The European Commission's term

The European Commission has made the re-unified European Union work to the benefit of its citizens and has consequently brought increased stability and prosperity to a Union of 27 member states. This successful Union responded decisively to the financial and economic crisis. It has pushed forward an integrated approach to combating climate change and securing energy supply.

In particular, the response to the economic and financial crisis, our ambitious agenda to fight climate change and the creation of a real European energy policy are all impressive accounts. The EU is now taking the lead in shaping globalisation with European values, in turn promoting the European interest worldwide. We have moved forward, spurred by the team led by Josè Manuel Barroso's Commission.

As president of the Commission, Mr Barroso is not party-orientated. He does try to have a consensus approach. But, of course, these are the most influential families in Europe, those who shape Europe. He assumed the office of president of the Commission on November 23, 2004.

We have all heard and seen enough of the economic crisis and the turmoil that surrounds it. However, we have a European union that has responded consciously, seriously and with solidarity.

The Commission's focus on growth and employment through the renewed Lisbon Strategy and the revised Stability and Growth Pact means Europe is in a better shape to respond to the economic, financial and employment crises. Believe it or not, the Commission was the first international institution to present a credible recovery plan and has led the response on impaired assets, recapitalisation, state aid and measures to move from rescue to recovery in specific sectors, such as cars.

The Commission is leading the fight back at the G20 level and at European level through the implementation of the recommendations of the de Larosière report.

The Barroso Commission has led the model shift in Europe's approach towards climate change and energy. With the ambitious package of legislative measures prepared by the Barroso Commission, Europe has shown itself ready to give leadership and will continue to do so in the run-up to the Copenhagen climate change talks.

In these past five years, I have formed an integral part of the temporary committee on climate change and the drive for better solutions have found their way from the top to world leaders and even to our committees.

The European Commission has worked hard to shape the changing global environment to address poverty, global health issues as well as migration and security issues.

It has also demonstrated its influence, through the indispensable Nicolas Sarkozy, on the occasion of crises in Georgia, the Middle East and Africa. At the same time, it has invested in regional stability in its neighborhood and has promoted effective and ambitious partnerships with global powers to defend the European interest and European values.

The Barroso Commission has taken the initiative in proposing solutions to today's problems. The economic recovery plan, fighting climate change, energy security, the, €1 billion food facility for development, the European Institute of Technology, €5 billion for energy projects and broadband for rural communities and the migration pact - all stem from the initiative of the Commission.

The Globalisation Adjustment Fund, of which I have been EPP's negotiator, was another important issue tackled by the EU. Through this fund, the EU showed it was ready to do anything to support those who lost their jobs during the crisis and to re-integrate them back into employment.

The Commission has shown that the EU can work even if made up of 27, lead the debate and deliver. The Commission has been behind the scenes, driving the European agenda forward. It has secured consensus among all 27 member states at each European Council through good and bad times. All these points may seem like isolated small steps but, working in unison through the structures set up by the EU, they are a giant leap for Europe.

Mr Casa is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament.

david@davidcasa.eu, www.davidcasa.eu