"From the pause for reflection, we have to move on to the period of commitment". The president of the EU Commission, José Manuel Barroso, re-launches from Strasbourg the subject of continental political integration in the run-up to the summit of the heads of state and government due to be held tomorrow and on Friday in Brussels. The summit of the 25 member states will focus on the process of ratification of the Constitution. Today Barroso spoke at the EU Parliament where a pressing debate was opened on the subject, then he met the accredited press. "In 2007 stated the Portuguese politician- we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the birth of the European Community. We can just commemorate it by looking back to the past or seize the opportunity to look ahead". Barroso asks for a "roadmap" to make the EU Constitution take off: "One year ago, I had felt the danger of a paralysis for the EU. Today I think we have averted that danger; agreement has been reached on the long-term budget, we have re-launched the Lisbon Strategy and enforced regulations in the areas of chemistry and services. Now we are working at research and energy. We have not stopped, although euro-scepticism is always there"; however, explained the head of the EU Commission, "I say no to doom ad gloom and to euro-scepticism". (to be continued)
