«Mogherini is High Representative PES candidate»

Italian undersecretary Gozi was in Strasbourg and reminded that the appointment is part of the deal for Juncker at the European Commission

my article for Eunews

Federica Mogherini can be elected High Representative even “with a majority” in case of a lack of unanimity (as it seems to) about her candidacy. That’s what Sandro Gozi, Undesecretary of the Italian Cabinet in charge of European Affairs, said on the sidelines of the works at the European Parliament. “Jean-Claude Juncker was appointed as European Commission next President with a majority,” said Gozi (both the UK and Hungary were against him).

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FACT SHEET / Israeli settlements in Palestina

Europe react to Israel crisis boycotting settlers

Legal problems in case of eventual dispute the reason to stand against the country

by Emanuele Bonini

Israel is Israel, nothing to say about. And, of course, nothing to criticise about. Otherwise, as always happens in dealing with Israel, critics make people anti-Semite. So the European Union is made by anti-Semites? Despite the provocative introduction in Europe a new trend rose: that one of governments against Israel. Eighteen EU member states couldn't condemn Israel for bloodsheds in Palestinian territories, but they found a solution out: promoting a settler boycott. Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United Kingdom warned investors not to do business with Israeli settler entities, amid a security crisis in Israel and Palestine. Since activities in Israeli settlements or benefiting Israeli settlements, entail «legal and economic risks» member states warned about the impossibility to ensure full protection of interests in case of troubles. According to the declaration of the eighteen EU member states, investors could face lawsuits over «disputed titles to the land, water, mineral, or other natural resources», and in case of disputes, «it could be very difficult for states to ensure national protection of their interests». In a very smart way Europe overtook the problem of how condemn Israel for the new crisis in Middle East. It's not possible to stand against the Jewish country, so the only way Europe had to assess the situation was to condemn the construction of new settlements in Palestinian territories.

Padoan: «Make a better use of flexibility»

Brussels, 7th of July, 2014 - «The issue is not having more plans for flexibility, the issue is to understand better how structural reforms can be encouraged and what is the impact of structural reforms on the budget profile», explained reporters the Italian minister of Economy and Finance, Pier Carlo Padoan at the end of the Eurogroup meeting. «We can make a better use of the existing rules, the existing amount of flexibility to improve the results in terms of both growth and debt sustainability». (Emanuele Bonini)

FACT SHEET / EU-Turkey negotiations

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Turkey still a cause of division for the EU

Ankara accession never-ending story splits the European institutions, hesitant on what to do

Opinion

Turkey is far from the integration in the European Union. Maybe the country never has been so near to can have chance of joining the European community, because the different position on the dossier, but it seems the door never has been kept open and especially now the twenty eight member States show division. It's not only the Council to have different approaches, with Germany traditionally hesitant because of migration consequences, it's also the European Parliament to be divided, with EPP group against a Turkish full membership. Manfred Weber, chair of the group, stated clearly his political family considers negotiations closed. The centre-right group is in favour just of a comprehensive partnership but, according to the biggest political party, the enlargement for Turkey is over. In such a context working for a solution appears difficult and for the Italian rotating presidency of the EU will be impossible to translate in practice the programme for the next six month. "The Presidency will pay special attention to reinvigorating the ongoing negotiation process with Turkey", is written in the document. Despite commitments, if the European Union has any will to work for Turkey accession Italy is doomed to fail. But it would be not a failure for the Italian presidency itself, it would be a political decision marking the future of the EU as a whole.

bLOGBOOK

He invited her to have lunch together. At the beginning she accepted, but at last she changed her mind. «You know what?», she said during the phone call made to inform him about her refusal. «My boss decided to bring all of us to have lunch. It's an expected working lunch. I'm sorry. I call you back later». It was not a problem. He had lunch with other people and then he was back to work. After a couple of hours his mobile rang. It was her. «I'm sorry for what happened before, but I couldn't refuse my boss invitation».
   «It's OK, I understand».
   «I... Yes, there's a football match today, isn't it?», she asked. As every woman she didn't find anything interesting in football, but the FIFA World Cup created a moment of curiosity. She didn't know any player, any name, but for some reason she wanted to follow the main sport event of the moment.
   «France versus Germany», he answered. «I was thinking to go to watch it. Are you interested? Would you like to join us?». He said "us". He knew she didn't feel like staying alone with him. He thought it was because of embarrassment. She knew he liked her, and her, well, her was impossible to decrypt. Apparently she had no interest in him, but for unclear reasons it was her to contact him. «What game are you playing, baby?», he used to asked himself. But he couldn't find any answer. Not yet.
   «Yeah, it would be great», she said. «What time are you going?».
   «Hopefully at 6 o'clock».
   «OK, see you there. But... where, exactly?».
   «Luxembourg bar».
   «It's near to my office».
   «I know. That's why we chose it».

bLOGBOOK - Strasbourg

Strasbourg, bridge Ponts Couverts

Strasbourg

Strasbourg: the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. For many people this city is just a place where go to work, for most of the people is place poor of interest when, on the contrary, is full of charme. Its old Medieval houses brushed by the river Ill offer a unique atmosphere, donating admirable glimpses to be experienced. Walking through the city center as well as visiting the Petite-France area is an immersion into the past: there everything seems to be remained as it was century ago. Alleys and half-timbered houses well restore the idea of old days belonged to an age far away in time. Promenades and pedestrian areas build an extended network up for silence, giving the idea of a daily life far from modernity. Outside the old town center life runs fast, with all the frenzy tipical of our modern society, in contrast with the great tranquillity breathable at Place de la Cathédrale or in Place du Marché Gayot. Both are, each in its own way, places where people meet to relax. Restaurant and pubs situated along the perimeter of the square are the main starring of city life. In Place de la Cathédrale the majestic Cathedral of Our Lady stands out in all its power, but the Roman Catholic catedral is not the only attraction. Close to it there's the Kammerzell House, one of the most famous buildings of Strasbourg and one of the most ornate and well preserved medieval civil housing buildings in late Gothic architecture. Place du Marché Gayot is on the other hand a small and cute closed space enclosed by half-timbered houses and trees.

Iglesias (Podemos): «Not optimistic about Renzi»

Strasbourg, 2nd of July 2014 - Spanish leftwing and the GUE group in the European Parliament don't trust Matteo Renzi, said Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias in Strasbourg during the plenary working sessions. «I'm not optimistic», told reporters answering a question on the Italian prime minister. «Renzi tried to make deals with Silvio Berlusconi's party in order to does not permit other parties to enter, and this is not a good new for democrats». Furthermore, he added, «Renzi and political party behind him didn't prove to be different from the great coalition that is leading our continent toward a terrible situation» . (Emanuele Bonini)

FACT SHEET / European Parliament composition

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