A clumsy deal is better than none
With a new treaty, the EU can focus more attention on the most pressing issues on the agenda, such as energy security, climate change and relations with Russia.
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Leaders of the 27 EU states meet for a summit in Brussels on June 21 and 22, the last of Angela Merkel’s presidency. Top of the agenda will be the EU constitution and the battle to revive it
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EU treaty breaks years of deadlock
Leaders broke through years of disagreements over a failed constitution and agreed to a reform treaty they hope will allow the bloc to focus its attention on issues such as climate change and energy security.
Details of new treaty seep out
In an era of workplace smoking bans, Europe’s bitter and epic constitutional fight could be one of the last political disputes to be settled in a smoke-filled room.
Blair to face down calls for referendum
Tony Blair and Gordon Brown are determined to face down calls for a referendum on the new European Union amending treaty, saying Britain has secured all of its “red line” demands.
Sarkozy tells EU how to run industry
Nicolas Sarkozy, fresh from helping to hammer out a new EU treaty, has defended France’s activist industrial approach and called on European partners to follow his example.
Kroes to hold tough line on competition
Despite the EU treaty losing its commitment to ‘free and undistorted competition’, Ms Kroes will continue Brussels’ stance against cartels, illegal subsidies and protectionism.
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Europe’s drift to mercantilism
If competition is no longer a top EU objective, market integration and liberalisation will proceed with less urgency, writes Wolfgang Munchau.
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