Ulrike Guérot
News Articles
Werkelei am GebälkMay 10, 2007The arrival of Nicolas Sarkozy as French President should breathe new life into the revitalization of the European Constitution that was rejected in France in 2005. Many fear that Europe, however, could head in the opposite direction instead of making forward progress. (Article in German)Germany and Europe: New Deal or Déjà Vu?December 14, 2006Europe in a Pause for ThoughtMay 01, 2006Since the French and Dutch voted against a European Constitution, Europe has found itself in an identity crisis, euphemistically referred to as an "opportunity for reflection."The Touch, and Clout, of Merkel and RiceFebruary 28, 2006Is there a female touch at work in foreign policy? Most powerful women would probably deny this and consider the hypothesis thinly veiled discrimination. And yet, meeting in Berlin for an Aspen Conference, we decided to speculate a bit.Background paper: Merkel’s Foreign PolicyFebruary 24, 2006Much to everyone’s surprise, the new Chancellor Angela Merkel had a glorious start in foreign policy. Within only a couple of weeks, she smoothed out the formerly strained relations with the U.SThe European Union Between Interests and IdentityFebruary 17, 2006The grand coalition that has been the outcome of the indecisive election has left the waiting world perplexed. Germany’s future foreign policy choices will probably now be much less spectacular that some had hoped for. We’ll see more shadowy grey areas than we will U-turns, more continuity with the past than stark black-and-white choices. Perhaps we’ll also see a Germany that has even less energy now to devote to foreign policy.
The countdown is running: Europe needs a vision for the 21st CenturyJanuary 01, 2006
When Germany takes over the EU presidency in the first half of 2007, it must be clear where Europe is heading. The tracks for the direction of the EU have to be switched now -- even if the EU gives a rather disoriented impression at the moment. This critical analysis of the current state of the European project sketches out what a European vision for the 21st century could be -- that of an outgoing and active Europe that plays a formative role in world politics.
Come sarà la nuova politica estera di Angela Merkel?October 10, 2005As Germany is a core country in the middle of Europe, the anticipated general elections caused a lot of expectations on a new government that won’t be constituted until November. Yet, it is sure that Angela Merkel will lead a grand coalition, and it is essential for foreign observers to know what her foreign policy could be. This article analyzes likely changes in German policy under a chancellor Merkel and tries to show what realistic expectations can be made.Merkel’s New Foreign Policy: What, if Anything, Will Change?September 08, 2005If Angela Merkel is elected and put in the position to run a governmental coalition together with the liberals (FDP) – the only coalition that would allow real change in foreign policy – some things in German European and foreign policy may indeed change.
The EU Can Continue to Unite Without a ConstitutionAugust 01, 2005Neither Albania nor Turkey will join the European Union if, when the time comes, the EU Presidency is still rotating among member governments, with each one taking a six-month stint at the reins. Either the European Union gets a constitution that streamlines its institutions, thereby abolishing the rotating presidency, or none of the long list of aspiring member countries is likely to enter the Union in the foreseeable future.Paris, Berlin, disputez-vous!June 13, 2005Despite the French “no” vote, the Franco-German relationship remains strategic, primordial, and essential for Europe. Nothing will happen without or against France, Germany, or the two combined. All things considered, however, the relationship needs more cooperation. Both countries are perceived as anti-liberal, anti-enlargement, and anti-American, and they both share the blame for this. Germany has forgotten certain key elements of its European policy, and France over-promoted the idea of European-American counterpoise. Now Germany finds itself in a difficult balance — trying to help France find its way in the newly enlarged Europe without being pulled into France’s shrinking refuge. This new, larger Europe needs the Franco-German relationship to expand its perception and enlarge itself, helping to organize the Europe of tomorrow, not yesterday’s small Europe of Charlemagne.
Europe Could Become the First ‘Post-Modern’ Superpower-December 01, 2004Even if its new constitution is ratified and enters into force, the European Union will remain a work in progress for the foreseeable future. Neither its final political character nor its ultimate borders are yet in sight. The European Union is like an amoeba, a shapeless but evolving political entity that is always about to change its structure or to absorb another country. In the globalized and flexible world of the 21st century, this might prove to be a decisive asset. The Union's amorphous nature is not only one of its essential features, but also a useful survival strategy.Could a Hard Core Run the Enlarged EU?February 01, 2004The leaders of France, Germany and the UK meet in Berlin on February 18th to try to forge a joint agenda for the EU. The summit is partly aimed at a rapprochement between the ‘Big Three’ after Iraq. They are still patching up relations after last year’s rift,Publications
German and transatlantic relations: NATO and the EU in the 21st centuryNovember 10, 2005Panel presentation given in Amsterdam to ‘German and American Reorientation toward NATO’ conference organized by the Germany Institute Amsterdam and the Netherlands Atlantic Association, November 10-11, 2005.Die geo-strategische Bedeutung der Türkei im Rahmen der ESVP, Broader Middle East und der transatlantischen BeziehungenSeptember 29, 2005Although Turkish EU membership is dividing the European public and political decision makers, there are a lot of good reasons, above all geo-strategic, for an enlargement to this important country, which would serve as a bridge between orient and occident.More Europe – less NATO?September 23, 2005Panel presentation given in Prague to EUROPEUM conference, “Changing landscape in transatlantic relations: New EU member states and candidate countries between Brussels and Washington.”Paris, Berlin, disputez-vous!June 01, 2005Despite the French “no” vote, the Franco-German relationship remains strategic, primordial, and essential for Europe. Nothing will happen without or against France, Germany, or the two combined. All things considered, however, the relationship needs more cooperation.Wie weit? Wie tief? Wie schnell?January 01, 2001Speech given in Berlin to the annual conference of the Böll-Foundation
Executive summary in English, with full text in original language in attached file
