eucnetworknz

Hi All,

TV3 last night posted another 'secret tape' from National Party leading man Bill English in which he claims "I am a bit worried about this whole Obama and Europe thing just because there is a limited effectiveness in being moralistic about international relations, and Europe has turned out to be particularly ineffective even in its own back yard"

This of course raises issues for all of us interested in Europe and the European Union, as well as the potential effects of NZ's international relations policy after the general election this Saturday.

NCRE director Martin Holland has this t0 say in reply to this news story:

"Securing peace in Europe in the last 63 years has been based upon the moral persuasion of the European Union, a remarkable record, and something that New Zealand can learn from"

To see the TV3 News story that aired on 4 November 2008, please see here:

http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/Another-secret-recording-surfaces/tabid/370/articleID/78462/cat/100/Default.aspx#video

Please feel free to add your ideas and comments to this

Cheers
Becks

Irish Referendum and the EU Treaty

With Ireland having voted 'No' to ratifiying the EU's Lisbon Treaty this week, commentators are discussing what this now means for European Integration and the European Union. Below are a number of links to news items on this topic:

"NZ to Ireland: Let us take your place" Nevil Gibson - National Business Review

"Irish No raises questions over EU commission size" - EU Observer

"Dublin sees 'no obvious solution' to EU treaty rejection" - EU Observer

" 'No quick fix' to Irish No Vote" - BBC

 

Registrations open for Burden Sharing Symposium

Registrations are now open for the Post 2012-Burden Sharing Symposium. This event is being coordinated by the EUCN in conjunction with the Institute of Policy Studies at Victoria University of Wellington. The symposium is to be held on the 29th July 2008 at the National Livrary Auditorium in Wellington.

 

 

 

 

Europa Lecture 2008

The Rt. Hon. Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs, presented the 2008 Europa Lecture on the 12th of June at the Univeristy of Auckland. The event was hosted by the EUCN and the NZ-Europe Business Council. The lecture was chaired by Mr George Cunningham, Chargé d'Affaires of the European Commission Delegation in Wellington.

Mr Peters spoke on "New Zealand and Europe: A Partnership for the 21st Century". He described the relationship between New Zealand and Europe as one that is now a more "mature, balanced, and mtually beneficial relationship than at any time in our history" . He also encouraged New Zealanders to develop more up-to -date understandings of the vitality of Europe and of its value to New Zealand as an economic superpower and a region that "exemplifies many of our own aspirations".

 

Cheers

Becks

Welcome to the online blog/forum for the European Union Centres Network.  Here we will keep you up-to-date with all things Europe-in-NZ, as well as featuring guest bloggers, interactive stuff, funding opportunites for students and academics and of course the chance to comment on the stuff we post!

Looking forward to interacting with you all!  Don't forget to check back frequently!