And They Think That We Are Arrogant

Posted By Blackfive

Seems that the U.K., France and German heads of state will be meeting in Berlin to discuss European Union matters. They seem to have left out some countries - like most of Europe. I think this is interesting...

This via International Herald Tribune:

Italy angry at 'Big 3' meeting in Berlin
Compiled by Our Staff From Dispatches AP, Reuters
Wednesday, February 18, 2004

BERLIN Plans by the German, French and British leaders to discuss joint political and economic initiatives here drew outrage Tuesday from Italy's prime minister, who raised fears on the eve of the meeting that the big three were out to dominate Europe.

...Germany and France have traditionally driven European integration. But with Britain joining in, the three countries face suspicion - notably in Italy and Spain - that they will try to steer the EU as it expands to 25 countries with the addition of new members, mostly from eastern Europe.

Germany, France and Britain have repeatedly dismissed such fears, with Blair emphasizing after talks with Schröder last week that the three countries had no intention of excluding others.

German officials say they expect the three leaders to endorse broad proposals for critical economic challenges - lowering unemployment (edit. note: Um, like yeah, for Germany, France and the U.K.), securing the future funding of national welfare programs (edit. note: Um, yeah, for Germany, France and the U.K.) and adjusting bureaucratic regulations to make European companies more competitive (edit. note: Um, yeah, for Germany, France and the U.K.).

The aim is to give credibility to a pledge EU leaders made four years ago to overtake the United States as the world's leading economy by 2010...

Interesting bit, that last paragraph. Credibility?

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And They Think That We Are Arrogant

Seems that the U.K., France and German heads of state will be meeting in Berlin to discuss European Union matters. They seem to have left out some countries - like most of Europe. I think this is interesting...

This via International Herald Tribune:

Italy angry at 'Big 3' meeting in Berlin
Compiled by Our Staff From Dispatches AP, Reuters
Wednesday, February 18, 2004

BERLIN Plans by the German, French and British leaders to discuss joint political and economic initiatives here drew outrage Tuesday from Italy's prime minister, who raised fears on the eve of the meeting that the big three were out to dominate Europe.

...Germany and France have traditionally driven European integration. But with Britain joining in, the three countries face suspicion - notably in Italy and Spain - that they will try to steer the EU as it expands to 25 countries with the addition of new members, mostly from eastern Europe.

Germany, France and Britain have repeatedly dismissed such fears, with Blair emphasizing after talks with Schröder last week that the three countries had no intention of excluding others.

German officials say they expect the three leaders to endorse broad proposals for critical economic challenges - lowering unemployment (edit. note: Um, like yeah, for Germany, France and the U.K.), securing the future funding of national welfare programs (edit. note: Um, yeah, for Germany, France and the U.K.) and adjusting bureaucratic regulations to make European companies more competitive (edit. note: Um, yeah, for Germany, France and the U.K.).

The aim is to give credibility to a pledge EU leaders made four years ago to overtake the United States as the world's leading economy by 2010...

Interesting bit, that last paragraph. Credibility?

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» Note to the "Big 3" European Leaders from Technicalities
Matt of Blackfive is carrying a story from the International Herald Tribune about a somewhat "unilateral" meeting of European Leaders. BERLIN Plans by the German, French and British leaders to discuss joint political and economic initiatives here drew ... [Read More]