June

• 30.06.2007
  Opening and Welcoming Address by Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier at the Foreign Minister Troika Meeting between the EU and Central Asia on 30 June 2007 in Berlin. Colleagues, Ambassador Morel, Ambassador Rejepov, Ambassador Curto, Director-General Landaburo, Let me warmly welcome you to Berlin and thank you for accepting my invitation. The last time we met, on 28 March Astana, we set ourselves a great deal of tasks. We wanted to open a new chapter in European-Central Asian relations, to supply the impetus for a comprehensive and mutual deepening of our relations. I am pleased to be able to take initial stock of these efforts with you here today. As a visible sign of our joint efforts you have before you the EU’s strategy on Central Asia adopted by the European Council.
• 29.06.2007
  Speech by Federal Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel to the European Parliament, Brussels, on 27 June 2007 reviewing the German EU Presidency (transcript). Mr President, Esteemed Colleagues from the European Parliament, Ladies and Gentlemen, Just a few days after a memorable European Council I would like to start by recalling our celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome in Berlin in March. On that occasion we reminded ourselves of this: 50 years of the Treaties of Rome, 50 years of peace and freedom, democracy and the rule of law – in the context of history these are no more than the blinking of an eye. And whether they will one day be more than that, we do not know.
• 26.06.2007
  Speech by Claudia Dörr, Director-General for European Policy in the German Ministry of Economics. Chairman, Distinguished Members of Parliament, I am very grateful to the INTA Committee for inviting me and for giving me the opportunity to review with you the trade policies pursued by the German EU Presidency. I am especially grateful for your cooperation and support with regard to the often difficult trade policy topics on the German Council Presidency’s agenda. The sense of commitment you demonstrated especially in the discussion on strengthening Europe’s external competitiveness has been extremely helpful for the German Presidency. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is impossible for Europe to stem the tide of globalisation by resorting to protectionism; Europe must rather avail itself of the opportunities globalization offers. Opening Europe’s markets and strengthening its external competitiveness are thus decisive preconditions of economic growth and employment in Europe. Against this background, the German Presidency’s key trade policy issues have been absolutely clear.
• 26.06.2007
  Speech by Claudia Dörr, Director-General for European Policy in the German Ministry of Economics: EP Committee (ITRE). Madam Chairman, Members of Parliament, I am glad to be with you here today to take stock of our Council Presidency. I am also keen to hear your assessment and comments. The German Presidency is now drawing to a close. We took it on in the midst of a special situation. On the one hand, Europe is in good shape economically. Growth in Europe is currently stronger than in the United States. We can expect a growth rate of approximately 2.9% for 2007. And the expansion is increasingly due to domestic economic dynamics: Europe is again developing its strength from its own efforts.
• 26.06.2007
  Speech by the Federal Minister Steinbrück: Looking back on Germany's presidency in ECOFIN. The end of this week brings to a close Germany's presidency in the European Union. On 5 June I chaired the last of a total of six ECOFIN meetings. Now before I hand the reins over to our Portuguese friends on the first of July, I have the honour of appearing before you today in the European Parliament. I should like to report to you, the Members of Parliament, about the political results which have been achieved in the Council over the past several months. As is in accordance with our tradition of co-operation in Europe and our democratic customs. There were high expectations of the German presidency. Of course it was and is clear to us all that in the complex field of taxes and finances it is not possible to completely conclude all major projects within a period of six months.
• 26.06.2007
  Speech by Claudia Dörr, Director-General for European Policy in the German Ministry of Economics: EP Committee (IMCO). Madam President, Honourable Members of the European Parliament, I am glad to be with you here today and to review our Council Presidency. I am also looking forward to hearing your assessment and comments. The German EU Presidency is now nearly over. We took it on in the midst of a special situation. On the one hand, Europe is in good shape economically. Growth in Europe is currently stronger than in the United States. We can expect a growth rate of approximately 2.9 per cent in 2007. And the expansion is increasingly due to domestic economic dynamics: Europe is again developing its strength from its own efforts. On the other hand, the latest Euro barometer indicates that citizens' confidence in Europe could be better.
• 20.06.2007
  Minister of State for Europe Gloser: Council statement on the drawing up of an arms trade treaty. Mr President, Colleagues, The illegal trade in arms and the irresponsible export control policies of some governments fuel conflicts all over the world, undermine respect for human rights and promote crime and terrorism. They prevent whole regions from achieving sustainable development. Against this background, it was proposed a few years ago that global principles for the trans­fer of arms should be laid down in a legally binding agreement – this idea led to the Arms Trade Treaty or ATT. The EU Member States have supported a treaty of this kind from the very start. The current EU Council Presidency also attaches great value to this process. On 18 June, the General Affairs and External Relations Council reiterated the importance of an arms trade treaty.
• 12.06.2007
  Speech by Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of the 3rd Joint Parliamentary Meeting on the Future of Europe. The future of Europe has always been based on two pillars. On the one hand there were political visions that saw well beyond the immediate future and which sought to plot the way of European unity for many years to come. On the other hand the last 50 years in Europe have also been marked by a considerable amount of pragmatism, and European integration has always been a building site producing small successes, a constant grappling with the concrete problems of the day.
• 12.06.2007
  Speech given by Peter Hintze Parliamentary State Secretary in the German Ministry of Economics and Technology at the 537th Bureau Meeting of the European Economic and Social Committee. I am happy to see that the Bureau of the European Economic and Social Committee is meeting here in Berlin today. Welcome to all of you! We very much appreciate the willingness of the EESC to travel to the capital of the Presidency for a meeting. The decision to do so shows the EESC's strong interest in conducting an open dialogue with and in the Member States. The German government highly values the self-image of the EESC as an intermediary between the interests of the European administration and those of civil society. Through the collaboration of the business and social groupings represented in the EESC, you are all an important contribution to European integration. Your efforts and the time you invest in the work of the EESC show how great your interest is in integrating civil society into European policy. This is particularly clear in the insightful opinions issued by Study Group members. Of particular interest for the German Ministry of Economics and Technology is your most recent piece on the challenges and opportunities posed to Europe by globalization.
• 07.06.2007
  Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Frank Walter Steinmeier before the European Parliament on 7 June 2007 on the Council statement on the European Council on 21/22 June 2007 and on treaty reform. Madam President, Members of the European Parliament, Thank you for inviting me here today; the timing is right. Even if the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm is giving us, as holders of the G8 Presidency, a great deal of work at the present time, we are well aware that the next Summit meeting – the European Council – is less than 14 days away. And this is a decisive event for the future of Europe. I can assure you that we, the EU Presidency, are doing all we can to create the conditions for a successful Summit. Never in my political life have I held as many bilateral talks with my European colleagues as I have in the last few weeks. And others in the Federal Government – right up to the Chancellor – are doing the same. Just two and a half months ago, in Berlin, Brussels and all over Europe, we celebrated 50 years of European union. We had every reason to do so. The EU is a model which has brought great success. Many in the world envy us for it.
• 06.06.2007
  Speech given by Federal Minister Seehofer before the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, 5 June 2007, Brussels. Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, Ladies and Gentlemen, Europe is moving ahead. After all the talks of the last few months, I and the whole Federal Government are very confident about the future. As you know, Germany currently holds the Presidency of the European Union. Two weeks ago, I welcomed the Ministers of Agriculture to an informal meeting under the motto of “wine and culture”. In Mainz and in the Rheingau, we exchanged our views about the future of the Common Agricultural Policy and rural development in a relaxed atmosphere. There was a very good atmosphere, a lot of interesting talks came up and possible compromises were identified. I spoke with all the other Ministers of Agriculture and the response they gave me was positive in all cases.

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May

• 26.05.2007
  Interview given by Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in the run-up to the ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting in the Hamburger Abendblatt. What are the main topics going to be at the ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting? The ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting will be one of the largest events during our EU Presidency: 46 delegations from Asia and Europe are coming to Hamburg. Energy and climate issues will be to the fore. We are ambitious in Europe. We want to produce less carbon dioxide, because it's bad for the climate, and make greater use of renewable energies. I hope we will be able to convince our ASEM partners to show similar determination.
• 26.05.2007
  Europe and Asia – Shaping globalization together by Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany. When we Europeans think of Asia these days, we think of rapid change and racing growth. We sense that developments in Asia impact our lives in Europe and in Germany more and more, whether in terms of climate and the environment, the availability of energy and raw materials or indeed the labour market, education and research. Asia is a locomotive of globalization. Yet, Asia is not driving globalization alone. We in Europe are also part of this development. For this very reason, we have to shape globalization together with Asia.
• 23.05.2007
  Speech by Minister of State Günter Gloser on the situation in Nigeria to the EP Plenary in Strassbourg. On behalf of the Presidency I would like to take this opportunity for an exchange of views on the developments in Nigeria. The situation in Nigeria has great significance for stability in Western Africa and, at the end of the day, throughout the entire continent. As you know, the recent elections in Nigeria were very disappointing, as the Council publicly expressed in a declaration on 27 April.
• 23.05.2007
  Statements by Secretary of State Dr Joachim Wuermeling at the European Parliament plenary vote on the proposed Roaming Regulation. As representative of the German Council Presidency, I am pleased to be able to take part in today's plenary vote on the regulation and hope it will bring us a step closer to its final adoption. As you all know, the Roaming Regulation tabled for voting today after intensive and successful negotiations makes up the centrepiece of the German Presidency in telecommunications. Since the beginning of consultations, we have pressed for this project and always stressed our ambitious goal of bringing this dossier to completion together with the European Parliament and the Commission in the first half of 2007.
• 22.05.2007
  Speech by Minister of State Gloser on the situation in Palestine. In recent days, we have seen an alarming increase in violence in the Middle East. So far, the fighting between rival Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip has claimed more than 50 lives. In the past week, more than 150 Qassam rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip onto Israeli towns. Yesterday evening, an Israeli woman died. More than 30 Palestinians have already been killed as a result of the Israeli military response. There is a real danger that the situation could escalate further. The ceasefire agreed between the Palestinians and Israelis in November is crumbling before our eyes in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian reconciliation achieved in Mecca in February with the help of the Saudis is teetering on the brink.
• 09.05.2007
  Speech by Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of the WDR Europe Forum in Berlin. Mr Pöttering, Mr Barroso, Honourable Members, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, What is the idea of Europe? We agree that there is more to it than the day-to-day wrangling about fishing quotas or the liberalization of postal services. Our united Europe is much more than that – otherwise some of the public exasperation it provokes would be inexplicable and we wouldn't have gathered here today for this Europe Forum.

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April

• 25.04.2007
  Presidency statement to the European Parliament on 25 April 2007 on the issue of "Homophobia in Europe". "Europe – succeeding together", that is the motto which Germany chose for its Council Presidency. "Europe – succeeding together", that means that we in Europe have to remind ourselves time and again of the positive aspects of diversity, respect, acceptance and toler¬ance. For diversity, respect, acceptance and tolerance are the key values on which we have built our common Europe. I therefore welcome the European Parliament initiative to put the issue of homophobia in Europe on today's agenda.
• 25.04.2007
  Speech by Günter Gloser, Minister of State for Europe, during the EP plenary debate on the current situation in Ukraine on 25 April 2007. Mr Speaker, Dear colleagues, We greatly welcome the decision by the European Parliament to place the debate on the current situation in Ukraine and EU-Ukraine relations on today's agenda. Ukraine's significance for Europe's stability cannot be underestimated. I am therefore pleased to be allowed, on behalf of the Presidency, to state our position on Ukraine.
• 25.04.2007
  EU Presidency Statement on Transatlantic Relations to the Plenary of the European Parliament 25 April 2007. Mr President, Members of the European Parliament, Commissioner, "Acting together, the European Union and the United States can be a formidable force for good in the world." So says the European Security Strategy. Further strengthening joint transatlantic action and developing our relations with the US – these are central elements of our Presidency, both in policy-making and business and in energy security and climate protection. And this is to be the message of the EU-US Summit in Washington on 30 April.
• 19.04.2007
  Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, "Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency - Innovative policies and financing instruments for the EU's southern and eastern neighbours". Ministers, Mr El-Ashry, Participants from our European neighbours and from the EU On behalf of the German EU Presidency, I welcome you most warmly to Berlin. We have come together here today to discuss innovative policies and financing instruments for renewable energies and energy efficiency. I am delighted that we have here with us representatives from the fields of politics, business and civil society. I hope you will be able to use this conference to obtain important information on the relevant political, economic and regulatory framework and on the funding options available in the field of renewable energies. The latest predictions on global warming, melting polar ice caps and glaciers, rising sea levels, extreme weather, food scarcity and mass migration are extremely alarming for all of us.
• 19.04.2007
  Renewable energy and energy efficiency in the European neighbourhood policy. Ingrid, Heidemarie, Mr Carl, Mr Mohammed El-Ashry, Ladies and Gentlemen, We are at a decisive point. The challenges of climate change are great – and they continue to grow. Last week, the IPCC Report again underlined that climate change will result in higher mortality rates, for example due to more heat waves. This is no less a matter than the future of our planet. It must be clear to us all that we can only tackle it together. Either we continue as before and run headlong into disaster, or we face the challenges of the future, the challenges of climate change, and act now. Europe needs its southern and eastern neighbours. Europe forms a very closely knit energy market with its neighbours. A number of these are exporting or transit countries for oil and gas to Europe. Together we can not only expand the grids and pipelines, but also create a new "pillar" for the energy security of Europe and its neighbours through the targeted expansion of renewable energies, energy-saving and increased efficiency.
• 12.04.2007
  Speech given by Parliamentary State Secretary Ulrich Kasparik at the meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development (REGI) in Brussels on 12 April 2007. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, My dear colleagues, I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak to today’s Committee meeting, to so many parliamentary decision-makers, who address issues relating to urban development and territorial cohesion on a daily basis. Your task is certainly not an easy one. Because however ambitious and elegant it may be to talk of a Europe of the regions and cities, it is far more difficult to translate these ideas into practice. And, as a Member of the German Bundestag and Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs, I view myself as being part of the endeavours to tackle this challenge.
• 05.04.2007
  Interview given by Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the "Tagesspiegel" newspaper. "For peace we need all of Israel's neighbours" – interview given by Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) to the "Tagesspiegel" newspaper on the situation in the Middle East and on Germany's EU Presidency (excerpts)

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March

• 29.03.2007
  Statement by Federal Minister of Economics and Technology Michael Glos at the joint press conference on the High-Level-Workshop. Energy policy is one of the focal points of Germany’s EU Council Presidency. As such, further developing the internal electricity and gas markets plays a key role. Following the meeting of the Council of Energy Ministers in February and the summit of Heads of State and Government in mid-March 2007, a two-day conference begins today at the Conference Centre of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology.
• 28.03.2007
  Speech by Chancellor Angela Merkel to the European Parliament in Brussels. I am delighted to be speaking to you again today here in the European Parliament, this time in Brussels. We have just reached the halfway mark of Germany's Presidency. After last weekend, I believe we can claim to have taken a substantial step towards mastering two major tasks facing us all during these six months. Firstly, we have made progress in energy and climate policy. Germany's Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has already spoken to you about this here in the European Parliament. I would like to take this opportunity to stress once more that in the key sphere of energy and climate policy the Council has succeeded in formulating important conclusions based on the Commission's proposals and thus demonstrated the European Union's capability to act in this field.
• 27.03.2007
  Welcome Address by Michael Glos, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, on the occasion of the European Conference on „Innovation and Market Access through Standardisation“ on 27. March 2007, Berlin. Mr. Verheugen, Mr. Harting, Ladies and Gentlemen: Welcome to the European Conference on Standardisation. I should like to thank: the Deutsches Institut of Standardisation for having organised this event together with us and the European Commission for the support it has given.
• 26.03.2007
  “Research and Development for Civil Society” - Speech by the Acting President of the Council of the European Union and Federal Minister of Education and Research Dr. Annette Schavan. Vice-President Verheugen, Vice-President Frattini, Professor Buzek, Mr. Fagerlund, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Treaty establishing the European Economic Community was signed fifty years ago yesterday. The preamble to the Treaty states that the signatories are: “Resolved by […] pooling their resources to preserve and strengthen peace and liberty.” The desire for peace and security was certainly one of the main motives for European unity. Europe has brought us security and freedom. Security and freedom go hand-in-hand. The great scholar Wilhelm von Humboldt once said: “Without security man is neither able to develop his strengths nor to enjoy the fruits thereof; for there is no freedom without security.” 1 It is essential to preserve this freedom.
• 26.03.2007
  Address by the Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, Michael Glos MdB in Munich on 26 March 2007. When I was asked to speak to this meeting that I was a bit hesitant, I must confess. Because today I am, after all, the guest at a kind of merger, or at least a cartel agreement: That is the simultaneous opening of the 13th International Conference on Competition and the 14th European Competition Day. But I was told that I need not worry; There was no problem with anti-trust legislation with this form of cooperation. So, I am glad to be here, and I should like to welcome you warmly to these two events in my capacity as the Federal Minister of Economics and Technology and as the chairman of the European Competitiveness Council:
• 25.03.2007
  Address by the President of the European Parliament Prof. Hans-Gert Pöttering on the 50th anniversary of the signature of the Treaties of Rome. Today we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the European Community, the greatest project in European history to promote peace and democracy. Fifty years of stability, prosperity and progress in the free part of our continent, which until 1989 was divided. European unification has created prospects for the citizens of the European Union which our parents and grandparents could not imagine in this form. Whereas in 1957 the Treaties of Rome were signed at a meeting of governments and diplomats, today I am grateful to be able to represent the citizens of the European Union here in Berlin - the capital of a Germany which was reunited on 3 October 1990 - as President of the directly elected European Parliament, together with the chairmen of the Parliament's Political Groups.
• 25.03.2007
  " A stronger Europe for a successful globalization" speech by José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission at the official ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome. Sehr geehrte Frau Ratspräsidentin, liebe Angela Merkel, Exzellenzen, wir feiern heute ein halbes Jahrhundert europäische Einigung. Wir haben allen Grund, uns darüber zu freuen. Wir tun dies in Berlin, der Hauptstadt des vereinten Deutschland. Von Anfang an war Deutschland ein verlässliches und treibendes Mitglied dieses vereinten Europas. Die Europäische Union von heute - unser erweitertes Europa - gäbe es nicht ohne das Engagement und die Solidarität Deutschlands.
• 25.03.2007
  Speech by Dr Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany and President of the European Council, at the official ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome. Presidents, Prime Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, Today we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome. The venue of our celebrations today could hardly be more symbolic. For we are celebrating in Berlin. A city that until 18 years ago was divided by a Wall, by barbed wire, by soldiers with orders to shoot. In which people paid with their lives for seeking to escape to freedom. I grew up east of this city, in the German Democratic Republic. When the Treaties of Rome were concluded I was just three years old. I was seven years old when the Wall was built. It divided also my own family. I did not believe I would ever be able to travel to the West until I was a pensioner. Only a few metres from here was the point where any walk I took would be at an end. But then the Wall collapsed after all. That was a defining moment for me: I realized that nothing ever has to stay the way it is.
• 24.03.2007
  Europe is turning 50: Article by Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. On 25 March, the European Union is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome. The EU's 50th birthday gives us Europeans the opportunity to look back on this unprecedented success story. Together we can be proud of what the people in Europe have achieved in the last 50 years. And that is why 25 March is also a day of confidence for Europe.
• 23.03.2007
  Welcoming address delivered by Michael Glos, Member of the German Bundestag and Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, at the European Anniversary Summit. Mr. de Vries, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen! The heading of today’s event which is being co-hosted by the “Germany – Land of Ideas” nation-branding initiative and the Government’s location marketing agency “Invest in Germany” is “Birth of a Great Idea”. I would like to welcome you most cordially here at the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology in Berlin today. I would like to welcome in particular the contemporary witnesses who have gathered here today: Professor Dr. Otto von Habsburg, Dr. Ernst Albrecht, Professor Dr. Charles-Ferdinand Nothomb, Dr. Jean François-Poncet, Dr. Jacques Santer, Professor Renée Haferkamp, Professor Bino Olivi, His Excellency, Ambassador Carlo Trojan, and Mr. Hubert Ehring. Some of you were actually involved in shaping the Treaties of Rome back in 1957.
• 23.03.2007
  Peace and democracy should not be taken for granted - Interview by Chancellor Angela Merkel with the "Bild". In this interview with the "Bild", Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks about European achievements and the social advantages offered by the European Union. She also advocates establishing a European army.
• 23.03.2007
  A quality agenda for fiscal policy - Speech by the Federal Minister of Finance Peer Steinbrück. Joaquin Almunia, Ladies and gentlemen, I, too, wish to extend my warmest welcome to you today to the Federal Ministry of Finance for this joint conference together with the Centre of European Economic Research as part of our presidency of the EU.
• 22.03.2007
  Speech given by Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, at the debate marking the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome on 22 March 2007 in the German Bundestag. Mr President, The message is loud and clear, here in the Bundestag, too: Europe is turning 50. We have talked about it a great deal in the last few weeks. Now the event is upon us. In just a few days, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome, and today's debate is rightly dedicated to this occasion.
• 21.03.2007
  "The constitutional treaty is much more alive than many may think" - Interview given by Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier to the 'Berliner Morgenpost'. Interview given by Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier to the Berliner Morgenpost (special edition "Europe turns 50") of 21 March 2007: Mr Foreign Minister, the signing of the Rome Treaties 50 years ago marked the start of the process of European unification. Has that resulted in a genuine European family – or rather a relatively harmonious partnership of convenience?
• 16.03.2007
  Welcoming speech by Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the conference on “Employment and Social Dialogue within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership”. Ministers, Excellencies, Representatives of the employers’ associations and trade unions, Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to welcome you very warmly to this conference on “Employment and Social Dialogue within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership” here in the Weltsaal of the Federal Foreign Office building. This afternoon, the event will continue on the premises of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. It is nice to see that the venue also reflects the nature of the conference: interaction between civil society and government. This interaction is crucial to socio-political progress in all societies and is a key element for peace, security and prosperity. This is what we are working together to achieve in the Barcelona Process.
• 14.03.2007
  Message of greeting by the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the opening reception for the 16th EU-ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting. Dear colleagues, Excellencies, Mr Mayor, Ladies and gentlemen, It is with pleasure that I welcome you to the Foreign Ministers Meeting between the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. This is our sixteenth meeting – the number of times we have met shows just how intense and close the relations between us have become. I would like to welcome all of you to Nuremberg, but especially all of you who have come from overseas! Nuremberg is a city which, even in the fifteenth century, had a trading network that extended to Southeast Asia and India.
• 14.03.2007
  EU-ASEAN: Interview with Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier in the "Nürnberger Nachrichten" newspaper. Asia is on the verge of great changes. And we Europeans cannot afford to look only at the major countries like Japan, India or China. The 10 states of the ASEAN community alone have a total population of 500 million people – more than the EU. What kind of political future do they have? Will the ASEAN countries form a common market as Europe has done? Will security and stability in Asia be largely defined by regional organizations like ASEAN? These are the questions at stake and in which Europe is particularly interested.
• 14.03.2007
  The Future of the European Aviation Industry - Speech by Peter Hintze, Parliamentary State Secretary in the German Ministry of Economics and Technology, at the Debate in the European Parliament in Strasburg. I am happy to see that we are debating on the "Future of the European Aircraft Industry" today. For this branch embodies genuine viability for the future, high technology, and growth potentials for Europe. And it contributes importantly to meeting the targets of the Lisbon strategy for growth and employment. Airbus is the most prominent project in this connection. Airbus stands for a magnificent idea. It is the idea of combining the technological capabilities of several European nations and creating a strong aircraft industry that can hold its own on the world market. Airbus is already a breathtaking success story. The aircraft it produces - 4,600 have been delivered to date - display European high technology at every airport in the world.
• 14.03.2007
  The Presidency, German Minister of State Erler, gives its opinion on the report of MEP Doris Pack on Bosnia and Herzegovina before the European Parliament on 14 March 2007. We welcome the European Parliament's proposal for a recommendation on Bosnia and Herzegovina to be submitted to the Council. We have read the comprehensive report and the recommendation with great interest and are pleased to note extensive accord with regard to both the analysis of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the steps which Sarajevo and the international community should next take. In its last meeting of 5 March, the GAEC welcomed the formation of the new Government in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Established on 9 February after difficult negotiations, the Government is a broad coalition of the major parties of the three ethnic populations, headed by the new Prime Minister Nikola Špirić, a Bosnian Serb. The Council also took the opportunity to call on Prime Minister Špirić to ensure the swift and effective implementation of the whole range of reforms still to be undertaken, stressing that this was not least a requirement for concluding the Stabilization and Association Agreement.
• 14.03.2007
  Speech by Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the results of the Brussels European Council on 8 and 9 March 2007 to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 14 March 2007. Mr President, Please allow me, following our debate on the Berlin Declaration, to inform this House about the results of the spring European Council. I am happy to do so, for – let me say this at the very outset – in the Presidency's view it was a successful Council. A summit which provided answers in areas in which the citizens rightly expect decisive European action. A summit which showed that the European Union – despite all the prophecies of doom – can remain capable of action even in an enlarged configuration. That the Member States, sup¬ported and encouraged by the Commission and Parliament, are in a position to overcome their differences and set themselves ambitious common goals – even if in individual cases it may not always be easy to reach decisions.
• 14.03.2007
  Speech by Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Sigmar Gabriel at the "2007 European Renewable Energy Policy Conference": The new role of renewable energies. I am very glad that so many of you have accepted our invitation and have come from Germany to participate in this joint event of EREC, the Commission and the Federal Environment Ministry. I am particularly delighted that so many colleagues from the European Member States have joined us here. We are facing an extremely difficult, but also an interesting challenge in Europe, and not only in Europe. In the years to come, we will have to solve two decisive questions. Two questions that affect every human being on Earth, questions that challenge all regions of this world in equal measure.
• 14.03.2007
  Speech by Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Berlin Declaration to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 14 March 2007,. Mr President, It is a great pleasure and honour for me to speak to you here for the first time today as a representative of the Presidency at this plenary meeting of the European Parliament. On 25 March, the European Union will mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome.
• 13.03.2007
  Minister of State for Europe Gloser: Council Statement to the European Parliament "Non-Proliferation and nuclear disarmament". The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery poses possibly the greatest potential threat to international security. That is why the Euro­pean Union emphasized in its Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction adopted in 2003 that a multilateralist approach focusing on both dis­armament and non-proliferation provided the best way to maintain security and inter­national order.
• 12.03.2007
  Speech by Olivier Kamitatu Etsu, Minister of Planning of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Petersberg, 12 March 2007. Minister, Excellencies, Distinguished guests, first of all, I would like to thank you, Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, for giving me this opportunity to address this informal meeting of development ministers. It is, indeed, an honour and a pleasure for me to be here for several reasons: It is an honour to speak in such an august setting and to such a prestigious audience, made up of numerous friends of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), some of whom know my country very well, and also many friends who know it less well and often have a rather negative view of it; today, I have the opportunity to make them better acquainted with it. It is an honour to be able to say thank you – thank you to your countries, thank you to the international organisations of which you are members and thank you to the people who have often become personally involved, sometimes beyond the call of duty, in helping the DRC to get back onto the road of peace and stability.
• 12.03.2007
  "Prerequisites for a Successful Business Environment for Investment in Africa" - Speech by the entrepreneur Dr. Otto. Ladies and Gentlemen, following Mr. Wolfowitz’s clear outline of the cornerstones for a positive investment climate in Africa, I would like to focus on the personal experience with Africa I have as a businessman, mostly with an emphasis on the recent project Cotton made in Africa, that my company, the Otto Group, is driving together with the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and others in a large private-public partnership project. The joint forces of private sector know-how and investment combined with technical implementation skills and co-financing of three large projects involving more than 150.000 smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa have already yielded exiting results. And I am happy to say that I am very impressed by the work that our partners from German Economic Cooperation are organizing on the ground in Africa. In this project, we are well on the way to establishing a textile label for products made from Cotton made in Africa.
• 12.03.2007
  Adress by State Secretary Astrid Klug at the Conference "Socio-Economic Analyses in the Framework of REACH". Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Participants! I would like to welcome you warmly to today's and tomorrow's workshop at the Federal Press Office in Berlin. This venue is located near the political centre of Germany, close to the Reichstag building and the Federal Chancellery. This workshop is not the first EU event to be organised here under the German Presidency. Only recently, a meeting on REACH helpdesks jointly organized by the EU Commission and the German Presidency of the Council took place here. Today's workshop continues our series on specific aspects of the new chemicals policy.
• 12.03.2007
  Speech by Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs at the Human Affairs Council Geneva, 12 March 2007. Mr President, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, It is a great honour for me to speak to you today on behalf of the European Union and of the candidate countries. I remember very well that when we met here in Geneva last June to establish the Human Rights Council, it was clear to us that we had merely taken the first step in a complex and ambitious undertaking.
• 12.03.2007
  Speech by Federal Minister for Health Ulla Schmidt while opening the Partnership Forum. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very glad to be able to welcome you to this great, colourful, European Forum. There is a good reason why this Partnership Forum opens the Conference entitled “Responsibility and Partnership – Together Against HIV/AIDS”, as we are concerned to emphasise the significance of the partnership between the State and civil society, the partnership between the EU Member States and their neighbours, and the partnership between the healthy and the sick in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Ladies and Gentlemen, you represent people who live with HIV/AIDS. It was your idea to organise this “market of encounter”. You helped to plan the conference from the outset and input your suggestions – and you did so in a spirit of cooperation which led to synergies – even before the conference had begun. And this is something which I highly appreciate. A market is always a meeting place, a place in which to exchange, buy, talk, see, observe and copy.
• 12.03.2007
  Statement by Federal Minister for Health Ulla Schmidt at the Ministerial Conference: Partnership and Responsibility – Together Against HIV/AIDS. It is a matter of particular concern to me to make HIV/AIDS a prime topic of the German Presidency, and over and above this a political priority of all European Governments, of the Commission and of Europe as a whole. The fight against HIV/AIDS is a matter for the most senior level! As with no other health policy topic, in view of the pandemic dimension and the threat posed by HIV/AIDS, we must look beyond our borders – over national borders, over the frontiers of the European Union, and beyond Europe. And we must also look beyond the area of health policy. This is why we will also be dealing in the coming days with issues related to research, economic and development policy.
• 02.03.2007
  Policy Statement by Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel in the German Bundestag Thursday, 1 March 2007. It is a pleasure to be here today to talk to you as President of the EU Council. As you know, the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome falls during Germany's EU presidency. I think we can safely say that, just as in 1957, the European Union has once again reached an important juncture, although admittedly the conditions today are completely different to those 50 years ago.

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February

• 26.02.2007
  Address by the Federal Minister of Education and Research, Dr. Annette Schavan, on the Occasion of the Reception for the Launch Event of the European Research Council in Berlin on 26 February 2007. A new chapter of European research funding is being opened with the launch event of the European Research Council and the constituent meeting of its Scientific Council. I would like to welcome you cordially to Berlin and I am pleased that this important European event is taking place under our EU Council Presidency.
• 23.02.2007
  Europe Moving Offshore Together, Speech by Parliamentary State Secretary Michael Müller, EU Policy Workshop on Offshore Wind Power Deployment, 22 February 2007, TU Berlin. I would like to warmly welcome you to the European Policy Workshop on Offshore Wind Power Deployment here in Berlin. Following the Workshops in Egmond in 2004 and Copenhagen in 2005, I am delighted to be able to continue this important series of events under our German EU Presidency. This event on offshore wind power deployment helps our Presidency to advance climate protection and secure the energy supply through the expansion of renewable energies. I would like to begin by thanking you all for your support
• 22.02.2007
  Speech by Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel at the High-Level Conference on "Women's Economic Empowerment as Smart Economics: A Dialogue on Policy Options", held in Berlin on 22 February 2007. It is my great pleasure to be here at the opening of this Conference. I very much welcome the fact that Germany and the World Bank are cooperating so closely and, together with the OECD and our British, Danish and Norwegian friends, have made this Conference possible. I am of course pleased that the announcement met with such a positive response and that representatives from all over the world have joined us today.
• 19.02.2007
  Press statement by Michael Glos, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, on the occasion of the Competitiveness Council in Brussels. If one were to give today’s Competitiveness Council conference a motto, I would say, “Strengthening Europe’s position against the global competition for the benefit of citizens and companies”. It is also with this intention that the Competitiveness Council will be contributing to the European Council of Heads of State and Government on 8/9 March 2007. That is why the cornerstones upon which we decided today and which we will deliver to the European Council were entitled “Strengthening Europe’s Competitiveness.”
• 15.02.2007
  Statement to the Press by Mr. Michael Glos, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology on the Occasion of the EU Council of Energy Ministers, Brussels 15 February 2007. This is a good day for European consumers, for the protection of the climate and of the environment as well as for the competitiveness of European industry. The European Union has made a giant stride in advance on the long road towards a competitive, dependable and environmentally friendly energy policy resulting in more favourable prices for all Europeans. I am pleased to inform you in my capacity as Council President that it is the firm determination of all 27 Member States to work towards attaining these goals.
• 15.02.2007
  Speech by Michael Glos, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, on the occasion of the presentation of the Presidency Programme of the European Economic and Social Committee meeting. During your visit to Berlin last December, Mr President, we spoke about the economy, which has now picked up momentum in your country, in Germany and throughout the entire European Union. We agreed that the economic upswing must be used to make Europe fit for the future. Together, we must continue to stay the course on reform in order to master the global challenges. For example: securing Europe as a business location in the world economy, the energy supply and climate policy. The European Economic and Social Committee has been occupying itself with these questions for a long time. Your views on all areas of economic and social policy are marked by a high level of expertise and closeness to everyday life.
• 15.02.2007
  Speech by Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel at the 24th France-Africa Summit, Cannes. Mr President of the French Republic, my friend Jacques Chirac, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, first I would like to express my sincere thanks to you, Mr President, dear Jacques, for inviting me to the Summit between Africa and France, both in my function as Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany – in which I also thank you for the very good and amicable relations our two countries enjoy within the European Union – and as President of the Council of the European Union and of the G8.
• 14.02.2007
  Speech by Michael Glos, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, on the occasion of the presentation of the Presidency Programme at the meeting of the Committee of the Regions of the European Parliament. The federal chancellor has asked me to present Germany’s Council Presidency Programme to you and I am delighted to have the opportunity to do so. Even the best Council Presidency Programme cannot be successful, if it is not supported by those responsible for its implementation at the regional and local level. Whatever Council and European Parliament make, or want to make, of the Commission proposals, without the feedback from those acting upon it at a local level the results would clearly be inferior.
• 13.02.2007
  Statement by Mr Günter Gloser, German Minister of State for Europe in the European Parliament. As at Spring Summits in recent years, this meeting of Heads of State and Government will focus on economic issues and on the Lisbon Strategy in particular. Of course, we are delighted that this year's Spring Summit comes at a time when key economic statistics are upbeat and the employment markets are experiencing an upward trend.
• 13.02.2007
  Speech by Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel to the European Parliament, Strasbourg. Mr President, Hans-Gert Pöttering, predecessors of the President, colleagues at the European Parliament, Commission President! Mr President, you are one of the parliamentarians who witnessed the first hours of the European Parliament. You have just said that your experience goes back to 1979. I think we could say that you have experienced and helped influence the remarkable rise of a Parliament from its infancy. It has evolved into a very emancipated European Parliament – with confident deputies, clear party structures and parliamentary groups. This has made it a critical but now irreplaceable partner in European debate.
• 12.02.2007
  Opening speech by Federal Minister Sigmar Gabriel to the Symposium “Time to Adapt. Climate Change and the European Water Dimension", 12 February 2007. Mr Correia, Mr Carl, Ladies and Gentlemen, It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Berlin to the symposium “Time to Adapt! Climate Change and the European Water Dimension”. “New Germany – Tropical nights in Bavaria…”, “Up and down – The global weather is going crazy….”, “Ski lifts relegated to museum pieces” - Such headlines have appeared in the papers in Germany in recent weeks - which have been far too warm for autumn and winter - and in connection with the publication of the new IPCC report ten days ago.
• 07.02.2007
  Speech by the Federal Minister of Finance Peer Steinbrück - “Europe – succeeding together”. Federal Chancellor Gusenbauer, Fernando Teixera dos Santos, Andrej Bajuk, ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to the German Federal Ministry of Finance on this, the seventh of February. I mention this date because on today, 15 years ago, an event took place without which we would probably not be standing year now. On 7 February 1992, the Treaty on the European Union and Economic and Monetary Union was signed in Maastricht.
• 06.02.2007
  Speech given by Minister of State Gloser at the Conference , 5 February 2007 in Paris. Mr Chairperson, I have the honour to speak in my capacity as Presidency of the EU. First of all, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the government of France and to UNICEF for convening this important conference. The EU welcomes and fully supports this timely initiative to re-energize international efforts to further discuss and seek answers to the many challenges posed by the issue of children and armed conflict. I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on children and armed conflict for her dedicated work in taking this agenda forward.
• 01.02.2007
  State Secretary Astrid Klug at the EP ITRE Committee. On 1 January 2007 Germany took over the EU Presidency for the first half of this year. Its motto is “Europe – succeeding together”. The idea of an “ever closer union” was born in the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community. The Euratom Treaty, one of the Treaties of Rome, is continuing this European history of ideas. From the union, the six founding States expected tremendous opportunities “for the development and invigoration of industry and the advancement of the cause of peace”. Today, almost 50 years after the signing of Euratom, the project of Europe has still not been completed. Quite the contrary: At the moment, Europe has again entered a phase of dynamism that is unparalleled. This is not only true in geographical terms, as illustrated by the recent accessions of Bulgaria and Romania. It also, ladies and gentlemen, applies to the political level, and in particular to energy policy.
• 31.01.2007
  Speech given by Minister of State Gloser at the European Parliament on the subject of Passenger Name Records. The transfer of airline passenger data is an issue the European Union has revisited on many occasions. Following the terror attacks of 11 September 2001 the United States, as you know, introduced regulations requiring air carriers operating flights into and from the United States to allow US authorities electronic access to their passenger name records (PNR) data. In case of non-compliance the United States threatened to rescind their landing rights.
• 31.01.2007
  Speech given by Minister of State Gloser at the European Parliament on the subject of SWIFT. President, Let me now turn to the Oral question by the Honourable Members Berès und Cavada concerning the SWIFT-dossier. The Council would like to thank the Honourable Members for their interest in the SWIFT file. Various questions from Honourable Members have already been answered and the I would like to draw your attention to answers already given in that context.

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January

• 31.01.2007
  Speech given by Federal Minister Gabriel before the Mini EP Plenary. Climate change is a reality. Scientists have been issuing warnings for a long time. And anyone who reads the newspapers attentively will have noticed that these warnings have become more and more radical. Alarming incidents are occurring with increasing frequency and intensity: floods, droughts, the dramatically accelerating melting of icecaps, disappearing species. Since the publication of the comprehensive analysis by Nicholas Stern, former chief economist of the World Bank, if not before, it has become clear: ambitious climate protection is the inescapable consequence of any sensible economic and energy policy.
• 31.01.2007
  Speech given by Minister of State Gloser at the European Parliament about the suspension of the application of the death penalty. It is my pleasure to be able to talk to you today about one of the most fundamental elements of the EU's human rights policy. The current prevalence of this topic is reflected in the several motions for resolutions which various groups in the European Parliament have put forward. On the basis of the "Guidelines to EU policy towards third countries on the death penalty" adopted by the Council of Ministers in 1998, the EU is committed to the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances throughout the world. The establishment of moratoria has also featured strongly in the fight against the death penalty over the years, albeit as a step on the way to complete abolition rather than an end in itself.
• 30.01.2007
  Statement by the German Federal Minister of Justice, Brigitte Zypries, to the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) of the European Parliament. "Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to present to you today the legal policy priorities of the German Council Presidency. I see many familiar faces here today, and it is a pleasure to see you again so soon after our recent meeting in Berlin. For you, ladies and gentlemen, today’s meeting is certainly nothing out of the ordinary. Every six months, a minister appears here to present his or her programme to you. However, from the perspective of the respective government, the situation is quite different – at least it is for me. (...)"
• 30.01.2007
  Speech by the Acting President of the Council of the European Union and Federal Minister of Education and Research, Dr. Annette Schavan, to the Committee on Culture and Education of the European Parliament (CULT) in Brussels on 30 January 2007. Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great pleasure for me to be able to present to you the priorities of the German Council Presidency in the area of education. Fifty years have passed since the Treaties of Rome were signed. Unparalleled progress has been made over the past five decades: Economic growth, stability and prosperity as well as peace, freedom and justice in everyday life are just a few of our achievements. The European process of unification is a very fortunate development which we owe to the far-sighted and generous commitment of outstanding personalities. The European way of life is a special achievement which many in the world would be glad to enjoy.
• 30.01.2007
  Speech by Minister of State Bernd Neumann at the meeting of the European Parliament Committee on Culture and Education. Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, I am delighted to have this opportunity to present to you the main themes of culture and media policy during the German Presidency of the Council. Europe is above all the sum of its cultures. The resounding “No” by the French and the Dutch to the draft European Convention must also have implications for politicians dealing with culture: we need to understand culture even more clearly than before as the common heritage of Europe and as an assignment for the future.
• 30.01.2007
  Speech by Michael Glos, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, at the meeting of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) of the European Parliament. Chairman, members of parliament: The motto of the German Presidency is “Europe – succeeding together”. I would also like this to serve as the motto for our discussion. Germany will continue the good and fruitful co-operation between the European Parliament and the Council during its Presidency. The Industry Committee is of particular importance for us, because it covers several priority issues of our Presidency.
• 30.01.2007
  Presentation by the President of the Council of the European Union and Federal Minister of Education and Research, Dr. Annette Schavan, to the Committee for Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) of the European Parliament. Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Committee Members, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a pleasure for me to have the opportunity to present to you the priorities of the German Presidency regarding Community research. This year, the European Union is celebrating a special anniversary, namely its 50th. We have every reason to celebrate this event. Unparalleled achievements have been made over the past five decades. The process of European integration is a unique event and a stroke of luck. Europe is a success story which we owe to the great passion, far-sightedness and magnanimity of many outstanding personalities. Europe is and continues to be a symbol of hope and opportunities for today's and future generations. Europe is a guarantor for life in peace, freedom and justice.
• 29.01.2007
  Speech by Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, at the award of the Grand Cross 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany to His Excellency Dr Javier Solana. "My dear friend Javier, European politics is an attractive but exhausting business. We are therefore all the more pleased that we have finally found an opportunity, alongside the EU-Afghanistan Troika and ESDP Conference, to honour you, Javier, one of the great Europeans of our age."
• 29.01.2007
  NATO and the EU: Time for a New Chapter. It gives me particular pleasure to address you here today. The development of the European Security and Defence Policy is one of the most important issues in the international security arena. For that reason I welcome Foreign Minister Steinmeier's initiative to take up this topic in the form of a conference right at the start of Germany's presidency of the EU Council.
• 29.01.2007
  Speech by the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, at the opening of the ESDP Conference "ESDP: From Cologne to Berlin and Beyond. Operations, Institutions, Capabilities". Ms Gnesotto, Javier Solana, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Members of Parliament, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, It was during Germany's EU Presidency, at the Cologne European Council in 1999, that the European Security and Defence Policy was first launched. Looking back just seven years – but already 16 ESDP missions later –, we can appreciate how much this relatively new area of EU policy has developed in such a short time. Javier, you yourself spoke of "light speed" in reference to the rapid development of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy as a whole. I think it is fair to say the same about the appearance of one aspect of the CFSP – the European Security and Defence Policy.
• 26.01.2007
  Opening Address by Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, at the World Economic Forum on 24 January 2007 in Davos (transcript). For me the motto of the Forum, "The Shifting Power Equation", sums up the global situation. The world economy is undergoing an unbelievable process of change, and many things we thought were totally immovable are being shifted around. We should constantly remind ourselves that this development was set in motion by three historic events within the space of just over fifteen years – first, the fall of the Berlin wall and the reintegration of Central and Eastern Europe, as well as of Russia, into the global economy; second, the technological revolution in IT and communications ... and third, China's, India's and other countries' transition from static to dynamic economies and their quantum leap onto the world markets.
• 25.01.2007
  Speech given by Federal Minister Seehofer before the Committee on Fisheries. "One thing we need in order to stand up to global competition is to have competitive and innovative agricultural, fisheries and food industries. Yet we lose a lot of time and money in administrative obligations and rules that cause too much red tape. In Germany, I have started to cut back on reporting requirements, abolish laws and regulations and simplify rules. We will only win the battle again excessive bureaucracy, however, if all countries join in and if the European Union itself faces up to this problem."
• 25.01.2007
  Statement by Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of the Lebanon Conference in Paris on 25 January 2007. President Chirac, Prime Minister Siniora, Excellencies! As European Presidency, first I would like to thank you, Mr President, for today's conference. It conveys an important political message of support to all the people of Lebanon. And to you, Prime Minister Siniora, I would also like to express my appreciation to you. You have led the Lebanese Government with great skill and success in extremely difficult times. Together we have achieved a considerable amount since the terrible conflict in the summer: an end to the fighting, the withdrawal of the Israeli forces and the deployment of the Lebanese armed forces also in the south of the country. Hundreds and thousands of people who had taken flight have been able to return to their homes.
• 24.01.2007
  Speech given by the Federal Minister Zypries before the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection. Europe must be an area of freedom, security and justice. This is what our European treaties say; this is what our citizens expect; and this is what our political endeavours strive to achieve. We have already made good progress in harmonising criminal law provisions and enhancing cooperation between security authorities, for example through the European arrest warrant. But we must not forget the other side of the coin. For this reason, we must work more intensively to strengthen citizens’ rights.
• 24.01.2007
  Speech given by the Federal Minister Zypries before the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. The Presidency is a tremendous challenge. It provides a country with the opportunity to take the lead in advancing our collective development and, at the same time, to set its own policy priorities. The Union now has 27 members. With a six-month rotation period, my country would not assume the Presidency again until the year 2020. This numerical projection demonstrates that when the EU Presidency falls within the career of a national politician, it is quite a special occurrence. And this special occurrence motivates me to tackle this responsibility with the utmost commitment.
• 24.01.2007
  Dr. Joachim Wuermeling State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology - Remarks delivered at the Presentation of the Post Dossier in TRAN. I am happy to be here today to speak with you about liberalizing postal services in the EU. German Transport Minister Tiefensee has just outlined the elements of transport-policy we will be focusing on as part of Germany's EU Presidency. And you have had the opportunity of a detailed discussion on that topic. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ladies and Gentlemen, for also fitting a discussion on my topic into your scheduling
• 24.01.2007
  Dr. Joachim Wuermeling, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, on the occasion of the1st Meeting of the INTA Committee of the European Parliament in 2007. Trade Policy Under Germany’s Council Presidency - Speech - Speech on the occasion of the 1st Meeting of the INTA (Trade) Committee of the European Parliament in 2007 on 23/01/2007
• 23.01.2007
  Speech given by Federal Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee before the Committee on Transport and Tourism of the European Parliament. We certainly all agree: Although transport is a partial aspect of European policy, it is always the overall European context which matters. We jointly bear the responsibility for legislation and, thus, for an important sphere of European integration. For me as the President of the Council that means: Together we must assume our political responsibility in Europe. Only then will it be possible to achieve good results for the people in Europe.
• 23.01.2007
  Speech given by Federal Minister Seehofer before the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. "It gives me great pleasure to be here today to present to you the German Council Presidency’s work programme. The European Parliament plays a key role in the institutional set-up of the European Union. The parliamentary work of opinion-forming and decision-making relies on receiving first-hand information."
• 23.01.2007
  Speech given by Federal Minister Seehofer before the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. Germany has set itself the task of building on the good results achieved by the Finnish Council Presidency. I also warmly welcome the fact that Germany can regard itself as part of a team over the next 18 months. We and our Portuguese and Slovenian friends will face the forthcoming challenges together. Germany intends to reinforce and extend the already high level of protection which exists for consumers.
• 23.01.2007
  Speech given by State Secretary Würmeling before the Committee on Regional Development. "Chairman Galeote, Ladies and Gentlemen, Parliamentarians, I am happy to be here to speak with you about the focal points of the EU's structural policy under the German Presidency."
• 22.01.2007
  Speech held by Ulla Schmidt: Presentation of the German Presidency Programme at the European Parliament's ENVI-Committee on 22nd January 2007. (...) Germany's Presidency comes at a time in which basic orientation is necessary in the European Union. It is a question of clarifying unresolved issues of European co-operation. It is incumbent on all of us to convince our citizens of the advantages offered by the European Union. We can succeed if we are able to show concrete results which produce a direct added value for our citizens. The rejection of the European Constitution in two referendums is blamed on the European Union's lack of social appeal.
• 22.01.2007
  Address by Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs at the opening of the exhibition on "The International Charlemagne Prize of the City of Aachen" in Brussels, 22 January 2007. "(...) Today we are holding the first Council meeting under the German Presidency, and we have completed our first round of consultations. Allow me, before we continue our consultations over lunch, to pause for just a moment. A fine tradition has developed over the years, whereby each Presidency tries during its six-month term to create a special resonance in this building where so many crucial decisions on Europe are made. The German Presidency has opted for an exhibition on the International Charlemagne Prize, which has been awarded in Aachen every year since 1949. And we had a very good reason for this."
• 18.01.2007
  Speech by Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, at the OSCE Permanent Council. Speech by Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, at the OSCE Permanent Council: "Mr Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, I gladly came to Vienna today to meet with you. The EU and the OSCE share common goals: securing peace and post-conflict reconstruction with a host of instruments and measures. I would like to say to you that we therefore intend to seek, and indeed extend, the close cooperation between the EU and the OSCE during the coming months of our EU Presidency. May I wish you, Mr Chairman, a sure hand in tackling the truly challenging tasks ahead. You have set the right priorities in your programme. We will do everything we can to support you, for your success is our success. ..."
• 17.01.2007
  Speech by Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, 17 January 2007. Speech by Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, 17 January 2007. "Mr President, Hans-Gerd Pöttering, Mr President of the Commission, José Manuel Barroso, Deputies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted to be speaking to you today for the first time as the President of the Council here in this European Parliament, a parliament which now has members from 27 countries. Allow me, therefore, once again to extend a warm welcome to the deputies from Romania and Bulgaria..."
• 05.01.2007
  Europe - succeeding together. Article by Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier: In the first half of 2007 Germany will assume the EU Presidency for the 12th time. We have six busy months of difficult tasks ahead of us. At the same time we view the Presidency as a great opportunity, which we intend to seize together with our European partners. In doing so, we will be able to build on the professional, outstanding work of the Finnish Presidency, to whom I express my heartfelt thanks.
• 31.12.2006
  Living Europe Safely. Joint statement by the interior ministers of Germany, Dr Wolfgang Schäuble; Portugal, Antonio Costa; and Slovenia, Dragutin Mate on the programme for the trio presidency

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