Brussels, 16/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - The Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU set out its priorities, on Friday 16 December, for the first six months of 2012 - namely a green, safe, dynamic and responsible Europe. Danish European Affairs Minister (a newly created job) Nicolai Wammen said European citizens' eyes were on Denmark and Denmark tells them that solutions to the problems they face in daily life will have to be found, and this will be the guiding spirit of the new Presidency.
Economic crisis. The debt crisis and economics generally will be a key focus of the Danish Presidency. Wammen said the idea was to protect Europe and, to this end, the Danish Presidency would be a bridge between eurozone nations and non-eurozone countries. He said Denmark had the complicated job of rallying the views of 27 different member states to ensure the EU's interest and restore faith in the European project. The Danish Presidency wants to send out a clear signal that this is not the time for battles over institutional niceties (like types of treaty), but was instead a time for unity, for joining forces.
The Danish Presidency wants Europe to take a more responsible attitude and properly introduce the decisions reached at the 26-27 October and 9 December 2011 summits, along with the European semester. Wammen mentioned specifically systems for monitoring member sates' monetary policies, boosting budget discipline, stricter public finance measures, completing work on the six-pack and boosting the eurozone. Tight financial regulation is important, he added.
EU budget. The negotiations over the EU's budget, or multiannual financial framework, for 2014-2020 are equally important. The Danish Presidency says that Denmark will run its chairing of the EU efficiently in order to make as much progress as possible in the talks so that agreement can be reached next year. Agreement on the financial perspectives is vital for preparing tomorrow's Europe with greater funding for innovation, education and R&D to boost jobs, economic growth and competitiveness, he said.
Single market. Denmark wants a strong Europe to stimulate growth, expanding the single market to make the most of its growth potential. He said the single market was one of Europe's greatest achievements but it needed to be made more effective and the Danish Presidency aims to make progress on the 12 European Commission initiatives, including eliminating red tape, which is so damaging to small business, and to increase safety for consumers. Not to mention the EU patent.
The Danish Presidency will focus on trans-European energy grids, transport and digital affairs. Denmark also wants to boost trade opportunities for big European companies at the WTO and also through bilateral trade deals with Japan, India, Canada and Tunisia.
Green Europe. Copenhagen wants to encourage environmentally-friendly growth and a green economy. Wammen said the Danes wanted to promote economic growth that was affordable in the long-term, believing that new measures on energy, the climate and the environment could boost jobs and economic growth in Europe. He said it was a matter of deciding where green jobs were created - in the EU or somewhere else in the world. The Danish Presidency wants them created in Europe. Denmark will be working on a new energy efficiency directive and a long-term energy and climate change strategy (from now until 2050).
Home affairs. Wammen said that the EU member states had to cooperate to manage borders in the world of globalisation and ensure the safety and interests of people living in Europe. Denmark wants to continue to roll out the Stockholm Programme for justice, freedom and security. He said the Arab revolutions and the large number of would-be immigrants to Europe meant that the EU asylum system had to be finalised next year to ensure asylum-seekers were properly treated. Wammen said the Danish Presidency wanted the Schengen system to be boosted and would be trying to reach a conclusion in the talks on the PNR directive (providing other countries with information about Europeans travelling by air).
Foreign relations. EU enlargement is a true priority for the Danish government, which wants to be an honest broker working with everyone to achieve results, said Wammen. Under the Danish Presidency, Montenegro may begin EU accession talks and Serbia is likely to want to officially apply to join the club. Copenhagen will work on a positive agenda with Turkey and Iceland. Denmark is planning to continue working with the EU high representative for foreign policy to ensure Europe speaks with a single voice.
Denmark will be at the helm of the EU from 1 January to 30 June 2012 inclusive. (CG/transl.fl)