LYMEC Newsletter - August 2004 Content of this Newsletter:
President´s Column: LYMEC with passion and conviction We are back after a short summer break that we hope it has proved some good results to all of you. Summer breaks are necessary in order to find some internal peace and relaxation but also in order to plan the year ahead. LYMEC is facing this next Autumn with great expectations that some important in-depth political discussions will be brought up within the organisation, partly following the official agenda of the European Union, but without forgetting relevant key issues that as liberals should be placed on the top of our political agendas. Let's point out that not all the important subjects for discussion during this Autumn must necessarily only pass through the ratification of the new appointed Commission (with seven appointed liberal commissioners from Belgium, The Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Slovenia and Cyprus) and the signature of the Constitutional Treaty (to be then ratified within the next two years by the twenty-five member states) in Rome on October 29th. Let's also point out that this Autumn will be crucial for Turkey's membership to the EU, for the re-launch of the transatlantic dialogue after the US elections, for continuing our struggle towards a more democratic Europe especially in those European countries where freedom and democracy are not existing such as Belarus, for the success of a very liberal Dutch Presidency of the European Union… These are also important subjects to bear in mind when outlining the main political priorities for LYMEC in this Autumn even if some of them are placed on the back office of the current public debate within the EU. Indeed, LYMEC is committed on a number of important fronts and launching some public debates that we hope our Members can also make theirs: 1. The relations and ongoing partnership between the EU and Russia (as well as all with the Commonwealth of Independent States). On that respect, this year's Young Leaders Meeting in Estonia will allow us to establish further contacts with the youth leaders (and not that young anymore) from this region and define some common points in our political strategy and work programme for the upcoming years, especially with the Russians from Yabloko and the Union of Right Forces, but also with the Moldovans, Ukrainians, Armenians and Belarussians based on previous contacts and work that the bureau has been doing with all and each of these organisations. 2. When it comes to the specific case of Belarus, one of the few remaining "hardcore" dictatorship in Europe, it is of moral imperative for the liberals to struggle for free and democratic parliamentary elections on October 17th, and thus to fight for general freedom and democracy in this country. LYMEC will send a delegation of observers to Minsk based on a selection made upon a call to all our Members. Furthermore, LYMEC will promote among their Member Organisations to observe the electoral process on October 17th in all Belarussian embassies around Europe and will try to increase the public awareness about the need to put more efforts for a sustainable democracy on a country that has ever witnessed democracy. 3. After the crucial elections in the US and the uncertain dispute between Bush and Kerry, LYMEC will organise in Italy a seminar and the Executive Committee meeting on the transatlantic dialogue and the security question with representatives from the US Democratic Party and the highest representatives from the EU counter-terror unit. But more information will follow soon. 4. The forth political key question we would like to identify as intrinsically crucial in our public debate will be the Turkish question. This year is an important turn for Turkey's accession to the EU, not least because the European Council summit in December will have to take the most important decision since the Helsinki summit in 1999 based upon a report submitted by the Commission during the Autumn. For us, liberals, Turkey is not only a question of further democratisation of the country itself but also a clear expression of this laic and secular Union we as liberals stand for.
But we are not only becoming a more visible and solid organisation with a strong and coherent political message from the external perspective, important steps are also being taken from an internal perspective and our Members will be able to witness that the bureau is undertaking some measures to empower the Individual Members section (IMS) and give them more autonomy for example, or significant changes on our external image (in the newsletters and mailings), a new and entertaining Libertas issue -our magazine- is about to come, new leaflets and other promotional material are being printed, new website improvements coming also… Many new steps that are taken with the passion we devote to our organisation every day. Many new steps that are taken with the conviction that they will become useful tools for LYMEC to better serve its Members and to be higher positioned in the public debate.
Roger Albinyana i Saigí
President of LYMEC
Member of the ELDR Party bureau
Column: The Fears of New Europe One of the most memorable of Rummy's many gaffs during the build up to the War on Iraq, was his division of Europe into 'New' and 'Old'. Rumsfeld, of course, was talking about the old divide between Western and Eastern Europe. The appearance of a seeming new axis of Paris-Berlin-Moscow to act as a counter to American belligerence has worried many in the Eastern Europe. Their fears have been compounded both by NATO's debilitation and by Jacques Chirac who condemned their open support for America as "a good opportunity to shut-up". Leaders in Warsaw, Budapest, Bucharest and elsewhere in the East are still very mindful of the threat of
the Russian 'menace'. French, German and Belgian efforts to block support for Turkey, a fellow NATO member, racked up the level of anxiety. If the Alliance was unable to effectively invoke its Article 5 for Turkey, then could it not respond in an equally timid fashion to a Russian threat to Poland, Lithuania or Estonia? In Western Europe, having won the Cold War, we may well regard Russia as no longer of such great strategic significance; nevertheless, fears in the former USSR states may be symptomatic of a different perspective but are very real. As a consequence, the central foreign policy objectives of the Eastern European states have been -
and will continue to be - to keep the United States engaged in European security and to make NATO more united and effective. In strategic terms, these states now align themselves with Britain and Italy against Old Europe's ambitions to create a European superpower. With increasing use of Qualified Majority Voting in the EU, they could be come an effective bulwark to Franco-German aspirations. The Eastern European states did not lend their support to the United States over the Iraq war out of genuine agreement over the threat of WMD: they acted in response to an emerging new power alignment to ensure their own security. In the future, if the United States once again finds its will obstructed within NATO by the French and
Germans, then it is a very real possibility that NATO will cease to exist. It is conceivable that a
different new transatlantic alliance will emerge that ignores 'Old Europe'. The military usefulness of NATO is already very limited, and the American public has already developed significant antipathy towards the French, such that US administration may no longer need the diplomatic and political comfort that NATO used to provide. In this scenario, the Eastern European states would take a new more significant strategic role in maintaining American engagement in Europe and providing security against any new Franco-German-Russian axis. If the countries of Eastern Europe are to become partners of the US, then their military capabilities will need to be developed. To an extent, this is already happening. Poland has recently purchased a sizeable fleet of American made F-16 fighter jets. The recent decision to close down a significant number of US military bases in Germany underlines the point that 'Old Europe' may be sidelined. The consequences of such a strategic shift would be quite revolutionary. With Britain and Italy already
aligned with the East and the US, France and Germany could become very isolated indeed, shattering any hopes of constructing a new European superpower as a counterweight to America. The fate of Euro-federalists lies largely in the hands of the new members of the European Union. This article was written by Thomas Kibasi, LYMEC Vice President.
Column: >From Russia with Love… and Concern Overview:
"The circumstances were such that my visit to Moscow to the conference One More Chance for Liberalism? - Answers of the Young Generation (8-12 July) coincided with three events that proved how serious we must take the current political situation in Russia... The Moscow conference was organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, the Russian liberal foundation Liberal Mission and the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) and gathered around 50 participants. Most participants were young members of the two main liberal parties in Russia - Yabloko and the Union of Right Forces. Present were also members of a new liberal party in Russia The New Ways, as well as young liberal-minded persons from all walks of life. The Russian citizens have become disillusioned with democracy following the state of anarchy into which their country was falling deeper and deeper during the previous governments. It is this kind of anarchy that lead to the erosion of lawfulness and the raise of corruption and local oligarchs. In that respect, no matter how gloomy the situation looks right now, I am optimistic when it comes to answering that question from the conference's title. I hope Russian liberals will feel the same. Being immersed in everyday politics of your country can sometimes leave you discouraged by individual setbacks and close your eyes to the wider changes in the society. The Liberals in Russia would do well if they would continue to play the role of only truly democratic opposition to president Putin's government. Only this role can guarantee them to be recognized as a credible alternative by Russian citizens and allow them to play a major role in the future Russian governments. LYMEC on its part has reaffirmed its determination to strengthening ties to young Russian liberals and offered them assistance and cooperation. The topic of LYMEC's next Young Leaders Meeting, taking place in Tallinn Estonia, 23 - 26 September, will be building of Europe-Russia partnership." To read the full article, go to http://www.lymec.org">www.lymec.org This article was written by Srd Kisevic, LYMEC Vice President.
Campaign: "The Final Countdown for a Stronger Europe: Turkey in the EU" AS the EU's December summit nears, to support Turkey's candidacy the ARI Movement has launched a 100-day-campaign targeting European and Turkish decision makers and public opinion to create an atmosphere in favor of starting accession talks between the EU and Turkey. With its campaign--The Final Countdown for a Stronger Europe: Turkey in the EU-- ARI Movement continues its lobbying and other activities on EU, both in Turkey and abroad. Through this campaign the ARI Movement aims to reach a larger audience including EU officials, decision makers, European public as well as Turkish public. The ARI Movement believes that not only Turkey and EU, but also the whole European continent and wider hinterland will benefit from an EU member Turkey in the mid and long term. In addition to strengthening EU in different aspects, Turkey as a full member to the EU will be a dynamic actor working for peace, cooperation and stability. We, as the ARI Movement believe that Turkey is a European country from every perspective. It would not be a realistic to use the "us versus them" approach for Turkey's full membership. ARI Movement's "The Final Countdown for a Stronger Europe: Turkey in the EU" campaign takes into account both Turkish and European perspectives and approaches the issue from many angles. While we strive to affect the starting of accession talks between Brussels and Ankara, we hope to receive your support to our "The Final Countdown for a Stronger Europe: Turkey in the EU" campaign before the EC's Progress report and the EU Summit in December. For more information about our campaign and activities on the EU, you may get in touch with our headquarters in Istanbul (+90 212 286 30 34) or our Brussels Branch (+32 2 550 19 36 / murat@ari-tr.org).
Nordic Centre Youth elects new leadership During the annual Congress of the Nordic Centre Youth (NCF), which gathers some of the LYMEC member organisations from the Nordic countries, a new leadership was elected. The Congress that took place on the 13th, 14th and 15th August in Reykjavik, Iceland, was attended by some 50 delegates
representing organisations from Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Ĺland Islands (of Finland), Lithuania and Estonia. Jonas Rask Samuelsson from Centerpartiets Ungdomsförbund, Sweden, was elected President and Mats Löfstrom from the Ĺland Young Centre, Finland, was elected Secretary General. They took over Magnus Öster and Markus Ginman, both from Svensk Ungdom, Finland, who had been serving on these positions for two years. The meeting was hosted by the Youth of the Progressive Party (SUF) of Iceland. Roger Albinyana, President of LYMEC, was invited to give a lecture on the topic of the European security. Minna Miettinen, Secretary General of LYMEC, was also present as part of the Finnish delegation from Nuoren Keskustan Liitto (NKL). On a meeting with the national board of the Icelandic Progressive Party Youth (SUF), Albinyana had the opportunity to introduce LYMEC on a more formal basis and invite them to join the European organisation. SUF that was participating at the last Young Leaders Meeting in Italy will follow the
formal steps to hand in the application for membership of LYMEC as announced by its President during this meeting in Reykjavik. The establishment of LYMEC in Iceland is particularly relevant taking into account the strength of liberals in the whole Nordic region. The leader of the Icelandic Progressive Party, Halldór Ásgrímsson, will be appointed Prime Minister of Iceland on September 15th.
LYMEC Online Shop is open You can now easily buy online lymec.org merchandising products: pins, stickers, polo shirts, books...
Click here and go shopping: http://shop.lymec.org We accept VISA, MasterCard, or credit transfers in euro. Prices displayed include postage fees.
LYMEC Secretariat re-opened ELDR Party, together with LYMEC, Secretariat has moved out of the Parliament in the beginning of August. The new party premises are situated close to the European Parliament. LYMEC Secretariat's new contact information is: address: LYMEC c/o ELDR Party, Rue Montoyer 40/6, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; tel: +32 2 237 0146; fax: +32 2 231 1907. Any email address ending with @europarl.eu.int will not be at our use anymore. Please send all of your emails to office@lymec.org. We are still haven't set up the office, so while we are working on that, we ask for your patience. We will inform you at our website, when the move-out is finally finished. For more information, contact LYMEC Secretary General, Minna Miettinen (minna.miettinen@lymec.org).
Job vacancies / ELDR Party The ELDR Party in Brussels is a young and dynamic team of dedicated professionals who support the activities of the liberal democrat and reform national parties at the European level. The candidate(s) will be based in Brussels but will also be called upon to travel frequently. Application: Applicants are requested to state in a covering letter why they believe they meet the requirements of the advertised post and send their application (letter and CV) to Lex Corijn, Secretary General - ELDR Party - Rue Montoyer 60- 1000 Brussels. 1) In order to support our growing activities, we are now seeking a Communication Officer. Requirements: The candidate must possess an advanced university degree in Political Science / International Relations / Journalism / Communication. S/He is a motivated person, enjoying using own initiative and working in a busy environment. S/He should have a minimum of five years of practical experience, preferably in an international environment and in the field of information/communication. The candidate should have affinity with liberal democrat values. Fluency in English and in French with excellent drafting skills are required. Good working knowledge of another EU language (especially German would be an asset!). Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Computer literate: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Internet. Closing date for receipt of applications: 22 September, 2004. 2) In order to support our growing activities, we are now seeking a Political Advisor. Function: Under the general supervision of the Secretary General, the political advisor will be in charge of monitoring policies and developments. S/He will draft policy papers, prepare assessments and background material for meetings and conferences and maintain databases over various ELDR networks. S/He will also carry out activities assigned by the decision-making bodies of the ELDR Party. S/He will provide substantive support to the organisation of conferences, meetings and workshops. Occasionally, s/he will represent the Secretary General. Requirements: The candidate must possess an advanced university degree in Political Science/ Law / International Relations / European Studies. S/He should have at least 3 years of practical experience in an EU related environment, including experience in the field of political analysis. The candidate should have affinity with the liberal democrat policies and support liberal democrat values. Fluency in English and in French with a good working knowledge of another EU language. S/He should have excellent interpersonal, presentation and communication skills. Speaking in public is an asset. Computer literate: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Internet. Closing date for receipt of applications: 15 September, 2004.
Links www.lymec.org Refreshed website of LYMEC
http://www.eu2004.nl">www.eu2004.nl The Netherlands took over EU-presidency July, 1st. This is their website…
http://europa.eu.int/europago/welcome.jsp EuropaGO-game in eleven languages - test your knowledge about EU and Europe
Calendar Box 21-29.8. JOVD-LJCL-YAECP Eurotour, Tallinn, Estonia
28-29.8. Congress of JR, France
16-19.9. IFLRY seminar, Cyprus
21-23.9. LYMEC Bureau meeting, Helsinki, Finland
23-26.9. LYMEC Young Leaders Meeting, Tallinn, Estonia
18.10. ELDR Party Council, Berlin, Germany
30-31.10 Congress of NKL, Kuopio, Finland
4-6.11. - Liberal international EC
6-7.11. Congress of KOL, Joensuu, Finland
11-13.11. GA of European Youth Forum (YFJ), Madrid, Spain
30.11-5.12. LYMEC seminar and Executive Committee, Rome, Italy
European Liberal Youth - LYMEC is youth organisation of European Liberal Democrat and Reform (ELDR) Party. LYMEC Secretariat
c/o ELDR Party, Rue Montoyer 40/6, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 237 0146
Fax: +32 2 231 1907
Email: office@lymec.org
Website: www.lymec.org Full members: Rinia Liberal Demokrate - LDRS (Albania), Joventut Liberal d'Andorra - JLA (Andorra), Junge Liberale - JuLi (Austria), Liberaal Vlaams Studenten - LVSV (Belgium), Jong-VLD (Belgium), Mladi Liberali Bosna i Herzegovina (Bosnia i Herzegovina), Radical Democratic Youth Federation - RDYF (Bulgaria), Joventut Nacionalista de Catalunya-JNC (Catalonia), Youth Movement for Rights and Freedom -YMRF (Bulgaria), Croatian People's Party Youth (Croatia), Liberalna Studentska Asocijacija-LSA (Croatia), Danmarks Liberale Studerende - DLS (Denmark), Radikal Ungdom anno 1994 -RU (Denmark), Venstres Ungdom - VU (Denmark), Eesti Noorte Reformiklubi -ENR (Estonia), Keskerakonna Noortekogu - YAECP (Estonia), Keskustan Opiskelijaliitto -KOL (Finland), Nuoren Keskustan Liitto -NKL (Finland), Svensk Ungdom -SU (Finland), Jeunes Radicaux -JR (France), Verband Liberaler Hochschulgruppen -LHG (Germany), Junge Liberale -JuLis (Germany), Gibraltar Liberal Youth - GLY (Gibraltar), Young Progressive Democrats -YPD (Ireland), Centro italiano di Critica Liberale -CICL (Italy), Gioventú Liberale Italiana -FdGLi (Italy), Liberalët e Rinj të Kosovës -LRK (Kosova), Lietuvos Liberalus Jaunimas -LLJ (Lithuania), Lietuvos Jaunuju Centristu Judejimas -LJCJ (Lithuania), Jeunesse Démocrate et Libérale du Luxembourg -JDL (Luxembourg), Liberalno Demokratska Mladina -LiDeM (Macedonia), Jonge Democraten -JD (The Netherlands), Jongeren Organisatie Vrijheid en Democratie -JOVD (The Netherlands), Norges Unge Venstre -NUV (Norway), Young Centre -YC (Poland), Tineretului National Liberal -TNL (Romania), Civic Youth Alliance (Serbia), Jungfreisinnige Schweiz -JFS (Switzerland), Mladi Liberalini Demokrati in Demokratke -MLD (Slovenia), Centerns Högskoleförbund -CHF (Sweden), Liberala Ungdomsförbundet -LUF (Sweden), Young Dolphins -YD (Turkey), Liberal Democrat Youth and Students -LDYS (UK), Young Alliance -YA (UK-Northern Ireland). Applicant member organisations: Gramadyanski Forum / Civil Forum -CF (Belarus), Jeunes Reformateurs Liberaux - JRL (Belgium), Youth of National Movement of Simeon (Bulgaria), Jóvenes de Coalición Canaria (Canary Islands), LIBRA Youth (Croatia), Liberális Fiatalok Társasága - LIFT (Hungary), Klubs LC (Latvia), Mladi Liberali Crne Gore -MLCG (Montenegro), Liberal Student Clubs - LSC (Romania), Gradanski omladinski savez - GOS (Serbia), Liberalna Mladez Slovenska (Slovakia), Centerpartiets Ungdomsforbund - CUF (Sweden). Observer organisations: Mladi Liberalne Stranke - MLS (Croatia), Mladi Hrvatski Liberali -MHL (Croatia), Norges Liberale Studenterforbund -NLSF (Norway). Interested Organisations: Fédération des Etudiants Libéraux -FEL (Belgium), Democratic Party Youth - NEDIK (Cyprus), Youth Organisation of the United Democrats (Cyprus), Unia Mladých -UM (Czech Republic), Mladí Liberálové - Repeal (Czech Republic), Sambad ungra framsoknarmanna - SUF (Iceland), Moldovian Liberal Youth (Moldovia), Yabloko Youth, Kaliningrad (Russia), Mladi za obcianske porozumenie -MOP (Slovakia), Juventudes Liberales - JL (Spain), Young ARI (Turkey), Liberal`ne Molodizhne Objednannya -LIMO (Ukraine). | 
