Toespraak commissievoorzitter Barroso bij plenaire vergadering Europees Parlement (en)

SPEECH/07/708

José Manuel Durao Barroso

President of the European Commission

Commission Legislative and Work Programme 2008 - Introductory remarks

European Parliament Plenary debate

Strasbourg, 13 November 2007

The next twelve months will be of vital importance to Europe. For our future effectiveness. For our place in the world. For the confidence of our citizens in our ability to meet their expectations.

We have every reason to be optimistic. The agreement on the Treaty of Lisbon was very welcome - but so too was the manner in which it was reached. The Union showed itself very focused. It refused to be distracted from the primary purpose of equipping the Union with the tools it needs for the future. There was a real determination to get down to business.

At the same time, our economic agenda has brought results in terms of growth and jobs - helping to offset the risks of added turbulence this year. We are tackling the big issues: from energy to migration, from employment to Africa. And in just a few weeks, we have an opportunity to underline our global leadership on climate change in Bali.

In short, the European Union is delivering. It was able to overcome the very difficult situation we faced in 2005. The twin track strategy suggested by the Commission in 2006 has paid off: focusing on concrete results for citizens, and at the same time investing in a solution for the institutional settlement.

So the Union is on track for 2008. We need to use this to best effect, implementing our commitments, taking forward key proposals already on the table, keeping up the momentum with new initiatives, and at the same time keeping the long-term challenges on our radar screen. And in addition, of course, we must respect and promote the process of ratification of the Treaty - and show citizens what the EU can offer in the run-up to the European parliamentary elections of 2009.

I therefore welcome this opportunity to set out the Commission's contribution to a successful 2008 by presenting our Legislative and Work Programme for 2008. In doing so, I would like to thank the European Parliament for its active involvement in the work of developing this Programme. In particular, the comprehensive summary report prepared by the Conference of Committee Chairs and endorsed by the Conference of Presidents helped to shape our Programme. Many Commission proposals are a direct match to the priorities set out in the summary report.

But first, allow me a quick word on the implementation of the 2007 programme.

This time last year, we discussed a targeted list of strategic initiatives for delivery this year. To cite just a few of the most visible initiatives, this has meant a series of key actions like the Strategic Energy Review, the recent proposals on labour migration, flexicurity, the wine market, and market access.

By the end of next month, all the strategic initiatives will have been adopted, with just one exception. This is the Emissions Trading Directive, which I have decided to put back one month, to January. The reason for this was to ensure no distraction from the crucial talks in Bali. It will also give us the time to finalise the consultations needed on how to realise the EU's agreed targets on greenhouse gases and renewables. I am sure that you will agree that this short postponement makes sense.

In addition to the strategic initiatives, we undertook to deliver a large number of priority initiatives, over an 18 month period. Many of these are now coming forward - the coming weeks will see proposals on Mortgage credit, Trade Defence Instruments, and reducing CO2 emissions from cars. We should see a delivery rate of 70% by year end, and at or close to 100% by the end of the 18 months next June.

2007 is also proving a crucial year in preparing for the future. In particular, next week we will launch a set of key proposals for the Union's economic and social future. The single market review will gear up the single market as a strong, innovative and competitive market, bringing direct benefits to consumers and entrepreneurs and positioning Europe to shape globalisation to best effect. Alongside this, we will adopt a vision on how to promote opportunities, access and solidarity in the Europe of the 21 st century - to be backed up next year with a full communication on a modernised social agenda. And we will be paying particular attention to how we will be able to use the Treaty of Lisbon and its protocols to move forward on services of general interest - using these new opportunities to see how we can bring real added value to ensuring the role of these services in improving the quality of life of Europeans.

I very much look forward to the reactions of the European Parliament and the Council to the internal market review and the social vision. I believe that, taken together, they give us the balance needed to move ahead in key areas of our economic and social agenda. They show that Europe has the right tools, and offers the right platform, for Europe to adapt to and to shape globalisation.

Let me now focus on the Commission Legislative and Work Programme for 2008. This is our political programme for 2008. It sets out our main initiatives and builds on our commitment to provide value added to Europe's citizens. We have sought to strengthen both the policy content and the process.

As for 2007, the Work Programme for 2008 concentrates on a limited number of new policy initiatives, including 26 strategic initiatives, grouped together in 12 packages, which the Commission commits to deliver during the year, and 61 priority initiatives, grouped together in 49 packages to be delivered over a 12-18 month period. We will centre our initiatives in five areas which are of direct relevance to everyone in Europe: growth and jobs; sustainable Europe; managing migration; putting the citizen first and Europe as a world partner. We are also determined to strengthen our commitment to better regulation with a guarantee to deliver what we promise.

We have noted with particular satisfaction that the European Parliament summary report agrees with the key areas of central importance we identify for 2008. Close cooperation among institutions and Member States will be essential to realise our goals.

For several of the areas mentioned in your report, concrete initiatives are either already adopted or planned to be adopted still in 2007. For next year, I am pleased to be able to note the inclusion in the Programme of a number of initiatives highlighted as of particular interest to the European Parliament. To list some of the key areas:

The Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs, which we agree remains central to our goals of a more prosperous, environmentally responsible and socially inclusive European Union;

Climate change, with this year's stress on mitigation complemented by a new approach on adaptation;

Greening of the transport sector;

A "Small Business Act" for SMEs;

Legislation to strengthen consumer protection regarding contractual rights, and new Consumer Scoreboard;

Better access to justice for citizens;

Improving the regulatory environment in Europe with the strategic review of better regulation.

So on the bulk of our agenda, there is a large degree of agreement between the Commission and the Parliament on the need to act and on the way forward.

It is true that there are some suggestions in the summary report where we cannot give a definitive answer at this stage. For example, we are working actively on intellectual property and financial services, but feel that it is premature to fix now the form and level of ambition for specific initiatives. On waste management, we would accommodate the issues you have raised through the Action Plan on better implementation of waste legislation, rather than a new initiative at this stage.

Let me make on point clear: what is not included in the list of new initiatives is not being neglected. The Commission's essential work of implementing Community law, of executing programmes, of negotiating international agreements - all this continues, and is made more visible in other parts of the Programme text. Also, a new chapter on "shaping new policies" seeks to reflect the multi-annual nature of most of the activities of the Commission.

We have also inserted in the Work Programme the communication priorities, but have added a novelty in this respect: we propose a number of those priorities to the other institutions, so that we can work together to promote them. But this is not about centralisation - quite the contrary: we believe that a common understanding of priorities offers the springboard for "going local", adapting communication to best fit different needs in different parts of the Union.

The Commission looks forward to a lively and fruitful debate, reflecting the strategic dimension of the Commission's Work Programme and strong political messages to our fellow citizens.

2008 is a crucial year for Europe. Together, the European Commission and the European Parliament can build on our excellent work together in 2007, can make the difference, and can make 2008 a great year for Europe.