This spring European Council meeting chaired by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr Janez Janša, is dedicated in the main to three major issues: the launch of the new three-year Lisbon Strategy cycle, discussion of the energy and climate change package and agreement on an appropriate response to the situation on the financial markets. The Heads of State and Government agree that the Lisbon Strategy is working and that the European Union has achieved good economic results.
(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)
Following the first day of the European Council meeting in Brussels, the Slovenian Prime Minister noted that the public deficit within the EU had been halved, economic growth doubled and over six million new jobs created in recent years. “But we must not rest on our laurels,” he cautioned, pointing out that there were new challenges ahead, related to issues of energy and climate change, energy security and financial stability.
(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)
One of the main aims of the new Lisbon Strategy cycle is to improve the implementation of, and to intensify, structural reforms. In this connection, the Slovenian Premier and current President of the European Council, Janez Janša, highlighted better care for people and the environment as well as a more enterprising and innovative Europe. In terms of better care for people, the Prime Minister described the Lisbon Strategy as considerably strengthened in its social dimension, a great deal of attention being focused on the education of young people and adults and on greater social inclusion and cohesion. The second priority area highlighted by PM Janez Janša is better care for the environment. “The full potential of economic and social reform can be achieved only in synergy with a sustainable and healthy environment,” he affirmed, and went on to add that the Governments of EU Member States should encourage their citizens in these efforts by setting an example.
(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)
The European Union must become more enterprising. PM Janez Janša said he was convinced that the single market was the best way in the long term to ensure global competitiveness, with considerable untapped potential residing in small and medium-sized enterprises, which must also in future be afforded easier access to research infrastructure and funding, while making sure that red tape is reduced.
(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)
PM Janez Janša highlighted increased innovation capacity of the European Union as the fourth priority area. “The knowledge and creativity of European citizens are the foundation for everything else,” said the Slovenian Prime Minister, adding that the free movement of knowledge needed to be enabled and that this was why the ‘fifth freedom’ was being introduced. He cited the practical example of the European Union’s determination to provide all European schools with broadband connections by 2010 and noted the need to complete certain key projects, such as the European Technology Institute and the Galileo satellite radionavigation system.
(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)
It was on energy that the European Council members held their most lengthy and in-depth debate. The Slovenian Premier observed that, in view of the aims and objectives set last year, the European Union needed to adopt the decisions necessary to achieve these aims and objectives and to reach agreement by the end of this year. “We also need a technological breakthrough. We could say that we are starting the third industrial revolution,” he added. The EU leaders agreed to reach consensus on the energy and climate package by the end of 2008 and to coordinate it with the European Parliament by the end of that body’s current term of office, or by early 2009 at the latest. The current European Council President, Janez Janša, declared that the European Union would thus continue to play a leading role in the global fight against climate change. The Heads of State and Government also addressed the issue of how to ensure greater energy security and increase the diversification of energy sources with a view to meeting the European Union’s future energy needs.
(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)
On the first day, the EU leaders conducted a general debate; they will later also adopt official conclusions. The Slovenian Prime Minister also reported that the French President and the German Chancellor had informed the Council regarding their joint proposal for a ‘Union for the Mediterranean’, upgrading the Barcelona Process. He stressed that it was very important for all the Member States and Mediterranean countries to be involved in this process.
(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)
PM Janša also took the opportunity to present the Council of the European Union with a gift commemorating the Slovenian Presidency. He presented Secretary-General Javier Solana with a replica long-case clock constructed according to a design by Slovenia’s greatest architect Jože Plečnik. This outstanding example of modern Slovenian design will henceforth be permanently exhibited on floor 50 of the Justus Lipsius Building.
