Comments on: My Bet http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/my-bet/ European Opinion Sat, 10 Jan 2009 02:33:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: John T. Kwon http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/my-bet/#comment-1889 John T. Kwon Wed, 07 Jul 2004 21:49:14 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=162#comment-1889 I'm waiting for the European equivalent of the American Civil War, which, although slavery was the core issue, revolved around the issue of whether or not a State could secede. The US government at the time would not allow a State to secede, and would fight a war to prevent it. Would the EU fight a war to prevent a State from seceding from the EU? And what issue would be dear enough for such a war to take place? I’m waiting for the European equivalent of the American Civil War, which, although slavery was the core issue, revolved around the issue of whether or not a State could secede. The US government at the time would not allow a State to secede, and would fight a war to prevent it.

Would the EU fight a war to prevent a State from seceding from the EU? And what issue would be dear enough for such a war to take place?

]]> By: alena http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/my-bet/#comment-1888 alena Wed, 07 Jul 2004 08:28:51 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=162#comment-1888 The real power in the EU does most certainly not wielded by the commisssion. It has never held a candle to the council of ministers, and has become lesss and less important during the last decade. The real power in the EU does most certainly not wielded by the commisssion. It has never held a candle to the council of ministers, and has become lesss and less important during the last decade.

]]> By: Doug http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/my-bet/#comment-1887 Doug Mon, 15 Dec 2003 15:44:59 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=162#comment-1887 Hi Antoni, I mis-read your original post, hence my confusing question. I'll ask around and see what people know about troikas at the ministerial level... Hi Antoni, I mis-read your original post, hence my confusing question. I’ll ask around and see what people know about troikas at the ministerial level…

]]> By: Antoni Jaume http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/my-bet/#comment-1886 Antoni Jaume Fri, 12 Dec 2003 03:43:32 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=162#comment-1886 Doug, I don't think it is a regulated norm. Simply a rational way to get things done. I like the fact that it forces the various states to blend their own int?r?t du jour with those of others which may have quite different interests and in doing so are providing for the whole of the EU. As for your question on the Spanish troikas, if I understand correctly your question, I think they have not be too bright. Aznar has none of the abilities of Gonz?lez, the results is that while there are quite a few Spaniards in important places of the EU organigram, they are rather relics of the past, like Solana and Solbes. The rest may be are worthy but they lack projection, and I feel that nowadays Spain has an impact below its weight. DSW Doug, I don’t think it is a regulated norm. Simply a rational way to get things done. I like the fact that it forces the various states to blend their own int?r?t du jour with those of others which may have quite different interests and in doing so are providing for the whole of the EU.

As for your question on the Spanish troikas, if I understand correctly your question, I think they have not be too bright. Aznar has none of the abilities of Gonz?lez, the results is that while there are quite a few Spaniards in important places of the EU organigram, they are rather relics of the past, like Solana and Solbes. The rest may be are worthy but they lack projection, and I feel that nowadays Spain has an impact below its weight.

DSW

]]> By: Doug http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/my-bet/#comment-1885 Doug Fri, 12 Dec 2003 00:54:35 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=162#comment-1885 Antoni, that's exactly what I was getting at with my aside about the Irish minister. The OSCE, for example, has made an institution of the troika for the better part of the last ten years. I suspect that this is done for other rotating offices as well, but don't know to what extent it's been formalized within the EU, or within any EU countries. How do Spanish troikas function? Antoni, that’s exactly what I was getting at with my aside about the Irish minister. The OSCE, for example, has made an institution of the troika for the better part of the last ten years. I suspect that this is done for other rotating offices as well, but don’t know to what extent it’s been formalized within the EU, or within any EU countries. How do Spanish troikas function?

]]> By: David Weman http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/my-bet/#comment-1884 David Weman Fri, 12 Dec 2003 00:51:19 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=162#comment-1884 The real power in the EU does most certainly not wielded by the commisssion. It has never held a candle to the council of ministers, and has become lesss and less important during the last decade. The real power in the EU does most certainly not wielded by the commisssion. It has never held a candle to the council of ministers, and has become lesss and less important during the last decade.

]]> By: Antoni Jaume http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/my-bet/#comment-1883 Antoni Jaume Thu, 11 Dec 2003 23:06:04 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=162#comment-1883 While the half a year presidency is probably too short, and that is one of the reasons I think justify scrapping it in a near future, there is a tradition of working in what the press in Spain calls a troika, so together with the moment president there are both members from the previous and the next presidency working at the same tasks. DSW While the half a year presidency is probably too short, and that is one of the reasons I think justify scrapping it in a near future, there is a tradition of working in what the press in Spain calls a troika, so together with the moment president there are both members from the previous and the next presidency working at the same tasks.

DSW

]]> By: herzlichwillkommen http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/my-bet/#comment-1882 herzlichwillkommen Thu, 11 Dec 2003 02:06:07 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=162#comment-1882 I do not believe that any "6 month presidency" can ever do anything good. It takes at least one year in order to do whatsoever a job of responsibility in the layman life. Why the hell should things be easier in the political european tasks? I tend to believe that this type of presidency is only a "honorary" appointment and that the true power in EU resides uniquely in the EU Commission which, by the way, is not a democratically elected body. The 6 month presidency CANNOT have the know how to manage the EU, hence has not the power to move into directions not approved by the former. But, perhaps, is just what is wanted. HW I do not believe that any “6 month presidency” can ever do anything good. It takes at least one year in order to do whatsoever a job of responsibility in the layman life. Why the hell should things be easier in the political european tasks? I tend to believe that this type of presidency is only a “honorary” appointment and that the true power in EU resides uniquely in the EU Commission which, by the way, is not a democratically elected body. The 6 month presidency CANNOT have the know how to manage the EU, hence has not the power to move into directions not approved by the former. But, perhaps, is just what is wanted.

HW

]]> By: Doug http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/my-bet/#comment-1881 Doug Tue, 09 Dec 2003 01:33:53 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=162#comment-1881 You're on! Beers the next time we meet up? You’re on! Beers the next time we meet up?

]]> By: David Weman http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/my-bet/#comment-1880 David Weman Tue, 09 Dec 2003 01:32:04 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=162#comment-1880 Nah, I think it will be. Nah, I think it will be.

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