Strasbourg, 20/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - Enlarged Europe, stability and security and a stable and unified economy: these are the European Commission's "working priorities" for 2003, as set out by Romano Prodi on 20 November to the European Parliament. Prodi hoped that by the end of the year "the three main institutions will be able to reach agreement on the inter-institutional dimension of the planning process", and stressed that, in 2003, the Commission "will hand in monthly operational planning reports to Parliament and the Council" containing "a three-monthly rolling programme".
The major objective is thus enlargement (Prodi expressed his confidence in the "wisdom of the Convention" and the future Intergovernmental Conference), and the two major priorities for 2003 are closely linked to enlargement, noted the president of the European Commission, speaking of:
- the goal of "guaranteeing stability and security throughout the Union's territory", which means balancing the fight against terrorism and organised crime, full respect of freedoms, surveillance of external borders, consolidation of policies over migratory flows and the right of asylum, integration of legal immigrants (as legal immigration "boosts Europe's cultural and economic wealth"). Which also means that "it is crucial to give new impetus to our policy towards the EU's closest neighbours," said Prodi, adding "I am more and more convinced that we need to develop a comprehensive strategy vis-à-vis the countries on the borders of the enlarged EU, stretching from Russia to the Mediterranean". Prodi recognises that the debate on "the EU's definitive borders" will not be easy, but considers that it must be taken to "parliamentary level, that of the population, as it is up to us to say where our borders, our soul, lie". At the same time, he asked for the "the rationale of those who are "in" and those who are "out" to be broken", and proposes new forms of partnership using all available instruments. Our borders must not be "a wall", but nor must they be like an "elastic that constantly stretches and shrinks". The idea "that I have in mind, synthetically", is of "sharing with these countries, from Russia to Morocco, all except the institutions", Prodi repeated, adding: "a Europe surrounded by a circle of friends, that has always been our dream"
- economic policy. In the coming days, "we shall be making proposals to improve implementation of the Pact and to manage budgetary policies in EMU in a more co-ordinated manner", Prodi recalled, stressing that public finances had to be made more solid more durable, "and apply rules with intelligence and authority, to stimulate growth and employment". He then noted that, in 2003, the Commission would pursue a "more agile" approach, integrating the Spring report on the Lisbon Strategy with the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines and on employment. In 2003, the internal market will be ten years old, and the Commission will make a report on its success and the advantages for the citizens, said Prodi, while recognising that not all had yet been completed. He then launched a "broad appeal" to Member states, which, he said, do not invest enough into research and development, human resources and technology. This will be one of the central topics of the Commission's Spring Report, Prodi announced, regretting that, according to "empirical" analyses of the budgets of Member States, the first budgetary cuts are precisely in these sectors. Mr. Prodi also made a point of stressing the Union's responsibility at international level, citing, notably, the Cancun rendezvous in September 2003 (WTO) and commitments to developing countries.
Finally, Mr. Prodi said that in 2003, the Commission would begin to "make preliminary analyses on subsidiarity and proportionality for some 40 proposals", and that this system would be integrated into the policy for 2004 that the Commission would present next February.
The debate: Alright for the Commission's clear strategic choices, but parliamentarians would like more details - Problem of the shortening of the Commission's mandate - Replies by several Commissioners
During the debate, Council President Bertel Haarder (President Cox noted that the Council was participating for the first time at such a level in the presentation of the Commission's programme) spoke of the inter-institutional dimension of the planning process, while hoping that each would show a certain amount of flexibility, but recognising that questions of comitology were more difficult to resolve due to the different national traditions. The majority of parliamentarians welcomed the innovation that this presentation of the Commission's programme represented, while, often, hoping for more details on certain issues.
Ms Grossetête (speaking for the EPP-ED) thus expressed regret about the failings of the tax policy and a Euromed free trade area. Mr Prodi recalled that two Mediterranean Presidencies, that of Greece and of Italy, will, in 2003, have the opportunity for more detailed and more far-reaching reflection on the strengthening of the Barcelona process.
Speaking for the Socialist Group, Mr Baron felt that the problem of the duration of the Commission's mandate is a "constitutional question" and that the Council alone must not take decisions on this subject (see EUROPE of 18/19 November, p.5, on the likelihood of shortening the mandate). Mr Baron said that an interinstitutional agreement is needed, to which Mr Prodi replied that the problem could be dealt with at an interinstitutional summit to be held end November/early December.
The Commission's programme, which is clear in its choices, does not go into sufficient detail, Mr Clegg (Liberal Group) regrets. He urges in favour of an impact assessment to be made not only on the measures proposed by the Commission but also once these are modified. Ms Frassoni, speaking on behalf of the Greens, deplores the fact that the sustainable development agenda does not sufficiently gain the attention of the Commission. She also fears that, in Cancun as in Johannesburg, one is seeking to affirm the supremacy of the WTO rules over those of international agreements on the environment. Commissioner Nielson sought to be reassuring and President Prodi affirmed that, in Johannesburg, the Commission had defended an "uncomfortable" position, but that one difficulty arises from the fact that third countries, and mainly African countries, often currently tend, despite Europe's efforts, not to make a distinction between Europe and the United States. Ms Boudjenah 's judgement, on behalf of the GUE/NGL, was somewhat critical. She said the demonstrations at the social Forum in Florence are an incentive to hope for a more fraternal Europe, with a Stability Pact based on different criteria, an immigration policy that does not criminalise all migrants, and a true policy for aid to the development of the poorest countries. Mr Prodi acknowledged that Europe must play a role of leader as far as pluralism and multilateralism is concerned, but that this calls for adequate financial commitment. Ms Poli Bortone, speaking for the UEN, felt more indepth reflection on immigration was needed. She wondered, moreover, whether integration would made sense if it was in fact a form of suppression of the different cultures. On the first point, she was challenged by Spanish Socialist Ms Terron. Proposals exist, they are coherent, but one must start to apply them, she exclaimed. And President Prodi said that, in his experience, mainly from meeting Italian immigrants, integration is the only possible way to live serenely through the experience of uprooting. The fight against terrorism, and the fight against illegal immigration - such are the priorities set out by Mr Blokland on behalf of the EDD Group, whilst Mr Berthu mainly expressed concern about the effort that has still to be made by candidate countries. They are ready to try very hard, he noted, adding: we must sometimes allow them to move forward at their own rate by accepting a certain degree of variable geometry. Mr Bonde (EDD) was also critical along the same lines saying that 25,000 pages of acquis communautaire is overdoing it.
Some MEPs mentioned interinstitutional relations. Such was the case of Austrian Social Democrat Mr Swoboda, who welcomes the good relations with the Commission (although he does find it is a little too fearful of losing its right of own initiative), but regrets the Council's over-restrictive attitude. Or the case of Mr Daul (EPP, France) who welcomed the institutional deadline foreseen for the Commission's programme: - this is the very first time and, although there are small problems, we shall all do better next time in order to reach a real culture of interinstitutional planning, he said. It is the dogmatism of the Stability Pact that troubles Luxembourg Socialist Mr Goebbels, who urges for a little help to be given to growth, mainly through the use of credit available for productive investment. As usual, Mr Fatuzzo (EPP, Italy) expresses concern about retirement, and invites governments to recognise their responsibilities in this field. In his view, Ms Diamantopoulou is neither a fairy that can ensure our wellbeing nor a "wicked ogre" who places our retirement in danger. Commissioner Diamantopoulou gave her assurance, however, that the Commission is proposing a political framework for pension review, and affirmed the principle that pensions should be sustainable. Maritime safety, after the "Prestige" disaster, worries Spanish national Mr Ripoll (EPP). Commissioner Palacio confirms that areas should be made available to vessels in difficulty where they can take refuge (see also p.12).
Commissioner Vitorino, for his part, briefly answered questions on migration policy. He said that proposals have been made and that it is now up to the Council to decide. He also confirmed the priority of the fight against terrorism, mainly through action on the sources of funding terrorism.
European Parliament Plenary Session (continued)