On line on December 19th, 20th and 21st, an experiment from SIR Daily News in English. The service will officially start on January 9th 2006
"The European Council pledges once again to have a safe, prosperous and peaceful Middle East and Mediterreanean region, respecting the state of law, democracy and human rights". There are not only the agreements on the financial prospects in the "Conclusions" of the Brussels summit of December 15th and 16th. A large part of the document, which this week will be examined by the EU institutions and of which Barroso, President of the Commission, spoke today in a briefing with the accredited press, is about the international political scenario: "The European Council it reads acknowledges the challenges thrown at the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries. It invites all partners to settle their controversies peacefully, to give up on threats or coercive methods"; in addition, it encourages them "to face the threat of terrorism and the networks of terror". Some sections are about Iraq, Iran, the Holy Land, Lebanon and Lybia. Instead, on the continental front, the Council confirmed the funds allocated by the International Fund for Ireland "to promote peace and reconciliation". A look at the Balkans too: the 25 Heads of State and Heads of Governments "decided to grant the status of nominee to the ex Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia". The Council actually "rejoices over the significant progress made by that country towards the fulfilment of the political criteria established by the European Council of Copenaghen in 1993 and the requirements of the stabilisation and accession process defined by the Council in 1997".
