” “"Today, within the European Union, have we got the courage and the will to take those difficult political decisions which will make up the foundations of economy, environment and wellness for future generations?": Hans-Gert Poettering, president of the Parliament of the 27 countries, has taken part in the Council of the European Union for the first time. In his speech, delivered yesterday evening in front of the heads of State and Government of the Union, meeting in Brussels, he wondered whether there were links among the subjects in the agenda of the summit: energy, Strategy of Lisbon, the Constitution, the initiative for "better legislating", and issues of international politics. Poettering confirmed the need "to close ranks" within the European Union, in order to overcome the obstacles on the way to integration. Therefore, he dealt with all the subjects in the agenda. As for energy, he talked about the "need for a compromise", establishing "a close connection between economy and ecology". He also declared his belief that "solidarity is the key to the negotiations in progress for relaunching the Constitutional Treaty", relying on "the resoluteness demonstrated by the German Chancellor, Merkel". (To be continued)” “
