The French and Germans are divided in their attitudes toward their leaders and their economic futures, writes Frederick Kempe

The European Union (originally the European Coal and Steel Community) was created in the 1950s to prevent repeating the disastrous mistakes of the 1930s, and yet today, it seems as though nothing has been learned.

WHEN the boom was at its height few would have envisaged that the euro would be in crisis in such a short space of time.

AS the ‘No-No’ tribes disperse to their hugely diverse comfort zones after the nine-day booze-up to which they were electorally entitled, those of us who are committed to the literally essential strategy of Ireland in Europe must regroup.

The Lisbon Treaty makes important changes to how the European Union is run. As the countdown to the referendum continues, we begin our daily series explaining aspects of the treaty and the effects for Ireland. European correspondent Ann Cahill explains.

Voters in France faced an historic choice today as they cast ballots in a referendum on the European Union’s first constitution.

Europe’s landmark new constitution faces a make-or-break referendum in France tomorrow, when a polarised nation decides whether to boost or block the next giant leap forward in a half-century of efforts to unite the continent.

Leaders of 10 south-east Asian nations ranging from fledgling democracies to an absolute monarchy gathered today to sign a landmark accord aimed at moulding their disparate region into a European-style economic community by 2020.

I WAS disappointed by the misinformed letter from Dana Rosemary Scallon, MEP (Irish Examiner, June 24).

European Commission President Romano Prodi urged EU governments today to adopt a constitution that safeguards and builds upon the gains of 53 years of unprecedented integration.