08/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - On receiving for the second time a Christmas tree gifted to the Parliament by the Austrians, European Parliament President Josep Borrell expressed the wish that, on the eve of the Austrian Presidency, “the symbolism of the Christmas tree” (hope, peace, reconciliation) will be found in the work of the European Union. He said to ÖVP MEP Agnes Schierhuber that he hoped that “at this time next year, we will be able to hang a little train sitting on rails on the Christmas tree” as “the symbol of a Union once again on the move”. In his wish that “the spirit of Christmas, togetherness and harmony, rule in the European Council”, Mr Borrell said that the Christmas tree “is the most environmentally friendly tree (…), consuming the least water. (…) A pine tree is a bit like a bear, it hibernates (…). The pine tree stores water in a layer of wax surrounding its needles, releasing it only as required. I've chosen to develop this characteristic of the pine tree because humankind has just experienced its first water catastrophe. Although distant, it affects us all”. (Editor's note: reference to the recent catastrophe in China)