newsitems
newsitems
EU Summit/Sarkozy on Libya/Mediterranean: Positive Balanced Message to People seeking Democracy+Dev.
*Brussels/Angelo Marcopolo/- EU decided to support Mediterranean Democracy/Development movements and actions to protect People from violence in Libya+, under certain conditions, f.ex. starting from protecting "Humanitarian Zones".
A French President Sarkozy's Counsellor, agreed with "EuroFora" that EU's conditions go much more further, in respect to International Legality and UNO, than many other previous cases of International Interventions : F.ex. from a UK-USA-led coalition after 2000 in the Western Bakans, or by USA in Iraq on 2003, etc.,Because now, EU, on the contrary, practically asks for UNO's involvment, as well as of the Arab League, the African Union, etc., and that, only in case of "demonstrabe need" in order to "protect civilian People" from Armed Attacks, (See infra)
Adopting a Strategy for support to Democratic, Human Rights, Rule of Law and Development Reforms wished by the People of "all Countries in the Region", EU decided to work together with them at a forthcoming Tripartite Summit with the Arab Ligue and the African Union. while, in the meantime, helping reforms already in progress in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, and welcoming Morocco KIng's democratic reform package.
+In this wider framework, EU Heads of State/Government largely endorsed the Sarkozy - Cameron active stance in the "hard" case of Libya's Violent Strikes, including Military, from the regime of Colonel Kaddafi against the revolted People, calling openly Kaddafin to "relinquisch Power immediately", excluding him as "EU's interlocutor", and giving this title, on the contrary, to the National Transitional Council (NTC) currently headquartered at Benghazi.
+ Meanwhile, considering the Urgency and the Serious situation in Libya where violent, deadly clashes between the regime with its Army, and revolted people, persist during many days, EU's extraordinary Summit stressed that "the Safety of the People must be ensured by all necessary means".
Therefore, going well beyond a "Firm Condemnation of the Violent Repression (that) the Libyan Regime applies against its Citizens, and the Gross and Systematic Violations of Human Rights", caling to "Stop Immediately" the "Unacceptable" "use of Force, especially with Military Means, against Civilians", who face Attacks", "including from the Air", (i.e. by Military Airplanes, Armed Helikopters, etc). EU "expressed its Deep Concern", and practically authorized its "Member States" (which dispose of Sovereign Armies) to "examine ALL necessary Options".
However, for any kind of eventual use of Military force from EU Countries, this shoud be done exclusivey ""in order to Protect the Civilian Population", in case of "Demonstrable Need", with "a clear Legal Basis" (f.ex. a UNO mandate), and "Support from the Region", (i.e. mainly the Arab League, which is also holding its own extraordinary Summit, Tomorrow Morning, at Cairo, Egypt).
In the meantime, "the Humanitarian Emergency in Libya and its Borders is reaching Worrying Proportions", during which, "ensuring the Safe Evacuation of EU Citizens, and other nationals wishing to flee the fighting, remains a Priority", while "the EU and the Member States .. are committed to further assist ¨People in Libya, and People crossing its Borders", in "close Cooperation with UN High Commissioner for Refugees", International Red Cross and Red Crescent, NGOs, etc, according to the Brussels EU Summit's conclusions. That's why, "the EU calls on al parties concerned to allo the Access of Humanitarian agencies and operators to any Zone where Aid is needed, and stands Ready to Support their work".
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking to Journalists in Brussels, including "EuroFora", mainly stressed the Fact that "nowhere else" in the Mediterranean Region, "neither in Egypt, nor in Tunisia", we didn't see the Army turn its Guns against its own People and start systematic Attacks, even by Military Airplane Strikes, Armed Helicopters, etc.. On the contrary, "the Egyptian and the Tunisian Army, despite some initialy brutal clashes, refused to aggress by Military Means its People", and both former Presidents Mubarak and Ben Ali, even preferred to give up their jobs, to avoid Bloodshed against civilian movements, contrary to Colonel Kaddafi, as he observed.
However, Sarkozy apparently wasn't informed about some other, particularly Violent, Brutal, even Deadly attacks by armed Soldiers against unarmed Civilians, which have already provoked brutal killings of innocent People, f.ex. in Turkey, another 3rd Mediterranan country, where ECHR has already condemned the fact that even a Small Chid aged almost 8 was brutally killed by a ... Tank, astonishingly opening Fire and striking against the small Child's back, when he was returning Home on the road leading there from his School ! EuroJudges have strongly condemned, evenmore, the obviously unacceptable, aggravating fact, that the Turkish Authorities, even if they could easily find and punish the Criminal who killed atrociously that small Kid, on the contrary had left the Killer in total Impunity... Unfortunately, this ECHR Judgement (on which "EuroFora"s co-founder had reported for a Press Agency under the Heading : "ECHR condemns Turkey for killing a Child aged 8 with a Military Tank !", to the great astonishment of a Lazy Secretary who didn't believe at firsty that such a thing could be true..) was, (as also many others, even worse) almost entirely "hidden" by the routine, "mainstream", commercial "Press" at that period, and, worse : Notoriously, an exceptionaly Great Number of various other Brutal Kilings, grave Torture, etc. were added, among ECHR's Judgements on Turkey, for more than 15/16 Years-long in Strasbourg, without ever even starting, at least, to find and punish, if not all, at least most, or several of the Killers and/or Torturers among Turkish Forces, not even if the Identity of the main Suspects had been clearly indicated by the Families of the Victims, and/or EyeWitnesses, etc., provoking a heavy backlog of Grave Precedents of Criminals' Impunity, obviously Dangerous also for the Future..
Nevertheless, Sarkozy also pointed out that, in the case of Libya, the EU Summit had authorized its Member States to act in case of demonstrable need to protect unarmed People from brutal attacks, etc (See the 3 main Conditions supra), particularly if the intervention had a clear "Legal Basis" mainly "by the UNO", as he reiterated.
But this 3rd Condition (UNO Resolution, etc) for the EU to eventually act to save unarmed People threatened by Military Attacks at a Neighbouring Country, had not been required at all, in the recent Past, when USA and other NATO Airplanes had started to throw Bombs and attack with Airstrikes against the Milosevic Regime in the Former Yugoslavia back in 2000 : On the contrary, neither UNO, not even NATO, nor EU Parliament ever gave any such "Legal Basis" for Military Air Strikes against a 3rd Country, even European....
It was only the PanEuropean CoE's Parliamentary Assembly, (an officially "Consultative" body), who passed such a Resolution, with a Thin Majority, in controversial circumstances : F.ex., all Strasbourg's Permanent CoE Press Correspondents, (as "EuroFora"s co-Founder remembers well), had been officially invited by the CoE to visit Rome (Italy), back on 1999, for a meeting of the Standing Committee of its Assembly, initially dedicated to a Topical then debate and Report on recent Findings about the ... arrest or abduction (according to unverified, conflicting views) of ..."Ocalan" by Turkish agents in Kenya, Africa (as the Official Letters sent to all CoE Permanent Journalists, and even to MEPs, clearly wrote)... Since this was, at that period of Time, a Topical issue, back on 1999, almost at the Headlines of many mainstream Media, most Journalists were glad to be officially sinvited by the CoE in order to cover in Rome a rare event with guaranteed Publicity.
But, at our great Surprise, (as well as of many MEPs), all CoE's Journalists from Strasbourg, when we arrived at Rome, suddenly, found that the Agenda of CoE's Assembly had .. changed radically, droping completely its initial item, (See supra), and putting, instead, as issue No 1 in its Agenda, the ... authorization of NATO's bombardment against the former Yugoslavia....
=> Comparing such Facts, (f.ex. the 2000 PACE sudden "make-up", in controversial circumstances, for the Bombardment of Former Yugoslavia, and the 2011 EU Summit demand to fullfil at least 3 clear Conditions before any eventual action to "protect" unarmed People from Military strikes, if really needed, with UNO legal basis, and even with Regional agreement f.ex. from the NTC and/or the Arab Ligue, etc : See supra), it becomes obvious that Sarkozy's real stance, (together with Cameron and now backed by all 27 EU Member States), is, in reality, (and contrary to some Misleading reports altering and/or ignoring the facts), much more Reserved, Balanced and Careful, than some false or inaccurate presentations claim, (while also giving a chance for any eventual such action, to be really Efficient in real practice).
Sarkozy, indeed, made it clear that, at any case, and contarry to some false reports, "it was never considered" as an option to eventually display any European/International Force "at a Land 3 times larger than France", but only to, eventually, make certain well-"Targetted" operations, just when it was really necessary, "focused" on some Strategic key points, and, always, with the aim to "Protect People" without arms, fleeing from Military Airstrikes, Armed Helicopters, and other brutal attacks abused by Kaddafi's regime.
In this regard, a possible and logical 1st Move could be, f.ex. to "Protect Humanitarian Zones" (as he said, using the terminology of EU Summit's official conclusions : Comp. supra), particularly there where "Refugees and Displaced Persons" fleeing the clashes, have gone, f.ex. near the Egyptian and/or Tunisian Borders. Afterwards, if really needed (and authorized by the "Legal Basis" : See supra), any eventual European/International operation might advance "Step by Step", he carefully but seriously concluded.
- What is important is that Europe can't just stand and look at its TV Screen for Civilians seeking Democratic changes to be shot, wounded and killed by Military strikes, including even by Airplane Fighters, Armed Helicopters, Tanks, etc, abused by a Regime which dares oppress its People by brutal Violence : This would be clearly Unacceptable and contary to Europe's Democratic and Human Rights Values, Sarkozy stressed in conclusion.
At the same time, the French President, keeping faithfully the same, serious, carfeful and respectful stance that he had adopted, together with other Heads of State/Government in EU Summits (Se f;ex. "EuroFora"s NewsReports + NewsDrafts to Subscribers/Donors from the February 4, EU Brussels' Summit), systematically advised to "leave to the concerned People of each Country to freely choose its National Political Leaders", and "not precipitate" from outside :
- "It' s not for us, but for the People of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, etc. to chose their own Leaders for the Future, Sarkozy stressed. We (EU) can just help so that this can be made possible in really Democratic Elections.
For the hope that a new, more Democratic, more developed and more socialy just period may open in the 3rd Mediterranean Countries, after such an "Historic" Movement, of which "we didn"t yet see but just the Beginning", and "nobody knows when and how it might end", except from the fact that "it seems really due to extend, in one way or another, throughout all the Countries of the Region", we also need to revive and renovate the "Union for the Mediterranean", (well beyond an imminent "Justice and Home Affairs" Ministerial meeting due to agree all together how tio monitor Mass Immigration movements in all the Region, including, f.ex. for Businessmen, Students, etc), giving now to the UFM a New and more Important Meaning", Sarkozy concluded, (involving, on this occasion, not only the Arab Countries, but also other "African" nations, particularly towards the North, i.e. probably indicating an even larger and deeper view than the initial one).
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EU Chair, Hungarian President Pal Schmitt to EuroFora: Manifold potentials from Danube Energy..
The huge potential of Danube River Strategy's contribution to bring Energy strengthening Europe is manifold, from Natural/Economic up to Cultural/Moral aspects, said in substance EU Chairman, President of Hungary, Pal Schmid, to "EuroFora", at the Conclusion of his Press Conference at EU Parliament with his President Buzek, (that he knows well as former MEP), where he addressed MEPs at a crucial juncture, in the middle of the current Hungaran EU Chairmanship (Jan. - June 2011 : See also Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Urban and Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi, to "EuroFora", on 12/2010 and 1/2011).
Energy can be partly produced by Danube itself, but it can also be transported through it, not only among its own Riverside Countries, but even in many others thanks to its links to Rhine, which bring also European People and Culture closer together, observed in substance the EU chair, speaking with "EuroFora", to whom he pointed also towards his Speech at EU Parliament's Plenary in Strasbourg, facing the PanEuropean Court of Human Rights, where Pal Schmitt was inspired to evoke also EU's Cultural and Religious, Christian roots, as parts of its Historic and Modern Identity, a notoriously much needed "Moral Fuel" in order to re-launch the motor of Popular Support to EU's development and role in the World.
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- "EuroFora" asked EU President in office Pal Schmidt whether the 2011 Hungarian EU Chairmanship really aimed to "link Danube Strategy with Energy" issues for the benefit of the European General Interest, particularly "on Transport" matters :
- "Yes, in certain parts, yes", calmly but clearly replied the 2011 EU Chairman to "EuroFora"s question.
+ "There are even some Parts" of Danube River, "which can be utilized (also) as a Source of Energy", (f.ex. Hydro-Electric Dams, etc), Pal Schmitt added.
When "EuroFora" pointed, in particular, also to the Strategic issue of "Danube - Rhine Ship Transport links with the Black Sea", Pal Schmitt acknowledged ;- " Yes", that's also "for Oil, etc. shipping", "I mentioned it", he noted.
+ But, enlarging the issue, President Pal Schmitt insisted to indicate also that Danube's EU input could even have "Cultural", a.o. GeoPolitical dimensions
- "Danube Strategy,n it's also Culture, Environment, Energy, and Water, Religion, etc. which are all very close to its particular(regional PanEuropean) Dimension", the 2011 EU Chairman stressed in conclusion to "EuroFora"..
+ Pal Schmitt also pointed "EuroFora" towards what he had just "mentioned in my Speech", as he said, to EU Parliament's Plenary, mainly about "Danube Region Strategy" as "Geopolitical asset", "Egine of common projects", and "a Cltural link", recently "taking shape in about 40 different Programs, with the participation of 14 countries", "that is to be approved in June" 2011.
> Pal Schmitt's hint indeed, looks pertinent : GeoPolitically, Historically and Culturally, Danube brings closer together Eastern with Western Europe, including undeniably European Countries such from Ukraine up to Croatia (EU Candidate due to join in 2013), Serbia (another Western Balkans probable next EU step, and the only "Missing Link" for a full EU appropriation of Danube River 100%), as well as Russia, etc., i.e. contributing also to the reunification of all Christians, from Catholics and Protestants up to Orthodox, as well as of Latin, German, and Slavic, together with Jewish a.o. traditional cultures.
- While also giving Direct Access for Central/Western EU (i.e. France, Germany, BENELUX, even the UK, Denmark, Sweden/Norway via North Sea/Rhine river) right to the Black Sea, Caucasus and Caspian sea Area, of obvious interest for more Independent, Safer and probably Cheaper Energy supplies.
At this particular moment of Europe's History, when almost all Big EU Countries' leaders have just denounced "MultiCulturalism" and re-started to praise "Integration", including of immigrants, as well as Cultural Identity and Historic "Roots", (f.ex. German President Angie Merkel, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Brittish Prime Minister David Cameron, etc.), including mainly Europe's well known Greco-Roman and Christian roots, (notoriously revendicated also by Italy, Poland, Spain, etc. and many other EU Countries, i.e. by representatives of the Largest Majority ever, quasi-totality of EU Citizens,
- Because what we should have "here", in "the EU Parliament", "is not a simple laboratory of legislation, but much more: the Soul of Europe : ..... Indeed, Europe has its own market, its own currency, its own policies and laws – but it also has a Soul and a Spirit.... The Crisis situations of the Recent past have also shown what happens if we consider the fate of People with a mere ..Technocratic approach", EU Chair Pal Schmitt pointed out in his Plenary speech.
Therefore, EU Parliament's main mission is, now more than ever, to develop the role that "the Culture of Open Debate plays in European Thinking", as "a guarantee for Democratic Decision-Making". Restraint and attentive Openness to others is what fits best "From the outset, this alliance was more than a community of coal and steel. Its founding fathers brought it to life to guarantee peace with a view to establishing a strong Europe. It has changed a lot since: today, more than 500 million citizens of 27 countries live in the EUée²t is not easy to establish consensus among half a billion people.I consider it a special grace that Hungary assumed the rotating presidency now, in the midst of Grave Dilemmas, struggles, and fateful issues...."
- "We (Hungarians) live in a country which, thanks to King Saint Stephen, was established as a tolerant, accommodating, multiethnic, Christian community which looks back on one Thousand years of statehood, and which testified to its deep rooted love of freedom with revolutions", he reminded, speaking of the Historic Central European Country which had succeeded, as early as since 1600-1700, to attract Solidarity from many Countries all over Europe (England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Poland, etc), to the point to send Soldiers to Fight hard (in a kind of .. Spontaneous Precursor of what could become in the Future a European Defence/Army, 500 Years before today !) for the Liberation of Budapest from a Past Military Invasion and Occupation by the former Ottoman Turc empire.
And , concluding, he "quoted ..from a popular Hungarian writer, ..Márai: - “We need to Build this way of life further. We have to fill it with everything that is Modern; we have to preserve everything in it that is Timeless. (...) We have everything we need, all we need is Faith and stubborn Will : Faith in our role and the Will to fight against the Tyranny of stupidity ... Where can Europeans start this work? ...I think they have already begun.”
EU Energy Commissioner Oettinger to EuroFora: Energy ST Research issues part of Competitivity pact ?
Scientific Research and Technologic Innovation on Energy could be part of €uroZone's and all EU's Competitiviy Pact, due to be decided by an exceptional Brussels' Summit on Friday, said to "EuroFora" EU Commissioner in charge of Energy, Gunter Oettinger from Germany, speaking after a Press Conference in EU Parliament in Strasbourg, just a few Days after Chancellor Merkel stressed that Germany's "High-Tech Strategy" is a key factor of EU's "Competitivity", in which "Innovation" should be included, as French President Sarkozy earlier observed at an earlier EU Summit, (See previous "EuroFora"s NewsReports from Brussels).
Among the particular Energy RST issues worthy "to examine" in future is also some Pioneer Scientists' surprising claim that research and innovation could succeed to transform in Future Fuel" and/or useful new "Materials" the polluting CO2 which is due to be captured and stored in Europe in order to fight against Climate Change, according to EU Commission's Plans to reduce CO2 pollution before 2050, as decided today in Strasbourg and presented by EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard, (Comp. Hedegaard's 2 long Replies to" EuroFora"s 2 Questions at her 1st ever Press Conference after the Copenhagen UNO Summit, (Comp. "EuroFora"s NewsReports from the spot).
Such moves could prove to be crucial for EU's Climate and Energy Plans, since the EU Commission CO2 Emission Reduction Roadmap "requires the large-scale introduction of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Technology, which "would increase Costs in Energy intensive Industrial sectors by more than 10 Billion € annualy in the Decade up to 2050", threatenin to "raise Competitiveness Concerns" "if Climate Action weren' taken Worldwide", provoking "Industrial ReLocation out of Europe", as Hedegaard's draft warns, unless something is done to prevent that.
Questioned by "EuroFora" if he thought that Innovation on Energy Efficiency and a Lower Carbon Economy could be included in the "Competitivity Pact" due to be decided by an extraordinary €uroZone Summit on Friday in Brussels, Oettering appeared optimist :
- "In some points" concerning "our Missions, (i.e. Energy for Oettinger, and Climate for Hedegaard), there is a good Cooperation here on Carbon (CO2) at working level".
+ Moreover "several of our proposals and our views are included in this Package", he observed.
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- Inter alia, f.ex., concerning "some Scientists' belief that they could transform CO2, after it's captured and stored, into useful Materials or in some kind of Fuel in the Future", EU Commissioner Oettinger agreed with "EuroFora"s suggestion : - "Yes, of course", this "could, indeed, be something interesting to examine. I'll check", he promissed.
- Because "this might be in line with our (main) ideas, i.e. to innovate and modernize in order to have a new, more clean economy, f. ex. also on cars and other vehicles, etc", he observed, promissing to willingly consider ways to eventually participate personally to the forthcoming EU Parliament's STOA workshop on that issue, on the 22th of March.
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- Meanwhile, the experienced President of EU Parliament's STOA (Scientific and Technological Options Assessment), Austrian ChristianDemocrat MEP Paul Rübig, Speaking to "EuroFora", pointed out that a relevant "Hearing" is "organised by the (EU) Commission on March 31" : Officially dedicated to "Carbon's Transfert", it could also "cover all" such related issues, including "also CO2 recycling", as Rübig told us.
Such Moves could prove to be particularly useful, since key EU Climate Commissionner Hedegaard, who has just anounced an action plan until 2050, speaking briefly to "EuroFora" after learning about the Group of Scientists' initiative on "Co2 as Future Fuel", acknowledged that she "didn't know yet" anything about this technological possibility ! But EU's CCS Mega-Plans, "envisaged today, should (Timely) take into consideration that the CO2 shoud be retrieved from the Earth in Future" in order to be recycled into new Fuel and/or useful Materials, that Pioneer Group of Scientists warns. (See relevant "EuroFora""s recent Publication).
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- "Regarding the Competitivity Summit, on March 11, (German) Chancellor Merkel has just evoked, a few Days ago, inter alia, also a "High-Tech Strategy", which would be included among all other concerned Measures, such as Fiscal, Employment, etc., (French) President Sarkozy has also evoked the question of "Innovation", in Brussels' EU Summit, also in relation to Competitivity. Does EU Parliament support this kind of action in a sector (RST) which can be very important for EU's Competitivity in the Future ?", "EuroFora" asked.
- "I'd underline that EPP welcomes this High-Level Ambition, that our Heads of State and Government want to express, as regards raising Competitiveness and Productivity and Convergence in the EU". "There are some Amendements which highlight also such a High Level of Ambition, for instance with regard into transporting the Growth and Stability Pact objectives into National Law, with regard to Employment's ambition, and with regards to the MacroEconomic Surveillance, where some indicators with regard to Competitiveness have to be taken into account", etc, she replied.
Meanwhile, it's also EU Commission's President, José Barroso, who, despite his well known demand for €uroZone's Competitivity Pact to follow the so-called "Community method", nevertheless,pointed out, in EU Parliament in Strasbourg, that "if Budgetary cpnsolidation and Structural reforms are essential for Comptetitiveness, Investment in sectors of importance forthe Future, like Research and Innovation, is just as necessary".
- "But it can't be fully separated, this Competitiveness (at a Global level) from the Legislative Package currently on the Table : (where) 2.000 Amendments are currently tabled !" she revealed. "We just entered into Discussion in this Parliament, and ... for us (MEPs) it's important to take a clear view, on how the Heads of States and Governments want to implement, this Competitiveness Pact. Our President pointed out that, for us, the Community Method is an important point, and, where this Competitiveness affects the Legislative pack, there EU Parliament has its co-Legislative competence, and we shall have to discuss it during the upcoming Months" (.... ) Wortman - Kool warned.
+ Indeed, as EU Parliament's President, Jerzy Buzek, pointed out to "EuroFora" : - "Well, you know, this is a very, very important Issue : We (EU Parliament) expect that we can go, Step by Step, with the Community method, for the Solutions on particular issues, particularly on Markets, etc., and it would be....important to have all 27 Member States, because 27 are responsible for the Common Market, etc", as the Polish MEP observed before Poland's forthcoming EU Chairmanship, from July 1st, 2011", (Comp. Polish Foreign Minister, Sikorsky's Replies to "EuroFora"s Questions).
- "So, it's a long, long way...", Buzek concluded, as things stand now, from his point of view.
However, at least as far as €uroZone core, big European Countries are concerned, the speed and volume of developments in the current World-wide Competition on the way out of the Global Crisis, obvioysly make it crucial to act fast and efficiently.
Therefore, it all looks as if those who attempt to delay EU, inevitably incite €uroZone to advance forward more resolutely and clearly...
Will there be at least the beginning of an adequate reply at the forthcoming, original, EU and €uroZone Summit, Friday, March 11 in Brussels, (the 1st in History to be officially "double" or "composite", i.e. formed out of 2 different parts : One for al EU 27 focusing on Mediterranean developments, and another, for €uroZone's 17, focusing on the Competitivity Pact) ?
EPP Group Chairman Daul to EuroFora on G20/Raw Materials prices : Bread as Oil ?!
- "On the Raw Materials' Prices (for Agrficulture/Food), I think that we (EU Parliament) are going to debate anew", Positively replied Daul.
- "You know that it's my Dada, but I didn't think that it was going to evolve si Fast", acknowledged with a smile the experienced President of EU Parliament's biggest Political Group, apparently surprises by the Efficiency of MEPs' own work...
- "But we've not yet finished with the issue of Raw Materials Prices' augmentation. ; If you do your job and have a look around you, on Agro-Food Businesses' prices, that I contacted anew last week, it seems that Prices will go up anew", he predicted.
- "So, we must find, there, some Solutions", Daul stressed. "I propose one, Today, even before discussing it with my Group, so it's a Personal (Idea) :
- "We (EU/G20) must find the Same solution, for Agricultural Prices, as for Oil !", Joseph Daul stressed.
=> I.e., "If the prices rise, - and I take as example a piece of Bread, because it's the 1st Food product that we find everywhere-, well , if Bread's Price augments 4 cents, because Wheat's price augments, then, as we do for Oil, we must augment accordingly. And if the (on the Contrary) Wheat's prices fall, then, also Bread's prices must, automatically fall", (i.e., so that nobodody can speculate against others)..
- More generally, "we (EU) must create a New Thinking about Food, since, as you know, f.ex., between 55-57% of Latino-American Soja production has already been bought by China for the 2 next Years !", he revealed. "So that we (EU) can find satisfactory solutions for issues which concern 500 Millions of -EU) Consumers", Daul concluded.
Commissioner Rehn+EUParliament ECON Chair Bowles to EF: 1999-2001 Political context=Greek Debt cause
The realization of the fact that the real cause for the recent financial problems unveiled in Greece might be not €uroZone itself, despite some gaps currently filled, but mainly the Political Context of a period of the Past extending during the years 1999-2001, probably involving also shady deals related to Turkey's controversial EU bid, (See previous "EuroFora"s relevant NewsReports), came several steps closer, after some interesting Statements by EU Commissioner Oli Rehn, and of EU Parliament's Economic and Monetary Committee's Chairwoman, British Liberal MEP of the new Governing Coalition, Sharon Bowles, to "EuroFora", as well as from other MEPs, during a long "Exchange of Views" until late Monday Evening.
The crossed moves were topically made in Strasbourg shortly before Greece's Prime Minister for Greece, Georges Papandreou (Soc) exceptionally meets on Thursday in Paris, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, at the eve of €uroZone's and EU's composite Summit in Brussels next Friday, due to deal with all EU's Strategy in front of on-going dramatic Changes in most Mediterranean Countries, as well as with €uroZone's further Integration focusing on the adoption of a "Competitivity Pact", (See "EuroFora"s NewsReports from the latest, February 4, EU Summit in Brussels).
The 1st iteresting point was a specific, critical Observation by Rehn to a question raised by a German "Green" MEP who "claimed to be always in favor of Monetary Discipline"
- But, In fact "The "Green" Party in Germany was, in the Past, part of the Coalition Government of Schroeder (B : 2002-2005), and, therefore, it bears at least a part of Responsibility for the Watering down" of Monetary discipline which characterized that period, of "Socialist-Green" power, denounced EU Commissioner in charge of Economy and Monetary affairs, Oli Rehn, (a Finnish Liberal).
The former leader of the then "Green" Party in Germany, former Foreign Minister Joshka Fischer, famous for having politically eliminated most among the Historical Founding members of that Party, has notoriously been hired, recently, by an Economic Lobby serving the interests of the controversial, too long, expensive, and risky Gas Pipeline old project "Nabbuco", which zig-zagz far away from Europe, throughout Turkey..
Another relevant figure of the same period, former EU Commissioner for EU Enlargement, Gunter Verheugen, a "Socialist" also confirmed by the same "Shroeder B" former Coalition Government criticized by Oli Rehn, has just been hired in 2010 also by a Turkish lobby aiming to promote Ankara's Foreign Trade and Exports towards the EU...
- "I remember that, during that early period", when the famous "hiding" of the Debt of the former "Socialist" Government in Greece took place, notoriously allowing it to enter €uroZone earlier than normal, and without the necessary Reforms, they (i.e. those Governments in power throughout the EU, mainly "Socialists") had made some serious Critical remarks for some other Countries, pushing them to make needed Changes, but, on the contrary, they didn't say practically anything for other Countries, apparently moving according to Political, and not Economic criteria then, criticized also the President of EU Parliament's Economic and Monetary Committee, Brittish MEP from the currently Governing Liberals-Conservatives coalition, Sharon Bowles, from Oxford, speaking to "EuroFora".
It's a Fact that, shortly after the then "Socialist" Government of the Past in Greece (since 10/1999) closed its eyes on Turkey's threats at the Aegean, on the persisting Military Occupation of Cyprus and totall disrespect of Refugees and Missing persons' Families' rights, on Ankara's persisting refusal to recognize the Armenian Genocide, on the serious violations of Human Rights which continued to be committed in Turkey, etc., suddenly, as if in exchange, several "Socialist" Governments and/or EU Officials started also to.. close their own eyes on the huge Debt provoked by notorious Nepotism, Corruption, Discriminations and Arbitrariness, etc, (including even several strange "Deaths" of key persons in suspect circonstances, such as, f.ex. Investigators in grosse corruption cases, and other potential critics, etc.) since the massive recruitments of supporters of that regime mainly during the years 1980, giving the False Impression that Greece would have been ready to enter immediately the €uroZone, already at the eve of April 2001 National Elections, thus won by a former "Socialist" Government..
* The Political Consequence was Turkey's controversial EU "Candidacy" and even the opening of "Accession Negotiations" back on 2004, which notoriously provoked the most serious Institutional Crisis in EU's History, with 3 "No" to EuroReferenda in France, the Netherlands and Ireland (2005-2007), blocking EU's new Constitutional draft for many years, until the French President Sarkozy was brillantly elected with the Electoral commitment to stop Turkey's unpopular EU bid, in agreement with German Chancelor Merkel and a growing number of various other EU Countries' Top Politicians winning National Elections between 2009-2011, so that, at least, as "Simplified" version of EU's New Institutions managed to enter into force since December 2009. (I.e. with almost 5 Years of Delay, plus several diminutions/restrictions of the original plan...
* The Economic Consequence was to risk to undermine €uroZone's stability, by inciting the then "Socialist"' Government of Greece to enter precociously and unprepared inside the €uroZone, so that it exploited that in order to usurpate April 2001 National Elections. On 2009, one of its "Socialist" party successors suddenly said that he discovered for the 1st time the huge Debt provoked by his predecessors since 1980, and, accused of Excessive Alarmism, presents a Tragic Situation obliging the EU to start moving and taking Measures in order to ensure Stability inside €uroZone, at a crucial juncture for Global Competition, in the aftermath of the Global Crisis, when every Region in the World is focusing on how to become faster and more Competitive than others...
Thus, EU paid ..Twice, even until Today (2009-2011) an unacceptable Political Blunder apparently committed during that period of the Past : 1999 -2002, which has not yet been fully investigated, nor Justice yet done vis a vis all those who were Responsible for what really happened.
- Such kind of events clearly indicate that the main, real Cause which provoked the current Financial Problems in Greece may have nothing to do with €uroZone itself, but is due to absolutely Differend, Other Factors, specific to the particular situation of Greece then, stressed in conclusion to "EuroFora" the experienced EU Parliament's Rapporteur on several Monetary issues, mainstream French MEP Jean-Paul Gaugés, from the Governing Party UMP (ChristianDemocrats/EPP Group).
It's well known that in that context of the Past, there were not adequate Tools, and sometimes not even a Political contraint, nor real wish to keep an effective Monetary discipline, while now, EU has recently decided to adopt an important "Monitoring Mechanism" and to "reinforce its Economic Governance", added earlier Rhen, in reply to a question raised by Gaugés.
At present, "the most important" task is "to restore the Competitivity" particularly of Countries who are more exposed to risks, (f.ex. Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, etc), Rehn added later in Conclusion.
- Now "the €uroZone will have a completely New Architecture", and sufficient means to ensure that Financial "Speculation won't be profitable", he underlined.
EU Parliament's Constitutional affairs Committee, has just adopted, indeed, this Monday Evening in Strasbourg, the package of €uroZone's Permanent "Stability Mechanism", already agreed by Heads of State and Government at EU's December 2010 Summit, (Comp. "EuroFora"s NewsReport from Brussels then), after a long Vote of several "Compromise Amendments" among .. 130 in all, at the Report drafted by Italian Socialist MEP Roberto Gualtieri and experienced German ChristianDemocrat MEP Elmar Brok.
+ Meanwhile, "the Real Economy in the EU is Recovering, and it becomes Strong and Sustainable", while even "unemployment figures recently were, for the 1st time, much "better" than in the Past of the latest Global Crisis, Rehn concluded optimistically, speaking for the entire €uroZone/EU area.
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The official presentation of a "Program" respecting People's choices voted in the June 7, 2009 EU Elections, to be debated in EU Council and EU Parliament during its 1st Session on July in Strasbourg, is the No 1 Priority, according to Democratic principles, for the Franco-German axis, said the main winners at the ballot box, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angie Merkel.
They stressed that the New EU Commission's President must have a "Program" in favor of an EU which "protects" its Citizens, regulates financial markets and aims at a "Political" Europe" : a wording they have used as incompatible with Turkey's controversial EU bid.
They also declared ready for a "political" endorsment of "Mr. Barroso's candidacy" in June's EU Council, considering that an official decision would have to be made after EU Parliament's debates and votes, possibly from next month (July), with the legally necessary final acceptance shortly after Lisbon Treaty's entry into force, hoped for September or October.
- "A Program, and Mr. Barroso" : This resumes, in substance, the anouncements made by Sarkozy and Merkel, on the question of current EU Commission's President, Barroso's declared wish to succeed to himself for a second mandate, to be extended during the following 5 years.
In their 1st meeting after EU Elections, they observed that "the Franco-German axis counted in European Elections' campaign... But, we both keep a realistic view : We saw the number of those who abstained, and we must absolutely give them an answer. We also see the disilusionment of an important number of Europeans vis a vis Europe, and we are aware of the responsibilities we have".
- The "Duty" of the new EU Commission's President, after June 7, 2009 EU Elections' result, "is to act for a Europe which protects the Europeans, to commit himself into working for a better Regulation of Financial transactions, ... and to have a Political will for Europe", underlined Sarkozy.
Therefore, "we have asked M. Barroso... to clarify, to officialy present the intentions he has", he anounced.
- "We want to speak also about the Programme", explained Merkel.
- "It's important that for the next EU Parliament's mandate (2009-2014) we take the right Decisions for Europe. Obviously on Persons, but mainly Decisions on Issues", she stressed.
- "It's not simply a question of a Person, it's also a question of a Programme". We are "really asking Mr. Barroso to commit himself on a Program, and on Principles, on Values", Sarkozy added.
EU President-in-office, Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer, accepted the Franco-German stance :
- "Barroso must present his Programme. The Czech Presidency agrees with that", Fischer reportedly said later, after meeting Sarkozy.
But Press reports from Brussels claimed that Barroso had preferred to be officially appointed by EU Council since June, (i.e. next week), "because this was implied by the current Treaty of Nice, according to him", and considered any delay until the possible ratification of the new, Lisbon Treaty on September/October, as "undemocratic".
- "At any case, independently of what Germany and France ask, it's also EU Parliament's wish". "We shall propose Mr Barroso's candidacy... But even in the framework of Nice Treaty, EU Parliament has to be associated in this Decision", the French President observed.
If this is correctly done, then "we support Mr. Barroso's candidature", and "if the (EU) Parliament agrees, we might ratify this decision since July", (i.e. next month), they both said.
- "France and Germany support Baroso's candidacy, But we want to speak also on the Program. We believe that this Program should be established in close cooperation with EU Parliament, and that's why we have followed an appropriate way", said Merkel. - If EU Parliament wants, this election can take place on July, but this must be done in full agreement.
- "We shall support Mr. Barroso's candidacy, without doubt", said Sarkozy. "But we have asked from Mr. Barroso, as I told him yesterday, to put into detail.. his intentions, at the eve of his 2nd mandate, if the situation avails itself.
France and Germany "don't want to take an Official Legal Decision by writting" during "the next (EU) Council" (on June 18-19), declared Sarkozy. Because they prefer, at this stage, only "a Political decision" on June, "so that we (EU Council) can work together with EU Parliament", which starts to meet only Next Month, since July in Srasbourg, "leaving a Legal decision by writting for later".
- "If the Conditions are fuillfiled in EU Parliament, we (EU Council) are ready to give the agreement and make it offficial", said Merkel
- "But, now we are working in the base of Nice Treaty. If tommorow we want to work in the spirit of Lisbon Treaty, we have to find a proper way", she added.
- "Of course it's Legally complicated, because we are going to make a Political proposal to the forthcoming Council, for an EU Commission's President, on the basis of Nice Treaty : So, we (EU Council) will not appoint the Commissioners. Only the President. If EU Parliament agrees, it could endorse this position on July", explained Sarkozy.
But, on Autumn, "if Ireland ratifies Lisbon Treaty, there will be, at any case, a 2nd Decision, to appoint the Commission's President, this time on the basis of Lisbon treaty, and then, we, the EU Member States, would have to appoint (also) the EU Commissioners", he added.
As for the precise Timing : - "Everything is suspended until the Irish vote... Now, we must all make everything possible to help Ireland to say "Yes"" to Lisbon Treaty... The Irish Referendum, ..will take place either on September or on October. It's a Question which depends on the Irish. And, then, we shall have the Choice of the Candidates for the permanent Institutions of Europe".
However, "if Ireland says No, we, French and Germans, have to assume our responsibilities, and we'll do so", he concluded.
But British and Swedish governments were reportedly eager to have a final EU Council decision on Barroso since this month, on June's European Council. While the other EU Member Countries are divided, several of them preferring to wait until EU Parliament pronounces itself, on July, and/or until Lisbon Treaty might be ratified by Ireland at the beginning of the Autumn. Barroso's current mandate ends on November.
There are also various, contradictory and/or unpredictable reactions inside EU Parliament vis a vis Barroso's wish to continue a 2nd mandate, because many MEPs are openly or secretly opposed, reluctant, or hesitating.
In the biggest EU Countries, as France and Germany, EU Citizens voted on June 2009 EU Elections for a renovated, non-technocratic but Political Europe which cares for its Citizens, with an Identity, Values and Borders, declared incompatible with Turkey's controversial EU bid, by mainstream, pro-European Governing Parties. Similar choices were also supported in several other small or medium EU Countries.
On the contrary, whenever, in other Countries, Governing and other mainstream Parties didn't make these choices or eluded them, EU Citizens massively voted for euro-Sceptics whenever they were the only ones to to promise anti-bureacratic change and oppose Turkey's demand to enter into the EU, (f.ex. in the UK, Netherlands, etc).
It's seems to be an Open Question whether Sarkozy and Merkel's conditions will be really accepted by Barroso, who was appointed on 2004 in a different political context, (with Socialist Prime Ministers in Germany, France, etc), had rejected in the Past the idea of EU becoming "equal to the USA" as "ridiculous", and pushed for Turkey's contoversial EU bid, trying to "soften" or contain the changes desired by the People who voted for Merkel and Sarkozy with another policy vis a vis Turkey on 2005 in Germany and on 2007 in France, as they did all over Europe on 2009.
In addition to many EPP Governments, it's 3 remaining Socialist Prime Ministers : Gordon Brown in the UK, Zapatero in Spain, and Socrates in Prortugal, who support Barroso, as well as Liberal Swedish Prime Minister Reinfeldt. But their Parties lost the June 2009 EU Elections.
Questioned whether there was still "Time" for "other" possible "Candidates", Sarkozy and Merkel did not deny, nor made any comment on that, but simply said that "it's not for us to make publicity for any candidates. We anounced our choice ("A Program, and Mr. Barroso"). But we respect any other candidate".
Among various other names cited are former Belgian Prime Minister Verhofstadt, former UNO's Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson of Ireland, Italian former EU Commission's vice-President Monti, etc. Meanwhile, Luxembourg's PM Juncker, (who had been unanimously accepted by EU Council for EU Commission's Presidency on 2004, but refused), announced his intention to resign from "EuroGroup"'s Chair. Thus, he might be available for another Top EU job.
As "EuroFora"'s "opinion" said (See publication dated 9/6/09) : - "If the current candidates (i.e. Barroso, etc) to the Top EU jobs promise and guarantee to respect People's democratic choices, then, it's OK".
"Otherwise, Europe must find new candidates, really motivated and able to implement these democratic choices of the People."
Because, "in Democracy, the forthcoming choices for EU's Top Jobs,...should be made according to EU Citizens' Votes in June 7, 2009 European Elections, and main EU Governments' strategic policies".