Barroso seeks 'partnership for European renewal'

The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, yesterday unveiled his Commission's five-year plan setting out a vision of the strategic objectives of the European Union.

He said his aim was to deliver prosperity, solidarity and security for all Europeans.

Mr Barroso said that for the first time the European Commission was proposing a joint programme of strategic objectives in partnership with the European Parliament and the Council.

He said that "the Commission believes it is important that the European institutions share the ownership of their priorities and work together to achieve the Union's key objectives from the outset".

Mr Barroso said that earlier on during a college meeting the Commission adopted a work programme for this year that includes a first series of concrete initiatives to turn the strategic objectives into action.

In a speech to MEPs, Mr Barroso said: "We must release Europe's enormous untapped potential. We must be clear about setting priorities to meet citizens' expectations for Europe by 2010. I believe we must embark on a process of transformation as bold and as courageous as the single market in 1985, the launch of the single currency, or the unprecedented enlargement of the European Union to 25 member states. This will require real leadership both by European institutions and by governments.

"We must launch a period of European renewal. I believe that the challenges facing us are so wide and so complex that they can only be tackled in partnership. I believe we must build a dynamic partnership for European renewal: a partnership for prosperity, solidarity and security in our continent."

He highlighted various initiatives to be taken by the Commission which aims to put Europe back on the path of long-term prosperity with the top priority being to restore sustainable dynamic growth and jobs in Europe in accordance with the Lisbon strategy.

He said that key elements of the programme will include creating a business friendly environment, investing for prosperity with the EU committed to investing three per cent of GDP in research and development and embracing change. He said this will be done by attracting more people into the labour market, encourage job creation and move towards more and better jobs.

Mr Barroso poured scorn on those opposed to expanding the EU's €65 billion annual budget. He told MEPs he had even heard some calling for spending cuts as soon as 2006 - before the end of the current spending round.

"As I keep saying, you can't have more Europe for less money. How is this feasible?" he asked.

The Commission is urging member states to back what amounts to almost a 25 per cent rise in the EU budget, arguing recent expansion from 15 to 25 member states requires the necessary funding.

Other priorities outlined by Mr Barroso for the next five years are tackling problems such as climate change and sustainable management of natural resources, bringing Western Balkan states closer to EU membership and developing relations with Russia and Ukraine.

Asked by The Times to comment, Maltese Commissioner Joe Borg said this was an extremely ambitious but realistic work programme that should help Europe deliver concrete benefits to its citizens.

Dr Borg said: "I will certainly be working to ensure that within my portfolio good progress is made towards achieving sustainability in the fisheries sector thus ensuring that it remains healthy in the long term. I also hope to lay solid foundations for a future EU maritime policy that will help Europe realise the full potential of its seas".