Brussels, 06/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - It was with a certain pomp that European Parliament (EP) President Jerzy Buzek welcomed the prime minister of his country to the EP to present the programme of the Polish Presidency of the EU. It was a both serious and smiling Donald Tusk who, after shaking hands with the leaders of the political groups and with other MEPs, greeted the elected representatives of all countries and of all parties as “friends”. The European Parliament has always worked for the unification of East and West Europe: it is not just about enlargement, it is also the “everyday unification” without which there can be no real Union. The long crisis that the countries of Eastern Europe lived through under the Soviet regime seemed to Tusk much more serious than the crisis Europe is experiencing at the moment, a crisis to which he feels the response should be not a reduction of what we have in common but an increase. History has shown that the solution to conflicts and difficulties is not a return to nationalism but solidarity (which is not, he stated, “charity”), upholding common values, movement without borders inside Europe (even though external borders have to be “well protected”, for example, through the reinforcement of the Frontex agency). More Europe and more integration also mean strong European institutions, he said, stating that that did not mean more ideology, rather more European leadership, the achievement of European policies and more freedom, prosperity and security for all. Whether convinced European or eurosceptic, no one present in the Parliament puts into question human rights, freedom of expression and religion, he said. Speaking of Greece, he appealed to the other member states to remember their histories at this time when effective aid has to be given. He also spoke briefly of the three main pillars for the next six months: security (food, energy, and also defence which has to be reinforced in the face of new external challenges), development of the internal market, and openness towards the countries which have European aspirations. Six months pass quickly, the instruments at our disposal are slight, and I do not overestimate the role of individuals, Tusk said in conclusion, adding that, we believe in Europe and we have every intention of putting a great deal into the European project.
Tusk's enthusiasm was contagious: European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said he had been “inspired” by the Polish prime minister's words and by the “rigorous vision” of his Europe. We want the same Europe, a Europe of knowledge, open to the inside and towards the rest of the world, as conveyed in the EU 2020 strategy, Barroso said. To achieve this Europe, a stable macro-economic base and increased budgetary coordination are needed, along with sound economic governance measures. The Polish Presidency believes in the added value of Europe, and Barroso hopes that it will bring a positive spirit in leading the negotiations on the multiannual financial framework. Openness towards the rest of the world is at one and the same time “a moral duty and an economic necessity”. The one Polish word that everyone knows is “Solidarnosc”, a key word which must be the leitmotiv of European construction, Barroso said, expressing his confidence that Donald Tusk will show the leadership that they European Union needs.
Several MEPs had already met Tusk and the members of his team in Warsaw, and, for many, the Polish prime minister's comments confirmed his proactive and pro-European approach. If you apply the European method such as you have argued today, said EPP leader Joseph Daul (France), this will be the best weapon against euroscepticism. Public accounts must also be put on an even keel, the debate opened on own resources, solidarity re-affirmed (“this is not only the right thing to do, it also makes financial sense”), and food and energy security improved. Europe, said S&D leader Martin Schulz (Germany) “suffers from governments putting the blame for all that is wrong on the European institutions”, adding that, fortunately, this was not true of Tusk. The return of populism in a number of European countries is a source of concern, too, for ALDE Group leader Guy Verhofstadt (Belgium), who welcomed the different look Tusk is casting over Europe: this is perhaps due to the fact that you are a historian, Verhofstadt suggested, and perhaps because you are a historian and you know that the histories of nation states have often been histories of conflicts, wars and even genocides. I have rarely heard a head of government uphold the European idea as well as you, stated joint leader of the Greens/EFA Group Rebecca Harms (Germany), who argued for a kind of “new deal” for countries going through difficult times, one which would not simply be punitive, but would offer prospects. She would like this new deal to be “green” and to boost the innovation that could be of benefit to all countries. The majority of Polish citizens are pro-European, stated GUE/NGL leader Lothar Bisky (Germany), calling on the Polish Presidency to oppose the freeze on the European budget and to “save people not banks”. While wishing the Presidency success, Polish MEP Ryszard Legutko (ECR) does not wish the party in government success at the next elections. He is certain that, in six months' time, the reins of the Presidency will be in the hands of another party. “What planet do you live on?” exclaimed Nigel Farage (EFD, UK), outraged inter alia, by what he saw as Tusk's “trivialisation” of the Greek problem. Shouted down by many MEPs and applauded by some, Farage went as far as to wish for a Europe along the lines of the Council of Europe, with no Commission, no Parliament and no Court of Justice.
Even though your Presidency is beginning right in the middle of a crisis, you want to do much more than simply manage the crisis, remarked Alexander Graf Lambsdorff (Germany), welcoming the reassertion of the principle of solidarity, though calling on Tusk not to forget the other side of the coin, “solidity”. French Green MEP José Bové said he thought the Polish Presidency was a little “overcautious” on ecological security, which is just as important as energy security and food security. Marielle De Sarnez (ALDE, France) hoped the Polish Presidency would bring a change of philosophy in recovery plans (the Greeks have to be given more time), progress in “the fight for own resources”, and progress in European defence. The chairman of the security and defence sub-committee, Arnaud Danjean (France), made it clear: “The common defence and security policy is not an option”, it is a strategic necessity (the United States cannot do everything for us) and an economic necessity (defence costs can often seem exorbitant for citizens so there has to be a collective rationalisation of defence budgets).
In the midst of all the encouragement and praise, a few discordant voices were raised, particularly those of eurosceptics like Barry Madlener (non-attached), who complained about Tusk's critical comments on his country, the Netherlands, and Polish opposition MEPs who used the debate to criticise the decision to hold a general election during the Polish Presidency. Tusk retorted that the date of the election was determined by the constitution.
We are looking for greater integration and less bureaucracy, Tusk said: so the EP and national parliaments have to be involved, for example in the forthcoming conference on the financial future of the EU. Tusk pledged to work “relentlessly” on the budget, with the aim of “saving the European budget” and of “speaking about money with courage and with no hypocrisy”. To the many speakers who expressed concerns over Schengen, following the Danish decisions, Tusk gave assurances that the Council and Commission would work together to find measures to ensure freedom of movement while, at the same time, protecting Europe against the potentially detrimental effects of migratory flows at the external borders (see related article). As for Romania and Bulgaria, any member states which fulfil the technical and organisational criteria must be able to join the Schengen area. Tusk also confirmed his desire to make progress on the environment and in relations with Ukraine.
The Polish prime minister chose not to react to eurosceptic comments: Commission President Barroso did so for him, acknowledging that there had been much more “aggression” in some interventions than usual. “The eurosceptics expected that enlargement would mean disintegration. They are disappointed that it didn't happen.” The eurosceptics say that they do not want institutions but a single market, yet they fail to realise that without institutions, the single market would be in danger, Barroso stated. (L.G./transl.rt)