Paul Gillespie is foreign editor of The Irish Times and an associate editor of openDemocracy’s Europa topic. He is the author, with John Palmer, of The Mission and Values of the Europe We Need, a document arguing the political case for closer European integration in an increasingly interdependent world (www.theepc.be).

Recent articles

The lesson of the Georgia-Russia crisis for the European Union is to learn from past mistakes and develop a distinct, long-term foreign-policy strategy, says Paul Gillespie.

The lesson of the European Union’s constitutional treaty is that national and European levels of politics are combining to create the possibility of a new public sphere. But what can be done to make it real in citizens’ minds? Paul Gillespie of the “Irish Times” reflects.

By ratifying the Nice Treaty, the Irish people have paved the way to European Union (EU) enlargement. Their healthy debate, good preparation for political engagement with the new EU, is also a vivid expression of the emerging European public sphere.

The long-term trends in transatlantic relations are towards equality. After 11 September, will they be set back by an intensification of the unilateralism of Bush’s first year? Or will current, necessary coalition-building become the harbinger of a progressive renewal?

The Irish people’s rejection of the Nice treaty is a roadblock to EU reform and enlargement. It is also a demand for a new political culture in the EU. Will the politicians and bureaucrats at last respond to democratic challenge?