Barroso verdedigt prioriteiten Europese Commissie voor ESC (en)
Results of the 414th Plenary Session, 9/10 February 2005
Commission President BARROSO and Luxembourg Presidency call upon EESC's support
In his first appearance at the EESC plenary, the new Commission President José Manuel Barroso i outlined the Commission's work programme for 2005 and the Commission's strategic objectives for its 2005-2009 term of office. In his speech, entitled "Helping Europe to change", Mr Barroso stressed the necessity for partnership between the European institutions. He called for a strong partnership, notably with civil society, which is represented at organised institutional European level in the Committee.
The three strategic objectives that Mr Barroso has set for his Commission - prosperity, solidarity and security - will only be achieved if all the institutions cooperate. He called on the EESC to get fully involved alongside the Commission in the implementation of the 2005 work programme.
The Commission President called for "a political reinforcement of cooperation" between the Commission and the Committee. A new cooperation protocol, to be rapidly finalised, should contain a number of political objectives: governance, enlargement and the Constitution, "which includes for the first time participatory democracy - in which the Committee is an indispensable partner.
During the ensuing debate opened by EESC President Anne-Marie Sigmund, several EESC members took the floor. Mr Regaldo, President of Group I, expressed his regret that Europe suffers form a lack of competitiveness: reforms should be undertaken quickly. He called upon the Commission to engage in a culture of "action".
Mr Sepi, president of Group II, asked the Commission president to guarantee that the equilibrium of the Lisbon Strategy objectives will not be changed in favour of economic liberalism. Mr Nilsson, president of Group III, demanded that the Commission takes into account the citizens preoccupations: they wish for economic growth that does not neglect the social aspects. He called upon the Commission to respond to this demand.
The speech is available on the EESC website.
Luxembourg Presidency is "counting on its allies in the EESC"
François Biltgen, minister for employment and culture in Luxembourg, has attended the EESC plenary on Wednesday, 9 February and presented the priorities of the Luxembourg Presidency of the European Union. In his speech, he outlined the main priorities, notably with regard to the mid-term review of the Lisbon Strategy. He called upon all involved actors, but notably civil society and the social partners to "claim ownership" of the Lisbon Strategy. According to Mr Biltgen, a "partnership for change" can only be successful in the framework of social dialogue.
He thanked the Committee for the work that has been undertaken, and for future support, referring to the explanatory opinion the EESC will draw up on request of the Presidency concerning "Sustainable Development and the Financial Perspective". Mr Biltgen ended his speech with an appeal: the Luxembourg Presidency is "counting on its allies in the other institutions, and notably in the European Economic and Social Committee, to bring Europe forward".
In the ensuing discussion, the following members intervened: Mr Ewert (Group III, Luxembourg), Mr Malosse (Group I, France), Mr Sepi (President of Group II, Italy), Mr Metzler (Group III, Germany), Ms King (Group I, United Kingdom), M. Hencks (Group II, Luxembourg), and Mr Voss (Group III, Germany).
The debate notably touched upon the ratification of the constitutional treaty: Mr Malosse insisted that the European Institutions could not stay neutral in the debate and called upon the Luxembourg Presidency to get fully involved in the campaign. Mr Sepi also called for clear and positive messages regarding Europe's model of society. The Luxembourg Presidency Programme, if fully implemented, could incite citizens to vote "yes" in the Constitution referenda. Finally, Mr Ewert expressed concern about the financial perspectives: He explained the difficulties to decide on funding programmes, while the future financial framework is not yet set. Concerning the Lisbon Strategy he expressed his wish that the environment pillar of the Strategy will not be neglected for reason of competitiveness.
In order to know more about the EESC activities during the Luxembourg Presidency, please consult the new brochure, available for download on the EESC website:
Key opinions adopted during the plenary
The following key opinions were adopted during the 414th plenary session:
Rail transport
Rapporteur: Mr Eduardo Manuel Chagas (Group II, Employees, Portugal)
The Committee has adopted a series of opinions concerning rail transport, notably:
- Development of the Community's railways
- Certification of train crews operating locomotives and trains
- International rail passengers' rights and obligations
- Compensation in cases of non-compliance with contractual quality requirements for rail freight services
For more information, please consult the separate press release n° 21/2005.
Services of general interest
Rapporteur: Mr Raymond Hencks (Group II, Employees, Luxembourg), co-rapporteur: Mr Bernardo Hernández Bataller (Group III, Various interests, Spain)
For more information, please consult the separate press release n° 19/2005.
Employment policy: the role of the EESC after enlargement and in the perspective of the Lisbon process
Rapporteur: Mr Wolfgang Greif (Group II, Employees, Austria)
Own initiative opinion
For more information, please consult the separate press release n° 22/2005.
Services in the internal market
Rapporteur: Mr Arno Metzler (Group III, Various interests, Germany), co-rapporteur: MrErnst Erik Ehnmark (Group II, Employees, Sweden)
For more information please consult press release n° 20/2005.
For information on other key opinions on the agenda, please consult press release n° 17/2005.
For more details, please contact:
Vasco de Oliveira or Christian Weger at the EESC Press Office.
Rue Belliard 99, B-1040; Bruxelles
Tel.: 02 546 9396/9586; Mobile: 0475 753 202
e-mail : press@esc.eu.int
Website: http://www.esc.eu.int/press/index_en.asp
| The European Economic and Social Committee represents the various economic and social components of organised civil society. It is an institutional consultative body established by the 1957 Treaty of Rome. Its consultative role enables its members, and hence the organisations they represent, to participate in the Community decision-making process. The Committee has 317 members. Its members are appointed by the Council. |