Brussels, 29/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - During a press conference on Thursday 29 October in Brussels, the leaders of the Spanish, Belgian and Hungarian governments presented their common logo for the period of presidency beginning on 1 January 2010 and ending 30 June 2011.
The logo consists of two letters, “e” and “u”, linked to express solidarity and harmonious relations between the three member states that will succeed each other at the presidency of Council formations, except that for external relations. The resolve to collaborate closely is confirmed by the fact that only the colour of the logo will change with each term of office. A press release on Thursday states that the “trio” presidency is preparing a political programme and certain common communication actions such as a common home page, which will be presented at a later date.
José Luis Zapatero states the logo is the symbol of the resolve to work together for greater effectiveness, but also that of a “modern and open Europe”. The Lisbon Treaty comes at a time when “Europe must show poof of leadership”, the president of the Spanish government said, explaining that the Union must raise the challenge of becoming an important region for promoting peace, democracy and human rights in the world. Speaking of what the three countries bring to the EU, Herman van Rompuy mentioned geographical and cultural balance. After pointing out that, without economic union and without single currency, “we would be in the same crisis as in the thirties”, the Belgian prime minister welcomed the launch of a “team presidency”. The Hungarian prime minister said this presidency will allow “long term planning”. Gordon Bajnai stressed the “need for more cooperation, more coordination and more integration in order to come out of the crisis”. (O.J./transl.jl)