By: CHRIS GRAEME
GETTING MEMBER state consensus for a Reformed European Union Constitutional Treaty will be the key objective for Portugal’s Presidency of the European Union which began on Sunday.
Addressing parliamentary deputies at the Assembleia da República in Lisbon last week, Prime Minister José Sócrates highlighted three fundamental pillars for the Presidency: the reform of the various EU treaties, the modernisation of EU economies and societies and the strengthening of Europe’s role and position in the world.
Clear objective
In order to find a solution to the present stalemate over the reform of the EU Constitution and treaties, the Portuguese Presidency is to host an Intergovernmental Conference on July 23 involving all EU foreign ministers.
Negotiations with France, Poland, the UK and Holland had reached deadlock, with each state defending its interests over issues from farm subsidies, voting rights and sovereignty.
“The objective is clear and urgent: to get a new Treaty defined for Europe as quickly as possible,” said the Prime Minister.
The new Treaty would be “international”, would not be of a constitutional nature as suggested before, and would not substitute en-masse all of the existing treaties currently in force but would adapt them, he said.
European Union leaders had reached a vague agreement in Brussels late last month on an outline for new rules (the Reformed Treaty) to govern the 27 member state union.
They decided to delay until 2014 a new voting system that reduces Poland’s influence on the other states decision making, which has, so far, been the main hair in the soup. Poland wanted to keep its voting power equal to that of Germany, even though its population is half as large.
The New Reformed Treaty, expected to be promulgated by the Portuguese Presidency before December 2007, keeps the baby but changes some of the bath water. In other words, it keeps the core planned EU Constitution rejected by Dutch and French voters in 2005.
The new EU Treaty deals with the following key issues: the new double majority voting system to be delayed until 2014, the creation of a long-term EU President, the creation of a EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs (i.e. an EU Foreign Minister), fewer national veto powers (i.e. if 50 per cent of member states say ‘yes’ then it’s ‘yes’), and more powers for the European Parliament.
The new voting system means that a 55 per cent majority of EU countries, representing at least 65 per cent of the EU total population, would be required for a policy change to be approved.
For example, Britain didn’t want EU law on Fundamental Rights to alter British law; it wanted to maintain national control over foreign policy, justice and home affairs. So far, the EU has caved into its demands.
Open economy
In the year which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the European Union, the Portuguese Presidency will be championing “the creation of a fair and open (laissez-faire) economy against criticisms of those fearing stiff competition from emerging economies such as China and India.
“In the face of global competition, Europe must be at the forefront in the creation of a fair and open world economy – protectionism and barrier construction must not be our answer,” he said.
The Prime Minister underscored an important innovation to the Presidency and the new Treaty: allowing national parliaments to have a greater say over EU institutional policies.
“This is a mechanism whereby if a half or more of member state national parliaments raise objections to an EU Commission initiative, the policy should be withdrawn and reformulated,” he said.
On the modernisation of European society, focus will once again turn to the Lisbon Treaty which had aimed to make the European Union the most high-tech organisation in the world by 2010.
Technological action
The Presidency will continue the drive for the 2000 Lisbon Strategy in three areas: economic, social and environmental, preparing the way for further strategy development during Slovenia’s Presidency in 2008.
Debates will be launched on technological action and strategies, energy efficiency and Kyoto, including the participation of Brazil. Water conservation and drought prevention is another key area.
European Employment Strategy, balancing family life with work, fighting poverty and flexi-security are also on the agenda along with police and judicial cooperation in the fight against terrorism and organised crime.
On reinforcing the EU position in the world, a number of issues will be debated, including the future of Kosovo, nuclear crisis in Iran, the humanitarian crisis in Darfur and a number of summits will be held with China, India, Russia and the Ukraine.
Portugal will also host summits with Brazil, Africa and host a Euro-Mediterranean Summit.
“I want to reinforce the idea that the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union aims at creating a stronger Europe for a better world,” said José Sócrates.
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