Brussels, 22/02/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday the Head of the CDU/CSU group, Volker Kauder, visited Brussels where he held meetings with president Barroso and Commissioner Verheugen (industry) and Commissioner Rehn (enlargement). Mr Kauder informed the press that all three had expressed their “sympathy” for the broad German coalition government (CDU/CSU/SPD) in place for a hundred days now, as well as for the “new style” of Chancellor Angela Merkel and her commitment to “small Member States”. Kauder also indicated that the Commission expects the new government to “demonstrate greater European commitment and leadership”. The Bundestag wants to enhance its presence in Brussels (where it has already opened a small representation) in an effort to be swiftly and sufficiently informed about ongoing legislative proceedings. “We want to establish an early warning system that will enable us to improve coordination and intervene sufficiently early in the European legislative process” rather than wait for the decisions to be taken and then notice that it is too late to change them. Mr Kauder also asserted that in connection with the directive on services, coordination and enhanced cooperation between Berlin, Brussels and Strasbourg had already borne fruit but could still be improved, “It is important because European policy is being increasingly transformed into internal policy”. According to Kauder, the Bundestag Representation in Brussels should not only include officials but also representatives from the political groups. The CDU/CSU group also wants to reinforce coordination with the EPP-ED group at the European Parliament, led by Hans-Gert Pöttering.
Kauder also reiterated the Merkel government's aim of respecting the Maastricht criteria next year and bring the budget deficit to below the 3% threshold in 2007. Mr Kauder also affirmed that, “it is important that a country like Germany sticks to its commitments. If Germany doesn't, how can we demand the new Member States to do so?”