Brussels, 26/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - The Belgian Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the EU wishes to lay emphasis on implementing the Treaty of Lisbon and the role of the General Affairs Council in preparations for the European Councils, said Steven Vanackere, speaking in Brussels on Monday 26 July, presenting the priorities of the Belgian Presidency.
The Belgian minister for foreign affairs, Vanackere, listed six priorities: - the “important” coordination role of the General Affairs Council upstream of the sessions of the European Council; - the role of the General Affairs Council (“somewhat underestimated in the past”) in following up the decisions of the European Council; - the finalisation of institutional transition as regards external relations, with the creation of the European External Actions Service (EEAS); - debates on the revision of the budget of the EU and on the forthcoming financial perspectives; - a “more thorough” drafting of the EUROPE 2020 strategy and the reinforcement of the economic governance of the EU; - the enlargement of the EU.
Germany's representative pointed out that in the new institutional configuration, the Commission and the European Parliament need to reorganise their relations. Germany feels that this must not be done at the expense of the powers of the Council. The framework agreement being developed between the Commission and the EP “must be discussed at the Council”, says Germany. Ireland supported Germany's concerns over this. The German delegation also said that it was interested by the continuation of the debate with the General Affairs Council on the financial perspectives.
Poland took the floor to support the tribune of three countries (France, Germany and the UK) in calling for the EU's offer over the climate to be stepped up (EUROPE 10185), for an impact assessment to be carried out into a 30% reduction of CO2 emissions for the EU between now and 2020 compared to 1990 figures, “taking account of the competitiveness of European industry”. “The member states will not all have to contribute in the same way to this ambitious objective”, said Poland. “We need to prepare well for the discussions of the October European Council, on climate change, but we see things differently from the Poles”, put in Denmark. According to the representative of that country, “we do not see ambitious climate objectives as something that would cost European industry dear”, but as “an opportunity” to make it more competitive in the world.
Bulgaria stressed the importance of enlarging the Schengen zone and added that it wished to make up part of the forthcoming enlargement of the Schengen area, in 2011.
Follow-up of the European Council of 17 June. In light of an information note drafted by the Presidency, the Council took stock of the follow-up of the meeting of the European Council of 17 June (implementation of the EUROPE 2020 strategy, economic governance, financial services, G20, climate change).
Agenda of the September European Council. The Council examined a draft agenda for the European Council to take place on 16 September. The next European Council will focus on the following issues: 1) Economic governance: work of the working group chaired by the president of the European Council; 2) Relations with the strategic partners of the EU.
At a press conference, Steven Vanackere said that it was extremely important that “the General Affairs Council has understood that in order to prepare properly for the European Councils, we must ensure that the European Councils are properly followed up”. (L.C./transl.fl)