Brussels, 02/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - “The next five years will be extremely important for the European project. We have a duty to provide results”. It was with these words that the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, concluded his discussion with the MEPs on the results of the European Council of 26 and 27 June on Wednesday 2 July, in a sense delivering his political last will and testament, although the Belgian will be meeting the MEPs again one last time.
This summit will have been a personal success, particularly on the Juncker issue. “I said in April that you would be voting on a proposal in July. I kept my word, although it was not easy to achieve this large majority” in his favour, said Van Rompuy. He conferred upon the MEPs the responsibility of focusing on “economy, employment, the EMU and the TTIP”. We must also “protect the citizens, respect our identities” whilst reinforcing “the feeling of belonging”. An olive branch offered to David Cameron? We must also “fight the fraud which is undermining confidence” in the European project. Van Rompuy also promised progress on energy policy very soon. “The next time we meet, I will be able to announce to you progress on the energy and climate chapter”. Another challenge will be preserving peace on the borders of the EU, “in danger for the first time in 100 years”, and to “do everything possible to reach a solution to the Ukrainian conflict”. On this point as well, the “next five years will be crucial”. José Manuel Barroso, the president of the Commission, has already pledged to review relations between the EP and the Commission. “An institutional agreement should be possible, to improve the organisation of the next legislative period”. In some cases, there has been an “absence of decisions: we have to ensure that the EU is stronger in this area”. (SP)