Head of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso with Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw, 08.07.2011 Photo: PAP/Pawel Supernak
The internal market, energy policy, neighbourhood policy, and the economy were tackled during today’s meetings. Apart from a joint session between cabinet ministers and European commissioners, seven working groups were held which included discussions on the government’s plans for the six-month rotating presidency.
“It is only a week after the official take over from Hungary,” said Prime Minister Tusk at a press conference after a meeting with the EU commissioners, adding that “this time has been filled with discussions and meetings.”
“Today [Friday] is another day of an official launch of the Polish presidency,” PM Tusk said, saying that “during the past week, meetings were held between health and labour ministers of the EU and it is vital that decisions in Europe are made within the groups that have the common interest of the EU at heart, and not only by the toughest players.”
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso said it was too early to assess the Polish presidency, but expressed the hope after the six months are up the “assessment will be very good.”
The EC head underlined that Poland has a very ambitious plan of the presidency and complemented the Polish Premier on his latest expose in the European Parliament, which Barroso described as concentrating on the future of Europe.
Barroso pledged his full support for the Polish activities during the presidency.
EC to regulate rating agencies?
During Friday’s visit to Warsaw, Jose Manuel Barroso announced plans that aim to regulate rating agencies. He underlined that EU countries have agreed that this market needs to change.
The move comes after EC criticism two days ago of a decision made by Moody’s agency to downgrade Portugal’s sovereign debt to junk status. The same agency had downgraded Greece’s debt to junk status in June.
The head of the European Commission also pointed that there has to be greater competition on the rating agency market, and declared that such an agency should be called to life in Europe.
Prime Minister Tusk underlined that such a European agency should stem from the market, however, and not through the decisions of the EU administration.
“One does not take offence at a messenger of bad news,” Tusk said. “We are not searching for messengers of good news only, but objective analysis will not be made by institutions dependent either on the state or on EU administration. More competiveness on the market can only enhance more objective attitudes and greater professionalism,” he added.
Poland holding out against CO2 pressures
The amiable end of the Commission’s meetings did not prevent the Polish Prime Minister from announcing that Poland will file a complaint against the European Commission to the Court of Justice concerning the rights for free CO2 emissions, however.
Poland considers that the Commission’s decisions threaten the Polish economy and industry, which is heavily dependent on coal.
Brussels wants free rights for CO2 emissions after 2012 to be defined by the levels of emissions with the use of the most modern technologies available within the EU.
Prime Minister Tusk underlined during today’s meeting with Jose Manuel Barroso that despite the close relations with the EC the Polish government cannot accept some of the Commission’s decisions.
“The Commission has been a valuable partner for Poland, especially now during the presidency, but this does not change the fact that there are certain procedures and events which evoke the dissatisfaction of some EU member states,” Tusk stated.
“As far as the CO2 benchmarks are concerned, Poland has the impression that the Polish economic conditions and specifics have not been taken into account and that is why we open this procedure,” added Donald Tusk, addressing Barroso by quipping that “it is nothing personal”, however.
The EC head underlined that the strength of the commission stems from its foundations of justice and that EU members have the right to disagree.
According to the Polish government the introduced limits will mostly hit chemical companies, paper producing plants or steelworks, which will have to buy more rights for CO2 emissions, resulting in a hike of energy costs. (ab/jb)
Prime Minister Donald Tusk and EC President Jose Manuel Barroso take time out to drink a beer in Warsaw's Old Town, 08.07.2011 Photo: PAP/Tomasz Gzell