Two decisions

Two "major problems" – the crisis in the economy and climate change – "require decisions" and ensuing measures. These two "institutional knots" – the Lisbon Treaty and the appointment of the Commission – ought "to be solved soon, in order to better address concrete issues". Swedish Premier Fredrik Reinfeldt president-in-office of the European Union, identified the items on last week’s European agenda.Hand extended to the Parliament. "I speak to you at a time of great challenge" and "difficulties". To successfully tackle the many challenges facing the Swedish Presidency, we must work side by side with you". With this invitation President Reinfelt addressed newly-elected MEPs in Strasbourg on July 15. The Swedish Premier outlined the main points of his six-month agenda, in the framework of the present political and economic situation. "In the short term, our ambition is to ensure a smooth transition to a new treaty", he said with regard to the ratification of the blueprint launched in Lisbon that will be the object of referendum in Ireland next October 2. Indeed, the appointment of the president of the Commission is linked to this issue, due to a question mark regarding its juridical framework that could either be the enforced Nice Treaty or the Treaty of Lisbon, due to come into force January 2010. "For the time being we shall proceed with Nice" until the Treaty has been ratified by all Member States, since we can take for granted Ireland’s consensus". Towards Copenhagen. In his address- commented on in Parliament corridors – Reinfelt addressed other issues such as the "EU strategy for the Baltic sea region", the enlargement process – "which ought to continue" – and EU co-operation on justice and home affairs of the Stockholm Programme, "a pillar of Swedish presidency", in order to be "in a better position to fight organized crime, while ensuring freedom of movement across our borders". Reinfelt tacked the questions of climate and the environment scheduled for debate in the forthcoming Copenhagen summit. The EU is tasked with reaching a common stand for the reduction of polluting agents. This "will serve in getting developing Countries to sign up for the fight against global warming". And if those nations who have less financial resources will need support "for investment and transfer of technology" "we must discuss how to finance investments in developing countries". Employment and "social dimension". As regards the recession, the Prime Minister said he believes that "coordinated action from the EU is the best tool we have" and "Europe succeeded in showing leadership". But the "autumn" must be spent "discussing further measures to get us through the crisis". Three directives ought to be pursued. "We must restore confidence in the financial markets" by "quickly putting into place a strengthened supervisory system". "We must quickly get ourselves out of the growing public deficits through a coordinated exit strategy and a gradual return to the regulations of the Stability Pact". Finally, "we have to secure a social dimension to European politics, founded on sound public finances and on getting more people into the labour market". The social aspects of the crisis, and a reiterated "no" to protectionism stand out as the firm points of the Swedish presidency, in continuity with the country’s social economy tradition. United before the crisis. The stances expressed by the Swedish premier were commented on, among others, by Portuguese Commission President José Manuel Barroso. "The EU should give priority to measures aimed at the recovery of jobs by giving its contribution, although related measures lie within the province of single nations", he said. And the Executive "will propose simplification of Structural Fund procedures". Resources will be allocated "to enable financing of micro-credits for employment and social inclusion". French MEP Joseph Daul, People’s Party group leader, reckons, "innovation and training ought to be improved by supporting small enterprises". For Martin Schulz, at the lead of the Socialist and Democrat group, "it is necessary to envisage a solution to the crisis in the job market, since job security is crucial for social stability". Belgian Liberal-Democrat Guy Verhofstadt gave precedence to the economy as compared to Copenhagen and the Lisbon Treaty, while Green MEP Rebecca Harms from Germany said that until today "the EU did very little to truly address the recession".