January 3, 2007
by Nosemonkey
13 Comments
Even with the reduced readership brought by the recent switch to a new address, two largely contradictory posts on the [tag]EU[/tag] within the space of a few days have caused some concern. Personally, I’d have called them cynical and idealistic … Continue reading
December 28, 2006
by Nosemonkey
5 Comments
The EU’s going to be having a hard time once again in 2007 – but will it be enough to finally kick off the radical reforms that are needed? Although the Economist notes that “in 2006 the large continental economies … Continue reading
December 20, 2006
by Nosemonkey
1 Comment
Via Erkan, the World Economic Forum‘s Lisbon Review 2006 (1 meg PDF) – “Measuring Europe’s Progress in Reform” – is out, seeing how far the EU has got with the Lisbon Strategy, six years in to the ten year plan. … Continue reading
December 18, 2006
by Nosemonkey
3 Comments
The BBC has a handy press summary of Europe-wide reactions to the EU’s mind-numbingly tedious and unproductive summit last week (which, like DJ Nozem, I simply couldn’t bring myself to pay any attention to, I’m afraid). EU Observer has a … Continue reading
December 16, 2006
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Political union (and Belgian confusion)
Eurozone watch runs over the benefits of closer European political integration, while Kosmopolit and Crooked Timber have the lowdown on the political breakup of Belgium earlier in the week.
November 28, 2006
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
Everyone’s focussing on the collapse of the talks about Turkish entry (Guardian, Independent, Times, Financial Times, Le Monde (in French), Le Figaro (in French), EU Observer, Deutsche Welle (German press review – in English), EurActiv) – but, let’s face it, … Continue reading
August 30, 2006
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on “Une sorte de maladie de langueur, de fatigue generalisee”
Thus spake France’s Minister for European Affairs, Catherine Colonna, giving her opinion of the state of the EU to the assembled ranks of the French Ambassadorial elite. Packed with (if we’re honest, fairly astute) criticisms of the current way the … Continue reading
August 29, 2006
by Nosemonkey
9 Comments
Colman is spot on about Angela Merkel’s suggestion that God should have a place in any new EU constitution. Merkel contests that “[the constitution] should be connected to Christianity and God, as Christianity has forged Europe in a decisive way” … Continue reading
July 6, 2006
by Nosemonkey
5 Comments
Had I gone to some press junket as I was supposed to, rather than head home to watch the France/Portugal game (fairly tedious), I would have been within easy assassination distance of Margaret Thatcher last night. I have failed in … Continue reading
June 19, 2006
by Nosemonkey
1 Comment
In case you missed it, final proof that the EU is interminably dull: even Eddie Izzard can’t make it entertaining. (But he does try, bless him…)(Oh and a handy summary of the outcome of last week’s summit – the EU’s … Continue reading
June 15, 2006
by Nosemonkey
5 Comments
Our dear national leaders are meeting today in the Belgian capital to discuss the little problem of the EU no longer having tedious little things like “a purpose”, “a direction”, or “a viable way of continuing to function for more … Continue reading
June 9, 2006
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Strasbourg: pointless
Liberation notes that the online petition to end the European Parliament’s pointless moves between Brussels and Strasbourg has now reached over 500,000 signatories (not bad considering the site was only registered on 28th April) – and that EP President Josep … Continue reading
June 1, 2006
by Nosemonkey
19 Comments
It has been a full year since the rejection of the EU constitution by France (29th May) and the Netherlands (1st June) – and still the European “political elites” (their phrase, not mine) can seemingly agree on only one thing: … Continue reading
May 24, 2006
by Nosemonkey
3 Comments
As Serbia accepts Montenegrin independence, and the EU makes encouraging noises, is it true, as an interesting OpenDemocracy article has it, that “in much of east-central Europe, the European Union tends to be seen as an updated version of an … Continue reading