newsitems

 

   Renew Europe's Historic Legend with Parthenon's pure white marble at the eve of crucial 2009 EU Elections, was the ambition of an interesting Art Exhibition, with more topical Symbols than expected, organized by EU Parliament's 1st vice-President Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou and MEP Marie Panayotopoulos- Cassiotou, Chair of the Inter-group on Family policy, during March A session in Strasbourg.     

According to the Ancient Legend, God Zeus, charmed by young Girl Europe, was trasformed into a strong Bull with Wings, and when she tamed him with Human affection, they flew over the Sea to live together in a New Land with large, fertile landscapes.  

- "There, they saw the Continent with a "Large Front" ("Eureia -opse" in Greek => Eur-opse => Europe)", reminded the Sculptor, Mary Papaconstantinou, of the European Women Association, honored by awards in Paris, Athens and Strasbourg.

    Thus, Europe's Legend combines Symbols of Energy and Strength, with caring Human personality, to bring towards New, large Horizons :

    - "Modern Art for this Ancient Greek Legend here in Strasbourg reminds that Europe, placing Human dignity at its heart, always finds the strength to overcome any Crisis towards New achievements. And EU Parliament offers Citizens a chance to artfully interact", said MEP Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou.

Leaders of the panEuropean Congress of Local/Regional Authorities, which make most Public Investments in the EU (210 Billion €), replying to "Eurofora"'s questions, expressed a strong wish to actively contribute to fight the Economic Crisis, and started checking a Russo-Ukranian proposal, supported by Romanian and other representatives, for a pan-European coordination of decentralised Economic Stimulus projects.    

- "We (CoE) need to set up a Group of Experts to combat the Economic Crisis", concluded CLRAE's vice-President, Head of Russia's delegation, Svetlana Orlova, after a long CoE debate on the Financial crisis and Local/Regional Authorities, spread all over Wednesday and Thursday.     

CoE's Local Democracy leaders, strongly stressed their will to act from the outset of a weekly session in Strasbourg, in reply to an "EuroFora" question, where we noted that LRAs deal with 2/3 of Public Investment in the EU, and, following the example of Strasbourg-located lower-Rhine County's Stimulus package (See 19/2/09 News), we asked if LRAs can help fight the Economic Crisis and how their actions could be coordinated ?    

An appeal to get on board the Local and Regional bodies in a concerted effort, together with National Governments, to fight the Economic Crisis, was launched by the President a.i. of the PanEuropean Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRAE), Dr. Jan Micaleff, replying to "EuroFora"s question :

   -   "I am more than convinced that Local Authorities can contribute to fight the Financial Crisis by Stimulus packages of creation of Jobs, right attitudes for Investment, etc", replied to "EuroFora" CLRAE's President a.i.     

That's why, "my Appeal to National Governments is to get on board the Local and Regional authorities. Because there is a feeling that this is a problem which should be left entirely to States or to National Governments only". But, "we (CLRAE) feel that there must be a Concerted effort, not only of National Governments, but to get together and work together with Local and Regional governments, so as to create the right Stimulus to have a better Economy in our (CoE's) countries", concluded Dr. Micallef.

    Adding a "comment to" EuroFora's "question on the role of LRA's in the fight against the Economic Crisis", CLRAE's vice-President and Chairman of the Chamber of Local authorities, Anders Knape, Head of the Delegation from Sweden (which will chair the EU from July to December 2009), cited concrete facts :

    - "F.ex. in Sweden, 20% of GDP is handled by Local Authorities. 75% of all Public Spending are handled by LRA's. 25%¨of Employment is, in one or another way, working through Local Authorities. So, of course, if you have a situation with such a strong influence of Local and Regional Authorities in the Economic System of a Country, of course we have to play also a crucial role in helping to solve the financial Crisis".

    - "And we can do it in many fields : Because we are also responsible for Water supply, for Heating, for Transport, etc. Within the need of all Europe for Investment in sectors, there is also need for Investment when it comes to restoring Schools, Hospitals, Elderly care Centers, etc. all this sort of Public Facilities that are in need to be more Energy-efficient, to be more and better equiped for the Future".

    That's why, "of course, together with the Governments, ...we (LRAs) could play a crucial role to Stop Unemployment, to get New Investment in place, and to start now Investment that we had, perhaps, (initially) planned to make Next Year or the year after that", pointed out Knape.

    - "So, it's really important, for all Europe, that LRAs will be involved in the Programs that now are discussed in the National Parliaments, because we have a very important role to play in this field", he concluded

    Knape made it clear that he was "not only discussing the Government Grants for the Local and Regional levels, but ...a good Planning together with the National Governments".

    However, the other side of the coin was raised by another CLRAE leader : - "Referring to the same", EuroFora's "question", the CLRAE's vice President who chairs its Chamber of Regions, Ludmilla Sfirloaga, Head of Romania's Delegation, added "more, regading the Romanian example", as she said :  

    - "The Will of Romanian Local Authorities is very huge to solve this problem of the People", Sfirloaga declared.  "But the problem is... that Financial Resources are cut down to 1/3 from last year. "We (LRAs) are trying to solve this problem with Public-Private Partneships. But this cannot be a solution. The main issue is how the Government will give us the Financial Resources, as we need, from the Law on the Budget", she concluded, revealing that "CLRAE was asked to monitor if the European Charter of Local Self-Government is respected".

    President Sfirloaga, explained later to "EuroFora", that even if her own Party is now "in the governmental coalition", there are some "disagreements". But, certain "austerity measures appear mandatory", "rationnal and necessary", advised by the World Bank, according to the "9o'clock" Newspaper, which doesn't hesitate to criticize the government if it feels the need. For Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc, "the savings ..to the Budget", are destinated "to have the necessary resources ..to support Economic Growth, and ..to fulfill ..Social obligations towards low and very low pensioners". He said that he wants to "cut the personnel expenditure", particularly "some allowances, incentives and bonuses", preferring to fund activities able to attract EU grants. If it's true, then an agreement with LRAs to focus on investments stimulating the Economy against the Crisis, should logically be possible.

    There is an "urgent need to take preventive measures" by Cities to face risks for "reduction of own revenues", "mainly due to stagnation of property market, local taxes, etc", added later the vice-President of South-East Europe Municipalities' network NALAS, Mayor Vladimir Moskov from Bulgary.

    Municipalities should "intensify dialogue and cooperation with central Governments" to help absorb available EU funds and point at interesting Investment projects, NALA recommends.

    Public Investment made by Local/Regional Authorities in the EU represents some 210  Billion € (out of a total of 313 Billion €) in 2007 figures, according to a 2008 Study distributed at the CoE during the Debate which followed.

    Moreover, Local and Regional Authorities, "in general, have less Debts than the State", observed keyone speaker French Mayor of Saint Etienne, Maurice Vincent. This is important at a time when several Banks show a trend to augment credit's cost.

    Thus, f.ex. 210 million € will be invested by Saint Etienne City to Urban renovation, Energy efficiency particularly in Schools, etc., while also considering Technological Parcs, said Vincent.

    It's preferable for Cities, instead of having to spend, otherwise, for large Social assistance, reparation or public order expenses, if the crisis worsens, he warned.

     An appeal to "coordinate" efforts and to show "Solidarity", since "no country could face alone the crisis", was launched earlier by CoE Parliamentary Assembly's president, Spanish MEP Lluis de Puig.

    The head of the PanEuropean Assembly warned of a "growing discontent", and "flashes of violence", while "the credibility of our Democratic Governments is at stake".

    By helping join together Democracy and Economic revival, CoE can avoid errors made back at the 1929's crisis, when the accent was put only on Money, neglecting Democracy and Human Rights' values, with the well - known consequences, (Nazism and Fascism, 2nd World War and "Shoa", etc), warned CLRAE's vice-President, Head of France's Delegation, Jean-Claude Frecon.

    - Global Economic Crisis makes it more difficult to predict the Future, and aggravates inequality Gaps :That's why in Russia we focus now more on People's Social needs, said the Head of the Russian Delegation and CLRAE vice-President, Svetlana Orlova.

    Meanwhile, in order to fight the Global Crisis, Russian President Medvedev has just made "proposals", including for a better regulation of International Financial Institutions, Arbitrage, etc., which were communicated to all partners in view of the April 2, G - Summit.

    Inside Russia, the Federal Government gave, f.ex. 450 million rubles this year to Banks for capitalisation, and some 400 Billions were transferred back to Citizens. Prime Minister Putin is heading the work, which also earmarked 60 Billions to help People unable to pay their Mortgages, through a Stabilisation Fund, added Orlova.

     In the real economy sectors, "we took some Unprecedented measures" to support "huge industries" in Russia, after Metal industry's results decreased in 2008 : Fex. "if I buy a Car, 2/3 of its price will be given back to me !", she observed.

    Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which grew +17%, mainly on infrastructures, roads, bridges, etc., are getting now 36 Billions, (instead of only 1 before), and reduced Taxes (including VAT).

    But there are about 2 Million Unemployed People currently in Russia. Thus, since December 2008 the Government reserved 42 Billions for Regions to create "Community Jobs" for Unemployed People  : -"If they don't like it, they can change", Orlova said. "Many Regions used that program", at the same time with re-Training to give People a second carreer, away of reduced segments.
    
    For all these activities, Local and Regional authorities set up special "Working Groups" for coordination throughout all Russia, she concluded

    - In Spain, 8 Billion € were earmarked by the Government for a "Local Investment Fund", for "urgent actions, particularly Job creation", by "doubling" the usual annual figure which was 4 Billions, said María Tena, Local Administration Director at the Spanish Government, CoE's chair-in-office. Municipalities have just presented in 2009 the Projects they feel responding to "real needs" : Big Cities prefer invest in Public Spaces, while Small Cities focus on equipment and infrastruture, Tena revealed.

    - In France, some 70% of Public Investment is done by Regions, and afterwards Municipalities, noted Alsace Region President, Adrian Zeller, whose jurisdiction covers also Strasbourg. Currently we focus on Economic "Revival investments, Professional Training and Energy efficiency", added Zeller, insisting particularly in the creation of "New forms of activity".

    - In Norway, among other practical measures, f.ex. Public Funds for Buildings, etc. were made "Faster, without the usual Bureaucracy", said the experienced former CLRAE President, Norwegian Halvdan Skard. This is one among many examples of Cooperation in the Public sector where local authorities are recognized as useful partners,

    - Ukranian Mayor Yevgen Kartashov, preferred to speak "not only for one country each", since "noone could face the Crisis alone". Therefore, "we should work all together", he stressed. "Strasbourg could oversee" LRA's efforts throughout Europe, he suggested.

    In a rare Russo - Ukranian joint move, the Head of the Russian Delegation to CLRAE, Mrs Orlova, concluded the debate by welcoming Kartashov's observation, and making a formal proposal :

 - "We (CLRAE) need to set a Group of Experts to combat the Crisis affecting European Cities and Regions",  Orlova said.        

      The idea was taken up by CRLAE's Chairwoman for Regions, CLRAE's vice-President, Ludmila Sfiriolaga, Head of the Romanian Delegation :

    -  "I shall make a formal Proposal to the (CLRAE's) Bureau to set up a Group" for coordination at a pan-European level of LRA's contribution to overcome the Economic Crisis, she anounced.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
    Which rare Strasbourg' chemistry succceeded to create this rare, but interesting for Europe, Russo-Ukrano-Romanian joint proposal ?

    Was it an outcome of another key Debate on the "Black Sea EuroRegion", held the same week in Strasbourg, giving an opportunity to remind also the "Black Sea - Danube - Rhine", "Sea-River" ship transport link ?

    Strategically based at Constanta, Romania's biggest Seaport close to Danube, it brings Energy-producing countries, as Russia and Azerbaidjan, directly at EU's Eastern front, composed by new EU Members Romania and Bulgaria (crossed by Danube river) and older EU Member Greece (biggest EU Ship transport country, before Cyprus), as well as Georgia (a fast link for Azerbaidjan, perhaps Iran, etc), Armenia (ibid.), Turkey (one of the links to Iraq etc, unless Bagdad restarts a faster pipeline via Syria), Moldova, etc.

    Costanta's County, present during CLRAE's 2009 session here, is also the birthpace of Romanian President Traian Basescu, a former Ship Captain and later Minister of Transport, who crossed the Danube - Rhine junction since it was enlarged on 2001, and has strongly supported, in reply to earlier "EuroFora"s questions at the CoE in Strasbourg, the Black Sea - Danube/Rhine rivers' Highway for Energy transports from Asia, thanks also to Liquified Gas' New Technologies.
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    Russia, Ukraine and Norway's active involvment in Strasbourg's CLRAE debates on how to fight against the Economic Crisis, brought larger added value to EU Regions' complementary debates, meanwhile transfered at nearby Prague :

    EU Regions' committee (CoR), exceptionally enlarged to Cities, meeting there together with EU Commissioner Danuta Hubner, is  consulted on EU Cohesion funds' Future, and the unfulfilled yet "Lisbon strategy" on growth by innovation, in view of strategic decisions due to be taken in 2010.

    EU alone, before the 19-20 March 2009 Summit, has already planned a 200 Billion € Stimulus recovery plan, (1,5% of EU's GDP), while trying to accelerate the implementation of the already agreed 347 Billion € available for investment during the 2007-2013 period under EU Cohesion policy, observed EU Commissioner Danuta Hubner.

    CoR's chairman, Luc van den Brande, president of CoE Assembly's EPP group, recently declared that "all governance levels should promote unity and take forward common ambitions and joint European projects, investing in competitiveness, energy efficiency", etc.  "Local and regional authorities must be involved, with a view to strengthening Cohesion and safeguarding key Investments and Infrastructural projects". There is "a clear way forward", for van den Brande : "The need for integrated European action at all levels of governance and throughout the Union".

    Will panEuropean CoE really help advance a (big) step further in a larger geopolitical area, when, and how ?

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[NDLR : This is a consolidated, Public version from relevant News already provided to EuroFora's Donors/Subscribers in 2 successive Newsflashes dated 3 and 5 March 2009].

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 "KENnel" Strasbourg become an EU Pioneer ?

(PHOTO) Strasbourg-located lower-Rhine's County (Departement du Bas-Rhin)'s President, Guy-Dominique Kennel, starts looking as a Pioneer in Europe, since his initiative to launch a 757 million € generating Economic Stimulus plan on February 2009, with projects to start before June, and closer Cooperation with the National Government, (See "EuroFora" News 19 February 2009), inspired even the PanEuropean CoE...

It's true that the L.Rhine County's headquarters ared directly linked with EU Parliament, ECHR and CoE, since they are all located at the Riverside of one and same old Alsacian river...

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Mutual inspirations between CLRAE and Strasbourg's Mayor Ries..

Strasbourg's new Mayor, Senator Roland Ries, when he reminded, at the traditional reception for CLRAE's annual session, that "there are 2 ways to build Europe : From above, with Governments and Parliaments, and from the grassroots, closer to Citizens, as also Cities and Regions gathered in Strasbourg try to do", appeared more busy than usual :

Leaving the reception immediately after his short speech, he had also to cancel his scheduled presentation of Strasbourg-Ortenau's "EuroDistrict" at CLRAE's Plenary, next day in the Council of Europe, where a German Journalist, "EuroFora", and others. waited in vain.. However, the scheduled comparison between Strasbourg's "EuroDistrict" and another "EuroDistrict" created among Cities of 3 Countries at the Adriatic Sea, (an idea of CoE's Expert, and former CLRAE President, Giovani Di Stasi, "inspired by Strasbourg-Kehl's example", as he told "EuroFora"), might have been interesting : Even if an obvious difference is that Stasbourg's EuroDistrict is focused mainly on the European Organizations concentrated here, another aspect, common to both "EuroDistricts" is also the creation of links between citizens of various cities and EU countries during their everyday life.

But the mystery didn't last long : Soon afterwards, it was found out that Ries, instead of neglecting CLRAE, on the contrary, he was rather .. inspired and motivated by its main 2009 Agenda issue : Local Authorities' role in the current struggle against the Economic Crisis !  To the point that he was preparing to present a "Plan to support Economic activities by Strasbourg's City", before formal decision next Monday, March 9. "All's good, that ends good", as they say..
 

EU Economy boost plans equal to Obama's US plan, but faster, says French Minister Devedjian to "EuroFora" after capitals' tour

* World-record breaking, 600 km/h High Speed innovative Train TGV, produced at Strasbourg's outskirts, became a Symbol for EU Economy revival, after French key Minister Devedjian's statements to "EuroFora" that the "addition" of "coordinated" EU stimulus plans is "equal" but "faster" to new US President Obama's plan, while Stock markets were still wondering which way to go.

Revealing the main results of a fast-track trip to 4 EU Capitals before a series of crucial EU and Global Summits, Devedjian stressed "Mutual Support and information", "TransNational Measures" and a "global European Policy", as agreed ways to add the "complementary" effects of national recovery plans. So that EU's comparatively faster moves, lesser debt and strong Savings can equal USA's impressive plan, and, taken all together, incite economic actors to move swiftly in order to seize a chance to "anticipate" and be ahead.

Speaking shortly after US President Obama unveiled in Denver his plan to boost Fast Trains, (including $1·3bn for Amtrak, and $8·4bn for high speed passenger rail projects), Devedjian said SNCF, the French Rail company's 2008 Benefits from new Strasbourg High Speed line of the already existing TGV, made it possible to "anticipate" and start working from early February 2009, on new projects for "rail renovation" even before one € arrives from the Government's stimulus plan, voted at the end of January...
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In reply to "EuroFora"'s question if, after his tour of the biggest EU capitals and EU-chair, the Czech Republic, he hopes that sufficient Stimulus' measures will be taken and that the forthcoming EU Economy Summit, at the 1st of March, will be succesful, the French Minister looked upbeat :

    - "We went to London, Berlin, Prague and Rome, together with Minister for EU affairs, Bruno Le Maire" this week, he noted in his first statements after the unprecedented move, made at the initiatiative of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, at the eve of a G8's EU Members Summiy hosted by Chancelor Angie Merkel in Berlin on Sunday.

    - "Everybody" among EU's 27 Member Countries "is starting to deal with (Economy) Recovery Plans, including f.ex. the (small) Czech Republic, which is launching a 2,5 Billion € plan, even if it hadn't initially foreseen to do so".

    - "The main aim of our trip wasn't to interfere into government policies", since "recovery plans have, first of all, National aims"', "but mainly to establish a Coordination between the existing Stimulus plans".

    The move was welcomed by new German Economy Minister, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, who reportedly "called for a Coordinated European action against the Crisis", while meeting with Devedjian, earlier this week.

    - "Because we have many Stimulus plans which all point at the same direction : Create activities there where there isn't any, create jobs there where is unemployment". So that national "measures can be Complementary" to each other'', added Devedjian in his reply to "EuroFora"'s question.¨   

- "Thus, we established some Rules, with these four countries :"

"1) We inform each other on all measures under consideration by each one, and we provide mutual support  to implement the measures thus decided by each country."

"2) We try to establish together some Trans-national measures : F.ex. in Railroads, car Highways, Energy and electricity or Gas transport, etc., where we can take Common measures"

"3) Last (but not least), we would like to formulate a real global European recovery policy, in particular by adding the effects of all stimulus measures".
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    "F.ex. the (French) President of the Republic, (Nicolas Sarkozy) has just anounced 2,6 Billion € measures for recovery in favor of the most vulnerable People exposed to the economic Crisis. Some critics claim that it's not enough. But this is added to other measures of the same kind, which had been already decided : "

Prime Minister of Croatia, Ivo Sanader, speaking to "EuroFora" at the conclusion of his visit to EU Parliament, which just voted on "EU's Energy Strategy" strongly supporting Liquefied Gas and Sea-River Ship Transport, at the same time with an even more specific Motion by PACE's MEPs, revealed that he is discussing with EU Commission Zagreb's contribution to EU Energy policy, where "Ships are important".

Croatia will bring into the EU another part of Danube river, which crosses Vukovar, leaving Serbia as the last "Missing Link" for a Black Sea - North Sea network via Danube and Rhine rivers, open to big Ships since 2001, through EU's Industrial heartland. (See earlier EuroFora publication).

But it will also add a large portion of Europe's Seaside and Coasts : That's why, -"Yes, Ships are important for us", Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader replied with a smile to "EuroFora" question.

- "I spoke with EU Commission's President Baroso on the ways Croatia could serve Europe's Energy needs, and he just sent an Expert for detailed discussions", added Sanader

    The Resolution adopted earlier this week in Strasbourg by EU Parliament on "Energy Strategy" strongly asks for "Liquefiied Natural Gas (LNG) capacities, consisting of Liquefication facilities", "LNG Terminals and SHIP-based regasification in the EU", which "should be available to all Member States... on the basis of a Solidarity mecanism". "New LNG Terminals" are "projects of European Interest, on account of their key contribution to the Diversification of Supply Routes", EU Resolution adds.

    In  a timely reply to any attempt by any Third Country to exploit Pipelines for implicit (comp.Ukraine - Russia economic differend) or explicit pressure on EU, (comp. Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's political threats), MEPs also warned that, "relations with Energy Transit countries should in no circumstances take place to the detriment of EU's Values, with regard to respect of Human Rights", but only "go hand by hand with" that.

     - "Many European Countries are almost entirely reliant on natural gas from geographically very limited sources, ...transported ...mostly by Pipelines. i. e. only in fixed routes that cannot be simply modified in conformity with changing conditions of the Market and of the Psituation. Consequently, occasional Crises caused by various disturbances cannot be promptly and successfully solved", denounced meanwhile a Motion tabled at PanEuropean CoE's Parliamentary Assembly (PACE).

    At the initiative of EU Chair, Czech Republic's MEP Milos Melcak, and signed by many other MEPs from various CoE Countries, PACE's Motion concludes that ,"completely New solutions must be taken to diversify ..Gas transport".

    It supports "combined River-Sea LNG tankers of varied origin", from Russia or Asia up to "Algeria, Middle East, etc", for a "New Diversified System of Gas Transportation","using" mainly "the Danube River".

    For "long-distance Marine transportation,...at the moment there is a Boom in the fleet" of "special LNG carriers", "with a total of more than 140 vessels on order at the world's Shipyards...The majority of the new Ships under construction are in the size of 120,000 to 140,000 m³. But there are orders for Ships with capacity up to 260,000 m³", which "can carry 156 mil. m3 of gas".

    "Barges and vessels for River and canal transport of LNG ...have usually a capacity ..equivalent to ...2.4 mil. m3 of natural gas", with "a possibility to increase this..up to 12 mil. m3 of natural gas) on rivers offering sufficient heights of bridges".

    "Danube River is of great potential in this regard, as it offers bridges of sufficient height and permits vessels of advantageous size. Moreover, ...Danube... (added to Rhine, Rhone, a.o. adjacent Rivers) follows a course parallel to the transport flows of natural gas from all important sources of this fuel including Middle East, Algeria and countries overseas", so that this "enables a ... Diversification of gas Supply from one source to another".

    Moreover, Danube "connects with important Centers of Consumption: such as Chemical industry centers in Romania, Serbia, Hungary, Bratislava and Vienna"  (etc). And it can "offer direct transport to the huge underground Gas Storage facilities in Western Slovakia.. and Southern Moravia", "connected with main routes of Gas (pipelines)" linking "Central and Western Europe with Russia", as well as in Germany, at the junction with Rhine, close to France's Strasbourg."

    Adding to the already existing (since 2001) Danube - Rhine link, also a call to "accelerate" the "planned Danube - Oder connection" to big "Storage reservoirs", PACE's Motion "calls for an Urgent International feasibility Study",  "in ..conformity with PACE's Resolution 1473 (2005) on European Waterways",

    Experienced, former mainstream MEP, Konrad Schweiger of Germany, who has already highlighted a possibility to import Asia's Energy resources, mainly gas, directly into the EU, by Ship transports from Black Sea to Danube and Rhine rivers, already in his Report on Azerbaidjan, tabled as early as in 1996, topically reminded now to "EuroFora" that there are big possibilities for Gas storage and distribution "from the Danube-Rhine junction" and forward.

- "Croatia is on the right path to joining the EU from 2010", confirmed recently the President of EU Parliament's largest Political Group (ChristianDemocrats/EPP), French MEP Joseph Daul, who visited Sanader in Zagreb on 2009, following EU Commission's latest Enlargment Report (November 2008), largely positive.  - "We are confident of the outcome", said Daul, "urging" the Croatian authorities to do everything in their power ..in order to satisfy the conditions for accession, "notably in ..the fight against corruption", while the "Czech EU Presidency" would "overcome the .. dispute with Slovenia". "Gas" was discussed by Daul in Croatia among current concerns on "Economic" and "Middle East" crises.

    On Human Rights, in earlier statements to "EuroFora" while visiting CoE in Strasbourg, Sanader has expressed his personal commitment to the return of refugees and IDPs mainly of Serbian origin : - "We accept and shall do whatever possible to facilitate refugees' return. My Government's coalition had the support even of a serbian party. After all, refugees are also Croatian citizens".

    CoE's PanEuropean Commissioner on Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, said afterwards to "EuroFora" that "the return faces still difficulties in practice, particularly in housing and socio-economic reintegration. Things evolve slowly but positively, so that we hope that the number of refugees free to return will become higher.

    Croatia is due to join NATO in 2009, probably after its Heads of State/Government's Summit, April in Strasbourg.