Editor's note

International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Tuesday, 19.03.2024, 11:58

Working Program for EU and the Baltic States in 2015

Eugene Eteris, BC, Copenhagen, 13.11.2014.Print version

The newly created Commission is determined to show all the advantages of European integration during next five years. Setting EU’s strategic priorities for 2015 means taking into account the states’ interests. Politicians in the Baltic States have to be active in adapting to expected changes.

The Commission’s confidence lies in the fact that the EU institutions can demonstrate that the EU can deliver for them on the big challenges facing European economies and societies. That starts with setting the right priorities for the Commission’s strategic work program (WP) for 2015. The preparation of the WP was initiated by the first vice-president, Frans Timmermans launching a process of discussion within the College of Commissioners, the European Parliament and (for the first time with the EU member states) in the Council of Ministers.

 

Initiating the discussions, European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans (responsible for better regulation, inter-institutional relations, the rule of law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights) underlined that “people in the EU member states want change”. The EU top politician stressed that these changes include solving the region’s biggest problems: jobs, growth and social fairness. He added: “citizens want the EU to improve their lives and businesses want to enhance their competitiveness, not burden them with red tape”.

 

The new Commission is committed to a fresh start, with a better priority in urgent EU issues and a better way of implementing changes. Thus, he added, the EU’s WP will concentrate on a limited set of concrete initiatives which can make a positive difference for citizens.

 

Vice-President underlined that “for the first time, we will work in dialogue with both the European Parliament and the member states to build support for our program, because proposals are only useful if they are adopted, accepted and implemented properly on the ground”.

 

The Commission’s WP will translate the ten points of the Political Guidelines, the Juncker Commission's political initiative delivered to and approved by the European Parliament this summer, as well as taking into account the European Council's Strategic Agenda for the Union in Times of Change, into concrete deliverables.

Extensive discussions ahead

In the process of preparing the Commission’s 2015 Work Program, the First Vice-President Timmermans will lead discussions with the European Parliament in the context of the structured dialogue foreseen under the Framework Agreement. For the first time, the Commission will also discuss these issues with the member states in the General Affairs Council. President Juncker and First Vice-President Timmermans have already written to the Presidents of the European Parliament and the Council to launch the discussion. These exchanges are intended to create a shared sense of priorities across EU institutions and more effective delivery in areas where citizens expect European responses.

 

The 2015 Work Program aim is expected to be adopted in mid-December.


Once the Work Program is adopted, the Commission will work closely with the European Parliament and the Council, as well as stakeholders, including national Parliaments to take forward the initiatives announced and carry them through to provide tangible results for Europe's citizens.

 

Reference: European Commission, Press release “Towards a work program for a new start for Europe”, Brussels, 12 November 2014. In:

 

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-1661_en.htm?locale=en





Search site