Europe is going through a tumultuous time at the moment, which we follow with interest. Here is an objective overview of some of the major highlights that are occuring at the moment.
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German opposition leader and possible future chancellor Angela Merkel has spoken out in favour of the EU upholding its commitments to Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia.
In an interview with the daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Mrs Merkel said that "with its enlargement policy to date, the EU has reached the limits of its ability to integrate".
Her words appear to draw a line under the several negative comments that have been emerging over the last months and in the end of May from Christian Democrat quarters implying that even Bulgaria and Romania's membership - planned for 2007 - is no longer so sure.
But the CDU leader drew the line at both Turkey's and the Balkans' membership by adding "but by then a point will have been reached where we stop".
During last week, during the EU summit, Chirac and Schröder, on the other hand, have also sought to strengthen European institutions and regard European political integration as an inevitable process that will enable the continent to develop its own foreign policy and stand up to the US.
In an interview with the daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Mrs Merkel said that "with its enlargement policy to date, the EU has reached the limits of its ability to integrate".
Her words appear to draw a line under the several negative comments that have been emerging over the last months and in the end of May from Christian Democrat quarters implying that even Bulgaria and Romania's membership - planned for 2007 - is no longer so sure.
But the CDU leader drew the line at both Turkey's and the Balkans' membership by adding "but by then a point will have been reached where we stop".
During last week, during the EU summit, Chirac and Schröder, on the other hand, have also sought to strengthen European institutions and regard European political integration as an inevitable process that will enable the continent to develop its own foreign policy and stand up to the US.
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