Press Releases

Plassnik: “Financial agreement is a joint success for Europe”

Foreign Minister and Council President Ursula Plassnik welcomed last night’s preliminary agreement on the next multiannual financial framework for the period 2007-2013.

“The agreement, following on from the difficult negotiations with the European Parliament and the Commission, is a joint success for Europe. It is a decisive step which ensures that the European Union will remain capable of acting in the future. After the meeting on the Western Balkans in Salzburg and the tangible progress on growth and employment at the Spring Summit, we are taking a further positive step towards maintaining the upswing in sentiment in Europe. Joint successes are European successes”, said Plassnik.

The Foreign Minister emphasised that the increases would be made in future-oriented areas, such as youth and lifelong learning. The Spring Summit set clear directions for creating more jobs for young people and improving education. The achieved results underline the determination of the Council, the Commission and the European Parliament to make Europe more comprehensible and accessible to its citizens.

“The strengthening of European foreign policy is one of the major successes of the negotiations. Increased financial support for the Common Foreign and Security Policy of EUR 800 million, and for the European Neighbourhood Policy of EUR 200 million enhances Europe’s global presence”, stressed Plassnik. “The increased financial support can help expand Europe’s mission of achieving social and political harmony in various crisis-stricken areas worldwide.”

Agreement was also reached on intensified dialogue between the European Parliament, the Commission and the Member States on current foreign-policy issues, which will involve members of the European Parliament more than up to now in the formation of European foreign policy. “With this agreement, the Austrian Presidency is meeting a long-standing demand of the European Parliament. This is fully in line with Austria’s aim to strengthen the European Parliament’s role in shaping European opinion”, stated the Foreign Minister.

“Overall, the agreement with the European Parliament represents a direct and meaningful investment into our future. With this, the creation of a common area of peace, security and prosperity in the EU’s neighbouring regions can be intensified, and a concrete contribution made towards the security of Europe and its citizens”, concluded the Minister.