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Content of EU-27 Watch Issue 8 (published in March 2009) by country

Austria

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
Conclusions of European Council seen mainly positive
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Many issues to tackle – but also more engagement needed
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
The EU’s response to the financial crisis generally seen as mostly positive
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
Good Looking – Poor Substance
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
No big issue in Austria
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Austrian parties moving away from EU, but Austrians turning more positive towards EU

Belgium

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
Hope for an early second Irish referendum but no major concern about the future of the EU
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
More about the personality of Obama than about political priorities
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Criticising the lack of harmony in the European reaction
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
A global success with a few weaknesses
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
No adhesion to NATO in the short term
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
The fall of the federal government after the financial crisis

Bulgaria

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
Reformulation of the relationship between citizens and political elites needed
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Intensified cooperation for approaching common challenges
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Strong focus on Eurozone leaves new members worried
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
Active and productive French Presidency, fear of too Euroscpetic Czech president
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Support for EU and NATO enlargement, building bridges to Western Balkans top priority
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Conflict over transparency concerning EU funding overshadows relations to Brussels

Croatia

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
Croatian concerns about the enlargement prospects after the Irish ‘No’
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Hope for renewal of the transatlantic relations for the benefit of both EU and Croatia
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Mixed responses on the EU’s reaction and growing fear of recession in Croatia
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
A mixed assessment of France and high expectations for the Czech Presidency
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Not much attention for the ENP, warning of a new Cold War
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Accession negotiations, fight against organized crime and uncertain economic prospects

Cyprus

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
European Council’s decision will help to overcome the institutional crisis
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Cyprus hopes on Obama’s active support for reunification
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Economic crisis hits Cypriot tourism and construction industry
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
France did a difficult job – Czech task is not less ambitious
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Cyprus discusses participation in the Partnership for Peace programme
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
The Cyprus problem, scrapies and water

Czech Republic

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
The parliament will finally decide on the Lisbon Treaty
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Focusing on Obama’s visit
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
State interventions are believed to be harmful
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
Muted approval for France in the running up to the Czech Presidency
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Refocusing back on Western Balkan
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
The country’s first presidency increases the attention paid to EU affairs

Denmark

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
Lisbon Treaty and Danish opt-outs
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Denmark and the USA: allies under Bush – allies under Obama
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Has the time come to join the Eurozone?
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
Energy and climate policy as top priority
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
The first Western minister to visit Tbilisi
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
EU rules hollowing out Danish immigration legislation

Estonia

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
A threat to Estonia’s long-term priority of enlargement?
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Cooperation and stabilisation of the post-1991 security architecture
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Strengthening the market rules without enforcing protectionist measures
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
Satisfied with France, hopeful with regards to the Czech Presidency
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Will the EU defend democracy?
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Budget cuts in the financial crisis

Finland

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
Quiet… And not very interested?
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
New energy, familiar themes
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Mixed opinions about European Union’s ability to tackle the financial crisis
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
Praise for the French Presidency and doubt about the Czechs’ ability to follow suite
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Yes to ENP, a more qualified attitude towards enlargements
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Climate change and migration create discussion in Finland

France

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
The future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’: many uncertainties
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Hope may be replaced with deception
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
EU needs to play a determinant role
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
A presidency of crisis
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
EU praised for its reactivity to the Georgian crisis
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Lukewarm reactions to the compromise on the “energy and climate” package

Germany

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
Continuation of ratification process welcomed
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Transatlantic relations with Obama: renewed but not reinvented
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
United in economic diversity?
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
Looking back: evaluation of the French EU-Presidency’s results
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Stronger commitment but no shortcuts to NATO and EU
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
The jubilee and memorial year 2009 and the shadows of elections

Greece

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
Keep the light burning
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Obamania versus anti-Americanism
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Once more surpassing the threshold of the Stability Pact
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
A new approach to ‘Europe-building’
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Accession as a regional stabilisation factor
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Mass protests disrupting normal life

Hungary

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
A strong pro-Lisbon and future-oriented stance
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Balanced and fruitful EU-US ties
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Global crisis – fragmented answers
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
Dynamic French Presidency – benchmark for the Czech Republic
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Hungary a champion of further EU enlargement strengthening regional stability
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Weak Hungarian economy seriously hit by the crisis

Ireland

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
The future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Three top priorities for a re-definition or re-vitalisation of the transatlantic and EU-US relationship
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
The performance of the EU in the financial crisis
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
Overall perception of the French Presidency of the EU
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
After ‘Georgia’ – prospects for ENP and enlargement
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Salient topics in Ireland

Italy

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
Linkage between European citizens and EU institutions has to be restored
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Beginning of a new era in international relations
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
A year of uncertainties brings the need to connect with the new dynamic areas of the world
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
Sarkozy’s combination of activism and pragmatism, concerns about Czech Presidency
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Structural weakness of the European Neighbourhood Policy, strong and balanced relationship with Russia needed
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Concerns about public order and illegal immigration

Latvia

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
National crisis management more important than future of the EU
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Obama has not prompted Latvia to re-examine Latvian-US relations
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Response to global challenges should not be decided by a select few
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
The French and Czech Presidencies viewed from Latvia
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Latvia remains consistent supporter of ENP and enlargement
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Political uncertainty and economic recession

Lithuania

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
Attention concentrated on energy and the European Economy Recovery Plan
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Transatlantic relations should be strengthened
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Attention is focused on the national level economic crisis
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
Positive evaluation of the French Presidency
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Continuous support for the EU ‘open door’ policy
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Lithuanian energy security – a high salience issue

Luxembourg

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
Optimism about reinforcement of democracy, transparency and efficiency
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Transatlantic relations put to the test by economic crisis, Afghanistan and Middle East
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Common actions within the EU needed but no economic government
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
Omnipresent French Presidency followed by too eurosceptic Czech President
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Caution advised concerning provocation of Russia, Georgia not yet ready for NATO
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Luxemburg’s banking sector hit by financial crisis, unforeseen constitutional crisis

Malta

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
Hope for the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Experts in the new US Administration
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Praise for European leadership
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
French Presidency – very successful, Czech Presidency – high expectations
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Mediterranean section of the ENP in focus
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Managing the challenge of illegal migration in Malta

Netherlands

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
Future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
US – EU relations and global challenges
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
The Netherlands and the financial crisis
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
Event-driven presidency
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
The future of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and enlargement
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Concerns over recent gas crisis

Poland

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
Positive attitude remains in Poland despite the Irish ‘No’
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Joy and optimism in light of a new US President
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
The effects of the financial crisis on Poland
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
High engagement of French diplomacy, Czech Presidency as bench mark for Polish Presidency
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Georgian-Russian conflict: Poland’s concerns with Russia
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Energy, Euro, climate, and EU funds

Portugal

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
Lisbon Treaty ‘is not dead’
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
EU must engage new US-Presidency to deal with Bush inheritance
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
EU initiatives seen as potentially a positive way to deal with financial crisis
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
Mixed evaluations regarding French Presidency
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
´Future enlargement after ‘Georgia’ shows decline in popular support
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Economic crisis and national electoral season take front stage in Portugal

Romania

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
After the Irish ‘No’: proceed with optimism
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
A strategic partnership – to be continued on European premises
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Crisis report: more concern for the new member states
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
The French struggle with a difficult mandate: mission accomplie
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Coping with security threats: a challenge for the European Neighbourhood Policy
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
A new parliament amid fears of a financially difficult 2009

Slovakia

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
Slovakia and the institutional future of the EU
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Slovakia and the future of EU-US relations
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Slovakia and the financial crisis
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
Slovakia and the French and Czech EU Presidencies
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Slovakia and Eastern Partnership and the future of EU and NATO enlargements
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Slovakia and domestic discourse on energy security and Single European Market

Slovenia

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
No stall in the enlargement process
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Renewal of strategic dialogue and EU capable to deliver
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Belated and cautious steps
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
The guardians of the ‘Western Balkan’
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Bringing the Western Balkans in
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Elections, “Patria”, and border dispute with Croatia

Spain

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
The future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Spanish priorities for a re-definition or re-vitalisation of transatlantic relations
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Financial crisis and challenges of global governance
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
The French Presidency
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Repercussions of ‘Georgia’
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
The EU budget review

Sweden

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
Crucial issues for Europe and challenges for Sweden
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Swedish views on top priorities in transatlantic cooperation
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Financial crisis: unanimity and tension
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
Praise and some criticism for the French Presidency
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Swedish issues: ENP, Eastern Partnership and enlargement
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Swedish EU Presidency and Swedish defence issues

Turkey

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
The EU at a turning point
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Obama’s agenda closely watched
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Turkish context; reflections from the government, business and trade unions
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
Focus on enlargement and foreign policies of French Presidency
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Turkey: very active in the Caucasus region
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
AKP closure case, Russian-Georgian conflict, and proposal on “Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform”

United Kingdom

1.1 How does the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’ look like?
Impression of a European Union in crisis
1.2 Transatlantic relations renewed after President Bush: top priorities
Election of Barack Obama widely welcomed in UK
1.3 Financial crisis and challenges of global governance: the EU response
Greater emphasis on the roles of national governments
2. Looking back to the French Presidency
French Presidency – positive impression of activism and coherence
3. Prospects for ENP and enlargement after ‘Georgia’
Issues of low political salience
4. Current issues and discourses in your country
Unofficial strikes in energy industry
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