newsitems CoE Chair, Armenian President Sargsyan: Links with EU and with Russia not opposed but complementary
CoE Chair, Armenian President Sargsyan: Links with EU and with Russia not opposed but complementary
*Strasbourg/CoE/Angelo Marcopolo/- Symbolically well placed, as current Chairman of the CoE, the PanEuropean Organisation due to boost Cooperation and Unity among its Members, including, mainly, through Democracy, Human Rights and Rule of Law principles, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, in his Speech to CoE's PanEuropean Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg, as well as in Reply to MEPs' questions on developments concerning EU's Eastern Partnership and Russia's EurAsian Union, stressed that instead of opposing these 2, neighbouring Regional Integration plans, as some often do recently, sometimes even too sharply, in almost Dramatic terms, on the make thecontrary, they should be made Complementary to each other, and organized in a way which coukd Fit them all in one, by "Matching the Relationships and Interests with both our Key Partners" :
A reply which obviously concerns, mutatis-mutandis, also several other European Countries, such as Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaitzan, etc, at the eve of an impotant EU Summit at Vilnius scheduled to take Decisions on EU's Eastern Partnership in November.
- "We would Refuse to Built a New Relationship with any Partner, that would be aimed against any other Partner", President Sargsyan warned. - "Armenia has a Close Allied Relationship with the EU", and "we aspire to have the Closest and the Widest posssible Relationshio with Russia". "We have not built a New Relatonship at the Expense of the Relationship with our strategic Ally", he stressed from the outset, as a matter of Princple.
- In particular, "Armenia aims to Continue its comprehensive and mutally Beneficial Partnership with the EU" : "The EU is one of Armenia's most Important Partners : Wide scale of Reforms in relation to Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law, make up the Core of our Relationship. The Eastern Partnership instrument, created under the EU and in Coperation with the CoE, is an important initiative. It covers a variety of activities, "That Policy will Continue", he ensured.
- Because "we are not prepared to view that matter in the dimension" of a kind of ..."Civilizational Choice" of the Countries participating in the EU's Eastern Partnership", as "there has Recently been much Talk of", he warned. In fact, "We have Always stated that", and it's "from the outset of (EU's) Easter, Partnership Initiative (2009), and even Before, we have stated, and will Continue" to state that, President Sargsyan clarified.
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- Replying to a Question by Swedish MEP Marietta Pourbaix-Lundin, who claimed that Armenia's decision would have been "a last minute Change", obtained after "a lot of Pressure", "not only on Armenia, but also on Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, and Azerbaidjan", he not only firmly Denied, but also presented an absolutely Differend View of the overall situation:
- On the so-called "Pressure, it would be redundant to speak of any. ...Frankly ... no official from the Russian Federation or the (EurAsian) customs union has uttered even half a word about the need for Armenia’s accession" to that. In fact, "We (Armena) were the ones expressing that Desire, because we face a simple Reality: GFor more than 20 Years, (i.e. almost all the time that ARmenia was Independent), we have been in a Military-Security system of Countries that now form a(n EurAsian) Customs union. We canNot Isolate ourselves from the geo-Economic area in which we have operated for more than 2 Decades", Sargsyan explained.
- Most important : - "our policy is one of Matching interests, Not Conflicting interests", the Armenian President stressed, right at the Heart of the matter. Thus, "the (EU's) Eastern Partnership can always Supplement activities of Other organisations, meaning that our interests could be Complementary in this area" : "We Always told (that to) our European colleagues in the European Commission", ""From the very Beginning of the negotiations" with the EU, he reminded. And initially, "our colleagues have Agreed with us, and said that the -(EU's) Eastern Partnership is not aimed against any third party, State or organisation".
- But, curiously, it's "Unfortunately", only "After stating our intention to join the ("EurAsian") Customs union, (that) "our EU Commission colleagues said that there would be a direct Conflict, between the (EurAsian) customs union, and the (EU's) free trade agreement, as well as different Rules" (of WTO ?) , President Sargsyan denounced.
=> Therefore, "we suggested that we should therefore sign the (EU's) Association agreement, which mainly relates to Political Reforms. We have said that we are Ready and Committed to carrying out those Reforms, and we are Continuing that process", he revealed. In consequence, in this sense, "We Still stand Ready to sign an Association agreement with the EU" : "Armenia remains on Track", he confirmed.
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+ Questioned, however, anew by Moldovan Liberal MEP Ana Gutu about "Armenia’s expectations for the (EU) Eastern Partnership Summit that will take place in Vilnius at the end of November", and, whether "Armenia will wish to Sign an Association agreement with the EU ?", the Armenian President made a crystal-clear Distinction :
- "We will take part in the (EU) Vilnius Summit", and "We stand fully Ready to sign the Association agreement", Sargsyan confirmed at first.
+ "But there are 2 Facets : The (EU) Association agreement, and the (EU) Deep and comprehensive Free Trade area (DCFTA)". And, "since our EU colleagues have told us that the DCFTA contradicts (Com. Supra + Infra) the (EurAsian) Customs union treaties, we anticipate that we will sign Only the (-EU) Association agreement", he supposed.
- Indeed, " The Association agreement, and reforms to be taken under it, are the Nexus of our relationship with the EU. The main document is the Association agreement", (closer to CoE's own mission to boost Legal Reforms for the protection of Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law).
=> In consequence, "in the run-up to it (EU's Vilnius Summit) , our expectation is that Changes will be made to the Negotiating Document" accordingly. In this sense, "We would like to be in Vilnius, and would like to sign the association agreement", (i.e. by taking into account the above-mentioned Distinction : See Supra).
------------
+ A last Question by French "Socialist" MEP ... Fournier, incited the Armenian President to Sum up :
- "This situation seems to be jeopardising the European (EU) Free Trade Agreement that your country had been planning to sign at the (EU) Eastern Partnership Summit at the end of November. What Plans do you have for Relations between your country and the EU ?", Fournier asked.
+ Let me reiterate : the Policy is one of Complementarity (f.ex. between EU's Eastern Partnership, and EurAsian Union, etc). From the very beginning of the EU's Eastern Partnership talks, we agreed with our EU colleagues that our relationship with the European Union would not be promoted at the expense of any existing relationship with our Allies (Russia, etc) – On the contrary, "our relationship with the EU would Complement our relationship with Other organisations", (as, f.ex. the EurAsian union, etc).
- For more than 3 years, that was the mutual Understanding". But, "I Regret that, (recently) our colleagues in the EU deemed a(n EU) Free Trade agreement Incompatible with our accession to the (EurAsian) customs union", he critcized anew.
=> Therefore, now, "We are Talking to our colleagues in the EU, about what kind of Document we may be able to Sign", since "we will continue to develop our relationship with the European Union", and "we will go to Vilnius"' EU Summit. In particular, "the (EU) Association agreement is about not only a free Trade area, but, primarily and fundamentally, Political Reform. ... We (Armenia) will Continue such Reforms, and that we stand Ready to Sign that Part of the (EU) Association agreement in Vilnius" Summit, Sangsyan explained anew.
Something which, obviously, unveils an Original Situation : Contrary to what Other Neighbouring Countries use to do : I.e. Accept to make Democratic and other Reforms in order to become able to benefit from a lucrative Economic Deal with the EU, on the Contrary, here, an Eastern Neighbouring Country like Armenia feels obliged to suggest to accept Reforms even withou getting, in exchange, any Economoic (Trade) Deal with the EU, (since it would be obliged, according to some hasty interpretations reportedly made by EU Commission in Brussels), to drop the EU's "Free Trade" component, because it would be "incompatible" with Russia's EurAsian Customs Union, (reportedly, according to EU Commission's sources).
-------------------------------------------
EU Commissioner for Enlargment and Neighborhood policy, Stefan Füle, had apparently accepted at least the Principle of that :
- "We (EU) stand ready to do all we can ...to work with our Neighbours to Find Ways of maximising the Compatibility between the EU and Eurasian structures", and, particularly, "in a way that facilitates Trade and economic Integration to the benefit of our neighbours, and also to the benefit of our neighbours’ neighbour", as he had declared, recently at EU Parliament's last Plenary, September 2013 in Strasbourg. Because, "I am a great believer in the Win-Win approach, particularly when dealing with such an important, privileged and strategic partner as Russia. I am definitely Not in the business of creating New Wars", Fule denounced.
"On the contrary, Transformation is the rule of the game. The Association Agreement, including this Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), is a most powerful instrument of that transformation. That is why the Vilnius (EU) Summit, and the preparations for the eventual signing and initialling of this agreement are so important. The rule of the game is not to lower the bars or to forget about conditionality, but to offer a more Strategic engagement with our partners.
- Fule reminded that 2004 led to the development of so-called ‘deep and comprehensive Free trade areas’ (DCFTAs) as an integral part of the new enhanced agreements subsequently known as Association agreements proposed in 2006. at the Prague Summit establishing the Eastern Partnership in 2009 and confirming our joint objective of Political Association and Economic Integration underpinned by those Association agreements(A) /deep and comprehensive Free Trade areas (B)".The Prague Summit established the Eastern Partnership in 2009 and confirmed our joint objective of Political association and Economic integration underpinned by those association agreements/deep and comprehensive free trade areas.
- But, "EU Standards and norms ... are currently Not always Identical with ...those of the (EurAsian) Customs Union", particularly concerning "External Trade policy", Füle pointed out; without explaining clearly from which point of view. Earlier, he had obserbed, in this regard, that :
>>> - "It is true that (EurAsian) Customs Union membership is Not Compatible with the DCFTA which we have negotiated with Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, George and Armenia. This is not because of some ideological differences. ...This is due to Legal impossibilities. F.ex. ou cannot at the same time Lower your Customs Triffs as per the (EU's) DCFTA, and Increase them as a result of (EurAsian) Customs Union membership", Fule warned.
+ Howewer, he also stressed, that "It May certainly be Possible for members of the (EU) Eastern Partnership to increase their cooperation with the (EurAsian) Customs Union, perhaps as observers"...participation in a DCFTA is of course fully Compatible ......with our partners’ existing (?) free trade agreements with other Commonwealth of Independent States’ organisations.
- That's why, "we are already actively Cooperating with Russia on the Alignment of many Norms and Standards", as ....a key element of the EU-Russia Partnership for Modernisation", so that "these standards are also increasingly being Adopted by the (EurAsian) Customs Union": Meanwhile, . EU "Norms are ..., of course, fully compatible with WTO rules. So the EU is actually helping all its partners, including Russia, to ...Open up to Globalisation", as he said, (probably hinting at Lower Taxes at the Borders, easing Foreign Trade)...
=> Therefore, "We have always added that we stand ready to help our Partners, and if necessary Moscow as well, to FIT "the policies of the Customs Union and the Eurasian Union", he promissed.
=> "Our Vision is that these agreements should contribute in the long-term to the eventual creation of a Common Economic Space from Lisbon to Vladivostok, based on WTO rules", highighted Fühle. "THE issue is ameliorate and develop EU- Russia Deal in a commonly agreed Greater Europe, facing a growing Global Competition"
"So we encourage our partners to Deepen their Ties with Russia, as we do ourselves, but in a way which is Compatible with the (EU) Association agreement, and ....Free Rrade areas’ obligations. The EU is ready to work with its neighbours to Find ways to promote greater regulatory Convergence between EU Member States and the (EurAsian) Customs Union", Fule proposed, but without making it clear whether he meant to Lower Customs' tariffs, or not)...
"...... The Last thing we want to see is a Protectionist Wall cutting our continent in two. In today’s ever more competitive global economy we cannot afford to vwaste our efforts on a regional geopolitical Rivalry", he concluded.
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+ The issue inevitably raised also Questions about some, old or new, EU Commission's controversial moves, if not guided by a conscious Strategy, at least, apparently provoking a series of Negative results against European Integration, perhaps as a quasi-automatic consequence of a too rigid stance mainly on Common Market related points :
All sincere and conscious European Citizens certainly don't like the fact that unequestionably European Countries, (from the point of view of their Culture, History, Geography, development, ties, shared Values, etc), such as Schwitzerland, Norway, etc. and recently even Iceland, (not to mention the way to treat Ukraine, or even the particular case of great Russia itself, etc), have droped, at least for the time being, any project to join the EU in the foreseable Future, (even if they want to have very Close Links with the EU, often in Economy, Science, etc., and sometimes even on Schengen's free movement and security rules, etc), often after Referenda and/or Elections where Voters were apparently dissuaded too often by comparatively "secondary" maters, such as, f.ex. the fear that noisy and poluting Lorries and Trucks might cross the splendid Swiss Natural Landscapes, or that Fishing Quota disputes would deprive Iceland from one of its most important, traditional resources of real economy, etc.. So that finally, (with the only exception, perhaps, of Serbia and other Western Balkan Countries), it's .. only Turkey (sic !) which apparently still persists in its controversial and unpopular EU bid.... Not something that would provoke enthousiasm to the European People, isn't it ? What went wrong, and who was really responsible for siuch facts, (which must obviously be changed the soonest) ?
"EuroFora" never was really fan of Romanian ex-"Socialist" (currenytly Independent) politician Mr. Severin in the Past, but, simply by reading now what he recently denounced in Strasbourg, precisely during the latest EU Parliament's debate on the topical issue of Countries like Armenia, Ukraine, Belarus, Azerbaidjan, Moldova, etc., pushed and pulled between EU's Eastern Partnership and Russia's EurAsian plans, are not without interest :
- "Adrian Severin (NI). - ...the fact that Russia wants to attract its neighbours to come under its leadership in the Eurasian Union is understandable. The EU also likes to have its neighbours together with it. The real question is why, after experiencing the European Union Eastern Partnership, countries like Armenia opt for the Eurasian Union. It is not only to do with pressure from the others. It is to do with our own (EU's) weaknesses". F.ex., "the Georgian Prime Minister apparently considered the same option. Belarus was lost because of the dogmatic shortcomings of some of our policies. Azerbaijan will be lost because the EU is not able to see the strategic importance of that country, which is not looking for money but for a serious political partnership and its territorial integrity. When Russia puts pressure on Ukraine for not signing the Association Agreement with us, it knows something that we apparently do not know, namely that Ukraine is strategically crucial ...... How long do we think that rejecting and harassing the Ukraine, Ukraine could remain neutral? ....It is useless to blame Russia. Instead we must be more robust and pragmatic in our policy. .....If we are always raising all kinds of Conditionalities, instead of trying to bring these countries together in our camp, certainly the other pressures will be fruitful. This is our fault and we have to avoid it in the future. We certainly could criticise Russia, but I believe we should als look in our own yard to see our own mistakes". [NDLR : "€uroFora" ommits here any references to EU "Values", and a relevant Debate between Severin and German ChristianDemocrat MEP Elmar Brok on Democracy, Human Rights and Rule of Law, since this is obviously not the main point with Armenia, but rather Trade and Global GeoPolitical issues].
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Symbolically, the beautiful Stained Glass Windows donated to the CoE by the Armenian 2013 Chairmanship, and set up this week at the Highest level of CoE' Assembly's Historic main Room, as its President, Jean-Claude Mignon observed himself, during a ceremony togethere wth Armenian President Sargsyan, seem to evoke what is essential here :
- While distinguishing between various Differend Parts, nevertheless, these superb and huge, Modern Stain-Glass Windows, keep a real Unity between them, shaping a Coherent overall Design, clearly visible at the Highest point of CoE Assembly's main room, and bringing Natural DayLight inside, as a Diplomatic Source close to President Sangsyan incited "EuroFora" to observe, by a coincidence, shortly after discussing, precisely, about the EU - Russia areas' "Complementarity" question (Comp. Supra), and the apparent Need to "shed some Light" on what it's really at stake, well beyond some false appearances, as we had suggested earlier. For both, you obviously need to look High enough, and get the entire, Big Picture of all the PanEuropean Architectures....
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(../..)
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(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already sent, earlier, to "EuroFora"s Subscribers/Donors. A more accurate, full Final Version, might be published asap).
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3 EU Parliament votes to boost EuroGroup !
---------------------------------
After EuroZone Paris Summit's succes, Sarkozy calls to "think anew how to re-construct Europe !
"EuroZone and EU Institutional debates pave the way to 2009 discussions on EU Future, including Enlargment, Turkey etc. ?
23 October 2008
After EU Parliament strongly suppported in 3 successive Votes this week in Strasbourg French EU Chairmanship's move to boost Euro-Group at EU's core, while ideas on EU Institutional problems are awaited on December, "it's an open Question now" if this may lead to a debate on EU's Future, or not, told us French President, Nicolas Sarkozy''s Spokesman, Pierre-Jerome Henin.
MEPs voted on Thursday fresh Funds to support EuroGroup, after adopting on Wednesday a Resolution asking a "further Evolution" to "the 1st ever meeting of Heads of State and of Government of the Euro-Zone, taking decisions in that capacity", while earlier this week a Report asked "a stronger Institutional setting" for "EuroGroup", extended from "competitiveness/industry" to "environment, employment and education", with "increased powers for Political decision-making", according to a text drafted by French MEP Francoise Beres and German MEP Werner Langen, "10 Years after the creation of Euro" (1999 - 2009).
- Brussels' subsequent "EU Council ..(simply)..ratified the measures decided by EuroGroup on October 12" in Paris, which "were necessary to contain the current Financial Crisis", Resolution observes, expressing also support to the new process succesfully initiated by Sarkozy and due to be completed by agreements with USA and other countries at a Global level.
From now on, it's between two differend but parallel moves : EU's delay, and EuroZone's acceleration, that Enlargement and particularly Turkey's controversial EU bid, will have to search its way :
Indeed, EU's 27 expect a "Roadmap on how to deal with the Irish problem" on Lisbon Treaty ratification after December, risking to pass even 2009 Elections and next Commission with the old Nice Treaty of 2000, out-dated and unfit even for 2004's Enlargement...
On the contrary, EU's core launches a real "Economic Governance for EuroZone at the highest level of Heads of State/Government" of the 15, which started in Paris on October 12 and was strongly supported this week in Strasbourg by Sarkozy and EU Parliament.
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- "It's a good idea, to launch such a debate ("on EU's Future") in EU Parliament in view of 2009 Euro-Election : Perhaps some MEPs will seize an opportunity", told us mainstream French MEP Alain Lamassoure, former EU Minister and EU Spokesman for France's governing party UMP.
- "All MEPs' debates on such EU Councils are also part of the larger debate on Europe's future : Now with EuroZone, and even more when, on December, Irish Prime Minister is due to table proposals in Strasbourg on how to deal with EU Treaty's ratification", replied earlier to our question EU Parliament's Press Director and Spokesman, Jaume Duch.
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Sarkozy has formally anounced his intention to open EU Debates on Economy, Identity/Enlargement (i.e. mainly Turkey), etc. both linked to a popular Political view of Europe, since his Historic speeches on EU in Strasbourg, on February and July 2007, when he stressed that "Europe needs a New Renaissance". At the beginning of the French EU Presidency, on July 2008, replying to a MEP, he suggested that EU Parliament takes an active part in Debates on EU's Future.
- Now, in 2008, "Crisis are an opportunity to re-think how to re-construct Europe", Sarkozy stressed. At any case, the Historic 1st EuroZone Summit of Heads of State/Government, which started replying to the Financial crisis,"is a Turning Point : After that, Europe cannot be governed as before, but differently" : People "like a Europe with Strong Will".
- "We must make the System move !", "Europe needs Innovation" and free political debates. EU "Elections are in a few Months", Sarkozy warned.
He invited EU Parliament to fully play its role as "the Democratic Heart of the Europe we want : United, Independent and Voluntarist, because the World needs Europe's voice".
- "It's no more possible for Euro-Zone to continue without an Economic Government" at the Highest Level of Heads of State/Government, who provide "Democratic Legitimity" and can take important decisions, he announced, strongly supported by EU Parliament's Economic Committee which just voted to boost the "Institutional" aspects of "EuroGroup".
Plasticity offered by the current absence of a special Treaty on EuroZone's Institutions "made it easy to adapt the organization of the 1st Summit with imagination, to efficiently meet urgent needs", he observed, on the occasion of Brittish Prime Minister's exceptionnal presence at the greatest part of EuroGroup's Paris Summit.
- "In EuroZone we have the same Bank, the same Money, and, thus, a same duty for Unity" : "By bringing together EuroGroup's 15 members States we suceeded to find a solution and prepare a Giant Plan of 1.800 Billion euros", Sarkozy reminded of Paris' 1st Historic EuroZone's Summit.
Afterwards, Brussels' EU Council followed the move, and USA's Paulson II Plan was inspired from that. "Europe must promote the idea of Global Economy's Refoundation", he stressed.
- "I was frankly astonished when I found, at the EU, a rigid system, where any New Idea was seen from the outset as a sacrilege, while, on the contrary, Europe needs Innovation !", he described.
F.ex. ,"'When we first spoke about the "Union for the Mediterranean", it was misunderstood as something extraordinary.. When later we had the Russia -Georgia crisis, it seemed against EU's custom to act "in the middle of August", instead of staying a passive spectator ! And when, in front of the Financial ciris, we gathered the 1st EuroZone Summit of the "15", some thought of it as a lese-majesté", he denounced.
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On Geo-Political Principles :
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- But, by moving resolutely, "EU obtained the ...withdrawal of Occupation Troops in 2 Months !", reminded Sarkozy, observing that Russia "fulfilled its commitments", in the Georgian crisis, where a "disroportionate reaction" from Moscow followed a "totally inappropriate action" from Tbilisi's troops. "It would be crazy to reply by military means : EU should not become accomplice of another Cold War, imposed by lack of cool heads".. as he said.
In future, "the creation of a common European Economic Area with EU and Russia, would also obtain a raprochment on our Human Rights and Democratic Values", added Sarkozy, in a statement which should logically be applied, a fortiori, to controversial EU "candidate" Turkey..
Particularly when, the same week that EU Parliament voted 2009 EU Funds for Turkey's controversial EU bid, ECHR took a series of judgements condemning Turkey for grave Violations of Human Rights, such as : Torture, death of a political prisoner in unclear circumstances followed by failure to conduct a proper Investigation, "enforced Disappearance" of a youngster aged 17, Killing of a sepherd with Tank Shells, persecuting Journalists for articles on "Missing" People, even a former President of Human Rights' Association, (etc)
- "We (EU) can defend our ideas on respect of Sovereignity and territorial Integrity, on Human Rights and other differences ... without confrontation", Sarkozy stressed, on the occasion of Russian/Georgian conflict, reminding that : "we were only 2 steps from catastroph", when a Peace agreement brokered in Moscow prevented, at the last minute, Russian troops' advance towards Tbilisi.
An EU Parliament Resolution adopted Wednesday in Strasbourg on the occasion of Russia - Georgia conflict, outlines a set of Principle which apply elsewhere too, (particularly when EU Rapporteur for Russia and Turkey is one and same person ; Dutch MEP Ria Oomen-Ruijtanen !)
Clearly rejecting any "military solution to the conflicts", MEPs "condemn ..all those who resorted to force and violence". They denounce a "disproportionate military action", "as well as (an) unilateral decision to recognise the independence" of brekaway regions, "calling.. to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of the concerned country, "and the inviolability of its borders recognised by all EU Member States". They warn that "EU must review its policy towards" a 3rd Country, "should .(it)...not comply with its commitments", and "stress that the withdrawal of.... troops from the areas ....is an essential additional step".
EU Parliament "calls for the safe and quick return of refugees, (accepted by Russian President Medvedev) accompanied by the deployment of EU observers on the ground", and "regrets ...that ..EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) is not allowed to enter the ...breakaway regions". Moreover, "It's important to ensure that persons and NGOs ..engaged in defending human and civil rights can operate". "Until ...all remaining issues (are) resolved..., and notably the continuing ...Military presence", "relations with the EU ..cannot be fully normalised", MEPS warned.
As nobody likes to be accused to practice "Double Standards", this should be regarded as "Principles" applicable to any Third Country at EU's Neighborhood.. No ?
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On Economy :
-----------------------
- "When Financial crisis shook US and EU's Banks, without result from the 1st (American) Paulsen plan, it was the common reply of the 1st EuroZone's Summit, involving some 1800 Billion euros, which started a positive move in the markets, soon strengthened by the follow-up of the US Paulson 2 Plan, noted Sarkozy.
- "Europe should not be only on the defensive, but, if necessary, know also how to take an offensive", he said, brushing away hesitationsto act on Economy: - "I'm for a refondation of Capitaliism, but against Speculators, who betray its values" : "Lack of Rules was profitable to speculators, Not to businessmen !" We must make sure to prevent any such crisis in future". "We, the rest of the World, cannot continue to bear the deficits of the 1st World power without saying anything !", the French President said, applauded by EU Parliament. All this needs "a New Global Governance", on which EU Parliament must debate. That's why "we proposed together with USA, several Summits from mid-November", to which G-8, enlarged to China, India a.o. countries, should participate. UNO's SG; Ban Ki Moon, the IMF, etc.
Financial crisis lowered shares' prices even for healthy companies, sometimes to 1/3 of their initial price, so that strangers might buy EU industries for only a portion of their real value, and Europeans may wake up one day with their main industries sold out to foreigners !
That's one of the reasons for which EU should debate about creating "Golden Shares" for States to jointly take Strategic participations to help European Industries until the end of the Crisis, particularly against distording competition, he suggested, pointing at USA's 35 billion $ plan for American Car Industry."We shall struggle for Europe to be able to build Airplanes, Ships, Trains, Cars, because we need a strong Industry", he concluded.
"F.ex. as we did back in 2004, when as Finance Minister, we bought Alsthom's shares for 800.000 euros, and, after restructuring, we sold them for 2 Millions : Help a company and make money is not so bad"...
As for the UK, "when Ireland announced that it would guarantee only Irish Banks, London City emptied from liquidities in 24 hours : It's the EU which helped to restore the situation, Not the UK alone !", reminded Sarkozy to nationalist British MEP Nigel Farage.
On the contrary, in a last-minute attempt for the EU to catch-up with its Institutional delay "before the European Elections" of June 2009, MEPs simply voted a call for a "set of proposals" to be made for the "Irish public opinion" at the end of the year...
- "As long as Lisbon Treaty is not ratified by all 27 EU Member States, there is an unanimous decision to stop Enlargement, reminded Wednesday in Strasbourg the French Minister for EU affairs, Jean-Pierre Jouyet..
Added to an indirect but clear warning that, without Lisbon Treaty, all 27 EU Member Countries may not have a Commissioner in the 2009 resuffle, MEPS in the Constitutional/Foreign affairs Committees applauded hoping that this might motivate their Irish friends..
