"The Irish asked for a longer time" to ratify the Lisbon Treaty, "and they will have it". José Manuel Barroso reflected on the result of the summit in Brussels; he dedicated lesser time to institutional matters and preferred to linger on the "concrete topics which we have faced". First of all, the price level of food and oil products: "We shall strengthen our programme, which is already working, and which is based on food aids to the European Union people and families who are in need of them. Concrete aids to fishermen were indicated", above all, in relation to the purchase of fuel for fishing boats, "and for farmers", who made a demonstration in the streets of Brussels in the last few days. "But it will be necessary to work for safeguarding competition, too, as well as supplies and the level of oil prices in international markets". "We have no immediate solutions for all these problems", pointed out Barroso, because "structural changes are necessary". On the other hand, the head of the Executive said to be "really satisfied because the last step to make the European Institute of Technology operating was taken. That Institute will be situated in Budapest. Maybe it is already inaugurated next September". (To be continued)
