Mister Juncker, will the Luxembourg EU Presidency be the last for your country to proceed on the classic model?
For Luxembourg it is already the eleventh EU Presidency since the Treaty of Rome took effect in 1957. Those Presidencies were all successful. Especially the last two, those in 1991 and 1997, remain in the memory for their outstanding decisions. On condition of ratification of the European Constitution, however, the scheme and the course of EU Presidencies will change from 2007. The rotation principle applicable until then will for the most part be abolished. Two vital changes will then take place. The European Council will no longer be presided over every six months by another member country, but an EU President elected by the members of the European Council for two and a half years each time. And Chairman of the Meetings of Foreign Ministers will be the new European Foreign Minister. In brief: from 2007 the nature of the EU Presidency will change, in that it will be less nationally aligned.
What does the EU Presidency mean for Luxembourg. Is it just symbolic or is its value greater?
If the Presidency were only symbolic, with laying wreaths and cutting ribbons, I would look forward to these six months in a very relaxed manner. But it is not so, since the Presidency means that during this half-year Luxembourg is responsible for all aspects of the EU, promoting initiatives and developing its own, coordinating the corresponding meetings and bring about important decisions. This represents an enormous responsibility. The common interests of the 25 member states must take priority over those of our own country. One of the objectives of the Luxembourg Presidency is the easing of excessive national trends in Europe, so as to take account of the sensitivities of all member states. If we can bring about majority agreement among member countries, then we will have taken Europe a step further.
Previously each EU Presidency had a main focal point. What priorities are to the fore this time?
On the one hand there are the matters to be dealt with which have been on the agenda for a long time, and others will be dictated in the short term by world politics. In 1997 it was the EU enlargement, employment policy and decisions concerning the Euro which were the focal points of the Luxembourg Presidency, and this year it will be the re-launch as well as the interim appraisal of the Lisbon Process. This economic, social and environmental reform programme should by 2010 make Europe the most competitive region in the world. Moreover reform of the Stability and Growth Pact will also be on the agenda. In addition, trouble spots like the Balkans and Iraq as well as international terrorism will be subjects of constant negotiation.
Various meetings go well beyond the borders of Europe. Is this an occasion to strengthen the importance of the EU on the world map?
That importance is already outstanding, since Europe often enjoys a greater reputation outside its borders than inside. In the rest of the world the existence of the EU is seen as a minor wonder, which has lasted a long time. So there is a marked interest on the part of major countries and nations in the political, economic and intellectual developments of the EU. In my function as President of the European Council, for instance, I will be meeting the American and Russian Presidents. My Foreign Minister colleague will be leading a conference in Luxembourg with fifty ministers from Latin America and the Caribbean, and that from a logistics point of view alone will demand considerable expenditure.
At present the EU has 25 member states, and it will grew further. Is there not a risk that a tiny country like Luxembourg will lose influence in such a large union?
On the contrary, in the history of the EU, with each expansion the influence of Luxembourg has grown stronger. The new partner countries are often themselves either small or mediumsized, and therefore feel a close affinity to Luxembourg. And we should not forget that Luxembourg was one of the founding states of the EU and has therefore built up experience and knowledge, which makes it easier to play a mediating role and to bring about a consensus.
In mid-September you were elected for two years as chairman of the Eurogroup. Does this additional "Mister Euro" post influence your activity as Head of the Luxembourg EU Presidency?
In the next half-year, Luxembourg would have assumed the Chair of the Euro Group anyway. Now I will only hold that post for 18 months longer. I see in this new post neither any additional work burden nor the fear of an unhealthy mix with the objectives and aims of the EU Presidency.
Prime Minister, we thank you for your time.