Faces that interrogate” “

Bush, Arafat, Allawi, Barroso: these are the faces of the current news stories that are erupting into the headquarters of the EU in Brussels. They forced the Twenty-Five to modify, if not revamp, the agenda of the European Council that met in Brussels for its autumn session on 4-5 November. The meeting was an interlocutory one in preparation for the summit in December, during which the heads of state and of government will have to decide on a common position on the opening of negotiations for Turkey’s membership of the EU. COOPERATION WITH THE USA, ANXIETIES ABOUT THE MIDDLE EAST. The result of the recent American elections found the leaders of the Union agreed in complementing George W. Bush on his new term of office and in expressing the hope “of being able to pursue a common path in the fight against terrorism”, especially by promoting “the role of the multilateral organizations in the phase of the reconstruction of Iraq”. Dutch premier JAN PETER BALKENENDE, current President of the European Council, conscious of the different “preferences” of his European colleagues, divided between Bush and his challenger Kerry, insisted on the need to find a shared position. The final document of the summit declares in this regard: “Our close transatlantic partnership, founded on common values, is a fundamental premise of the approach followed by Europe to consolidate international peace, security and prosperity”. The 25 confirm their commitment on the world scene, which comprises various areas at risk – the Middle East, the Balkans, Sudan, Iran and the Mediterranean region – in which steps must be taken to “promote the rule of law and democracy” to achieve a “more just and safer world”. The fate of Yasser Arafat has added further grounds for anxiety: the summit expressed “solidarity with the Palestinian people, re-affirming in clear terms the condemnation of “any form of violence and terrorism” and the “need to act for the rapid pacification of the Holy Land”. EUROPEAN FUNDS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF IRAQ. The presence in Brussels of Iraqi premier AYAD ALLAWI accentuated the “international vocation” of the EU summit: “I found a Europe unanimous in supporting the process of democratisation and reconstruction in my country – said Allawi -. We are engaged in re-creating, in spite of a thousand difficulties, a secure and pacified nation. I am convinced we will maintain our pledge to hold elections in late January next year. For all this, however, it is essential that the EU remains at our side. We are joined together in combating terrorism, which is confirmed as a global problem and a common enemy”. Balkenende then recalled “the allocation of 300 million euros already decided for the reconstruction [of Iraq], to which are added a further 30 million euros for the organization of the general elections”. “COMMUNICATING EUROPE” FOR ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP. Among the other questions on the agenda of the Twenty-Five were the preparation of the summit of the European Council in December (Turkey dossier), the revival of the Lisbon Agenda (to be discussed again at the summit in the spring of 2005), and the programme of The Hague for realizing a “Space of liberty, security and justice”. The Council then welcomed a proposal by Swedish Commissioner MARGOT WALSTROM, called “Communicating Europe”. The citizens of the Union “share essential values – says the final document of the summit – and it is up to the political authorities, both at the national and continental level, to promote greater knowledge of the objectives of the European project and bring citizens closer to the decision-making process, through open debate and by encouraging active citizenship”. So the Commission is urged to reinforce information activities in member states, “also by grasping the opportunity offered by the long process of ratification of the Constitutional Treaty”. APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSION BY THE END OF NOVEMBER. “I have made the necessary and sufficient changes that Parliament requested of me and I have presented the composition of the Commission to the European Council”, said JOSÉ MANUEL DURAO BARROSO, designated President of the Commission, on presenting the new list of the members of his Executive. After the impasse created in Strasbourg at the end of October, the Portuguese statesman intends to proceed rapidly to the entry into office of the “team” that will succeed that of the Italian Romano Prodi. Among the innovations is the presence in the list of Commissioners of Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini with responsibilities for justice, liberty and security. Another new arrival in Brussels will be the Latvian Andris Piebalgs, who will be given the energy portfolio. Barroso then obtained the endorsement of the heads of state and of government; the auditions for the three newly appointed Commissioners will be held in Strasbourg on 15 and 16 November; the vote of approval by the European Parliament is expected on 18 November. ———————————————————————————————————– Sir Europa (English) N.ro assoluto : 1339 N.ro relativo : 79 Data pubblicazione : 10/11/2004