The Spanish presidency of the European Union 2002

Discusses the third Spanish presidency of the European Union (EU), 2002. The first under a conservative government, the presidency of Jose Maria Aznar can be characterized by (1) continuity in terms of economic liberalization, antiterrorism, & the EU issues of the constitutional convention &...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:South European society & politics 2002-07, Vol.7 (1), p.90-102
Main Author: Barbe, Esther
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Common Foreign and Security Policy
EU enlargement
European Union
Immigration
International relations
Political science
Presidents
Regional studies
Sociology
Spain
Terrorism
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Discusses the third Spanish presidency of the European Union (EU), 2002. The first under a conservative government, the presidency of Jose Maria Aznar can be characterized by (1) continuity in terms of economic liberalization, antiterrorism, & the EU issues of the constitutional convention & enlargement; (2) pragmatism in terms of EU reform; & a European trend toward Right politics. The organization & agenda of council & ministerial meetings are examined, & the 6 priorities of the president's program are delineated. The somewhat populist Action Programme against illegal immigration is noted, along with this last-minute agenda item's clash with the Tampere program, which centers on integration rather than punitive action. Progress with the Lisbon program -- based on ideas of full employment, fiscal discipline, economic liberalization, & labor reform -- is assessed. The implementation of points in the Tampere program revolving around Justice & Home Affairs are addressed, highlighting the impact of the September 11 (2001) attacks on counterterrorism measures with respect to detention, extradition, & immigration policies. The Spanish initiative against illegal immigration (Action Programme) is touched on again, noting that it was tempered by opposing states & that it underscores the complexities of making global immigration policy. Attention turns to the problematic enlargement agenda, noting Spanish-German tensions over negotiations. Aznar's intervention in the future of Europe debate is briefly described, along with the idea of broadening & strengthening the EU's international political & security role, particularly vis-a-vis the US, Latin America, the Mediterranean, & the Middle East. Aznar's part in the G8 meeting in Canada is noted in closing. J. Zendejas
ISSN:1360-8746
DOI:10.1080/714004970