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On Defense, France Bites the Bullet, But Avoids Strategic Insolvency May 7, 2013
Iceland’s Recovery Saga Presents Opportunities for Brussels, Washington—and Beijing May 6, 2013
Which Way Forward for Europe’s Hybrid Regimes? May 2, 2013
The Arab Revolts and the Liberal Order May 2, 2013
Events
Andrew Light Speaker Tour in Europe May 14, 2013 / Berlin, Germany; Brussels, BelgiumGMF Senior Fellow Andrew Light participated in a speaking tour in Europe to discuss opportunities for transatlantic cooperation on climate and energy policy in the second Obama administration.
In this podcast, GMF Vice President of Programs Ivan Vejvoda discusses last month's historic agreement to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
Anchor Elaine Reyes speaks with Andrew Small, Transatlantic Fellow of the Asia Program for the German Marshall Fund, about Beijing's potential role in brokering peace between Israel and Palestine
Events
Europeans dicuss deepening and widening EU June 07, 2006 / Berlin
On June 7, the GMF Berlin office hosted a dinner on deepening and widening the European Union. The discussions included the current situation of the European Union, its constitution, and Germany’s upcoming EU Presidency in 2007. The discussion began with a focus on the European Union and the constitution. Europe is at a crossroads, and the rejections of the constitution were a result of Western European concern about EU enlargement changing the fabric of society. Participants suggested the constitution be revisited in 2009 when more countries become members. The Dutch rejection of the constitution was a result of a lack of EU legitimacy because it was not delivering enough to its citizens. Since the original goals such as peace, customs union, and common market of the European Economic Community have been met, the EU must redefine itself to regain legitimacy. It would have to involve the public, create more places for democratic input, and be content-driven rather than based on wide, sweeping ideologies. Ambassador Rene Nyberg, Finland's Ambassador to Moscow, expressed concern about the mood toward the EU in the Netherlands and Denmark. He said he was especially worried about Denmark because the government was planning to use the referendum on the constitution as a political tool to begin normalizing relations with Europe and distancing itself from the rest of the EU. The postponement of the referendum has left Denmark in an unclear relationship with Europe. The ambassador also pointed out that one presidency alone cannot reform the EU, but it must be a cooperative effort of several EU presidencies. Participants suggested Europe’s moral and active foreign policy could establish some legitimacy it now lacks. Already, the EU foreign policy on to Iran has been adopted by the United States, and Europe is actively beginning a military humanitarian mission to the Congo. The discussion then moved on to the European common defense strategy. According to polls, Europeans want a Euopean security and defense policy but do not want to pay for it. The last topic of discussion was Germany’s leadership role in Europe, and there was consensus that Germany will have to play a major role in leadership of the European Union.
