Many reactions to the appointments of Herman van Rompuy as president of the European Council and Catherine Ashton as foreign policy chief have been negative.  They deserve a second thought. While the secrecy in which the appointments were made is disappointing, it is understandable that consensus was needed on this occasion; hopefully not next time [...]

We now have our new treaty, which is supposed to enhance the EU’s ability to act by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of its institutions and decision-making process.  At last, third countries will deal with a more unified entity; and will know the telephone number to call.  Or so we dream… What do we have [...]

It looks at last that the Lisbon Treaty will come into force – even as hoped for – on 1 January 2010.  Discussion so far has been mainly on whether Tony Blair should be given the first post, and to a lesser extent on what should be the determining criteria.  It seems clear that Blair [...]

Faites vos jeux!  Who will be the four bastions of the Union’s future when the Lisbon Treaty comes into force?     Commission                Barroso? Parliament                  Buzek? European Council         Blair? ‘Foreign Minister’         Bildt?   The odds are shortening on the four Bs.