Speech by Consul General Dr. Heimsoeth marking the Beginning of Germany’s EU Presidency at the residence, New York, January 11, 2007

The new year 2007 has started very promisingly for the progress of the European idea. It is my pleasure to welcome two new member states, Bulgaria and Romania, to the EU family and I am happy that our colleagues, Nikolai Milkov from Bulgaria and Pietro Pavoni from Rumania are with us. The EU now consists of 27 members altogether, marking another milestone in European History.

The EU’s enlargement is a success story and I am proud that it bears to a certain extent Germany’s signature. With nearly half a billion people living within its boundaries and a GDP of 14,5 trillion dollars the EU is the first economic and trading power in the world – and as you know, when it comes to trade the EU acts as one supranational body.

However, the EU is not only expanding its boundaries, it also grows together within. My salute goes to my colleague Alenka Suhadolnik and to Slovenia which, as of 1 January 2007, has become the 13th member of the Eurozone, providing another 2 million people with the benefits of our European currency.

However, those steps of further integration do not conceal the fact that scepticism towards the EU is higher today than in the past. The Union needs reforms and faces major challenges in terms of the Constitutional Treaty, threats of terrorism to our inner and outer security and the preservation of the European socioeconomic model in the era of globalization.

It is evident that the weight of those challenges render quick and groundbreaking progress difficult. Yet, the EU has always been a prime example of how small steps can slowly but surely lead to success and I am optimistic that we will be able to continue this success story with a common endeavor by all members.

Please allow me to raise some points concerning Germany’s presidency.

Last week Chancelor Merkel had a first meeting with President Bush this year, touching on a wide variety of common challenges, including crisis regions, Iran, Afghanistan, Middle East, energy and climate change and transatlantic economic relations. As to the Middle East it is our view that more should and could be done to bring about a settlement between Israel and Palestine and it was welcome news that President Bush agreed to have the quartet of EU, UN, US and Russia meet soon on this issue. Working groups will be set up to tackle energy efficiency issues and transatlantic economic relations: even though the EU and the US are close partners in economy and trade we still have a multitude of areas where our ties can be improved and costs cut. These topics will play a major role at the summit of the EU with the US in spring in the US.

Next week, Chancelor Merkel will present the detailed 18-months-program to the European Parliament. The program’s extended time span of one and a half years is the result of the three-country presidency between Germany and the subsequent presidencies of Portugal and Slovenia.

Another highlight on the agenda is the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome. The Heads of State and Government will get together in Berlin on the 25th of March, not only to commemorate the past but also to prepare for the future. The enlarged Union of today is quite different from that of 1957 and it is important that all EU countries make their populations aware not only of the advantages all Europeans enjoy thanks to the Union but also of the challenges which lie ahead of us.

Despite the enormous challenges the EU can step ahead and make Europe fit for the future. The Leitmotiv of the German presidency is “succeeding together” and I think this marks the point: if the European governments work together we will succeed.

The European Union is a reality that goes far beyond what you can conceptualize. To name one example: a few days ago we celebrated the 20 years of Erasmus program helping students in the EU countries to study in the neighboring countries. 1.5 millions of young Europeans have thus studied in other European states, which has a positive influence on their work and at times even changes their whole life. Every year some 140.000 more use this opportunity.

Today I will go into detail to describe our working program. But, of course, it is no secret that in our view the reform process of the EU has to move forward and the German government in the next six months would like to develop a road map of how to overcome the constitutional crisis. The EU is growing and it needs structural reforms to be successful in the future. 18 countries have ratified the Constitutional Treaty and we will discuss with our EU friends how to proceed.

Increasing competitiveness in the era of globalization will be another important topic, of course, without giving our successful social and environmental achievements.

During Germany’s EU Presidency, the Consulate General will seize the opportunity and try to make Europe and the EU more visible in New York.

We would like to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding act of the European Union, the Treaties of Rome on the 25th of March. This will be a subject of discussion in the round of European Consul Generals and with the EU Commission.

Together with my colleagues I will also discuss the idea of an event on Europe Day, the ninth of May. NYU is interested to cooperate with us in an outdoor/indoor event around Washington Square and NYU.

Apart from these two events, there will be political discussions in the German House for which individual invitations will be sent out as well as cultural events in the Goethe Institute.

I wish all of you a Happy and Good New Year and am looking forward to working together with you in the months to come.