European Commission, Press conference, Brussels, 27 June 2014
José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission:
"Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me begin by expressing on my
own behalf and on behalf of the European Commission my congratulations
to Jean-Claude Juncker on his nomination by the European Council as
President-designate. I have known Jean-Claude Juncker for more than 20
years. We have been working in very many capacities together and I
really believe that he is committed European and a political leader with
exceptional experience.
Myself and the Commission will do everything
possible in the coming months to assure a smooth transition between this
Commission and the next one.
In addition to this very
important decision, the nomination of the President of the European
Commission, the European Council has also given a clear direction for
the policy agenda for the years ahead, so fulfilling the norm inscribed
in the article 15 of the Treaty.
I believe the strategic
priorities adopted are the right ones. They are important because it is
critically important that the three institutions, the Council, the
European Parliament and the Commission have a common understanding of
the challenges ahead. We have discussed particularly today what is
related to growth and jobs.
We believe that is the best way to respond
to the concerns express by our citizens, to have concrete results for
growth and for jobs.
I'm therefore pleased that the
European Council concluded successfully the so-called European semester.
Our European economic governance, a partnership between European
institutions and national governments, that precisely are a new
expression of joint commitment to adopt together the economic issues.
The European council has generally endorsed the country specific
recommendations put forward by the European Commission. Now, full
national ownership is essential if we want to be successful. I welcome
the discussion and the confirmation of the commitment of all the leaders
of the European Council to our fiscal rules, stability and growth pact.
This is the cornerstone of economic governance in Europe. Those rules
are precisely designed for boosting growth and jobs, both today and
tomorrow, and where necessary they will have the flexibility to take
into account the economic situation of the country concerned.
This morning we have also
discussed energy security and the fight against climate change, having
in mind that the critical decisions are going to take place at the
European Council in October. One thing that is clear is that the recent
events in Eastern Europe have shown yet again that we need to truly
"Europeanize" energy policy, including notably its external dimension.
The Commission has tabled an
European energy security strategy. I think we can say there is a broad
agreement on it and now there will be the need to pursue some
discussions with our Member States to have a formal agreement on energy
security. I would say the energy union and also on our climate policy.
We confirmed our agreement to
take a final decision on these matters in October, so that Europe can
also keep the leadership in international climate talks.
We have discussed freedom, security and justice.
We have discussed also, and I
very much welcome, the issue of cutting red tape, in Europe and not only
in the European institutions but in Member States. The reality is that
in some areas Europe needs to do more, but in others we have to
recognise that it's probably better to do less. I've been saying it very
clearly, Europe should be big on big things and small on small things.
The Conclusions clearly recognise the progress achieved as detailed in
the Commission's communication on REFIT, regulatory fitness and
performance.
Finally, on external relations,
this Summit will rightly be remembered for the historic association
agreements we have signed with Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine. I will not
add to what myself and also President Van Rompuy have stated. Let me
just add that I believe it was extremely important for President
Poroshenko to come to the European Council. President Van Rompuy and
myself have received him, and we had a very open conversation about the
challenges, and I think it was good for all the European Union leaders
to hear directly from him on how he sees developments in his country and
region. There were also some decisions following that conversation that
you will find in the conclusions.
On the matters of direct
competence of the European Commission, I just want to highlight and
confirm that we are going to have on 8 July a High Level international
meeting to coordinate the international assistance to Ukraine. This
meeting will take place here in Brussels. And, of course, regarding the
concrete aspect of implementation of the agreement signed with Ukraine,
namely the DCFTA part, there will be a meeting between the Commissioner
for Trade and the Ministerial representatives from Russia and Ukraine.
We are planning it for 11 July.
Finally, a very sincere word of
thanks to my good friend Antonis Samaras and his team. The work done
during the Greek Presidency is really impressive. It was more than
normal, also because it was the end of the cycle of the institutions and
the European Parliament, but it was really a demonstration of the great
commitment of Greece for our common project.
And the fact that at the
same time there are so important challenges in Greece and that Samaras
was able, not only to reinforce the stability of his country but also to
make Europe move forward, together with the exceptional people that are
working with him.
I think it's something that we should remember as a
very important contribution of the Hellenic Presidency to our common
work and I want to thank you once again."
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-516_en.htm?locale=en
27/6/14
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