Brussels, 24/01/2006 (Agence Europe) - In a speech delivered in Paris on 24 January before the French National Assembly at an invitation from its president, Jean-Louis Debré, José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, spoke of the unshakeable link that generates a great community of destiny between France and Europe. “Europe could not have been born or constructed without France”, Mr Barroso acknowledged, concluding his speech with emphasis on the European Commission's loyalty to the principles and values handed down by the founding fathers, among whom were, notably, Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman. “But France has also been able to count on Europe”, he went on, noting that the “major pilot projects on which our future competitiveness depends would not be valid without European cooperation. Without our concerted efforts, Galileo would not have seen light of day, and ITER would today be in Asia and not in Cadarache, in the Marseilles region”. In 2005, a “hinge year”, he said, “we were able to overcome our difficulties together as can be seen by the constructive results of the Hampton Court Summit” (which, on the basis of Commission proposals and with strong impetus from France, allowed close convergence to be reached on urgent issues - universities and research, demography, energy and security) and “the positive conclusion of the European Council in December, in which I see ample proof of Europe's vitality”. At difficult times, Europe has always managed to “come together, to reactivate its projects and to reinvent itself, with France's unshakeable support”, Mr Barroso recalled, adding: “It is from the angle of this extraordinary ability to bounce back that I look at the recent debate (…) in France on the occasion of the referendum (on the European Constitution). I do not see a rejection of Europe in the French people's decision but, on the contrary, the citizens' resolve to make their voices heard to shape their common destiny. The French debate has raised real questions (…). The citizens (…) are all urging us (…) to come to concrete responses. That is why I call on men and women in politics, the lifeblood of the country, and on French intellectuals to invest in Europe, discuss Europe, explain Europe! One must stop believing that Europe is for the others, in Brussels. Europe, it is all of us, we are all players in the building of Europe!”
Seeking to show resolute optimism, Mr Barroso told the French representatives: “We have no reason to fear the future (…) Europe has ways to influence the way the world develops”. To those who are afraid of globalisation, he says: “The history of France has always been open to the world and not closed up on itself” and the European dimension is the only dimension that will allow this process to be mastered. “Today, it is time for results” and one must therefore endeavour to satisfy the three citizen priorities “that we have made our own - prosperity, solidarity and security”, he hammered home, going on to give his assurance that: ”This battle for competitiveness will also be conducted in partnership with the regions of Europe” (which is why the Commission welcomes the adoption at the summit of its proposals on supporting the development of the regions in metropolitan France as well as in the overseas departments of France.)
In this context, Mr Barroso said he was convinced that the support of the public in favour of modernising the institutions, as foreseen in the constitutional Treaty, will come in due course when the conditions are met, and once confidence has been restored. “Yes, we need to reform our institutions, and to have the necessary means to more effectively respond to the challenges of the 21st century”, Mr Barroso warned, albeit convinced that it would be the political process that triggers the institutional process and not the other way round. He went on to stress: “Let us create this political process (…) let us move on from speeches (…) to concrete results. I have no doubt that France will take part in achieving our common ambitions”. He added: “I read at times that France is seized by melancholy, if not malaise. I wonder if Molière's country is giving way to the temptation of an “imaginary illness”. On the contrary, it seems to me that France has every reason to be confident” (At this point, Mr Barroso recalled France's successes such as Airbus and Ariane to demonstrate that the choice of opening up to the world is therefore a winning choice for France, and for Europe).
On this occasion, three deputies of the French Greens, Martine Billard, Yves Cochet and Noeël Mamère, wrote an open letter to President Barroso, whom they question above all on the services directive. They say: “On several occasions, you have given your support to the proposal by saying how relevant the principle of country of origin is” and, on 9 January, “you said that, after the EP vote in February, the Commission would submit new proposals very rapidly”. “This resolve to move fast and strongly may cause some apprehension”, the deputies write, calling for a process of upward harmonisation of the legislation applicable to services.