Brussels, 13/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 13 February, the European Commission adopted its “strategic policy for 2009”, laying down its political priorities for until October of next year, when the mandate which began in 2004 will come to an end. In line with its ambition to promote a “Europe of results”, José Manuel Barroso's Commission has retained five priority areas: - growth and employment; - climate change and sustainable Europe; - fulfilment of the common immigration policy; - citizens first; - Europe as a world partner. The Commission also hopes to stimulate the debate on the internal market, the social agenda and the re-examination of the EU budget.
On the basis of the document adopted on Wednesday, the Commission will start an exchange of views with the European Parliament and the Council on the political priorities to be defined for 2009, and on ways of taking these into account in the legislative programme and the work of the Commission to be adopted in October, and in the 2009 budget. In its document, to which EUROPE will return, the Commission also laid down the political priorities in terms of communication for next year. In 2009, when the Lisbon Treaty is due to enter into force, the Commission will lay particular emphasis on new possibilities and advantages opened up by the new treaty to the citizens of the Union. Other priorities in terms of communication will be the re-examination of the budget of the EU, energy and climate change. (H.B.)