José Manuel BARROSO
President of the European Commission

Presentation of the five year strategy and 2005 legislative and work programme

European Parliament, plenary session
Brussels, 26 January 2005

Senhor Presidente,

Senhoras e Senhores deputados,

Minhas Senhoras e meus Senhores,

Hoje a Comissao Europeia tomou uma das suas mais importantes decisoes: adoptou o quadro para a acçao política que pretende prosseguir durante o seu mandato.

Por essa razao, estou aqui hoje para vos apresentar uma estratégia para a acçao europeia. O ponto de partida dessa estratégia é responder às expectativas e necessidades dos cidadaos europeus. O seu objectivo é garantir que em 2010 a Europa esteja efectivamente no caminho da renovaçao.

Gostaria de vos propor que o Parlamento faça também sua esta estratégia. A Constituiçao prevê um programa de acçao comum que deverá ser partilhado pelo Parlamento, pelo Conselho e pela Comissao. Sugiro que nos inspiremos desde já dessa disposiçao. Proponho assim ao Parlamento e ao Conselho que os objectivos estratégicos para a Uniao adoptados hoje pela Comissao sirvam de base a uma acçao comum nos próximos cinco anos; a uma Parceria para a renovaçao europeia.

Por que razao a Uniao precisa de uma parceria? O alargamento demonstra que a Europa é um sucesso, mas os cidadaos parecem ainda ter dúvidas. Juntos temos que reforçar a nossa legitimidade. Juntos temos que fazer passar uma mensagem mais forte. Juntos temos que mostrar a nossa vontade política de agir em direcçao a objectivos comuns.

Mr President, honourable Members,

This is our first task in a partnership for a renewed Europe. Such a partnership is the only way for us to tackle the complex challenges ahead. Dreams are of no use if we do not map out how we can turn them into reality. It is high time to release Europe's enormous untapped potential.

Vision, leadership and delivery. This is what should bring us back on the road towards renewed trust and confidence.

But partnership cannot be confined to the "Brussels beltway": the crucial aspect of the partnership will be to bring in our citizens.

We cannot ignore the concerns expressed by citizens when it comes to Europe. Are we interfering too much or are we being too timid in our intitiatives? Are we too technocratic? Are we too cut off from reality? Do we live up to our promises?

Our first responsibility is therefore to reconnect with citizens. How to do it? Let me give some examples:

• The successful entry into force of the Constitution is the first step.
• Legislation should be simpler, more coherent, making full use of the Community method, and effectively implemented.
• The budget should provide the EU with the means to meet its commitments.
• Broader civic participation is required in the European project; communication, transparency and consultation are necessary to engage citizens.

The partnership that I have described is a means to an end: what we propose is that the partnership works for a European Renewal.

Why Renewal? If one looks at the direction in which the European project is heading, the challenges ahead may be familiar, but they need new ideas, renewed energy, fresh determination, a sense of optimism. We need to translate words into action. That is the purpose of our proposals.

Monsieur le Président, Mesdames et Messieurs les Députés,

La Commission a adopté aussi aujourd'hui son Programme législatif et de travail pour 2005. Il s'agit de la première manifestation concrète du partenariat que je vous propose. Il traduit les grands axes de la stratégie à 5 ans en action pour cette année. C'est le point de départ de l'action de la nouvelle Commission. Le Programme est innovateur et réaliste, et ce pour plusieurs raisons.

1. En premier lieu, il s'agit d'un programme centré sur les objectifs politiques clefs que la Commission propose de concrétiser d'ici la fin de son mandat. Ce programme est la première tranche de la mise en ouvre des objectifs stratégiques. Permettez-moi simplement d'illustrer mon propos en citant quelques actions clés:

• La Commission engagera la révision à mi-parcours de la Stratégie de Lisbonne et de la stratégie de développement durable.
• Elle présentera ses propositions encore manquantes pour compléter le paquet proposé pour les futures perspectives financières.
• La mise en ouvre du programme de La Haye pour faire progresser l'espace de liberté, sécurité et justice demandera aussi des efforts importants.
• Un Agenda Social renouvelé sera proposé pour promouvoir la dimension sociale du progrès économique.

2. Pour parvenir à la réalisation de ces priorités, nous proposons une liste d'initiatives prioritaires que la Commission entend adopter d'ici la fin de l'année.

Ces initiatives seront soumises à des études d'analyse d'impact, pour bien veiller au respect du principe de proportionnalité, subsidiarité et valeur ajoutée de l'action de l'Union.

3. En même temps, afin d'améliorer le flux d'information entre la Commission et le Parlement et d'améliorer la dynamique législative, je peux vous annoncer que nous fournirons chaque mois un état prévisionnel des propositions législatives en cours de préparation, état qui sera mis à jour régulièrement.

4. Enfin, dans l'esprit du partenariat proposé, la Commission souhaite améliorer l'exécution de son programme de travail et pour ce faire, travailler avec le Parlement de façon plus étroite. C'est pourquoi, l'équipe de Commissaires, et en particulier la Vice-présidente Wallström, a l'intention d'initier un dialogue permanent sur ces questions avec vous.

En bref, Monsieur le président, Mesdames et Messieurs les Députés, je souhaite que le programme soit la première étape du partenariat pour le renouveau européen que je vous propose.

Mr President, honourable Members,

We must not only work on our immediate priorities, but also map out a vision for the future.

The proposal for the strategic objectives adopted by the Commission today is based on three fundamental objectives: prosperity, solidarity and security. Each of these objectives also has a link with the world around us. That is why a stronger voice in the world is a necessary corollary.

The number one priority is clear: prosperity. It is the cornerstone on which the European model of social solidarity and sustainability is built.

And prosperity requires economic growth, it requires competitiveness, it requires productivity. These are the conditions to nurture sustainable development.

Indeed, the Constitution lays down sustainable development as the framework for all EU policies. This must underlie all our work. And lasting prosperity is only possible in a climate of solidarity and security.

With these permanent objectives in mind, we now need to focus on the instruments. And there comes the economy. In the present context of declining growth and considering the challenges from global competition, our first task must be to help restore growth, pursue the necessary reforms and create more and better jobs.

So how do we put Europe back on the path to long-term prosperity?

The answer is clear: we need a new economic dynamism. Next week, I will come before you with our proposal for the mid-term review of the Lisbon Strategy. The Kok report has already identified where the Strategy needs new energy, in particular to remedy inadequate implementation and lack of ownership. So the main conclusions are clear:

• growth needs to be based on sound macroeconomic foundations;
• the legal framework must foster entrepreneurship; think about the small and medium sized enterprises and the jobs they can create;
• growth cannot come without investment In the knowledge economy;
• we should draw people into more and better jobs.

Renewed growth and more and better jobs will only come when we translate our analysis into action. That must be our task for the next five years.

Another strategic objective is Solidarity. Our common project implies a responsibility to guarantee social justice, to protect our environment together. This means renewed action in different areas:

There must be economic solidarity: Cohesion policies must remain at the heart of how the Union works. We must narrow disparities between the rich and the poor in Europe and help disadvantaged areas and groups.

There must be social solidarity through a revised social agenda.

Future generations will not forgive us if we fail to tackle climate change and cherish our natural resources. We need to act. It is possible to preserve Europe's prosperity and quality of life.

Environmental protection can be turned into a double advantage by fully exploiting Europe's competitive edge in environmental technology and promoting eco-efficiency efforts.

Solidarity also means the promotion and defence of European common values. When we speak about a soul for Europe, we mean values such as guaranteeing fundamental rights; fighting against discrimination; promoting gender equality; protecting and promoting cultural diversity. These are the foundations for a society based on mutual understanding and dignity. This message is all the more relevant as we prepare to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp.

In addition to prosperity and solidarity, there is another strategic objective: Security. Within a borderless Europe, citizens increasingly look to the European Union to find solutions to tackle the risks they face in their daily lives.

For freedom, justice and security, the Hague programme has given us a roadmap to move ahead: but we need to bring this work to fruition.

Prevention and the fight against crime and terrorism must remain a top priority for the following years. At the same time, the freedom and fundamental rights cherished by Europeans should be respected.

The efficient control and surveillance of external frontiers is a common duty for Member States and the Commission. The Union provides the framework to manage effectively asylum, immigration and human trafficking.

But there are other security concerns which affect our citizens' daily life. Natural disasters, environmental or health crisis, transport and energy threats have a direct impact on citizens' security and well-being. The Union has a role to play both in reducing risks and offering rapid response. The action in the wake of the Tsunami disaster was just the latest example of what the Union can offer.

Finally, we must admit that Europe cannot achieve these objectives in isolation, since the Union is a global partner. Our number one priority, prosperity, is intimately linked to the relations with our partners. The solidarity we seek for our citizens cannot stop at the borders of the Union. It is an illusion to believe that Europe can be an island of peace with no other choice than either exporting stability or importing instability. The border line between our internal and external policies is gradually vanishing.

During the next 5 years, there is one external priority for which we should assume a particular responsibility: I am referring to the upcoming accession negotiations and the need to work for a stable and prosperous neighbourhood as an essential instrument for our security policy.

More broadly, our partnership should equally entail a message of renewal for our action in the rest of the world around us:

• Europe should speak with a stronger, single voice in order to promote effective multilateralism and a stronger role for the United Nations;
• The relations with our key partners should be re-invigorated. A new strategy for Africa is indispensable if we want to prevent parts of this continent so close to us to decline any further. We should also inject fresh blood into our transatlantic relationship, looking forward to our common interests for the future.

Mr President, honourable members,

I have presented the strategic objectives we propose to share with you in the framework of the Partnership for European Renewal that should guide our action for the next five years. However, objectives alone are not enough. We can only turn our ambitions into reality if the Union gets the necessary means to do so. I am referring, of course, to the Financial Perspectives for the period 2007-2013.

I am not telling you anything new when I say that last year's Commission proposals were no surprise: they are the counterpart of our own ambitions. All the Commission is asking, is to endow the Union with the financial translation of the commitments made at various European summits over the years!

I repeat what I have said on other occasions: one cannot have more Europe for less money. We have come to a point where I hear proposals to reduce the Union budget even to a level below that of 2006. I ask you: is this feasible, is this realistic?

Nevertheless, the Commission will do its best to play a constructive role, with the support of this House, in order to strive for an agreement on the Financial Perspectives in the coming months. Let me say however loud and clear that this agreement cannot come at any price. This is the duty we have to all Europeans.

Mr President, honourable members,

This College and its President have been elected by a broad majority in this House. As we put our proposals in front of you today, we want to honour the confidence you have given us. We have listened to this Parliament's views and we are ready to stand the test. We believe that what we propose to you is good for Europe and for all Europeans. We hope you can agree with us that we can work together around common strategic objectives.

Growth and jobs in a dynamic competitive economy, and modernised social protection and solidarity, are the key to our model of social justice and sustainability. At home, and in the world around us. This is what we propose to you today, and I hope we can count on your support.