"Mini summit" in Sweden
All pending decisions will be taken in line with the European spirit declared Chancellor Angela Merkel following a meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
Joint press conference in Harpsund: Mark Rutte, Angela Merkel, Fredrik Reinfeldt and David Cameron
Photo: Bundesregierung/Bergmann
Two weeks after the European elections and two weeks before the European Council meeting on 26/27 June, the informal meeting in Sweden focused on the realignment of the policy of the European Union in the next few years. The Chancellor called for enhanced competitiveness, more growth, the development of the single market and the creation of jobs in future-oriented technologies and the EU’s service market.
Modernising Europe further
At the final press conference, the four heads of government were very much in agreement about the issues that should shape future European policy.
"We need better competitiveness, we need structural reforms, we need pro-growth fiscal consolidation, we need to develop the single market, especially with respect to labour mobility," declared the Chancellor. To make the labour market fit for the future, jobs must be created, especially in the digital sector and in the services sector, she said.
The common energy single market and a digital single market too were discussed at the "mini summit". The four heads of government expect the planned free trade agreement with the USA to generate important impetus that will create jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.
No decision on top EU posts
The four heads of government underlined the fact that it is important to discuss what the new European Commission should do, before looking at the personnel issues. Agreement must be reached firstly on the content, before deciding who fits the profile, stressed Angela Merkel, David Cameron, Mark Rutte and Fredrik Reinfeldt. They pointed to the procedure laid down for the appointment of the future President of the European Commission. This is laid out in Article 17, paragraph 7 of the Treaty of Lisbon.
Procedures to appoint the President of the European Commission – Article 17, Paragraph 7 of the Lisbon Treaty
"Taking into account the elections to the European Parliament and after having held the appropriate consultations, the European Council, acting by a qualified majority, shall propose to the European Parliament a candidate for President of the Commission. This candidate shall be elected by the European Parliament by a majority of its component members. If he does not obtain the required majority, the European Council, acting by a qualified majority, shall within one month propose a new candidate who shall be elected by the European Parliament following the same procedure."
Angela Merkel underscored the fact that now the EU heads of state and government should propose a candidate to the European Parliament. "We would be well advised to respect one another as different institutions," she said. The heads of government "are fully aware" of the fact that the candidate must then be elected by the European Parliament.
The necessary consultations with individual heads of state and government and the European Parliament are currently being conducted by European Council President Herman van Rompuy. This was recently decided by the 28 heads of state and government at a meeting in Brussels.
Harpsund, 09.06.14: Sweden's Prime Miniister Fredrik Reinfeldt invited David Cameron, Mark Rutte and Chancellor Angela Merkel to an informal meeting at the summer residence of the Swedish Prime Minister.
Two weeks after the European elections, the focus was on sharing ideas about central tasks of the European Union.
Traditionally, the Swedish Prime Minister takes visitors for a row on the lake close to the summer residence.
(left to right): British Prime Minister David Cameron, Chancellor Angela Merkel, host Fredrik Reinfeldt and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
Harpsund, 10.06.14: On Tuesdy morning the four heads of government held a working meeting.
The informal meeting wound up with a joint press conference.
Angela Merkel supports Jean-Claude Juncker
The Parliament will not elect the Commission President before its plenary session on 13/14 June. In Harpsund Chancellor Angela Merkel once again spoke out in favour of Jean-Claude Juncker for the post of Commission President. He was the top candidate of the European People’s Party (EPP), which received most votes at the recent elections.
Since Whit Monday, the Chancellor has been discussing the future of the EU in Harpsund, Sweden. Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt invited the Chancellor, British Prime Minister David Cameron and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to an informal meeting at the summer residence of the Swedish Prime Minister.
Harpsund was left to the state of Sweden in 1953 to be used as an estate for the Prime Minister of Sweden. The manor house, about 130 km south-west of Stockholm is used regularly for cabinet retreats.
Foreign state visitors are also often welcomed to the estate, where it is traditional for them to take a row on the nearby lake with the Prime Minister. This meeting was no exception.