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Content of EU-27 Watch Issue 8 (published in March 2009) by question

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?

Austria I Conclusions of European Council seen mainly positive
Belgium I Hope for an early second Irish referendum but no major concern about the future of the EU
Bulgaria I Reformulation of the relationship between citizens and political elites needed
Croatia I Croatian concerns about the enlargement prospects after the Irish ‘No’
Cyprus I European Council’s decision will help to overcome the institutional crisis
Czech Republic I The parliament will finally decide on the Lisbon Treaty
Denmark I Lisbon Treaty and Danish opt-outs
Estonia I A threat to Estonia’s long-term priority of enlargement?
Finland I Quiet… And not very interested?
France I The future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’: many uncertainties
Germany I Continuation of ratification process welcomed
Greece I Keep the light burning
Hungary I A strong pro-Lisbon and future-oriented stance
Ireland I The future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’
Italy I Linkage between European citizens and EU institutions has to be restored
Latvia I National crisis management more important than future of the EU
Lithuania I Attention concentrated on energy and the European Economy Recovery Plan
Luxembourg I Optimism about reinforcement of democracy, transparency and efficiency
Malta I Hope for the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009
Netherlands I Future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’
Poland I Positive attitude remains in Poland despite the Irish ‘No’
Portugal I Lisbon Treaty ‘is not dead’
Romania I After the Irish ‘No’: proceed with optimism
Slovakia I Slovakia and the institutional future of the EU
Slovenia I No stall in the enlargement process
Spain I The future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’
Sweden I Crucial issues for Europe and challenges for Sweden
Turkey I The EU at a turning point
United Kingdom I Impression of a European Union in crisis

1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities

Austria I Many issues to tackle – but also more engagement needed
Belgium I More about the personality of Obama than about political priorities
Bulgaria I Intensified cooperation for approaching common challenges
Croatia I Hope for renewal of the transatlantic relations for the benefit of both EU and Croatia
Cyprus I Cyprus hopes on Obama’s active support for reunification
Czech Republic I Focusing on Obama’s visit
Denmark I Denmark and the USA: allies under Bush – allies under Obama
Estonia I Cooperation and stabilisation of the post-1991 security architecture
Finland I New energy, familiar themes
France I Hope may be replaced with deception
Germany I Transatlantic relations with Obama: renewed but not reinvented
Greece I Obamania versus anti-Americanism
Hungary I Balanced and fruitful EU-US ties
Ireland I Three top priorities for a re-definition or re-vitalisation of the transatlantic and EU-US relationship
Italy I Beginning of a new era in international relations
Latvia I Obama has not prompted Latvia to re-examine Latvian-US relations
Lithuania I Transatlantic relations should be strengthened
Luxembourg I Transatlantic relations put to the test by economic crisis, Afghanistan and Middle East
Malta I Experts in the new US Administration
Netherlands I US – EU relations and global challenges
Poland I Joy and optimism in light of a new US President
Portugal I EU must engage new US-Presidency to deal with Bush inheritance
Romania I A strategic partnership – to be continued on European premises
Slovakia I Slovakia and the future of EU-US relations
Slovenia I Renewal of strategic dialogue and EU capable to deliver
Spain I Spanish priorities for a re-definition or re-vitalisation of transatlantic relations
Sweden I Swedish views on top priorities in transatlantic cooperation
Turkey I Obama’s agenda closely watched
United Kingdom I Election of Barack Obama widely welcomed in UK

1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response

Austria I The EU’s response to the financial crisis generally seen as mostly positive
Belgium I Criticising the lack of harmony in the European reaction
Bulgaria I Strong focus on Eurozone leaves new members worried
Croatia I Mixed responses on the EU’s reaction and growing fear of recession in Croatia
Cyprus I Economic crisis hits Cypriot tourism and construction industry
Czech Republic I State interventions are believed to be harmful
Denmark I Has the time come to join the Eurozone?
Estonia I Strengthening the market rules without enforcing protectionist measures
Finland I Mixed opinions about European Union’s ability to tackle the financial crisis
France I EU needs to play a determinant role
Germany I United in economic diversity?
Greece I Once more surpassing the threshold of the Stability Pact
Hungary I Global crisis – fragmented answers
Ireland I The performance of the EU in the financial crisis
Italy I A year of uncertainties brings the need to connect with the new dynamic areas of the world
Latvia I Response to global challenges should not be decided by a select few
Lithuania I Attention is focused on the national level economic crisis
Luxembourg I Common actions within the EU needed but no economic government
Malta I Praise for European leadership
Netherlands I The Netherlands and the financial crisis
Poland I The effects of the financial crisis on Poland
Portugal I EU initiatives seen as potentially a positive way to deal with financial crisis
Romania I Crisis report: more concern for the new member states
Slovakia I Slovakia and the financial crisis
Slovenia I Belated and cautious steps
Spain I Financial crisis and challenges of global governance
Sweden I Financial crisis: unanimity and tension
Turkey I Turkish context; reflections from the government, business and trade unions
United Kingdom I Greater emphasis on the roles of national governments

2. Looking back to the French Presidency

Austria I Good Looking – Poor Substance
Belgium I A global success with a few weaknesses
Bulgaria I Active and productive French Presidency, fear of too Euroscpetic Czech president
Croatia I A mixed assessment of France and high expectations for the Czech Presidency
Cyprus I France did a difficult job – Czech task is not less ambitious
Czech Republic I Muted approval for France in the running up to the Czech Presidency
Denmark I Energy and climate policy as top priority
Estonia I Satisfied with France, hopeful with regards to the Czech Presidency
Finland I Praise for the French Presidency and doubt about the Czechs’ ability to follow suite
France I A presidency of crisis
Germany I Looking back: evaluation of the French EU-Presidency’s results
Greece I A new approach to ‘Europe-building’
Hungary I Dynamic French Presidency – benchmark for the Czech Republic
Ireland I Overall perception of the French Presidency of the EU
Italy I Sarkozy’s combination of activism and pragmatism, concerns about Czech Presidency
Latvia I The French and Czech Presidencies viewed from Latvia
Lithuania I Positive evaluation of the French Presidency
Luxembourg I Omnipresent French Presidency followed by too eurosceptic Czech President
Malta I French Presidency – very successful, Czech Presidency – high expectations
Netherlands I Event-driven presidency
Poland I High engagement of French diplomacy, Czech Presidency as bench mark for Polish Presidency
Portugal I Mixed evaluations regarding French Presidency
Romania I The French struggle with a difficult mandate: mission accomplie
Slovakia I Slovakia and the French and Czech EU Presidencies
Slovenia I The guardians of the ‘Western Balkan’
Spain I The French Presidency
Sweden I Praise and some criticism for the French Presidency
Turkey I Focus on enlargement and foreign policies of French Presidency
United Kingdom I French Presidency – positive impression of activism and coherence

3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’

Austria I No big issue in Austria
Belgium I No adhesion to NATO in the short term
Bulgaria I Support for EU and NATO enlargement, building bridges to Western Balkans top priority
Croatia I Not much attention for the ENP, warning of a new Cold War
Cyprus I Cyprus discusses participation in the Partnership for Peace programme
Czech Republic I Refocusing back on Western Balkan
Denmark I The first Western minister to visit Tbilisi
Estonia I Will the EU defend democracy?
Finland I Yes to ENP, a more qualified attitude towards enlargements
France I EU praised for its reactivity to the Georgian crisis
Germany I Stronger commitment but no shortcuts to NATO and EU
Greece I Accession as a regional stabilisation factor
Hungary I Hungary a champion of further EU enlargement strengthening regional stability
Ireland I After ‘Georgia’ – prospects for ENP and enlargement
Italy I Structural weakness of the European Neighbourhood Policy, strong and balanced relationship with Russia needed
Latvia I Latvia remains consistent supporter of ENP and enlargement
Lithuania I Continuous support for the EU ‘open door’ policy
Luxembourg I Caution advised concerning provocation of Russia, Georgia not yet ready for NATO
Malta I Mediterranean section of the ENP in focus
Netherlands I The future of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and enlargement
Poland I Georgian-Russian conflict: Poland’s concerns with Russia
Portugal I ´Future enlargement after ‘Georgia’ shows decline in popular support
Romania I Coping with security threats: a challenge for the European Neighbourhood Policy
Slovakia I Slovakia and Eastern Partnership and the future of EU and NATO enlargements
Slovenia I Bringing the Western Balkans in
Spain I Repercussions of ‘Georgia’
Sweden I Swedish issues: ENP, Eastern Partnership and enlargement
Turkey I Turkey: very active in the Caucasus region
United Kingdom I Issues of low political salience

4. Current issues and discourses in your country

Austria I Austrian parties moving away from EU, but Austrians turning more positive towards EU
Belgium I The fall of the federal government after the financial crisis
Bulgaria I Conflict over transparency concerning EU funding overshadows relations to Brussels
Croatia I Accession negotiations, fight against organized crime and uncertain economic prospects
Cyprus I The Cyprus problem, scrapies and water
Czech Republic I The country’s first presidency increases the attention paid to EU affairs
Denmark I EU rules hollowing out Danish immigration legislation
Estonia I Budget cuts in the financial crisis
Finland I Climate change and migration create discussion in Finland
France I Lukewarm reactions to the compromise on the “energy and climate” package
Germany I The jubilee and memorial year 2009 and the shadows of elections
Greece I Mass protests disrupting normal life
Hungary I Weak Hungarian economy seriously hit by the crisis
Ireland I Salient topics in Ireland
Italy I Concerns about public order and illegal immigration
Latvia I Political uncertainty and economic recession
Lithuania I Lithuanian energy security – a high salience issue
Luxembourg I Luxemburg’s banking sector hit by financial crisis, unforeseen constitutional crisis
Malta I Managing the challenge of illegal migration in Malta
Netherlands I Concerns over recent gas crisis
Poland I Energy, Euro, climate, and EU funds
Portugal I Economic crisis and national electoral season take front stage in Portugal
Romania I A new parliament amid fears of a financially difficult 2009
Slovakia I Slovakia and domestic discourse on energy security and Single European Market
Slovenia I Elections, “Patria”, and border dispute with Croatia
Spain I The EU budget review
Sweden I Swedish EU Presidency and Swedish defence issues
Turkey I AKP closure case, Russian-Georgian conflict, and proposal on “Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform”
United Kingdom I Unofficial strikes in energy industry
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