"With a Gross Domestic Product of one or two percent, we cannot go very far, we cannot create employment, we cannot fulfil the citizens’ needs. That’s one more reason for reviving the economy". Wolfgang Schüssel, Austrian Chancellor and UE President, in announcing the work plan to the Strasbourg Parliament, spoke of the actions he intends to carry out, "in agreement with Parliament and the Commission" as to economy: this will be the focus of the Brussels meeting in late March. Then, a comment on the EU finances: "Europe neds more resources of its own, more money to grow. We must invest in research, education and infrastructures". A passage that the following speeches of the grup leaders of the European Parliament took with different feelings: just today the floor will be discussing the Financial Prospects for 2007/2013, and the agreement reached in December by the Heads of State and Government is likely to be voted against, just because the funds available for research, innovation and the EU extension are considered inadequate. Finally, Schüssel explained that "we cannot even escape other subjects that are strategic for the European Union: identity and definition of boundaries; relaunch of the Constitution; a reflection on our lifestyle and the European social model; finally, our openness to the world". Also in these areas, Schüssel has committed his Government and the Chairmanship of the Council, receiving from the President of the Commission, Josè Manuel Barroso, "full support" and "factual help".
