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IN FOCUS
By Joeana Cera Matthews
Maastricht Treaty: Thirty years after
On 07 February, Europe celebrated 30 years of the Maastricht treaty. The foreign and finance ministers of 12 member states of the European Community (EC) met in the Dutch city of Maastricht in 1992 and ratified the treaty. The 12 member states of the EC involved Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom.
What is the Maastricht Treaty?
The treaty laid out plans for converting the EC into an economic union, paving the way for the EU and the single currency – the Euro. The original treaty prescribed the roles to be played by the European Parliament and the Council as the EU’s co-legislators. In 2009, the Lisbon treaty simplified the Maastricht treaty, making it more efficient and easier to implement.
Meanwhile, the treaty absorbed the former EC into a single union dealing in those areas Brussels excelled in – customs union, fisheries, agricultural policy, etc. Due to the sensitive nature of matters being discussed via the common foreign and security policy (CFSP), unanimous decision-making was decided upon. Neither the European Commission nor the European Parliament had a primary role in this. The feature of unanimity remains until this day. The final part of the treaty focused on cooperation between the police and judicial systems. This outlook became all the more significant after the 1985 Schengen agreement.
What is the background?
The Maastricht Treaty followed the fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the USSR and the increasing popularity of liberal democracies. Such a situation helped the EC to lay the stepping stones for the creation of the EU. The provision of EU citizenship gave European citizens a feeling of belonging. This attraction added to the ability to live and move “freely” within the bloc.
The Euro
The treaty also set out instructions for the European Central Bank (ECB); making it adhere to the “Maastricht Criteria”. These criteria called for maintaining price stability alongside other requirements necessary for those attempting to accede to the bloc and its single currency. One among these was the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP), which put limits on the public deficits and government debts of member states; although widely criticized, the pact remains one among the treaty’s greatest contributions.
The drawbacks
Despite the huge success of the single currency, the bloc is yet to establish a fiscal union. The initially homogeneous and 12-membered bloc is now largely heterogeneous and enlarged. This has led to member states struggling to find common ground. Meanwhile, the unanimity requirement has turned out to be the Achilles’ heel of the CFSP’s decision-making process. Unlike the rule of the majority, the need for unanimity proved to be a hindrance to real progress. This sentiment was expressed by Belgian MEP Guy Verhofstadt as he said: “30 years ago the Maastricht treaty was signed… but never delivered its full potential, neither in common foreign and security policy nor in justice and home affairs. Unanimity and vetoes often blocked any progress.”
Moreover, the unity of the bloc is diminishing. In terms of the Ukraine conflict, the EU which is supposed to portray a strong and united opposition can be witnessed falling apart from within. The stances of the Baltics, Germany, and Hungary vary so starkly that an external actor is not required to divide and rule the EU, the member states will do it themselves.
Time for reforms?
The long-overdue reforms found their voice via the pandemic; the outbreak of COVID-19 led to an extremely vulnerable economy accompanied by an ever-growing public debt. Calls for amends that would enable increased flexibility are being led by Italy, France and Spain. Meanwhile, these calls are strongly opposed by the Frugal Four – Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden – and a few other countries who opine that rules should not change according to situations. There also exist plans to implement the defense white paper called the Strategic Compass in March 2022.
References:
Richard Nelsson, “ Treaty on European Union signed in Maastricht – archive, 1992,” The Guardian, 09 February 2022.
Stefan Lehne, “Europe is Struggling, Thirty Years After the Maastricht Treaty,” Carnegie Europe, 08 February 2022.
“Maastricht Treaty at 30: Pandemic brings unanswered questions back to the fore,” Euronews, 07 February 2022.
Steven Blockmans, “The Maastricht Treaty 30 years on,” Centre for European Policy Studies, 07 February 2022.
IN BRIEF
By Padmashree Anandhan and Ashwin Dhanabalan
VATICAN
Pope Francis talks about Normandy format and the Ukrainian crisis
On 09 February, Pope Francis spoke about the Ukrainian crisis during his Wednesday general audience. Pope Francis hoped that the diplomatic processes would help avert an armed conflict and he mentioned: “war is insane.” He also said: “Let us continue to implore the God of peace that tensions and threats of war be overcome through serious dialogue, and that the ‘Normandy Format’ talks may also contribute to this.” He also thanked the diplomats of the Normandy format talks for their efforts in negotiating peace. He lastly thanked the people for participating in the prayer for peace held in December 2021. (Joshua Berlinger, “Pope Francis on potential conflict in Ukraine: ‘War is insane’,” Euronews, 08 February 2022)
HUNGRY
Budapest declines additional NATO troops
On 10 February, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Hungry would not accept further NATO troops on its soil. Szijjártó said: “No, we have not agreed to that and we will not agree because we have already NATO’s troops on the territory of the country, which is the Hungarian army…So we don’t need additional troops on the territory of Hungary.” His comments came after the US had sent additional troops to Poland and Romania. He also spoke about the rising tensions in Ukraine and said: “… We ask, we urge the international community to do its best in order to avoid the Cold War to return…whenever there is an East-West conflict, the countries of Central Europe lose and we don’t want to be losers anymore.” He further talked about the sanctions and their ineffectiveness as he said that sanctions had been regularly renewed since 2014 but they had no effects on Russia. (“Ukraine crisis: Hungary won’t accept more NATO troops on its soil, says foreign minister Szijjártó,” Euronews, 10 February 2022)
REGIONAL
Russia and Belarus to conduct joint military exercise
On 10 February, Russia and Belarus will begin joint military drills despite the growing tensions in Ukraine. In the drill, 30,000 Russian troops are set to take part in the drills along with Belarus. The US has said that the troop deployment will be the biggest since the cold war. In the case of Russia, it has still not accepted to look away from Ukraine, claiming its closer social and cultural ties with Ukraine. Belarus has come in between the tensions because of its close relations with Russia and sharing the longest border with Ukraine. The Russian EU Ambassador has assured the return of troops after the exercise. The repercussions of the military exercise are yet to be known. (“Ukraine tensions: Russia begins military drills with Belarus,” BBC, 10 January 2022)
MIGRATION
Austria: Police finds eight migrants being smuggled under a truck
On 09 February, Austrian police stated that they had found eight migrants hidden in a narrow box under a truck in December 2021. But, the police only publicized the incident on 09 February as the driver who smuggled the people in was arrested on 04 February. The police identified the migrants to be from Turkey and were being illegally smuggled, in life-threatening conditions. Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said: “This case shows once again how inhumane organised trafficking criminals act.” According to the police reports, each migrant had to pay EUR 15,000 to 16,000 to be smuggled illegally. (“Austrian police find migrants in ‘horror box’ under truck,” Euronews, 09 February 2022)
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
JET laboratory hit new record in nuclear fusion energy
On 09 February, the UK based JET laboratory broke its own world record in developing practical nuclear fusion. It has hit a new record in the amount of energy that can be extracted from combining two forms of hydrogen. The success of the mission depends on the recreation of the nuclear fusion which can power up the supply of low-carbon and low radiation energy at unlimited levels. According to the head of operations at the reactor lab: “We've demonstrated that we can create a mini star inside of our machine and hold it there for five seconds and get high performance, which really takes us into a new realm.” (Jonathan Amos, “Major breakthrough on nuclear fusion energy,” BBC, 09 February 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
Slovakia: Defence Cooperation Agreement with the US approved amid protests
On 09 February, Slovakia’s Parliament approved the Defence Cooperation Agreement with the US to use two Slovak air force bases for the next ten years. The deal was signed between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Slovakian Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad. The bill was approved by 79 members of the 150 strong Slovakian Parliament. But, the bill is yet to be ratified by the President. The vote was approved amid protests as the fears of Russia invading Ukraine remained high. The protestors rallied outside the Parliament and held up banners and flags that said, “Stop USA Army.” Blinken further mentioned how: “Nothing in [the] agreement creates permanent US bases or troop presence in Slovakia, and the agreement fully respects Slovakia’s sovereignty and laws.” (“US troops set to use military bases in Slovakia after MPs approve controversial treaty,” Euronews, 09 February 2022)
IOC denies to disclose the report on the anti-doping rule violation
On 10 February, the International Olympic Committee declined to provide details of the legal case on the awarding of medals to the figure skating team. The case was filed to detect the involved team or individual who failed in the drug test. Without any notification, the Russian Olympic Committee was awarded with gold before the US and Japan. According to the spokesperson of the IOC, said that since the case was given at a short notice and had many legal implications, he refused to comment on the legal case. The International Testing Agency said: “Any announcement connected to these events would always be publicly issued on the ITA's website and not commented on otherwise. No such announcement has been published to date.” (Anna Thompson “Winter Olympics: IOC 'can't comment' on figure skating speculation,” BBC Sport, 10 February 2022)