” “Reforming the economy

More concise than usual, the conclusions of the European Council, held in Barcelona on 15 and 16 March, revolve around seven key points: 1) energy, 2) economic reforms, 3) sustainable development, 4) “Galileo” project, 5) financial markets, 6) steel war, 7) peace in the Middle East. 1) The liberalization of the gas and electricity markets formed the central theme of the summit. A compromise solution was reached, deferring the question to after 2003 as regards “domestic consumers”. But it makes provision for all the proposals for the last phase of liberalization for firms to be adopted by 2002, so that the free choice of the supplier will become a reality already by 2004. 2) The Fifteen reaffirmed their commitment to reform the economic structures of the EU. In particular, three priority actions were identified by the Council: the creation of new and better jobs in the pursuit of full employment; the reinforcement, through reform, of the strategy for employment; and the promotion of labour skills and mobility within the European Union. 3) Agreement on the adoption of the Directive concerning tax on energy should be reached by the end of 2002. 4) The Council “acknowledges with satisfaction” the progress made in connection with the “Galileo” system of European satellite navigation and asks the transport Council for “the necessary decisions concerning the funding and launch of this programme”. 5) The Council committed itself to the full integration of the movable values and risk capital markets by 2003, whereas the date fixed for the integration of financial services is 2005. 6) “Concern” was expressed about the measures adopted by the USA in the steel market, which are not “in conformity with the rules of the World Trade Organization” and promised its full support to the Commission for “any necessary measures to safeguard the Community”. 7) Support for the Peace Plan proposed by Saudi Arabia and for Resolution 1397 of the UN Security Council which calls for the creation of a Palestinian State. “The one certainty of Barcelona consists in the liberalization of the energy market for professional use from 2004 on”, comments the journalist of Libre Belgique Rachel Crivellard . “A lot was spoken about social issues, but the one concrete result was a big competitive advantage for European businesses”. Her colleague Sabine Verhest is also critical; according to her, “the EU summits no longer function in an optimal manner: it is to be hoped that Solana’s proposals for a reform of the work of the European Council will be examined as soon as possible”. On the contrary, Athanassios Goumas, head of the office representing the Greek Region of Epirus at the EU, is of the view that “both the decision on Galileo and the opening up of the electricity markets for firms, which will be followed by their opening up for domestic consumers, represent two decisive steps towards the final economic independence of Europe. Of course – Gounas continues – the Council lacked the courage to make progress in economic reforms. But now it would be just as well for Europe to concentrate seriously on enlargement”. Enlargement is also the main concern of Aneta Obara, coordinator of the office for Eastern Poland in Brussels: “Barcelona was not the place to speak of the candidate countries. But it was an occasion to speak with the candidate countries about issues that, with the addition of agriculture, are on the agenda of the concerns of our citizens. When it’s said that the current inter-governmental method is bogged down it’s probably more than an impression. Making reforms is the real priority, both for the member states of today and for those of the future”. Mark Vesey, Scottish member of the Committee of the Regions, expressed his satisfaction for the strong stance taken by the Council both towards Zimbabwe and towards the conflict in the Middle East: “Strong words, which need to be followed up by equally strong actions, if the EU is to become a protagonist on the international scene”.