Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2007-12-18-Speech-2-012"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20071218.5.2-012"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:translated text |
"Mr President, President of the Council, ladies and gentlemen, over the past six months we have had an excellent illustration of what we have championed as the two ways of making progress in Europe. Namely, at the same time as endeavouring to resolve institutional issues, we are endeavouring to make progress in terms of practical results, to demonstrate to our citizens that Europe is truly at the service of their aspirations.
This brings to fruition extensive work begun by the Commission almost three years ago, in March 2005. Following a wide public debate on a Green Paper issued by the Commission in June 2006, we have now reached a clear consensus in the European institutions on how important maritime policy is for the Union to meet the challenges of globalisation and competitiveness, of climate change and energy, and to maximise the potential of our oceans and seas in a sustainable manner. Following in the footsteps of the European Parliament’s excellent five-committee report of July, the Commission’s vision of an integrated maritime policy for the Union and an action plan were fully endorsed by the European Council last week. A particular note of appreciation is due to the Portuguese Presidency for making this a priority for the Union.
How were all these achievements made possible? Central to this has been the effective cooperation between the three core institutions: Parliament, the Commission and the Council of Ministers have been able to work together to develop a real consensus across a wide range of the European Union’s work. We have also benefited from a growing realisation that the European Union offers the right vehicle to address today’s big challenges. Just look at the Eurobarometer figures released today. These confirm the figures from spring this year that overall support for the European Union is higher than at any time over the past decade. We are winning the trust of European citizens; now we must show that we deserve that trust.
Last week, in a matter of days, we saw the proclamation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights by the three institutions in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the signature of the Treaty of Lisbon and, following those very important moments, a European Council focus on key issues of direct interest to citizens.
After the historic steps of Wednesday and Thursday, on Friday the European Council returned to the crucial task of turning the Europe of results into reality, and we now have a framework in place for the results the European Union should deliver in 2008.
Critical to our future action is the importance of globalisation. It was not so long ago that policy-makers tended to shy away from globalisation. Globalisation was seen as being too difficult and too divisive, and sometimes we even wanted to avoid the word. The Declaration on Globalisation approved by the European Council has turned this around. We know now that Europe can unite around an activist, proactive approach to globalisation. Not all the impact of globalisation is positive – we know that – but that is no reason for passivity. It should rather redouble our efforts to make the most of the opportunities for Europe offered by globalisation. The European Union has every reason to feel confident about its future in the age of globalisation. It is showing how the values which govern European society are fully compatible with the proactive approach to globalisation. That is the message to come out of the Declaration on Globalisation. There is now a real sense of momentum in our agenda for succeeding in the age of globalisation, a momentum we will keep up by a series of Commission initiatives in the coming months.
I was pleased that the Portuguese Presidency decided to devote particular attention to migration. If we manage the issue of migration well, everyone can benefit: Europe, the European Union Member States, but also the countries of origin and the migrants themselves, because, as the President-in-Office of the Council has just reminded us, this is also a social issue. The European Council backed the integrated approach proposed by the Commission early this December. To back up the proposals we already have on the table, such as illegal migration, undeclared work and the blue card for highly-skilled workers, we will come forward with new proposals next year to build a truly comprehensive approach at European level regarding migration.
Before this, we will come forward with our package of measures to realise the Union’s promises on climate change and energy. This is another point about globalisation: climate change and the need to have a global solution to a global problem. I am happy to say to you that Europe is really leading this issue worldwide. I am proud that the European Union and our 27 Member States spoke with one voice at the Bali Conference. The declaration is an important step in the right direction on the road to Copenhagen in 2009. I know that some of us would have wished for more – I personally would have preferred more – but the fact that there was a consensus at a United Nations Conference and a commitment to a target date and a post-2012 regime was in itself a success and, let us be frank, that success would not have been possible without European leadership and European unity.
The focus is now on the need to ensure the follow-up and insist on ambitious, binding targets for the reduction of CO2. Just a few days after Bali, there is a palpable sense that the wind of change is blowing in our direction. Some of our main partners who have not yet changed their minds – Australia already has – will change their minds. But we need to keep up the pressure to give meaning to our leadership. The best way to do this is to show we mean business by driving on with our own proposals. I want to work closely with this Parliament over the next year and agree a common goal of a political agreement on the full package by the end of next year.
The European Council also took the opportunity to look further ahead, not only in terms of a declaration on globalisation but to come up with some ideas. The reflection group is an innovative approach, one which can pay off. Looking ahead to 2020, 2030 requires discipline and imagination, but the result can help us to keep the focus on the big picture, in particular on the global challenges. The group can count on the support of the Commission when the full team starts its work later next year. I also welcome the choice of Felipe Gonzáles, a very experienced statesman and a committed European, as Chairman of the Group, and the two Vice-Chairs, Mrs Vike-Freiberga and Mr Jorma Ollila.
The European Council also looked at more immediate challenges. The stability of Kosovo is heavily dependent on a united European Union, and a solution for Serbia and Kosovo lies in Europe. They know that and we know that. We must carry this through into determined and united European Union action. This is a stern test for Europe, one that we cannot afford to fail. The European Commission encourages the Member States to keep a united and coherent approach regarding the Kosovo issue.
2007 showed that Europe is capable of taking up these challenges. We have just seen the negotiation, agreement and signature of a treaty, the Treaty of Lisbon, that will give Europe the institutions for the future, so that it can respond to the challenges of the 21st century.
Before I finish, let me say that the Commission is extremely satisfied that European consensus on humanitarian aid has been adopted by Parliament and the Council. The declaration that I have the honour of signing after this sitting with President Pöttering and Prime Minister Sócrates is a wide-ranging policy statement about our objectives, principles and good practice approaches to humanitarian aid, delivered both bilaterally by Member States and by the European Community.
The consensus is a milepost for European Union humanitarian aid. The European Commission alone is the second largest humanitarian donor in the world and, by driving forward this consensus, has responded strongly to the increasingly challenging environment facing humanitarians. The raising of the Commission policy voice in this area, in the light of its considerable experience in the provision of humanitarian aid and its unique role at the heart of the European Union, is positively welcomed by the Member States, Parliament and also humanitarian partners. Internal work has now been launched to translate the commitments contained in the consensus into a draft action plan that should be presented in the first semester of 2008.
Finally, as President-in-Office of the European Council, Prime Minister Socrates has just said, this year’s work is not yet over. I will have the honour before the end of the year to join him in very symbolic acts of opening our internal borders. As of 21 December 2007, we will live and circulate in an area of 24 countries without internal borders. This is a unique and historic accomplishment. Estonia, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia will lift internal border controls. This will make travelling for all Europeans quicker and easier. From 21 December 2007 travel will be possible from the Iberian Peninsula to Poland, from Greece to Finland without border checks.
I also congratulate the Portuguese Presidency on its strategic leadership for the successful implementation of the Schengen Information System project: the ‘SIS One For All’. The lifting of the European Union’s internal borders brings opportunities for people living, circulating and doing business in Europe. It is important to explain to our citizens that, at the same time as we are lifting border controls and promoting freedom, security standards are also being reinforced, because this also means efficient checks at external borders. We should not forget that now, for example, the Spanish border is the Polish border and the Polish border is also the Greek border, so we can do this without a reinforcement of our security at the external borders and we are moving ahead only because those Member States have made the effort required. So I believe that – not only from a symbolic point of view – this will be a very important development of our new, enlarged, committed Europe.
The overall message from 2007 is one of great hope, and no little expectation. The eyes of Europeans are turning to the European Union for the answers to so many questions. The past few months can give us confidence that we are up to the task.
At this point, I would like once again to pay tribute to the Portuguese Presidency and especially to Prime Minister José Sócrates for his competent leadership of the European Union. It is also only right to acknowledge the important contribution of the German Presidency and Chancellor Merkel when the mandate was obtained that enabled positive progress to be made on this agreement that is so important for Europe. Certainly at the beginning there were many who doubted the need to make this effort, but the truth is that a few days ago, in Lisbon, the 27 EU governments were able to come together on a treaty that they themselves had negotiated.
That political achievement now has to be put into practice. The Member States have agreed on and signed the Treaty and also agreed to ratify it, so that it enters into force on 1 January 2009. This undertaking by the Member States must be taken very seriously. By signing the Treaty, the governments have taken responsibility to defend the Treaty before their parliaments and public opinion. They must be successful in those tasks if Europe is to move forward.
Mr President, I wish to warmly salute Hungary for the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon yesterday. The Treaty was ratified with an overwhelming majority: 385 ‘yes’ votes and only five ‘no’ votes.
I think it is a very symbolic fact and a very positive political signal that one of the new Member States is the first country to ratify the Lisbon Treaty. Hungary deserves our applause.
At the same time, during this period and specifically in these six months, we have seen the European Union taking a lead on policies that affect every European every day: economic growth and job creation, climate change, energy, migration and innovation. These are the issues that will determine the success of Europe now and in the future.
Prime Minister Sócrates has already spoken about many of the achievements of the Presidency. I will not repeat all of them. I could, of course, agree with everything he said: the importance of the European Union-Africa Summit, the first summit with Brazil on the strategic relationship with that very important country, the agreement it was possible to reach on Galileo, and the very important agreement by the social partners on the principles of flexicurity. I could also add some other points and underline some that sometimes have deserved less attention but are also important. For instance, the general political agreement reached with the European Parliament on the creation of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology – a very concrete project and a real flagship for innovation in Europe – and also the launch of an integrated maritime policy for the Union."@en1
|
| lpv:unclassifiedMetadata |
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples