5 - A Political and Economic Giant

Italian Ambassador Colombo discusses the system and affairs of the EU

Marco Colombo has been the Ambassador of Italy to Ottawa since October 2001. Earlier on, he held other prestigious posts: he began his career in Santiago, in 1973 he opened the Italian Embassy to East Berlin, carried out duties as counsellor and minister in Bonn and Belgrad; he was Ambassador to Kuwait, where he was held hostage by Iraqi forses following the 1990 invasion, and to Malta. He also served as inspector general at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
From July 1 to December 31 of this year, he'll represent Italy in Canada, holding the presidency of the European Union.
Ambassador, Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini recently declared that great energy would be devoted to approving the Constitution of Europe during the Italian six-month Presidency of the Council of the EU. Let's start from this: where does the need for a Constitution come from?
"It comes mostly from the new scenarios opened by the current enlargement process. The European Union originally had six member states, now there are 15 and soon there will be 25, even though technically the new countries including Cyprus, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Hungary, will only enter on May 1, 2004. Let's not forget that, in a few more years, Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey will do likewise, and that the Union has already offered all remaining Balkan states to join. The very increase in the number of members requires new rules, at least in order to adapt the current mechanism that could not work smoothly in the new reality."
Could you give us some examples of these difficulties?
"One is truly trivial: in every capital around the world, regular coordination meetings are held among mission leaders, political advisors, trade attachés, cultural and media relations officers of European Union members. One of the practical problems we face here in Ottawa, for instance, is that very few Residences and Embassies can accommodate meetings with more than 30 participants. Logistical problems are the order of the day. If the number of people should double, the meetings would become even longer, and they are already not short to begin with. Taking any decision will be doubly difficult. This may sound rather extreme, but you can imagine the problems, of this and other kinds, multiplied manifold in Brussels..."We get the picture.
"Well, these problems are being tackled by the Convention, an organization including experts and MPs of the various Parliaments of the Union - taking part as individuals, though - chaired by former President of France Valery Giscard d'Estaing. Italy is represented by former Prime Minister Giuliano Amato, who's the vice-chair of the Convention; Vice Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini; and former Prime Minister and former Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini. By the end of June, the Convention submitted the draft of the new Constitution (technically a Treaty) to the governments of EU member States."
What will happen now?
"The draft will be studied and refined by an Intergovernmental Conference, composed of official representatives of the governments. The Italian presidency would like to close the Intergovernmental Conference and proceed to sign the new Constitution by the end of the year."
Some people say that the European Union is an economic giant but a political and military dwarf. Will the new Constitution enable it to become a political and military giant as well?
"Your remark is correct, but not entirely. First of all, in my opinion an economic giant can never be considered a political dwarf. In a globalized world, economy and politics are inextricably intertwined. The mere fact of being an economic giant (a market of 380 million people - over 450 million after the enlargement - with a GDP slightly lower than the United States) means that the European Union has a huge weight on world economy, and as a result on world politics. Let's not forget the Euro, either: it had plummeted to around 0.80 U.S. dollars, now is close to $1.20. Over 30 per cent in one year or so; not bad for a dwarf, don't you think?"
Granted, but the union is still limping in other sectors...
"That's true, there are wide margins for improvement in the political-military sector, but also as regards justice and domestic affairs. Especially in the latter, a sector called to intervene on matters of growing importance such as the fight against international terrorism, illicit trades of any kind, illegal immigration, and so on. These are sectors where traditionally national sovereignty is stronger. However, aren't currencies another typical expression of national sovereignty? Who would have imagined, just 10 years ago, that French Francs, Italian Liras and German Marks would disappear, replaced by Euros? What I'm trying to say is that the collaboration among the member States encourages optimism, because endless obstacles and individualism have already been overcome." List a few of them please.
"Take economic co-operation: it achieved its present successes thanks to more than 50 years of joint work. I can remember the creation of the European Carbon and Steel Community and Euratom in the 50s, and the movements supporting the Europan ideal promoted by student groups of many inclinations. Even back then there was no lack of difficulties: for a long time, France adopted the 'empty seat' tactics to try and stop several decisions from being taken. In the end, though, progress always triumphed."
After the Berlin Wall came down, only one superpower remained: the United States, arbiter of the new world order. This position may be seen as good or bad, but it is certainly uncomfortable for the USA themselves, which now have only counterparts and not authoritative partners that would - and could - orient them and, if need be, slow them down in their moments of 'political exuberance'. Will a politically stronger Europe be able to play this role?
"Certainly the United States are the dominant political-economic power of today. Political scientists say that with the demise of the Soviet Union the world went from a bipolar system to an 'imperfect unipolar' one. Should the European Union adopt a more efficacious foreign and defence policy, it could somehow balance the current US superiority. I would like to underscore, however, that the progress achieved by the EU in the sectors we mentioned earlier have not been devised to shape a competition against the USA. On the contrary, that progress was launched, and will be achieved, in full transparency and in close consultation with the United States and the other NATO allies. Many meetings in Brussels are already devoted to consultations with the USA, much like increasingly frequent and detailed consultations are held directly between NATO's Atlantic Council and the Council of the European Union."
Which political and economic advantages can Canada derive from a closer relationship with the European Union? "I am convinced that a stronger co-operation between Canada and the European Union will greatly benefit both. I would like to add that the Canadians know it quite well. Keep in mind that political dialogue between the Union and Canada, already intense, is comparable only with that which the EU entertains with the USA. Thanks to this dialogue, Europeans and Canadians almost always concurred on major international political issues. This is a big advantage, which few countries can pride themselves of."
Will there be improvements in Italian-Canadian relations during the Italian semester at the helm of the Union?
"That's what we intend to work for. On the other hand, browsing the agenda is enough to realize this: during the Italian Presidency there will be a summit of Heads of State and Government on December 17 in Ottawa, where [Council] President Berlusconi and [Commission] President Prodi will meet with Prime Minister Chrétien. Then there's a ministerial meeting in Rome, where minister Graham will meet with minister Frattini, European Commissioner Patten, and European Council Secretary General Solana, who's also in charge of the Union's foreign policy. Dozens of other meetings are scheduled where Europeans and Canadians will be able to compare positions and bring them closer on many different issues of international concern. This says nothing of the many more meetings in Brussels, where Union partners will discuss their relations with Canada and how to strengthen them."
This regards the political side. What about the economy?
"Italy, in its capacity as interim president of the Union, intends to proceed to a comprehensive review of the relations between the EU and Canada, and to lay the groundwork for an agreement on reinforcing transatlantic trade and investments. This is a qualifying item in the program of the Italian Presidency, and both the Canadians and we are very interested in it. This would be a new kind of agreement, a first for the Union, promoting investments and the harmonization of the rules governing them. Our purpose is to decrease further the obstacles still hindering this sector. Negotiating this deal will take time, but we would like to complete the definition of its contents during our semester." On May 1, 2004, Cyprus and Malta will join the European Union. Some people say that these two islands represent a southward enlargement of Europe, towards the Mediterranean basin, and the Muslim world that left such a political and cultural mark in the past centuries. There is a long tradition of relations between Europe and Islam: how could Europe contribute to the construction of a stable peace in the Middle East?
"One of the strong points of the European Union, maybe the strongest in my opinion, is the transformation of a continent ravaged by centuries of war into a region of political stability and great prosperity. This result alone is worth more than anything else. Now, this area of stability, peace and prosperity is expanding eastward and southward. The latter is a result that Italy strongly advocated. Cyprus and Malta may be small countries, but they are very important: they represent the beginning of a strategy aimed at creating an area of stability, peace and prosperity all around the Mediterranean Sea, even if it will take some time. This is a top priority for Italy, which is an integral part of this sea, the cradle of the Western civilization."
This is what gives strategic value to Turkey's joining the Union.
"Certainly, and Italy has lost no opportunity to declare its favour to this entry. We are totally committed to progressing on the so-called 'Euro-Mediterranean Process', launched a few years ago in Barcelona with the purpose of bringing the Mediterranean countries closer to the EU. Unfortunately, this purpose has recently encountered some difficulties due to events in the Middle East, but Europeans are still confident and determined: they keep the dialogue in place, as they believe that success requires dialogue, not confrontation."
Malta's adhesion to the Union was rather bumpy, we might say. Malta embodies the internal obstacles facing any country intending to join the European Union. You were the Italian Ambassador to Malta: can you tell us what happened there? "Indeed Malta is a case study of the difficulties encountered by candidate countries in convincing their citizens of the real benefits potentially arising from belonging to the EU. Of course, sacrifices are needed in order to adequate one's economy, and in some cases political system, to the requirements of membership. Like many other small states, Malta exploits the niches of international economy, and these tend to disappear upon joining the EU. After asking for admission, for a few years the Maltese leaned towards reaping only immediate benefits and avoid full membership: Malta wanted to replace it with a series of special agreements that would grant it some advantages without requiring the sacrifices needed for entry. They changed their mind after a while, and chose to follow the longer and more difficult path that will result in greater long-term benefits for the island. A tactical but short-sighted choice was replaced by a strategy that will let the Maltese keep their identity, but within the greater European family where they rightfully belong."
Mister Ambassador, how did you prepare for the Italian semester here in Canada?
"Our Embassy is fully prepared, also from the organizational point of view, to cope with this semester in the most profitable way. This country is geographically distant from Europe, but it looks with keen interest to the evolution of the European situation. Canada knows that the Union is an important partner that can be relied upon in order to diversify its international relations, without prejudice for its fundamental choices. We Italians want this feeling to be reinforced by our semester of Presidency. For all these reasons, I created an ad hoc 'Team Presidency' of the Embassy, tasked with ensuring co-ordination, in matters pertaining to the Union, among the 25 Embassies of Member states, as well as the close links between them and the Canadian government. It will not be an easy task, especially as our regular tasks representing the Italian Government in Ottawa will also continue unchanged." Will the Consulates play any special role in regard of the semester?
"Our Consulates will also be strongly committed, because they will need to put special effort in following the evolution of EU affairs and raising political, economic and cultural awareness in their respective jurisdictions. The Consulates will of course continue to represent, as they've always done, the interests of the Italian community, but at the same time they will represent a reality that Italy contributed to with great commitment. It is a new Europe that is not only minding its economic interests, but also intends to make its presence felt in the fields of politics and defence."

Publication Date: 2004-08-22
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=4322