EU Commission President Gives Speech at Pitt, Calls for Easier Travel for All EU Citizens

Speaking at the University of Pittsburgh Feb. 10, EU European Commission President José Manuel Barroso called on the United States to end its travel restrictions on the 10 EU member states who are not included in the U.S. visa waver program, which allows EU citizens to stay in the United States for three months without a visa.



Ladies and gentlemen,





Let me start by thanking Chancellor Mark Nordenberg and Professor Alberta Sbragia, the Director of the EU Centre of Excellence, for the opportunity to speak to you today.





I am proud to join you in rededicating the EU Centre as a Centre of Excellence. It takes its place as part of a network of ten such centres across the US, supported by the European Commission. Your research, teaching and other activities, including innovative policy conferences on issues such as air transport and economic regulation, have made a valuable contribution to better understanding of the European Union and the transatlantic relationship.





As I arrived in Pittsburgh today, I was struck by just how successfully the city has reinvented itself. In the 1970s, when heavy industry declined across much of the developed world, places like the 'Steel City' inevitably suffered more than others. Similar regions of deprivation appeared in Europe - even on the doorstep of Brussels, in the coalfields and foundries of Wallonia.





And yet a few short decades later, Pittsburgh is transformed. By stressing the importance of new technologies, particularly information technology, medical research, biotechnology, nanotechnology and robotics, it has succeeded in revitalizing the local economy and positioning itself to capitalize on the knowledge societies of the future.





This economic renewal, particularly by investing in education, research and innovation, is at the heart of what the European Union is trying to do through the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs.





In addition, I see that many European companies have offices in Pittsburgh, and that companies headquartered here have widespread interests in Europe.





Clearly, we have much to learn from each other, and much to do together.





But today, given that I am addressing an EU Centre of Excellence, I thought it might be useful to focus on what is happening in Europe, and what direction it is heading in.





Last year, it would be fair to say, was not a highlight in Europe's half-century history of integration. The 'no' verdict in two referenda to the European Constitution was a particular blow. It sparked much soul-searching. Scare stories appeared in the press, warning of paralysis, even the end of the Union.





A lot of energy was spent discussing why voters had rejected the Constitution, and how it could be salvaged.





From the moment the Chancelleries of Europe echoed to the French 'non' and the Dutch 'nee', the European integration process entered uncharted territory.





In the past, it was sometimes the institutional dynamics which created the political consensus. But now the situation is reversed. It is the political dynamics that will create the institutional consensus.





That is why I am convinced that by taking effective action in the areas that matter to Europe's citizens, we will generate the support and consensus we need to solve the institutional issues later.





And what does matter most to the citizens of Europe? Not, I suspect, the possible configurations of the blocking minority under the Qualified Majority voting system.





So instead of turning inwards and launching another round of institutional debates, we need to start showing the citizens of Europe that the EU is part of the solution to their concerns, not part of the problem.





We have to tackle issues like growth and jobs, by reforming the economy. We have to improve security against threats that know no borders, like international terrorism and global pandemics. We have to modernise Europe's social models in imaginative new ways to make them more sustainable and to meet Europeans' expectations, without suffocating economic dynamism.





If we frame the debate in these terms, then 2005 actually ended on a high note. Two events in particular helped put an end to the summer bout of euro-pessimism, and injected a welcome élan into the debate on European integration.





First, there was the meeting of European leaders at Hampton Court in November. They gave full support for the Commission's call for economic reform and social modernisation.





The Heads of State and Government asked the Commission to carry out additional work on the key priorities, to prepare the EU for globalisation. The areas included energy security and the sustainability of energy supplies, universities and research, and demographics - particularly efforts to develop more family-friendly policies. Also included were migration and a globalisation adjustment fund - a sort of shock absorber to complement the powerful economic engine of Europe's Single Market.





Two lessons can be learned from this. First, the Heads of State and Government had evidently managed to find common ground again. Second, they had shown that the European Union was needed more than ever before to provide answers to the challenges Europe is facing today. After all, it makes little sense for an individual Member State to try and fight avian flu in isolation from its neighbours, for example.





The second event to give a much-needed fillip to the EU at the end of 2005 was the agreement among Member States on the budget, or 'financial perspectives' for 2007-2013.





Indeed, any further delay in reaching an agreement would have been damaging for the Member States themselves. This is particularly true for the newer ones, who were looking to the EU for support in their rapid and remarkable progress in modernisation and reform.





So the stage is now set to make real progress in 2006. First and foremost, this means delivering on our Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs. When European leaders meet again at the Spring European Council in March, they must show that they are turning good intentions into action.





There is a real sense of urgency here, not least because of the phenomenon known as globalisation.





Let me make some general observations here. Globalisation, while generally very welcome for its ability to generate prosperity and lift millions out of poverty, is nevertheless one of the biggest challenges today. In Europe in particular, it is exposing the urgent need to strengthen our competitiveness.





Neither isolationism nor unilateralism are credible responses to globalisation.





Both the EU and the US realise that the fulfilment of their ambitions cannot be carried out in a vacuum; we need to work together to promote common values such as democracy, freedom, respect for human rights and the rule of law; to strengthen the world economy, notably by co-operation within the WTO; to address the serious issue of climate change and, when called upon, work side by side to address the consequences of natural disasters.





So in order to protect and promote our values, we need an open Europe. Europe needs to embrace change, and not forego the benefits of globalisation.





After all, Europe should be confident of its place in the world and of the contribution it can make to it. The EU is the biggest exporter of goods and services worldwide, and international trade plays a key role in the growth of our businesses. Europe represents only 7% of the world population but our exports and imports constitute more than 20% of world trade.





As many as 14 million jobs on both sides of the Atlantic depend on transatlantic commercial ties - meaning that not only Europe, but also the US, has much to lose if protectionism rises and globalisation's wings are clipped. We need to ensure that the transatlantic economy remains competitive and a driver of global growth.





And here I would reiterate the importance we attribute to completing visa reciprocity between the United States and the European Union. I appreciate the efforts already made by the US here but we must accelerate this and end this situation of discrimination against the new Member States.





So expect to see greater investment in education and innovation, as we work towards making Europe a dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy. Expect to see the completion of the single market, in particular in the all-important services sector, a major generator of new jobs.





Expect to see the EU's effectiveness in pursuing its external objectives and interests strengthened, by increasing the coherence of its action. Expect to see progress in the areas of migration, the fight against terrorism and cooperation in civil matters.





At the same time, you can expect to see Europe demonstrate its openness to the world, particularly by continuing to engage with its neighbours.





2006 will be a decisive period as the Commission reviews the progress made by Bulgaria and Romania in preparing for accession. We hope that both countries will carry out the necessary efforts to be able to join the Union as foreseen in January 2007.





There will be further developments in the Western Balkans, too. In December 2005, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia obtained EU candidate status. Stabilisation and Association Agreements are being prepared or negotiated with several countries in the region, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro.





We will continue to encourage this process, which is critical for ensuring peace and stability in Europe.





Finally, you can expect energy issues to remain a dominant theme of Europe's future agenda, in the same way that it will dominate the US agenda, as President Bush made clear last week in his State of the Union Address.





The recent crisis between Russia and Ukraine, which had a serious knock-on effect in some EU Member States, and persistent high and volatile oil prices, have taught us a lesson: Europe must have an improved, more coordinated energy policy, based on the principles of diversification of sources, security of supply and sustainability.





The Commission will come forward with ideas to make this a reality, and encourage the development of a real, pan-European energy market.





Which brings me full circle to the point I made at the start of my speech. Here is a perfect example of common sense driving integration.





National leaders and citizens in Europe can all now see the sense in creating a common, coherent European energy policy. Political dynamics are driving institutional consensus.





It is this virtuous circle of cause and effect that will help Europe to keep reinventing itself, just as Pittsburgh reinvented itself.





It is this virtuous circle that will keep Europe at the forefront of global developments, in control of its own destiny, as a strong and reliable partner for the United States and its other friends in the world.





I look forward to the EU Centre of Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh continuing to contribute to that partnership.





Thank you."