EUobserver

Paul Kidner

  • The ruins of the Acropolis - Athens is known in history as the cradle of democracy (Photo: EUobserver)

    Athens burns and with it a history of democracy

    by Paul Kidner

    As Athens and cities across Greece burn, an erratic police force reflects the state of a government in meltdown. Neither the killing of an adolescent by organs of the state nor the violence of the mob befits the history of a city hailed as the cradle of democracy, Paul Kidner says.

    • Fears over Greece's debt problem have caused the euro to weaken in recent months (Photo: European Commission)

      Greece and the European Parliament elections 2004

      by Paul Kidner

      The two main political parties in Greece are sharing a common front these days. Both the conservative-right and the socialist opposition party in Greece have recently announced their list of candidates for the European elections – both are fending off criticism from within their ranks and without.

      • "The European Parliament is not exactly suffused with the spirit of Danton. Yet it must be from the Parliament, somehow, that leadership will ultimately have to come." (Photo: EUobserver)

        MEPs call for more action on Tibet

        by Paul Kidner

        An unusual cluster of European Parliament representatives are urging the European Council and Commission to set aside their ‘realpolitik’ stance towards China and implement a 1998 Parliament resolution, calling for the appointment of an EU Special Representative for Tibet.

        • Greece complains to Commission about Turkey

          by Paul Kidner

          In an unprecedented move, Greek foreign minister George Papandanreou has written a letter of complaint to the Commission about Turkish violation of Greek airspace. In a separate strongly worded statement to Abdullah Gül, Turkey’s foreign minister, Mr Papandreou said “If you want to advance in Europe you must limit the role of your military in politics”.

          • This Friday morning, the 105-delegates are scheduled to discuss reinforced co-operation, whose technocratic name hides big political issues - such as the ability for certain member states to go further in defence co-operation (Photo: European Convention)

            Draft Constitution – the reader friendly edition

            by Paul Kidner

            The Constitutional Treaty drafted by the praesidium of the Convention has been subject to a whole host of amendments, changes and additions. A new, consolidated draft including all the changes to date, is now available in a reader friendly edition.

            • Mr Erdogan's AK Party has been accepted for an observer status in the largest political group in the European parliament (Photo: European Commission)

              Denktash U-turn angers Ankara

              by Paul Kidner

              Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, has faced criticism from the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for moving to limit the number of Turkish Cypriots able to travel to the south of the Island, just days after announcing the so-called Green Line, dividing the island, would be opened for the first time in nearly 30 years.

              • New deadline for Cyprus set for 2004

                by Paul Kidner

                In a toning down of previous rhetoric Turkish leaders have stressed that there is still room for negotiation on the Cyprus issue and that it will make every effort to solve the problem by 2004 in time for Cyprus’s entry to the EU on 1 May 2004.

                Mr Simitis also stressed that not solving the issue will block Turkey’s chances of entry into the EU.