Speeches and statements
Meeting the Chinese leadership, Beijing
"Our bilateral relationship is strong, and we discussed all issues without taboos"
29/04/2010
In the third meeting between the Commission and the Chinese leadership,
premier Wen and president Barroso discussed a range of issues, from reducing
global imbalances to trade, investment and currency matters. Barroso stressed
the importance of ensuring a level playing field for European companies in
China. New impetus was given to dialogue on climate change and energy, as well
as people-to-people exchanges. Barroso also said: "Respect of human rights
is essential, and this is an important part of our dialogue."
EU-Japan Summit, Tokyo
"We cannot miss these opportunities for global recovery and the reshaping of global economic governance"
28/04/2010
President Barroso outlined the importance of the strategic partnership
between Europe and Japan: "It is clearly in our common interest to
strengthen our economic integration in order to foster trade and
investment." Barroso also called for close cooperation with the G20 and
stressed joint responsibility to assure that all parts of the world participate
in the recovery: "The G20 brings together the most important traditional
and new donors, which makes it a suitable platform for broad-based initiatives
on development."
Congratulation to Heinz Fischer on his re-election
25/04/2010
President Barroso congratulated Austrian president Heinz Fischer on his
re-election: "I would like to congratulate you warm-heartedly on your
re-election and wish you every success for your new term in office. I am sure
that not least thanks to your work the relations between the Republic of
Austria and the European Commission will continue to be close and trustworthy.
I would be pleased to find a new occasion for a personal talk soon."
Read the full statement in English
Read the full statement in German
Congratulation to Viktor Orbán on his electoral victory
25/04/2010
President Barroso congratulated Viktor Orbán, the next Hungarian prime
minister, emphasising his clear election victory, based on a pro-European
programme and a strong commitment to European values: "You will come into
office at a crucial time, as Hungary and other Member States need to act
consistently to respond to the challenges of the economic crisis. The adoption
and implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy will be a priority for the near
future, and we count on your commitment and support."
Read the full statement in English
Read the full statement in Hungarian
EU's global vision: promoting a multilateral world order
"The European Union turned a dream into political reality"
22/04/2010
At the multidisciplinary GARNET conference 2010, president Barroso presented
his vision on the EU's global role and foreign relations. According to Barroso
Europeans can be proud of the European Union because it represents an
aspiration for a world ruled by law, and not by force, where rights are more
important than strength and where world powers tackle global problems in
concert, and not unilaterally.
Visit of the president of Romania, Traian Basescu
"Romania needs political stability and courage in order to promote difficult but necessary reforms"
22/04/2010
President Barroso congratulated president Basescu on his re-election as
president of Romania and also his achievement of putting together a new
government in Romania. "President Basescu is a committed European and we
will work with him to help modernise Romania, strengthen its role in the EU and
extend the full benefits of membership to Romanian citizens," said
president Barroso. He also outlined that they discussed the agenda of reforms
needed in Romania to achieve political aims.
EU action to get back on track towards the MDGs
"We have a chance to make this a new decade for development"
21/04/2010
The Commission adopted an ambitious proposal for EU action to get back on
track towards the Millennium Development Goals. As the world's largest donor of
development assistance, the EU has a leading role to play. President Barroso:
"2010 is a year of opportunity for the EU to renew its commitment towards
the MDGs. I am personally committed to push for this agenda also at global
level during this year's G8 and G20 summits and in the UN MDG Review
Meeting."
Boosting cultural heritage online
21/04/2010
President Barroso announced that the Commission will entrust Maurice Lévy (CEO of Publicis), Elisabeth Niggemann (Head of the German National Library) and Jacques De Decker (writer) with the task of proposing recommendations on how to speed up the digitisation, online accessibility and preservation of cultural works across Europe. The group will examine the various ongoing initiatives involving both public and private partners, and copyright issues, to find ways to boost the digitisation efforts of the complete collections held by libraries, museums and archives in Europe.
Commission Legislative and EC Work Programme for 2010
"An ambitious, but also necessary and realistic framework for EU policy making in the coming years"
20/04/2010
In the EP plenary session president Barroso introduced the European
Commission Legislative and Work Programme for 2010 and highlighted aims and
priorities in the areas of strengthened economic surveillance and coordination,
climate change, energy, financial markets, freedom, security and justice.
According to Barroso this programme is "ambitious, but also necessary and
realistic". It puts citizens at the heart of policy-making and is more
political and innovative - it looks also beyond 2010 to ensure transparency,
predictability and necessary flexibility.
Question Hour with President Barroso, European Parliament
20/04/2010
The main topics of today's Question Hour with president Barroso in the European Parliament were surveillance and coordination of economic policies, Greece, Europe 2020, the Working Time Directive and the consequences of the volcanic ash cloud. The president reiterated that assistance to Greece would not be a bail out, but a coordination of loans in full respect of the Lisbon Treaty; he commented on the suggestion to make banks contribute to shouldering the consequences of the financial crisis.
State funeral of Polish president Lech Kaczynski
"We stand together with Poland"
18/04/2010
President Barroso, like many other world leaders, regrets not being able to attend the funeral of the Polish President Lech Kaczynski today in Cracow due to the closure of the airspace as a consequence of the volcanic ash cloud. His heart and mind are with the Polish people in Cracow.
Addressing the consequences of the volcanic ash cloud
18/04/2010
European Commission president Barroso decided to set up an ad-hoc group to assess the impact of the situation created by the volcanic ash cloud on the air travel industry and the economy in general. The president wishes to ensure that the European Union has the right analysis to be able to respond appropriately, if needed, and that any measures taken across the EU to respond to economic consequences of this situation are properly coordinated.
Europe: A heritage, what responsibilities?
17/04/2010
Speaking at the 3rd Europe Forum, President Barroso stressed that the Lisbon
Treaty strengthens an element of our European heritage: the Community method.
This is the European game plan, which must be followed if we are to continue to
build together a strong and united Europe in the world. Mr. Barroso appealed
for ‘an alliance of everyone who loves Europe and who has European ambition’,
stressing that ‘the political will is needed now’.
Visit of Edmund Stoiber (reduction of Administrative Burdens)
"Freeing our enterprises from unnecessary administrative chains"
15/04/2010
In a meeting with the chairman of the High Level Group on the Reduction of Administrative Burdens, Dr. Edmund Stoiber, president Barroso praised the work done so far in supporting the Commission. Barroso outlined the future role of the Group whose mandate will be extended and prolonged until mid-2012. He concluded by saying: "Let's continue together to free our enterprises from unnecessary administrative chains. Proposing is good, agreeing is better, implementing is best."
Meeting with the prime minister of Albania, Sali Berisha
15/04/2010
Albanian prime minister Berisha and president Barroso discussed the Commission's Opinion on Albania's EU membership application and political situation in Albania. Barroso said the Commission will prepare a fair and balanced Opinion whose timing will be dictated by the quality of the answers provided. He also expressed concern about the lack of progress in normalising the political situation: "Effectively functioning democratic institutions are one of the key elements for the fulfilment of the political criteria." Visa liberalisation was also discussed.
Visit of vice prime minister of Russia, Mr Igor Ivanovich Shuvalov
14/04/2010
During the meeting with the Russian vice prime minister Shuvalov, president Barroso expressed satisfaction that both sides have agreed on a comprehensive approach to the Partnership for Modernisation. Both stressed the importance of furthering EU-Russia economic integration also as a way of modernising the Russian economy and hence underlining the need to roll back trade restrictive measures, revise the Customs Union, accelerate WTO accession and ensure substantial and updated trade and investment provisions in the New Agreement.
Statement following the earthquake in northwest China
14/04/2010
After today's earthquake in northwest China president Barroso said that he is deeply shocked and saddened by the news coming in on the earthquake in China's Qinghai Province. President Barroso added that he would like to express the solidarity of the European Commission with the Chinese authorities and people and offer our assistance and added: "My thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the victims and the people of the Qinghai Province who are confronted with this disaster."
70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre, European Parliament
"May this tragic event be an inspiration for peace, freedom and justice in Europe and in the world"
13/04/2010
President Barroso participated in the inauguration of the exhibition on the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre, "POLITICS AND MORALITY", alongside EP president Buzek. Barroso stressed that the whole EU stands side by side with Polish friends during this period: "It is not just a place where 22,000 Polish officers and intellectuals were murdered as this exhibition so powerfully reminds us, it's also now the site of a catastrophic accident that wiped out a generation of important Polish figures."
Visit of the prime minister of Cape Verde
13/04/2010
President Barroso and Prime Minister José Maria Pereira Neves reaffirmed today their shared values and common interests, in particular as regards the Special Partnership between the European Union and Cape Verde in force since the end of 2007. Both personalities asserted that bilateral relations between Cape Verde and the EU are excellent and evolve constantly in the frame of this Special Partnership. Additionally, Cape Verde is very committed to regional integration and the European Commission supports the intensification of this process.
A successful and fair Europe
"Economic efficiency in Europe contingent upon equality"
12/04/2010
Speaking before the European College of Parma Foundation today, President
Barroso called for a successful Europe — a knowledge-based and fair Europe. He
urged that the chances afforded to Europeans be shared more equitably. He
highlighted the fact that the Europe 2020 Strategy should be balanced. 'There
cannot be social justice without competitiveness and business efficiency.
However, we cannot have an efficient business community in Europe without
equality,' he declared.
Visit to European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in Parma
12/04/2010
In his visit to EFSA, president Barroso thanked staff for contributing
highly respected scientific and technical know-how, pooling the expertise
available at European and national level. He added that agencies are now
explicitly mentioned in the Treaty, which confirms their important role in the
framework of European governance. "You have delivered over 2000 scientific
opinions on which the Commission relies to underpin its proposals for
legislation," said Barroso and stressed the importance of this scientific
input when preparing EU legislation.
Statement following the death of the President of Poland
"I express my deep condolences to Poland for the passing away of President Kaczynski, his wife and all those with them."
11/04/2010
I have worked very closely with President Kaczynski, in a spirit of loyalty, and I respected in him a very determined Polish patriot who at the same time was very committed to our European Union and to the values of freedom and solidarity. The European Commission joins me in this moment in the expression of sympathy and tribute.
Read the president's statement
President's message of condolence to Poland, Parma, Italy, 12/04/2010 
[21 KB] 
Statement on Greece
"With today's agreement, Europe has shown that responsibility and solidarity can go together."
11/04/2010
President Barroso was extremely pleased with the agreement reached among the
euro area members on all the remaining details of the coordinated European
response to provide financial support to Greece if needed: "This is a clear
and strong commitment, which shows that the euro area is serious about doing
what is necessary to secure financial stability and about its commitment to
give support to Greece." He believes the agreement will help Greece to
continue correcting public finances and to deliver the necessary reforms.