“is a more European country than many EU countries themselves. Three-quarters of its trade is with Europe, and it shares with European countries many historical roots, cultural traditions, norms and people (due to the diaspora and a multiplication of lifestyles bringing together both shores of the Mediterranean).” 

“It is a small country with limited geographical differences in wealth (nothing in common with the eastern part of Turkey, whose extreme poverty will require significant structural funds if Turkey enters the EU); the GDP per capita is of the same order of magnitude as that of Turkey. Macroeconomic stabilisation was evidenced up to December, a sign that Tunisia had taken advantage of positive constraints contained in the Association Agreement with the EU. This suggests that the prospect of joining does accelerate reforms, as is happening in Turkey. Finally, national cohesion remains strong, and the average skill level is high and extends to a broad middle class.”

The EU would benefit from its membership, as it would establish new North-South relations, “stimulate the transition of other Arab countries, and frustrate the designs of U.S. and Asian powers in the Maghreb,” the authors conclude.

The Swiss Confederation is not the only European country to avoid the sport of putting all of one's eggs into a single basket. To the north, Norway, which has since 1992 been a part of the European Economic Area (the EEA, composed of the 27 member states plus Liechtenstein and Iceland), holds on to its cherished independence, while adopting nearly all European community directives. Sweden has refused to adopt the euro, but certain rebel Swedish cities in fact freely use it. The United Kingdom plays both sides of the European membership question with disconcerting ease: "I am part of the Union, but I don't want its single currency, which doesn't mean that I can't have my say." In short, for many countries it is a case of "I love you, but marrying you is out of the question".

Membership in the Union is not - and must not become - obligatory, but it doesn't seem to have the same meaning for members and their neighbours: there are those who swear by the Union, those who take it half-seriously, and those who reap some benefits by association... the list of variations is long.

Instead of following the example of Norway, which is, in the words of editor Eva-Lie Nielssen, a "clandestine passenger in the EU, but with a business class seat", wouldn't it be better to acknowledge this state of affairs and propose a series of options for limited membership in the Union, such as the adoption of its single currency? It would be like riding in the same train, but not necessarily in the same car, and perhaps not even in the same class. And countries could simply choose the dishes they prefer from the European menu. Iulia Badea Guéritée

Interviewed by the Madrid daily, Branchadell expressed the opinion that the Socialists, the ruling party, are not speaking on the subject enough, whereas the conservative opposition "is aligned with European ultra-conservatives in their hostility to admitting Turkey." As for the nationalists, "they sin by hypocritical pro-Europeanism." "The subject of enlargement has not been sufficiently pondered in Spain," the academic concluded.

Following the resignation of his main rival, Italy’s Mario Mauro, Mr Buzek stands a good chance of being elected. According to Rzeczpospolita’s calculations, with the Christian Democrats and the Socialists supporting him, Mr Buzek can count on some 447 votes in the 736-seat assembly. The Parliament will elect its new president during its inaugural session in Strasbourg next week. According to Rzeczpospolita, the Pole should also be supported by the Liberals, who ‘have nothing against his candidacy,’ as well as by MEPs from the new member states in the smaller groups, for whom Mr Buzek’s election, as the first President hailing from a former Communist country, would be a ‘symbol of the changes that have taken place in the EU five years after enlargement."