The federal chancellor has asked me to present Germany’s Council Presidency Programme to you and I am delighted to have the opportunity to do so. Even the best Council Presidency Programme cannot be successful, if it is not supported by those responsible for its implementation at the regional and local level. Whatever Council and European Parliament make, or want to make, of the Commission proposals, without the feedback from those acting upon it at a local level the results would clearly be inferior. The Federal Goverment holds the Committee of the Regions in high regard. Federalism is a fundamental condition necessary for the success of Germany. For this reason, the German Council Presidency is going to pay particular attention to the opinions held by the Committee of the Regions. It is good that state governments and government at the local level are thus directly involved in the drafting of European legislation.
The constitutional process
Expectations are running high regarding the German Council Presidency. We feel honoured, yet at the same time face great challenges. One of the biggest challenges will be the findin of a solution for the constitutional process. This will not be easy. If we were to be able to present a clear roadmap for the future by the end of our Presidency, it would be a great success. It is clear: We have to consider the referendum of our neighbour, France, before we can get involved in substantial discussions on this issue. However, it is also clear that we cannot simply ignore the positive vote for the constitutional treaty by 18 Member States.
There is no alternative to the constitutional treaty. Only a constitution will make Europe more democratic, more efficient and provide more transparency. It also strengthens the position of the regions and local authorities, just as you have emphasised right from the beginning of the constitutional debate:
During our Presidency we assume responsibility for achieving a future-oriented consensus. Whilst at the same time we want to retain those elements that strengthen the regions and local authorities.
Economic issues
Germany’s Council Presidency has chosen the motto “Europe – succeeding together”. And economic topics play a major role in the programme. These issues are of particular importance at the regional and local level and are one of the priority areas of work of the Committee of the Regions.
Firstly, we have to strengthen the internal market. It ensures growth and prosperity in Europe. During Germany’s Council Presidency we want to focus on an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the internal market in the context of international competition. We will in particular push forward with the proposals that provide genuine added value for our citizens and enterprises. This also includes the Commission proposal for an EU Roaming Regulation. Clearly excessive roaming rates affect around 147 million EU citizens. Here is specific need for action if we wish to create a “Europe of results”!
As the Presidency, we have set ourselves the ambitious goal of achieving a political agreement on the Roaming Regulation in the Council. Our goal is:
Secondly, we have to strengthen the competitiveness of Europe’s companies to ensure that they can stand tall in a global context. We would like to improve the framework conditions for industry and services in Europe.One issue of special interest will be better legislation; An area of acitivity to which the regions and local authorities have been comitted for decades. And the Committe of the Regions has also been active in this area for a long time. We wish to make the reduction of superfluous bureacracy in Europe a new priority. For this we want to start an ambitious initiative at the Spring Summit.
Last June, the European Council opened the debate for a specific, reduction target of 25%. We should regard this as an incentive: On the European level and in the Member States at local and regional level. The action plan proposed by the Commission in January helps to identify high burdens and reduce them quickly for the benefit of companies. A reduction in unnecessary red tape will also help to regain citizens’ trust in the EU and its institutions.
Thirdly, Europe cannot face globalisation by means of protectionism. Rather, it is the opening up of markets and the strengthening of external competitiveness that are basic prerequisites for economic growth and employment. A rapid conclusion of the Doha round is therefore of utmost importance. This is in the particular interest of all industrial and economic regions. However, “Doha first” does not mean “Doha alone”. Opening markets through bi-lateral and bi-regional free trade ageements is also very important. This way we can improve the market access posibilities for European companies. The German Council Presidency’s objective is to achieve an agreement on the mandates in March, in order to be able to start negogiations with the respective partners as soon as possible.
Energy policy/climate protection
Energy policy also is one of the central issues of the 21st century. It is also of great importance for you in the federal states and cities. And it is currently the main priority of our Presidency. Secure, environmentally friendly and competitve energy supply is the prerequisite for economic success in Europe in an era of globalisation. This became once more evident at the turn of the year. We have already overcome the first practical hurdles for the shut-down of the Druzhba oil pipeline. The Spring Summit to be held in March 2007 will see an integrated debate on energy policy and climate protection. The objective is to adopt an energy action plan graduated according to priorities.
The energy package proposed by the Commission on the 10th January 2007 is a good basis for this from our point of view. Tomorrow the Energy Council is going to meet; an area where we want to achieve a substantial contribution for the Spring Summit. What precisely are the topis that the German Council Presidency wants to address?
Firstly: Europe must speak with one voice as far as foreign energy policy is concerned if we want improved relations with the major producer countries. The intesification of the energy co-operation between the EU and Russia is essential for our future security of supply. Therefore a follow-up agreement to the partnership and co-operation agreement with Russia will be vital.
Secondly, the European markets for electricity and gas need to function better and need to grow together to form a European internal market. For this it is important to have effective unbundling through the full implementation of exisiting regulations. We have to start an unprejudiced discussion of all options in order to give the necessary impetus to competition. A greater number of energy suppliers is just one example.
Thirdly, Europe needs more renewable energies. Their cost-efficient development is a priority goal , also from the perspective of better climate protection: Energy efficiency in Europe must be significanly enhanced. We will orientate ourselves towards an energy savings potential of 20% by 2020, as estimatd by the Commission.
Regional policy
One of the central issues of the Committee of the Regions is the economic and social cohesion of the community. The development of disadvantaged regions and the transformation of declining industrial regions maintains one of the most chellenging issues of European regional policy. And the Committe of the Regions has rightly emphasised this several times. Cohesion Policy also has to contribute to the strengthening of growth, competitveness and employment in Europe. I am happy that we will be celebrating the launch of the new support period 2007 – 2013 during our Presidency. Many of the regions represented here benefit from European solidarity. The public should be more strongly aware of this than has been the case so far.
For this reason we are organising a central structural policy event during our German Council Presidency: the cohesion policy ceremony. It is to be held on the 9th May 2007, on Europe Day, in the Bavarian city of Hof. We have deliberatly selected this town, near the Czech border, to call attention to the special importance of the European Union’s structural policy, including its relevance for the new Member States. Through a variety of events we want to throroughly discuss the future of the Structural Funds. I am looking forward to welcoming representatives from the Committee of the Regions there too.
Conclusions
Let’s get back to the motto of Germany’s Council Presidency: Europe can look back at a success story that is unparralled. Now we have to transform the sucess of the past into viable policies fit for the future of Europe. The great success of Europe has to be brought across to its citizens.For this I rely on your support: You, the politicians in the Committee of the Regions, are the mediators between the European Union and its citizens. We count on that. If we all pull together then Europe will really succeed together!
