Press Releases

January 5, 2007

"Europe– Succeeding Together"

Article by German Foreign Minister Steinmeier in The Independent

In the first half of 2007 Germany will assume the EU Presidency for the 12th time. We have six busy months of difficult tasks ahead of us. At the same time we view the Presidency as a great opportunity, which we intend to seize together with our European partners. In doing so, we will be able to build on the professional, outstanding work of the Finnish Presidency, to whom I express my heartfelt thanks.
If the Presidency is to be successful, we require support from all Member States – not only from governments, but also and above all from citizens. Europe is currently going through a difficult phase. People's confidence in the EU has weakened. The arguments of the past are now no longer adequate. Our citizens expect us to define precisely what specific benefit European policy will bring in each individual case. We must not slacken our efforts to explain why a common European policy is necessary.

We intend to regain some of this confidence during our Presidency, which will see the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome on 25 March 1957. This is a good opportunity to look back and a good opportunity to emphasize that Europe is a success story. Peace, freedom, democracy, prosperity and the overcoming of the division of the continent – we in Europe have achieved goals which cannot in any way be taken for granted and for which the world envies us!

Yet above all, we must concentrate on looking ahead. We are currently experiencing radical upheaval in the European and international political arenas. The central political tasks we face today include economic, social and environmental modernization in the age of globalization, security of energy supply in the light of dwindling resources, the fight against terrorism and international organized crime, the promotion of peace and democracy in the world and commitment to the future of our planet. Only by joining forces can we Europeans accomplish the majority of these tasks. Left to their own devices, the EU Member States would be hopelessly out of their depth.

The German EU Presidency in 2007 intends to help make the EU more future-oriented and better able to master the above-mentioned tasks. The agenda for the Presidency is excep tionally full. Our priorities include providing impetus for more growth and employment, making progress on a common energy policy and on climate protection, improving co operation in the fight against terrorism and crime and concentrating on external affairs. With regard to the constitution we aim to restart the EU reform process after a two-year period of reflection as well as define methods, draw up a road map and establish the focus of its content. We want to retain the constitution's political substance in order to make the EU more transparent, democratic and efficient.

The EU faces important decisions on the future direction it should take. The German Presi dency will not be able to master every task. That is one reason why we are working very closely in a Team Presidency with the subsequent holders of the Presidency, Portugal and Slovenia. I believe it is especially important for our Presidency to convey a message of optimism. The future holds great potential. We need the support of people throughout Europe if we are to achieve common goals. Europe will succeed together – of that I am convinced.

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