrete project"-inspired UfM move timely responds to Decisions just taken, last week in Cannes, by the 2011 "G-20" Heads of State/Govenment Summit (Comp. "EuroFora"s NewsReports from the spot), where leaders, while "addressing  the Challenges of Development", (on which had earlier focused a landmark Speech by 2011 G20 Chairman, French President Sarkozy, about ways to link Help to Poor Countries' Development with Growth stimulation in the Advanced Countries : See "EuroFora"s earlier NewsReport), "Recogniz(ed) that the lack of Infrastructure dramatically hampers Growth Potential in many Developing Countries, particularly in Africa", and, therefore, declared their "Support" to, "and Highlight 11 Exemplary Infrastructural Projects", on which they  "call on the MDBs, working with Countries involved, to pursue the Implementation" : 

- "In the Mediterranean region", the G20 Summit selected "2 Projects" for such Infrastructures,  including "the Mediterranean Solar Plan (MSP)", due to "develop Solar Energy in the Mediterranean region, and Export this Energy to European markets", which "concerns 5 Countries : Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan", according to the 2011 "G20" Summit's conclusions. (Comp. "EuroFora"s NewsReports from Cannes).
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+ Meanwhile, Ambassador Serge Telle, in charge of all Union for the Mediterranean's projects in its inceptor, French President Sarkozy's Elysee Palace's team, replying to another "EuroFora"' question also on reported risks for more "Extreme Nature Events", such as Earthquakes, Heatwaves, Fires, Desertification, etc. particularly in the Mediterranean area, stressed the need for "Natural Catastrophes' risk to be taken into account particularly in the Construction sector, mainly on Housing, in order to both Anticipate and Reduce their impact", as he laconically but substantially pointed out.

- However, in addition to modern, High-Tech. innovations obviously needed for a really "New Model" of Urban sustainable development in the Mediterranean, able to create a Know-how which could, afterwards, be eventually "exported" also in other areas of the World, sometimes, there is also a Traditional, Historic and Cultural know-how in Mediterranean civilisations' over-Millenary lifespan, about certain original and practical ways to Build Houses and/or organise Cities in some territories, which could and should be preserved, valorised and used anew today probably in modernized versions, observed also  French Presidential "Elysee" palace's UfM mission's Expert, responsible for Territorial Development, Gilles Pennequin, briefing earlier Strasbourg's Journalists at the CoE, including "EuroFora".

=> The most important thing is that "from now on, a Road-Map exists, endorsed at a Political level, for an Urban Sustainable Development policy in the Mediterranean, allowing to make an overall Map with the measures due to be taken throughout all the Countries in the Mediterranean area, as well as to prepare the selection of concrete projects, while also working with the Barcelona (Spain) based UfM Secretariat, stressed, among other key results of the Strasbourg's Ministerial Summit, Antoine-Tristan Mocilnikar, an Engineer who is also responsible for Environment and sustainable development issues in the UfM. mission at the French Presidential palace Elysee, speaking later to "EuroFora".

Indeed, the Official, collective "Declaration" adopted today in Strasbourg by the 1st Ministerial Conference of the Union for Mediterranean on sustainable Urban Development, which gathered here  35 EU and third Mediterranean Countries, including more than 17 Ministers and other specialized Senior Officials and/or Experts, clearly stresses from the outset, starting already from its Article No 1, that all participants are "Aware of the Interplay between Urban/Territorial Development and Climate Change and the Environment".

Therefore, they officially "call on each UfM Member (Country) to define, when it's not yet the case, a national Stratefy of sustainable Urban Development ... enabling Cohesion between Socio-Economic and Environmental aspects", so that even "Local Planning and Capital Investment Planning", can "reflect Priorities and impacts".

+ Moreover, the Natural Environment-oriented French Expert and UfM Official also found useful to eventually do in the foreseeable Future a Comparative study of the situation evolving throughout all the various Seas surrounding Europe, f.ex. Mediterranean, Baltic and North, Black, etc., since it could result in some interesting obsevations on main differencies, similarities or parallels, which might lead both to Regionaly specific and overall, general findings and conclusions.

+ Mocilnikar  said that in reaction to an interesting fact, typical of the choice of Strasbourg as a symbolic also way to involve also Central/Northern EU Countries in the EU-African issues at stake in the Mediterranean, which, in a way, also attests of UfM main idea's possible success : "EuroFora" was earlier positively surprised when we saw, inside CoE's Committee of Ministers' Plenary room, during the 1st Urban sustainable development Ministerial Summit of UfM, addressed by its EU-side co-Chair, French Minister for Territorial entities, Philippe Richert, (See supra for his Reply to "EuroFora"s question), even .... a Finland's Senior Officer, from the Permanent Representative to the CoE, sitting side by side with a reportedly rather active Greece's representative, Mrs Mourmouras (by an extreme coincidence, a relative of New Minister responsible for Privatization, and deputy Minister of Economy, Professor John Murmuras)..  - "In addition to the fact that we (Finland), as EU Country, we are Members of the UfM, we are also interested into comparing UfM's organization's way to work with that of Baltic >Sea's, where there are many specific, independent bodies on various sectors, but not an overall organizatio of the whole, as in the Mediterranean", the sympathetic Finnish Senior Official explained to "EuroFora". As for "Solar" issues, she kindly invited "EuroFora" to visit a rare quality, pittoresque Natural location, Rovenismi, 1h.30 time AirFlight from Helsinki, "at the Polar Circle, in the North of Finland", where the Sun never sets down, as she promissed, (also advising to visit Scandinavian Countries during Summer time, and Mediterranean Countries during Winters)...

The debate on the Causes of the Sovereign Debt Crisis provoked in Greece, and the real situation in the rest of €uroarea, while Sovereign Debt problems are even Worse in the USA, Japan, and many and various other Countries all over the World, (as also a recent Graphic reminds), while €uro Currency itself remains surprisingly Strong and robust at almost 1 €= 1,39 $, started to spread among Top EU Politicians more and more frequently and intensively, to the point that experienced observers estimate that it might even extend up to the French 2012, German 2013, and EU Parliament's 2014 forthcoming Elections :

- 2011 G8 - G20 Chairman, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking today at Strasbourg's University in the presence of Journalists including "EuroFora" on  the recent G20 Cannes' Summit and €uroarea developments in Economy, took the opportunity offered by the question of a Franco-German Universities' young student on the whether Global Crisis created the need to advance towards an European Federal project, in order to give a sharp Historic overview of Past, Present and Future topical issues related to €uroarea's developments :

* At first , Sarkozy stressed the particular importance of €uroarea today :

- "The old debate which opposed a Federal to a Conferederal vision for Europe's Future, has been bypassed, recently, also because it has become impossible to speak about a Federation when it comes to EU Enlargement, since the 27 EU Member Countries will have to enlarge towards the Balkans etc., arriving at 33 or 35 States in all, where it's no more possible to have a Federation", he observed.

-  Because, "it will become less and less possible to have exactly the Same Rules on all Political, Economic, Circulation, and other matters, among all 27 (and later 33 or 35) EU Member Countries".

=> So, "in substance, there will be (in Future) 2 Speeds : (a) A Confederal EU zone, and (b) An €urozone with more Convergence, deeper Integration", the French President announced.

>>> Thus, "€uro is becoming the Heart of Europe", so that "we can Never let it down, without taking the Risk to provoke a series of Explosions in Europe, he warned.

    In fact, "€uro" Currency is Strong : F.ex., when it was introduced, 1 € worthed 1 US. $, he reminded. But, now 1 € = 1,37 $, showing that it's not  a so-called "weak" currency at all, contrary to what some claim, Sarkozy noted.

    - However, it's easy to understand today that those who "introduced a Common Currency as the €uro in the Past, without even raising the question of its Economic Governance", did a good job but incomplete, he started to criticize, (apparently ommitting to mention the detailed but Politically pertinent fact, that those who really Initiated the €uro had already warned, f.ex. in a landmark EU Parliament Debate in Strasbourg on Europe's "State of the Union", as early as back on 1995, that EU Citizens wil soon start to feel a Contradiction revealing that the Transfert of Monetary Powers to an EU level could not stay without also another, Economic Policy transfert towards the EU, so that People will start asking for it"... The problem being that those EU Politicians who followed immediately afterwards, didn't advance further on time).

    - Because of such Delays, "that Economic System, as it was initially, (i.e. incomplete), not only didn't lead to Convergent Economies" among €uro Countries, "but it even pushed towards Diverging Economies", Sarkozy observed critically, (according also to the conclusions of a July 2008 Press Conference, at nearby Frankfurt, on the sidelines of ECB's 10th Anniversary Summit, by IMF's EU Director, Alexander, who, replying to an "EuroFora"'s co-founder's Question, replied by stressing the need to find ways of Convergence inside the EU, after observing that Growth diverged very much between Member Countries.

    + "Moreover, some" former Goverenments of the Past, "allowed to Drop the Rules" of €urozone, practically "throwing them away", he denounced.

    >>> In this context, came also "the entry of Greece into €urozone (as early as) since 2001, and this was an Error !", Sarkozy criticized, (after also relevant statements made recently the former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, Historic "Father" of EU's reUnification).

    - "It was as if they've put things upside down", ("ils ont mis la charue avant les boeufs"). But, "you can't do anything, and afterwards escape to banqueroute". - "That's all the meaning of the Political Debate" nowadays, he warned.

    - "Some tell me that Greece is the cradle of European Civilisation", and, therefore, can't be out of €urozone. "But, what relation with the Common Currency ?", he wondered, (apparently missing the point that, without strong and classical Civilisation symbols; €urozone could never develop also a specific Political Identity, despite its destiny to evolve probably into a kind of Federation : Comp. supra)...  

    => Thus, now, "it's up to Today's Leaders to Catch up and Redress the approximations  of the Past". - F.ex. "Greece, now, has undertaken to make considerable, absolutely Considerable Efforts", he underlined.

    - But, "the (Global) Crisis oblige us to take Decisions very Fast". And "it's not about Elections, National or Regional/Local, European etc. But about a Country's Future", he  warned.

    => Thus, today, in €uroarea, "we must Build a Model which Brings us all Together and lifts us Upwards", Sarkozy concluded.

    - Pointing out that "this goes through Efforts, Work, Education, Research, Innovation", where, "as I've just saw in the (Historic but radically reNovated) Library of Strasbourg's University, the real Value of its Heritage, are not just Books and Buildings, but the People who work, struggle and innovate there, f.ex. with its New Campus project, and its "Initiatives for the Future" which succeeded to be selected for State Funding from the 36 Billions € strong Great Loan", (anounced by Sarkozy precisely in Strasbourg/Geispolsheim, on December 2009, see "EuroFora"s NewsReports from the spot).

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Shroeder : "Didn't know"...
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    But, one of the main protagonists of the 1999-2001 drama, former Chancellor of Germany, Herhard Schroeder, ("Socialist"), recently claimed that he "didn't see", then, the fact that one of €uroZone's candidates didn't meet at all the Criteria  :

    - Schroeder reportedly claimed that he "didn't have a crystal-clear view of the financial situation in Greece at that period", i.e. ignored the excessive Debt which had been provoked by notoriously Nepotist recruitment of PASOK's "clients" or even political lackeys in counter-productive cushy-jobs at the State-controlled sectors, since, particularly, the 1980 Decade.

    - "If we knew, we'd probably have taken another, differend Decision", he added, going on to criticize his successors for not taking enough measures to rectify the situation immediately when it was revealed, later-on, that Greece's Debt's numbers were, in fact, much greater...

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Santer to "EuroFora" : - "I warned ...to wait"
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    But, experienced former EU Commission's President, and f. Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jacques Santer, (a ChristianDemocrat/EPP), speaking earlier to "EuroFora" in Strasbourg , gave an Opposite Version of that which used now former "Socialist" German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, on the conditions and the Timing of Greece's entry in €uroZone, decided back on 1999-2000 :

    - "I Warned, then, Semites", (i.e. former Prime Minister of Greece, then, a German-educated "Socialist"), "that Greece should wait", until it succesfully accomplishes necessary Reforms, before it enters €urozone, he remembered.

    - "But he (Semites, i.e. the former "Socialist" Prime Minister of Greece then, who won the April 2000 Elections based on Greece's €uro entry, even with less than 1% of the votes' difference, staying in power for 4 more years) Refused !", revealed Jacques Santer in his reply to "EuroFora"s question.

    + "And afterwards, my successor, didn't pay attention,  and he went on" with Greece's too early entry in €urozone, he added, pointing at Italian Center-Left politician Prodi, (who hadn't yet, at that moment, any significant experience on EU issues, and, therefore, had been, then, at least for a while, obliged to take advise, inter alia, also by a controversial Italian Journalist, Frederico Cerri, who had recently been personally linked to Turkish "Deep State" circles for reasons related merely to some aspects of his "Private" life)...

    Indeed, as it is well known, Santer's EU Commission fell victim, during 1999, to an unprecedented Slandering and orchestrated, Negative Media, systematic campaign, which reportedly claimed, among others,  that he would be responsible for not sanctioning on time EU Commisssion's Brussels' Security service' Corruption Scandal, (for acts going back to its former French "Socialist" predecessor, Delors), obliging  Santer to resign after it convinced many MEPs in EU Parliament in Strasbourg to vote against him.

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Oli Rehn to German "'Green" MEP  : - "You skiped the Rules !"
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    Meanwhile, another critical view Opposed to Schroeder's claims came by EU Commissioner in charge of Economy, Finnish Liberal Oli Rehn, while speaking to EU Parliament's Economic Committee, earlier in Strasbourg ;

    - Rehn became spectacularly Angry with an intervention by a German "Green" MEP, whose Party he accused to have supported in the Past (1998-2004) a Coalition Government which altered and softened €uroZone's Rules, in Greece's and others' cases, judged to be Reponsible for "Laxist" Financial policies, from the Negative Consequences of which Europe suffers today.

    The EU Commissioner obviously referred to the "Socialists" - "Greens" former Government Coalition in Germany, med by Gerhard Shroeder and Joshka Fischer, the latter being particularly known as a former Foreign Minister whose Party had been then seriously abd systematically infiltrated by many organised Turkish immigrants' lobbies :

    - A Fact of obvious relevance for any eventual  Investigation on €urozone Crisis' real causes, since Semites had managed to snatch the April 2000 Greek Elections (See supra) notoriously thanks to a Politico-Financial deal with big EU Governments ("Socialists" then) of the kind : - "We close our eyes on your Debt" (steming from many PASOK's "clients" and/or Lackeys massively hired in counter-poductive, cushy-jobs at the State-controlled sector during the 1980 Decade), in exchange of "you closing your mouth on Turkey's" controversial and unpopular EU bid, when, between December 1999 and December 2000, Ankara was given an EU "Candidate" Status, allowing it to start receiving up to almost 1 Billion € each year from EU Taxpayers' Money as a Grant, despite the persistence of many Serious Violations of Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law, illegal Military Occupation of part of Cyprus, Turkish Army Threats against Greece in the Aegean, hinderig EU Member Athens to Peacefully exploit probable Oil-Gas resources in the bottom of the Sea, Kurdish problem, even Violent and Noisy Refusal against Countries Recognizing the Armenian Genocide, Military Interventions of the Turkish Arrmy inside Iraq, etc.

     + Rhen's move was followed, shortly afterwards, by a similar Criticism on Greece's case even by experienced former long-time Chancellor of German Helmut Kohl, a ChristianDemocrat, Historic "Father" of Europe's Reunification, who also denounced the former "Socialist" Governments'' Errors made back on 1999-2000, concerning Greece's too early entry into €urozone,  even before doing necessary Reforms, at the same time that Turkey was given, in exchange, a lucrative EU Candidate Status even without meeting yet the EU conditions (see supra).

    => This growing controversy, among key EU Top Politcians, on such important issues;  clearly indicate a real possibility to be included also in 2012-2014 Franco-German and EU Electoral Debates. 

Protection of "Freedom of Expression at the Internet", including against Cyber-Attacks and some Blocking Countries, a renewed push in ECHR's reform process, started since the landmark February 2010 Ministerial Conference at Interlaken (Switzerland : See "EuroFora"s NewsReports from the spot), as well as fight against Discrimination, figure among the incoming British CoE Presidency (11/2011-5/2012) priorities, stressed Foreign Secretary William Hague, speaking to Journalists in Strasbourg, including "EuroFora" :

 It's the 1st time that the UK heads CoE's Ministerial Committee, its highest political body, "since 1993", i.e. 18 Years earlier, observed Hague, who is well known also as a friend of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

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    Concerning ECHR's reform, surprisingly, it was an .. enthousiast French Permanent Representative to the CoE, Ambassador Laurent Dominati, who observed earlier to "EuroFora, that "the (incoming) Brittish Presidency of the CoE would have interesting things for you among its priorities, particularly concerning the ECHR", where, UK's main aim would probably be to focus on serious Human Rights violations, as he told us smiling, on the sidelines of Diplomatic meetings at the Presidential Palace "Elysee" in Paris, leaving the impression of a possible Franco-British "entente cordiale" on this and other topical CoE issues...

Repeatedly questioned on this matter by more than... 5 Journalists, one after the other, Hague stressed, among others, that, he hopes to obtain an "Agreement" on ECHR changes, until May 2012, (i.e. shortly after a scheduled "Ministerial meeting on ECHR's Reform" on April 2012), even if "it's part of a Long Process" of overall reform, as he admitted, apparently referring to the landmark Interlaken 2/2010 Resolution which established a Plan for work up to 2019, (See "EuroFora"s NewsReports from the spot).

    Hague stressed, among others,  that "it's important for ECHR to focus on the maink, most important issues of serious, appaling Human Rights violations", "many of whom come from certain States", and face the overload of applications, so that it will become able to "become anew in Futrure as powerful and efficient as it had been in the Past".

(NDLR : "EuroFora" intends to return back to this issue soon, with a complete analysis).
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    - But,  "We also place Importance in other issues, and I think that (Internet) is important too, not to lose sight of Human Rights issues which are gaining importance throughout the modern World", such as "the Free and Responsible use of the Internet", Hague added.

    - In this regard, f.ex. "I hosted in London, last week, an International Conference on  CyberSpace, whis is also part of our Security policy, f.ex. by reducing Cyber Attacks and Internet Criminal Networks", (as he said, at  the eve of a forthcoming, new CoE International Conference on CyberCrime, scheduled in Strasbourg on November 21).

    - "But we place all that Strongly in the context of Freedom, and the immense Benefit of Economic and Political and Social imortance of Freedom of Expression : The greater Freedom of Expression and Information that the Internat has brought about", Hague stressed.

    - "There are many Governments around the World who now use the Power of CyberSpace to try to Suppress Opposition, and also Block Freedom of Expression", the incoming CoE's Chairman in office denounced.

    - "So, this is becoming an increasingly important issue, and it's right to bring attention there", concluded the key Minister from the new British Government which was elected on 2010 on the basis of an Electoral Program which included also a cystal-clear promise to "Restore Freedoms" to British People, (something which has become a target of various "Socialist" a.o. provocations, recently, in an obvious attempt to  try to make the new government deviate from its officially anounced principles).
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-  "Internet Governance, including Freedom of Expression on the Internet", is, indeed, officially included among the "Priorities and Objectives" of the "UK Chairmanship of the CoE", also accordin to an Official Programme, which stresses that "the UK strongly supports an Open internet, not only in terms of access and content but also Freedom of expression"

    Moreover, UK's CoE Chairmanship "will work towards the adoption of the CoE Internet Governance strategy by (CoE's) Committee of Ministers", according also to the Conclusions of the latest, May 2011,  "G-8" Summit of Heads of State/Government at Deauville symbolically located between France and the UK at the Manche, and chaired by French President Sarkozy (See "EuroFora"s relevant NewsReports from Strasbourg, Paris and from the "G20" at Deauville)

    "We will also give impetus to the Principles that the Council of Europe has developed to uphold Freedom of expression on the internet and provide support to other Initiatives, to ensure that all member States live up to their international Obligations in this area", the Official UK's CoE chairmanship Program adds.

    + Hague, (perhaps observing the astonishing behavior of an inexperienced CoE's agent who curiously interposed himself in systematically hintering any questions from certain long-time EU/CoE/UNO+ Journalists, despite the available time and British Foreign Minister's obvious willingness to reply), added, at his own initiative, also "another UK's priority (which) is the Fight against Discrimination", as he said.

All this, (i.e. added to the "Freedom at the Internet" issue : See Supra), apparently fits well also the fact that, right in front of CoE's Press Room (the "No 4"), is located the Statute of World famous former British Prime Minister Winston Churchil, whose idea was the creation of CoE itself, and who was already actively engaged in a previous, Historic Liberal- Conservative Coalition Government : that of young Winston Churchil and David Lloyd George, between 1916 and 1922, a Victorious Government over 1st World War, and to which many Arabs, Greeks, Armenians, etc. owe much for active Help for their Liberation  from Military Invasion and Occupation by the former Ottoman-Turc empire, notoriously stoped from dissolution and transformation into several Modern, Democratic National States, at the last minute by a cynical, real-politics manouver by Stalin at the Caucasus, obviously made in order to provoke headaches for many years to the detriment of Western Europe.. This also was probably one of the last Governments in Europe to be really Autonomous, including vis a vis overseas..  

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++ UK's official Program also adds that "the UK Chairmanship will work towards a more effective and efficient role for the CoE in supporting Local and Regional Democracy". CLRAE's (Congres of Local and Regional Democracy's) current President is, indeed, the experienced Liberal representative Keith Whitmore, (See various Whitmore's Statements to "EuroFora", including during the most recent CLRAE Session in Strasbourg, on October 2011).