Barroso: "Reflection period" goes into extra time[fr][de] 

The Commission wants to rebuild trust in the EU by concentrating on "delivery" and hopes that this will prepare the ground for another institutional round in 2008. It recommends that member states adopt a solemn political declaration renewing their commitment to the Union  in 2007 (50 years after the signing of the Treaty of Rome). 

"On veut créer le contexte pour revenir au texte", said the Commission president, refusing to give up on the Constitutional Treaty. But he also expressed doubts about the possibility of reviving the current text by pointing out that France and the Netherlands, have also warned that they will not organise a second referendum on it. Comparing the current "period of reflection to a football match, Mr Barroso used the image of "extra time" to the current situation.

The "citizens' agenda" consists of twelve policy initiatives in five areas:

• an improved internal market for the 21st century ("the internal market is not only important for businesses but also for citizens", the President said, refering to the mobile phone charges issue) 
• more solidarity ("Europe is more than a market", dixit Mr Barroso);
• better access for citizens to their existing rights via an "entitlement card" and improved decision-making on justice and security policies by using the existing treaty possibilities. (Do we need to wait for the next terrorist attack before we will have better cooperation", Mr Barroso said twice;
• enlargement: a review of the process wil be published in December 2006;
• EU in the wider world.

Commission President Barroso admitted that one of the reasons for citizens' doubts in the EU is the "gap between rhetoric and reality". In a frank answer to a question from EurActiv, Mr Barroso pointed the finger at the member states as regards the "delivery crisis" of the Union. "Sometimes governments agree on things during European Council for which they do not give us the instruments afterwards", he said, refering to the areas of justice and home affairs or energy policy.

The president also underlined that 2008 might be a crucial year for the Union with the review of the EU's budget rules and a possible new institutional round. He dismissed, on the other hand, allegations that the Commission wants to put the institutional debate on hold because of French presidential elections in 2007.

Challenged on the member states actions for "Plan D", Vice-President Wallström was unwilling to give a ranking of best and worst countries. She gave good points though  to France ("Mrs Colonna is now organising a debate that was missing in 2005"), Ireland and Spain.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the European Socialist Party, urged the Commission to continue thinking about what to do with the Constitution. "President Barroso has a duty to lead the search for a solution to the constitutional impasse", Mr Rasmussen said. "The period of reflection should not turn into an extended siesta".