The Goal Of The Barcelona Meeting: To Make Europe A Real Economic Power

HURRIYET- Columnist Ferai Tinc comments on the European Council meeting on employment and social policy taking place in Barcelona on March 15-16. A summary of her column is as follows:
Leaving aside the recent wrangling by Turkish politicians as to whether or not European Union membership would be in our nation’s best interests, this weekend will see Turkey take to the dance floor yet again for another try at a graceful waltz with the EU.
The European Council meeting on employment and social policy, which takes places in Barcelona today and tomorrow, will focus on a number of specific issues with an eye towards making Europe a real economic power. Social and economic reforms as well as environmental issues will be discussed. Recent developments in the Middle East have also claimed a spot on the top of the meeting’s agenda. Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will call on European countries to take urgent measures to help end ongoing violence in the region.
The main goal of the Barcelona meeting is to revisit and revive the decisions taken at the Lisbon summit two years ago. Under these decisions, the EU countries are expected to take steps in order to make the Union one of the world’s great economic powers. This goal was set out during Portugal’s term presidency and has again become a hot issue during Spain’s term presidency. It’s no coincidence that the Mediterranean countries are spearheading this process; this is what they call ‘Mediterranean creativity.’ Furthermore, Spain has recently taken another important step: For the first time, candidate countries will have the chance to participate in the meeting and to voice their views at the same time as member countries. Measures to be taken for the harmonization of the candidate countries with the Lisbon decisions will also be discussed. In fact, the candidate countries currently have the opportunity to make structural reforms by using the funds which the EU’s offering them. However there are still unjust policies concerning disbursement of these funds. Turkey is not yet able to benefit from all of the money available. Ecevit and Cem will convey Turkey’s dissatisfaction on this issue at the Barcelona meeting.
Today and tomorrow; two busy days are waiting for us.

SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION