Monsieur Le President 
J P Floru, Stuart Wheeler and myselfI have just returned from a conference at Parliament on “What next for Britain and Europe?” hosted by Global Vision (http://www.global-vision.net/) and the Daily Telegraph.
The big draw – and whose speech produced the most debate afterwards - was without doubt former French president Giscard d'Estaing and principal author of the EU Constitution. He spoke with great poise, interjected with moments of humour as first his mobile went off with some chirpy French pop tune and then when he realised that us Brits were not laughing on cue thanks to a momentary delay in the translation.
Giscard began by putting Britain’s unique relationship with the EU in its historical context, seemingly adhering to Confucius’ lesson to first study the past in order to divine the future. But then the business end of his speech began. At times, his candour (before this audience in particular) was surprising. I immediately turned to my Euro colleague JP Floru as Giscard confirmed that the Lisbon Treaty was the same text as the Constitution but simply rendered illegible by its draftsmen. Later on, he even stated that the EU was not particularly democratic.
His zeal for the European project unabated, Giscard emphasised that integration could continue and yet allow for Britain’s participation by conferring a special status on our country through a series of opt-outs and exemptions. Listening to the former French president, it would seem that any such opt-outs were envisaged to be from future treaties and not previous ones. Moreover, he unequivocally stated that the UK’s special status could not result in a two speed Europe which would ‘arbitrarily separate the good from the bad, the strong from the weak’ and ultimately cut Europe in two. However, I fail to see how a two speed Europe could ultimately be avoided if any country achieved demonstrable opt-outs.
So it seems that the die has been cast and that even such an ardent supporter of the Lisbon Treaty felt compelled to offer the UK some concessions. Interestingly, the first country to enjoy such special status may not be Britain but the Republic of Ireland. Giscard hinted that in the case of Ireland, it could proceed by abandoning the Constitutional elements of the Lisbon Treaty.
The big draw – and whose speech produced the most debate afterwards - was without doubt former French president Giscard d'Estaing and principal author of the EU Constitution. He spoke with great poise, interjected with moments of humour as first his mobile went off with some chirpy French pop tune and then when he realised that us Brits were not laughing on cue thanks to a momentary delay in the translation.
Giscard began by putting Britain’s unique relationship with the EU in its historical context, seemingly adhering to Confucius’ lesson to first study the past in order to divine the future. But then the business end of his speech began. At times, his candour (before this audience in particular) was surprising. I immediately turned to my Euro colleague JP Floru as Giscard confirmed that the Lisbon Treaty was the same text as the Constitution but simply rendered illegible by its draftsmen. Later on, he even stated that the EU was not particularly democratic.
His zeal for the European project unabated, Giscard emphasised that integration could continue and yet allow for Britain’s participation by conferring a special status on our country through a series of opt-outs and exemptions. Listening to the former French president, it would seem that any such opt-outs were envisaged to be from future treaties and not previous ones. Moreover, he unequivocally stated that the UK’s special status could not result in a two speed Europe which would ‘arbitrarily separate the good from the bad, the strong from the weak’ and ultimately cut Europe in two. However, I fail to see how a two speed Europe could ultimately be avoided if any country achieved demonstrable opt-outs.
So it seems that the die has been cast and that even such an ardent supporter of the Lisbon Treaty felt compelled to offer the UK some concessions. Interestingly, the first country to enjoy such special status may not be Britain but the Republic of Ireland. Giscard hinted that in the case of Ireland, it could proceed by abandoning the Constitutional elements of the Lisbon Treaty.
I may not agree with Giscard’s enthusiasm for European economic and political integration but I appreciated his readiness to speak before a rather sceptic crowd. There is much that divides us but perhaps today was a slight rapprochement. The challenge will be of course to push the envelope further still, accepting the potential overtures from our European partners on securing a special status and using the opportunity to make a bold, forceful and successful defence of our own position and Britain's interests.
1 comments:
Two speed, does imply that we end up at the same destination.
I'd like to see each country free to select the areas it wants to engage with the EU on and which it opts not too. It might not make a neat and tidy EU, but I think it'll lead to better governance.
Two speed suggests some are getting left behind, that is not the case, some are choosing a different destination altogether.
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