European Commission,Press conference, Brussels, 4 June 2014.
José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission:
"Good afternoon ladies and gentleman,
Let me start my statement in
this press conference by sending from Brussels my warm congratulations
to the Polish people for the 25th anniversary of the first multiparty
elections. Because of the G7 meeting I could not respond positively to
the kind invitation of President Komorowski to attend these celebrations
but I would like to associate myself and the European Commission with
these very important celebrations.
We see that when people are given a
free choice they always prefer the side of democracy, freedom and the
rule of law. The Polish elections 25 years ago accelerated the
democratic transitions in all Central and Eastern European countries and
paved the way for the integration of those countries in our European
project.
However some recent and really
dramatic events have shown that this transition is not yet completed and
that many on our Eastern borders still struggle to be able to take free
choices as sovereign countries. And they also show that the European
project and the ideas that underpin it remain more valid than ever.
This summit in Brussels will be,
indeed, a special summit, firstly because it will take place in a G7
format, secondly because we will in particular address the situation in
Ukraine, and finally because the summit will for the first time take
place in Brussels.
The situation in Ukraine has
once again demonstrated the importance of close cooperation between
like-minded partners that share the values of freedom and democracy.
That's why we expect this summit
to contribute decisively to promote these values and to reinforce a
rules-based international order.
- Let me express by expectations about what this summit should achieve:
On Ukraine, we need to reconfirm our two track policy:
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Lending our economic and political support to the Government so that we can contribute to the country's stabilisation and economic recovery;
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And maintaining a credible pressure on Russia to deter it from further interfering in Ukrainian internal affairs and from supporting armed separatists forces.
From the Commission perspective, we see four areas where our action in Ukraine should be continued and intensified:
Firstly, progress on constitutional reform, national dialogue and administrative capacity;
Secondly, we need to show
Ukrainians that their relation to Europe works to their benefit. This
means helping them to stabilise the economy. The delivery of the
comprehensive assistance package of 11 billion euro – grants and loans -
from the European Union is underway. Ukraine has already received the
first tranche of our macro-financial assistance. Together with the first
disbursements of the recently adopted State Building Contract, the
European Union will have provided 850 million euros in a very short
period of time. Since the end of April, Ukraine is benefiting,
unilaterally, from the substantial market access advantages offered in
the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. And we remain ready to
sign the remaining parts of the Association Agreement.
Thirdly, Ukraine's energy
security. We agree that energy should not be used as a political weapon.
This G7 Summit should be firm and encourage Russia to lay down this
weapon. The European Commission – and let me comment Commissioner
Oettinger's efforts in the ongoing trilateral talks with Russia and
Ukraine - is doing everything to act in this sense. A fair agreement
between the parties, Ukraine and Russia, facilitated by the Commission
on arrear payments, future gas price and modernisation of the gas
transit system is coming into reach. I urge the parties to make a final
effort. An agreement would be extremely important for the overall
climate in the region.
- Fourthly, we need to coordinate the international support to Ukraine. In response to a growing need for international coordination, an EU led "international donor coordination platform" is being set up. If the Ukrainian government sets up a reform coordination mechanism soon, we stand ready to organise in Brussels a high level international donors coordination meeting in early July, and an international donors' conference before the end of the year.
To conclude on Ukraine: I expect
this summit to show unity so as to maximise the impact of our action. I
am proud of the contribution our European Union has made so far,
responding united and with determination and speed to the crisis in
Ukraine. We are showing that the European Union can be a strong force
for democracy, freedom, prosperity and the rule of law. This is what we
are and the values we stand for. And this is why we are willing to work
with our G7 partners for these goals to the benefit of all.
As part of the discussions on
the global economy, this G7 summit should leave no doubt that
international trade is one of the pillars of our growth strategy. We
remain committed to keeping markets open and further liberalising global
trade. This is clearly shown by our full engagement on the post-Bali
programme and the negotiations on comprehensive Free Trade Agreements
currently ongoing in particular with our non-European G7 partners. This
summit should put its political clout behind a rapid conclusion of
ongoing trade negotiations.
On the European economy, we are
now meeting in a much better situation than last time we met in this
kind of summit. Let's not forget that some time ago people around the
world, many analysts were speaking about Greek exit or even implosion of
Euro. Just today, the European Commission gave an opinion in favour of
Lithuania joining the Euro area. So, not only the euro area is no
disintegrating but we hope to have the 19th member of the Euro area on the 1st of January 2015. On the other points of the economy, President Van Rompuy already presented comprehensively our positions.
But let me make a point on
energy security in general. The Ukrainian crisis once again confirmed
that it is in the interest of all G7 members to advance on the path
towards a low carbon, competitive and energy secure future. We call on
this G7 Summit to endorse the principles and immediate actions proposed
by the G7 Energy ministers in Rome a month ago.
Increasing our security of
supply has been a key goal of European energy and climate policies for
years. Just last week, the Commission has proposed an ambitious European
Energy Security Strategy, which will be discussed and hopefully
approved by EU Heads of State or Government at the European Council on
26-27 June.
The Commission will also ensure
that all energy infrastructure and projects in the European Union such
as South Stream comply 100% with European rules on energy competition
public procurements and so on. We have just launched an infringement
procedure against Bulgaria which shows that we mean business. Other
infringements procedures related to other countries will follow if some
of the obstacles to the respect of our internal market are not removed
meanwhile. The European Union needs to speak and act as one in context
with its suppliers letting ourselves divided is against the self
interest of our countries and is also detrimental for the European
internal market.
A word on the fight against
climate change, which goes hand in hand with energy security: 2015 will
be a crucial year! And all G7 Leaders will have to show leadership and
responsibility as we need global action now. This Summit is an
opportunity to build momentum in the run-up to the UN Climate Conference
in Paris in December next year. Key for our credibility is that all of
us communicate by the first quarter of 2015 the national commitments
that we intend to inscribe in the new climate agreement. This is what
all major economies should do. Here in Brussels and beyond, the G7
should leave no doubts that we want a robust, durable, comprehensive,
and binding agreement at UN conference in Paris in December 2015.
Finally, addressing global
poverty and sustainable development has been and must remain a core
concern of this summit. This is a matter of global solidarity and
fairness.
This G7 should confirm the
development commitments. I expect the G7 notably to provide concrete
support to resource-rich countries to build capacities in negotiating
and enforcing contracts with extractive industries.
Furthermore, the G7 should
advocate an ambitious outcome of the discussions on a universal
post-2015 agenda. Just two days ago, the Commission has presented its
contribution to the EU position in international negotiations on
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as the follow-up to the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs).
Let me end on a more personal
note: this will be my 10th meeting of this kind in my capacity as
President of the European Commission. Looking back to the period between
Gleneagles, Scotland, in 2005 and now, I am convinced that these
meetings between like-minded partners, because of their informality,
because of the more intimate nature of the talks, are indeed a very good
way of deepening our common understanding of the global issues and have
been, and I hope they will remain now the G7 format, a very important
contribution to global fairness and freedom.
I thank you for your attention."
[europa.eu]
4/6/14
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