The long-awaited message has now been delivered. Perhaps you will allow me, just this once, to give way to the temptation of rhetoric, by saying that the conclusions of the Spring European Council are not only positive for Europe but also encouraging for the future of humanity and the planet as a whole. They shed a little optimistic light on the way we see the future. Of course, the tone of most comments will differ, which is only understandable. The text approved is again too long. The German presidency was not able to stick to the promise of avoiding over-diluted “conclusions” that also cover subjects “that, as everyone knows, were not even covered by the heads of state and government”. In fact, the text approved is again too didactic - it explains and comments on what it announces - and most media tend to highlight the few differences that remain rather than the positive elements. Journalists do their job and, for some, it is only the position of their own country that counts - with the result, in my view, that the meaning of the message from this summit is not sufficiently underlined. It is a three-pronged message:
1. The foundations for a European energy policy, with commitments, binding objectives and procedures, have been laid. It will take years for all the aspects of such a policy to be defined and implemented but progress has been spectacular compared to the situation prevailing just one year ago. Compared to what has now been achieved, the differences, on which so much emphasis has been placed, are minor. In a forthcoming issue, I shall comment on the elements that justify optimism regarding the role of Europe in this field.
2. Europe, which has already “played a driving role” in the first stages towards protecting the climate at international level, has also prepared to do the same in negotiations (to be launched at the end of the year at the United Nations) with a view to a global agreement for the post 2012 period (when the Kyoto agreement expires). Measures or guidelines adopted by the summit on energy will have a determining influence on this subject, and Germany now has the necessary instruments for effectively presiding the June G8 meeting enlarged to the new emerging global giants.
3. The Lisbon Strategy has begun to bear fruit in countries that have effectively, either totally or partially, introduced the reforms foreseen. The summit recognises that this process is unfolding with “more or less success” depending on the member states, and it was right to point this out as countries lagging behind must begin to understand that it is their own fault if they are not moving forward despite Community support, and despite the monetary stability and “moderate” interest rates guaranteed by eurozone participation. Each country must assume its own responsibilities.
Modest contribution. I shall make my own modest contribution to the work of summarising the “conclusions” by adding a few points that were drowned in the watered-down text:
the new partnership with the United States in no way aims to establish a free trade area but, as the text points out, regulatory convergence, more effective protection of intellectual property rights, and strengthened cooperation in energy and the environmental policies;
the protection of intellectual property rights and the fight against counterfeiting and piracy of products must be intensified at international level;
the decision to create a European Institute of Technology must be taken by the end of the year;
the improvement of European regulations, which already progressed in 2006, is linked at present to a targeted objective (with appropriate control instruments) - that of reducing administrative charges arising from EU legislation by 25% by 2012. The Commission has managed to get the member states to make a similar national effort;
and the Council notes the Commission's intention to foresee four “European coordinators” for four projects in the energy sector: 1) high power link between Germany, Poland and Lithuania; 2) links with wind farms at sea, in northern Europe; 3) electricity interconnection between France and Spain; and 4) the completion of the Nabucco gas pipeline, which will carry natural gas from the Caspian Sea to Central Europe (passing by Turkey). These projects have been chosen carefully to meet the specific concerns of a number of member states. The system of European coordinators has already proven its worth in implementation of priority transport projects. (F.R.)