Lisbon era starts in Europe while Merkel makes her historic US address…

A roundup as usual… last updated: 14:30 (4 Nov)

Consensus growing for low-profile EU ‘chairman’

from EurActiv.com

Confirming that EU leaders appear to read the job description of the first-ever permanent Council president as more of a ‘chairman’ than a ‘leader’, agencies reported today (2 November) that the mild-mannered Belgian prime minister, Herman Van Rompuy, is the “most consensual” figure for the top job.

If Sarkozy and Merkel are against Blair, maybe we should support him:)

Merkel and Sarkozy unite to end Blair’s European dream

from EU-DIGEST by Turkish Digest

Europe, World – The Independent

“Merkel and Sarkozy unite to end Blair’s European dream

Former prime minister’s bid for EU presidency founders as continent’s most powerful leaders announce they would prefer candidate from smaller country

Membership by 2015?

That’s a Foreign Ministry hope or fantasy. I am not too pessimistic about the EU membership process but it is a bit early. Super-slowness is the rule and targetting 2015 is to fasten the process which could disorient all the parties:)

Ah well, while EU membership process is a little peripherialized in the current state of Turkish foreign policy making, still it makes news, still happenings. A huge roundup on related issues:

People gather under The Eiffel Tower, lighted in the colours of Turkey as part of events marking the “Season of Turkey in France”, in Paris October 6, 2009. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

Turkish FM: “Turkey seeks EU membership by 2015″

Turkey is counting on joining the European Union by 2015 to bolster both its and the EU’s global role, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said on Friday. “Even 2015 is too late, not only for us, it will be too late for the EU as well,” Davutoğlu said at the European Policy Centre in Brussels.

The Eiffel Tower is seen lighted in the colours of Turkey as part of events marking the ‘Season of Turkey in France’, in Paris October 6, 2009. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

Turks may not have liked the German election results

source: Hürriyet

updated: 28 Sept 2009- 18:20

Turkish newspapers lament the results as triumphant center-right coalition means continuing obstacle to Turkey’s EU membership (see Hürriyet)

Victorious Merkel vows recovery

German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledges to focus on reviving Europe’s largest economy after winning a second term in office.

A good round up by Grahnlaw:

German elections and the European Union

by Grahnlaw

The German elections have caused a shift in the federal parliament Bundestag, and they will bring in a new government coalition (Bundesregierung). The conservative parties, the Christian Democratic CDU and the Bavarian CSU, suffered some vote losses, but remain the largest group by far.