Buzek spreekt waardering uit voor Spaans voorzitterschap (en)
From left to right, the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Durao Barroso i; the President of the Spanish Government, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero; and the President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek i. EFE
The President of the European Parliament, Poland's Jerzy Buzek, today “paid tribute” to the rotating Spanish Presidency and to José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero for having achieved “significant progress” while sailing “through the storm” of the first half of 2010.
Speaking during a press conference following Zapatero's speech before the plenary session of the European Parliament, Buzek acknowledged that the beginning of the year, coinciding with the start of the Spanish Presidency, “was not easy” due to the changes introduced with the coming into force of the Treaty of Lisbon.
The new Treaty has given greater "co-decision" power to the EP: this extends to all areas in which the Council makes decisions by qualified majority. In addition, the Parliament is now also involved for the first time in agricultural policy decisions, for example, including financing of the CAP (more than 40% of the budget of the EU). It must also give the green light to trade agreements with third countries.
Buzek stressed that there had been "considerable progress" in all the new developments in inter-institutional relations over the past six months, setting a “very good" cooperation example for the countries that will take over from Spain at the helm of the EU over the coming year and a half: Belgium, Hungary and Poland.
“The Spanish Presidency has had a lot to do during a very difficult period (because of the financial crisis) and has had to navigate through the new and fragile waters of the Treaty of Lisbon”, said the Polish conservative politician.
Buzek drew a parallel between the improvements in Spain's work at the head of the European Union and the performance of the Spanish football team in the World Cup in South Africa. He wished the Spanish team good luck in the rest of the tournament, while also pointing out that two other European countries, Germany and Holland, had also reached the semi-finals.
Zapatero speaks of “more perfect” union in Europe
The President of the Spanish Government, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, meanwhile, said the Presidency had been able to apply the Treaty of Lisbon "in spirit and letter" over the past six months.
He said this Treaty “means a more perfect European Union, by strengthening what we have in common and changing the rules of governance, with new institutions and new power balances”.
As in his previous speech before the plenary session of the Parliament, the head of the Spanish Government said he was certain that “the great majority of Europeans know through experience that greater union brings greater economic stability, greater ability to make progress, to strengthen our social model and influence the world”.
As well as the implementation of the rules governing European institutions, Zapatero also underscored the new, stronger economic government that has grown out of the economic crisis, although there had already been discussions on the need for this before the crash.
“Even before the crisis we were already talking about a stronger European government, which would include sanctions for failure to comply with the rules. I said this at the start of the Presidency and I was criticised. It turns out that, in the end, it was taken on board”, he pointed out.
Barroso congratulates “solid” Presidency
The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Durao Barroso, meanwhile, described the performance of the rotating Spanish Presidency as “solid and good” during “difficult circumstances”.
“The Spanish Government has played a strongly pro-Europe role (…) I sincerely believe that the past six months have been a success for Spain and for Europe. We have shown that we are stronger together, above all in times of crisis such as those today”, the head of the EC concluded.