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Dr. Gerhard Sabathil
Head of Commission's Representation in Germany
DR. GERHARD SABATHIL is currently the Head of the Representation of the European Commission to Germany in Berlin. Previously, he was the Ambassador of the European Commission to Norway and Iceland in Oslo from 2000 to 2004, and has held several other distinguished positions with the European Commission since 1984, including Head of Unit for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FR Yugoslavia, FYRO Macedonia; Deputy Head of Unit for Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia in Brussels; and Counsellor for Politics, Economy & Press Affairs in the Delegation of the European Commission for the Czech Republic, Slovakia and OSCE in Prague. Sabathil holds a Ph.D. in Economics and served as an Assistant Professor at the Institute for Infrastructure of Munich University and as a visiting professor at the Prague Economic University.
European Commission facing heavy work programme 2008
Focus on sustainable growth, jobs, migration and climate change
Dr. Gerhard Sabathil
 The
European elections take place in June 2009 when
the Barroso Commission's term of office is
nearing its end. All initiatives and legislative
proposals planned by the current Commission must
therefore be launched for adoption by the
European Parliament and the Council before the
end of this year. The Commission has taken on a
great deal: making globalisation an opportunity
for its citizens, promoting growth and jobs,
reducing administrative burdens, ensuring better
regulation and controlling climate change. In
its Legislative and Work Programme for 2008 the
EU Commission remains committed to the overall
goal of providing added value to Europe's
citizens. Following the signing of the Treaty of
Lisbon, the EU is back on track. The European
Commission's work programme for 2008 should also
be seen in the political context of the
ratification of the reform treaty by all Member
States.
In 2008 the
European Commission is focussing its work on
five key strategic objectives: economic growth
and job creation, adaptive and sustainable
climate and energy policies, an integrated
approach to migration, actions putting the
citizens first and, last but not least, the
vision of a stronger Europe in the world. In its
work programme the Commission sets forth the
reasons why the Union's political and financial
priorities need to be redefined -globalisation
is confronting Europe with challenges that can
no longer be addressed within national
boundaries alone. Playing the European card is
described as an appropriate and possibly the
only valid response to an increasingly
interlinked world. The twin-track approach of
resolving the longstanding institutional
questions while building a Europe of tangible
results under the current framework will be
continued in 2008. In parallel to the
ratification of the reform treaty, the
Commission will be delivering results for
citizens to emphasise that Europe matters more
than ever in the age of globalisation.
Lisbon strategy
and climate action remain key issues
The Lisbon
strategy for growth and jobs remains the major
vehicle for promoting a more prosperous European
Union, in partnership with the Member States.
The 2008 Spring European Council will give the
EU the opportunity to reflect on whether the
Lisbon strategy needs refining to address the
challenges of globalisation most effectively.
Tackling climate
change will be another challenge that calls for
a common European approach. In Bali, when
negotiating hard to bring about a successor
agreement to the Kyoto Protocol, the EU spoke
with a united voice. Now is the time to confirm
the EU's leadership and deliver on its
commitments by limiting the emissions from cars,
for one. The EU's common energy and energy
efficiency policies are directly related to its
climate action, i.e. meeting the CO2 reduction
goals, with specific contributions by each
Member State.
Despite national
reservations by some Member States, the issues
of migration and integration have, because of
the right of free movement within the EU,
acquired the dimensions of a European task. A
good example of this European dimension is the
External Borders Agency, FRONTEX, which carries
out joint operations. The work of FRONTEX will
be evaluated with view to creating a European
surveillance system.
Better regulation
and deepening of the European Research Area
Industry and
stakeholders alike will be pleased to hear that
better regulation will continue to be a
priority. The simplification initiative will
involve reviewing 45 legislative acts, including
existing legislation on pharmaceutical products
and electrical and electronic equipment. Another
area of special emphasis is Research and
Development. The European Commission is planning
a legislative proposal to promote research
projects across borders and set the regulatory
framework for pan-European R&D infrastructures.
Another major theme is the role of Europe as a
world partner. The European Commission will
continue to nurture its relationship with
neighbouring countries. The future European
External Action Service, as proposed in the
Treaty of Lisbon, will be subject of an
intensive debate in 2008.
European added value and an
even stronger citizens' agenda
The President of the European
Commission, José Manuel Barroso, has declared
the next twelve months of vital importance to
Europe - for its future effectiveness, for
Europe's place in the world and for the
confidence of its citizens in the EU's ability
to meet their expectations. Dialogue with the
citizens of Europe will be intensified and
consumer protection will be a priority, thereby
placing the citizen at the centre of the
European project. The Commission will introduce
new communication and information initiatives.
The 2008 Year of Intercultural Dialogue will
thus help to build new bridges across Europe.
More information
on the European Commission's work programme
2008:
http://ec.europa.eu/atwork/programmes/index_en.htm
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