Check against delivery!
Address
1. Welcome / Introduction
During your visit to Berlin last December, Mr President, we spoke about the economy, which has now picked up momentum
We agreed that the economic upswing must be used to make Europe fit for the future. Together, we must continue to stay the course on reform in order to master the global challenges. For example:
The European Economic and Social Committee has been occupying itself with these questions for a long time. Your views on all areas of economic and social policy are marked by a high level of expertise and closeness to everyday life.
I therefore thank you most cordially, also on behalf of Minister Annette Schavan, for the exploratory opinion just presented on the subject of “Unlocking and strengthening Europe’s potential for research, development and innovation”.
2. Constitutional process
The German Presidency sees itself facing great expectations. That is an honour, but it also presents us with special challenges. One of the greatest challenges of the Presidency will be to resolve the constitutional process. That is a Herculean task.
We could consider it to be a great success if at the end of our Presidency we are able to present a timetable for the further steps to be taken. It is clear that we have to take into account our French neighbours’ elections before we can begin substantial discussions.
But what is also clear is that we cannot simply ignore the positive vote of eighteen Member States for the constitutional treaty. There is no alternative to the constitutional treaty. Only it will make Europe more democratic, more efficient and more transparent.
The constitution will lead to the principle of subsidiarity being considerably strengthened. As the Presidency of the Council, we therefore see ourselves as having a responsibility to bring about a forward-looking consensus.
3. Economic policy issues
“Succeeding together” is the motto of our Presidency programme. Economic policy issues are at the top of the agenda. We have set ourselves three targets.
Internal market / Roaming
Firstly: The internal market must be further strengthened. It is the guarantee of growth and prosperity in Europe. During the German Council Presidency, we wish to devote ourselves to analysing the strengths and weaknesses of the internal market in international competition. Above all, we wish to press ahead with the dossiers that bring practical added value for citizens and companies.
These include the European Commission’s proposal to introduce an EU roaming regulation. Significantly overpriced roaming tariffs currently affect some 147 million EU citizens. There is a specific need to take action here for a “Europe of results”!
As the Presidency, we have set ourselves the ambitious target of reaching political agreement on a roaming regulation in the Council.
The aims are
Competitiveness / Better Regulation
Secondly: In order to be able to hold their own in the global context, Europe’s companies must further enhance their competitiveness. We therefore intend to improve the framework conditions for industry and service providers in Europe.
One focal area will be the issue of Better Regulation. We wish to make cutting superfluous bureaucratic burdens a new focal area. To this end, we plan to launch a new, ambitious initiative at the spring summit. Back in June 2006, the European Council referred to 25 per cent as a specific reduction target. This should be an incentive for us, both at EU level and for Member States.
The Action Programme presented by the Commission in January shows where there are particular burdens and where we can release companies from them particularly quickly. With less unnecessary bureaucracy, we can once again strengthen citizens’ confidence in the EU and its institutions.
Globalisation / The Doha Round
Thirdly: Europe cannot counter globalisation by protectionism. Rather, liberalisation and enhancing external competitiveness are key conditions for economic growth and employment. Concluding the Doha Round as soon as possible has top priority. “Doha first” does not mean “Doha alone”, however.
Liberalisation through bilateral and biregional free trade agreements, too, is important. In so doing, we improve European companies’ market access opportunities. The aim of the German Presidency of the Council is to take a decision on the mandates as quickly as possible in March so as to be able to enter into negotiations with the relevant partners afterwards.
4. Energy policy / Climate protection
One of the central questions concerning the future in the 21st century is energy policy. It is an important focal area of our Presidency. This morning we decided upon far-reaching Council conclusions at the Energy Council. Thus, the approval of an Action Plan on Energy Efficiency with differentiated priorities at the spring summit on 8/9 March 2007 has also been prepared in a contribution by the Energy Ministers.
The further development of an energy policy for Europe is essential for a secure, environmentally compatible and competitive energy supply. It was evident once again at the end of 2006 and beginning of 2007 that changes are necessary. We bore up under the Drushba oil pipeline closure.
What are our aims here?
Firstly, Europe must speak with one voice in energy policy if we want to improve relations with the major producing countries. The Energy Ministers are in absolute agreement on that. In particular, intensifying the EU’s energy cooperation with Russia is of significance for the security of our energy supply in this context. A follow-up agreement to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Russia therefore remains vital.
Secondly, The European markets for electricity and gas must function better and grow together to form a European internal market. What is important here, among other things, is to achieve effective deconcentration through implementing existing regulations in full. We wish to have further options for additional measures drawn up by the Commission.
Thirdly, Europe needs more renewable energies. Developing them cost-effectively is a major goal, also from the point of view of improved climate protection. Today, we therefore proposed raising the share of renewable energies in primary energy consumption to 20 per cent by 2020.
Fourthly, energy efficiency in Europe must be improved significantly. We will be guided here by the Commission’s estimated energy savings potential of 20 per cent by 2020.
5. Employment and Social Policy
One of your Committee’s central issues is employment and social policy within the Union. You are endeavouring to achieve employment with a “human face”. We wish to contribute to this during our Presidency. We have just held the successful Conference of Ministers on the further development of the European social model.
We were able to show there that there is positive interplay between economic, employment and social policy. A competitive Union can also be a social Union at the same time. We will further pursue this idea.
The key word flexicurity is about the question of how much security people and enterprises need in order to be able to react flexibly to new challenges. We want to continue this debate with the partners of our trio presidency. The aim is to achieve an appropriate balance between flexibility and security, especially also for new forms of employment.
After all, 2007 is the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. We shall support a number of initiatives and events.
6. Outlook
Our answer to globalisation is Europe! With its huge internal market, the euro and also its trade-policy influence, the EU is a “global player”. However, we must get across to people that if we join forces, globalisation can be shaped together. That is how we can regain lost trust in Europe.
I anticipate valuable insights on this from the exploratory opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee “The challenges and opportunities for Europe in the context of globalisation”. I am counting on you as important mediators in the Member States. Let us all pull together and Europe will indeed be a success!
