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Uniting democracies has been the key international political trend of the last hundred years. Understanding this trend and enabling it to continue is the key to world political development.

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Streit Council Board Member Steve Hanke receives third doctorate, Honoris Causa, at Istanbul Kultur University on April 16, 2012. He served as a Senior Economist on President Reagan's Council of Economic Advisers, engineered more major currency reforms than any living economist, and has written over 20 books and hundreds of articles on currency reform and currency boards. Hanke currently holds numerous positions, including that of Professor of Applied Economics at Johns Hopkins University and Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute. For additional information on Hanke's achievements, click here.

Streit Council Board Member Steve Hanke’s new article “The U.S.A. and Europe: A Graphical Status Report” has been published in the March 2012 issue of GlobeAsia. In this article, Hanke argues that important economic indices are not providing a rosy picture of America’s immediate economic future. He also notes that “what happens in the U.S. and elsewhere will be conditioned by what occurs in Europe” and provides evidence that shows that Europe is headed toward a deflationary slump due to events in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece. Hanke does note, however, that President Obama’s reelection chances have improved by about 10% since September 2011. To read this article in full, click here.

Streit Council Board Members Steve Hanke and Richard Conn Henry Propose a NEW CALENDAR in an article published in the January 2012 issue of GlobeAsia. In "Changing Times" the authors explore the adoption of a new modern calendar and the use of Universal Time rather than time zones to realize economic benefits such as banks and businesses (if desired) being open at the same time around the world and unambiguous scheduling of conference calls. In addition, the adoption of a modern calendar would allow school, sports and business schedules to be the same every year. To view the proposed Hanke-Henry Permanent Calendar, click here. To read this article in full, please click here.

The Streit Council is now publishing the Washington Watch, a weekly round-up of events hosted by members of the Washington DC policy and academic community that focus on issues related to transatlantic relations and inter-democracy cooperation. Updated weekly, the Washington Watch provides a listing of local events of interest to the Council and likeminded thinkers.

Get to Know the Face of the EU: The Danish Presidency
The Danish Presidency came into effect as of the 1st of January 2012 following on from the Polish Presidency of 2011, and preceding the Cypriot Presidency starting in July 2012. Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt will hope to keep Europe as unified as possible and prevent a two-track Europe from emerging. To read more on the Danish Presidency, click here.

G20 Summit 2011 - Major Issues and Our Perspective
The next G20 summit will be held in Cannes, France, on November 3rd and 4th, 2011. The Eurozone crisis, unemployment and social unrest, the international monetary system, fluctuating commodity prices, financial regulation, and development are set to rank high on the agenda. Additional details can be found here. For the Streit Council's position on the summit, click here.

Advisory Board Member Stanley R. Sloan’s new article “The War on Terror and Transatlantic Relations” has been published in the September 2011 issue of Atlantisch Perspectief (Atlantic Perspective). In this article, Sloan explores both the unifying and divisive pressures that the War on Terror has placed on transatlantic relations. On balance, he argues that the divisive pressures which the War on Terror has placed on the transatlantic relationship have overshadowed the unifying pressures. This might begin to change, however, now that American public opinion has shifted away from support for the war in Afghanistan and closer to European opinion. To read this article in full, click here.

Paul Findley's new book on U.S. foreign policy - Speaking Out: A Congressman's Lifelong Fight Against Bigotry, Famine, and War
In his twenty-two years as an Illinois congressman and in the years since he left office, Paul Findley has fought to eradicate famine, end wars, and eliminate bigotry in U.S. foreign policy. This sweeping political memoir opens with Findley’s early days in rural Pittsfield, Illinois, and chronicles his service during six administrations in Washington. His many accomplishments in Congress include authoring the Famine Prevention Act, coauthoring the 1973 War Powers Resolution, leading agricultural trade missions to the Soviet Union and China, and strongly opposing the Vietnam War. This autobiography is also a no-holds-barred critique of Israel’s lobby and its toll on the national interests of the United States. Few politicians are so openly critical of their government, and Findley’s opinions on what he believes to be disastrous foreign policy provide a unique behind-the-scenes perspective on the shaping of these policies in the latter half of the twentieth century. For a preview, click here. Additional information about this book can be found here.


Streit Council Board Member Steve Hanke Receives Honor

On December 10, 2010, the Free University of Tbilisi awarded Steve H. Hanke, a Professor of Applied Economics at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, a Doctorate of Economics, Honoris Causa for his pioneering work on currency boards and economic reforms in emerging-market countries. On the occasion of this award, Prof. Hanke’s new book, A Blueprint for a Safe, Sound Georgian Lari, which he co-authored with his long-time collaborator and former Hopkins post-doctoral fellow Dr. Kurt Schuler, was released. For more information on Steve Hanke’s accolades, click here.

Kenneth Weisbrode's New Book on the Transatlantic Community
The Atlantic Century, is the first major historical study to re-examine the American-European partnership with an emphasis on the personalities behind the policy. Our strong system of European alliances built during the last century did not happen serendipitously. It was carefully constructed and cemented by a network of diplomats and politicians, who imagined, built, and sustained a new international system. In their vision, America and Europe were part of a single cooperative transatlantic community—not rivals or one another’s periodic savior, as they had been during two world wars. To read more about this book, click here.

Streit Council Launches New Blog, Streit Talk
The Streit Council for a Union of Democracies is pleased to announce the launch of its new weblog, Streit Talk. This new site is designed to keep you informed on the latest transatlantic news, while offering expert opinion on our core areas of transatlantic study, including economy, energy and environment, security and global governance. Also feel free to interact with our staff and other transatlantic policy watchers in the comments section. You can head over to our new blog by clicking here.

Discover the NATO Lisbon Summit
Delegations from the 28 member-states that comprise NATO will meet in Lisbon, Portugal on November 17-19 to discuss a host of issues essential to maintaining the alliance. The agenda includes a discussion of NATO’s new Strategic Concept, an overarching plan to guide the alliance for the next ten years, and reforming NATO’s institutional make up, including restructuring the common funding practices and the consensus rule. Also under discussion will be the proposed anti-ballistic missile shield and deeper integration with Russia, the European Union, Japan and Australia. For an overview of the issues likely to addressed at the NATO Lisbon Summit, click here.

Advisory Board Member Stanley Sloan's New Book on the Evolution of NATO Permanent Alliance? NATO and the Transatlantic Bargain from Truman to Obama, provides an in-depth analysis of the evolution of transatlantic security relations. Focusing on European integration, global security, and emerging powers, Sloan has written the third in his series studying transatlanticism. The newest installation discusses whether NATO has become the 'permanent alliance' which President George Washington warned against or if it is nearing the end of its utility. It also reflects on the administrations of the last decades, breaking down their contributions and strategies when faced with changing transatlantic policy. The book is a key text for anyone interested in or studying transatlantic security relations and international relations. To read more about this book, click here.


Transatlantic Relations and Global Governance News

Bolivia takeover: Spain dismayed by TDE Nationalisation
2 May 2012 – BBC News
Spain’s economic minister has expressed disappointment at Bolivia’s decision to nationalise Spanish-owned electric power company. Luis de Guindos warned that the move could deter investment from outside nations, with the European Commission backing his opinion. Bolivia argues that the company did not invest enough in Bolivia and thus was not benefiting the nation. The decision comes on the heels of Argentina’s decision to nationalise the oil firm YPF which the Spanish company Repsol has a large stake in. Although Mr Guindos said the situation was very different, with YPF representing a value of around $25-35 billion and TDE much less. Spain is very keen to not draw parallels for fear other nations in the region also following suit and is making it very clear that Spain will be compensated. (Read More)

Yalta Summit Divides Europe, again
2 May 2012 – Euractiv
The summit of Central European Countries Presidents in Yalta on the 11th May is set to be boycotted by certain nations. Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Estonia, Italy and The Czech Republic are all set to boycott the meeting. Ukraine has played down reports that it is because of the Tymoschenko issue, rather these nations have other commitments. Yanukovich’s attendance at the meeting will give those that do attend a chance to address the issue directly. The European Commission’s President and minister for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy would also not attend. This boycott comes ahead of some nations threatening to boycott the Euro 2012 football tournament in June and July. (Read More)

Rio Observers Fear Weakening of Earth Summit Proposals
2 May 2012 – Euractiv
Some of the main proposals in a draft text for negotiation at a UN sustainable development conference next month are being watered down at informal talks in New York, with fears of Rio+20 being a failure growing. Rio+20 in Brazil is expected to draw more than 50,000 participants from governments, companies and environmental and lobby groups. The aim of achieving sustainable development goals across seven core themes ranging from food security to water security to energy seems to be faltering. Companies are reportedly frustrated with the idea that they will have to report on how sustainable they are. Financial woes and waning confidence in climate change as a threat has meant many fear the outcome of Rio, especially when global leading figures such as President Barack Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron are not attending.  (Read More)

Juncker Backs German Finance Minister for Eurozone Post
1 May 2012 – EU Observer
Eurogroup leader Jean-Claude Juncker has said he fully supports German finance minister Wolfgang Schauble to become his successor at the end of May. Juncker who has been in charge since 2004, believes Schauble possesses all the qualities to lead such a group at these difficult times. Schauble is a close ally of Merkel and is very clear in his argument that southern nations need to be more fiscally disciplined. Some are concerned that his appointment will be too strong a signal that Germany runs the euro. With Schauble moving to head up the Eurogroup, Germany would have to relinquish its chairmanship of the EFSF/ESM, opening positions most likely for Spain and France. (Read More)

What Merkel’s Isolation Means for the Euro Crisis
1 May 2012 – Der Spiegel
Merkel’s euro crisis strategy is unpopular and her allies are dissipating, with Hollande pledging a change in course from the strict austerity measures she supports. Merkel’s terminology has changed dramatically in recent weeks moving from ‘stability and ‘structural reform’ to ‘jobs’ and ‘growth’. Merkel has lost an ally in Dutch PM Rutte, and she is likely to lose her closest ally President Sarkozy this weekend. The differences between Merkel and Hollande are great, which could have devastating consequences for Europe. Despite this there are some austerity successes which should be lauded; Ireland’s deficit has waned immensely because the nation committed to reform unreservedly. Estonia and Germany are two further examples that austerity can triumph. In Spain exports are up, admittedly unemployment is also rocketing; the country is witnessing a growth in trade as nations around it recover. (Read More)

Europeans Protest Austerity at May Day Rallies
1 May, 2012- Reuters
Thousands of workers across southern Europe protested against spending cuts in May Day rallies on Tuesday, before weekend elections in Greece and France where voters are expected to punish leaders for austerity. Unions in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy and France are using the traditional marches to express anger over a savings drive across the eurozone, aimed at shoring up public finances but criticized for forcing countries deeper into recession.  (Read More)

EU Mulls ‘Marshall Plan’ for Europe
30 April 2012- EurActiv
According to leading Spanish newspaper, El País, the plan aims to raise funds valued at €200 billion for investments in infrastructure, renewable energies and advanced technologies with the involvement of the private sector, in a bid to kick-start economic growth without raising public debt in member states.  The plan, which takes into consideration ideas of the French Socialist François Hollande, namely leveraging the European Investment Bank (EIB) to boost growth and jobs, will be presented after the French election. Responding to widening criticism of austerity-led reforms, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said on Friday (27 April) that the EU already had an agenda for growth, but that this agenda could be ‘updated’. Barroso referred to his proposal for ”project” or “investment” bonds the idea for reinforcement of the capital of the EIB as potential upgrades. Meanwhile, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy sent a letter to EU leaders on Friday (27 April) warning them that “we must generally strengthen the governance of the Single Market and open new areas of growth.”  (Read More)

Euro-Zone Inflation Slows as Oil Gains Weaken
30 April 2012- Bloomberg Businessweek
European inflation slowed in April as energy costs increased at a weaker pace than a year ago. The inflation rate in the 17-nation euro area fell to 2.6 percent from 2.7 percent in March. Economists forecast consumer prices to rise 2.5 percent. European Central Bank President Mario Draghi softened his tone on the euro region’s inflation outlook on April 25, calling risks “broadly balanced.” Growth in loans to households and companies weakened in March, the ECB said today. With oil prices retreating and the region’s economic slump deepening, economists forecast the central bank would keep its benchmark interest rate at 1 percent when council members meet on May 3.  The euro was little changed after the report, trading at $1.3235 at 11:06 a.m. in Frankfurt. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index slipped 0.1 percent.  (Read More)

UK, US to Agree to Work on Floating Wind Turbines
23 April 2012 – Reuters
Britain and the US will agree to collaborate to develop floating wind turbine technology at a meeting of energy ministers in London this week. Energy ministers from 23 of the world’s largest economies will discuss how to speed up the move to cleaner energy. The two nations already make funding available for such projects, but this would allow the two countries to share expertise. The UK places offshore wind as a high priority for the UK’s energy future. Floating turbines can be placed in deep waters, whereas conventional turbines cannot. Waters to the west of the UK can be up to 100m deep, but have consistent high wind speeds. (Read More)

Tymoshenko: Europe Anger at ex-Ukraine PM’s Health
26 April 2012 – BBC News
German President Joachim Gauck has turned down a visit to Ukraine amid growing concern at the health of jailed former Ukrainian PM Yulia Tymoshenko. EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Lady Ashton has said she is ‘deeply preoccupied’ with the situation. Reports have begun to emerge that guards at Tymoshenko’s detention have assaulted her. Russia has even called upon Ukraine to ‘fully safeguard’ her legal rights and to demonstrate ‘a human approach’. Tymoshenko is currently on a hunger strike and is refusing pleas to stop. Some German politicians have announced that they are willing to boycott the European football championships being held jointly between the Ukraine and Poland.  (Read More)

Parliament begins scrutiny of EU airport noise rules
26 April 2012 – Euractiv
The European Commission’s plan to ease noise restrictions in and around airports has been met with scepticism by the MEP in charge of the dossier, who believes the EU executive is placing economic interests above citizens concerns. The EC said that noise restrictions provided inconsistencies which hinder the growth of Europe’s already crowded airports. The EC’s plans would bring EU rules in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The EC has also claimed that the new rules will improve transparency in the decision making process, and made it clear that individual nations have the final say on the restrictions around their airports. However, the EU may be granted the power to ban the nosiest planes with the aim that eventually all aircraft at EU airports will possess ‘type 4’ engines, the quietest. (Read More)

Schulz: EU Collapse is a 'Realistic Scenario'
26 April 2012- EurActiv
The collapse of the European Union is a "realistic scenario," as member states regain power, and xenophobia and calls to reintroduce border controls are increasing, said the president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz. Speaking in front of the College of Commissioners he underscored the need for an even closer cooperation between the Commission and Parliament. That “is an important sign that we are defending the Community method with determination.” His remarks come as the eurozone is shaken by a severe debt crisis and the 27-country bloc is divided by disputes over the Schengen Area and border control. European Council President Herman Van Rompuy echoed Schulz concerns as he warned in Romania that the "winds of populism" were affecting the free movement of persons within Schengen, one of the EU's key achievements.  (Read More)

EU Commission wants Budget Increase Amid Crisis
25 April 2012- Bloomberg Businessweek
The European Union head office said Wednesday it wanted to see an increase in the overall budget to boost growth at a time when the financial crisis is forcing the 27 member states to tighten their belts. Commission President Barroso said he was seeking a 6.8% increase in payments to meet financial commitments the EU members previously made and spur growth and jobs. Overall, the budget of the EU institutions is small; representing only 1% of the bloc's GDP, but it has gained increasing political importance as national capitals have tightened their own budgets. The EU budget is largely used to fund agriculture and aid programs to poorer regions to boost a unified single market with cross-border investment initiatives. The proposal would set the 2013 budget at 138 billion euros ($182 billion). Barroso said his proposal freezes future expenditure at the level of inflation and keeps the rise of administrative spending below inflation. (Read More)

Spanish Banks ‘Vulnerable’ and May Need Public Help, says IMF
25 April 2012- Washington Post
The IMF has said that despite extensive restructuring, Spain’s banking sector “remains vulnerable.” It needs more capital and a strategy for quickly clearing away the legacy of a collapsing property bubble.  Spanish officials have shut down or forced the merger of most of the country’s “cajas” — the savings banks that lent heavily for real estate projects, but the level of bad loans is now a $185 billion burden weighing on the capacity of banks to make loans. The ability of banks to absorb those losses may be limited, the IMF said, and “greater reliance on public funding may be needed.” With three smaller European countries already receiving bailouts, the larger economies of Spain and Italy have become the critical test of whether the euro region can revive its economy and avoid dragging down global trade and economic growth.  (Read More)

EU's Poorest Countries Join Plea for Regional Funds
25 April 2012- EurActiv
Twelve member states asked yesterday (24 April) for a halt to “unfair” cuts in cohesion funding, as EU foreign ministers on the same day launched negotiations over the EU's next multi-annual budget for 2014-2020. The group fears that increased conditionality and cuts in the regional budget will lead to a shift of EU funds from the poorest to the wealthiest member states, according to a written statement seen by EurActiv. The letter was signed by Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Croatia, which is set to join the EU in the summer of 2013, also backed the statement. (Read More)

Hungary Concession Opens Way to EU Bailout
25 April 2012 – BBC News
Hungary has announced that it will amend its current law which undermines the independence of the country’s central bank. This concession will allow talks to reopen with the EU about a bailout package of around 20bn euros. Prime Minister Hungary lent heavily to mortgage borrowers in Swiss francs during the last decade because the interest rates in that currency were much lower than Hungary’s forint. But since 2008 Swiss francs have risen 75% in value against the forint, making the loans unrepayable. Orban’s authoritarian attitude has also harmed market confidence in the country. Rumours of Hungary remedying its situation with the EU meant the forint rose against the euro by 4%, and the cost of borrowing for 10 years, has fallen from 9% to 8.1%.  (Read More)

EU Leader Van Rompuy sees ‘populist’ threat to Schengen
25 April 2012 – BBC News
Van Rompuy has warned that ‘winds of populism’ are threatening the EU Schengen Treaty, and he argues that ‘there is no room for stigmatisation of foreigners’ in the EU. However, anti-immigration parties are polling strongly in France and the Netherlands. The EU justice ministers are set to talk of reviewing the Schengen agreement in Luxembourg this week. Germany and France want the power to reimpose border controls for up to 30 days to prevent any major influx of illegal immigrants in times of emergency. Last year the Netherlands blocked an EU deal to let Bulgaria and Romania join Schengen, arguing that those nations needed to tackle organised crime and people trafficking better. (Read More)

Mad Cow Disease Case in US was a ‘one-off’ caused by Mutation
25 April 2012 – The Guardian
The US Department of Agriculture has discovered a case of mad cow disease in a US dairy herd in California. Despite reassurances from the government that it was a ‘one off’ case caused by a mutated gene, sellers in South Korea stopped selling US meat. Mad-Cow Disease or BSE is caused by the misfolded proteins called prions building up in the brain. A huge outbreak of the disease in UK during the 1990s had profound consequences on its ability to trade to British meat, and also had serious effects on individuals. The US is confident that this case, the first since 2006, is not a problem caused by cattle feed or the process of slaughtering. (Read More)

EU Parliament Backs Mandatory CCCTB
25 April 2012- Tax News
The European Parliament has voted in favor of making mandatory the implementation of a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB) among European Union member states despite sustained opposition. The CCCTB system would give companies a single set of rules for calculating their taxable profits, rather than having to comply with differing accounting rules in each member. Among its benefits, a CCCTB would significantly reduce transfer pricing requirements between member states.  The CCCTB is fiercely opposed by certain member states, notably Ireland, who sees it as an attack on its fiscal sovereignty and the first step towards full corporate tax harmonization. Studies also suggest that, far from leveling the corporate tax playing field in the EU, it would distort investment and effectively redistribute tax revenues between member states.  (Read More)

OECD'S Gurria: Funding Measures are enough to Contain Europe Crisis
25 April 2012- Reuters
The doubling of the IMF's firepower, an increase in Europe's bailout fund, and liquidity injections should be enough to contain Europe's sovereign debt crisis, the head of the OECD said Wednesday. The IMF last weekend secured commitments of over $430 billion in funding, more than doubling its lending power to help it safeguard economies from Europe's two year debt crisis.  The funding boost follows Europe's agreement last month to boost its bailout fund to $1 trillion and the European Central Bank's move to pour more than 1 trillion euros of ultra-cheap, three-year funds into the banking system since the end of December.  (Read More)

Rights Group Slams NATO, Others for Deaths at Sea
24 April 2012- News West
A top European rights watchdog has blamed NATO, Libyan authorities and smugglers for the deaths at sea of 63 people fleeing the Libyan war in March 2011 - a charge the military alliance is disputing.  The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) said Tuesday that NATO in particular "failed to react to distress calls" from the boat carrying the refugees in part of the Mediterranean Sea under its control. According to PACE, search and rescue authorities, NATO, states with naval vessels in the area, Libyan authorities and human traffickers shared responsibility for the 63 deaths.  The boat, which left Tripoli with 72 people on board, washed up on the Libyan coast 15 days later with only nine people still alive, even though distress messages giving its last known position were regularly broadcast to all ships in the area.  (Read More)

EU, US Condemn Sudan's Attack of South, Call for Immediate Ceasefire
23 April 2012- RTT News
The US and the European Union have strongly condemned Sudan's military incursion into South Sudan, and called for the immediate cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of all Sudanese armed militia.  It called on both governments to recommit to negotiations under the auspices of the African Union High-level Implementation Panel. Washington urged both parties to activate without delay the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism, including unarmed observers from both parties supported by UN observers. (Read More)

ECB Officials Resist Nudge from IMF, US to do more
23 April 2012- Fox News
Officials from the European Central Bank are pushing back against calls from the US and the International Monetary Fund to offer more support to the struggling economies of the 17 countries that use the euro and indebted governments.  Jens Weidmann, Germany's top central banker and a member of the ECB's governing council that sets interest rates, said Monday that steps such as lower interest rates and more central bank credit for the financial system were not the solution to the debt burdens weighing on national governments.  In recent days, the IMF, which loans money to countries in financial trouble, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a group of mostly rich countries, have urged the ECB to take further steps to ease the crisis. (Read More)

Eurozone Cuts Deficits, Total Debt Rises
23 April 2012- USA Today
The 17 eurozone countries still face an uphill struggle to control their debt in spite of managing to slash government deficits to 4.1%, official data show.  Figures reported Monday by the European Union's statistics office confirmed the effects of harsh austerity programs on eurozone members' economies, which in 2010 ran an overall deficit of 6.2% of gross domestic product. Yet despite these efforts, overall debt rose from 85.3% of GDP to 87.2% — the highest level since the euro was created in 1999.  After a financial crisis that has dragged on for nearly five years, Monday's figures underscore how difficult it will be for the eurozone to bring its deficits and debts below the EU-stipulated limits of a deficit of 3% or less and debt of 60% or less of GDP.  This task will become even harder as the eurozone economy falls back into recession. (Read More)

Dutch Government Falls in Budget Crisis
23 April 2012 – BBC News
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has tendered his government’s resignation to Queen Beatrix, paving the way for early elections. The government was plunged into crisis when far right Geert Wilders’ Freedom party quit talks at slicing the 16bn euros needed to qualify under new fiscal compact rules. Mr Wilders said he would not accept cuts that would bring the budget deficit in line with EU rules. Although Wilders’ party was not part of the coalition, its support was crucial to propping up the minority government. The Netherlands is projected to see its deficit rise to 4.7%, well above the 3% EU target, with fears that it will lose its AAA credit rating. Socialist leader Emilie Roemer agreed with Mr Wilders in refusing to reduce the deficit so heavily. The collapse of this government in the Netherlands has made many wonder whether the EU fiscal compact is really viable at all? (Read More)

Sarkozy Seeks Key Far-right Votes
23 April 2012 – BBC News
After losing narrowly to Socialist challenger Francois Hollande in the first round of the French Election by 1.5% of the popular vote, President Sarkozy is now aiming to acquire the votes that were given to the far-right National Front party which came in third with 18%, the highest the party has ever won. Sarkozy emphatically stated in reference to Marine Le Pen’s vote share, ‘I have heard you’.  Mr Hollande is on course to winning the second round of the election, returning a socialist president to the Elysee Palace the first time in 17 years. Opinion polls have suggested Sarkozy will acquire between 48% and 60% of Le Pen’s votes. The results of this first round have made many in Brussels and Berlin uneasy, France one of the most core European nations is demonstrating strong eurosceptic attitudes. (Read More)

Ministers Ponder Creation of EU Super-President
20 April 2012 – EU Observer
Following a Val Duchesse meeting, suggestions of merging the roles of the EU Council and European Commission Presidents began emerging. EU sources believe it would create a more democratically legitimate position with double the power.  The Lisbon treaty created the new role of President of the Council, but it is a purely an oversight role with Barroso’s commission defining the agenda and implementing final decisions. It would reduce the role of High Representative to purely day-to-day foreign relations with the Super-President representing the EU at all international summits. The group includes; Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Spain, which enabled the group to discuss the prospect of ‘Eurobonds’ without Germany and its strong opposition. (Read More)

Reunification Talks Collapse Before Cyprus EU Stint
23 April 2012 – Euractiv
UN Secretary Ban Ki-Moon announced that progress in the talks to reunify Cyprus was insufficient to call an international conference. The announcement seems to diminish any hope that the up and coming Cypriot Presidency of the EU will act as catalyst for resolution. Ban Ki-Moon held several phone calls with both sides, but felt there was not enough achieved to qualify for an international conference. The UN wanted a deal to end the four decades of separation before Greek Cypriots took control of the EU. The Greek Cypriots hope that talks will continue during its Presidency, whereas the Turkish Cypriot leader said that it would be ‘meaningless’ since the Greek Cypriot leader would be preoccupied with EU affairs. Turkish media began reporting that if a solution was not reached by the 1st July, that Ankara would push for international recognition of the Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic. Greek Cypriot Defense Minister called this plan a ‘provocation’ warning Turkey that it would be counterproductive. (Read More)

MEPs Press Commission on 2020 Green Master Plan
23 April 2012 – Euractiv
With 60 days left before the Rio sustainable development conference, MEPs have told the European Commission to produce ‘without delay’ an ambitious environmental agenda for the decade ahead. On Friday the Parliament produced an 11-page resolution highlighting the shortcomings of the expiring Environmental Action Programme (EAP), including individual states failings. The decade old EAP has set in place many controversial pieces of legislation, whilst at the same time many governments have wavered in introducing it all. MEP’s encouraged the commission to come up with a more international paper that is not watered down due to current economic woes. The EU wishes to see itself take a leading role at talks in Rio in June. (Read More)

Poland, Switzerland Help Boost IMF Fund
19 April 2012- EurActiv
The IMF said yesterday it had raised $320 so far in a bid to boost its firepower to deal with the eurozone debt crisis, with Poland and Switzerland joining the effort.  IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said she had received commitments of $34 billion on Wednesday, including $8 billion (€6.1 billion) from Poland and "a substantial amount" from Switzerland.  Lagarde is hoping to secure at least $400 billion in commitments from around the globe, who meet this week in Washington under the auspices of the G20, the IMF and World Bank.  The issue has taken on new urgency given increased borrowing costs in Spain and Italy that have reignited fears that the eurozone crisis could flare again, and that the fallout could imperil the global economic recovery.  The United States has declined to provide fresh funds, saying it had done its part by ensuring dollar liquidity for banks in Europe.  (Read More)

Barroso Unveils Jobs and Growth Plan
18 April 2012- BBC
European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso has presented a package of initiatives to the European Parliament designed to boost jobs and growth in the crisis-hit eurozone area. Addressing MEPs in Strasbourg on 18 April 2012, Mr Barroso said the measures would help release the potential of Europe's internal market which "is probably the largest engine for growth within the European Union". "It gives European business unfettered access to other companies and half a billion consumers and allows them to develop the scale to compete globally," he said. But Barroso blasted the failure of national governments to implement European growth laws. Barroso said the proposals agreed by the Commission could boost growth on the continent by up to 1.5%. (Read More)

Small-Firm Loans Lagged in the U.S.
18 April 2012- Wall Street Journal
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development examined small-business lending across 17 countries from 2007 to 2010. It found that during the recession, lending to small- and medium-size businesses generally declined as a percentage of all business loans. In many countries, small-business loans continued declining even after the recession ended in the summer of 2009, the OECD said. Lending to small and medium-size businesses after the recession recovered more slowly in the U.S. than in other countries such as Canada, France and Italy, according to a report expected to be released on April 18 by the OECD. (Read More)

MEPs Back Deal to Give Air Passenger Data to US
19 April 2012 – BBC News
The European Parliament has adopted a controversial bill that will give the United States access to personal information about airline passengers.  The Department of Homeland Security will be able to access data known as Passenger Name Records (PNR); supporters see this as a major step in fighting terrorism, whereas opponents see it as an invasion of privacy which could affect civil rights. The information held will be names, addresses, credit card and phone numbers, but it could also include, ethnic origin, meal choices, health, political views and sex life. It is not only EU airlines but also any carrier that stores data in the EU that operates flights to/from the US. Airlines currently collect such data, but now it will be transferred to US authorities. Many opponents have asked whether the EU would react differently if China and Russia asked for such information. The US ambassador to the EU hailed the vote as a joint EU-US ‘commitment to the security of the travelling public’.  (Read More)

EU ‘to Suspend Most Burma Sanctions’
19 April 2012 – BBC News
European diplomats are reported to have reached a preliminary agreement to suspend most European Union sanctions against Burma. The final decision will be held on Monday at a meeting of EU foreign ministers. The agreement is likely to remove a ‘big chunk’ of the current sanctions, only the arms embargo would remain in pl

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