Post date: Dec 15, 2008 2:49:58 AM
Sarkozy’s vision for Europe
Nicolas Sarkozy gave his personal vision for Europe earlier this week, to ensure his lasting influence beyond the EU presidency. Le Mondegave a background briefing on the main points: the institutionalization of a Eurozone summit; a Commission as an independent agency and guardian of the treaty while leaving politicas to the council president; preserving the one-country-one commissioner rule to win over the Irish; the UK in the euro zone (what else should they do?); an intensified military cooperation after UK elections in 2010; a special economic area with Russia but eventually also Ukraine and Turkey backed by a security agreement. Le Monde says that the Elyssee is convinced that with this agenda and the backing of several small countries Sarkozy has won the battle against the so called “immobilism” of Angela Merkel.