newsitems

Commenting the recent April 2010 Political developments in the Territories of Cyprus Occupied by Ankara's Army, after a Change in the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot Community living there since the 1974 military invasion by Turkey exploiting a short-lived coup by ultra-nationalists inspired by a former Military regime in Greece (1967-1974), EU Parliament's SocialistDemocrat Group's President, Martin Schultz, declared to "EuroFora" his opposal against any "Unilateralist" turn that might eventually be triggered by controversial pro-Ankara Dervis Eroglou :

    - "In case he (Eroglou) will realize what he anounced during the "election" campaign, an Unilateral approach, then, we must tell him that he will fail !", Schultz warned,

    This obviously concerned Eroglou's traditional "2 States" preference, with only a loose Confederation between the initially 78% Greek Cypriots and 18% of Turkish Cypriots who used to live  together at the island before its forced partition,  at variance with UNO SC. Resolutions on Cyprus' reUnification.

    - The previous T/C leader, "Mehmet Ali Talat was, in my eyes, a honest negotiator", Schultz regretted, referring to the intercommunal Talks for the reUnification of the island with Cyprus' President Demetris Christofias, while also acknowledging that several Top-level meetings  went on, "despite a lot of Difficulties".

    - However, "if, after the "election" (Eroglou)   is prepared to make Compromises. ... , we shall cooperate with him", he promissed.

    - Therefore, "we shall see if Mr. Eroglou is really such a Radical, as he is considered". "This is an Open Question", Schultz concluded on the Consequences of the April 17 Political Changes in the Occupied Territories of Cyprus.

    The stance to be taken by the President of EU Parliament's second largest Group on EU Member Cyprus' developments, was particularly discussed after an earlier Controversy on several Socialist MEP's reported stance vis a vis Turkey's desiderata on the Occupied Territories of the Strategic island, which became since 2004 an EU land at the crossroads of 3 Continents and facing the Suez Channel, providing logistical help to EU-led International Peace-keeping force for Lebanon since 2006.

    Meanwhile, at another, parallel possible development, Turkey's recent moves were reportedly heading  towards a de facto "freezing", at least for the time being, of the ratification of 2 Protocols previously signed with Armenia.

    But for Ankara it's obviously important to try to show, somehow, a cooperative profile on Cyprus, Greece, Armenia, Iran, and Democracy/Human Rights issues, in order to keep going its Lucrative negotiations with the EU, which pays Turkey more than 600 Millions € each year after 2001-2004.

EU Citizens' Initiative can become useful for a "New Alliance" able to stimulate all pro-Europeans' urgently needed active contribution to boost Europe's role in a modern World facing the challenge of Globalization and other emerging geopolitical areas, if it succeeds to really bring together People from various even nationaly conflicting Socio-Political origins, but motivated by a common aspiration towards European Union's General Interest and values, replied in substance the President of EU Commission Manuel Jose Barroso to one of "EuroFora"'s questions (*).

Speaking to  Journalists at a Press-point in Strasbourg, Barroso stressed that he had "just launched here an urgent call for political ambition to create a New Alliance of all pro-Europeans", during a bi-annual gathering dedicated to Citizens' participation in EU's activities, where he pointed to the need to start implementing and giving political substance in real life to EU Lisbon Treaty's innovations, such as stronger EU Parliament's rights, a unique EU Council President, an EU Foreign Minister with EU Diplomats for External actions, more areas for joint action at EU level, etc. 

But "EuroFora" asked Baroso if he believed that the new Right given to EU Citizens by EU Lisbon Treaty (which entered into force since December 2009) to undertake Popular Iniatives able to trigger new Legislative Bills for vote in EU Parliament, could attract Citizens' active participation to the development of EU's action for General Interests of importance to the European Society, (pointing at an EU Lisbon Treaty main innovation which, curiously, had not been mentioned yet in his earlier speech).

- "Yes, of course", replied positively EU Commission's President to "EuroFora"'s question on the potential of EU Citizens' Initiative.

 - "We (EU Commission) have already put that in" the pipeline of EU decision-making "We have already made a Proposal" on how to organize it in real practice, Barroso added, referring to a recent Draft publised just a few days ago. (See infra).

 - "EU is, still today, the biggest Financial power in the World  : EU's GDP, taken all together, is bigger than that of USA's. EU is, by far, the 1st Trade power, ...and the 1st Aid Donor in the World". And "our (EU's) Economic and Social Model is more advanced than in those Countries where there is no Workers' Rights, no respect of the Environment, no real Democracy, etc. I think that we (EU) are (in fact) stronger than those Countries where there is no respect of these Values", he answered to another Journalist who had asked Barroso "why Europe isn't as strong (Politically) as USA, or China, etc.". "But it's true that we (EU) don't manage always to translate this into more Political influence", he admitted.

It's in these directions, obviously, that EU Citizens' Initiative, by setting in motion Popular Movements of at least 1 Million People from various EU Member Countries,  could foster an EU-wide Public Opinion-making area, (by stimulaing EU-wide topical Political Debates on concrete Policy-making decisions), which currently lacks.

But the first, spontaneous reactions by many EU Citizens to some Draft Proposals recently made by controversial new EU Commissioner Sefcovic are strongly critical and express deep disapointment against risks for excessive restrictions and a too long series of procedural complications added at the last minute, which could raise bureaucratic obstacles to EU Lisbon Treaty's only innovation for regular and active direct Popular involvement of Europeans, together with their elected MEPs, instead of merely contacting them only .. once in 5 Years with a notoriously and dangerously declining participation, (in fact ..Majority Abstention in EU Elections since the 1999-2004+ shock, which notoriously created a "Democratic Gap" that has to be somehow bridged)..

 

Barroso stressed earlier that "Divisions between pro-Europeans were exploited by Euro-Sceptics or EuroPhobes who don't want for EU to advance further", trying to bring together those who are for more Common Market, and those who aspire for Political Integration.

 EU Commission's Chair also criticized "some who, paradoxically, make, on the contray, an inter-Governemental reading of the Changements" brought in by EU Lisbon Treaty (since December 2009),  instead of "more Community approach".  "Some men or women Politicians at National level want to play their own National games and don't want to play EU's game", as he said. "But, we'd be much stronger as EU, if ..Member States acknowledged, once for all,   that they should work together with EU Institutions", so that "EU speaks in One Voice". "Because our Member States, even the bigger-ones, have not enough Influence to speak as Equals with the USA, or China, etc. Even the bigger (EU Member) States must accept to be represented, all together", Barroso added.

But, (in addition to the obvious fact that EU Governments direct Electoral mandates can bring in some Fresh Oxygen in Europe, when it lacks  to the People, at least as long as we don't have yet a Direct Election of any EU Head except in EU Parliament and in EU Council), he would certainly gain to realize that Euro-Sceptics exploited also many, more or less legitimate or at least understandable reactions against what was felt as counter-productive and/or anti-democratic , technocratic "Bureaucracy" by numerous EU Citizens who, in fact, were, are or can be among Europe's Real Supporters, if it succeeds to find efficient, simplified, intelligent and substantial ways to become more EU Citizen-friendly.

Particularly by actively involving EU Citizens in main EU Decision-making public Debates,  as "EuroFora"s co-founders have formally proposed as early as since 1997 and 2006-2007, i.e. already before, and after the infamous Majority Abstentions in the 1999 - 2004+ EU Parliament Elections, and in the 2005 - 2007 "No" to 3 EuroReferenda.

Today (2010), it's evident that careful, and serious consideration, with various proposals and ideas, is urgently needed before final decisions are taken, with large, pluralist and transparent enough Public Dialogue, focusing on real EU Citizens active involvement and real EU-wide political debates on topical decisions of importance to People's lives and concerns, without one of the most important EU Lisbon Treaty's innovations  (EU Citizens' initiative) being muzzled or hijacked by anyone :

- Neither  sterile "EuroScepticism", nor counter-productive and unpopular Bureaucracy ! Whatever hypocritical "mask" anyone might abuse to hide its real aims, against  today's Historic chance to resolutely develop Europe's real potential by stimulating a strong Popular support among EU Citizens.

Meanwhile, Barroso anounced today that EU "Commission will present Next Week (during EU Parliament's May Full Plenary session in Strasbourg) a Program of concrete activities which will complete the Common Area of Justice, Freedom and Security", as a way to respond to "a demand for means to use in practice more efficiently Citizens' rights", so that EU's "Community of Law" can better "serve the Europe of Citizens", as he promised.

[ (*) NDLR : See also another "EuroFora" Publication" on more extensive Replies given by the EU Commission's President, Jose Barroso, to "EuroFora"'s Questions on differend topical issues :  High-Tech Solar Power projects "Desertec" and "TransGreen") ]

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An anti-Carbon, CO2-based Financial Adjustment at EU's External Borders against Environmental Dumping by Foreign Countries who don't respect Climate protection rules as EU Companies, could act as an incitment to adopt "clean" Renewable Energy sources (RES), where EU could help by Technology transferts, EU Commissioner on Energy, Gunter Oettinger from Germany, agreed with "EuroFora", while a related Carbon Tax Debate was growing also with French EU Minister Lellouch's statements, after President Sarkozy and Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi's Letter to EU Commission's Head, Barroso, in view of EU's forthcoming Summit in Brussels on June.

 - "Eurofora" asked Oettinger if he finds that "a good Incitment to advance towards "Clean", Renewable Energy Technologies", "could be ..the idea to study a Financial Adjustment in the External Borders of the EU, against CO2 Pollution" by Foreign Countries, that EU could help by Technology Transferts : "Issues for June's EU Summit on which French President Sarkozy with German Chancelor Merkel have spoken several times, recently also with Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi".

- "I think, Yes !", the competent EU Commissioner on Energy replied to "EuroFora"s question positively.

- "There are some Details, that we (EU) have to Discuss", Oettinger advised, apparently open to Debate, without excluding any possibility for the moment.

- "Not all is decided" yet, "but..." it will go on, he said on the anti-Carbon Dumping Financial Adjustment at EU Borders, carefuly but optimistically.

CO2-"clean" Technology Transferts by the EU, mainly to Developing Countries, are also expected by the EU  according to UNO Heads of State/Government December 2009 Copenhagen Summit's Agreement, where they are among the more advanced points, as  EU Commissioner on Climate, Connie Hedegaard anounced in her 1st Press Conference, last March 2010 in EU Parliament in Strasbourg, (See "EuroFora"'s publication on some from Hedegaard's replies to our Questions).

 

    - At least, meanwhile, "Noone inside "EU Commission shouldn't shoot down a fundamental idea even before it's discussed, and while EU Commission is expected to present on (EU Heads of State/Government's Summit) in June a Report on a Carbon Tax at (EU) Borders",  as French Minister for EU Affairs, Pierre Lellouch, said to Journalists in Strasbourg, including "EuroFora", after he was invited to react to Press Reports about a controversial reluctance attributed to EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard.

    - "We (EU) face a major Global Competition, with other Poles (of development), and if the same Rules on Environment are not respected by all, we (EU) are going to Import Pollution and export Jobs !  It's not what we want : We want a Fair System", he denounced.

    - Moreover, "a Carbon Tax at the Borders already exists in U.S. Legislation,(where) the U.S. House of Representatives has already voted a text on this issue, and the American Senate is due to propose a Bill this week. Our wish simply is that the European and American Laws are put in parallel, and influence other Economic Poles. This is reasonable", Lellouch observed.

    - "So, when I saw (in some Press reports) that a Commissioner in charge of (Climate) would have anounced, urbi e orbi, that the idea was droped, even before it had been studied (by the EU's collective bodies), I say "No. This isn't right !", he concluded.

    "EuroFora" had already raised, recently, with EU Commissioner on Climate, Connie Hedegaard, the topical question if her "International Efforts ... before Bonn('s June 2010 UNO meetings) and in view of Cancun (UNO December 2010 Summit)" to exert "increasing Pressure to make it difficult for those (3rd Countries) who might not agree, ..in Mexico", as she had anounced, in the context of "an International Campaign, ...all over the World", at her 1st Press Conference, in EU Parliament's Plernary in Strasbourg last March, might be facilitated by "Proposals, (already made before Copenhagen, but even more important afterwards, in order to have some Legally Binding effects), ...to try to convince other Countries, ..by raising  ..a "Financial Adjustment" at EU's Borders,  "if there is .."Enviromental Dumping" in External Economic Relations" by disregard of Climate protection rules.

    The main thrust of Hedegaard's reply to "EuroFora"s question on March was not to exclude a CO2 Financial Adjustment at EU Borders in Future, but to "question" if it was "the right Time", or not, as long as there were still hopes, then, to include more big polluting countries in UNCCC's efforts to reach an agreement at December 2010's Summit in Mexico.  Something which, afterwards, reportedly appeared to be rather impossible, as UNO's Officials warned.  But, meanwhile, Global Warming was reportedly continuing f.ex. by melting Poles' ice, while it was unclear what could be really expected by those who preferred to wait until a non-specified Time limit... (See relevant "EuroFora"'s NewsReport : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/fromcopenhagentomexico.html )

    Meanwhile, in a joint Letter by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and French President Nicolas Sarkozy  to EU Commission's President Jose Barroso, the two leaders stress that "it would be Unacceptable for the ..ambitious efforts that we agreed in the EU for the reduction of WarmHouse effect Gas emissions, as it was decided at the EU (Heads of State/Government) Summit of December 2008, to be compromised by CO2 leaks resulting from the absence or the insufficiency of certain 3rd Countries' actions".

    - Therefore, "it seems necessary for the (forthcoming EU) Commission's Report to fix, without "a priori", the Conditions in which could be established an Adjustment Mechanism at EU's Borders", they underline.

    - "This Mechanism" could "incite 3rd Countries to adopt Measures to reduce their (Gas) emissions", because "everyone would know that, if he refuses to undertake sufficient commitments, .. his products would face a (Financial) Compensation equivalent to EU's scheduled efforts. It we didn't (adopt such a Mechanism), this would be as if one created a strange incitment to never undertake such commitments", the 2 leaders observe, (according also to the question raised by "EuroFora" to Hedegaard on early March : See supra).

     - "Therefore, this is an indispensable tool, that the EU must be able to use if we want to preserve the integrity of our Environmental efforts, while also ensuring the commitment of our main Partners", they conclude. "Fair Trade meets here the struggle against Climate Change".

    - "In the U.S.A., similar measures were introduced in Bills currently under examination", while "available Studies, as a joint Report prepared by WTO and UNPE Secretariats on June 2010, show that it can be possible to meet the necessary condition" for "any such Adjustment Mechanism at the Borders to be fully Compatible with WTO Rules".

    Reminding Barroso's "confirmation, at the last" (March 2010) EU Summit, that EU "Commission will present, next June, a Report to evaluate if some Industrial sectors are exposed to an important risk of Carbon leaks, together with appropriate Proposals",  the Franco-Italian Leaders' letter stresses that its very "important for the Report that the Commission will present on June, in particular on the Adjustment Mechanism at EU's Borders,... to usefuly contribute to EU Heads of State/Government Summit's work on the Means to advance in our action in favor of the struggle against Climate Change.

 

 

    The biggest two recent High Technology Mega-Projects for Solar Power linking Africa to Europe accross the Mediterranean, Desertec and TransGreen, led mainly by Germany and France respectively, could be funded also by EU's anti-Crisis' Budget, and are complementary and useful for EU's policies, replied EU Commission's President  Barroso, and the competent Energy Commissioner Oettinger, to "EuroFora"'s questions, respectively.

    - "EuroFora" asked Jose Barroso, at a Press-point in Strasbourg, "what (he) thought about the New Technologies' projects Desertec and Transgreen" to produce and transport Electricity from Solar Energy at Africa's mega-Desert Sahara, accross the Mediterranean.

     - "I think that any project which aims to guarantee more Energy Security to Europe deserves our interest", Barroso replied to "EuroFora"'s question on Desertec and TransGreen.

    - "Now, I'm not going to pronounce myself, in concrete terms, on one project,  or pre-project", before EU decides to support it, EU Commission's President carefully said.

    - "But, as you know, in the framework of (EU's) reply to the (Global Financial) Crisis, (EU) Commission proposed to use 5 Billion €, which had not been used by the (European) Community's Budget for certain actions", he observed in particular.

     - "We have have placed there, precisely, certain actions in the domain of Energy Security and TransEuropean Networks, and sometimes also by linking European Countries to other (3rd) Countries", he added.

    - "We have placed that among the Priorities for funding such projects", EU Commission's President stressed.

    Hopefully, Barroso's new statements to "EuroFora" might open possibilities for more EU investment to both the TransGreen and Desertec, Environment-Friendly, High Tech. projects on the best Renewable Technology : that of the Sun, instead of risking to waste  Hundreds of Millions € of EU's funds to controversial Turkish Pipeline "Nabucco", still searching to find Gas from Central Asia, (even Iran), etc., despite the fact that it's too Long, too Expensive, Low-tech., exposed to Dangers of Conflicts, Political Blackmails, and/or Earthquakes, far away from E -controlled areas, despite various other (already existing and/or possible) Alternative Transport solutions, faster, safer and cheaper (Comp. "EuroFora"'s earlier publications).

Contrary to what a last year's, 2009 Draft of EU Commission's proposals (before "Transgreen"' was added to "Desertec")  had unfortunately indicated some Months earlier, before tEU Council and EU Parliament elect the New EU Commissioners...  

    

                                                                                                                                             - "EuroFora" also asked new EU Commissioner on Energy, Gunter Oettering from Germany, if he found that "Franco-German projects Desertec and TransGreen can be complementary".

    - "Yes, I think Yes !", positively replied the competent EU Commissioner to "EuroFora"'s question.

    - "I think that both projects would stick together", fitting well in an overall trend. "Nobody says that it can't come" true in Future, Oettinger added.

     - However, "may be, we need (to advance in) Steps, therefore, may be not all in one moment.. But, in a longer  term, ", he methodically advised.

    - At any case, these two Strategic Mega-Projects concern a real "Partnership between the EU and Africa", the EU Commissioner on Energy stressed.

    - All this "is really good for Economic and Cultural (Scientific/Technologic) Policies", added Oettinger, who is well known, as former Prime Minister of the nearby German Federated State of Baden-Wurtemberg, for ambitions to develop "European Institutes of Technology, performant as new MIT(s)", as is called the famous American body.

    Speaking at a Conference in Strasbourg on EU's Energy policy, the competent EU Commissioner highlighted Europe's needs for the foreseeable Future and various  possible solutions.

    Oettinger, who stressed mainly the need for the EU to boost its internal Energy "Networks", also criticized the paradox that "we are paying for Windfarms to produce Electricity at the outer coasts of Scotland", towards the U.S., "but it isn't yet easy to transport Electricity not even from Strasbourg to Stuttgart", i.e. at Europe's heart !..

 

   ( See also other Statements by EU Commission's President Barroso, and EU Energy Commissioner Oettinger, to "EuroFora", on other topical issues, in separate NewsReports, as well as longer draft texts already sent to "EuroFora"'s Subsrcibers/Donors).

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