Madam Chairman,
Members of Parliament,
I am glad to be with you here today to take stock of our Council Presidency. I am also keen to hear your assessment and comments.
The German Presidency is now drawing to a close.
We took it on in the midst of a special situation.
On the one hand, Europe is in good shape economically. Growth in Europe is currently stronger than in the United States. We can expect a growth rate of approximately 2.9% for 2007.
And the expansion is increasingly due to domestic economic dynamics: Europe is again developing its strength from its own efforts.
Consumers and business people are again placing more trust in Europe's economic strength.
On the other hand, the latest Euro barometer indicates that citizens' confidence in Europe could be better.
But last weekend, at the European Council, Europe showed that it is able to act. The European Council reached agreement on principles for an amendment treaty; the treaty is to be drafted at the next Intergovernmental Conference. A functioning Union will strengthen the confidence of citizens and companies in Europe's political and economic potential.
We must now work as hard as we can to face up to the important challenges of the future, whether they relate to climate protection, securing the energy supplies, or the consideration of social needs - and last but not least the creation of more growth and employment.
For us here, the common major success is surely the adoption of the Roaming Regulation in only a very brief period of time. The European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission showed that they can act and, in doing so, I think they set a speed record for co-deciding this matter.
I thank all of you, especially the rapporteur Dr. Paul Rübig, for the intensive and trusting cooperation, and also Chairperson Dr. Niebler for her sensitive and compromise-oriented leadership during negotiations, without which a result could hardly have been reached.
We now have a Regulation that is sensible from the perspective of consumer protection policy, economically justified, and welcome from the standpoint of European policy.
It means the end of completely overpriced roaming charges, and it streamlines the complicated jungle of rates that were previously charged.
We have struck a balance between consumer protection and competition.
As the Presidency, we have arranged for the Regulation to be published in the Official EU Gazette on 29 June, and the measure will enter into force the next day. European citizens will thus be able to take advantage of lower prices as early as this summer!
In Germany, the first large provider (T-Mobile) will bring a Eurotariff onto the market as early 1 July. That is exactly what we wanted - effective competition! – which is the best guarantee of low prices and consumer-friendly services.
At the Spring Summit in March, we managed to get a lot done on energy and climate policies.
The European Union has set itself ambitious goals.
The G8 agreement provides ideal flanking support for the decisions of the Spring Summit and this will be of great benefit in terms of global climate protection. The spirit of Heiligendamm has advanced our common European interests in making material progress worldwide on this issue:
- The reports by the UN Climate Panel were given recognition.
- The United States wants to engage in the UN process and is ready to agree on a long-term stabilization goal in dialogue with major emerging nations. This marks a gigantic step forward.
- And we have come to an agreement on seriously considering halving worldwide CO2 emissions at the least.
Let me now come to energy policy, which is more than just climate protection. It is also about supply security and efficiency.
On the agenda is now the implementation of the Energy Action Plan 2007 - 2009 that was adopted at the Spring Summit.
The Commission will present its third legislative package on the internal electricity and gas market in autumn.
We all want the European internal energy market to gain more momentum.
The need for action is an accepted fact. That also applies to unbundling, i.e. separating off the grids from the business segments in energy supply that stand in competition.
But unbundling is only one of various ways of forcing competition, though. It is not a cure-all remedy.
There were still many questions posed and also criticism voiced at the Energy Council in June.
We need a package of concerted measures including, for example, improved grid regulation or a greater diversity of regional providers.
We expect the Commission to submit a proposal for a framework directive on renewable energies within the year.
Together with the EU member states, it must find a balanced way of sharing out the burden of meeting the overall EU target of 20% by the year 2020 among the individual member states.
Clearly, we cannot develop renewable energies without paying a price. All of the Member States, including Germany, must therefore be able to bear their respective shares and finance the necessary measures at acceptable costs.
Just a brief point on energy efficiency here: I would like to express my thanks to the rapporteur Mr. Vakalis for the good cooperation between Parliament and Council on Energy Star.
External energy relations have taken on enormous importance recently. Disruptions in supply as happened in the last two winters have prompted the EU to build up its early-warning capabilities. As part of this, for example, the Network of Energy Security Correspondents was convened for the first time during the German Presidency.
And lastly, I would like to say something about research and development.
The Commission was directed by the Spring Summit to frame by year's end a Strategic Energy Technology Plan for deliberation at next year's summit.
This is about technologies on the supply side such as the development of sustainable power station technologies, and it also involves innovative technologies for energy end-use in the interest of improving energy efficiency.
Also in the field of industrial policy, our Presidency laid firm foundations for coping with future challenges at the Competitiveness Council on 21 May. We stressed the need for a closer dovetailing of environmental, energy, and industrial policies. And we provided orientation for the motor vehicle industry, shipbuilding, biotechnology, and information and communication technologies:
The recommendations of the CARS 21 High Level Group were lauded as providing a showcase roadmap for the sector in industrial policy.
The Council requested the Commission to pursue the integrated approach advocated by the group for reducing CO2 emissions in motor vehicles. The proposals for implementing the emission goals will be made with a view to impairing competition as little as possible based on a thorough impact assessment.
We conducted a Conference on European Shipbuilding, at which additional measures were discussed to strengthen this sector. The Council called on the Commission to exhaust all possibilities to create fair competitive conditions for Europe as a shipbuilding location by means such as bilateral free-trade agreements, agreements under the OECD, and/or initiatives for the protection of intellectual property.
In collaboration with the European Investment Bank, the Commission is also to consider whether a European system of performance guarantees could be set up parallel to the national regimes.
To promote biotechnology and in particular its application for the benefit of the environment, the Council has asked the Commission to propose additional steps for creating lead markets.
In view of information and communication technologies' importance for growth and competitiveness, the Commission and Member States are to develop long-term strategies for promoting electronic business practices in SMEs and so-called e-qualifications.
The Commission has announced its intention of taking up these guidelines in its mid-term review of industrial policy.
Madam President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I think we have reason to be satisfied with what we have achieved.
The motto of our Council Presidency has been "Europe - Succeeding Together". And in this spirit the European Parliament, the Commission, and the Council have worked together very well. Only by actively collaborating have we been able to score success. Accept my heartfelt thanks, once again, for all your efforts.
We are now passing on the baton to the Portuguese. Together with them and the Slovenians, we drew up for the first time a joint programme for three Presidencies, thereby treading new ground.
In this way, joint priorities are to be pursued within the Council with greater continuity.
I wish our Portuguese colleagues good luck and every success.
Thank you for your kind attention!
