Franco-German axis squeezes Britain

  • 2002-12-12
  • Hugh Schofield
PARIS

A series of joint proposals by France and Germany on the future of the European Union illustrates the determination of the two countries to revitalize their historic link, at the same time squeezing Britain's Tony Blair to the sidelines.

A week before the historic Copenhagen summit, President Jacques Chirac and Chancellor Gerhard Schroder agreed to a new initiative to harmonize corporation and valued-added taxes in the 15-member bloc to improve the working of its single market.

The proposal was the latest Franco-German idea to be put to the European Convention that is discussing the future shape of an enlarged EU and follows recent announcements on joint plans for European defense and the coordination of justice and immigration policies.

The initiatives are being interpreted as part of a concerted effort by the two governments to show that their axis - which has been the motor of the EU since its launch more than 40 years ago - is not in danger of breaking down.

Both sides concede that the relationship has suffered badly in recent years - their differences nearly wrecked the Nice EU summit in 2000 - but with the 40th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty that enshrined their partnership only a month away, they want to present a united front once again.

As Chirac said recently, "When France and Germany are getting on, Europe advances. When they are not, Europe is blocked."

A key sign of their refound resolve to set the agenda was the appointment of the two foreign ministers, Dominique de Villepin and Joschka Fischer, as the countries' delegates on the European Convention, which next year is to recommend a new constitution for an EU comprising 25 or more members.

Other countries are watching the rekindling of the Franco-German affair with interest, but none more so than Britain. Prime Minister Tony Blair has tried to position himself at the heart of the European debate after years in which London was seen as an obstructive outsider.

According to diplomats in Paris, Chirac's rapprochement with Berlin reflects a growing exasperation with the British government which France believes has failed to live up to its early European promise, equivocating on euro membership and siding too readily with the United States on Iraq.

A row between Chirac and Blair at a recent EU meeting in Brussels led to the cancellation of a France-British summit this month, and though the summit has been rescheduled - and despite a fulsome birthday tribute sent by Blair to Chirac this month - some of the warmth has gone, diplomats said.

"Obviously there is a major Franco-German movement afoot which does not involve us, and we are trying not to sound resentful about it," said a British official on condition of anonymity. "But what remains to be seen is if any of their joint ideas turn out to be sustainable."

Indeed, the Franco-German proposals to the convention remain simply policy papers - which can be vetoed by other member states when decisions are taken - and questions are being asked whether behind the two countries' evident desire to recreate their historic axis they actually have that much in common.

On many of the bigger issues facing the EU - such as the role of states in determining foreign and defense policy, the rights of euro-zone governments to defy the Brussels Commission, or the future of the bloc's institutions - France has a much more nation-based philosophy than Germany.

Berlin, meanwhile, is embracing the EU's expansion to Central and Eastern Europe, a process still regarded with reticence in France. Deep-rooted divergences such as these may prove of greater significance than the countries' new-found alliance, however heartfelt that may be.