A special year

Constructing the future while treasuring the past. With this spirit last week the European Commission made two important steps upon its last year of activity – the five-year mandate is due to expire on November 2009-. President José Manuel Barroso presented the 2009 Work Programme and celebrated with a solemn ceremony the Executive’s 50th year.Towards the end of the mandate. In the coming year the Commission will implement provisions aimed at countering the economic downturn and the financial crisis seeking “to consolidate the achievements of the past four years by maintaining the focus on delivering results for European citizens and business”. President Barroso described “the ambitious calendar of work” that will be submitted to the Euro-Parliament and to the Council for approval. He pointed out that “the Commission will prioritize its work to lead the response to the financial crisis and tackle the issues of concern to citizens like climate change, migration and development so that Europe can continue to shape the effects of globalization”. According to the Portuguese chairman – who never denied appreciating a second mandate – 2009 “will be a special year marked by the elections in June”. While the enforcement of the Lisbon Treaty still has a long way to go, envisaging also that since Commissioners should represent two thirds of the Member States, the college be reduced from 27 to 18 representatives.The priorities and the four pillars. For Barroso, “the Work Programme is balanced and focused with 12 strategic initiatives, 37 priority initiatives, 33 simplification proposals and 20 withdrawals”. The priorities are structured around “four pillars”. In the area of growth and jobs, the Commission will focus on “economic reform and on specific measures aimed at rebuilding confidence” of consumers and financial operators. Barroso explained: “Europe should be helped to deal with the economic and financial crisis, through the work of the renewed Lisbon strategy and the framework for recovery” presented last week. This last point is linked to coordinated measures adopted by the EU and its Member States (the question will be addressed in December’s summit) and to the “rules” that participants to Washington’s G20 of November 15 or related international summits may call for. This specific area is being tackled by a team of experts chaired by Jacques de Larosière. As relates to climate change and sustainable development, “getting a successful agreement at the Copenhagen meeting will be a major global challenge. The foundation stone for EU leadership is “agreement on the energy and climate change package: with agreement in December”, in 2009 the emphasis can shift to implementation. United States, Georgia, a balance. Also when Barroso addressed the “Commission’s commitment to target actions directly on citizens” (Europe of Results) he mentioned the economic question along with measures to “help citizens and consumers”, announcing “a major new direction for policies on freedom, security and justice” whereby “the fight against terrorism and organized crime will be a particular focus”. Internationally – the fourth pillar – the Commission will face up to challenges ranging from support to Georgia’s reconstruction to reforms, adapting transatlantic relations to the new US administration guided by Barack Obama. Enlargement, the neighbourhood and world trade will remain key priorities. A major highlight in 2009 will be the presentation of the Budjet Review, “an important contribution to the debate on the shape of the future priorities of the Union and their financing” along with the promotion of a simpler and better regulatory environment. The “engine” of integration. The ceremony for the 50th anniversary of the European Commission (instituted in 1958 and chaired by Walter Hallstein from Germany) was celebrated on November 7 at the Berlaymont palace to the presence of EU Council President-in-Office Nicolas Sarkozy and of the President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Poettering. The conference room of the Executive’s historical venue was dedicated to Jean Monnet, one of the “fathers” of Community integration. In his address, President Barroso mentioned the crucial steps of the institution’s journey, which represents “the Union’s identification with its project”. The Commission, Barroso stated, is “the keeper of the Treaties” and the “engine” of the EU: a historical vocation that will continue being “preserved”.