Strasbourg, 14/11/2006 (Agence Europe) -Prosperity, solidarity, security, and a stronger voice in the world: for the European Commission, these strategic objectives must be translated, in 2007, into 21 "strategic initiatives" in a range of key sectors (see EUROPE 9293). "This is our political programme", said José Manuel Barroso, presenting the working programme of the Commission for 2007 to the European Parliament on Tuesday, under the banner "Consolidating 50 Years of Achievements". For the first time ever, this programme was accompanied by initiatives in the field of simplification and a list of priorities concerning communication with the citizens (called for by the European Parliament in particular).
The electricity blackout which hit millions of Europeans some 10 days ago was "illuminating"... what a powerful argument for "more Europe", a Europe in which we no longer talk about "old" and "new" Member States, said Mr Barroso. In the coming centuries, he continued, historians will recognise the fact that the enlargement of the EU was the most significant contribution to peace and stability in the world. And the Commission, "my Commission", has had an important role to play in this process, he underlined.
The list of initiatives which we are presenting to you is shorter, more political, said the President of the Commission, confirming that a mid-term review is in the pipeline. Without listing each chapter, Mr Barroso spoke of energy (the ultimate objective remaining that of a common energy policy), migration policy, the completion of the single market (with particular emphasis laid on the defence industry, amongst other things) and services of general interest. Above and beyond these priorities, we must "affirm what unites us": and Mr Barroso welcomed the fact that the forthcoming German Presidency, which is aware of the costs represented by the absence of a Constitution, intends to make this dossier one of its priorities. It is by facing up to such questions that the Union will prove, 50 years after the signature of the Treaty of Rome, that it is capable of "reinventing itself".
There is much good in this programme, said Françoise Grossetête on behalf of the EPP/ED, whilst noting that the existence of two lists (after a mid-term review) and programming over 18 months may slow certain achievements down. Ms Grossetête also voiced concern at the prospect of a proliferation of agencies: "Do we need 27 agencies because the Union has 27 Member States?", she asked. On paper, everything the Commission is proposing is great, even though it does give a certain impression of déjà vu, remarked Martin Schulz, speaking on behalf of the Socialist group: why does none of it inspire any enthusiasm among the citizens? Because, he said, we are hearing too much from the ultra-Liberals pleading in favour of deregulation. Silvana Koch-Merin, for the ALDE group, was more critical: the Commission's programme is a "jigsaw puzzle" which does not produce a coherent picture, and which has too many gaps. Why, she asked, was not one word said about humanitarian aid or development aid, which are such important policies of the Union? "A Union in diversity" is a good slogan, said Pierre Jonckheer of the Greens/EFA, adding that the Union now needs more Union than it does diversity. He called upon the European Commission to make itself the standard bearer of this Union, without "anticipating" the weaknesses and divisions of the Council. Overall, Mr Jonckheer would like to see binding provisions for environmental defence, and a continuing "fight against nuclear". Speaking for the GUE/Nordic Left, Gabriele Zimmer voiced concerns that the defence industry would get into the single market "by the back door": does the European Commission really have the right to do this? For the Union for a Europe of Nations group, Brian Crowley regretted the absence of a legislative framework which is likely to translate the Lisbon Agenda into concrete achievements (but he welcomed the creation of the European Technology Institute). Mr Crowley also defended the role of the Member States in the field of taxation: nobody can tell a country whether to increase or reduce its tax. An unstinting defender of administrative simplification, the President of the Independence and Democracy group, Jens-Peter Bonde, made a proposal which he feels will bring greater clarity: documents should bear a colour, from black (regulations on which the Union must decide) to red (issues which are not Union competencies), with green and yellow in between. Independent member Frank Vanhecke took the opportunity to reiterate his opposition to Turkish accession.
In the opinion of Margot Wallström, Vice-President in charge of Institutional Relations and the Communication Strategy, the year 2007 will be a decisive one for communication: the citizens must understand the added value represented by the priorities and activities of the Commission (see EUROPE 9297 and 9305 on the Madrid and Bergamot conferences). (lg)