Guide to the European Union 2001-2002: An overview of current issues

Book abstract:

This guide presents the key current affairs in the European Union, examining the main events of the year 2000-2001 and considering what is likely to be on the top of the EU agenda over the course of 2002.

The introduction provides a concise overview of the period 2000-2002, opening with a discussion of the shift in emphasis at the beginning of 2000 from economic union to political union. This is followed by several short paragraphs on key issues such as the Nice Treaty, the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, economic and social reforms, environmental protection, the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, the Euro-Mediterranean relationship and enlargement. The introduction concludes with a look at what will be on the programme of the Belgian Presidency during the second half of 2001.

The book is then divided into four sections, each of which deals with a key area of EU affairs, namely: the institutions; the economy; the development of common policies and the EU's relationship with its neighbouring countries. Each section consists of a number of chapters which focus on more specific issues such as the Treaty of Nice, the EU's social policy, the White paper on transport, EU enlargement and the EU's involvement in the Balkans.

The second half of the book contains a series of annexes which bring together a wealth of first hand documentation related to the EU's current affairs. These include the Laeken Declaration on the Future of the European Union, reports and Green papers from the European Commission, Declarations from the Council of the European Union and Conclusions from European Council meetings.

This book will provide those interested in European current affairs with both a concise yet thorough analysis of key events in the European Union in 2001-2002 as well as valuable original material relating to these key events.

Gérard Rousselot-Pailley worked as a journalist accredited to the European institutions from 1969 to 1990. He also founded the European Information Service in 1972 and the Club de Bruxelles in 1986.