VERY FEW people care about what happens on an average wet and misty day in Brussels. And that’s just the media, reflecting to a large extent the general public’s attitude to the EU.
Those that do care – government, parliament and political parties – make very little effort to accurately inform the public of what goes on at the heart of the EU. On occasion, they even mislead.
The very nature of the Union, with its own complex institutions (Commission, Council and Parliament) often serves to undermine its importance in the eyes of the public. Brussels is now responsible for more laws in Cyprus than those produced by the country’s own national institutions.
The only democratically elected institution within the EU is the European Parliament (EP), representing the second largest democratic electorate in the world after India. At least half of all EU legislation passes through the EP before it becomes law and yet we, the voting public, know little about it.
The Sunday Mail spent three days last week getting lost in the long, winding corridors of the EU institutions in view of the upcoming Euro-elections this June. Here’s a snapshot of what was learnt.
Communication breakdown:
The Cypriot MEPs in Brussels have absolutely no direct contact with the House of Representatives in Cyprus, and little common understanding with the government either. Given that the majority of laws scrutinised and amended by the EP eventually end up in the House for discussion and approval, the indifference of the national parliament beggars belief, said three of the six MEPs.
“There is zero cooperation with the Cypriot House of Representatives. It is unacceptable that MEPs have no relations with the House. They sent two liaison officers to Brussels to inform the EP on Cypriot issues. Do you know that two have yet to meet with the Cypriot MEPs?” said MEP Adamos Adamou (AKEL).
The EP’s role will increase even further if the Lisbon Treaty is passed this year, expanding the EP’s powers to approve and amend over 80 per cent of all EU legislative proposals, compared to the current 50 per cent.
“I have been sending emails to the House and ministers on everything going on in the EP for the last five years. The House never emailed once to ask about anything. There is no interest on their part,” said Marios Matsakis.
In fact, the only time MEPs were invited to the House in the last five years was to sort out the euro-deputies’ social insurance contributions, which the government didn’t realise it was responsible for.
When Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou asked to talk before the House, it took them two weeks to accept. One EU official noted the huge gap in understanding of EU issues.
“It’s very important to close the gap that exists and for national parliaments to get involved at an earlier stage of the legislative process to understand the Commission proposals which they will have to study later anyway,” said the official.
Partnership for Peace (PfP)
Pressure is rising on the domestic front for the government to apply for membership of the PfP, which effectively acts either as a waiting room for full NATO membership or as a friendly chat room for non-NATO members. Former NATO foes, Russia and Serbia, are both members, as is traditionally neutral Ireland, while all EU member states, bar Cyprus, are either in NATO or PfP.
In reality, as things now stand Cyprus has no chance of joining PfP because a Turkish veto would most certainly stand in its way.
The majority of parties in Cyprus want President Demetris Christofias to apply anyway to get one up over Turkey who is guaranteed to veto it. The president, however, does not want to rock the boat during direct talks with Mehmet Ali Talat, and also seems ideologically disinclined to go anywhere near NATO even with a barge pole.
One diplomat said everyone knew Cyprus could not get into PfP and so did not blame them for the situation, which some argue is hindering the security architecture of Europe from developing, given the lack of cohesion between EU and NATO members.
Scoring one more veto over Turkey created “little benefit” for Cyprus, while creating a fuss about it in the EP, like MEP Yiannakis Matsis did last month, only made things worse, he added.
The debate will continue as opposition party DISY is asking for a referendum on the issue, despite getting a bloody nose in the last referendum on the island.
Cross-border health care
Commissioner Vassiliou noted that if her proposal gets passed, then Cyprus could find itself losing a lot of money. The bill allows Cypriots with free health care entitlements, to travel to any EU state for medical care, which the government has to pay for (up to the amount it would cost in Cyprus).
If the government does not get its act together soon and get health care organised, along with the national health scheme, then the state could end up losing. Instead of attracting EU citizens to Cyprus for medical care, and charging European governments for the cost, the government could end up paying for a large share of Cypriot patients who will seek treatment abroad, creating a net deficit.
Cyprus problem
Contrary to popular belief, the talks are not doing too badly. There is agreement on a large range of issues, according to some reports, with the main difficulties arising over certain aspects of the territory, properties and guarantees issues, as well as on the specifics of the federal government executive.
No doubt, the fact that talks are ongoing has helped to lift the dark cloud hanging over Cyprus after the 2004 referendum. However, come December 2009, a crucial report on Turkey is due by the European Council. This is where the EU gets to assess whether Turkey has made any progress on normalising relations with Cyprus, opening its ports and airports and contributing to a Cyprus solution. This is where it can push, cajole, punish or give incentives for Turkey to act in a way that serves the interests of all.
The following months will be crucial for Cyprus. Turkey’s importance in the world seems to get bigger and bigger, leaving Cyprus to play a very difficult game where national interest is key to any alliances within the EU.
For example, there is huge pressure already on opening the Energy chapter in Turkey’s EU accession negotiations. Cyprus is alone among the 27MS in opposing this.
If the talks are going well but need a final push come the final quarter, then it is likely the EU will use the December evaluation to lean on Turkey to do what needs to be done.
If the talks have not yet matured for a final push, then Cyprus would probably try to set stricter preconditions on the opening of new chapters, apart from the eight that are already frozen. The EU will avoid giving an evaluation of Turkey’s progress, possibly postponing it for a year to 18 months, as the British have already proposed.
If the talks go nowhere, then setting preconditions on Turkey will be near impossible. Postponement of the report will be highly likely, while pressure on Cyprus not to block Turkey’s progress great.