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/ 21 September 2005
European Union diplomats hammered out a new accord on Turkey on Wednesday, overcoming last-minute objections from Cyprus, but the bloc is still battling to clear the way for membership talks with Ankara next month. While progress was made, clear strains remained over whether the vast Muslim state can ever join the bloc, with Austria notably demanding that Turkey be offered an alternative to EU entry.
What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago, Europe’s leaders celebrated the European Union’s ”big bang” expansion from 15 to 25 states, the continent’s historic reunification half a century after it was ripped apart by war. A year later they are staring into a black hole, and at its centre is a French vote threatening to rip apart their grand plans.
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/ 4 February 2005
South Africa’s Minister of Finance, Trevor Manuel, accused the European Union on Friday of keeping African farmers poor. He also questioned the moral leadership of the United States as he backed a British-led initiative to boost aid for Africa, for which plans are being discussed at Group of Seven talks in London.