Brussels Matters
José Manuel Barroso, President of the European
Commission (right) at his inaugural meeting with
José Sócrates, Portuguese Prime Minister and
President of the Council of Ministers
Credit: European Community, 2007
Commission (right) at his inaugural meeting with
José Sócrates, Portuguese Prime Minister and
President of the Council of Ministers
Credit: European Community, 2007
Welcome to the summer edition of the Brussels Bulletin.
We usually concentrate on events in Brussels such as outcomes of Councils, policy and legislative proposals and various Europe-wide developments. This time, however, the work of the Brussels Office has been dominated by Northern Ireland events, notably the return of devolved Ministers. In addition to pursuing our objective of supporting Ministers in their engagement in Europe, we have experienced increased interest and offers of support for Northern Ireland from the key institutions here as well as from many of our partner regions and organisations.
In this edition Eddie McVeigh, Head of the European Commission office in Northern Ireland, reports on the inward visits of Commission President Manuel Barroso and Commissioner for Regional Policy, Danuta Hübner and outlines their plans to help Northern Ireland strengthen its economy and enhance its European engagement.
Northern Ireland Ministers have embarked on that process with visits to Brussels already undertaken by deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness as well as Ministers Ian Paisley Junior, Sir Reg Empey, Michelle Gildernew and Gerry Kelly. As well as the Brussels visit, both OFMDFM junior Ministers attended the Joint Ministerial Council on Europe (JMCE) in London in June. JMCE gives the opportunity for all UK Ministers with a specific interest in European affairs, including the three devolved administrations, to discuss the key policies being advanced through the ensuing European Council.
At the June Council minds were focussed on Treaty Reform. Following closely on leadership changes in key Member States and characterised by derogations and opt-outs, the summit reached broad agreement on a mandate for Treaty Reform. Included in the content are:
- a strengthened role for national parliaments in EU decision making;
- a new post of full-time president of the European Council;
- an EU High Representative for foreign affairs;
- a single legal personality for the EU; and
- a new double majority voting system to be phased in from 2014.
Portugal, which holds the EU Presidency, is responsible for presentation of a draft Treaty to Member States and leading in negotiations, for the remainder of 2007.
Other priorities identified by Portugal for its presidency include Climate Security & Energy, in particular the preparation of legislation to meet the ambitious energy sector targets agreed in March. They will also wish to see progress on the Lisbon Agenda for growth and jobs with particular emphasis on skills, education and innovation.
Evelyn Cummins
Director of Northern Ireland's Office in Brussels
Director of Northern Ireland's Office in Brussels
