"Have the essence of Europe, the existence of a European identity and the possibility of a common future been challenged again ? Is Europe in crisis?": These are the starting questions for the Austrian chairmanship of the EU Council that will convene the 25 members to Salzburg for two days of discussions, named "The sound of Europe". On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s birth, chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel announced the schedule of a conference that will bring together politicians, intellectuals, social and economic players in the composer’s birthplace on January 27th and 28th, for a "wide reflection on the future of continental integration". After the Christmas break, the works of the EU institutions will be in full swing again as from today: the Commission Chairman, José Manuel Durao Barroso, is expected to go to Vienna to meet the Austrian Government and develop the schedule and objectives for the six months’ term. As to Parliament, the delegation for relations with Ukraine is due to meet next Wednesday to discuss the subject of gas supplies between Moscow and Kiev; the Budget Commission of the Assembly is also due to meet next Wednesday to vote on the Böge report on financial prospects for 2007-2013: the Parliament, which has joint budgeting powers with the Council of Heads of State and Government, wants more funds for common policies.
