Blair Doubts EU Treaty Accord as Spain, Poland Resist

[salin]

Blair Doubts EU Treaty Accord as Spain, Poland Resist

Dec. 12 (Bloomberg) -- U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair said negotiations over a new European Union constitution risk breaking down as Spain and Poland cling to demands for greater influence over EU policymaking.

As an EU summit got under way to craft a rulebook designed to last a half-century, Spain and Poland resisted proposals that they said would hand more power over EU decisions to Germany, the soon-to-be 25-nation bloc's largest country.

``The positions are a long way apart,'' Blair told a news conference in Brussels. ``There's only a point in having an agreement if the agreement makes the EU effective.'' An accord this weekend ``may well not be possible.''

Discord over Iraq and clashes with Germany and France about budget rules underpinning the 12-nation euro currency complicate the treaty talks, the third attempt in seven years to fix the EU's decision-making apparatus and boost its global clout.

At stake is how the EU spends its 100 billion-euro ($122 billion) budget, regulates industry and financial markets, handles trade disputes and attempts to craft common economic and security policies as it expands beyond the former Iron Curtain to take in 10 new members next year.

more: http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=aVWnzQ8FaREg&refer=home

[xchrom]

1. while i'm sure there are genuine concerns

spain and poland?
two of the countries that supported bush the most.
and they are dragging their feet on the new rule book, i.e. more of a role for them.
perhaps it's just the timing -- call me paranoid -- but perhaps not, eh?

[loudnclear]

2. You don't really believe that the Bushcos want a strong EU do you?

They (Spain and Poland) are being paid handsomely to make sure this venture fails!

"Just beacuse I'm paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get me!"

[Dirk39]

3. Solidarity with Poland!

Hello from Germany,
I'm not sure about Spain, but the only and single country of the "coalition of the willing" that has my support or at least my sympathy is Poland. You have to consider, what Germany and Russia did to them in the past. And if any people in europe love freedom, they do.
The arrogance, Germany shows towards Poland, just makes me feel ashamded of myself. And as a german, I see the constitution as it is forced by France and Germany as an attmpt to dominate Europe and let easteurope become a kind of "hinterland" that delivers cheap work and has to otherwise shuts their mouth.
Poland even had the guts to resist the IMF and the Worldbank somehow.
As long as they don't sell out to the USA, I still admire them.
Europe as it looks now will become a neoliberal paradise for german and french corporations, it will not become a Europe for the people. And Europe is much stronger economically than the USA. Maybe we will thank the people of Poland for their guts one day.
Dirk

[Kellanved]

4. Spain is incomprehensible

as Spain is heavily dependant on EU help (especially from France and Germany).

But one has to understand Poland.

Poland hasn't been a souvereign nation for a long time - giving up that newfound freedom is something that can't be demanded of them. Under that aspect the involvment in Iraq has to be seen: Poland seeks to establish itself as a "player".

The other point is: the Polish Government is *really* unpopular in Poland (under 20% for reelection) - being strong in the negotiations may help regain the voter's trust.