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Portugal says ‘Ola’ to the EU

This month the EU Presidency passed from Germany to Portugal. Addressing the Parliament, the Portuguese Prime Minister, Jose Socrates, outlined his country’s work programme for the next 6 months. He explained he wanted to “end the deadlocks and blockages that have held the European project back”. After the outgoing German Presidency managed to forge an agreement on a new Reform Treaty, it now falls to the Portugal Presidency to oversee the final negotiations and get the treaty approved by EU heads of government, shortly before Christmas.

In a rebuke to those who fear the Treaty could still cross the UK’s red lines on sovereignty, Prime Minister Socrates said: “One thing is clear to me. Our mandate is not to change the mandate, but to turn the mandate into a Treaty”. Other priorities for the Portuguese are to get the Lisbon Strategy to make the EU one of the most competitive economies in the world, back on track and tackling the problem of droughts and water shortages across Europe.

Speaking after MEPs debated the Presidency’s priorities, Labour’s Leader in Europe, Gary Titley said: “Securing a mandate to thrash out a new Treaty was a major step forward for Europe during the German Presidency. It is now absolutely vital that a deal is reached to secure reform, which will then enable us to move forward and address all the challenges now facing us. For the first time Europe is on the verge of a Treaty that not only improves decision making but will also tackle pressing issues like climate change. Any delay would seriously undermine the EU’s ability to respond to the challenges of a globalised world.”


Postal monopolies stamped out

MEPs voted by a large majority this month to eradicate all remaining postal services monopolies in the EU by the end of 2010. That should mean postal services will be fully opened up to competition by 2011, but subject to strict conditions. The move will eventually bring the rest of the EU into line with the UK and Sweden, two countries which already have liberalised postal markets.

The decision will lead to national postal services losing their monopolies on the ‘reserved area’ of mail weighing less than 50 grams. ‘Universal service’, though, will remain protected. This guarantees that the most remote and unprofitable regions of the EU will continue to get the same level of service as others. The MEPs also stressed that the needs of competition and the market should not be at the cost of workers rights.

However, there is still no agreement yet in the Council of Ministers over what to do on postal services liberalisation. The hope now is that Parliament’s overwhelming support for liberalisation will force the issue with member countries. If no agreement is reached by the end of 2008, the current directive will lapse, leaving no laws on postal services in place and the ‘universal service’ especially vulnerable.


Opening up the EU energy market

As well as addressing the issue of postal services, this month, MEPs also voted to liberalise electricity and gas markets across Europe as soon as possible and give consumers a better deal. The European Commission has now been asked to come forward with balanced proposals on how to secure Europe’s future energy needs. Commenting on this development, Gary said: “Energy security is one of the biggest challenges now facing the EU. We must create a stronger European energy market as a key step down the road towards greater energy security.”


Tasty package on food additives adopted

Socialist MEPs spearheaded moves, this month, to make sure consumers across Europe are not misled and that the environment is not harmed by the use of food additives. The regulations adopted by Parliament establish a common procedure for assessing and authorising these substances. A list of approved additives, flavourings and enzymes will be set up and any substances not included in the list will be prohibited from use. The measures should help promote healthier eating and a more transparent and open food industry.


Tories in a spin on alcohol taxes

More clear evidence came to light this month that David Cameron and his Tory Party can’t help but promise one thing whilst doing another. On one day, the current Tory leader accepts proposals from his predecessor, Ian Duncan Smith, which call for an extra £400 million worth of taxes on alcohol to fight binge drinking. Yet the very next day, Tory MEPs still can’t bring themselves to vote in the Parliament for proposals to increase excise duty on all alcoholic drinks except wine by 4.5%.

Commenting on this latest Tory shambles, Gary said: “The lack of clarity and unity in the Tory Party at the moment on almost every issue that comes up is abundantly clear for all to see. David Cameron – for all his attempts to rebrand and reposition the Tories – leads the same old unreformed and divided party that he first inherited eighteen months ago. They are still simply light years away from being an alternative government in waiting.”


And finally…

North West Tory MEP David Sumberg, has announced this month that he will be standing down at the next European Elections in 2009. But having only made one speech and asked one question in the Parliament over the last two years, it is hard to see how he will be missed by his constituents. In fact, some have called for him to step down immediately and make way for the next name on the Conservative regional list for the North West, former MEP Jacqui Foster. At a stroke, that would double the number of women Tory MEPs– from one to two! Unfortunately for David Cameron, though, every silver lining has a cloud. Even if this did happen, it would only be a temporary fix, as the only current woman in the Tory delegation – Caroline Jackson – is, like Sumberg, standing down in 2009.


Gary Titley MEP
July 2007