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Looking Ahead Towards Germany’s EU Presidency

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Federal Cabinet met Wednesday in Berlin with European Commission President José Manuel Barroso to discuss Germany’s upcoming presidency of the European Union, which begins on January 1, 2007. This was the first time that a president of the European Commission has taken part in a meeting of the Federal Cabinet before a German EU Presidency.

The Constitutional Treaty will be one important focus of Germany’s presidency, Merkel stated after the meeting. As will the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome on March 25, growth and employment issues, energy policy and foreign policy issues.

EU summits with the United States, Russia, Canada and Japan will all fall within Germany’s presidency in the first half of 2007.

Chancellor Merkel also wants the European Union to be closer to its citizens and called for the dismantling of overregulation.

For a “true” Constitution
Chancellor Merkel affirmed that Germany wants to work on a schedule for an EU Constitutional Treaty during its presidency. The body of laws, however, will not be finalized during this first half of 2007. “But we need a treaty before the next European election, and we will go at it very ambitiously,” Merkel said.

The Chancellor rejected considerations to only implement parts of the Constitution, as it must be more than only a reform of European institutions.

Berlin as the expression of a changed Europe
For the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome on March 25, Germany will host a special session of the EU Council in Berlin. The signing of treaties in 1957 establishing the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community has been called hour of the European Union’s birth. The fact that this celebration will take place in Berlin, Chancellor Merkel said, is an expression of a changed Europe, one Europe, which has overcome the Cold War and which today has 27 member states.

On March 25, 2007, the Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission will issue a joint statement, the “Berlin Declaration,” inspiring hope in Europe’s future, that of a culturally diverse, social and economically strong Europe.

High expectations
Commission President Barroso praised this plan, saying the “Berlin Declaration” could become a symbol of a new, united Europe.

Barroso also pointed the high expectations placed on Germany’s EU Presidency. “It is not fair, however, to put all this weight on Germany’s shoulders,” he said. Six months is only a limited time. He promised Germany as much help as possible during its presidency.

October 11, 2006

Link

“A Preview of Germany’s EU Presidency: The Status of the Federal Government’s Preparations”
State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office Reinhard Silberberg delivered this speech previewing Germany's EU Presidency on October 4 as part of the series of events entitled “Countdown to the EU – 100 days to the EU Council Presidency.” This series, aimed at preparing for the Presidency, is organized by the Federal Foreign Office together with the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and European Movement Germany.

Government & Politics