Airstrip One

What is New Europe? - 3rd March 2003, 23.40

If you are living on the other side of the Atlantic, the major rift over Iraq appears to have unsettling consequences for the European Union. This perception, fostered by the immediacy and worries of the war, is not shared by Tony Blair or Jose Aznar. They published a joint statement on the future of the European Union after they met on the 28th February. Its main points were:

Extra powers for the European Commission in Justice and Home Affairs
The Commission president should be appointed by qualified majority voting in the European Council and approved by the European Parliament.
More powers for the European Parliament in assessing and setting the agenda for the European Council.
A full-time chair for the European Council.
A collective presidency for the Council of Ministers over a two year term.
Transforming the High Representative into a Minister of Foreign Affairs for the EU, sitting on the Commission, and with powers of initiating policy.
National parliaments scrutinising European legislation through effective control of their National Governments under the proposal of subsidiarity. [Blair has given up his idea of a second chamber formed of parliamentary members. More disturbing is that this clause restates what national parliaments are meant to do anyway, although they will not have the power to modify legislation in any way. In effect, they have been transformed into consultative assemblies who comment after the laws have been put into effect].
A European congress, meeting once a year, and comprised of National and European Parliamentarians, to debate the Commission's work and pass resolutions.

What is the difference between New Europe and Old Europe?

Mr Aznar has indicated that the British-Spanish proposal is essentially the same as the Franco-German proposal, except for the election of the Commission president. The Franco-German proposal from January is in favour of a dual presidency of the EU, with a Commission President elected by the European Parliament, and a President of the European Council elected by the European Parliament for a renewable mandate of 2.5 years or 5 years.

Blair has adopted the Franco-German proposals with minor modifications and is willing to dilute the remainder of British sovereignty in the European morass without providing us, the British people, with a vote on this final change in our national status. This is no consolidation of existing treaties; this is the final step towards submersion within a larger state.

Bloggers in the United States cannot see beyond Baghdad and the Iraqi war. Their views on Britain and Europe should be discounted, because they are unable to reflect upon what is Britain's national interest. The diplomatic crisis has not altered or undermined the process towards European integration and British Tories, conservatives or libertarians who now support Blair on all aspects of foreign policy, and not just on the Iraqi war, are turncoats. They are aware of his record on European integration and, with the endgame on Europe near, through their onesided devotion, can claim the same derided status of 'idiot' as their antiwar counterparts on the Left.