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Foreign Investment leader Montenegro Prime Minister Dukanovic to EuroFora: EU Quality before Speed

Written by ACM
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
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Long-time Prime Minister (1991-1998 and 2008 - 2014) and former President (1998-2002) of Montenegro, Milo Dukanovic, replying to "EuroFora"s questions at the CoE in Strasbourg, stressed that "Qu    ality before Speed", is the Strategic aim of the EU Accession proces, which might start in 2010 and complete in the next few years, for the small but Strategically located, more Peaceful Country at the former Yugoslavian Region, whose Stability and Economy is one of the Brightest, and beneficial to the surrounding Western Balkans' European integration developments.
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"EuroFora"s 1st out of 2 Questions was exceptionaly an "open" one :  - "If everything goes well, when do you hope that your Country will become EU Member ?", we simply asked Montenegro's Prime Minister.

    - "Our Plan is to meet expectations under a European Union Agenda", Dukanovic willingly admitted, "but we don't set any Time-Frames", he carefully stressed.

    - Because "we are sincerely guided by the Principle : "Quality before Speed", underlined Montenegro's Prime Minister, who also Chairs this Year (2010) the Central European, the South-East, and the Adriatic - Ionian Seas' EU Initiatives.

    - "We want to be part of the EU. But this is not our goal in itself. We want to make sure that in Montenegro we have a Quality of Life fit for European Citizens of 21st Century", he said.

 - "That's why we are primarily devoted to Reforms. Because Reforms ...enhance Quality of Life, and also lead to EU Membership", Dukanovic observed.

    -  In fact, "the actual (partial) goal that we Now have is to get this Year (2010) a(n EU) Candidate Status, and a Recommendation to start Accession Negotiations. We think that this role is absolutely Realistic", Montenegro's Prime Minister estimated.

 In other words, Dukanovic, (as he added later in Strasbourg) would like to avoid a situation similar to FYROM's, who hurried up to become EU Candidate, but hasn't yet got a Date for EU Accession Negotiations, (mainly due to the pertaining lack of a Solution to the issue of the Name "Macedonia" which is traditional also in Greece's Millenary History, so that an intelligent and adequate compromise has still yet to be found in order to allow an otherwise Friendly and mutually Beneficial Regional Cooperation in the framework of a Stable EU Integration).

        - "We also think that it is possible for Montenegro, within the Next Several Years, to succesfully complete Negotiations with the EU", carefully but Optimistically concluded in his Reply to "EuroFora"s 1st Question Dukanovic.

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     - Meanwhile, "on Economy, are there any important Projects on Infrastructures, f.ex. Sea Transports, Gas, etc, currently prepared ?", asked "EuroFora"'s 2nd Question the Prime Minister of Montenegro, (which is well known, not only for its Natural Landscapes, but also as Danube Riverside Serbia's outlet to the Adriatic Sea).

    - "The main Opportunities for Montenegro's Development in the Period Ahead are precisely what You have mentioned : These are Infrastructures, Energy, and, in addition, Tourism", the Country's experienced long-time Political Leader replied to "EuroFora".                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

    - "There is a Huge Interest from the part of Foreign Investors. The main foreign Investors come from the EU. During recent Years, Montenegro has been the Leader in Europe in terms of Foreign Investment per capita. This was so even in the Last Year (2009). And 80% of Foreign Direct Investments in Montenegro have been investments from the EU"

    - This is partly due also to the fact that Montenegro has already introduced, and will continue its Pioneer, Voluntary use of Euro € as Currency, despite problems and "hard Reforms" needed for that, considering that "National Debt was "only 36% of the GDP", i.e. "much lower than in some EuroZone Member Countries".. Meanwhile, Montenegro's Citizens have just got a "Visa-Free travel to Shengen Zone (EU) Countries" since December 2009, he added afterwards at CoE's Assembly,

 - "I' m sure that Montenegro will complete its commitments to the CoE and  then start fullfiling the conditions also for the EU", Djukanovic also stressed. And he explained that there is a close Link between certain Reforms, such as those required in order to fight efficiently against Corruption, (still widespread accross the whole South-Eastern area, particularly after the Econoimic Destructions provoked by the War iin the former Yugoslavian area in the recent Past), and Boosting the Judiciary, Rule of Law, etc,  (thanks also to a close cooperation with Venice Commission), as means to win, develop and safeguard IForeign Investors' remarquable "Trust".
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        As for Refugees/Displaced Person's Rights to Return and have their Homes Restored, (a wide-pread problem in South Eastern European, i.e. Balkan neighbouring Countries, as well as in the Caucasus, Turkey, occupied territories of Cyprus, etc), Montenegro's situation is, compared to others, so "Positive", that it has exactly the .. Opposite problem :

- Instead of delays to accept  Refugees/IDP's return, as it's more or less the case  elsewhere, (with the sole Exception of Turkish- Occupied Territories of Cyprus, where Ankara still refuses even to admit the Principle of Greek Cypriot Refugees/IDP's return),  on the Contrary, Montenegro is ... eager to accelerate the Return Home of numerous Refugees, from various other States of the Region, who have seeked an Asylum in that Country, because it remained always in Peace, without any violent conflict, as its President, Dukanovic, observed, launching a "Call" to all those involved and to the International Community to help Refugees' Return to their Homelannds asap...

That's one of the reasons for which Montenegro has a genuine Interest for Development and Stability in its  Neighbouring Countries accross the whole Region :
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- Montenegro's reforms "contributed  also to developments in the Region, and, therefore to  European Integration", praised, indeed, the Country, CoE's Secretary General Thornbjorn Jagland.

    - "From the CoE side, we are very satisfied by the Cooperation with Montenegro, and will be a partner for us also for the (PanEuropean Organisation's own) reforms" in Strasbourg, Jagland observed, giving a carefully Positive mark. - "I've commented Montenegro for its achievements, in particular ratifications of many CoE Conventions, I'm aware of the fact that we have more Work to do, and that the CoE will hopefuly cooperate also in the future with Montenegro, to fullfil all its commitments and continue all the ratifications. I also thanked very much the Cooperation of Montenegro Authorities with the Venice Commission, on Amendments to the Constitutional Law, (i.e. mainly on the Judiciary, Rule of Law, etc. : See supra) that we (CoE) find very important", CoE's Head added.

However, replying to another Journalist's question, Jagland, while being clearly Positive, nevertheless, he avoided to speak in terms of race for EU Accession, between the various Western Balkan Countries :

 - "I don't want to compare Montenegro's integration to others', in the Region", he simply said.  - "But I will reiterate that we are satisfied for the way Montenegro has fullfilled its commitments. There is some more Work to do. But it's by implementing (CoE's) Convention(s) (including, naturally, the most important : That on Human Rights), that Montenegro will advance further"

 - And "it's also important for us (CoE) to see the important role Montenegro plays in the Region" of the entire Western Balkans and South East Europe :  - "It's a Stabilizing Factor, which cannot be underestimated", Jagland concluded.

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Croat President Josipovic to EuroFora: All Refugees back, Criminals punished, East-West Economy link

Written by ACM
Monday, 21 June 2010

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Front-runner EU candidate Croatia's New President (2010-2014) Prof. Ivo Josipovic, replying to "EuroFora"'s questions, stressed his willingness to fully respect "all" Refugees/IDPs Human Rights, find and punish Criminals responsible for War Crimes, "Missing" persons, etc., so that fulfilling basic EU Accession Conditions is completed asap, while also bringing a key contribution to the whole Region's Stability and  Economic Development : F.ex. by offering its long Sea Coasts, strategically linked with inland River Ports, particularly at Danube and other Rivers, in the run up to the forthcoming 2011 Hungarian EU Chairmanship, which is due to launch a "Danube Strategy", linking the Black Sea to EU's Franco-German a.o. industrial core since the 2001 opening of its Rhine connexion to grand gabarit Ships, and 2007 EU's Enlargment to Bulgaria and Romania, particularly useful for Direct EU Sea-River PanEuropean Highways for Liquefied Gas transport from Asia.

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- "You Highlighted efforts done to complete Refugees' Return, and to clear up individual War Crimes, "Missing" Persons, etc.. Do you think that Croatia could become a good example also for other Countries, to do alike, as a means for Reconciliation and Stable Peace, by ensuring People that Past Human Rights' violations will never happen again in the Future ?", "Eurofora" asked.

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And, as far as Economy is concerned, is there an awareness and political willingness to use f.ex. Liquefied Natural Gas' Sea and River Ship Transport as a contribution of Croatia to European integration ?", we added.


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- "We are fully supporting ALL Refugees to come back to Croatia, (and) there is full support for People to have their Properties back" : This is a basic Political Statement by Croatia", stressed President Josipovic in reply to "EuroFora"'s 1st Question.

- "Croatia is faced with the issue of an important Number of People who are still Ot of their Homes", Josipovic admitted honestly.

- "But I have to stress that we did a quite Significant job : Many People are already in their Homes", the Croatian President observed.

- "And Croatia is fully supporting for ALL Refugees to go back to their Homes", Josipovic strongly reiterated, as a matter of Principle. (Something which is notoriously rejected, on the contrary, in the case of Turkey's controversial EU bid, mainly vis a vis more than 190.000 Greek Cypriot Displaced People, from whom, practically noone hasn't yet been allowed to return Home, even after some 25 Years of Legal struggles in Strasbourg and a many ECHR Judgements, which have notoriously recognized Refugees/Displaced persons Human Rights to find Restoration or Fair Compensation for their usurpated Homes and/or private Properties, and freely Return at their Ancestral Land, which has inspired even the UN, fex. in the famous "Pinheiro Principles").     

    - "Of course, this not only a matter of will : It's (also) a matter of Economical Development, because you cannot live from Houses alone,.... and Refugees, when they return, must find a proper Job and proper living conditions. It's not easy to fullfil all these requirements, particularly in Rural areas", he went on to explain, on how things really go in practice.

    - In fact, we must "help all the (Refugees/Displaced) People to have Sustainable Return back to their Homes. It's very important, because, if you just bring People back without the proper conditions, then, you create another problem", he pointed out.

    - "So, we are Now building a New Process, in Negotiation with the Neighbouring  Countries (i.e. mainly Serbia), on how to" do so, President Josipovic added, observing that, this bilateral cooperation on such an Humanitarian issue as organizing a proper Refugee's Return is something which is "expected" to be practiced "also by other neighbouring States".


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    - Even "my (own) Life and Professional career are based on (a) Firm Human Conviction.. for the Full Respect of Human Rights .. : I Believe that such Values cannot be Measured, or have a Price", Josipovic also said, referring to his personal work as Jurist, Lawyer, Expert and Professor of International Law, including by action "through Civil Society", as well as in relation to International Courts.
   
    - In this framework, after the "Serious Consequences of War and War Destruction" provoked, back in the 1990ies accross the former Yugoslavia's area, " a number of Individual Crimes were committed, against Persons belonging to other Ethnic Groups, .. or People upholding Differend Worldview and Opinions", Croatia's President clearly acknowledged. But "we are implementing a Policy of Zero Tolerance towards all persons who have committed Crimes, and we believe that the Punishment of Crime is an integral part of the (Democratic) Transformation" of Croatia and its surrounding region. "Croatian Citizens suspected of War Crimes are tried", he promissed earlier at the CoE, as a matter of General Principle.

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- Even if "the process is not over yet", since, "some of these Trials, and those concerning Ethnic Croats suspected of having committed Crimes during the War as members of paramilitary units, are of Sensitive nature", as he observed speaking at CoE's Parliamentary Assembly, nevertheless, "such proceedings must be pursued, on the Basis of Universal Legal Principles and in the spirit of Human Rights Standards prscribed by (CoE's PanEuropean) Conventions", President Josipovic underlined, as well as because "such Human Rights .. and Justice ... Criteria (are) being followed very closely" by the EU "within the scope of (EU) Accession Negotiations", he reminded. Something that, on the contrary, Turkey's controversial EU bid, despite many Hundreds of Millions € already spend each year since 1999-2001 and 2004, didn't yet manage to motivate Ankara's Authorities not even to find and punish at least one (1) among those Reponsible for the Enforced Disapperance of more than 1.500 Greek Cypriots since the 1974 Turkish Military Invasion and Occupation of part of Cyprus, including Civilians, Womean, Children, and/or desarmed War Prisoners, (etc), some of which were notoriously Photographed taken alive as prisoners by Ankara's Army, but recently (2009) found Murdered in Cold Blood, with Bullets fired at their Heads from close range, without any efficient Investigation ever done by Turkey, which was repeatedly condemned by ECHR on several cases of non-elucidated yet "Missing" persons dramatic cases in Cyprus, resulting in severl ECHR Judgements between 2001 and 2008, which have not yet been implemented, (obviously giving a "Bad Example" to the Balkans, Caucasus, etc)..

 - But, for the Croatian President, "It's a Necessity... to Clarify Crimes committed in the War, and bring them back to where they belong : (I.e.) to the Sphere of Individual Perpetrators of Offenses, and Outside of the Impermissible Sphere of Collective Guilt", as he observed. Because, "No People in conflict ... is Guilty : It is the Individuals, demonstrable Perpetrators of Crimes that are Guilty, and they must be Punished for it", as he told CoE.
   
    Advancing further towards this direction, Croatia aims to give now "a Clear Message and Commitment .. to the Completion of the process of Transformation", because "Croatia wants to be a consolidated Democracy in which Values such as Demoracy, Human Rights, Freedom and Justice are promoted and Fully Respected". I want to "stress that Croatia is fully commited to European standards and hope that Croatia will soon become Member of the EU". President Josipovic anounced from the outset.


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CoE's Secretary General Jagland : Croatia is in the RIGHT TRACK
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- "Recognition of our Reconciliatory efforts in the Region", and "support for our EU Membership", "is important for Croatia". "I hope that this "waiting room" will soon become our permanent place" and Croatia will be full Member of CoE and EU". "I'm convinced that Croatia will fullfil all European Standards, and in particular on Human Rights", added later Josipovic, after meeting with CoE's Secretary General Thornbjorn Jagland.

- "All things are on the Right Track, and, of course, we welcome very much Croatia's Accession prospects in the EU, based on European Standards", stressed CoE's new Chief Jagland, after meeting with Josipovic.  "Croatia has prepared itself in a very beautiful way, and this "waiting room" was, in fact, beneficial" to the country. "Croatia is a very Good and active CoE Member State : We have no Unresolved issues. We can make progress in a couple of issues, but we are in a very good Dialogue.. (And) I commented the (Croatian) President's efforts for Reconciliation in the Region, .. (fex. on Bosnia Herzegovina, etc)", concluded Jagland.

Questioned by another Journalist about "where do you think that Croatia should push its efforts ?", Jagland said that "there is a couple of (CoE's) Conventions that we'd like to see ratified. But this is the case for most of CoE's Member States, among which not all Conventions have been ratified. So, I have put emphasis on Croatia's contribution for Reconciliation, particularly at the Region", CoE's Secretary General concluded.
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All this fits well with Josipovic's long-time job as Professor for Criminal procedure and International Crime law , acting as a Lawyer before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and as a CoE's Expert in checking Prisons' situation, f.ex.  in Ukraine and Azerbaijan.

 Brillantly elected with more than 60% of Votes on February 2010 against another Socialist candidate, Josipovic, has the same 1st Name  : "Ivo" as his famous compatriot, long-time former Prime Minister  Ivo Sanader, (See Sanader's earlier statements to "EuroFora", partly published here, in previous NewsReports), who guided the country from 2003 to 2009, succeeding to start Accession Negotiations with the EU in 2004, to "decouple from Turkey""s controversial EU bid (as he had said in Strasbourg) and to overtake it since 2006-2007, enter NATO in 2009 at Strasbourg's 60th Anniversary Summit, as well as to start receiving EU promisses (from 2008) for a possible 2010 EU Accession (including by EU Parliament's Resolutions voted in Strasbourg), before Croatia's EU course was threatened by political conditions raised by socialist Slovenian Government from the end of 2008, after which he was  suddenly and unexpectedly obliged to resign for unknown reasons on July 2009, replaced by other politicians in his party, who failed to pursue his legacy.
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- "Concerning Economic Questions, including the Energy sector that You mentioned, (i.e. NLG)", Croatia's President went on to say in his 2nd Reply to "EuroFora"'s 2nd Question (See supra), "of course, Croatia has a very Good (GeoPolitical) Position" :

 - " It's, somehow, a unique Crossing point and Transition from East to West", President Josipovic underlined, making  an obvious reference  to "EuroFora"'s observation on the Sea and River Ship Transport Potential of the Country for PanEuropean New, Strategic Links. 

    - "We have excellently placed (Sea + River) Harbours, we have a good position to be a place from (which) and to (which) Commercial Enterprises will keep (Move, Ship) their Goods and start a Trade between the East and the West. It's a very good position that Croatia is going to offer", together with "our good services, both to People from the East and from the West, in the Future", i.e. when it would become "EU's 28th Member State", possibly before 2012, he concluded.
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  Josipovic, who is also known for his Music composition work, (and had reportedly promised to compose an opera on John Lennon's non-eludated murder if he was elected), Symbolically came to Strasbourg when France was celebrating the Annual "Music Feast" day,.

.... including in the "Rhine's Palace", at Republic Square, Headquarters of the Rhine River Ship Navigation International Committee, (which develops recently natural links with the Budapest-based Danube Navigation international committee : Comp. supra).

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EU United on Economic Strategy. Majority for Governance. But Political manoeuvering evolves..

Written by ACM
Thursday, 17 June 2010
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An impressively strong, rare quasi-Unanimous EU Unity on 2010 - 2020 Economic Strategy, obtained in EU Parliament at the same time that a Wide Majority supported an ambitious text on Ec. Governance, evolved in parallel with Political Manoeuvering among MEPs Groups this week in Strasbourg, while an exceptionaly brief EU Heads of State/Government Summit in Brussels adopted EU 2020 Strategy, and advanced on EU Governance, but left final decisions for October-December.

For the 1st time in EU Parliament's Press Conferences' History, all the Presidents of 4 mainstream Political Groups of MEPs, from EPP/ChristianDemocrats' (who are the more Numerous) Joseph Daul of France and Liberals' Guy Verhofstadt of Belgium, up to SocialDemocrats' Martin Schultz and "Greens"' Rebecca Harms, both of Germany, exeptionally joined all together on Tuesday to present to Strasbourg's Journalists, including "EuroFora", a Common Position of the Large Majority of MEPs they represent, both on EU's Economic Strategy and Governance.

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June's Unity appears as a striking difference to the previous situation of May, when Socialists and "Greens" had initially opposed EPP/ChristianDemocrats and Liberals' main Economic choices, attempting to push a very Critical stance against the majority of EU Heads of State/Government, (most of which are, indeed, supported by EPP and Liberals), but failing to pass through, because EPP/Liberals received, then, also the support of the new Conservatives/Reformists' Group, mainly led by MEPs from the Party of new British Prime Minister Cameroon, succeeding to form a strong, absolute Majority inside EU Parliament against Socialist/Greens' positiions. (See previous, relevant "EuroFora"s Publication of May).

But this time, EPP's President Daul appeared proud when he stressed to "EuroFora" that, what was New in the latest developments, was that, "now, we succeeded to build a Unified position in EU Parliament" on EU's Econolmic Policy, etc. The main thrust of this change in Socialists/"Greens"' stance, is that they finally accepted to support both a Rigorous, Public Expenditure reduction goal, in order to progressively diminish Public Debt, and the generally desired Growth aims. According to some other sources, this Change would be due mainly to the fact that even ...Socialist Governments in Spain, Portugal, etc. recently started to plan and make hard Economies on tax payers money, in order to try to meet Financial Markets expectations, particularly after they recently threatened to downgrade these Countries' Budgetary assets' ratings..           

- EU "Member States should increase their economic Performance by introducing Structural Reforms in order to Optimise Public Expenditure, (and) Decrease Bureaucracy", as well as "prevent ... a long-lasting period of economic Stagnation, (by) .. implement(ing), at the same time, a Strategy aimed at accelerating Sustainable Economic Growth", the Resolution on "Strategy", indeed, stresses from the outset.   

However, on the other hand, Socialists/Greens tried to explain their U-turn also by the fact that, this time (i.e. on June), a 2nd, separate EU Parliament's Resolution was added, in agreement with the EPP and Liberals, focusing on a rather ambitious EU "Economic Governance", which should be mainly depending on EU Commission, and not too much on EU Heads of State and Government :  - "Indeed, it's mainly because we added a 2nd Resolution on Governance based on the EU Community method (i.e. giving an important role to EU Commission) that both us and the Socialists agreed, this time, with the EPP and the Liberals", said the "Greens"' co-Chairwoman, Rebecca Harms, to "EuroFora".     

- In addition to a "Bolder Economic Governance" "needed" in "EuroZone", i.e. among the 16 Euro Currency Countries, also all the 27 Member States strong "EU needs to reform its system of Economic Governance" in order "to ensure the Implementation of its ... Europe 2020 Strategy", including by "giving to the Commission a proper and stronger Responsibility", while, at the same time, "reinforcing the Democratic Legitimacy of EU Governance, .. through a stronger .. involvement of EU Parliament", stresses, indeed, the 2nd Resolution.

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This move was made in particular after the main results of EU's Franco-German core's Monday Night Summit in Berlin, where President Sarkozy and Chancellor Merkel reportedly agreed to institutionalize an EU Economic Governance, while keeping also always possible a simplified EuroZone's Summit, "whenever needed", as EPP's Head Daul observed.    

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Shortly after EU Parliament adopted, on Thursday, the 2 Joingt Resolutions on EU's Economic Strategy and Governane in Strasbourg, EU's Heads of State and Government in Brussels officially adopted the "2020 Strategy", and "agreed" on the first "Orientations" for "a much Stronger Economic Governance", involving both EU Commission and EU Member States, with an obvious priority for the latter, but left final Decisions, after proper consultation also of EU Parliament, for October's Summit, (due to Timely focus also on "Innovation" EU policy).      

But, another important Change between May and June 2010 EU Parliament's stance (Comp. Above), was, meanwhile, also the Fact that the new, mainly Brittish-Polish "Conservatives/Reformists" Group, while always supporting the EU "Strategy" paper, (as it had already done since May 2009), on the contrary, was pushed to drop the EU "Governance", 2nd paper, which was added only from June.

In fact, a real Power Game seems to be Socialist and Green Group's attempts to avoid that a Center-Right absolute Majority might be cimented inside EU Parliament, (according to EU Citizens' votes on 2009 EU Elections, and practically confirmed at May 2010's Vote on EU Economic Strategy : See "EuroFora"'s 5/2010 Reporting), by searching a way to stir Divisions between former EPP Group MEPs, who could have a Decisive Power in 2009-2014 if they Unify together as in the Past, but lost this opportunity for the moment, after a Separatist move of some British and Polish MEPs who set up a small ECR new Group, agreeing with EPP on many, but not all issues.

After witnessing on May the fact that a Center-Right Unity of EPP/ChristianDemocrats and Liberals, together with Conservatives can be Strong enough to start using an absolute Majority inside EU Parliament on EU "Strategy", (See "EuroFora"'s relevant NewsReport of May 2010), the Socialists and the "Greens", apparently found, indeed, on June another way to .. divide anew EPP+Liberals from the Conservatives, by pushing forward a particularly ambitious "EU Governance" agenda...

However, nobody should underestimate EPP/ChristianDemocrats' (the Biggest MEPs Group's) Head Joseph Daul's new capacity (based on EPP's Brillant June 2009 EU Election Results) to shape main EU policies by artfully playing the role of a strong, central Political "Pivot", around which several punctual Coalitions can be forged, sometimes towards its "Left", other times towards its "Right" side, but always looking right Ahead to EU Future's Horizon.

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EU JHA Commissioner Malmstrom to EuroFora on new US-EU SWIFT Deal: How to protect Personal Bank Data

Written by ACM
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
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EU Commissioner on Justice and Home affairs, experienced former Swedish EU Minister and MEP, Cecilia Malmstrom, replying to "EuroFora"s questions in EU Parliament on the New, revised USA - EU draft agreement on the controversial issue of EU Citizens' Bank Data communication to US Authorities on anti-Terrorism grounds, admitted that, despite new, and more protective safeguards, it's always "difficult" to find out whether an abuse might have been committed, in this, as well as in other such cases, and gave practical advise to EU Citizens on how to try to protect their personal Bank Data by using their new Access, Rectification and Redress Rights, which have been now reportedly recognized in the new draft EU - USA deal :

Malmstrom was speaking in a Press Conference organized at EU Parliament in Strasbourg in order to anounce a New, revised EU Draft Agreement with the US on a "Terrorism Financing Tracking" Programme, commonly known as "SWIFT", a previous and controversial version of which had been recently rejected by a Majority of MEPs who had called for Changes able to protect elmentary EU Citizens Personal Data privacy rights.

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 - "EuroFora"s question referred to Malmstrom's anouncement "about (EU Citizens') Personal Data Protection", where she "spoke about Rectification (in case of Error), Erasure, etc", saying that SWIFT would have been brought now in line with fundamental EU Legal Standards. However, "a naive, but practical question" should be clarified, we observed :

 

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     - "How could (EU) People know if there is, eventually, any (Personal) Data given (to US Authorities), in order to check if there is any Error, or not ? And which Institution" (is in charge in such cases) : "Is EuroPol the main (EU) Watchdog" (as Malmstrom had cited for EU checks on USA Officials' activities in Europe in general), or is there (also) anything else ?", asked "EuroFora".

 

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- "That's a very good Question !", Cecilia Malmstrom smiled in reply to "EuroFora"s query. "Because, even if we disregad this system (SWIFT), all of us are probably in a lot of  Data Bases all over the World".. F.ex., "I come from a Country (Sweden) which has a lot of Data Bases, and (even) a personal Number : something that is totally unthinkable in certain other Countries !", she observed.  

      - "So, that is, of course, very Difficult to know", the competent EU Commissioner admitted, regarding the practical point on EU Citizens' awareness whenever there might be a need to check their Personal Data Protection in real practice, that was raised by "EuroFora"s question.

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 - "But, should you have any suspicion, should you notice that, for one reason or another, there has been interference in your Banking and so on, (then), you could go to the Treasury Website and read, exactly, how to proceed in order to have Rectification and Redress, if your Bank Accounts' Data have been abused", Malmstrom advised. 
 
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    Meanwhile, former EU Parliament's Rapporteur on the EU - USA "SWIFT" Agreement, Liberal MEP Jeanine Hennis Plasshaert, (see her Replies to "EuroFora"s Questions at the eve of February 2010 crucial Vote : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/swift.html), has been just elected to the Dutch Parliament at a key position :

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    Jeanine stood as High as at the 4th place in the list of Dutch Liberal VVD Party, which has just succeeded to become the Biggest party in the Netherlands, winning 31 MPs, and, given the overall recent Parliamentary Election Results, it's probable that she might find herself soon returning back to her familiar area including Personal Data Protection and SWIFT, but, this time, eventually from the EU Council's side, as Minister...

    Obviously, such a move could fit well also with the larger Personal Data Protection growing needs, particularly in the galoping developments concerning the new Digital Society, i.e. the area of competence for experienced EU Commissioner Neelie Kroes, who is also a Dutch Liberal... (Comp. EU Commissioner Kroes' earlier statements to "EuroFora", already send to Donors/Subscribers in previous Draft NewsReports).

    The former EU Parliament's Rapporteur had initially been sharply critical against the pre-existing situation on the EU - USA "SWIFT" issue, arguying that EU Citizens' Personal Data and privacy had been dangerously exposed to eventual abuse without the elementary EU safeguards, and, therefore, should be rejected by EU Parliament. (See "EuroFora"s relevant, previous publication, cited supra). But afterwards, she had praised US vice-President Joe Bident's recent commitment to build a new EU - USA Agreement, which, while being still efficient for real anti-terrorism concerns, nevertheless, it could also become much more respectful of EU Citizens' elementary privacy rights.

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    However, Malmstrom's advise about going "to the Treasury" in order to find practical ways to protect EU Citizens' personal Bank Data in relation with the draft EU - USA deal on a new SWIFT II, apparently referred only to the US Department of Treasury, an Executive office of the US Federal Government established to manage government revenue. Something which seems to leave open, at least for the time being, any question about how this could be done in Europe in the future, since it may be soon necessary for the EU to develop also its own European Bank account supervision system when it might be justified by anti-terrorism needs; But there is not yet any generally known EU Treasury able to help protect EU Citizens' Bank Data privacy..  

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 By a Symbolic coincidence, the 1st USA's Secretary of Treasury was appointed by Historic US President George Washington, the same year that the 1789 French Revolution opened in Europe a way for the creation of Modern, Democratic Nation-States formally recognizing basic Human Rights, and was a Key Personality :  

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- Alexander Hamilton, the famous Political Philosopher and Pamphleteer who had notoriously struggled with many landmark Publications (known as "The Federalist Papers") to make the American People aware of the fact that, in order to definitively avoid any recurrence of other counter-productive and dangerous Economic and/or Political Divisions, provoking internal Conflicts and/or Civil Wars, etc., the United States of America should advance well beyond a merely "Con-federal" structure of the Past, towards a future "Federal" one, starting by putting in tune, all together, their Economic, Fiscal and Budgetary policies in a joint, unified move serving their common General Interests.

I.e. in a similar Direction towards which, mutatis mutandis, EU Parliament's MEPs  and EU Council's Heads of State/Government are currently trying to build, in one way or another, in Europe, (surprisingly United this week), in view of the 17th of June 2010's EU Summit, in order tio succesfully pave EU's way out of the Global Crisis, towards a new era of strong, sustainable and inclusive Growth in Europe's "2020 Strategy" Horizon...


(Comp. relevant, recent EU Parliament's Newsdrafts prepared for "EuroFora"'s Donors/Subscribers).

***

Belgium after 2010 Elections: 95 MPs Center-Right pro-EU Majority possible for EU chair

Written by ACM
Monday, 14 June 2010
belgium_2010_elec_400_01

Despite curiously alarming Press reports, a Coherent and 95 MPs Strong Majority of Center-Right pro-European political forces in Belgium seems possible after the June 2010 Elections in the Country which will Chair the EU during the crucial semester of July - December next.

The Biggest Winner : NVA Party, which came clearly 1st, can, indeed, form the biggest political Block, together with some other Parties with similar Political views (fex. on Econmy, Belgium's Future and Turkey's controversial EU bid, etc), which could easily re-join the ChristianDemocrats (as it had already done in the Past), and gather around it Liberals from both French and Dutch-speaking areas.

The move would also be in line with Recent Developments on the Conservatives-Liberals recipe, currently used by Governing Coalitions in Germany, the UK, indirectly even in France, Italy, etc., and possibly also in neighbouring Netherlands after the latest election, (See relevant "EuroFora"'s publication).

An official meeting of EU President Van Rompuy (former Belgian ChristianDemocrat Prime Minister himself) with the current Belgium's out-going PM Leterme, etc., on Friday, June 18, might indicate what direction is best in order to allow an efficient EU Chairmanship in 2010. Several Relevant Facts are obviously converging :


"New Flemisch Alliance" NVA is the only Winner of 2010 Elections who gets more than 1 Million Votes, gaining the bigger number of MPs : 27. It is both pro-European and against Turkey's controversial EU bid. As for the "Flemish interest" party,  it keeps 12 MPs.  New "Popular Party" (opposed to Turkey's controversial EU bid, at the French-speaking part) wins, for the First time, more than 84.000 votes , and gets 1 MP. This is also the case for "Dedecker's List", which keeps 150.000 Voters and one (1) of its MPs. Together, they win 41 MPs, composing the Biggest political Block.

(I.e. more than the two Socialist parties, who follow only at the second place, with only 39 MPs :  - 2 less).

If they join anew the ChristianDemocrats CVD, which keep 17 MPs, (and have had several leaders reportedly opposed to Turkey's controversial EU bid, such as Van Rompuy, Leterme, etc., even if the view of Thyssen, abandoned now by many voters, seem unclear), they arrive up to 58 MPs.

Liberals from French-speakers (MReformists), which keep 15 MPs, admit that Turkey's controversial EU bid raises many Question marks, and are ready to accept that Ankara stays out of the EU if it doesn't meet EU's criteria. SImilarly, Dutch-speaking Liberals ("Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats), who seem well aware of the Problems that Turks oppose to Integration, keep 13 MPs. Adding them all, would bring together 86 MPs.

Belgium's Parliament having 150 MPs in all, by bringing together these 86 MPs, more or less opposed or at least critical against Turkey's controversial EU bid, can obviously from a Large Center-Right Majority.


Eventually, this, already large and coherent Majority, could be extended even to the French-speaking "Humanist Democratic Center", which keeps 9 MPs, with a program calling to "insist" on the need for Turkey to respect EU Conditions, and "in case of failure", to offer Ankara only a "Privileged Partnership".

A good thing for Belgium and Europe is that such a 95 MPs strong Majority would be mainly  pro-European, uniting together MPs from both the French and the Dutch-speaking communities.  and much more Politically Coherent than any other alternative :

Indeed, an hypothetical NVA - Socialists' tactical Cohabitation would obviously be Fragile and Unstable, because Divided, with Differend Socio-Economic views and Opposed positions on Turkey's controversial EU bid, so that it would soon collapse, particularly since there are such Disagreements on crucial EU issues.

On the contrary, a Center-Right Majority based on  NVA's victory, joining together also  ChristianDemocrats and Liberals (See supra), would naturally be much more Coherent, and therefore much more Stable and Efficient, both on Internal and on EU policies, (Comp. supra).

Because, in fact, the Turkish controversy is a "crossroads" linked with many Other Issues :  As the New Belgian "Popular Party" (which was created just a few Months earlier, on November 2009, but already succeeded to start electing an MP for the 1st time) puts it, (reminding a largely shared Analysis also in biger EU Countries, as France, etc): - "Two Contradictory trends divide the UE today : Some conceive the EU as a large common Market extending towards other Countries as Turkey. But the opposite trend, is Federalist and defends a Political Union. These contradictory views are reflected inside various EU institutions, often pushed into Inertia and an obvious Democratic Deficit. .. We defend the creation of a (Political) Europe composed by a Center of gravity of Countries which desire to Advance further than an merely Economic Union", as "the only way to avoid Dilution of the European Project in an Enlarged union, and to have a say, tomorow, in the World-wide debate between big powers". Human Rights, Democracy, as well as Economic/Social Development, Culture and Historic Identity, EU Citizens' support, etc., could obviously be also added in this regard.

The 2 "Green", Environmentalist Dutch and French-speaking small Parties could naturally join, here or there, some Selective points among the policies of such a Center-Right Majority, particularly on anti-Corruption, anti-Bureaucratic and BioEthical issues, where usually "Greens" are opposed to Socialists almost everywhere in Europe and Worldwide. 

These Facts seem so Obvious, that it's strange that some other Media don't even cite these New Possibilities for a New Center-Right Coalition Government in Belgium, curiously preferring to suggest some other, too artificial and weak recipes, more tactical than strategic....


The New thing about a Center-Right Majority with 95 MPs out of 150 in all, which was made possible after the June 2010 Elections, would be to put an end to counter-nature cohabitation between the Center-Right and Socialists, and, respecting People's democratically expressed choice, could shape a New, Coherent EU strategy.

***



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 sarko_merkel_mieux

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".

sarko

 - 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.

smerkem_400

- "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".
        

***

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