Speeches
European Council: No military solution to Ukraine crisis, says President Barroso
President Barroso has insisted that there can be no military solution to the crisis in Ukraine, and that time is quickly running out to reach a compromise.
30/08/2014
"The contrast is too strong between the repeated commitments to political dialogue and the dramatic reality on the ground,” he told journalists after a summit of EU leaders in Brussels.
"There can be no military solution to this crisis. It's time for everyone to get down to the business of peace-making. It is not too late, but time is quickly running out.” he said.
The European Council meeting also heard from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who met with President Barroso separately ahead of the summit. President Barroso said leaders sent a clear message to President Poroshenko "that they stand behind the Ukrainian people and their right to decide their own future".
He explained that there was unity among EU leaders that if Russia continues to escalate the crisis, "it will come with a high cost".
The European Commission has been asked by the European Council to deliver further proposals for restrictive measures, and President Barroso assured EU leaders that the Commission would be “quick” to do so, as it had been before.
However, he insisted that sanctions or restrictive measures are not an end in themselves. "They are instruments to show to the Russian leadership that in the 21st century, the current behaviour is not acceptable, and that we urge them to come to reason, and to work constructively with the European Union and of course also with Ukraine,” he said. "Only with this path to peace can we credibly address the issues of concern.”
Institutional appointments
President Barroso also extended his congratulations to Donald Tusk and to Federica Mogherini on their appointments as future European Council President and High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy. "I know they are both deeply committed Europeans and I am sure that, together with Jean-Claude Juncker, they will make a great team and they will work actively on European priorities,” he said.
Economy
President Barroso also welcomed the fact that EU leaders will discuss employment, especially youth employment, at a conference in October in Italy, and assured his counterparts that the European Commission will ensure a smooth transition between this and the next Commission, presenting its orientations on economic matters this autumn. “Job creation, based on growth, is obviously at the centre of our priorities,” he said.
30 August
President Barroso has said it is not too late to find a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine and has called on all parties to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Speaking following a meeting with President Poroshenko of Ukraine, President Barroso said that the situation was "serious" and "dramatic" and could reach a point of no return.
"We are in a very serious, I would say, dramatic situation. We may see a situation where we reach the point of no return. If the escalation of the conflict continues, this point of no return can come," he told journalists in Brussels on 30 August.
"I believe it's still not yet too late to find a political solution. I believe we should do everything we have in our capacity to avoid an escalation. That would certainly be detrimental to the interests, first of all, of Ukraine but certainly also of Russia and of Europe as a whole," he added.
President Barroso explained what he and the European Commission as a whole have been doing to help solve the conflict and find a political solution to the crisis. His meeting with President Poroshenko came the day after he had a "very long and frank" phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which he urged the Russian leader to "change course".
"No one's interest is served by new wars on our continent. No one's interest is served by confrontation. This is simply not the way that responsible, proud nations should behave in the 21st century," President Barroso said after the meeting, which came ahead of a summit of EU leaders in Brussels.
"Nobody is underestimating Russia’s concerns. We are ready to listen to Russia's concerns. But political differences need to be resolved through political means," he said.
Read President Barroso's full statement on Ukraine
Watch the press conference with Presidents Barroso and Poroshenko
Video from the final press conference
Read President Barroso's final statement from the European Council
Western Balkans: "Progress is tangible and real", says President Barroso
President Barroso attended on 28 August the Western Balkans summit in Berlin, preceded by a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel. At a joint press conference with Chancellor Merkel and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, the President reiterated the EU's commitment to the European perspective of all Western Balkan countries and support for the accession process.
29/08/2014
"Our common goal is clear: We want to see the Western Balkan countries to ultimately join the European Union. This is in our joint political, economic and geo-strategic interest", he said.
The President stressed also that "further accessions depend on our partners own speed of reforms. But they will happen over time. We don't want to leave any doubt about it."
Regional integration and cooperation are key to make accession faster and easier: "Politically they create stability, and practically they remove obstacles. They also improve the conditions for economic and social development by fostering a positive and predictable business environment. This is what matters to all citizens of the Western Balkans".
Heads of government and ministers from all Western Balkans countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia) were present at the summit. Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and France participated at leaders' and/or ministerial level.
President Barroso had a one-hour bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel and then participated in the leaders' segment of the summit. He notably introduced the discussion about regional cooperation and the EU dimension. A press conference took place at the Chancellery with Chancellor Merkel, President Barroso and the Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama who is the current Chair of the South East Europe Cooperation Process.
In the context of the summit, Commissioner Füle attended the meeting with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Vice President Oettinger a Western Balkans business meeting.
President Barroso in Vietnam
On 25 and 26 August, the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso paid an official visit to Vietnam. This was his second visit to the country.
22/08/2014
The relationship between the EU and Vietnam have grown stronger and closer since President Barroso and Prime Minister Dung launched the negotiations for the EU–Vietnam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) 
, during President Barroso’s first visit in 2007.
On 25 August, in Hanoi, President Barroso had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Dung. Their last meeting was held in March, in The Hague, in the margins of the Nuclear Security Summit. They are expected to discuss the conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement negotiations, development cooperation and South China Sea/East Sea-related issues. The EU-ASEAN relations – in particular the ASEM Summit - will also be a key element of their discussions. These bilateral talks were followed by a joint press conference at 10:55 am Brussels time at which President Barroso said:
"Europe values its special partnership with Vietnam. Vietnam is not just an emerging economy and a promising market, it is also a close partner with strong historical bounds uniting us and a trusted supporter of EU presence in this part of the world."
"Today the EU is Vietnam's largest export market and second largest trade partner. Our trade relations come today to 27 billion euro (USD 36 billion) a year. And Europe's foreign direct investment in Vietnam amounted to € 656 million in 2013 (around USD 880 million).
But we can and must do more.
This is why in 2012 we have launched talks for a Free Trade Agreement. This will be the second pillar in which our Partnership will stand. This Free Trade Agreement will offer important new business opportunities and promote growth and employment in Vietnam and in Europe."
"The EU is today Vietnam's largest grant donor and I can confirm that we decided this month to significantly increase our assistance to Vietnam for the period 2014-2020 to 400 million euro."
The President also witnessed a joint signing ceremony of trade-related assistance grants. This is related to a EUR 2.3 million EU funding to six business associations and research institutes under the project "EU-MUTRAP", a successful example of trade-related assistance.
In the afternoon, President Barroso paid courtesy calls on the President Truong Tan Sang and the General-Secretary of the Communist Party Nguyen Phu Trong.
At 12.35 Brussels time, President Barroso was awarded an Honorary Doctorate at the National Economics University. In his acceptance speech, President Barroso said:
"I am grateful to receive this honorary doctorate not only from a leading university in Vietnam, but from one of the leading business schools in South East Asia;
Because, your university understands the importance of being forward thinking and outward looking, not least by working together with some of the best economic institutes in Europe, and taking advantage of the European Union's increased opportunities under our Erasmus + and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie programmes for students and researchers.
This is what international cooperation is all about."
On the 26 August, a wreath laying ceremony at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum closes the programme in Hanoi. Straight after President Barroso left for Ho Chi Minh City, the business heart of Vietnam. He met representatives of the EU business community. In the late afternoon he paid a short courtesy call on the Chair of Ho Chi Minh City's People's Committee Le Hoang Quan.
More information on EU delegation in Vietnam
Remarks by President Barroso following the bilateral talks
Joint Socialist Republic of Vietnam - EU press statement
Speech: President Barroso at the National Economics University
Speech: President Barroso at the European Chamber of Commerce, Vietnam
Phone call: President Barroso and President Poroshenko
President Barroso spoke with President Poroshenko on the phone yesterday and today to discuss the latest events in Ukraine.
19/08/2014
President Barroso expressed his concern with the security situation and condemned the shelling of a convoy of internally displaced people.
The President of the European Commission urged an enquiry on this incident and recalled the need to protect civilian lives. He underlined the need to stop border hostilities and the flow of arms and personnel from Russia into Ukraine.
President Barroso also informed President Poroshenko that, following the invitation he received from both President Putin and President Poroshenko to attend the Customs Union - Ukraine Summit meeting in Minsk on 26th August, he has decided to ask High Representative/Vice-President Catherine Ashton, Vice-President Günther Oettinger responsible for energy and Commissioner for Trade Karel de Gucht, to represent the European Union at this event.
President Barroso, on his behalf and that of the President of the European Council, also invited President Poroshenko to visit Brussels in the near future.
Phone call on the situation in Ukraine
On Thursday, 14th of August, President Barroso and President Putin spoke on the phone.
14/08/2014
As in the call on the day before with President Poroshenko and in the contacts earlier the same week with both the President of Russia and the President of Ukraine, the purpose was to discuss the situation in Ukraine and its overall context, including ways to de-escalate the current situation. It was agreed to hold consultations between the Presidents of Russia, Ukraine and the European Commission on the issues related with the implementation of the Association Agreement as well as on the supply of gas, in parallel with the efforts to stabilise the political and security situation. The concrete arrangements for these talks will be further discussed through the appropriate diplomatic channels.
Joint message of congratulations following the elections in Turkey
President Barroso and President Van Rompuy issued a statement today on the election of Recep Tayyip Erdogan as President of Turkey.
11/08/2014
The statement reads:
"We congratulate you on your election as President of the Republic of Turkey. Turkey is a key partner for the European Union: a candidate country negotiating EU accession, a neighbour, an important trade partner and a foreign policy ally. We look forward to enhancing our cooperation in all these areas. As you rightly underlined yourself, we trust you will maintain the conciliatory role which your new position involves, and strive to encompass all communities, beliefs, sensitivities, opinions and lifestyles of the Turkish society. We also look forward to your continuing support to the current process aiming at a settlement of the Kurdish issue, in which you already invested valuable efforts and on your continuing support to reach a settlement in Cyprus."
Phone calls with President Poroshenko and President Putin
President Barroso made separate telephone calls today to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the situation in Ukraine.
11/08/2014
In both phone calls, President Barroso expressed the EU’s increasing concern regarding the humanitarian impact of the on-going conflict in eastern Ukraine, especially the civilian casualties. President Barroso called for the respect of international humanitarian law and for humanitarian organisations to be supported and facilitated in their present efforts to increase the assistance to all of the population in need.
Speaking with President Poroshenko, President Barroso emphasised the EU’s readiness to increase its support to the Ukrainian government-led humanitarian response efforts as well as to international humanitarian organisations. The President of the Commission welcomed President's Poroshenko willingness to seek international humanitarian assistance. In this vein President Barroso announced that the European Commission would take this week an emergency Decision on additional humanitarian support as a contribution to the UN-led international response plan.
President Barroso also stressed the importance of the on-going reform process in Ukraine in view of the expected provisional application of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
Speaking with President Putin, President Barroso said that the EU would join in international efforts to assist people in need as a result of the conflict. President Barroso expressed concern at the gathering of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border, as well as the continuing flow of arms, equipment and militants from Russian territory, which run counter to efforts towards de-escalating the crisis. President Barroso warned against any unilateral military actions in Ukraine, under any pretext, including humanitarian. President Barroso also appealed on Russia to use its influence to ensure that civilian populations could safely and freely leave areas of conflict controlled by illegal armed groups.
In both phone conversations, President Barroso underlined the EU’s firm stance in upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence and support for the implementation of the agreed peace plan.
Recalling that the EU’s restrictive measures against the Russian Federation were linked to the illegal annexation of Crimea and destabilisation of Ukraine, President Barroso underlined the EU’s regret at Russia’s announcement of measures targeting food and agricultural imports, for which there was no justification, reserving the EU’s right to take action as appropriate.
In this context the President of the Commission and the President of Russia agreed on the need to keep the channels of communication open on matters of relevance, namely on the economic and energy fields, as well as on the overall bilateral relations.
President Barroso offered once again to President Putin the possibility to work together in support of stabilising Ukraine, including through the national dialogue on constitutional reform and decentralisation.
President Barroso also addressed in both phone calls the active role of the Commission in helping Ukraine and the Russian Federation to identify solutions to questions raised in the on-going consultations on the impact of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, as well as regarding gas supply in forthcoming energy-related discussions.
Gaza: joint statement by Presidents Barroso and Van Rompuy
President Barroso and President Van Rompuy issued a statement in the name of the European Union on Sunday, 3 August.
04/08/2014
"Gaza has been suffering from intolerable violence for more than three weeks already. We deplore the terrible loss of lives, including innocent women and children. Many have been injured, property and livelihoods have been destroyed. This needs to stop immediately. We strongly condemn continued rocket fire over Israel. It constitutes an unacceptable threat to its citizens. Israel has the right to live in peace in its recognised borders. Legitimate defence needs to maintain proportionality. We have all seen these cycles in the past and we know that there are limits regarding what military operations can achieve.
Only a negotiated solution, based on two States, living side by side and respectful of each other, will bring lasting peace. The bloodshed needs to stop. Today we join our voice to those of the Secretary General of the United Nations and other international leaders that are calling on both sides to put an end to hostilities. We are ready to support actively negotiations, confidence building measures, reconstruction and reconciliation efforts.
No more lives should be wasted. Palestinian and Israeli leaders need to exercise courage by putting an end to this senseless violence. They also need to exercise courage and wisdom to move beyond these cycles of violence and advance towards arrangements that will ensure peaceful and dignified coexistence, based on mutual respect."