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c/o The European Institute 1001 Connecticut Avenue
NW, Suite 220
Washington, DC
20036-5531
Tel: (202) 895-1670
Fax (202) 362-1088
info@europeanaffairs.org
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What Will Happen If Some EU States Reject the Constitution?
Dana Spinant, Editor, European Voice
There is a fair chance that at least one or more of the 25 EU member states will reject the new
constitution for Europe, signed in Rome in October 2004. As the constitution has to be ratified
unanimously, such a rejection could create an unprecedentedly grave political crisis and force
EU leaders to take far-reaching decisions on the future of European integration. But many different
scenarios are possible, depending on the number of the countries rejecting the constitution,
their size and the reasons why they may say “No.”
Ratifying the EU Constitution
A summary of how many countries have ratified the constitution, and how many are still to
go. The most challenging tests remain ahead.
The EU Should Welcome Ukraine as a Future Member
Anders Åslund, Director, Russian and Eurasian Program, Carnegie Endowment
for International Peace
Although Ukraine has been expressing its desire to join the European Union for nearly ten
years, it has consistently been rebuffed. Now that the country has a more democratic, intensely
pro-European government, those hopes should no longer be disappointed. EU entry is still
some way off, but the EU and Ukraine can agree on a number of important practical steps to
integrate Ukraine into Europe while waiting for full membership.
EU and Russia Draw Closer, but Political Concerns Remain
Jo Leinen, German Member of the European Parliament
The economic links between Russia and the European Union have never been closer, and are
likely to grow stronger. But there are concerns on the European side about President Vladimir
Putin’s handling of Chechnya and his attempts to introduce "managed democracy" in Russia. If
Moscow does not respect human rights, guarantee press freedoms and move in a more
democratic direction, it will be impossible for the European Union to develop the close
partnership that it is seeking with Russia.
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Yet Again, an EU Crisis Looms for Britain
Reginald Dale, Editor-in-Chief, European Affairs
In the half-century since World War II, the British have failed to find a comfortable
relationship with the European Union or decide what they really want in Europe. UK-EU
relations have been plagued by Britain's reluctance to go as far as most of its partners want
toward European political integration, and will face another crisis if British voters reject the
EU constitution in a referendum likely to be held in 2006. But whether the vote is “Yes” or
“No,” there is no end in sight to Britain’s European dilemma.
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Europe Needs a New Social Model for the 21st Century
Ann Mettler, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Lisbon Council, Brussels
Europe’s economic decline has been caused by special interests groups that resist any change
affecting their members, claiming that it would endanger the “European Social Model.” In
reality, however, the traditional European model is now severely damaging Europe’s prospects
for economic reform and the well being of its citizens. The model is based on conditions
prevailing during the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century and is no longer relevant to
today’s fast-moving global economy.
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A Conservative Vision for U.S. Policy toward Europe

John C. Hulsman, Senior Research Fellow in European Affairs and Nile Gardiner,
Fellow in Anglo-American Security Policy, Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for
Foreign Policy Studies, The Heritage Foundation
Following the Transatlantic rift over Iraq, the U.S. should adopt a more proactive European
policy, based on the recognition that the EU countries are economically, militarily and
politically diverse and disagree on fundamental global issues. The U.S. should encourage a
multi-speed Europe of sovereign states, which it can invite to join “coalitions of the willing” for
specific security missions, and resist attempts to form centralized EU common foreign and
security policies. Britain, above all,must remain free to act as America’s most valuable ally.
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New EU Members Are Well on Track to Join the Euro
Klaus Regling, Director General for Economic and Financial Affairs, European Commission
All ten countries that joined the EU in May 2004 have expressed their willingness to adopt the
euro in the foreseeable future. None are yet ready to join the single currency, but several have
made substantial progress toward meeting the entry criteria, especially with regard to reducing
inflation. Estonia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Cyprus, Latvia and Malta want to join soon, while the
Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia would prefer to wait until perhaps 2009 or
2010.
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We Must Build a New Transatlantic Development Agenda
Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid
The United States and the European Union should build a new Transatlantic Development
Agenda to reduce the poverty gap between rich and poor countries and help developing
nations meet the Millennium Development Goals agreed by world leaders in 2000. Three
major world issues - security, trade and health - are all linked to development, and Africa must
receive special priority.
There Is a Growing Consensus on How to Make Aid Effective
Andrew S. Natsios, Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development
International development takes a long time and must respond to recent changes in the world
such as globalization and the September 11 terrorist attacks. Despite some political differences,
the United States and the European Union work well together on practical programs and agree
on many issues. International donors also increasingly agree on how to make aid effective, for
example by insisting on good governance in poorer countries and helping them to make use of
trading opportunities.
In Helping Poor Countries,Actions Speak Louder than Words
E. Anthony Wayne, Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs, U.S. Department of State
The U.S. and the European Union are increasingly cooperating in practical aspects of
development assistance. The partnership has a great potential future, especially if it
concentrates on getting out and doing things to help people in poorer countries, rather than
just talking about foreign policy.
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The Terrorist Threat Will Strengthen U.S.-EU Cooperation
Asa Hutchinson, former Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The aim of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is not just to tighten security at U.S.
borders. It is also to ensure that stricter controls do not diminish either the flow of visitors to
America or trade with other countries. International cooperation, particularly between the
United States and Europe, will be essential in making travel safer. Ultimately, this growing cooperation
will strengthen the overall Transatlantic relationship.
There Must Be No Security Gap between Europe and America
Jonathan Faull, Director General for Justice and Home Affairs, European
Commission
Although it is hard to agree among 25 countries on issues impinging on national sovereignty,
more and more decisions in the counter-terrorism field are being taken at EU level. The United
States will sometimes find progress too slow. It is a permanent daily struggle to stay ahead of
the game. But Transatlantic cooperation and personal contacts are intensifying.
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The U.S. and the EU Must Work Together to Open up World Trade
Peter F. Allgeier, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative
Cooperation between the United States and the European Union to liberalize world trade is
much more important than the bilateral disputes that divide them. Most other countries recognize
that the Doha Round of trade negotiations will not succeed unless the EU and the U.S.
work together. But Washington and Brussels must also strengthen their bilateral trading ties
and manage their trade relations more effectively.
Rough Water Ahead in the Atlantic Jean-François Boittin, Minister-Counselor, Economic and Commercial Affairs, Embassy of France
The outlook for U.S.-EU trade relations in the months ahead is not encouraging. Recent disputes
are harder to solve because they concern not only trade but different social values.
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Atlantic Partners Must Share the Costs of Medical Innovation
James C. Greenwood, President, Biotechnology Industry Organization
It seems impossible to satisfy simultaneously all the main objectives of health policy: universal
access to affordable, high-quality health care, with sufficient incentives for continuing innovation.
Europe is good at providing low-cost, universal access; the United States excels in quality
and innovation. Innovation will eventually resolve the problem, but the U.S., Europe and
Canada will all have to agree to charge high enough prices to provide companies with the incentive
to innovate.
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European Affairs 1001 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 220
Washington, DC 20036-5531 Tel: (202) 895-1670 Fax (202) 362-1088info@europeanaffairs.org
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