Berlin, 09/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - Addressing a joint meeting of members of the European Commission and the German government in Berlin, Angela Merkel declared on Tuesday that, “It is impossible for a presidency to resolve all the problems (of the European Union)” but the trio of presidencies that Germany forms with Portugal (second half of 2007) and Slovenia (first half of 2008) will strive “to do everything possible to give Europe the image of a continent with an ambitious programme”. The German Chancellor called for cooperation between Community institutions and Member States, and informed the press what the main themes and stakes at play would be for the German Presidency of the Council of the EU. José Manuel Barroso, the president of the Commission, alongside Ms Merkel, stated, “our goals are exactly the same” but explained that this did not mean that the institution he presides over and Germany agree on “all of the different aspects” of these goals. He reiterated his support for the leitmotiv chosen by Berlin for its presidency, “Europe - succeeding together”.
The issue of the energy package the Commission will be adopting on Wednesday (EUROPE 9339) was raised by Berlin at the very moment the dispute between Moscow and Minsk on cuts in oil supply from the Droujba pipeline is reigniting the question of energy security (see other article p.9). Merkel affirmed that recent events bore this feeling out and justified making energy security a priority. She also said that she wanted more competition, efficiency and transparency in the sector. Mr Barroso said that this demonstrated why “we need a common energy policy”. On the eve of the presentation of the Commission's very comprehensive package on energy and climate change, Merkel sees an international desire to advance on these two subjects. Barroso explained that the Commission's investigation into energy sector competition “demonstrated that the status quo is not an option and needs changing”.
Ms Merkel asserted that the German presidency wanted to give a “small impetus” to the constitutional treaty but acknowledged that, “in this regard we depend on the willingness of all Member States”. Barroso was pleased that Germany had placed the constitution at the heart of its programme, which sent out “an important signal” as “we cannot use the same instruments in the future as those used in the past”. He supports the presidency's efforts to find an institutional solution and added, “We need to adapt our institutions to the enlarged Europe”. This work also has to help us “explain to citizens why we need Europe and how we fight against the myths about the Euro, the administrative charge and enlargement”. He considers that these areas constitute EU successes.
In the economic arena, Barroso affirmed that prospects were “the best in years” and provided an opportunity to move forward on the Lisbon Objectives. He called on Member States not to slacken on their efforts for reform. Ms Merkel is set on supporting “better regulation” and explained that, “the Commission and Member States have to go in the same direction”, particularly with regard to reducing taxes on enterprise. The Commission will be producing proposals and the European Spring Council will be debating the issue.
On Wednesday the Chancellor declared, “I hope that negotiations start under our Presidency because we need a renewed partnership and cooperation agreement with Russia”. She also stressed the need for “a new language regarding energy”. She said that she was confident that Poland would agree to the launch of negotiations in the “next few months” in exchange for certain guarantees on the lifting of the embargo imposed by Moscow on Polish meat. The Chancellor will be going to Moscow on 21 January to discuss obstacles to the launch of negotiations for a new agreement with president Vladimir Putin.
Ms Merkel also said that, “the Presidency and the Commission will do their utmost to influence Libya and ensure the release of the Bulgarian nurses”. President Barroso said that the death sentences were “completely unfair” and added, “We hope the Libyan authorities will understand how important this is for their cooperation with Europe”. (ab)