European Commission

"Banks play an indispensable role but we need them to play this role responsibly"

"The crisis has shown the European Union and indeed the whole world just how inter-dependent we all are," president Barroso stated on 4 February during his intervention at the European Financial Services Roundtable (EFR). Speaking to CEOs of major European banks and representatives of the ECB, IMF, and national central banks, Mr Barroso highlighted "how important it is to continue the modernisation of our economies". To do this, one of the first actions of the new Commission will be to propose both a structural reform and an exit and recovery strategy: the "Europe 2020" transformational agenda.

• Read the speaking points

Statement on the blockade at the Greek-Bulgarian border by Greek farmers

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov called on Tuesday president Barroso and informed him on the continued difficulties that the blockage by Greek farmers is causing to Bulgarian industry, services and goods. President Barroso welcomed the efforts made by both the Bulgarian and Greek prime ministers on the matter. He believes that this issue can be solved on a consensual basis and therefore calls for a swift and efficient solution to be found. The Commission stands ready to use all the necessary legal avenues to ensure that the free movement of goods is guaranteed. President Barroso nevertheless hopes that drawn-out legal procedures that are not in the interest of citizens can be avoided.

Statement on the Greek economy

In response to journalists' questions, President Barroso made on Monday a statement on the Greek economy where he admitted that "The huge Greek government deficit for 2009 came as a surprise to all of us," but he considered that "Greece is determined to correct its very excessive deficit," mentioning the programme adopted by the government and assessed by the Commission. According to the commitment of the Greek government, president Barroso finally explained that "the Commission will recommend to the Council next Wednesday to endorse the Greek programme.”

• Read the full statement
• Read the press release

Meeting with President of Mongolia

President Barroso met with president Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj of Mongolia. He announced that the European Commission will increase its bilateral assistance to the Asian country by 40% to €5 million per year. He also took the opportunity to congratulate president Elbegdorj for the recent announcement of a moratorium on death penalty: "I hope this moratorium is the first step towards the abolition of the death penalty in Mongolia, which might encourage other countries in the region to follow suit." The economic transition of Mongolia to a more modern economy was also in the agenda of the meeting.

• Watch the press conference [10'34"]

Results of the public consultation on Europe 2020 and an evaluation of the Lisbon Strategy

As president Barroso has said: "The renewed Lisbon strategy was able to build an understanding of how structural reform feeds directly into growth and jobs. But the crisis has wiped out many of the gains. We must now use the "Europe 2020" strategy to create new sources of growth." The Commission publishes today a summary of the results of the public consultation on Europe 2020 and an evaluation of the Lisbon Strategy.

• Europe 2020 – public consultation, first overview of responses, provisional version
• Lisbon Strategy evaluation, provisional version

Climate change: EU makes emission reduction targets official following Copenhagen Accord

The European Union has today formalised its support for the Copenhagen Accord on climate change and presented its commitments for emission reduction targets. In a joint letter with the Spanish Presidency of the Council, the European Commission has formally stated the EU's willingness to be associated with the Accord and submitted for information the EU's established greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for 2020. President Barroso said: "The EU is determined to move ahead rapidly with implementing the Copenhagen Accord in order to make progress towards the agreement that we need to hold global warming below 2°C. The Accord provides a basis on which to build this future agreement and I therefore urge all countries to associate themselves with it and notify ambitious emission targets or actions for inclusion as we are doing."

• More information

Debate on the priorities of the Spanish Presidency

In the introduction of the debate on the priorities of the Spanish Presidency at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, president Barroso expressed his solidarity with the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. He explained also that "everything - namely the failed attack on the aircraft at Detroit, the Copenhagen conference or the economic crisis - points in the direction of determined and united European action."

• Watch the video

Copenhagen climate accord

Joint statement of the EU Presidency and the European Commission

Reacting early on Saturday morning to the Copenhagen accord due to be submitted to the UN plenary session, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said: "This accord is better than no accord, but it wasn't a huge step. The level of ambition is honestly not what we were hoping for. I will not hide my disappointment regarding the ambition in terms of the binding nature or non-binding nature of the future agreement."

• Extracts from the EU press conference
• Watch Mr Barroso's statement
• Read Mr Barroso's opening remarks
• Read Mr Barroso's statement of 18/12/2009

"We are making very important steps here in Copenhagen"

"It is now obvious that we will not get all we had hoped for," president Barroso stated to the plenary of the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change. "But what remains on our side here in Copenhagen is a critically important milestone in the battle against climate change. We are making progress on transparency and internationalisation of domestic action. More importantly, our own binding offer has triggered a long list of strong new initial and reduction commitments from developed and developing countries which will, if we get a deal, be subject to both robust monitoring and review.”

• Read the speech

An ambitious deal is within our grasp

"We are going to have to work extremely hard. But I am convinced that we can seal a deal on Friday”, president Barroso stated during his speech at the UN High Level Segment COP 15. "We now have a basis for a real negotiation in the closing days towards a meaningful and ambitious deal, which we must transform into a binding legal agreement next year." This conference is also "a real test of our collective credibility to find global solutions at the highest level”, he mentioned to emphasise this crucial moment.

• Read the speech

The spirit of cooperation and transparency has to prevail in Copenhagen

As a developing country that has set ambitious targets to fight against climate change, Indonesia appears as a bridge between developing and developed countries, said Barroso during a joint press conference in Brussels with Mr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the president of Indonesia. The spirit of cooperation and transparency has to prevail in Copenhagen now that the negotiations are reaching a decisive moment. "How are we going to look on Friday or Saturday if more than 100 heads of state and government come from all over the world and, at the end, what we can say to the world is that 'it was not possible' ? It is unthinkable", stated Barroso. Bilateral issues such as trade, investment and education were also on the agenda of the two leaders.

"Banks play an indispensable role but we need them to play this role responsibly"

"The crisis has shown the European Union and indeed the whole world just how inter-dependent we all are," president Barroso stated on 4 February during his intervention at the European Financial Services Roundtable (EFR). Speaking to CEOs of major European banks and representatives of the ECB, IMF, and national central banks, Mr Barroso highlighted "how important it is to continue the modernisation of our economies". To do this, one of the first actions of the new Commission will be to propose both a structural reform and an exit and recovery strategy: the "Europe 2020" transformational agenda.

• Read the speaking points

Statement on the blockade at the Greek-Bulgarian border by Greek farmers

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov called on Tuesday president Barroso and informed him on the continued difficulties that the blockage by Greek farmers is causing to Bulgarian industry, services and goods. President Barroso welcomed the efforts made by both the Bulgarian and Greek prime ministers on the matter. He believes that this issue can be solved on a consensual basis and therefore calls for a swift and efficient solution to be found. The Commission stands ready to use all the necessary legal avenues to ensure that the free movement of goods is guaranteed. President Barroso nevertheless hopes that drawn-out legal procedures that are not in the interest of citizens can be avoided.

Statement on the Greek economy

In response to journalists' questions, President Barroso made on Monday a statement on the Greek economy where he admitted that "The huge Greek government deficit for 2009 came as a surprise to all of us," but he considered that "Greece is determined to correct its very excessive deficit," mentioning the programme adopted by the government and assessed by the Commission. According to the commitment of the Greek government, president Barroso finally explained that "the Commission will recommend to the Council next Wednesday to endorse the Greek programme.”

• Read the full statement
• Read the press release

Message of congratulation to Nikiforos Diamandouros for his re-election as European Ombudsman

President Barroso said, "I want to congratulate Mr Nikiforos Diamandouros on his re-election as European Ombudsman. The European Ombudsman is an essential voice for European citizens by making sure their concerns are addressed. Through their inquiries, the European Ombudsman and his team have done a lot in helping to develop and reinforce a genuine culture of service within the European Commission and the other EU institutions and bodies. The Lisbon Treaty provides scope for a stronger role for the European Ombudsman and I look forward to continuing our excellent cooperation to the benefit of European citizens."

President Barroso congratulates prime minister Tusk on receiving the 2010 Charlemagne Prize

"I wholeheartedly congratulate the Polish prime minister Donald Tusk for having been awarded the Charlemagne Prize for 2010. I commend the jury of the Charlemagne Foundation for its excellent choice. Prime minister Tusk has played a major role in integrating Poland into the European Union and placing his country at the heart of Europe since its accession in 2004. He was equally instrumental in securing the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by Poland. Today, Donald Tusk is one of the most respected European leaders. The Polish people can also take the highest pride in this recognition. I am looking forward to continuing my close cooperation with prime minister Tusk on our common European project".

Meeting with President of Mongolia

President Barroso met with president Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj of Mongolia. He announced that the European Commission will increase its bilateral assistance to the Asian country by 40% to €5 million per year. He also took the opportunity to congratulate president Elbegdorj for the recent announcement of a moratorium on death penalty: "I hope this moratorium is the first step towards the abolition of the death penalty in Mongolia, which might encourage other countries in the region to follow suit." The economic transition of Mongolia to a more modern economy was also in the agenda of the meeting.

• Watch the press conference [10'34"]

Results of the public consultation on Europe 2020 and an evaluation of the Lisbon Strategy

As president Barroso has said: "The renewed Lisbon strategy was able to build an understanding of how structural reform feeds directly into growth and jobs. But the crisis has wiped out many of the gains. We must now use the "Europe 2020" strategy to create new sources of growth." The Commission publishes today a summary of the results of the public consultation on Europe 2020 and an evaluation of the Lisbon Strategy.

• Europe 2020 – public consultation, first overview of responses, provisional version
• Lisbon Strategy evaluation, provisional version

Climate change: EU makes emission reduction targets official following Copenhagen Accord

The European Union has today formalised its support for the Copenhagen Accord on climate change and presented its commitments for emission reduction targets. In a joint letter with the Spanish Presidency of the Council, the European Commission has formally stated the EU's willingness to be associated with the Accord and submitted for information the EU's established greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for 2020. President Barroso said: "The EU is determined to move ahead rapidly with implementing the Copenhagen Accord in order to make progress towards the agreement that we need to hold global warming below 2°C. The Accord provides a basis on which to build this future agreement and I therefore urge all countries to associate themselves with it and notify ambitious emission targets or actions for inclusion as we are doing."

• More information

Nomination of Commissioner-designate Mrs Kristalina Georgieva

President Barroso met with Mrs Kristalina Georgieva following her nomination by the Bulgarian government. He has given his agreement for her name to go forward as commissioner-designate and believes she has all the professional background and European convictions to be an excellent Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response. Mrs Georgieva has extensive international experience and a grasp of the issues to make a real impact in this new role. Mrs Georgieva's name will now be confirmed by the Council and she will debate her future responsibilities at a hearing with the European Parliament on 3 February. President Barroso hopes that the European Parliament will be able to vote on the whole college of commissioners on 9 February, in accordance with the timetable agreed by the European Parliament today.

• Mrs Georgieva's CV

EU launches 2010 European Year: Stop poverty now!

"Combating poverty and social exclusion is an integral part of getting out of the crisis. It is too often the vulnerable in society who end up being hardest hit by the impacts of a recession. That is why the European Year 2010 should act as a catalyst to raise awareness and build momentum for a more inclusive society which is part and parcel of the EU’s future 2020 strategy that I have proposed," said Commission president José Manuel Durão Barroso ahead of the launch of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion at an event held in Madrid with Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

• More information
• See the recent Eurobarometer survey on attitudes to poverty
• Website of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 2010
• Read the speech

We are setting the standard

Europe has started the ball rolling by implementing strict legislation, President Barroso reminded us in an interview for the French radio station Europe 1 broadcast in audiovisual format the day after the opening of the Copenhagen Summit. He also explained what he sees as the key to success: ‘We need to have concrete figures for the limitation of greenhouse gases which are in line with scientific data, i.e. a maximum temperature increase of 2°C, and funding schemes to help developing countries, in particular the poorest, to adapt and work towards reducing the gases.’

• Watch the video

Lisbon Treaty makes Europe more operational

Health, energy, combating climate change. President Barroso explained, in an interview given to Euronews, that the European Union can now do even more in these fields which are so important to its citizens. With the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, regulations will henceforth be passed with a majority rather than a unanimous vote, thus making Europe more operational. Improving operational efficiency is also the task falling to Catherine Ashton, who has been appointed High Representative of the Union and Vice-President of the Commission. A ‘sort of Foreign Minister’ in practice, according to the President, since she will be speaking for Europe on foreign policy issues whilst being at the same time Vice-President of the Commission and a member of the Foreign Affairs Council where she will chair meetings with foreign ministers.

• Watch the video [2'45"]

Limiting bonus capping: a question of ethics

Before heading for New York and then Pittsburgh for two critical dates, President Barroso agreed to participate in ‘Internationales’, the politics show on French-language television channel TV5, produced in partnership with Radio RFI and Le Monde newspaper. When asked about the burning issue of bonus capping, he said that even if the Americans did not follow, Europe should take the lead. ‘It’s a question of legitimacy; I am in favour of freedom of financial markets, but freedom also calls for rules […] What is happening is so outrageous, it is really an ethical problem and I think that on this subject, if necessary, we will have to go it alone’. However, President Barroso refrained from making any predictions four days before the opening of the G20.

• Barroso, sole candidate
• The split in the socialist family [01'50"]
• Bonus capping [05'50"]
• The abandonment of the American anti-missile shield [07'00"]
• Climate change negotiations [08'15"]
• Barroso 2 [06'03"]
• Relations between the Commission and the Council in the context of the Lisbon Treaty [03'56"]
• Enlargement or deepening [02'01"]

Barely re-elected, the President faces major challenges

In the middle of a busy week which included his re-election by MEPs, an informal meeting of the heads of state and government, and a visit to Ireland, President Barroso answered questions from the Belgian television channel Kanaal Z. The interview, which lasted more than 13 minutes, focuses in particular on compliance with European competition rules in the Opel case, Ireland’s possible rejection of the Lisbon Treaty, and the relationship between José Manuel Barroso and Guy Verhofstadt, the new leader of the Liberal group in the European Parliament.

• Election for a second term [01'53"]
• Compliance with the rules on competition [04'38"]
• The Lisbon Treaty [03'07"]
• The relationship with Guy Verhofstadt [01'41"]
• The fight against unemployment and the popularity of the EU [02'15"]

Joint article by Mr Frederik Reinfeldt, Swedish Prime Minister, and José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission

‘We are determined to bring European leadership to bear in facilitating an agreement at Copenhagen of which we can all be proud. There is no alternative. If we fail now, we are breaching the contract that all parents must make with their children: to leave them a better world. Let us turn climate change into a global opportunity in Aquila,’ the Swedish Prime Minister, Frederik Reinfeldt, and President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, write in a joint article. The article appeared in the newspapers in the 27 Member States on 8 July, as well as in Russia, Japan and Canada.

• Read the full article [19 KB]

Barroso presents his political guidelines for the next mandate: a partnership for progress with the European Parliament

Today, president Barroso sent his political guidelines for the mandate of the next European Commission to the president of the European Parliament. The document sets out the objectives that president Barroso believes should inspire a political partnership between the Commission and the Parliament for the next five years. President Barroso said: "Europe is facing stark choices in today's interdependent world. Either we work together to rise to the challenges. Or we condemn ourselves to irrelevance."

• Political guidelines for the mandate of the next European Commission [900 KB]
• Read the press release
• Watch the extracts of the press conference [02'01"]

From financial crisis to recovery: a European framework for action

The European Commission, chaired by José Manuel Barroso, has approved a comprehensive EU recovery plan. This is the Commission’s contribution to ongoing debate inside the EU and with international partners on how best to respond to the current crisis and its aftermath. On 26 November the Commission will propose a more detailed EU recovery framework, under the umbrella of the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs. It will bring together a series of targeted short-term initiatives designed to help counter adverse effects on the wider economy and adapt the Lisbon strategy’s medium to long term measures so that they take account of the crisis.

• Read the full communication [45 kb]

Commissions responds to rise in food prices

The Commission has called on member countries to draw up a united European response to the sudden surge in food prices. "We are dealing with a problem that has many root causes and many consequences. So we need to act on several fronts at the same time to address them" Mr Barroso said, following the adoption of a communication outlining political solutions that would mitigate the effects of rising food prices on global markets.

• Read the full document [65 kb]
• More information

Boosting the EU's disaster response capacity

To rise to the growing challenges posed by natural and man-made disasters, the European Commission is recommending that the EU beef up its ability to provide civil protection and humanitarian aid both at home and abroad. "When helping Tsunami victims in South Asia, evacuating EU citizens from war-torn Lebanon or fighting floods and forest fires in Europe – we can only protect our citizens and help others if we act together in solidarity" said Commission president Barroso.

• More information
• Communication on reinforcing the Union's disaster response capacity [102 kb]

Lisbon growth and jobs strategy: continuing on the right track

"I very much welcome the European growth and jobs monitor's main message: that despite the decade long defeatism of the cynics - Lisbon is working" said president Barroso at the launch of the 2008 edition of the European growth and jobs monitor. This study aims to measure the performance of Europe's 14 largest countries in implementing the Lisbon growth and jobs strategy. It is produced by the Lisbon Council, a Brussels-based think tank.

• Read the full speech
• Read the full statement [16 kb]
• Read the report [250 kb]
• Extracts from the keynote address [3'15"]