Charles Grant
Charles Grant
Director
Areas of expertise
Britain's EU referendum, the 'future of Europe' debate, the euro, Russia, European foreign and defence policy and China's relations with the West.
Twitter
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State of the Union: The good deal
The Wall Street Journal
25 June 2007
The deal in Brussels on a new treaty this weekend is good news for those who hope the EU can become a more confident and effective contributor to global security.
We do not need a referendum
The Guardian
23 June 2007
Thank goodness for the agreement in Brussels last night. Without a deal, the EU would have been mired in arguments on treaties, institutions and process for a prolonged period.
Treaty would not concede new powers on foreign policy
Financial Times
21 June 2007
Sir,
Martin Wolf's critique of the proposed new EU treaty ("This is a cynical plan for an unnecessary European treaty", June 20) wrongly asserts that the new posts of "president" and "foreign minister" would "centralise decision-making in areas affecting security".
Each would replace the rotating presidency as, respectively, chair of the European...
Martin Wolf's critique of the proposed new EU treaty ("This is a cynical plan for an unnecessary European treaty", June 20) wrongly asserts that the new posts of "president" and "foreign minister" would "centralise decision-making in areas affecting security".
Each would replace the rotating presidency as, respectively, chair of the European...
Constitutional fudge
The Guardian
19 June 2007
So far, Britain's stance on the German attempt to revise the EU treaties has been - from a British perspective - broadly reasonable.
What future? France's Socialist party needs a rethink
The Guardian
07 May 2007
France's Socialist party needs to rethink its identity and its strategy. Having lost three presidential elections in a row, the party needs to learn from centre-left parties not only in Britain, but also in Italy, the Netherlands, the Nordic countries and Spain.
Sarkozy - the new Napoleon
The Guardian
23 April 2007
As a former activist in the French Socialist Party, it pains me to welcome the success of a right-wing populist in the first round of the presidential election. But I think that a Nicolas Sarkozy victory may be the best outcome for France and for Europe.
Britain would be unwise to thwart Europe's treaty
Financial Times
03 April 2007
Germany's ambition to salvage large parts of the European Union constitutional treaty may provoke a serious rift between Britain and its partners. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown may be heading for a collision over what to do about the German plan. But the general view in Britain seems to be...
What are European values?
The Guardian
25 March 2007
The larger the EU becomes, the more important it is for the people who live in it to realise that their union has been built on common values. So I am delighted that the Berlin declaration, issued at the special EU summit marking the union's 50th birthday, stresses European values...
A French force
Prospect
01 March 2007
Nicolas Sarkozy's call for a "rupture" with France's past makes him an exciting figure. In the last five years—during stints as chairman of the Gaullist UMP party, finance minister and interior minister—he has proved himself a hyperactive and effective politician.
Welcome to the neighbourhood
Russia Profile
15 January 2007
The enlargement of the EU is slowing down. Bulgaria and Romania have just joined, bringing the membership to 27, but in many EU countries there is little enthusiasm for extending the Union's boundaries further.