Brussels, 15/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Council of 16-17 June will “mark a turning point in European construction” after French and Dutch no-votes on European Constitution the EU has been “plunged into doubt” and it is “necessary to give confidence back to the citizens if we want to avoid a lasting crisis or paralysis”. These are the concerns expressed by the president of the European Commission on Wednesday, José Manuel Barroso, addressing the press on the eve of the Brussels summit. He called for the crisis to be transformed into an opportunity, “I really do think that the conditions are there for this, we have the chance to show those who are afraid of the future, that Europe works”. He explained that this could be done by getting an agreement on the financial perspectives 2007-13 “despite the serious difficulties that still need resolving”. Barroso exclaimed that it was better to get an agreement now even if it is not perfect rather than no agreement at all. He said that this would be an agreement where everyone had to make sacrifices and “we at the Commission are ready to make compromises to get a decision” (see below). Barroso indicated that the Commission would at the same time be proposing at the European Council to “envisage a rendezvous clause, a revision clause, for example for the European Council at the end of 2008” to check that whether in this massively changing world, courses needed to be changed to ensure that Europe did not get boxed in immutably up to 2013.
Barroso advised caution on the issue of the European Constitution and recognised that the “effect from contamination, this domino effect” from the French and Dutch rejections. Barroso therefore called on the European Council to avoid extreme solutions (“abandoning the Constitution, or by making out nothing had happened”). He said that they had to be cautious and envisaged a collective period of reflection “a pause”. He averred that when there was no magic solution the best thing to do was to give themselves the time to think about it and take matters fully into hand. At the summit this will include, for example, finding out what countries like Luxembourg wanted or Portugal and plan on holding referendums quite quickly. He pointed out that even the very pro-European MEPs who very much supported the Constitution were suggesting such a pause (see other article). Mr Barroso said that they should avoid getting stuck in a constitutional impasse and announced that the Commission was preparing a “strategic road map on the EU's future”, in order to propose responses to “legitimate questions” form citizens. For example, how to define the social model in Europe by adapting to globalisation; what kind of growth, what kind of protection for Europe, what are the Union's future borders? Enlargement: Barroso affirmed that they had to stick to the commitments made and the Commission would not propose changing them but public opinion has expressed concerns and for the first time, recently, European leaders while having reaffirmed the general objective of opening up to eligible countries posed the question of the Union's capacity for absorption. Parliaments, the living forces in Member States, social partners have to take part in this reflection “which could last some time”, indicated Barroso. He also announced that the Commission intended to outline priorities already listed in its programme “ to better target citizens' demands: jobs, growth, and security”. “Let's collectively answer on a large scale to ways of filling the understanding gap as soon as possible” between institutions and citizens, he declared.
Financial perspectives: the Commission had a very detailed discussion on the matter. Barroso responded to the last proposals of the Luxembourg presidency: cohesion and explained that they were on the right track although the imperative of solidarity could justify higher levels. However, this involved a “substantial injection of resources” for less developed regions, particularly in new Member States; the British rebate. Barroso underlined that they were no longer in 1984 but recognised that it was a “specifically British problem” and that the new Member States are much poorer. He said that he was sure that the British government would recognise this new situation. Mr Barroso said that the fact of accepting the cost of enlargement had to be shared fairly between them was a key to the solution. Barroso immediately added (in a reference to France: Editor's note) “ but I don't find it abnormal that agricultural spending on Romania and Bulgaria is financed by the current envelope”.
To sum up, “everyone must make a move, everyone must contribute something so that we are all winners”; - and forward-looking sectors. The figures proposed by the Presidency are “not sufficient” and will not allow the EU's objectives in terms of competitiveness and the Lisbon strategy to be met. Without adequate funding, the 3% of GDP for research, the 3 million Erasmus places, the 30 priority projects for trans-European networks “would be in danger”, and the Commission would have to make “extremely difficult choices” and “explain what areas must be sacrificed”, Mr Barroso warns; - and external relations. Mr Barroso expresses some concern about development aid in particular. “It will be difficult to keep our commitments”, he fears.
Furthermore, Mr Barroso regretted that the Presidency had not taken on board the Commission's idea to create an adjustment fund for growth which would have been a help mainly regarding the consequences of possible relocations. “It is a pity, a pity”, he said with great regret, saying that they do not have the possibility to say: “Europe is not only here to punish but also to help”.