Press review

The EU is already experience the effects of the Lisbon treaty as it is reforming diplomatic relations as well trying to have a coordinated programme in the rotating presidency amongst member states.

The EU has set up a new body to tighten the ties with the Mediterranean neighbours, while on the Enlargement front, the Spanish presidency is trying to promote Turkish membership and Croatia is set to join the block in 2012.

The vote for the next commission has been pushed back now that there is a new Bulgarian nominee. As the EU tries sets up a revised framework with ACP countries, critics question the block’s policy with its neighbours.

The unexpected withdrawal of the Bulgarian nominee has added further drama in Brussels and extended the commission hearings. The EU meanwhile hopes to bring stricter financial scrutiny in Turkey and the Balkans

With everything to be sorted in the final Commission hearings this week, the institutions still managed to keep an eye on the Ukrainian elections. At the same time, Moldova is testing the waters of EU integration whilst Turkey still hopes to view the distant shores.

The battle with MEPs on the future commission intensifies as Barrosso has officially backed the much discussed commissioner candidate. In Ukraine, the fight for the presidency is now restricted to two candidates and faces a very different panorama since the Orange revolution.

The future of the new commission is not yet certain with MEPs having a strong opposition to certain candidates. Meanwhile Spain seeks to re-build the bridges with the US, whereas the Ukrainian presidential elections are opening the country’s taps on their pro-EU pipeline.