European Union: policies and priorities 2008

The argument over the EU’s reform treaty is over – at least between its political leaders. Now the spotlight moves away from institutions and back towards the policies, outputs and ‘deliverables’ on which the EU’s legitimacy depends. The agenda for 2008 is a packed one. The Slovenian Presidency beginning on 1 January, and then the French Presidency from 1 July, have a pressing set of challenges to address – challenges which know no borders. Can the EU deliver on its targets for tackling climate change? How is it to strengthen its energy security? Can it manage migration to its own advantage? Will it keep faith with the developing world and its membership hopefuls? And – crucially – does it have the political will to see through vital economic reforms and an overhaul of its budget?