Brussels, 19/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik and the Finnish Secretary of State for European Affairs, Antti Peltomäki, presented to the press in Brussels, on 19 December, the broad lines of the joint programmes for their EU Council Presidencies that will succeed each other in 2006: Austria during the first half of the year, and Finland during the second half. After the European Council agreement on financial perspectives, the operational programme of the Austrian Presidency is being finalised (and will be published in the next few days), which means that Ms Plassnik has had to remain somewhat vague in her presentation and to describe to the press the “philosophy” that will guide Austria in the management of Community affairs. “Above all else, I hope that, in June 2006, we can say there is more confidence, clarity and impetus in the European Union”, Ms Plassnik said. The atmosphere of the EU has been rather gloomy recently, mainly because of the difficulties over the financial perspectives 2007-2013 (until last weekend) and the uncertainty that still reigns over the European constitution and the future of the Union.
Although the budgetary problem may now be resolved, the Austrian Presidency hopes to organise the reflection period and to introduce greater impetus into the debate on the future of Europe, Ms Plassnik announced, at the same time warning of over-high expectations, saying: the aim of the Austrian Presidency cannot be to complete this process but to “develop a choreography” for continuation of the debate which should “gain impetus” during the first half of 2006.
In the economic field, the Austrian Presidency will above all be marked by the European Spring Council that will focus on economic growth, employment and the implementation of the revised Lisbon strategy as well as, more generally, the future of the “model of European life” as Ms Plassnik put it.
When it comes to external relations, the countries of the Western Balkans will play a central role during the Austrian Presidency, with several ministerial meetings foreseen with these countries (justice and home affairs, foreign affairs, education, tourism, etc.).
Regarding enlargement, the analytical review of acquis communautaire (screening) with Croatia and Turkey will be continued as planned, and Ms Plassnik does not rule out that the membership talks strictly speaking will be launched on one of the chapters for which screening has been successfully carried out.
EUROPE will return in greater detail to the thematic priorities of the Austrian Presidency.