| Author (Person) | Bower, Helen |
|---|---|
| Publisher | ProQuest Information and Learning |
| Series Title | In Focus |
| Series Details | 6.6.02 |
| Publication Date | 06/06/2002 |
| Content Type | News, Overview, Topic Guide | In Focus |
|
The European Commission published on 4 June 2002 a mid term review of its achievements since Romano Prodi took office in September 1999. The review highlights and explains the main achievements of the European Commission compared to the aims it set for the European Union and itself for 2000-2005 in the document 'Shaping the New Europe' [COM(2000)154 final] and the accompanying speech made by President Prodi to the European Parliament on 15 February 2000. The document and speech outlined four key objectives:
According to the mid term review 'major progress has been achieved in all the areas mentioned in the speech and in the document identifying the objectives'. The memo outlines those achievements which have had the biggest impact on the world outside the European institutions and is not an exhaustive list of all that has been achieved by the Prodi Commission so far. Under the objective of achieving 'a better quality of life for all' the European Commission lists its achievements in several different areas such as the environment, civil protection, employment, food safety, sport, farm policy, information society and the creation of a European area of justice and security. Specific achievements in these fields include the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, the General Food Law Regulation and the concrete action taken in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11 2001. In striving towards a new economic and social agenda the review cites the 'unprecedented success' of the euro, the high level activity in the area of merger control, the adoption of the new postal services Directive and the adoption of the concept of the European Research area amongst many others. Enlargement is said to be one of the top priorities of the European Commission and a key factor in boosting Europe's voice in the world as is the role of the EU in the World Trade Organisation. This section of the review also details developments in relations between the EU and the Middle East, the Balkans, Russia, Asia and Latin America. The final section looks at the promotion of new forms of governance. It highlights the progress made with the Nice Treaty and examines the future potential of the White Paper on European Governance adopted by the European Commission on 25 July 2001. Overall, the review provides a thorough assessment of the European Commission's achievements halfway through office in relation to the objectives it set itself in 2000. Having recently submitted its own proposals on the future of Europe to the European Convention it remains to be seen how the role of the European Commission will be shaped during the rest of Prodi's Commission term in office. Links: European Commission:
European Sources Online: Financial Times :
European Sources Online:
Helen Bower The European Commission published on 4 June 2002 a mid term review of its achievements since Romano Prodi took office in September 1999. |
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| Subject Categories | Politics and International Relations |
