Mr José Manuel Barroso
President of the European Commission

Remarks on the programme of the Austrian Presidency of the European Union

Plenary Session of the European Parliament
Strasbourg, 18 January 2006

Monsieur le Président,

Monsieur le Chancelier,

Mesdames et Messieurs les députés,

Je suis heureux d'intervenir aujourd'hui à l'occasion de la présentation du programme de travail de la Présidence autrichienne, face à un horizon éclairci grâce à l'accord auquel est parvenu le Conseil européen de décembre sur les perspectives financières.

Comme je l'ai déjà dit, cet accord a marqué un moment important pour l'Europe, qui a pu démontrer qu'elle demeure efficace et pertinente, et a permis d'instaurer un climat relativement optimiste en cette année charnière 2006. Il faut à présent poursuivre et concrétiser cette dynamique.

En effet, si le Conseil a fait un pas en avant en décembre, il nous appartient à présent - collectivement - de faire le pas suivant. C'est-à-dire, nous devons avancer très rapidement dans la négociation et la conclusion d'un accord interinstitutionnel. Je le rappelle depuis des mois: l'accord des trois institutions est nécessaire et une bonne collaboration entre elles est indispensable.

Il nous faut maintenant joindre le geste à la parole. Dans ce contexte, permettez moi d'insister tout particulièrement sur les actions liées à la citoyenneté, notamment la culture et la jeunesse. Un effort supplémentaire est nécessaire dans ce domaine, pour répondre à nos engagements communs, en vue de nous rapprocher des citoyens et de mettre en valeur la dimension européenne.

La Commission proposera dès le 1er février un projet d'accord interinstitutionnel modifié qui servira de base à nos négociations. Comme vous le savez, par-delà la question des moyens, des points importants sur lesquels la Commission a fait sentir tout son poids restent à préciser:

  plus de flexibilité et de réactivité de nos moyens;

  la création d'un fonds d'ajustement à la mondialisation;

  la prévision d'une clause de révision.

La Commission considère que ces éléments de flexibilité seront essentiels pour parvenir à un accord entre les trois institutions.

Nous devrons par ailleurs travailler ensemble à l'adoption d'un train de propositions législatives qui traduiront dans les faits l'accord interinstitutionnel, une fois adopté. Là encore, un effort sera nécessaire au niveau des groupes du Conseil, des commissions parlementaires et des services de la Commission. Ce sera un vrai défi, mais il est incontournable: nous devons en effet faire en sorte que l'Union soit à pied d'oeuvre au 1er janvier 2007.

L'année qui s'ouvre est, pour l'Europe, à la fois riche de possibilités et lourde de responsabilités. La Présidence pourra compter pleinement sur l'appui et la coopération de la Commission. Nous voyons un élément de profonde syntonie entre le programme de la Présidence autrichienne et les objectifs poursuivis par la Commission depuis son entrée en fonction, notamment ses objectifs stratégiques.

L'Europe, forte de sa culture et de ses valeurs, pourra progresser si elle est capable de faire des avancées en même temps dans trois domaines: la performance économique, la cohésion sociale et la gestion durable de ses ressources. Pour y parvenir, l'Europe a besoin d'un vrai partenariat associant tous les acteurs. Nous avons besoin de la contribution de tous pour que l'Europe puisse libérer tout son potentiel.

Mr President,

Honourable Members

Growth and jobs are the core preoccupation of our citizens. We must show them that Europe can deliver a credible response to their concerns. The Spring European Council in March is the first real test of the determination of all actors to move forward towards economic reform and modernisation.

Member States have drawn up their national reform programmes.

The Commission is finalising its appraisal of these programmes and will report to the Spring European Council.

I should like to thank the European Parliament for its support and look forward to continue working closely with you on the growth and jobs agenda. The parliamentary dimension of the Lisbon Agenda is not window-dressing but an essential element in promoting and ensuring support for the implementation of the necessary reforms.

In this sense, we can say that the revised Lisbon agenda has already been successful: it has managed to create a common vision and a strong consensus. Nobody seriously contests any longer that the priority must be on growth and jobs.

It's time to turn words into deeds, vision into action. The message we need from the Spring European Council is that Europe has made a credible commitment to structural reforms and is determined to exploit fully all its potential for growth and more and better jobs.

We therefore welcome the Austrian Presidency's willingness to inject new dynamism into the discussion of some pending proposals that are key to the success of the Lisbon strategy, including the Services Directive. The establishment of a well functioning internal market in the area of services is a key opportunity to free up the potential of Europe.

The Commission will fully cooperate with the Presidency and the Parliament to seek political agreement on the Directive between Council and Parliament. I welcome the fact that the Parliament is actively preparing the ground for a balanced approach.

In other words, an approach that will apply the Treaty provisions on trade in services while at the same time ensuring compliance with working and employment conditions for posted workers, and recognising the specific nature of services of general interest.

For this purpose, I believe the role of European Social Partners can be a crucial one. We will be calling on Social Partners for a joint contribution to a balanced and ambitious solution for the services sector.

The services sector and small and medium size enterprises are the most important drivers for the creation of jobs in Europe. They should receive from political leaders the support they deserve.

Progress on the revised Lisbon agenda will have to factor in the work undertaken as a follow up to the Hampton Court meeting. This covers key areas like research and development, universities, demographic change, energy, migration, security and the role of Europe in the world.

The Commission will propose new initiatives in the field of research and education, preparing the establishment of a European Institute of Technology and furthering work on mutual comparability and recognition of qualifications. We will provide a focus for the debate on demographic change and on its implications for a fair work-life balance.

We shall also present a Road map for Gender Equality which will look at different EU policies and see how they can contribute reducing gender gaps in employment or unemployment conditions, as well as addressing the phenomenon of violence against women and trafficking.

We will seek to strengthen the effectiveness of the EU in pursuing its external objectives and interests, by increasing the coherence of our action.

Energy issues marked the debut of this Presidency, and I want to thank the Austrian Presidency for its excellent cooperation in dealing with the recent gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine. Energy issues will remain a dominant theme of our future agenda.

The recent crisis and persistent high oil prices teach a lesson to those who normally resist and obstruct to provide an European dimension for the energy policy. Europe must have an improved, more coordinated energy policy, based on the principles of diversification of sources, security of supply and sustainability.

Well before Hampton Court - when leaders clearly stressed the need for a new approach - the Commission announced a Green Paper on secure, competitive and sustainable energy policy. We are also preparing a series of new initiatives on energy efficiency and clean technologies.

We will take up the debate initiated with the bio-mass action plan and complement it with a Communication on bio-fuels.

Finally, we will put forward ideas for developing a real pan-European energy market, enhancing cooperation with our neighbouring countries. Here is an example of common sense driving a common approach where no option should be excluded.

National leaders, and citizens, see the sense of a common, coherent European policy. Now is the moment for the European institutions to play their role, with ambition and rigour. I look forward to working with you over the coming months to give shape to a European Energy Policy.

This brings us to another important point I want to make. The Commission has placed sustainable development as an overarching objective and presented a Communication on the review of the Sustainable Development Strategy last December.

We welcome the fact that the Austrian Presidency has chosen to put it at the top of its priorities. This will provide the momentum needed to bring to completion the preparation of a new EU Sustainable Development Strategy.

The Commission document is an ambitious and concrete one; it offers a long term vision for addressing issues like climate change, preservation of natural resources, social exclusion, and world poverty.

It sets clear objectives, realistic targets and procedures for monitoring and measuring progress. It makes a priority of involving all stakeholders in a real partnership. Not only institutions, but also business, regional authorities and citizens should work together to deliver concrete results.

Another issue that will remain high on the European agenda in the coming months is security. I am pleased to see that the priorities of the Austrian Presidency in the area of freedom, justice and security match those of the Commission.

The translation of the Hague Programme into practical measures remains our common priority. In the area of migration, we shall pursue the debate launched by the Policy plan on legal migration adopted in December and come forward with proposals on the long term resident status of persons in need of international protection.

During this semester, we shall also table a Green Paper on drugs and civil society; a proposal on applicable law on divorce matters and a Green Paper on conflict of law in the area of matrimonial property regimes. Finally, the Commission will present the first implementation report on the Hague Action Plan.

We look forward to achieving significant progress in these important files during the Austrian Presidency.

One last priority I want to comment on is relations with our neighbours. 2006 will be a decisive period. In spring, the Commission will review the progress made by Bulgaria and Romania in preparing for accession and assess the level of their readiness to join the Union.

On the Western Balkans, we welcome the priorities set by the Austrian Presidency. Since 2003, the countries of the Western Balkans have had a clear European perspective. This process is critical for ensuring peace and stability in Europe.

The Commission attaches a great deal of importance to the careful follow-up of the situation in the region and its relationship with the Union. This is why I have decided to personally visit the region in the coming weeks.

Europe also needs to prepare to take over greater responsibilities in Kosovo. As discussions on Kosovo's future status reach a critical stage, the EU has to show that it is able to bring a concrete contribution to a complex and delicate issue.

Mr President,

Honourable Members,

Last year, Heads of State and Government launched a period of reflection on the future of Europe. Citizens, civil society, and political actors are expressing and debating their views, expectations, and ideas. The Commission is playing its part fully, implementing the Plan D for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate.

I am pleased to report that members of the Commission have paid (altogether) 68 visits to national parliaments in the course of 2005, explaining our policies and their added value to European citizens. And listening to the messages citizens give to us.

The European Parliament, with its counterparts in national parliaments, is putting its weight behind this discussion and the Commission is ready to fully cooperate with these initiatives.

European leaders before us were prepared to dream of what could be. They had the courage of their European convictions. They opened for Europe a pathway to reconciliation and progress which none had walked before. Today, we are the beneficiaries of that legacy and of their foresight.

However, at a time where past achievements and current freedoms are so easily discounted, we cannot take future public consent for granted. It must be earned.

My vision is of a stronger Europe which provides a solid political, economic and social framework for our citizens. A Europe based on culture. A Europe of democracy, accountability and transparency. In our troubled world of today, we need a Europe which promotes security, human rights and the respect for the rule of law.

In view of the June European Council, the Commission will take stock of the preliminary results of the public debate and of the discussions under "Plan D". We also intend - at the request of the Austrian Presidency - to propose an agenda for further debate and action at European level.

This would provide a basis for the Heads of State and Government to set the way forward for the Union with a renewed commitment to translate our common objectives into actions. The Union's main asset is a core of common values and a rich culture which should inspire our reflection on the future of Europe.

We need to provide determined leadership and reinforce the consensus to bring Europe forward together. We need to concentrate on the essentials. We need to focus on delivery. We need to communicate our public purpose in plain and meaningful terms.

We look forward to working closely with the Austrian Presidency to achieve this result.

Thank you.