Political group leaders present plans for 2008

With the new Lisbon Treaty signed off by EU heads of state and government in December, leaders of the biggest political groups in Parliament agree that swift ratification is their top concern for 2008.

Speaking at a conference organised by the European Policy Centre on 8 January 2008, the group leaders did not concur on what other issues should take centre stage.

Joseph Daul, leader of the centre-right EPP-ED group, recommended that the EU be “humble and preach good words” in 2008 so not to put the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty at risk. His Socialist counterpart Martin Schulz warned against being too optimistic, rather very careful instead, while Liberal group leader Graham Watson was confident that the new Treaty would be ratified by all 27 member states.

Having completed the negotiations on institutional reform, the EU should now focus on its role on the world stage, according to Daul. “Europe has to play its role as guardian of standards for consumer protection and the environment,” he underlined. Daul said the EU should also insist on these standards vis-à-vis its trading partners and called for a “taboo-less” discussion with the US.

Daul named the fight against criminal and terrorist networks, creating a single European energy policy and defending the common agricultural policy as issues that figure highly on the EPP-ED group’s political agenda for 2008.

Unsurprisingly, social policy was highlighted as the Socialists’ main concern. “Europe is not social, with or without the Reform Treaty,” PES leader Martin Schulz pointed out, calling for a more balanced economic approach.  

For the Socialist group, ensuring a more social Europe and a true common foreign policy – especially as regards the Kosovo issue – as well as the upcoming French EU presidency during the second half of the year will be the main issues in 2008. 

ALDE group leader Graham Watson said that he hoped for “less reflection” and “more action” in 2008. He underlined that the EU had to “get its house in order” before the new treaty provisions are applied from 2009, and especially called on the Parliament be prepared to deal with its increasing decision-making powers.

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