UK Presidency of the European Union Council

British Minister of State for Europe Douglas Alexander, addressing the EESC Plenary on Wednesday, July 13, said that the aftermath of the 'No' vote of the Netherlands and France and the results of the Luxembourg referendum call for deep reflection and debate about the way forward and how to bring the Union closer to the citizen.

One way of doing this is to simplify European legislation and to make it more 'user-friendly'.

Together for growth and jobs

One of the basic challenges is how to maintain and guarantee growth, employment and prosperity now and for future generations. An essential part of the answer has been identified by the Heads of State in 2005 with the policy objectives collectively entitled 'Lisbon Strategy'.

At last March's mid-term review, the European Council confirmed the importance of the strategy and stressed the need for all stakeholders concerned to take ownership.

The Commission has proposed that a National Reform Programme (NRO) be developed by each member state to ensure a more effective delivery of the Lisbon Strategy. In Malta, the Management Efficiency Unit has been entrusted by the Cabinet's Committee for Competitiveness to co-ordinate the development of the NRP for Malta.

Budgetary agreement

A second basic challenge concerns the EU's budgetary agreement for 2007-2013. The European Council meeting, held between June 16 and 17, failed to reach an agreement and the UK Presidency is committed to resolving all the elements necessary for an overall agreement.

External relations

With regard to external relations, the UK Presidency is aiming at an outcome that leads to global economic growth and better access to markets for developing countries. The Presidency will represent the EU at the UN Millennium Summit in September to tackle the issue of global poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Africa is a key priority.

Security and stability

It is in the interest of all Member States to fight terrorism, enhance the security of the EU's external borders and improve the security of EU travel documents.

Other key issues to be addressed during the current Presidency are climate change to reinvigorate negotiations with key international partners on ways to secure low-cost emission reductions and the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, which will be concentrating on achieving consensus on a market-based liberalising reform, with the sugar regime being a priority.

Economic and social reform

In the area of economic reform and social justice, the UK is committed to implement Better Law-Making, which aims to ensure that policy making and legislation in the EU is more effective and takes into account European competitiveness without imposing unnecessary burdens on business and job creation.

Opening up trade in services across the EU

Services account for about two-thirds of the EU's GDP and improving the Single Market can potentially generate hundreds and thousands of jobs.