Brussels, 27/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - Former President of the European Parliament and current MEP Jerzy Buzek (EPP, Poland) recently granted Agence Europe an exclusive interview.
Agence Europe (AE) - What are impressions of your presidency of the European Parliament?
Jerzy Buzek (JB) - It coincided with an exceptionally difficult period for the European Union. Tackling the financial crisis was certainly the overriding priority of my term in office. It figured in our relations with the Council and the Commission, in our internal work in the EP where we created a special committee (on the financial, economic and social crisis - CRIS). Finally it was a key theme in our relations with the member states. It was with the message of solidarity that I visited all the EU countries facing most pressing challenges. I tried to be there, with their citizens and on behalf of all EU's citizens in those most crucial - for them and for the entire EU - moments of taking uneasy decisions on austerity measures. That was the aim of my visits to Latvia, Lithuania, and also of course Greece, then Portugal, Spain, Ireland. In addressing their national parliaments, I argued for the necessary reforms and shared the experience of my own country, which succeeded in enforcing difficult reforms. I saw my particular role - as President of the European Parliament and based on my past experience - as defender of the principle of solidarity. But I also had to stand up for the common responsibility we all carry in our European family. There is no solidarity without responsibility and that was my second message.
Implementation of the Lisbon Treaty was the second important issue of my term of office. Over 40 new areas (among them agriculture, budget, trade, structural funds, and fisheries) now come under the procedure of co-decision by the European Parliament (EP) and the Council of Ministers. The increased power of the EP had to be accompanied by increased responsibility and transparency for its members. Hence, we adopted the Code of Conduct for MEPs, including tighter rules on conflict of interests, declarations of the Members' financial activities outside the EP. I am very proud that I left the Parliament - a democratically elected institution - much more powerful, transparent and better organised.
AE - What are the highlights of your presidency?
JB - Definitely the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty, which I already mentioned. I remember my pre-referendum visits to Ireland and later to the Czech Republic, especially my intense negotiations with President Vaclav Klaus, whom I have known for years. In the end, I managed to convince him that the Lisbon Treaty was the ultimate solution, and we needed to act with urgency. His signature sealed that conviction.
Secondly, I aimed to do everything to assure the EP's due influence over the multiannual financial framework - even breaking off the 2011 budget negotiations with the Council. The EP - representing all EU citizens - must play a key role, not only in budgetary oversight, but also budgetary planning, so as to ensure that the EU has proper resources to face the challenges that we must meet together.
Thirdly, I have to mention the European Energy Community. It's great how much we have achieved over the last two years, since I launched the proposal with Jacques Delors in May 2010. We already see the first steps of coordination on purchasing energy from outside the EU, we have made major advancements in building a common market for energy, with strong support from the European Council given in February 2011. Two years ago, I did not imagine that we would have come such a long way.
Last but not least, I am particularly proud that we managed to create a truly independent and strong European External Action Service. The negotiation process was lengthy and far from easy. But today we can say that we managed to lay strong foundations for a truly common EU foreign policy, with the EU's diplomatic service as its backbone.
AE - Have you any regrets about your presidency?
JB - I'm disappointed that we did not manage to improve the situation in Belarus. And of course we did not overcome all of the economic problems.
AE - What is your relationship with the new President of the European Parliament?
JB - President Schulz is a very experienced politician. I wish him courage and energy in facing all the challenges, continuing the budget negotiations, defending the community method as well the strong position of the EP already achieved in the process of implementing the Lisbon Treaty during my term in office.
AE - How does it feel to become an “ordinary” MEP?
JB - Very positive. I definitely get to rest more, even if work still takes at least 10 hours of my normal day. I am working actively in two committees - ITRE and AFET - and I pursue the same objectives as when I was the EP president. Strengthening the European Energy Community is one of them. Being a rapporteur for the FP7 for Research and Development 7 years ago, I continue to be involved in the work on Horizon 2020, building competitiveness of the EU economy through new technologies. I also like to build on my good contacts, developed over the past two and a half years, with the EU's Eastern neighbours - Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan - and also the Western Balkans. They are undergoing the same changes as my country did 15 or 20 years ago. The same refers to the North African region, where I paid two visits in the course of last year's revolutionary changes. I heard a strong message - “Our future is with Europe. We need your assistance”. We should answer these expectations; help our neighbours the best we can. That's what I'm trying to do!
AE - In your inaugural speech, you said it was necessary to develop the partnership with Russia, and to develop human rights. What do you think about the situation?
JB - We see quite new developments in Russia, such as the growing independent movements demanding democratic changes. When I visited the country, we naturally discussed all the economic matters and issues of mutual interest, but I did not shy away from mentioning our concerns about the human rights violations. Promotion of human rights is the most important responsibility of the EP because our institution is uniquely placed and legitimised to defend them in all parts of the world. And it makes a difference. I was a member of the Solidarity movement and I remember how important every sign of support we received from the Western world was. It is my mission to keep the same kind of assistance - in Russia, China, and Northern Africa. That is what I did as EP President - raising the cases of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Sergei Magnitsky and Anna Politkovskaya in my discussions with President Medvedev; expressing my concerns about Hu Jia's situation in the meeting with the Prime Minister of China; defending women's rights in the Arab Spring countries. That is what I continue to do still.
AE - Could the European Parliament do more for these rights?
JB - We can always do more. Human rights violations still concern all the regions of our globe - including our own continent. Yet all our actions bring positive outcome, even if it is not immediately visible. I remember a group of Azeri protesters being released a few days after my frank discussions with the country's president in Baku - I was not so sure it would happen, when I came out of that meeting. I visited Ukraine four times during the Orange Revolution. Immediate results there were very promising, but they did not hold over time and the final outcome is much less than what could have been expected. Generally speaking, it is a gradual process that takes determination and patience.
AE - What do you think the boycott by EU leaders of the football championship in Ukraine?
JB - First of all, the word boycott is an over-interpretation and I believe that the EU leaders have been quite clear in making that point. Having said that, any kind of action, in the case of Ukraine, should be directed against the authorities, never against the citizens. We have been encouraging Europeans to visit Ukraine during Euro2012, to be present in the stadium and outside it, to meet ordinary Ukrainian citizens. I think this is key to creating a new atmosphere. But there is nothing wrong with sending a strong signal of disapproval when our official partners do not keep to their commitments. The absence of some leaders at the final game could be one way of sending such a signal.
AE - Will you be going?
JB - I wouldn't rule out the possibility. However, personally - and I know that many European politicians share the same view - my decision will depend on further developments in the situation of the imprisoned politicians, especially the court decisions expected on 26 June. (Jerzy Buzek was talking to Camille-Cerise Gessant.)