May 11, 2006
by Nosemonkey
2 Comments
This deserves more than just a short post, but sadly I’m rather busy. “Angela Merkel has said that Europe needs a new reason for its existence” Merkel’s election always had the potential to be significant. Is this the first sign … Continue reading
April 6, 2006
by Nosemonkey
2 Comments
Mandelson in “words distorted” shocker. Yep, Mandy’s said something vaguely sensible about the scrapped EU constitution only to find himself selectively quoted to make it look like he’s a delusional nutjob. (Which he normally is, it must be admitted…) Blair’s … Continue reading
March 16, 2006
by Nosemonkey
3 Comments
Missed this: Jerome a Paris had an interesting revelation after attending a meeting with Jacques Barrot, EU Commissioner for Transport: “the more he spoke spontaneously and on concrete topics, , the less he was on the official line, but without … Continue reading
March 2, 2006
by Nosemonkey
8 Comments
Piss off, chum – if you hadn’t done such a half-arsed job of drawing up a draft constitution for the EU we wouldn’t be in this mess. Yep, the chap who headed up the Convention on the Future of Europe … Continue reading
October 17, 2005
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
Another load of Blairite EU-nonsense? An attempt to make it look like we’re actually making an effort after the US farm subsides offer and ahead of the WTO meeting this week? Or is this just Prescott picking up his notes … Continue reading
September 16, 2005
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Kroes, Merkel and Commission impartiality
German elections: Controversial Dutch EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes (who caused a bit of fuss a year ago during the confirmation hearings for Barroso’s Commission thanks to her links to umpteen business interests and unproven allegations of shady dealings) has … Continue reading
July 20, 2005
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on The Dutch to the rescue! (No, not really…)
Netherlands PM Jan Peter Balkenende in today’s Guardian: “it is increasingly clear that the public’s attitude towards Europe has changed. The desire for peace and stability is no longer an ironclad argument for further European integration… “Do we want an … Continue reading
July 15, 2005
by Nosemonkey
2 Comments
Then again, we have been going on about business as usual, so it’s only right that the fight with our European neighbours kicks off again, unimpeded by the actions of four nutters from the north. The Commission, a tad miffed, … Continue reading
July 7, 2005
by Nosemonkey
3 Comments
(and a bit on the BBC’s supposed bias) As a G8 sideshow, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson today gave a speech in Edinburgh on living standards in Africa, how they will be affected by current EU reforms, and what needs … Continue reading
July 4, 2005
by Nosemonkey
10 Comments
OK, maybe I was being a tad harsh… Via Andrew and Tim Worstall, President Bush offers to scrap US farm subsidies, as long as the EU scraps the CAP: “Let’s join hands as wealthy industrialised nations and say to the … Continue reading
July 1, 2005
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on “EU glory”
The BBC – A six-month charge for EU glory – good overview of the problems to be faced – and a few other distractions I’d forgotten about: “In [the] final part of the year, when the main Council decisions are … Continue reading
July 1, 2005
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on President Blair
You can just picture the smug grin on his face first thing this morning as Cherie rolls over in bed with a sultry “Good morning, Mr President”, can’t you? (Excuse me a moment while I go and scrum myself down … Continue reading
June 18, 2005
by Nosemonkey
2 Comments
Le Monde seems to think there’s one already and – perhaps unsurprisingly – thinks it’s all Tony’s fault. The New York Times seems to be rather more anti-Chirac. From that NYT article, Luxembourg’s somewhat hysterical Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker once … Continue reading
June 6, 2005
by Nosemonkey
9 Comments
Switzerland, eh? Never could quite work out their insistence on holding referenda on everything under the sun, but they’ve got it nicely right this time. Not only have they demonstrated happily that they’re one of the least homophobic countries in … Continue reading