Leterme and Barroso want to make progress
Under a bright blue sky and a burning sun, the Belgian government members involved in the Presidency and the European commissioners met for the traditional family photograph. The talks had clearly taken place in a good atmosphere.
Determination to devote the next six months to working together to develop European cooperation was the dominant theme of the press conference which followed the bilateral meetings. The Prime Minister Yves Leterme, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Steven Vanackere, and Commission President José Manuel Barroso were of a single mind: the EU must move forward. That much is clear. The second half of 2010 promises ambitious projects, such as the development of an economic union which is needed to support monetary union in the context of the EU2020 strategy. During the Belgian presidency the European institutions will also work further on the practical implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon.
During the meetings, the Belgian Prime Minister also stressed that the Ministers or Secretaries of State of the Belgian regions who chair council formations speak on behalf of the entire country and not just on behalf of their respective regions. All levels of political life will be making their own contribution to the development of the Union over the next six months.
“I have total confidence in Belgium”, commented Commission President Barroso, referring to the country whose capital is also home to the European institutions. Belgium has a “European mindset”.
The European Commission saw that Belgium’s 12th presidency had got off to a good start. Barroso also told journalists that “The EU will have changed again by the end of this year. So it must move forward”, he concluded.
