The German Presidency of the European Union and the Committee of the Regions German Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel on Michel Delebarre Emilia Müller the German presidency President of the head of the German Committee of the Regions delegation in the of the Council of the Committee of the Regions European Union Much is expected of the German presidency of the Council in On 1 January 2007 Germany took over the presidency of the the other hand it is essential to give fresh impetus to the the first half of 2007. Council of the European Union for six months. The 50th constitutional process. These two objectives will shape the course anniversary of the signing of the Rome treaties, which took place of presidency. In particular, the presidency is foreseen to outline a timetable on 25 March 1957, falls during the German presidency. The world that will smooth the way towards a European constitution before Up until the Spring Summit in March, clear priority will be given has changed radically over the past fifty years. It is the task of the Photo: to economic issues. We want to create in Europe the prerequisites the European Parliament elections in 2009. Here Germany can Bundeskanzleramt European Union to respond constructively to the changes on our for lasting economic success in order to safeguard the European draw on the symbolic power of the 50th anniversary of the Rome continent and in the world and to help actively shape events model as regards their living conditions and the European social treaties, which falls during those six months. To mark the through dynamic restructuring. model. If we are to achieve greater economic dynamism, we need occasion, the Committee of the Regions has been invited by the n1 January 2007 German assumes the presidency of the to have a fully operation internal market. Bringing about a single region of Lazio to hold its plenary session in Rome on 23 March A particular reason for marking this anniversary is to step up O European market is an ongoing process and one which is far from 2007. At this plenary session, the Committee plans to draw up a dialogue with the general public about the values and tasks of the Council of the EU for a period of six months. The German government fully recognises the responsibilities and opportunities complete in areas such as postal and telecommunication services contribution to the informal meeting of the European Council EU. We must consider people's expectations and hopes for which this role involves. European unification undoubtedly and company taxation. which will be held on 25 March in Berlin. The contribution is European unification as the guiding principle of our everyday constitutes a success story despite the fact that it has passed We also want to promote the internal market in energy. This is intended to assess the future of European integration and political activity. Europe will only succeed if it is seen as a through a number of difficult phases. We, as the representatives of essential if we are to make European industry in this field more encourage the presidency to give a new impulse to the democratically legitimate organisation which provides its citizens the federal government would like to make our contribution constitution process. competitive and to provide both the public and the business world with greater security, economic opportunities and skills, while towards ensuring that European unification continues to be a with access to energy supplies which offer the best possible value In conjunction with the 50th anniversary, the European meeting its social and environmental responsibilities. Regions and successful venture, albeit under differing basic conditions. for money. The goal of European energy policy should be to Commission has announced that new proposals for completing municipalities have a particularly important communication role ensure competitive, secure and lasting supplies of energy. With this to play here, since they are in direct contact with citizens. In a world marked by increasing globalisation, each European state the internal market will be put forward in 2007. The Committee is, on its own, too small to meet the cross-border challenges which aim in mind we want to step up the promotion of energy-efficient of the Regions welcomes this, but the agenda for social and The extended "period of reflection" declared by the EU following arise, such as the need to create a fair system of world trade geared technologies and research in the field of renewable sources of economic reform is certainly not limited to the internal market. the "no" votes in the referendums on the constitutional Treaty in to the promotion of competition, and the need to cut illegal energy. Under Plan D (Democracy, Dialogue and Debate), it has become France and the Netherlands has given way to renewed confidence migration, to bring about adequate protection of the environment One clear message stands out in this context, namely that the EU clear that European Union citizens expect the European social and energy. The German presidency will provide an opportunity to and to ensure internal and external security. To achieve these aims will only be able to defend its interest in this field in dealings with model to be fleshed out. The German Council presidency can do find new ways of continuing the constitution process, and of we need a strong, united Europe. its external partners if it speaks with one voice. The pursuit of a much to encourage this, particularly with respect to services of implementing the considerable advances of the constitutional Public recognition of this fact does, however, appear to be joint strategy in this area must therefore involve adopting a general interest and social services. treaty, in particular institutional reform, which also strengthens the diminishing. common stance in dealings with external partners, such as negotiations between energy producers and the major consumers. Another high point of the first half of 2007 in addition to the Committee of the Regions and thus the connection with ordinary people. Europe, as a topic of public interest, barely gives rise to plenary session in Rome will be the Territorial Dialogue to be enthusiasm. Many people have no clear image as to the direction Consistency and unity are also important when tackling the issue held in Brussels on 14 February, when the network of 65 local EU citizens also want a debate to take place on the purpose of the in which the development of Europe should be travelling and the of climate protection. This field, in particular, provides an excellent example of the power of the EU when it comes to the authorities set up by the CoR will present its analysis on EU. It is essential for Europe's identity that its external contours goal of the process of European unification. This confusion was involving local and regional levels of government in the Lisbon reflected in the failed referendums held in France and the shaping of policy. During its presidency, Germany wants to seek to should be more clearly demarcated. But at the same time plans achieve agreement on a negotiating package for a future climate- strategy. must be framed for an open neighbourhood policy at the EU's Netherlands. We cannot close our eyes to this reality. One of the most urgent tasks of European policy must therefore be to create a protection regime. Incentives for all groups of states also have to be The 24 German members of the CoR will play a key role, external borders. The Committee of the Regions can also provide established and appropriate contributions in respect of all key an important contribution on these issues. new trust in the European institutions and to strengthen popular representing the 16 Länder and 12 900 district authorities, support for the process of European integration. sources of emissions are to be provided for in the period following towns and municipalities in Germany. They are active in Energy and climate protection are key questions for the future, the initial commitment period of the Kyoto protocol. expressing the CoR's views, and they bring European debates to Europe's regions have a particularly important role to play in this which Germany will address in its dual role as Council presidency A further issue of key importance to the German presidency is the local level and work with us to strengthen support for European context. They symbolise active European cooperation in a Europe and G-8 presidency. The Committee of the Regions has already which is both close to the people and fully transparent. removal of bureaucracy. We have to liberate the energy which integration. It should be noted that in 2007 German CoR addressed these issues and can continue to provide a valuable people possess rather than impeding it. The impact assessment of members will be organising a series of CoR conferences, e.g. a contribution. The Committee of the Regions provides the regions with a voice planned legislation is therefore to be improved. Decisions are also meeting of the CoR Bureau in Würzburg on 20 April, a meeting at European level. By virtue of their close links with the regions to be taken more quickly on simplification proposals put forward of the CONST Commission in Münster at the beginning of May The CoR vocally supports application of the subsidiarity principle, and municipalities, members of the Committee of the Regions by the Commission. The principle whereby planned legislation on the future of the EU, a meeting of the COTER Commission since political decisions should be taken at the closest possible level have a vital role to play in informing and convincing public which is unfinished at the end of a legislative period will then lapse on the EU's territorial agenda (in Halle) in preparation for the to the general public.