” “” “In Brussels, alongside the works of the EU parliament, meeting in plenary session, the reactions to the speech delivered yesterday at the hemicycle by Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero are going on. The president of the assembly, Hans-Gert Poettering, recalled "Spain’s support to the European constitution, approved by the Spanish through a people’s referendum", as well as the contribution paid by the Spanish government for the approval of the new Treaty of Reform. As for Zapatero, he stated that "Spain is a friend of Europe", underlining the role played by the European Union for "strengthening democracy" and "the support to the economic development of our country". On the other hand, Zapatero rejected the definition of unimportant treaty in relation to the agreement reached in Lisbon by the 27 countries: "In fact, it is a great treaty, and can be the instrument to set community Europe in motion again". Then, the speaker assigned the European Union three fundamental tasks: "First of all, it must face the current challenges, starting from climate change, also through scientific research, and by increasing the value of new energy sources". In this respect, he said that "Spain is the only country which has been reducing the emissions of greenhouse-effect gases since 2006, though in the presence of a remarkable economic development". (To be continued) ” “” “” “
