Interview with Javier Solana INSIGHT Pages 16-20 EUROPOLITICS The European affairs daily Thursday 19 March 2009 N° 3717 37th year FOCUS EUROPEAN COUNCIL Louis Michel Member states urged to in Cuba implement stimulus By Sarah Collins isters, on 16 and 17 March, failed to reach a The EU’s Development Commissioner, deal on the list of projects or how to finance Louis Michel, intends to relaunch The European Council, on 19 and 20 them, but the Czech EU Presidency says cooperation between the EU and March, is to call on member states to rapidly it is “optimistic” that a compromise will be Cuba, which was officially reactivated implement measures promised under the brokered by 20 March. last October after being frozen for European economic recovery plan, especially Also under discussion is a review of the five years. The commissioner was in the budgetary stimulus, which the European EU’s €500 million Globalisation Adjust- Havana, on 17 and 18 March, where Commission has estimated will soon reach ment Fund. The Commission has proposed he held meetings with officials and 4% of GDP over the 27 member states. “It’s easing the rules under which EU member government leaders, in particular the not about a [budgetary] guarantee,” Com- states can apply for funding for workers Vice-Presidents of the Council of Min- mission President José Manuel Barroso said. made redundant as a result of economic and isters, Ricardo Cabrisas and Ulises “The effective disbursement of money from trade problems, but employment ministers Rosales (the latter is also agriculture the budget is another thing.” The Council came to blows over the plan, on 9 March. minister), Minister of Foreign Trade is to hear from member states on how banks The number one priority for the Com- Rodrigo Malmierca, and the newly and economies are faring with the recovery mission, employment, will be high on the appointed Foreign Minister, Bruno plan so far (see Europolitics 3716), and will agenda as Czech Prime Minister Mirek Rodriguez. push the European Parliament and EU min- Topolánek outlines preparations for a 7 May Discussions focused on food security, isters to agree on legislation still in the pipe- jobs summit in Prague. EU leaders will also research and development, economic line before Parliament breaks for the elec- be looking to strengthen their common cooperation and trade, the environ- tions – especially on credit ratings agencies, position ahead of the G20 meeting, on 2 ment, renewable energy, climate the solvency of insurers, capital requirements April. In an open letter to the Council, on change and reduction of disaster for banks and cross-border payments. 16 March, German Chancellor Angela risks. An assessment of national plans released Merkel and French President Nicolas Sar- Cooperation with the EU was sus- by Eurochambres, on 18 March, has found kozy wrote that the top priority for the EU pended in 2003 by Fidel Castro, who that there is too much emphasis on short- is to take the lead in building a new global was outraged over the sanctions taken term actions and not enough coordination. financial system. Reforming the Interna- at the time by the Europeans in protest “We will need a considerably improved level tional Monetary Fund is top of the agenda, against the arrest of 75 Cuban dissi- of coordination on economic recovery mea- and EU finance ministers, on 10 March, dents, 55 of whom are still incarcer- sures amounting to 1.5% of the EU’s GDP backed calls to double the fund’s resources ated. These highly symbolic sanctions, if they are to have the desired effect,” said to around US$500 billion. The draft con- which consisted of limiting high-level Secretary-General Arnaldo Abruzzini. clusions seen by Europolitics say that bilateral visits and systematically invit- However, talks on 19-20 March are more member states are ready to provide the IMF ing dissidents to events at the embas- likely to centre on the EU’s contribution to up front with a temporary boost of around sies of EU countries, were waived the recovery plan – the €5 billion of unspent US$75-100 billion. n last June to encourage Raul Castro to funds the Commission proposed in Janu- make progress towards democracy. ary should be used for internet and energy The draft conclusions are available at projects (see separate article). 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Rue d’Arlon 53 / B-1040 Brussels or by fax to: +32 (0)2 732 67 57 AP08 EUROPOLITICS N° 3717 Thursday 19 March 2009 3 Contents N° 3717 Top Stories Interview with Javier Solana INSIGHT Pages 16-20 Economic & monetary affairs, Social affairs In Brief taxation Working Time Directive: EP gives Purchase of Euroports authorised ........12 European Council: Member states Council “some homework to do” ...........8 Neste Oil joins ASFE ...........................12 urged to implement stimulus .................1 Plukon-Gilde JV okayed .......................12