Baygert Nicolas

This author's articles

• The aftermaths of Plan D and Europe Day: The Commission’s endeavour to consolidate a Citizens Europe

  16 May 2006
  In a conference given the 8 May 2006 at the Bélem Cultural Centre preceding the 9 May Celebrations of the European Union, José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission addressed a speech entitled «Strengthening a Citizens Europe». After commenting structural and institutional evolutions following Portugal’s accession to the European Community, he underscored the conventionally held opinion by public opinion that Europe is in a state of «crisis». President Barroso conceded that the failure of the French and Dutch referendums in 2005 has undoubtedly cast a shadow over Europe, spreading doubts and confusion over the European project and even creating a mood of pessimism and cynicism. This, in his words, has been seized on by demagogues as the first signs of clear nationalism. President Barroso nevertheless pointed out that European integration constitutes a dynamic process which necessarily gives rise to some resistance.

• War or Crime? Military Action in Peace Keeping and Legal Responsibility

  10 May 2006
  Prof. Guild launched the seminar by welcoming the speakers and participants. She highlighted that the event was jointly organized by the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) and the Centre for Migration Law (Radboud University of Nijmegen). The workshop took place in the context of CEPS policy research in EU justice and home affairs and the CHALLENGE Research project.

• European wave of immigration tests: Dutch and German controversies

  4 April 2006
  More countries are showing the will to introduce or straighten admissions tests for immigrants. Foreigners pertaining to British citizenship are expected to take a 45 minute test of 24 questions demonstrating their basic knowledge of national culture. The price for this multiple choice test is £34. Applicants must answer correctly 75% of questions.

• CNCDH Report on racism anti-Semitism and xenophobia in France

  4 April 2006
  This 21st of March 2006, international day for the Elimination of Racism, the CNCDH (Commission nationale consultative des droits de l’homme) handed back its annual report: « Rapport 2005 sur la lutte contre le racisme, l’antisémitisme, et la xénophobie », to french Prime-Minister Dominique de Villepin.

• Voices from the Conference on Migration and Development

  4 April 2006
  During the Migration and development conference organized the 15th and 16th of March 2006 in Brussels, interior Minister Patrick Dewael argued in favor of a controlled immigration system which would enclose benefits for both Europe and developing nations over a given timeframe, claiming that decisions must be made on which country needs which workers. According to Dewael, economic migrants would have to undergo specific training and education prior to immigrating.

• MEPs campaign to close 170 detention centers for migrants

  4 April 2006
  Italian Members of European Parliament Giusto Catania and Luisa Morgantini initiated a campaign to close all detention centers for illegal immigrants such as Lampedusa in Italy and additional 170 centers all around Europe.

• Reactions and comments on the «Danish cartoons» affair

  3 April 2006
  No real apology concerning the «Danish cartoons» emerged from EU’s foreign ministers council which took place on the 27 of January. Commission President Jose’ Manuel Barroso argued that «Freedom of speech is a crucial value for Europe and it’s not up for negotiation». Likewise, European Commissioner For justice freedom and security Franco Frattini added that «intimidation, violence and boycotts are unacceptable and the dialogue must be based on tolerance and not prejudice». EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana yet underscored that «Freedom of press entails responsibility».

• Dutch Integration Minister Rita Verdonk moves to deport gay Iranians

  3 April 2006
  The Netherlands’ Alien Affairs and Integration Minister Rita Verdonk, has recently sent a letter to Parliament informing the legislators that the government of Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende has decided to end the freeze on deportation of gay Iranian refugees. Rita Verdonk stated that «it appears that there are no cases of an execution on the basis of the sole fact that someone is homosexual... For homosexual men and women it is not totally impossible to function in society, although they should be wary of coming out of the closet too openly.» The six-month freeze was imposed after widespread protest in the wake of the hanging of two gay teens in Iran last July.