Inside the German Presidency - Weber Shandwick

12 th in our series of Presidency Guides
Inside the German Presidency
A guide for business
January - June 2007

Contents
Preface
04 Josep Catllà, CEO Weber Shandwick in Brussels
Astrid von Rudloff, CEO Weber Shandwick in Germany
Introduction
05 Dr. Wilhelm Schönfelder, German Ambassador
Perspective
06 Jürgen Thumann, President German Industry Association BDI
External Dimension
08 Roberto Ferrigno
09 Dr. Henning Riecke, DGAP
Intellectual Property Rights
10 Cristof Fischöder
11 Enrique Tufet-Opi, Epson Europe
Education and Training
12 Khalid Ali
13 Barbara Fabian, DIHK
Lisbon Agenda and Competitiveness
14 Winnie Petersen
15 Douglas Gibb, Fertility, Organon
Development
16 Christian Hierholzer
17 Luis Cantarell, Nestlé
Employment, Social Affairs and Gender Equality
18 Colin Mackay
19 Kai Deininger, Monster Worldwide Europe
Energy
20 Tove Larsson
21 Hans van der Loo, Royal Dutch Shell
Enlargement
22 Thomas Boué
23 Dr. Ulrike Guérot, German Marshall Fund of the United States
Environment and Climate Change
24 Ivan Martin
25 Markus E. Becker, RWE
Financial Affairs and Corporate Governance
26 Francesco Laera
27 Dr. Ansgar Tietmeyer, Deutsche Bank
Weber Shandwick contribution
Food and Consumer Protection
28 Cecilia Thorn
29 Alain Beaumont, UNESDA
Public Health and Pharmaceuticals
30 Ingrid van den Neucker
31 Giovanni Asta, EPPOSI
Information Society
32 Florian Cartoux
33 Ralf Wolf, NEC Germany
Internal Market
34 Tristan Suffys
35 Boris von Chlebowski, Serco Germany
Research and Innovation
36 Philippe Ghyssels
37 Barbara Schädler, Fujitsu Siemens Computers
Security
38 Nicolas Acker
39 Michele Barsanti, GE Security
Trade and International Competitiveness
40 Patrick McMullan
41 Wolfgang Flick, UPS Europe
Transport
42 Nour Amrani
43 Dr. Wolfgang G. Schneider, Ford of Europe
Germany and the G8
44 Daniel Brinkwerth
47 Facts about Germany
48 The Länder and German Federalism
51 People to watch
57 Key contacts
59 Useful Links
60 Key dates
62 About Weber Shandwick
64 Weber Shandwick Contributors
66 Credits

Preface
by Josep Catllà, CEO Weber Shandwick in Brussels
Astrid von Rudloff, CEO Weber Shandwick in Germany
Germany will take the lead in driving the European Union on 1 January 2007, in the midst of a very challenging and politically complex
environment. Bulgaria and Romania will bring the membership of the EU to 27 countries, at a moment when European citizens are
demonstrating a high level of ‘enlargement fatigue’. Europeans seem to be more interested in how to resolve areas that concern them
directly, such as security (threats of terrorism), immigration, economic development and employment, amongst others.
During its Presidency, Germany will also host the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Treaties of Rome. An ideal moment for common
refl ection on how we want to construct our future both in the political and economic arenas, the Presidency may also want to bring the
discussion back to the unresolved issue of the Constitutional Treaty.
Europe’s business community is increasingly aware of the need for an integrated approach as regards the way it communicates to its different
stakeholders – ranging from employees to clients and consumers, public administrations, investors and analysts as well as the media.
An ongoing dialogue between our business leaders and the political elite, both at national and EU level, is integral to any solid corporate
strategy operating within the EU. Work emanating from the EU institutions in coordination with national governments increasingly infl uences
the way companies operate within the Union. It is worth stressing the value that the business community can add as regards in-depth
knowledge of a particular fi eld, coupled with strategic thinking – both of these being aspects that can benefi t political leaders.
In the next six months, Germany will focus the EU on key priorities such as the common European energy policy, the implementation
of the Lisbon agenda for growth and employment, innovation, and education and research. All areas which directly infl uence the
competitiveness of companies in Europe.
Weber Shandwick is proud to present Inside the German Presidency – examining what the political agenda of the European Union will
be like under the German Presidency of the EU from a business standpoint. With this guide, the 12th in our series, we wish to further
enhance the much needed dialogue between business and political leaders. We will be working – both from our offi ces in Germany
(Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt and Munich) and Brussels – to help the business community build partnerships with European and
German stakeholders in the common interest of constructing a better Europe for future generations.
We would like to express our support to the German government for a very successful Presidency of the European Union.
Astrid von Rudloff Josep Catllà
CEO, Germany CEO, Brussels
Schönhauser Allee 37, Geb. P Rue Wiertz 50
10435 Berlin 1050 Brussels
+49 30 20 351 10 +32 2 23 00 775
arudloff@webershandwick.com jcatlla@webershandwick.com
4

Introduction
by Dr. Wilhelm Schönfelder, German Ambassador
The fi rst half of 2007 will see Germany holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the twelfth time since 1958.
We have prepared our Presidency rigorously over the last two years – indeed, even the number of personnel in our Permanent
Representation has been increased from approximately 170 to 228 staff members. We are thus prepared to approach our task in a
concentrated and confi dent manner.
Notwithstanding the chances and opportunities which the advance of globalization offers, it also raises questions about the future, and
the competitiveness of the European Economic and Social Model. It is therefore evident that Europe will have to prove that it is able to
frame policies both inside and outside of its borders in a manner consistent with its values. Only a united Europe is strong enough to
endure in an international environment. During its Presidency, Germany wants to contribute to these efforts in effectively addressing
the internal and external challenges that the European Union faces. The emphasis will be put on: the continuation of the European
constitutional process; the sustainability of the European Economic and Social Model; the area of Freedom, Security, and Justice; as
well as the projected development of the European area of security and stability.
The draft Constitutional Treaty for Europe foresees internal reforms in order to assure the sustainability of the enlarged European Union.
The German Presidency will aim at bringing about the necessary decisions at the European Council in June 2007 which will allow the
continuation of the constitutional process.
Only an economically strong and dynamic Europe will be able to leverage its weight internationally. Against this background, Germany
advocates an economic order which is competitive, yet still allowing for social and ecological responsibility. The German Presidency
will promote a functioning internal market whose integrative forces will positively impact on development throughout Europe. The
Presidency will lend further impetus to the process of better regulation and the reduction of red tape, with the aim of enhancing the
competitiveness of business and enterprise in Europe. Furthermore, Germany will highlight the social dimension of European politics,
and strengthen the role of environmental technology as pacemaker for growth and employment. An innovation-friendly “Europe of
Knowledge” will be encouraged through larger investments in education and research.
A secure, economical and ecological energy supply is a decisive factor in Europe’s future. The completion of the single market for electricity
and gas, the increase of energy effi ciency, the promotion of the use of renewable energy sources, an enhanced cooperation with supplier
and transit countries and the development-friendly design of energy policy will be at the core of the German Presidency’s priorities.
With regards to the external dimension of the EU, the primary goal of the German Presidency is to strengthen the European area
of security and stability. Alongside the stabilization and association of the Western Balkans, we will put particular emphasis on the
advancement of the European Neighbourhood Policy and our relations with Russia and Central Asia. Furthermore, the Presidency will
intensify cooperation with the Middle East.
During our Presidency, both myself and my colleagues will be responsible for fi nding compromises and solutions between Member
States, but also with the European Parliament and the European Commission, so as to ensure sound and swift decision-making for the
further advancement of the European Union. It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that we embrace this challenge.
5

Perspective
by Jürgen R. Thumann, President,
Federation of German Industries (BDI)
The German EU Council Presidency beginning in January 2007 is a challenge: Six months in which our country will be expected to
provide impetus for European policy designed to enhance the European Union’s competitiveness. It is true that Europe currently fi nds
itself in a rather diffi cult situation, in the face of mounting uncertainty surrounding both our economic prospects and the future of the
constitutional treaty.
It is a well known fact that the economies of EU countries are growing at only half the rate of the global economy. Last year, the world
economy expanded by 5 %, whereas the EU struggled to achieve a mere 2 %. The most depressing consequence of this lack of dynamism:
that more than 18 million people in the EU do not have a job. Many people believe that the cause of our problems in Europe can be
encapsulated in a single word: globalisation. Some people also believe that they have a simple answer to our problems: more protectionism.
Protection against competition from outside Europe, protection within the EU at national borders, protection within nation states, as if jobs
could be preserved in the long term through rigid rules.
It is my fi rm belief that Europe does have the potential to meet the challenges of fi erce global competition, and to revitalise the vision
of European integration that still exists in people’s hearts and minds. But European policy-makers must have the courage to tell people
clearly that a defensive attitude is not the answer. In the face of rapid change, we cannot construct a barrier behind which structures
can remain unchanged. Europe must take an offensive stance, to come to terms with the challenges of globalisation.
Advancing structural reforms is the duty of both the European institutions and Member States. The refocusing of the Lisbon strategy
and the various strategic initiatives for enhancing competitiveness are right. But the Lisbon strategy must be more strongly focused and
better implemented. After all, a strategy has never solved a problem – only its implementation has. The German EU Council Presidency
must make use of the 2007 spring summit to achieve tangible results with clear timetables and objectives for specifi c dossiers.
The overriding objective must be to create more growth and jobs. Cross-sectoral initiatives, ranging from the better protection of
intellectual property, to the support of industrial research, must be implemented. BDI calls for redoubled efforts to trim back a bloated
acquis communautaire and carry out effective impact assessments for new EU legislation. Subsidiarity and proportionality must also
be applied in practice. Furthermore, markets in the energy, transport and telecommunications sectors must be liberalised actively.
Overall, we must establish the primacy of competitiveness.
Success means setting the right priorities – and carrying them through. The German EU Council Presidency can make an important
contribution to ensuring that European policy pursues the right priorities. We must place our trust in the power of freedom, individual
responsibility and fl exibility. In the last analysis, the market – although this may sound cold-hearted to many ears – benefi ts us all.
After all, social balance and environmental progress are only possible if they are built on the basis of economic success.
6

External Dimension
by Roberto Ferrigno, Weber Shandwick
During the course of its Presidency of the EU, Germany is expected to build on a range of instruments already in place to tackle confl icts
and promote peace. As regards international crises, following the adoption of the European Security Strategy in 2003, the Presidency
is set to pursue a more effi cient and coherent external policy and strengthen cooperation with partners. The German Presidency also
intends to take further steps towards military cooperation in the long-term perspective of a common European defence policy.
As regards the European Neighbourhood Policy, it is expected that a priority of the Presidency will be stabilisation of the Western
Balkans, in particular support for the negotiations on the status of Kosovo. Negotiations on EU Stabilisation and Association Agreements
with Serbia, Montenegro and with Bosnia and Herzegovina could also be concluded during the Presidency. Germany is, furthermore,
set to present concrete proposals for co-operation with partner countries to develop the Neighbourhood Policy, with a view to further
promoting stability and democracy.
In parallel, the German Presidency also plans to deepen the EU’s partnership with Russia in the framework of the four “Common Areas” and
start negotiations on the succession of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The Presidency also intends to strengthen economic
relations, particularly in the fi eld of energy. The Presidency will pay particular attention to the Central Asian region, which is strategically
important. A Strategy on Central Asia is set to be adopted and political dialogue with the region shall be developed further.
Multilateral engagement, active crisis management and non-proliferation are also key issues for the German Presidency. It will be
particularly committed to intensifying cooperation between EU and UN in the fi eld of crisis management. It is expected that it will work
towards, inter alia, furthering stability in Lebanon and fi nding a peaceful solution to the debate on the Iranian nuclear programme.
Germany is also expected to try and strengthening the role of the African Union, in particular as regards confl ict prevention and
settlement. In the fi eld of armament control, disarmament and non-proliferation, the Presidency will pay specifi c attention to the
preparation of the inspection conference for the Non-proliferation Treaty.
The Presidency is also expected to take measures towards strengthening the CFSP and ESDP. Particular attention is likely to be paid to
the European reaction force that will be able to be deployed quickly in crisis regions as of 1 January 2007. The strategic partnership
between EU and NATO will also be developed further. It is also worth mentioning here that the European Commission is planning
several initiatives in 2007 to develop the EU’s defence market, with a view to further strengthening the CFSP and ESDP. These include
a Communication on Defence Industries and Markets; a draft Regulation on the Transfer of Defence Products; and a draft Directive on
the Coordination of Procedures for the Award of Public Contracts in the Defence Sector.
As regards strategic partnerships and external economic policy, the German Presidency will commit itself to strengthening the
transatlantic relations in the political and economic area: summits with the USA and Canada are planned. It will also develop further
the political and economic dimension of its relations with Asia, with negotiations on an EU-China Agreement, the EU-Japan summit,
the implementation of the EU-India Action Plan and the strengthening of EU-ASEAN relations. The Presidency also plans to strengthen
relations with Latin America and the Caribbean, to conclude negotiations on an Association Agreement with Mercosur and open
negotiations with Central American states and the Andean Community.
8

y Dr. Henning Riecke, Resident Fellow,
German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)
The German Presidency’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) agenda will be dictated by existing challenges and will generate
few glossy initiatives. Germany can be glad if, under its chairmanship, the EU can work through the tense agenda ahead and generate
awareness that Europe has something to add to national foreign policies.
A lot has to be done concerning strategic partners such as Russia, where a partnership and cooperation agreement needs to be renegotiated
under Finnish and German custody, or Japan, where we will see an important summit meeting. Policy challenges such as
anti-terrorism or non-proliferation will keep the EU busy. For instance, a triple challenge during the German Presidency will be to bring
Iran to the negotiation table, develop options for a non-nuclear future of Iran and to keep the EU, the USA, Russia and China in line.
These are important issues, but foreign policy will hardly be an area for paradigmatic new policy impulses. But then, ‘business as usual’
still implies a busy and challenging Presidency program.
Crisis management will receive the most attention, for instance in the Balkans. The status talks about Kosovo will come to a conclusion
- possibly by early 2007. Whatever the result - complete independence of the province seems unlikely - there will be a need for an
international presence. Fierce Serbian opposition against the province’s autonomy or clashes between Albanians and international
military cannot be discounted. The status negotiations must not lead to instability in the neighbouring countries. The transition period
in Bosnia-Herzegovina would be affected by this potential new crisis in Kosovo. As these dangers are looming, Europe is preparing to
take over administrative and policing duties from the United Nations. Since NATO still commands the Kosovo Force (KFOR), there will
be need for close coordination between the EU and the alliance. This will be an ideal opportunity to improve the relationship that exists
between them.
The EU is an active, if sometimes neglected, player in the Middle East. It is a dominant economic partner of most of the countries
involved and is engaged in development projects and in missions such as the Raffa border station. A number of European countries
contribute to the expanded United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). In addition to the Lebanon crisis, the confl ict between
Israelis and Palestinians and the relationship with Syria will remain high on the agenda. The EU, and the German Presidency, might
need to step up existing efforts, since the Quartet – consisting of the USA, Russia, the UN and the EU – is now in charge to develop
and carry out new solutions.
There might also be a need for further EU engagement in Africa, for instance in civilian follow up commitments to the EuFor Mission in
the Congo or in non-military support of the African Union in the Darfur crisis.
The EU is improving its ability to meet these crisis management challenges. One of the fi rst events during the German Presidency
will be the EU’s fi rst Battle Group achieving full operational capability in early 2007. The Battle Group is the new force structure
consisting of 1.500 troops with support units, under EU command, that can be deployed within ten days over large distances. Its
main purpose is to engage in new crisis situations, with high mobility and fl exibility, and to pave the way for larger missions to follow.
The German Presidency will give some attention to the fi rst operational Battle Group, not only because it consists predominantly of
Germans, together with Dutch, Finnish and French forces. However, Germany will have to avoid giving impression that it has ‘found’ a
confl ict in which the Battle Group can be tested.
9

Intellectual Property Rights
by Christof Fischöder, Weber Shandwick in Berlin
Advanced economies such as the EU and NAFTA, heavily rely on business investment in research and development to foster innovation
and growth, therefore intellectual property rights and their protection is an increasingly important issue. The decision of the German
government to make the complex issue of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), which affects trademark, copyright and patent laws, one
of its top priorities for their Presidency of both the EU and the G8, is therefore a step in the right direction and presents an unique
opportunity to act on IPR on both a European and global level.
Although the European Union has made progress thanks to the 2001 Copyright Directive, IPR harmonization in Europe is still insuffi cient.
IPR are a decisive factor for innovation within the EU and have been made an integral part of the Lisbon Strategy because their correct
handling directly affects the EU’s competitiveness. The barriers to intra-EU trade presented by IPR are still too high and the German EU
presidency should foster the reform of the 2001 Copyright Directive, necessary in light of the enormous changes in a rapidly evolving
digital and service economy. Also, the Presidency will have to act on the planned directive in ensuring the enforcement of intellectual
property rights which save intellectual property from theft and clearly defi ne criminal measures. This means that the German Presidency
should also attempt to set correct priorities by enhancing the management of individual rights. Digital products such as software, music,
videos and video games are increasingly driving innovation and growth. However, in many EU member states including Germany, most
of the levies are paid as generic instead of as individually tailored levies. This favours bureaucracy and gives the content producers an
unfair share of the levies for their property. Thus, a system change for digital content, which is in the interest of content providers and
industry, should be a major priority.
The German Presidency of the EU and the G8 could link an intra EU-reform of IPR with global action to improve IPR and their
implementation, which should help to decrease barriers to international trade. As international usage has markedly increased in the last
decades, the handling of IPR has become more crucial. Achieving a balance between the justifi ed interests of the owners of intellectual
property, with the compatibility and accessibility of standards is the main challenge for political regulation. This balance was the subject
of a dispute between the USA and the EU in the Microsoft competition case, one which illustrated diverging positions between the two
on what to protect: the US for defending competition, whilst the EU favoured single competitors.
Another pressing issue is the theft and counterfeit of intellectual property. As Germany has had to learn, even its traditional strongholds
of mechanical engineering and automotive industries are threatened by breaches of IPR. A stable legislative and political framework for
IPR is thus necessary for successful business, innovation and growth. This is particularly the case for countries such as China where
the legislative and judicial enforcement of IPR should be a priority. EU and G8 members would strongly benefi t from such a development
and in the medium-term, even countries with problems in IPR regulation would benefi t, from the better access to the global market that
IPR regulation offers. Furthermore, with the growing integration of the global economy and business becoming more innovative and
competitive, it is in their interest to protect IPR.
10

y Enrique Tufet-Opi,
Public Affairs Senior Manager, Epson Europe
A well-functioning Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) framework which strikes the right balance between effectively protecting the
interests of rights holders without hampering competition is one of the most important preconditions for the creation of an innovationfriendly
business environment.
The European Union has recognized this and has taken steps towards the creation of such a framework. However, despite the importance
of the issue, concerted action has proven to be diffi cult. The failure of the Software Patent Directive and the current deadlock with regard
to the Community Patent are just two examples of the diffi culties and sensitivities surrounding the fi eld of IPR.
To reinforce European competitiveness the EU needs to move forward. Another initiative which threatens to get slowed down in the
institutional triangle is the proposed Directive on Criminal Measures in Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement. This Directive is
important to industry as we hope that it will help to combat more effectively issues such as counterfeiting and piracy.
Counterfeiting and product piracy - in the public eye normally associated with luxury articles and CDs or DVDs - is one of the biggest
challenges Epson as a manufacturer of imaging products is facing today. Counterfeited cartridges, mainly produced in China, have a
signifi cant negative impact on our business and those of our peers. We therefore welcome the fact that the German government has
made IPR a priority for its EU and more so for its G8 Presidency.
Fighting counterfeiting and piracy effectively is a very complex challenge which requires a combination of internal and external
actions. Internally, the existence of a good legal framework and effective enforcement are paramount. Here improvements are needed.
The Directive on Criminal Measures will hopefully bring some of these improvements. However, from Epson’s point of view, issues such
as the liability of online auction houses and hosting websites as well as trademark infringements and equivalency claims made by
refi llers of cartridges will need to be addressed more forcefully in the immediate future.
On the external side, international cooperation, especially with China, is crucial. In the context of the EU-China Dialogue on Intellectual
Property, the Chinese have committed to improve their intellectual property laws and enforcement systems, but diffi culties remain
especially in the area of enforcement and remedies and standards involving patents.
An issue of vital importance to Epson, linked to the IPR debate and a forthcoming topic during the German Presidency, is the
recommendation by the Commission for a reform of the 2001 Copyright Directive, and in this context the current copyright levies
provisions. Today, the copyright levies situation in the European Union is characterized by strong variations in systems of payment,
levy amounts and also scope of levy application. Whereas in some Member States levies on equipment or blank media are completely
unknown, other countries charge levies only on a few selected devices such as CD burners for example. Ironically the country of the
incoming Presidency is the only Member State were nearly every digital device should be charged a levy, which sometimes would more
than double the retail price. These variations cause considerable distortions in the Internal Market for ICT products. A harmonization of
the levies system on European level will therefore be fundamental for the reinforcement of Europe’s competitiveness. We hope that the
German government will take this into consideration to the extent that it will deal with the issue in the coming months.
11

Education and Training
by Khalid Ali, Weber Shandwick
‘Education Unites’ is the label attached to the German Presidency’s initiatives in the fi eld of Education and Training. Policies in this area are
generally overlooked, yet they have a signifi cant impact on the strategic objectives of the Lisbon agenda. If the EU is to ever meet its lofty
goal of becoming the world’s leading ‘dynamic knowledge economy’ then its education systems will need to play a pivotal role. Against
this backdrop, the German Presidency will begin its tenure by preparing for the interim report on the implementation of the “Education
and Training 2010” Work Programme. The programme aims to improve the quality of national education systems by facilitating access
to education and by opening European education systems to the world. Although achieving these goals can be made only in the Member
States themselves, this report should indicate the policy direction for the development of this process beyond 2010.
Higher education reform (the Bologna Process) will be pushed onto the Presidency’s agenda as the European Commission releases its
report, in the beginning of 2007, on progress made in this domain. The Germans will support development of the Bologna Process by
contributing to the preparation and the follow-up of the ministerial conference, which will take place in London in May. The scope of this
conference will include the degree system, quality assurance and recognition.
Higher education mobility will also be the subject of special emphasis through the celebration in 2007 of the 20th anniversary of the
“Erasmus” programme. Indeed, increasing the mobility of students and workers as well as increasing the transparency of national
education systems are major objectives. In this respect, the Presidency will strive towards the adoption of the Recommendation on the
establishment of the European Qualifi cations Framework (EQF). The EQF will provide a common language to describe qualifi cations which
will help Member States, employers and individuals compare qualifi cations across the EU’s diverse education and training systems.
The German Presidency will oversee the fi rst steps in the implementation of the Lifelong Learning Programme, which is the successor to
the current Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci and eLearning programmes, by organizing a conference in Berlin on 6/7 May. The programme
comes with a budget of € 7 billion to support projects and activities that foster interchange, cooperation and mobility between education
and training systems within the EU. It is the fi rst time a single programme will cover learning opportunities from ‘childhood to old age’.
Other issues on the Presidency agenda include the promotion of research in the fi eld of education and training, the development of
indicators and European cooperation in the fi eld of vocational training.
12

y Barbara Fabian, Director EU-Education and Vocational
Training Policy, Association of German Chambers
of Industry and Commerce (DIHK)
Germany needs to make “Education and Training” and the “European Learning Area” a priority of its Presidency. The problems related
to education and training are self evident and common to all EU countries. These include:
A high dropout-rate of approximately 14%: about 6 million young people 18-24 years old in the EU;
Dramatic high youth unemployment of about 18%;
A participation rate of the adult population in lifelong learning of less than 10 %. This fi gure is deemed to be too low
considering the demographic challenge that the EU faces;
Low investment rates in universities. Average Member State spending amounts to only 1.28% of GDP – compared to 3.25% in
the USA. As a consequence, each year tens of thousands of young, talented scientists leave the EU to study and work overseas.
Europe needs to step up efforts in the area of Education and Vocational Education and Training (VET) in order for its globally
renowned education systems to regain their international competitiveness. A master plan for “Education and Training for Europe”
is needed: Education and training as well as science have to be placed at the top of the Member States’ national political agendas.
Europe’s transition to a knowledge-based economy requires it. In this regard Europe can only provide the impetus to national educational
reforms. It is the Member States` responsibility to implement concrete actions and to do their homework!
Furthermore, the concept of Europe as an “Area of Learning” is not a reality. On the one hand, approximately 13% of European students
go to a foreign university. This amounts to some 144,000 students yearly, with a clear upward trend. The EU ERASMUS-Program makes
a substantial contribution to this with its individual scholarships. On the other hand, in the fi eld of VET only 1% of apprentices and
skilled people work or learn in another EU country. Generally such traineeships abroad are not integrated in VET. If they are, they are
mainly limited to introductory courses of two-three weeks. Due to different systems of VET in Europe, the organization and technical
conceptualization of traineeships and other vocational training measures abroad are signifi cantly more challenging than in the academic
fi eld. The German Association of Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) consider a qualitative and quantitative increase in training
mobility as essential. This is not only with regard to the equal importance of education and VET, but also because of the increasing economic
need for internationally oriented specialists speaking foreign languages and being familiar with other cultures. The EU should develop tailormade
instruments promoting mobility in VET such as individual scholarships, thereby creating an “ERASMUS-program” for apprentices.
Another priority area is the possibility for professionals to present their national qualifi cations and work experience to a potential employer
abroad in a clear and transparent manner. The proposal for a European Qualifi cations Framework (EQF) published in September 2006
could form the foundation for comparing professional qualifi cations and competences Europe-wide. The EQF however must be based
on “learning outcomes” describing what someone knows, understands and is able to do – regardless of the system in which a particular
qualifi cation was acquired. Such a focus on results provides an opportunity to clearly classify vocational qualifi cations obtained in
dual training systems as well as in school-based systems in a concise manner. As a consequence, dual training systems, such as in
Germany, Austria, Denmark and France, could fi nally receive the formal recognition they deserve. The DIHK therefore calls upon the
German Presidency to push the EQF forward.
13

Lisbon Agenda and Competitiveness
by Winnie Petersen, Weber Shandwick
How will European companies fare in the proverbial ‘fl at world’ where economic development defeats geographic boundaries and
refuses to follow a linear, controlled pattern? And will the revived Lisbon strategy be able to foster a business climate conducive to
growth and ready to deal with the unknowns of disruptive innovation?
The challenges and opportunities for the upcoming German Presidency are manifold. Not at least in moving the Lisbon achievements
closer to the 2010 goal; a fundamental point in the Presidency’s work programme for its six months in the EU driving seat.
Based on the fi rst assessment of the Community Lisbon Programme (CLP) and National Progress Reports on the state of play of National
Reform Programmes, some tough political moves await the German presidency. Despite progress in the European Commission’s
adoption of the policy actions covered by the CLP, some 27 of the 102 actions consisting of regulatory acts, fi nancing actions and
strategic policy documents, are still outstanding. The future of the 75 proposals that have been adopted is now in the hands of the
European Parliament and the Council.
With the European initiatives under way, focus is shifting from the European Union’s institutions to the Member States, which have
taken it upon themselves to instigate and implement competitiveness-boosting initiatives. At national level, actions taken within the
Partnership for Jobs and Growth are taking serious shape. Germany is an example of a Member State where numerous initiatives to
improve the business environment have seen the light of day. They vary from analysis of administrative costs imposed by legislation
to simplifi cation programmes within the areas of taxation, audit and fi scal measures, to reviewing rules on insolvency, and labour and
consumer protection.
Facing the prospect of an ageing population, initiatives are also underway to increase sustainability of pension schemes. And within the
realm of innovation, initiatives have been taken to improve R&D efforts, to create more and better jobs, to foster entrepreneurship and
improve the quality of learning. Examples of this are the German initiatives aimed at promoting quality research at universities – the
Excellence Initiative – and plans to further develop and expand the patent exploitation agencies.
Last, but not least, are the initiatives on energy and environmental technologies. Here, incentives are offered to promote energy savings
in buildings, and to further national and regional policies for wind power. This subject is of particular interest to Germany which holds a
third of the world’s wind power capacity.
The question is whether these initiatives will be enough to place Europe in front in the race for competitiveness. A vital part of the answer
to that question lies in the efforts to make Europe a more attractive place to invest and work. And here the focus is back on Brussels,
as this is a task placed on the collective shoulders of the European Union. This entails carrying out the policy actions adopted within
the State Aid Action Plan and reviewing the Internal Market, particularly in terms of bettering conditions for small and medium-sized
businesses as a hub for sustainable growth and innovation. But also the external competitiveness agenda, with its initiatives to improve
market access, public procurement markets and steps to further protect IPR, will play a signifi cant role.
Looking ahead, the second step of assessing EU and Member State initiatives will leave ample opportunity for the German Presidency
to infl uence possible new actions in key areas, leading up to the substantial review in the 2008 Strategic Report.
14

y Douglas Gibb,
Associate Director Marketing Europe, Fertility, Organon
The law of unexpected consequences is one which reaches into many corners. Like many before, the European Union has strived to
improve healthcare, life expectancy and living standards for all. In many areas, it has seen remarkable success. Yet almost unnoticed,
this has begun to have an unwanted effect. In short, Europe now has an ageing population, as more and more people live longer.
At the same time, birth-rates are dropping across Member States, dropping to levels where population levels cannot be sustained.
The causes of these two phenomena are relatively straightforward, as are the potential consequences. What are less straightforward
are the solutions. The causes of our changing demographics are that people live longer than they ever did before; at the same time,
people are waiting until much later in their lives to start a family. The biggest consequence has been that there are genuine fears that
healthcare and social security systems will become under funded, as less people contribute and more people use these services,
creating an inverted pyramid of demography.
Why it is happening – and what we can do about it – is a more diffi cult question. We know why people are living longer – improvements
to lifestyles have been the major factor. However the increased prosperity Europe has seen has encouraged people to establish fi nancial
stability – especially with home purchase – meaning often both parents work to create this stability and try to get up the property ladder.
However, this can make it considerably more diffi cult to start a family, as fertility declines rapidly with age. In addition the insidious
spread of sexual transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia, are adding to fertility problems.
The implications are serious for Europe. Not only will less people pay into health and pensions systems, but a declining supply of
workers will impact upon economic prosperity and competitiveness. In theory, the solutions are simple – encourage people to work
longer and incentivize larger, earlier families. To a certain extent this has happened – retirement ages are rising, age discrimination
legislation is becoming more prevalent, and Public Health initiatives, such as reducing smoking are improving levels of health. At the
same time, countries offering tax breaks for people with three or more children are seeing higher birth-rates.
Yet it is not enough. No country in Europe is successfully managing sustainable birth rates. Other measures need to be considered, or
competitiveness and social security systems face a downward spiral. Governments must look at ways which make it easier for people
to have families – providing more subsidised childcare, or allowing payments for crèches and kindergartens to be made from gross,
rather than net salaries. Other barriers to having families, such as restrictions on fertility treatment, will only further hinder the revival
needed in birth-rates to sustain Europe’s economy.
There are no simple solutions – and the solutions may have unexpected consequences of their own – but steps need to be taken.
A multifactorial approach – public health programmes which keep Europeans healthier and working longer - will buy time for society
while the birth-rate issue is addressed. This should be coupled with incentives for, and removal of barriers to, those people who can and
want to have families of more than two children.
15

Development
by Christian Hierholzer, Weber Shandwick
One year and two EU Presidencies after the UK’s Presidency of the EU, the EU development policy agenda is still far from enjoying the
same visibility and privileged position it did in 2005.
Development is not expected to be a top priority for Germany’s EU Presidency. The German government has, however, made Africa one
of its key priorities for its Presidency of the G8 which will coincide with Germany taking the reigns at EU level. In this context, the German
government has indicated its intention to shift the focus from debt relief and increased aid, as advocated by the UK’s Presidency of the
G8 in 2005, to the creation and reinforcement of conditions and structures that will help to attract more private investment.
It can be expected that this new emphasis on good economic and political governance will also guide the German Presidency’s actions
at EU-level, where it has already announced that it will focus its efforts - in the context of the implementation of the EU Strategy on Africa
- on the areas of infrastructure, energy and governance.
The increased focus on good governance should be welcomed by the business community, which has continuously emphasised in the past
the need to work towards the creation of a climate favourable to investment as an effective means to promote sustainable development.
The German Presidency is coming at a moment of strategic importance for the EU development agenda, as the parameters for
cooperation with the ACP countries will be set for years to come. Key in this context will be the programming of the 10th European
Development Fund which was initiated in January 2006 and which will be concluded during 2007. Also, the negotiations for Economic
Partnership Agreements, which represent a cornerstone for the regional integration of the ACP countries and for their development,
should be completed by the end of 2007.
The implementation of the EU Strategy for Africa will remain a central priority of the EU development agenda in 2007. A key challenge
in this respect will be to maintain the momentum and dynamism created by the adoption and implementation of the strategy to date.
It is expected that the December 2006 European Council, at which the implementation is to be reviewed, will provide new impetus and
identify those areas where the EU will need to reinforce its efforts. The framing and preparation of an EU-Africa Joint Strategy, will be
another central aspect of the German Presidency’s work on Africa, although its adoption is likely to take place under the Portuguese
Presidency in the second half of 2007.
A more general focus of the German Presidency will be to pursue the work programme on Policy Coherence for Development and
to advance the implementation of the European Consensus on Development and the EU’s Monterrey commitments. Furthermore, the
German Presidency will strive for the timely implementation of the EU’s commitments on Aid for Trade. Germany will also work towards
the development of operational principles regarding an improved division of labour between the Commission and the Member States,
with a view to achieving better complementarities between donors.
16

y Luis Cantarell,
Executive Vice President Zone Europe, Nestlé
One of the key objectives of the German EU Presidency in the area of sustainable development will be to ensure that the European Union,
the world’s largest donor, will put mechanisms in place to better ensure results on its commitments to the Millennium Development Goals.
I believe – and hope - that this will lead to positive results. Having said this, I also think there is one important factor that so far has not
been given enough consideration: the role of the private sector in this context.
Even if business alone cannot solve all problems addressed in the Millennium Development Goals, European corporations with a global
presence have a vital role to play in contributing to sustainable development. Such a role goes well beyond simply being a source of
growth and employment.
Through their operations, businesses today are in a unique position to effectively address issues such as the depletion of natural
resources, labour standards, gender equality, education and skills development, health and the protection of the environment.
Without well embedded business principles on responsible behaviour which favour long-term achievements over short-term profi ts,
business will not be sustainable. We have to understand how our operations and activities throughout the value chain can – and should -
have a positive impact on the economies and communities in the developing world. It’s all about being committed to making a difference.
According to Nestlé’s lengthy experience of global business, the underlying philosophy that has proven to work is to create shared
value. No business can survive for long in a failed society, and no society can long survive without a strong economy. The social
and environmental dynamics form the context in which business derives their fi nancial success and competitive advantage.
This understanding is the rationale behind Nestlé’s concept of Shared Value Creation where the creation of value for the business goes
hand in hand with the creation of value for society.
Businesses create social and environmental impacts – both positive and negative – through their daily operations throughout the
value chain. In addition, companies have the opportunity to use their resources outside the ordinary course of business through social
investments that strengthen the context in which they operate. For example, improving the technical skills of agricultural suppliers in
the developing world, or educating consumers to better understand nutrition and have healthier lifestyles. These two dimensions, value
chain impacts and contextual investments, are the fundamental tools of shared value creation. The more tightly they are linked to the
core business strategy of a company, the more value can be created for both the business and society.
The increased involvement of business in the development policy debate, through the organization of the fi rst EU - Latin America Business
Forum in May 2006 and the launch of the EU – Africa Business Forum in November 2006, are sound indications that European leaders
have started to recognize the value of business’ role in attaining the Millennium Development Goals. However, in order to realize the
full potential of private sector contribution to long-term sustainable development, EU policy-makers need to give even more importance
to the improvement of the investment climate and to the creation of an enabling environment for responsible and sustainable business
behaviour. European businesses need to commit to not only conducting business in a responsible manner but also to create shared value
in the communities in which they operate. A closer partnership between business and policy-makers can generate a signifi cant positive
impact, and would be an important step towards putting the Millennium Development Goals process back on track.
17

Employment, Social Affairs and Gender Equality
by Colin Mackay, Weber Shandwick
Jobs, growth and competitiveness: these three words are central to the debate surrounding the EU today, and made more important by
the renewed emphasis on the European Social Model. However, the current challenge is no longer how we preserve this at the same
time as boosting jobs, growth and competitiveness. Rather, it is to tackle a creeping demographic transition threatening to undermine
established norms and values.
To face these challenges, the German Presidency has identifi ed advancing the European Social Model; addressing demographic change,
and promoting equal opportunities and participation in the job market as its top priorities in employment and social affairs, supporting
both the common goals of previous presidencies and the Commission’s work agenda.
Firstly, there is the concept of ‘Flexicurity’ within the European Social Model, - a job market combining the necessary fl exibility with
social security. On labour mobility, work will continue on the transferability of occupational pension plans, yet keeping the emphasis on
the protection of existing pension plans. Furthermore, the German presidency will put forward ambitious plans for an evaluation of the
social consequences of all new European legislation and will begin work on a Community strategy for employment and health.
What is central to the German Presidency is the understanding that Social, Employment and Competitiveness policies are not mutually
exclusive - ministers will be invited to discuss how these inherently complementary policies will be interlinked in practice, at an
upcoming conference on the European Social Model.
In light of the opportunities and challenges of demographic change, the Presidency advocates an exchange of views between member
states on how the life experience of older sections of the population can be better harnessed for society and economy. This includes the
challenge of increasing employment rates of older people and thus continuing the dialogue on their “economic potential” at a European
level - a point which the business community needs to embrace and promote.
With youth unemployment widespread, it is naturally a priority to promote better integration of European youth into the job market.
The Presidency will implement initiatives such as “Europe for the Young” and “Youth in Action” which aim to provide a framework for
career advancement outside the academic sphere. The Presidency will also aim for concrete decisions on the social integration of
disadvantaged young people.
“Sustainable family policy” is seen as key to reversing negative trends in birth rates, and is supported by the Presidency’s aim to create
a “European Alliance for Families”. Questions of dovetailing rural and urban development strategies to contribute to both demographic
and regional economic growth will also be discussed, alongside how to promote local business.
2007 is the “European Year of Equal Opportunities for All”, supported by Germany backing the creation of a “European Gender Institute”
and the implementation of a ‘roadmap’ to reducing inequalities between men and women. This centres on the need to reconcile
family and work, whilst a renewed focus on the European Employment Strategy will highlight the need for equal opportunities for the
disadvantaged. Against this background, the German Presidency will initiate an exchange of experiences between Member States on
equal opportunities in the job market, but it is also necessary for business to remain conscious of all these issues: they will have longterm
implications for business practises, and indeed future planning, throughout Europe.
18

y Kai Deininger, Head of Communication,
Monster Worldwide Europe
The free movement of workers dates back to the signing of the EC treaty in 1957, yet it has only been in the last decade that real
mobility in the EU labour market has begun to take effect. Spurred by cheap fl ights and the prospect of higher paid jobs, more and more
European citizens are relocating to fi nd work.
Indeed, “mobility” is the word that springs to mind when describing the European labour market. Figures compiled by Monster across
all of the European regions show that, contrary to popular belief, the European citizen relocates for work to a higher degree than even
the average American.
Does that mean that anyone anywhere in Europe will be able to fi nd employment, as long as they are willing to relocate to a different
part of Europe? The answer, unfortunately, is “no”. Because another word that comes to mind when describing the European labour
market is “discriminatory”.
When trying to enter the job market, discrimination proves for some of society’s groups to be the most unsurpassable hurdle by far.
Although all Member States adhere to the same legal principle of equality for all, the job market is one of the areas where discrimination
is still very much alive and kicking.
So how can we, the companies, be part of the solution rather than the problem?
A unique chance is offered to us in 2007 with the ‘European Year of Equal Opportunities for All’. As the centrepiece of a European strategy
against discrimination, we will be able to attack the indirect and underlying prejudice that rears its ugly head in job recruitment situations.
To lead the way, Monster has recently formed a partnership with the French Government and the Association for the Social and
Professional Reintegration of Disabled People (ADAPT) to promote diversity in the workplace. This is done through the “Monster
Diversity” portal on both our website and the French Government’s website.
We hope that this public-private partnership is the fi rst of several that will give companies, hiring through Monster, an opportunity to
adhere to our pro-diversity criteria.
Europe will in the coming years need all resources available to maintain growth and prosperity. We take up the challenge of creating
the best conditions for this and encourage other companies to do the same. 2007 and the German presidency is a starting point. The
responsibility is ours!
19

Energy
by Tove Larsson, Weber Shandwick
Germany takes over the EU Presidency at a crucial moment in the development of a European Energy Policy. Following extensive consultation
triggered by the 2006 Green Paper, the Presidency will lead the EU governments’ response to growing political consensus for a coordinated
EU energy policy based on “sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply”. The Presidency’s main challenge will be to reach
agreement on an Action Plan ready for approval by heads of state and government at the European Council in March 2007.
The basis for the Action Plan will be the highly anticipated “Energy Package”, which the Commission hopes to present in early January
and moreover, the so-called “Strategic Energy Review”, a central element of the Commission proposals. The Energy Review is expected
to provide a framework for national decision-making on the energy mix, analyse the advantages and drawbacks of the various energy
sources, and propose goals for the development of clean and renewable energy sources. The Presidency faces the delicate task of seeking
a common understanding on sensitive issues that will infl uence national energy strategies and accelerate changes in the energy sector.
Overall, the German Presidency strategy will be geared towards the following priority aims:
Further opening of the gas and electricity markets;
Increased energy effi ciency and renewable energy use as essential measures to tackle energy dependency and combat
climate change;
A strengthened foreign energy policy forged upon partnerships with major energy producers, as well as transit and
consumer countries.
Under the German Presidency the Council will kick-off discussions on other initiatives forming part of the Commission’s energy package,
namely a Renewable Energy Road Map, a Directive on heating and cooling from renewable energy sources, a Communication on
sustainable coal, a Report on the implementation of the electricity and gas Directives – in conjunction with a DG Competition sectoral
inquiry, a Priority Interconnection Plan, and an Indicative Nuclear Programme, known as “PINC”.
In view of consistently high energy prices, the German government stresses the importance of increasing energy market competition
and working towards full market opening by July 2007. Results of the Commission Report and the sectoral inquiry would likely form the
basis for discussions within the Council. Also, the absence of market integration has triggered the debate on the need of a European
energy regulator, something that has been rejected by the German government.
Regarding energy effi ciency, the Council will focus on implementing measures announced in the Commission Action Plan of October
2006, which outlines some 100 initiatives covering sectors such as buildings (a key focus for the German Presidency), all transport
modes, energy-using-equipment, and energy production and distribution. The German government will also advocate for the setting
of medium and long-term objectives for renewable energy; and, in particular, the greater use of biomass and non-food crops.
A European Commission Report reviewing the implementation of the Biofuels Directive is likely to be on the Energy Council’s agenda,
ahead of reviewing this Directive in 2007.
Speaking with one voice in external energy policy has been strongly favoured by the German government and dialogues with Russia (in
May), USA (in April) and China are singled out as priorities on the Presidency agenda.
The recently published International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook 2006 appears as a key driver underpinning the EU energy
policy debate during the German Presidency. The report calls for strong policy action towards a more secure and sustainable energy
future, estimating the implementation of cost-effective measures currently under consideration by governments around the world could
deliver a 10% reduction of global energy demand by 2030 and a 16% reduction of CO2 emissions.
20

y Hans van der Loo,
Head European Union Liaison Offi ce, Royal Dutch Shell
Germany is assuming the leadership of the EU Presidency and the G8 at a time when the Union has an important role to play in securing
sustainable energy supplies and the effi ciency of European energy markets. Market-based initiatives and co-ordination of national
policies, including those towards non-EU partners and other stakeholders, are key to achieving these goals.
Shell welcomes the three common agenda points - energy, climate and innovation - that Germany has set for both Presidencies.
Innovation is vital not only for economic growth, but also to fi nd technical solutions to enhance energy diversifi cation and effi ciency, and
to mitigate the climate impact of energy use.
Proposals to improve external relations with major energy producing and consuming countries based on fair reciprocity are also welcomed.
This would give European companies fair access to upstream resources and give non-EU companies access to EU downstream opportunities.
Shell believes this is an area of opportunity for the EU - and the G8 - and we will support German efforts in this direction.
As the EU becomes progressively more dependent on external energy sources, and as energy companies face an increasingly challenging
exploration and production environment, Shell supports initiatives that promote those factors critical for the sector’s future, namely:
A free, competitive and integrated EU energy market;
Security of supply, underpinned by reliable relationships;
A regulatory environment that is clear, stable, predictable and applied equally throughout the EU;
A regulatory environment - including competition rules - that encourages investment and allows companies the necessary
fl exibility to manage risk;
Environmental protection.
This is an important Presidency for EU energy policy. Germany’s special relationship with Russia will be particularly signifi cant during
the next EU-Russia summit. The European Commission will present its Strategic Energy Review and an Energy Action Plan focussing on
the energy mix, technological developments such as sustainable coal and a roadmap for renewables.
Shell is a proven leader in new technologies and develops solutions to the world’s energy needs. Technology remains the most promising
tool to address global environmental concerns while maintaining living standards. In Germany, Shell is a partner in a number of major
renewable-energy projects. One is the fi rst commercial, second-generation biofuels plant being built by Choren. Germany will also be
home to Shell’s new solar operations, after it decided to switch from crystalline silicon to next generation CIS thin fi lm technology.
The adoption of the Energy Effi ciency Action Plan contributes to the enhancement of security of supply, the reduction of CO2
emissions and can improve the competitiveness of European companies. This fi ts with Shell’s commitment to be a sustainable
company by putting considerable efforts into mitigating the environmental impact of energy projects, developing greener fossil fuels
as well as renewable forms of energy.
The German Presidency comes at a crucial point when the EU needs to make important choices about energy. With its pivotal role in
Europe, special relationship with Russia, technological prowess and commitment to the environment, we are confi dent progress will be
made on all three common agenda items under Germany’s leadership.
21

Enlargement
by Thomas Boué, Weber Shandwick
Germany will begin its rotating Presidency of the EU on the same day as the European Union grows from 25 to 27 Members, with the
accession of Romania and Bulgaria on 1 January 2007. This will complete the fi fth enlargement of the EU.
On 26 September, the European Commission approved the monitoring report on the state of preparedness for EU membership of
Bulgaria and Romania, thus opening the door for their accession on 1 January. The Council acknowledged the Commission report on
17 October 2006, and “looks forward to welcoming Bulgaria and Romania as members of the Union on 1 January 2007”.
It has to be noted that there are still some areas where these two countries have to continue implementing reform in order to fully
comply with EU standards. To ensure this, the European Commission will set up a mechanism for verifying the progress made in the
areas of judicial reform, fi ght against corruption and organised crime.
To that end, three safeguard measures have been inserted. They include a general economic safeguard clause, a specifi c internal
market safeguard clause, as well as a specifi c justice and home affairs safeguard clause. These clauses can be invoked up to three
years after accession.
With regards to future enlargement of the EU, the horizon is somewhat unclear as although accession negotiations with Turkey
and Croatia are still underway, their outcomes are still unknown. The Science and Research chapter of the accession negotiations
(Chapter 25) is the only chapter to have been opened and provisionally closed with these two countries under the Finnish Presidency.
On 8 November, the European Commission released its monitoring reports and stressed a number of areas where these two countries
needed to intensify the pace of their reforms.
One of the major stumbling blocks of the negotiations with Turkey is the removal, as requested by the Ankara Protocol signed in July
2005, of the restrictions on direct transport links with Cyprus. The 2006 December Council, to be held under the Finnish Presidency,
is committed to looking into the efforts made by Turkey in this matter. With regard to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the
Commission noted that some progress had been made in working towards achieving the standards set by the EU, with efforts still
needed in certain areas.
Regarding the Western Balkan countries, the 8 November Commission report notes that they each have made progress since 2005 and
that “implementing its obligations under the Stabilisation and Association Agreements is an essential element for the EU to consider
any membership application.”
We cannot discuss this topic without mentioning the enlargement of the Eurozone on 1 January 2007. Indeed, the European Commission
confi rmed and fi nalised on 16 May 2006 the accession of Slovenia to become the thirteenth member of the Eurozone.
Although enlargement per se is not a major priority of the German Presidency, the future of the European Constitution is, and will be the
focus of the June Summit. As a number of voices have called for an institutional settlement before any other future enlargement, the
German Presidency will pave the way for the elaboration of ideas regarding the direction, procedure and timeframe for further progress.
To help in moving forward, the Commission, on 8 November, adopted a strategy for the enlargement policy of the Union; a strategy that
includes a special report on the Union’s integration capacity, which is one of the issues causing the most disquiet in the discussions on
enlargement. This report also stresses that an institutional solution has to be in place before any further enlargement.
22

y Dr. Ulrike Guérot, Senior Transatlantic Fellow Europe,
The German Marshall Fund of the United States
For a number of reasons, the forthcoming German EU Presidency will be very important. In March 2007 the Presidency will host the
celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Rome Treaty with the Council expected to deliver a declaration presenting a ‘new European
narrative’. Germany is also the largest EU country and has a longstanding tradition of promoting the European integration process.
Expectations regarding the German Presidency are therefore extremely high. However, Germany takes control at a time when the EU is in
the middle of a period of strong refl ection due to the constitutional deadlock, to wide-spread ‘enlargement-fatigue’ and with the possibility
of several international crises looming on the horizon, among them new tensions in Kosovo and between Turkey and Cyprus.
The German Presidency’s June Council will be dedicated to bringing a new dynamic into the discussion on the future of the European
Constitution. Germany wants, after a period of ‘active listening’, to present a clear road-map and time-frame on how to continue with
the institutional gridlock, but it is unlikely that a solution will be achieved during the six months they are in charge.
Enlargement will not be a specifi c focus of the German Presidency. Romania and Bulgaria will join the EU on 1 January 2007, yet new
enlargement rounds or membership guarantees are not on the agenda. Germany may potentially have a diffi cult time to advance the
negotiation talks with Turkey, as there has been disagreement as regards the terms of the implementation of the Ankara-Protocol.
If the Finnish Presidency cannot conclude this crisis, it may well impact on the German Presidency and it would be therefore diffi cult to
predict the outcome. It is well known that several actors are keen to scupper accession talks with Turkey with a ‘privileged partnership’
offer being the preferred outcome. It will therefore be crucial for Germany to do everything to keep within the legal framework of the
negotiations with Turkey.
As it has been agreed, membership talks with Croatia will be pursued, but it is not on the German Presidency’s agenda to provide
a concrete accession date to Croatia. Regarding other countries from the Western Balkans, the German Presidency will not aim to
question their membership perspective in principle, but, on the other hand, will voice clearly that their accession will not occur quickly
but will be in the distant future.
More importantly, the German Presidency, rather then providing new membership promises to countries such as Ukraine, Moldova or
Georgia, will try to upgrade and to re-conceptualise existing European Neighbourhood Policies (ENP) and to present a resolution best
referred to as ‘ENP+’ that will be built into the overall new ‘European Ostpolitik’ addressing the EU’s relationship to Russia and the
Caucasian countries. The background for this ‘new Ostpolitik’ is the necessity to redraft the ‘Partnership and co-operation agreement
with Russia’ signed in 1997 which is due for revision in November 2007.
‘Buying’ stability through offering potential membership of the EU is a strategy that will no longer work, given the European-wide
‘enlargement-fatigue’. Instead, the German intention is to individualise the neighbourhood agreements and to make them fi t, as much
as is possible, into the political and economic situation of the specifi c neighbouring country. It is clear that under the German Presidency,
discussions on the EU’s capacity to integrate, or lack of, will regain momentum. There can be no further enlargement without substantial
institutional and constitutional EU reform.
23

Environment and Climate Change
by Ivan Martin, Weber Shandwick
Germany takes over the EU Presidency as a new generation of EU environmental policies evolves to tackle challenges arising from
globalisation and economic growth. An advanced policy framework has achieved high environmental standards for Europe and served as
a benchmark for policies worldwide. Yet, increasing global demand for raw materials and energy, growing transport volumes, and concern
about their effect on climate and biodiversity are demanding new longer-term goals for EU environmental policy-making, notably:
An eco-effi cient production and use of natural resources, energy in particular;
Agreement on global long-term climate change policies;
Further development of environmental technologies to help meet these objectives while boosting competitiveness and
creating economic opportunities.
In this context, the fi rst half of 2007 will see an ambitious German Presidency keen to leave its mark on the EU’s environment policies
prioritising climate change and sustainable mobility (see separate chapter on Transport).
The stark warnings contained in the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change have reinforced the fact that ever more action
is needed to stabilise climate change. It comes as no surprise then that Germany has made climate change a top environmental policy
priority. Its main goals are to work towards an agreement for the post-2012 period, when the Kyoto Protocol emissions targets expire,
and crucially to seek the increased involvement of signifi cant greenhouse gas emitters such as China, India and the US. Also high on
the Presidency’s agenda will be the so-called “adaptation policy”, aimed at anticipating the effects of climate change on areas such
as water resources, biodiversity, health or urban planning. A Green Paper expected by the end of 2006, will launch a stakeholder
consultation leading to the adoption of an EU Adaptation Programme later in 2007. As part of this process, the Presidency will host
an international symposium Time to Adapt-Climate Change and the European Water Dimension, from 12-14 February 2007 in Berlin,
which will produce a set of recommendations for EU Ministers during the fi rst half of 2007.
The Presidency is likely to chair discussions on the review of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) based on the Commission’s mid-term
implementation report adopted in November. Linked to this, the proposal on the integration of air transport into the ETS is expected to
appear on the Council’s agenda during the course of the Presidency.
Aside from climate change, Germany will continue the Finns’ work on environmental technologies, giving priority to investments in innovative
low-emission technologies and in the fi eld of resource and energy effi ciency. This will be the focus of an informal Environment Council in
June 2007. It is hoped the meeting will provide impetus for further progress, and be an opportunity to discuss the recommendations of the
Commission report on progress in implementing the Environmental Technologies Action Plan expected in January 2007.
As regards legislative proposals underway, the Presidency is expected to move towards reaching Common Positions on the
proposed Directives on environmental quality standards in water policy, and on waste (75/442/EC) at the June Environment Council.
Finally, the complex negotiations over the new chemicals Regulation (REACH), are likely to be settled with an agreement between the
European Parliament and the Council possible in December, paving the way for its approval under Germany’s watch.
All in all, the success of the Presidency’s environmental strategy will be marked by its ability to steer consensus on the above
policies, as well as its contribution to strategically shaping Europe’s longer-term goals driven by further integration of environmental
considerations into decision-making, reinforcing the EU’s international leadership and, creating opportunities for boosting innovation
and competitiveness across the business sectors.
24

y Markus E. Becker,
EU Energy and Environmental Policy Manager, RWE
Climate change and worldwide growing energy demand present a particular challenge for politics and the economy. Moreover, the
demand for electricity will continue to increase in the coming decades. According to current forecasts the global electricity consumption
will double by 2030.
In the same period, according to IEA calculations, CO2 emissions worldwide will rise by more than 35 billion tons per year. Europe’s share
of worldwide emissions will decrease to less than 10%. Under these conditions Europe’s role as a frontrunner in climate policy will have
to be balanced with growth and employment. It will only be possible to achieve the ambitious objectives for emission targets, growth and
employment if both, industrialized and emerging (market) countries are involved in the necessary efforts. The countries of key importance
in this context have opted in the framework of the so-called Asia-Pacifi c Partnership (AP6) for an alternative way of global climate
prevention: instead of national targets for emission reductions, these countries focus on stricter R&D measures and on technological
progress for higher effi ciency of supply and demand of energy and energy services. However, AP6 and Kyoto should not compete with
each other. It will be a great diplomatic challenge to combine both approaches within the forthcoming climate conferences.
The priority of the German Presidency in the area of climate policy should be the development of an international climate protection
regime which would allow for the involvement of the big emitters such as the USA, Australia as well as India and China. Climate change
prevention is and will be a global challenge which can only be tackled globally.
At the European level, enhancement of the emissions trading system should be at the forefront of decision-making. If implemented
correctly, emissions trading is a promising tool which contributes to emission reductions. In the EU, we have barely over one year of
experience and should therefore stick to the current system as far as possible. In the coming years, however, it will be important
to enable growth, extend trading periods and harmonize the allocation and other provisions as much as possible in order to avoid a
distortion of competition within the Internal Market. From around 2012 onwards, cautious attempts should be made to extend the
system to other countries. In doing so, attention must be paid to the possible effects on quantity and pricing.
As an emitter of CO2 in Europe, RWE recognises and acts on its responsibility to pursue an active climate strategy. We contribute to the
fundamental challenges of energy and climate policy. With billions of Euros invested in innovative technologies, we work progressively
to make the use of valuable resources more effi cient. In order to achieve a sustainable reduction of CO2-output, we have developed
a long-term strategy. Until 2014, we will allocate € 2 billion for our ambitious climate prevention programme which includes the most
modern Clean Coal technologies including the construction of the fi rst large scale CO2-free power plant, the expansion of renewable
energies as well as international measures for CO2-reduction (JI/CDM).
Investments of this scale and with such a long-term perspective need a reliable framework. We rely on EU decision-makers to create
this framework, to approve research funds, to make authorization procedures fast and unbureaucratic and to rapidly fi nd pragmatic
solutions to situations where legal insecurity reigns, such as the fi eld of carbon capture and storage (CCS). The German Presidency
should therefore foster an environment which rewards a pioneering spirit and not an attitude of hesitation. It should set the course in a
courageous and innovative manner.
25

Financial Affairs and Corporate Governance
by Francesco Laera, Weber Shandwick
The Germany Presidency will be marked by two crucial tone-setting events: the enlargement of the EU to include Bulgaria and Romania,
and the historical expansion of the Eurozone to Slovenia, the fi rst “new” Member State to adopt the euro.
The Presidency will seek to ensure that an enlarged EU will have the necessary procedures for the coordination of economic and fi nancial
policies. The Presidency aims to increase the exchange of information and best practices on how to improve the budget structure and its
sustainability. In addition, the Presidency is expected to support an effective coordination of EU Member State economic and fi nancial policies.
Better regulation is expected to be a crucial guiding principle during the German Presidency, under the banner of “dynamic consolidation”.
The integration of EU fi nancial markets will continue through a relatively small number of legislative initiatives providing tangible added
value to European business and citizens. A key aspect of the Germany Presidency will be the completion of the Single Market for
fi nancial products through further integration of retail markets and payment services. This initiative will likely increase competition
in the banking sector across the EU. Under the Germany Presidency the Council is expected to work on the Commission proposal to
tighten the procedures that Member States’ supervisory authorities follow when assessing proposed mergers and acquisitions in the
banking, insurance and securities sectors. The Council will also prepare the launch of the Single Euro Payment Area (SEPA) scheduled
for January 2008, and the fi nal adoption of the Payment Services Directive. Both initiatives aim to remove any distinction between
national and cross-border payments in the euro currency within the EU, and will in all likelihood generate competition between different
debit card schemes in domestic markets.
The debates on consumer and mortgage credit will mark the fi rst half of 2007. With regard to consumer credit, the Presidency will
fi nalise the preparatory work done by Finland, with a view to adopting a common position on the Commission’s amended proposal for a
Directive on Consumer Credit in the fi rst few months of 2007. The debate will then continue on to the Parliament for the second reading,
in parallel with informal talks involving the Commission and the Presidency. A more elongated timeline is expected on mortgage credit.
In 2007 the Commission will present a White Paper on the Integration of EU Mortgage Credit Markets with the Presidency likely to start
the negotiations on this topic in the Council.
Company law and corporate governance will be equally on the German Presidency’s agenda with a view to speeding up the harmonisation
of those rules essential for the completion of a Single Market for fi nancials services and products. In particular the Presidency supports
the concept of the European Private Company (EPC) statute and will seek to progress on this topic. The European Parliament is also
expected to take part in this debate through an own-initiative report on EPC which is due to be adopted at the end of 2006 / beginning of
2007. The work on company law will be completed by the negotiations on the Commission’s planned proposal for a 14th Company Law
Directive on the cross-border transfer of the registered offi ce of limited companies - the so-called Directive on a company’s registered
offi ce. Although a proposal has not yet been presented, the Presidency is expected to reinvigorate negotiations on this topic.
26

y Dr. Ansgar Tietmeyer, Delegate of the Management
Board for EU Affairs, Deutsche Bank
As a European fi nancial services provider with global reach Deutsche Bank is fully committed to the integration of fi nancial markets in
the EU, a key element for stability and growth, and for the progress of the Lisbon agenda.
A key issue for Deutsche Bank is the creation of appropriate framework conditions, an essential prerequisite for further fi nancial market
integration. We fully endorse the “Better Regulation” approach, including independent impact assessments, before any new legislative initiative.
The Lamfalussy procedure has generally proved successful. Nonetheless, the review scheduled for 2007 should serve to correct existing
defi ciencies. Mediation mechanisms for all Level 3 committees would be helpful, accompanied by more co-operation between supervisors.
Shortcomings of the current Level 3 structure could be addressed by moving the supervisory structure increasingly onto a supranational
basis. We appreciate the ECOFIN decision to establish a Working Group on Financial Stability Arrangements. An interim report is expected
under the German Presidency. Progress in this fi eld is an important step towards a pan-European supervisory structure.
Further integration of retail markets will be an important issue under the German Presidency. Current EU actions should foster
market integration and competition by removing barriers to cross-border business. In particular targeted harmonisation of certain legal
areas complemented by mutual recognition and the abolition of obstacles to cross-border M&As is necessary to further integration.
In order to achieve progress on consumer protection, an expert group could identify key elements for targeted full harmonisation.
Mutual recognition is essential for the remaining elements if an open competitive single market allowing for product diversity is to evolve.
Deutsche Bank supports the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) and is preparing for its launch in January 2008. In case the Payment
Services Directive (PSD) is not passed this year, it will fall under German Presidency. The forthcoming compromise should avoid
burdensome regulations and leave room for self-regulation based on industry standards. Prompt adoption and implementation by the
EU members is then required to provide legal certainty and to prevent a delay of SEPA.
Concerning the Consumer Credit Directive, industry considers further improvement necessary. The numerous demands regarding
consumer protection must remain realistic and sustainable, and must not obstruct further integration. Hence, the planned impact
assessment is appropriate.
The Commission’s White Paper on Mortgage Credit is expected for spring 2007. Further integration of mortgage markets is welcome,
but overambitious harmonisation of consumer protection might neglect national customs and traditions, and eliminate product diversity.
Instead, the focus should be on pan-European funding of mortgage business and a liquid secondary market.
In the area of capital markets the Clearing & Settlement (C&S) debate will continue. We support the Code of Conduct approach as we
believe in the principle that well audited self-regulation is the right measure to create a transparent, accessible and open market for
domestic and cross-border C&S infrastructure services. The ECB initiative “Target2-Securities” could contribute to improving the safety
and cost-effi ciency of these markets. In general we support this project which, however, will have to undergo further consultation with
market participants, as many questions are still open. Both initiatives require adequate user involvement.
The German Presidency should also place an impetus on streamlining FSAP directives in the securities area in order to redress the
recognised ineffi ciencies. In this respect the mandate of the group of securities markets experts (ESME) could evolve to include regular
monitoring and reports on the state of legislation. The group could even initiate a feasibility study on a unifi ed code of securities-market
rules, aimed at improving legal transparency.
27

Food and Consumer Protection
by Cecilia Thorn, Weber Shandwick
Safe food and healthy nutrition are among the priorities of the German Presidency, which believes prevention and the promotion of
healthy lifestyles are of key importance to improving human health and effectively reducing disease-related costs in the health sector.
In this framework, an increased focus on nutrition and physical activity are considered exemplary measures for disease prevention.
Initiatives such as the EU Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health are viewed positively by the Presidency, which will therefore
look closer at preventive actions of this kind. The German Presidency is expected to be supportive of the Commission’s White Paper on
Nutrition, which will be published in 2007. Building on existing mechanisms, this White Paper will outline an EU-level nutrition strategy
for the promotion of healthy lifestyles, including a good diet and higher levels of physical activity. It is hoped this strategy will help halting
the rising prevalence of people who are overweight, obese, or suffer from other weight-related conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, cancer, etc.
The German Presidency (followed by the two forthcoming Presidencies) wishes to conclude work on the recently submitted package
of proposals on Food Improvement Agents (food additives, fl avours, enzymes and common procedure). A further priority will be
implementation of the initiative on “Better Training for Safer Food”.
In the spring of 2007, the Commission is expected to publish a proposed Regulation to amend the current Directive on Nutrition
Labelling. The key objective of the proposal is to update current rules on general food and nutrition labelling and to make the labelling
of nutritional information mandatory. A simplifi ed labelling scheme would help consumers better understand nutritional labelling and
allow them to rapidly judge the nutritional quality of the food they buy. As nutrition is a priority of the German Presidency, it is expected
to follow this proposal closely.
The Commission is also expected to revise the Novel Foods Regulation in order to clarify legislation following the removal of GM foods
from the scope. This proposal aims to create a more favorable environment for food industry innovation, while facilitating internal and
external trade. It will tighten and streamline the authorisation procedure for novel and new foods, making the process more predictable
for applicants and allowing foods with a safe history outside the EU to enter the EU more easily. New technologies with an impact on
food (nanotechnology, animal cloning, etc) will also be examined.
EU Biofuels Policy and support for so-called fi rst generation biofuels is increasingly a cause for concern in the food industry, as it has
encouraged the use of specifi c food crops for fuel purposes, thereby pushing up the market prices for these crops. However, Germany
wants to make greater use of the potential of biomass and non-food crops, which may be considered welcome news for the industry.
Concerning consumer protection, an “active consumer protection policy” is among the priorities of the German Presidency,
which believes EU citizens as consumers have the right to expect a high degree of security, transparency and freedom of choice.
Priorities will be to implement the new Programme of Community Action in the Field of Consumer Policy (2007-2013), as well
as to discuss and follow up on the EU Consumer Policy Strategy, to be submitted by the Commission in the first half of 2007.
In this context, increasing the safety of new technologies, strengthening cross-border consumer rights and improving market
transparency and consumer information will be key concerns.
28

y Alain Beaumont, Secretary General, UNESDA
2006 was a year of intense activity for UNESDA, the Union of European Beverages Associations, and it has set a similarly ambitious
work plan for 2007.
As a member of the EU Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, chaired by Health and Consumer Protection Director General,
Robert Madelin, UNESDA is working alongside its Platform peers to address the challenge of rising rates of obesity across the EU.
Our industry, the non-alcoholic beverages sector, has been under the microscope for some time. We understand the issues, have
listened to the arguments and accept our responsibility and role alongside others in fi nding solutions for the future.
The strength of the EU Platform is that it has brought together stakeholders from across the issue – food and drinks manufacturers
like ourselves; consumer groups; advertising groups; healthcare professionals and educationalists. We recognise that the causes
are multiple and the issue multi-faceted and we are working to develop coordinated approaches that will be effective in halting and
reversing the situation.
January 2007, the start of the new German Presidency, will mark the fi rst anniversary of the set of commitments that UNESDA made to
the EU Platform. These commitments, signed by nine of the major players in the non-alcoholic beverages sector, bind the industry to act
responsibly in the marketplace. They commit to provide variety and choice with a range of portion sizes and a selection of beverages,
including low and no-calorie options, in order to help consumers to make informed decisions.
In particular the UNESDA commitments pledge to:
stop direct advertising to children under 12 in printed media, on websites or during broadcast programmes specifi cally
aimed at children;
stop direct sales to primary schools in the EU;
ensure that in secondary schools a full range of beverages – including water, juices and others, in both regular and lowcalorie/calorie-free
versions and in a range of serving sizes – are available.
UNESDA has been very pleased with the way in which the commitments have been received by the EU Platform and in particular by the
acknowledgement of the key performance indicators (KPIs) that it has set in place in order to monitor them.
We recognise that the commitments are but a fi rst step and that ensuring that they are adhered to will be the proof that both consumers
and regulators will want to see. We have appointed three sets of independent auditors to monitor each of the key commitments and
will receive results in the fi rst quarter of 2007. We have shared the process of developing KPIs and the monitoring methodology with
our partners on the EU platform and we will also be sharing the fi ndings with them.
Germany will also take over the reins of the EU Presidency at an important moment as the European Parliament looks to debate
nutritional labelling as well as the Parliamentary Green Paper on the Platform.
UNESDA is committed to progress in this area and will lend all support to the German Presidency in driving forward its programme for
the six months ahead.
29

Public Health and Pharmaceuticals
by Ingrid van den Neucker, Weber Shandwick
Health promotion, disease prevention, improving access to healthcare and strengthening the EU’s innovative capacity are the best
strategies for creating a sustainable EU public health policy based on a high level of health for all. These are the priorities for Public
Health and Pharmaceuticals agreed by the German Presidency and it successors, Portugal and Slovenia, over the next 18 months.
In the fi eld of health promotion and disease prevention, the German Presidency will address issues such as the promotion of mental
health, alcohol abuse and related harm, healthcare associated infections and the promotion of healthy diets and physical activity,
particularly for children and adolescents. The Presidency will also nurture existing work on pandemic planning and preparedness.
The Presidency aims to ensure that a fi nal agreement on the Public Health Programme is reached in the fi rst half of 2007. In line with
the awaited Commission Communication on a new European Health Strategy, the Presidency will foster discussions on how the EU can
best contribute to shaping health policy in Europe. Particular attention will be given to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. A Ministerial conference
bringing together the Commission, representatives of International Organizations, and EU-neighbouring countries alongside civil society
is planned in Bremen on 12-13 March. The conclusions will be presented to the informal meeting of Health Ministers planned for 19-20
April in Aachen.
Proposals on how to strengthen the EU’s innovative capacities to the benefi t of both patients and healthcare systems will be part of the
Presidency’s contribution to the High Level Pharmaceutical Forum. A conference on pharmaceutical innovation will be held on 11-12
June in Bonn, where discussions will centre on the benefi ts of individualised drug therapy in enhancing the effi cacy of medication.
Work on the proposal for a Regulation on Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products and on the revision of the Medical Devices Directive
will be pursued, with the aim of strengthening innovation in this fi eld, ensuring predictability and clarity of standards for companies and
improving security and quality for patients. Progress on initiatives for the donation and transplantation of organs is also expected.
In an EU challenged by demographic change, the Presidency will concentrate its efforts on providing a high quality health environment
and services citizens can rely on. The results of the consultation on the Community Framework on Health Services will, in particular, be
promoted. EU cooperation in cross-boarder healthcare will support a healthier Europe while at the same time lowering Member State’s
healthcare expenditure. Over the long term, this will benefi t EU citizens and contribute towards a stabilisation of social security systems.
Concerning access to healthcare, the existing inequalities affecting migrants and gender biases will be addressed.
The social dimension of the Internal Market and its consequences for healthcare will be dealt with in a conference to be held in Potsdam
on 15-16 June. This conference will consider the extent to which the regulation of EU healthcare systems is necessary for the protection
of common values in the social model. In addition, an expert-level conference on healthcare in the Internal Market in Potsdam on 15-16
January will prepare the ground for discussion.
Careful attention will be paid to future developments on the international level, in particular, cooperation within the World Health
Organisation in the fi eld of tobacco control and in the implementation of International Health Regulations.
2007 will see the continued implementation of the review of pharmaceutical legislation, alongside new ways of addressing Public Health
challenges whilst rewarding new research in paediatric medicines. Within this context, strengthening the legal framework for the best
possible level of healthcare and a competitive EU pharmaceutical Industry should be the German Presidency’s legacy.
30

y Giovanni Asta, Director, EPPOSI
As Germany takes over the EU Presidency, it will be confronted by a Europe that faces a wide range of unmet health needs, inequalities
of access to innovation, a growing possibility of intervening in several hitherto untreatable disorders, and diffi culties for healthcare
systems to meet patients’ demands.
The European Platform for Patients’ Organisations, Science and Industry (EPPOSI) is a Europe-wide partnership of patients, academic
science and industry, which aims to advance healthcare policies for the prevention and treatment of serious diseases.
Using dialogue among stakeholders, EPPOSI addresses several of the issues, which feature among the priorities of the German
Presidency’s healthcare agenda, most notably:
1. Judging the value of innovation – need versus affordability:
The perceived value of innovation from the perspective of payers, patients, care-givers or physicians: Decision-makers will need
to be able to identify potentially useful innovation and the benefi ts it may represent, then to consider this when making investment
decisions. They also will need to be able to consider the broader societal perspective in order to ensure that the healthcare systems
remain competitive and fi t-for-purpose, in terms of both cost-effectiveness and responsiveness to patients’ expectations.
2. Success stories and best practices in promoting innovation:
What can be learnt from practices and initiatives among the EU’s Member States? France has established practice, policy and
programs to promote innovation and access to innovative products. Will this strategy prove to be sustainable, or will costs be too high?
How effective are the research institutes aimed at encouraging innovation, such as those in the Netherlands? The UK and Germany
have stimulated public debate on key areas of innovation such as stem cells research, but is this an effective way for society to
become informed and communicate with its politicians?
3. The multidimensionality of the value of innovation:
The value of innovation can be considered from different societal perspectives: from the value to individual patients affected by
disease, to society in a constrained economic environment, or to the economic system as a whole (including value to industry, to
patients returned to active life, to trade, or to strategic objectives such as the Lisbon agenda). Does the value of basic research justify
the ever-increasing cost of investment in the latest technologies that enable innovation?
EPPOSI organised a high-level workshop for stakeholders and authorities in 2004 to specifi cally discuss the value of innovation in
human healthcare, and a follow-up event has been planned for January 2007. The events focus on three themes: defi ning “innovation”;
the translation of innovation into benefi ts for patients; and stakeholders’ involvement in achieving “value”. These discussions directly
address the Lisbon objectives towards achieving a competitive European economy, built on the creation of sustainable solutions for
patients with unmet needs.
Through stakeholder dialogue, EPPOSI looks forward to contributing to the debates and activities of the German Presidency in the
fi eld of innovative and preventive health policy – particularly in the areas of prevention and support of healthy lifestyles; the prevention
of HIV/AIDS in a joint effort with civil society; the conditions for innovation in the health and pharmaceutical sector; the adoption of a
Regulation on Advanced Therapies; and the European Framework on Health Services.
31

Information Society
by Florian Cartoux, Weber Shandwick
Germany faces the challenging task of following in the footsteps of Finland, a world leader in the fi eld of ICT. As the biggest economy in
the EU, Germany is certainly no minnows and has come a long way in the last 10 years in this area: ICT contributed 6,7% of Germany’s
GNP in 2004 compared to 4,7% in 1994 while the number of people employed in ICT has gone up to 750,000.
While Germany’s record at home point towards a positive development, the EU as a whole needs to do better if it wants to compete at
a global level. Levels of ICT productivity in the EU are still lower than in the US or Japan. It will therefore be important for the German
Presidency in the fi rst half of 2007 to steer the EU through the right mix of regulation and partnerships to encourage further investment
and productivity in ICT.
In terms of regulation, the German Presidency will probably bring an end to the discussions on the compromise reached by the Finnish
Presidency and the European Parliament’s fi rst reading vote on the television without frontiers directive. The content directive, as it is
called, has been at the center of heated discussions given the expansion of TV-like services to new platforms (Internet, mobile phones).
Major players from the technology, media and telecommunications industry have been very critical of the extension of the directive
to non linear services (video on demand) as regulating these emerging services, even lightly, may raise unnecessary barriers for both
EU- and non-EU players.
The roaming regulation will also form an essential part of the German Presidency’s priorities in the fi eld of telecoms. The 2006
Commission roaming regulation proposal has angered large parts of the telecoms industry as roaming represents 5-10% of most EU’s
mobile operators’ revenues. The German Presidency will face the challenge of fi nding a compromise between the Commission proposal
and concerns from the industry over its ability to carry on offering competitive and innovative roaming services.
The German Presidency will also have to be mindful of not harming the development of technologies such as NGNs, RFID or Wimax.
Further investment in NGNs will only take place if regulation is not extended beyond legacy networks while issues related to international
standards and frequency management will need to be addressed for RFID and Wimax.
While appropriate regulation is essential to ensure a right balance between competition and investment, governments must also take
the lead in promoting the right partnerships to ensure that EU citizens realize the benefi ts of ICT. The ICT industry only employs 6% of
the EU’s workforce and this number will grow if Europe can create an inclusive society where all groups can be part of the ICT industry.
This entails creating better opportunities for SMEs to take advantage of ICT through public-private partnerships. These opportunities - such
as the German “Internet Security for SMEs Initiative” - will enable SMEs to be more productive, cut costs and become more competitive.
32

y Ralf Wolf, Chief PR Offi cer, NEC Germany
A crucial element for the success of the Lisbon Agenda is to ensure the optimum exploitation of the potential provided by the information
society, as the synthesis of information and communications technology opens up numerous opportunities for new products and
services. Europe has recognised the key obstacles that have to be overcome en route to becoming a knowledge society, and many EU
initiatives, such as the Sixth and the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, are a step in the
right direction. But considering the potential of the ICT market, we hope that the EU will undertake major steps to make up more ground.
There is still need for better concentration and deployment of the existing resources. We hope that the German Presidency will continue
to follow the objective of deregulation, and to push ahead with the introduction of uniform, simple and open industrial standards which
keep the prescription of technical specifi cations to a minimum in order to give the best technology the chance of a breakthrough.
In this latter connection, it is worth taking a look at Japan: Research investments are focused on areas which are assumed to have
substantial business potential and where the research fi ndings are expected to fi nd prompt implementation in concrete applications,
for example in next-generation internet technologies and RFID technology. Investments are also concentrated in areas in which Japan
wishes to consolidate its own leading technological position, for instance in the supercomputer sector.
Europe too, would be well advised to remember its own core strengths in the IT sector, and to primarily promote technologies which also
promise high benefi ts for society, such as medical technology and basic research in the fi eld of e-health. This also applies to other highly
promising growth sectors for the telecommunications and automobile industry, such as mobile internet applications and car-to-car
communications. Statutory regulations are urgently required in that respect in order to establish standards. Car-to-car communication,
for example, can only succeed in the marketplace if the installation of corresponding transmission and receiving devices is prescribed
by law as from a certain time. This new development can only function effi ciently once a certain minimum number of cars have been
equipped with the appropriate technology. If Europe wants to remain an international leader in this fi eld, the mandatory introduction of
such technology is a prerequisite.
With targeted investments in key technologies, ongoing improvements in research coordination, sensible deregulation measures
and forward-looking statutory standards, Europe will have no problems in asserting its internationally competitive position.
However, to encourage investments and generate growth it is essential to create open markets and to maintain a high pace of innovation.
But our most important capital, as we head towards a knowledge society, is still knowledge itself. And that is why we urgently need to
increase our investments in education and improve the coordination of education policies in the member states of the European Union
– after all, we want to ensure that our children will have their own place in the information society.
33

Internal Market
by Tristan Suffys, Weber Shandwick
With the controversial directive on services approaching fi nal adoption, one could think that the internal market policy would thereby soon
lose most of its momentum in Europe. The German presidency, starting in January 2007, will have no such emblematic issue to deal
with. However, as the Commission is about to present future directions for the EU’s single market policy, the European institutions will
pay particular attention to a number of industries for the fi rst half of the year. Further initiatives will aim to improve the competitiveness
of European companies.
A specifi c area of interest for the German Presidency will be the internal market for postal services. The Presidency will push for
completing the deregulation of this market, which is still dominated by incumbent mail providers. Opening it up to private competition
will certainly bring about business opportunities in the sector. However, the concerns of a large part of the public in certain Member
States about excessive deregulation and its impact on universal service may well infl uence the debate.
A number of industries will be given special attention too, as outlined in the new EU industry policy. Amply refl ecting a country that gave
birth to Daimler, BMW or Volkswagen, the Presidency will start discussions on the competitiveness of the automotive sector, based
on a Commission document including recommendations from an industry group. The German Presidency will also work towards the
defi nition of precise recommendations and initiatives in other industries: textile and clothing, engineering, ceramic and biotechnologies.
In the area of services, Berlin will underline the importance of the tourism industry for economic growth at a Presidency conference.
Several policy initiatives debated under the German Presidency will share the objective of boosting the competitiveness of European
companies. On the basis of a recent communication from Peter Mandelson’s department, the institutions will look at the contribution
EU external trade policy may have to provide European companies with further outlets. Efforts to achieve a better and more effi cient
system for public procurement will also certainly facilitate access to the offers public institutions can provide for private companies.
As regards access to EU funds for research (7th Framework Program) or innovation (CIP), the Germans have indicated their commitment
to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises do benefi t from EU programs.
As Germany accedes to the Council presidency, it is no surprise that Commissioner Günter Verheugen’s beloved ‘better regulation’
policy will remain a key word in Brussels after January 2007. The Presidency will support the Commission’s work towards simplifi cation
and reduction of unnecessary legislation, as it contributes to improving business conditions for EU companies and reducing the costs of
bureaucracy. The Germans will work in close cooperation with upcoming Portuguese and Slovenian Presidencies, putting the emphasis
on the need to properly assess new legislative proposals against excessive burdens on companies and negative consequences on
environmental or social policy. Germany will push for the defi nition of an EU-wide measurement system for bureaucracy and the costs
related thereto, and for setting concrete quantitative objectives to reduce those costs.
The German internal market agenda for the six month period to come will also include further work on the market for telecommunications,
fi nancial services and company law, patent policy and the standardisation of products and services. Actions are expected towards
a common consolidated corporate tax base for companies’ EU-wide activities. A far-reaching refl ection on the links between
competitiveness, energy and environmental policy is to take place as well under the German presidency.
34

y Boris von Chlebowski,
Head of Corporate Strategy, Serco Germany
During its Presidency, the German federal government intends to increase the competitiveness of European companies by dismantling
bureaucratic obstacles and thereby supporting economic growth in the EU. This includes more than just simplifi cation of legislation,
regulatory impact assessment and measurement of the costs of bureaucracy.
An additional objective of the German presidency is to implement an e-government action plan, and to set up a Europe-wide database
with best-practice examples for modernising local administrations. Germany also wishes to make its case for partial privatisation of
public tasks, for example in the construction, fi nancing and operation of public infrastructure projects. This encouraging program ties
in with various initiatives at the EU level, such as the European Commission’s regulatory impact assessment method, which has been
applied as part of the Lisbon Strategy, or the cutting back of bureaucratic regulations.
However, real progress at the national and European levels will only be achievable once governments decide which public services must
actually be provided by the state, and which tasks can be privatised. This question must also arise at the onset of any considerations
as to whether infrastructure projects are to be realised in Public Private Partnership (PPP) models. Otherwise only private fi nancing of
construction or redevelopment of public utilities would be a priority. The decision on privatisation involves more than just the creation of a
physical infrastructure, which is made clear by the fact that, if measured over the life span of a public building, around 2/3 of the costs often
arise during the operational phase and not during construction. This stance, which has been determining PPP development in Great Britain
since the 1980s, and manifesting itself in numerous projects, can be seen as setting an example for the other Member States. Reliable
and effi cient provision of services of general interest is an important foundation for economic and social prosperity in Europe. Citizens
and companies alike have justifi ably high expectations of these services, with regard to availability, quality and long-term affordability.
Private companies traditionally have experience in dealing with customer requirements and can thus often improve the quality of public
services. Public authorities and service providers must vouch for adherence to the politically specifi ed targets and quality. Good quality
services must be remunerated appropriately and thereby provide the incentive for further improvement of the services.
The “modern state” objective of the German Presidency is expected to signalise its vision of the future of public services as a mixed
economy, in which public, private and voluntary providers each make their respective contributions. The democratically legitimised
institutions must always remain responsible for the defi nition, commission and funding of public, especially social, core tasks.
However, competition, a variety of offers, and freedom to choose between them also provide incentives for more innovation and
effi ciency in public services, from which the customer benefi ts. Europe can learn from Great Britain’s culture of cooperative partnerships
between state and industry. This is not about privatising public utilities in order to generate short-term income. Rather, tendering of
public services must be conceived in such a way that partnership between public, private-sector and voluntary players brings about
better management and effective implementation of technology and innovations. The provision of services of general interest also
cannot elude the constant pressure to improve and the increasing customer demands which globalisation and technological progress
entail. The prospect of attractive profi ts as reward for quality and innovation plays an important role in change and modernisation.
The German Presidency should promote Europe’s modernisation with its agenda.
35

Research and Innovation
by Philippe Ghyssels, Weber Shandwick
In the context of the Lisbon Strategy’s goal to invest 3% of European Union GDP in research and development in order to make the EU
the most competitive knowledge-based economy by 2010, the German Presidency aims to promote substantial investments in research
and education. Continuing the mandate of the Finnish Presidency, Germany will push for innovation both in the public and the private
sector, making this the core of its research policy. Annette Schavan, German Minister for Research and Education already declared to
the Bundestag that “fundamental research to reinforce innovation for economic growth and for more jobs” will be a principal theme for
the German Presidency during the fi rst half of 2007.
Therefore, the whole value creation chain - from the strengthening of basic research to the development of new products and services
- will be taken into account. The start of the German Presidency in January 2007 is particularly appropriate since it falls alongside the
launch of the EU’s 7th Framework Programme for Research (FP7) on the 15th of January, and the kick-off conference of the European
Research Council in February.
To ensure the stability of investment in research and development, more EU fi nancial instruments will be accessible, besides those
already available within FP7. Structural Funds, for example, would also be used to ameliorate the integration of new Member States into
the European Research Area. Therefore, the German Presidency will support the European Commission in the development of a manual
listing the differing fi nancial instruments Member States can apply for within structural funding, in order to fi nance their research
infrastructures. Furthermore, it will list the fi nancial means available within FP7, thus allowing for a simplifi ed and more transparent use
of the complicated set of rules.
The Competitiveness and Innovation Program (CIP) is of particular interest to European industry as it is one of the EU’s main tools in
meeting the goals of the Lisbon Strategy. CIP has a specifi c focus on innovation and research processes, rather than being limited to
research like FP7.
In addition, technological and application-oriented research needs to be strengthened, alongside harnessing the existing potential of universities
and other research institutes. The links between these different actors also need to be reinforced in order to achieve the fi nal objective
of increased innovation. Both improvements in the use of research results and the prevention of the loss of knowledge-based capital are
increasingly important topics in the context of global competition. Supporting this theme, the Presidency will take the initiative of writing a
Charter for the transfer of unused intellectual property rights to public research institutes and universities. Innovation and competitiveness
cannot grow without a solid research basis, therefore the CIP and FP7 will be complementary and mutually reinforcing initiatives.
The common Council of the European Union and the European Space Agency will aim to establish the cornerstone of the future space
program in order to secure Europe’s position in global space politics. One objective of this Council will be to try to redirect the emphasis
from “common” space travel towards a more scientifi c or economic benefi t for society, building upon the recommendations made by
this Council to set goals and priorities for future space activities.
Finally, for entrepreneurs, Germany would like to see enhanced collaboration between public and private research practices, to ensure
that knowledge and expertise stays in Europe, thus avoiding “brain-drain”. Naturally, this would also help the EU to achieve the Lisbon
goals, because at the end of the day, Europe can only remain competitive with other industrialized economic regions if it ensures its
position as a fi rst-class innovative and knowledge based society.
36

y Barbara Schädler, Chief Marketing Offi cer,
Fujitsu Siemens Computers
As a provider of IT infrastructure solutions and services, we deliver comprehensive concepts and solutions which allow our customers
to be even more fl exible and competitive on a daily basis. These requirements are essential in the global market.
The German Presidency of the European Union should adopt the objective of improving basic economic conditions, in order to enable
Europe to regain its role as the motor of economic growth and innovation.
This objective should include shaping the European labour market to allow fl exible working hours and wages in order to encourage performance
and create additional jobs in Europe. It should also embrace an intelligent fi scal policy that promotes worldwide competition and is based on
merit rather than on subsidies, which results in competition between EU tax systems. Europe must become even more attractive for innovative
investments and future markets. Only through innovation new jobs will be created in Germany and throughout Europe.
The European Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme was signed in 2005 and will be implemented next year.
The German EU Presidency’s approach to this programme is especially important to us in that a process of rethinking is encouraged.
New ideas and approaches must replace old norms and familiar views. The world is changing at an ever-increasing rate; Europe
must learn to keep up.
The basic prerequisite for future innovation is a fi rst-class education today. The example of the IT sector has proven that the complex
contexts of computer systems must be understood before new ideas and solutions can be found. Germany as a high-tech location
will only be able to meet this intellectual challenge with well-trained professionals. Now more than ever, we must acknowledge that
Germany is poor in raw materials and, therefore, must be rich in intellectual resources to be able to remain a leader in the world market.
Excellent education and training must be one of the main topics of the coming Presidency’s agenda. We must inspire enthusiasm for
top performance in young people.
Last but not least, for innovation to be successful, companies must reduce their time-to-market. The High-tech Strategy recently
adopted by the German government will help the economy to establish standards faster and make its developments more competitive.
As a company that provides many jobs in Germany and has to overcome many bureaucratic hurdles, we welcome this step.
Joint innovation efforts from the communities of science and industry do not only need receptive markets, but also a societal and legal
environment that does not hinder the use of new products and processes.
37

Security
by Nicolas Acker, Weber Shandwick
Strengthening the EU’s security regime will be key for Germany when it takes over the EU Presidency in January 2007.
Indeed, last summer’s thwarted attacks against aircrafts fl ying out of Heathrow showed that the terrorist threat has not faded away and
highlighted the need for new Europe-wide security measures.
Furthermore, providing enhanced protection to European citizens is seen by the German Presidency as an excellent means of
demonstrating the added-value of common European initiatives, helping to counter scepticism towards the EU.
Last but not least, improving security is a necessary pre-condition for achieving the objectives of the Lisbon Agenda: strengthening the
EU’s growth and competitiveness.
Against this background and in the framework of the continuing implementation of the Hague Program, the EU Strategy and the EU
Action Plan on Combating Terrorism, the German Presidency will drive the debate on the forthcoming Communication on Public Private
Partnerships in the fi eld of European Security. It will also steer a series of initiatives impacting a broad range of business activities.
The focus on security will indeed not only provide business opportunities for security solution suppliers, but also for companies which
are able to use security as a vehicle to differentiate themselves and gain a commercial advantage over their competitors.
In the transport sector for instance, the Commission proposes in its Regulation on Enhancing Supply Chain Security the creation of
a “secure operator” label to be awarded to operators meeting minimum security levels and encourages these secure operators to
distinguish themselves positively. The German Presidency is expected to moderate the policy debates on this proposal and to push
for the rapid adoption of the forthcoming EU Action Plan on Logistics, which is likely to include several security-related provisions.
In light of recent developments, aviation security will also be given priority treatment.
Furthermore, Berlin is determined to tighten up controls on internet content. For example, work will begin to make the publication on
the internet of instructions to build explosives subject to criminal law throughout the EU. Germany could also take forward discussions
on the extension of the mandate of the European Network and Information Security Agency.
The German Presidency is also expected to steer the implementation of the Strategy on the Fight Against Terrorist Financing, in line with
the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force, and to begin talks on an EU-wide Strategy Against bioterrorism.
Moreover, Germany intends to support the development of an EU Action Plan aimed at better controlling the manufacture of explosives
and the implementation of the European Program for Critical Infrastructure Protection. It is also likely to launch a policy debate further
to the September 2006 Green Paper on Detection Technologies.
High priority will be given to the protection of the EU’s external borders through the strengthening of FRONTEX, the extension of the
Schengen area and the implementation of the Schengen Information System II and the Visa Information System. Incorporating biometric
features in identifi cation documents is seen as a cornerstone of the European security architecture by the German Presidency, which
will push for progress on harmonization in this area to agree common standards. These initiatives will be complemented by the
implementation of the EU Global Approach to Migration.
Lastly, Berlin will host the 2 nd European Conference on Security Research in February 2007. This conference will help identifying the
priorities to focus on in the security research domain, which has been allocated a specifi c budget of €1.4 billion under the EU’s 7 th
Research Framework Program for 2007-2013.
38

y Michele Barsanti,
Director Government Relations EMEA, GE Security
The tragic terrorist attacks in New York, Madrid and London, led to an important change in European governments’ attitudes towards
security and counter terrorism issues. The attacks showed without any doubt that a Europe-wide strategy had to be put in place.
As a result, the European Commission has successfully managed to extend its competences in the security fi eld, and a number of
legislative proposals are expected to be discussed in 2007, during and beyond the German Presidency of the EU.
In particular, the Commission is in the process of fi nalizing its proposals on the protection of European critical infrastructure, while
new legislation on explosive detection technologies should be presented by summer 2007. At the same time, the EU’s new Research
Framework Program for 2007-2013 will, for the fi rst time, devote substantial fi nancial resources to research in the security fi eld.
GE Security, as a leading supplier of security and life safety technologies, offering one of the industry’s broadest product portfolios
(covering explosives and narcotics detection, intrusion and access control, video surveillance, key management, and fi re detection), fully
supports the European Commission’s efforts to come up with coherent counter terrorism legislation.
We believe that the EU’s regulatory framework can achieve the objective of protecting EU citizens and assets only if it promotes best
available technologies, without mandating standards that could become obsolete only shortly after their adoption. We also believe that,
where new technological breakthroughs are achieved, legislation should be able to react quickly, adapting to the new situation.
GE Security’s products are best placed to provide the adequate level of protection that the EU is aspiring to. For instance, GE Security
manufactures Computed Tomography (CT) Technology machines for checked bag screening at airports. This can enormously increase
the chances of detecting an explosive. CT machines are essentially density measurement devices that compare the density of objects
inside the bag with those of known explosives. Experts and regulators around the world all agree that CT technology has a signifi cantly
higher probability of detecting explosive threats, compared to other traditional detection machines based on older technology.
If CT technology, manufactured and offered by more companies than just GE, was to be introduced in all European airports (as is
happening in other areas of the world), the number of false alarms – causing delays at airports – would dramatically be reduced.
At the same time the probability of detecting an explosive would increase.
GE Security has also been working with governments around the world to make the whole security screening procedures at airports
more pleasant and less cumbersome for passengers. Together with the US Transportation Security Administration, we developed the
so-called “Registered Traveler Programme”, combining detection technology with (voluntary) biometric screening of the traveller into a
single ID Kiosk.
We are confi dent that our technology can play an important role in protecting European citizens. And with our R&D centres based in
Germany, Poland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain, we are looking forward to partnering with customers and suppliers to develop
new solutions thanks to EU funding.
39

Trade and International Competitiveness
by Patrick McMullan, Weber Shandwick
The German Presidency takes charge of the Presidency in what could well be viewed as the start of a new era in EU trade policy.
The Finnish Presidency had started while there was still some hope for a summer agreement at the Doha Round of WTO talks.
This hope was to be short-lived, however, as the talks were offi cially halted on 24 July 2006 with the US in particular receiving criticism
from other members as regards its unwillingness to budge on removing farm subsidies. WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy wanted
there to be awareness of the fact that “we have missed a very important opportunity to show that multilateralism works”.
The timeframe between the mid-term American elections in November and the six month period up until the expiration of the US trade
mandate is now being viewed as the sole remaining “window of opportunity” for the talks to resume in the immediate future. Currently
discussions are going on behind closed doors and are being referred to as “silent diplomacy”.
Amidst this backdrop, and against increased European Union concerns as regards their rivals conducting negotiations on so called
“WTO +” Free Trade Agreements, DG Trade released a strategy paper on 4 October 2006 entitled “A Competitive Europe in a Globalised
World”. Increasing European competitiveness was the overriding theme and although the paper recognised the WTO as a priority, it was
keen to stress the importance on bilateral deals with emerging economies, (focusing in particular on India, South Korea and the ASEAN
group of countries) with better market access and reinforcement of rules in third countries, including public procurement markets, and
improved protection of intellectual property.
Commissioner Mandelson referred to the strategy’s broad aim as being one that allows maximum competitiveness for European
companies. Although receiving support from some Member States, in particular Finland and France, and from UNICE, criticism did
come from NGOs who felt that little had been done to place the emphasis on “poor” countries. Green MEPs were highly critical towards
the Commissioner when he spoke at the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, following the release of the paper, with
arguments being presented similar to those of the NGOs. The UK reacted cautiously noting that there had to be assurances that the
paper was genuinely “development friendly”.
The Commission’s paper aims to aid European companies and exporters by lowering Customs duties as well as aiding them in tariff and
regulatory issues. As Commissioner Mandelson said: “It is about creating markets in which European companies get a fair deal, with
freedom to compete and legal protection when they do”.
China received special attention in a 24 October 2006 Commission Communication entitled: “China: Closer partners, growing
responsibilities”. The document stressed the need for China to comply with its WTO obligations and notes that the Commission will be
pushing China to open up its markets to European companies.
In addition, negotiations with Mercosur will continue and the German Presidency will wish to reinforce existing transatlantic relationships.
The German Presidency will, therefore, be in charge during the fi rst full six month Presidency period following the Commission’s launch
of its new strategy paper. It will clearly be a busy time for the Presidency as it will have to balance awareness of the need to increase
European competitiveness with a realisation that deeper cooperation could well be at the expense of some of its domestic markets.
40

y Wolfgang Flick, President, UPS Europe
Ask any executive what the most important business trend is today and you will likely get the response: “the dramatic increase in global
trade.” The coordinated, effi cient and expedited movement of goods, information and funds across borders is shrinking the world and
creating exciting, new business models and economic opportunities.
Global commerce is, in effect, at a unique crossroads where many of the old rules and assumptions no longer apply. Companies engaged
in pan-European and international trade today must navigate new trade lanes, emerging economies and new consumer expectations.
Remaining competitive will require a rethinking of the basic notions about leading businesses and managing supply chains.
Those notions are also challenged by the pace of trade that has been increasing exponentially. Just thirty years ago, the equivalent of
€8 billion in foreign exchange transactions occurred every day: this now happens every second. This explosion in trade has resulted
in many positive developments, including more consumer choice, business growth, job creation, wealth generation and increased
investment. It has also led to a more complex, global marketplace with challenges for those engaging in it.
While global economic interdependence may already be a reality, it could be made even more effi cient and effective by smoothing the
‘bumps in the road’ that still restrict the free fl ow of trade, whether within the EU or across the globe. We are at the ‘big bang’ stage of
a new industry reality, as businesses – large, medium and small – demand better ways to get their products to the right place, at the
right time, in the right physical condition and at the right price – and all on a global scale.
However, global trade is a bridge linking more than commerce: it links people and cultures, and we believe there is no greater force for
peace and stability, as European integration has shown. As business leaders, it is also our job to encourage an environment that allows
global commerce to move forward in a way that benefi ts all members of the world trade community. Politicians, too, have an active role
to play in this, and we hope that the German Presidency will focus on it over the coming six months.
We have heard a lot of late about a multilateral approach to peace processes – we also need to take a multilateral approach to economic
strategies that can advance global commerce. To do this, governments of the world’s leading economies – as members of the WTO
– must collectively spur investment, further education, promote expansionary fi scal policies and encourage entrepreneurship, and that
also means eliminating non-tariff barriers to trade.
The EU has already taken appropriate steps in this direction. Many cumbersome procedures and regulations have been harmonised
or abolished, and as a facilitator of global trade, we at UPS have welcomed these developments. With the accession of Bulgaria and
Romania to the EU and as we approach the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome, we strongly encourage the German
Presidency to continue steadfastly on the path of trade liberalisation. In turn, we at UPS will continue to do our part in ensuring that
international trade benefi ts the millions of people we touch every day in communities across the EU and around the world.
41

Transport
by Nour Amrani, Weber Shandwick
During its Presidency, Germany will aim at promoting the development of a sustainable and secure transport system able to contribute
to strengthening the EU’s competitiveness and growth.
Against this objective, the German Presidency will focus on the rapid adoption of an EU Action Plan on Logistics. Indeed, transport
logistics is perceived by EU decision-makers as an essential tool for optimizing fl ows of goods, thus helping the whole of European
industry to meet the challenges of competitiveness while reducing the effects of pollution and congestion.
Moreover, Germany is expected to encourage sustainable mobility, through the promotion of energy effi ciency and alternative and
clean energy sources. It will push for the adoption of measures aimed at favouring the market penetration of effi cient vehicles and at
cutting emissions of pollutants from vehicles (EURO V and VI for cars and, EURO VI for trucks). Berlin will also look at alternative ways of
reducing CO2 emissions from passenger cars, while working on the development of a long-term EU Sustainable Fuel Strategy.
Enhancing the EU transport safety regime will also be high on the agenda of the German Presidency. Thus, Germany will support the
Commission’s eSafety Initiative promoting the use of Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a new technology aimed at assisting drivers in
maintaining control of their vehicles. The campaign will be launched in April 2007 in the context of the ‘Platform for User Awareness’
which brings together stakeholders from the public sector, automotive suppliers and users. Berlin will also steer the policy debates on
the adoption of the 3rd Maritime Safety Package, focusing more particularly on the Vessel Traffi c Monitoring Directive and the Port State
Control Directive. Finally, in order to improve aviation safety, the tasks of the Cologne-based European Aviation Safety Agency will be
extended with a view to include issues such as fl ight crew licensing and operations.
Regarding air transport, Germany will also push for the rapid establishment of the SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) Joint
Undertaking, a new legal entity expected to co-ordinate the SESAR project. This is in accordance with the plan to modernise air traffi c
management in Europe as part of the Single European Sky initiative. The Joint Undertaking will also promote partnerships with other
institutions and bodies, both public and private.
Furthermore, in the framework of the one-year consultation following the publication of the Green Paper on the Future Maritime Policy of the EU,
several German port cities are expected to host events aimed at gathering stakeholders’ views on the best way forward on this dossier.
The launch of the German Presidency will also coincide with the complete liberalisation of rail freight markets. In this context, Berlin will
focus on the abolishment of the remaining barriers in the railway sector at large, with a view to ensuring that the European industry benefi ts
from its potential as a competitive and effi cient alternative to other means of transportation. The rapid adoption of the 3rd Railway Package
by the European Parliament and the Council at the beginning of 2007 will subsequently be given particular attention.
The stakeholders’ consultation on the legislative framework for awarding urban, suburban and regional public passenger transport services
will come to an end under the German Presidency with the foreseen adoption of the Regulation on Public Passenger Transport Services.
Finally, Berlin is expected to support the negotiations on the concession contract with the consortium chosen in June 2005 to ensure
that the European satellite navigation system, Galileo, develops swiftly.
42

y Dr. Wolfgang G. Schneider, Vice President for Legal,
Governmental & Environmental Affairs, Ford of Europe
The results of the European Commission’s recent Mid-Term Review of the 2001 transport White Paper were highly appreciated by
Ford Motor Company. We consider that the Commission is now taking a more fl exible and realistic approach to modernising Europe’s
transport system by realising the vital importance of road transport to the European economy in particular.
However, as a producer of mainly passenger cars it is in Ford’s utmost interest that future investment decisions mirror the need for new
and improved infrastructure and keep individual mobility affordable.
As much as we need an optimised road infrastructure in Europe, reducing CO2 emissions remains a key challenge for all stakeholders
within the transport sector.
Here, Ford Motor Company’s vision is clear. “Zero emissions” is the ultimate goal, the challenge is how to get there quickly and in an
organised way, without neglecting the business equation of one of Europe’s key industries, the automotive industry.
Recognition of this fact has been the key driver behind the launch of the multi-stakeholder high-level group CARS 21 (a Competitive
Automotive Regulatory System for the 21st century), which seriously addresses the competitiveness issues of the European car industry.
The results of this high-level group are promising, comprising various recommendations and most of all a roadmap that clearly outlines
priority actions in terms of regulations and technology measures for the coming years.
It is now vital that the CARS 21 recommendations are implemented by EU policy-makers.
Ford Motor Company regards the upcoming German Presidency as a test case as to whether the CARS 21 agreed ‘Integrated Approach’
principle with regards CO2 emissions has really been accepted in the political arena.
We acknowledge that we have to do our share in reducing CO2 emissions. Through innovative vehicle technology, the automotive
industry has already invested substantially and delivered signifi cant emission reductions. We will continue our research and production
efforts to reduce CO2 emissions to an even greater extent.
However, to go further down the path of sustainable and cost-effective CO2 reduction, it is not enough to focus on car technology alone,
we must fully implement the so-called Integrated Approach. This means that all stakeholders - the automotive industry and its suppliers,
the fuel industry, car drivers and policy-makers - have a responsibility to reduce CO2 emissions in a cost-effective manner.
The development and widespread availability of alternative fuels plays a key role in significantly reducing CO2 emissions.
With its ‘fl exifuel’ vehicles run on bio-ethanol (E85), Ford shows that already today up to 80% CO2 reductions can be achieved.
In addition, we need improvements in road infrastructure and traffi c management.
Last but not least, the car driver himself can signifi cantly contribute to lowering fuel consumption and therefore the reduction of CO2 by
altering his driving behaviour. None of these stakeholders can be viewed in isolation.
We very much hope that the German Presidency will support the Commission’s CARS 21 objectives by implementing the Integrated
Approach that would lead to a CO2-based taxation of both vehicles and fuels, as well as a product labelling scheme across Europe,
including the promotion of alternative fuels as a key element in CO2 reduction by the transport sector.
43

Germany and the G8 Presidency
by Daniel Brinkwerth, Weber Shandwick
Ever since the French President Valerie Giscard d’Estaing and his German counterpart Chancellor Helmut Schmidt initiated the World
Economic Summit in Rambouillet in 1975, the German government has attached great importance to this forum. A quick glimpse
at the statistics explains why: Today, the Group of Eight accounts for 65 % of the world’s GDP and 50 % of world trade in goods.
Four of Germany’s fi ve most important trading partners are members of the club, and in 2005, the balance sheet of German trade with
the other G8 members displayed an impressive total of € 518 billion. Finally, the G8 brings together a group of diplomatic players and
military powers that wield signifi cant infl uence when it comes to shaping today’s world order.
For the upcoming G8 season, Chancellor Merkel chose “Growth and Responsibility” as its political heading, refl ecting a dual agenda
which tackles on the one hand the core questions of the international economic order, and the issues of climate change and socioeconomic
development in Africa on the other.
Growth and Responsibility
Under the “Growth” chapter, Germany will address a bouquet of key economic imbalances, such as the insuffi cient domestic demand
in Europe and Japan, the American account and trade defi cits, and the growing capital reserves held in Asia. Furthermore, the
German government will broach the issue of increasing protectionist tendencies in the investment policies of both industrial and newly
industrialized countries. It will also try to initiate an exchange of views on ways to increase the transparency and stability of international
capital markets. Additionally, Germany will instigate a dialogue aimed at stepping up the fi ght against counterfeiting, product and brand
piracy. Finally, opportunities should be found at the sidelines of the G8 process to sound out possibilities to re-launch the Doha round.
As Chancellor Merkel insisted, Germany’s G8 agenda must not be reduced to commercial issues only, thus the German G8
presidency will also throw the spotlight on the effi cient use of energy resources, a topic which also starts to attract the attention of
Berlin’s senior security analysts. A related agenda item will be climate change and the question of how to strengthen and prolong the
Kyoto-process over the coming years, and to probe issues such as how the USA as the world’s largest polluter could be convinced
to join the emissions-trading system.
Echoing the British initiative of 2005, Germany will once again make Africa a G8 priority. However, in contrast to the Gleneagles summit,
the new G8 presidency will not focus on raising fi nancial pledges for the continent, but will offer a “partnership for reform” to African
states, so as to enhance structural conditions for socio-economic development. Against this background, Germany will stress the
importance of efforts to promote private investment, fi ght corruption, foster democratic processes, strengthen the public health sector,
and develop the sovereignty and control of African governments over the exploitation of natural resources. Several African leaders
representing positive change in these areas will attend the Heiligendamm summit, which will be preceded by a conference exclusively
dedicated to Africa.
Finally, Germany will invite Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa to the summit and promote the concept of institutionalized,
topic-centred dialogues with the so-called “Outreach-5” countries, on issues such as labour standards or the protection of intellectual
property. However, against the background of increased pressure from Beijing, the German government explicitly rejects the idea of
enlarging the G8, arguing that the Group had always been based on shared values and that any further enlargement would jeopardize
the functioning of the forum.
44

Constraints and Opportunities
In the fi rst half of 2007, Germany will face the challenge of holding both the presidency of the Council of the European Union and of the
G8 process simultaneously. The federal government will naturally welcome this opportunity to defl ect attention away from its wearisome
debates on domestic reforms. One year on from the elections, the forced marriage of the conservative and social-democratic parties
continues to hamper the long-overdue restructuring of Germany’s labour market and its health, tax and federal fi nance systems.
The omnipresent need to reconcile opposing political concepts has led to some erosion of public support for the grand coalition. Thus,
one can expect the government to eagerly seize the occasion to raise its profi le as important international player.
Indeed, the dual presidency will put Germany in an infl uential position: Chancellor Merkel will have the outstanding opportunity to set,
synchronize and interlink the agendas of both the EU and the G8, while at the same time serving as a power broker that can frame the
political debates and compromises in these policy arenas. At the same time, Germany’s visibility in international crisis management will
be enhanced, especially within the Near East Quartet and the EU-3 delegation.
However, in spite of these exceptional opportunities, the success of the German double presidency is not guaranteed:
Firstly, the G8 agenda is in itself ambitious and partially controversial. It is hard to perceive how an agreement could be reached on
opening strategic sectors for foreign investments as long as France and Germany oppose any non-EU engagement in companies such
as EADS. By the same token, it is very unlikely that the discussions on transparency in capital markets will lead to tangible outcomes,
since Great Britain and the United States would not even consider this an issue until the recent debacle regarding the American hedge
fund Amaranth. Furthermore, one need not be a prophet in order to forecast that any negotiations on the emission-trading scheme will
be complex, lengthy and diffi cult.
Secondly, it is uncertain whether Germany will fi nd the partners it needs to strike meaningful deals. The United States are bogged down
with crisis management in Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and North Korea. At the time of writing it is also uncertain as to whether Congress
will be willing to extend Bush’s trade promotion authority after the mid-term elections, a conditio sine qua non for successfully reviving
the Doha talks in the near future. At the same time, France, Britain, Italy and many Eastern European countries are either waiting for
elections, or the resignation of the head of government, or suffer from domestic turmoil and political paralysis. All this will narrow the
window of opportunity for the German presidency.
Finally, any presidency will need a certain amount of luck in order to make its term a success. Last year’s G8 summit was a case in point,
when the Petersburg agenda had to be abandoned due to the escalations in Lebanon. Chancellor Merkel has pulled together a strong
foreign policy team, and the common ground that the grand coalition shares in external relations is large and solid enough to effi ciently
deal even with controversial issues, should they happen to climb up the priority ladder.
Against the background of the many pressing issues that need to be tackled to stabilize the world economy, to promote international security
and to advance socio-economic development, one can only hope that Germany seizes the driver’s seat both energetically and successfully.
45

Facts about Germany
You are probably not surprised that Germany…
…ranks third among the largest economies of the world
…is a world champion in exports, with larger export volumes than the US or China
…is the home of more than 1200 breweries, 5000 beer brands and 30 distinct beer types
…leads the world trade in research-intensive goods along with the United States
But did you know that …
Ó… approximately every tenth book that is published around the
world is in German? German is the largest language in the EU,
with 95 million native speakers Europe and 120 million worldwide.
It has offi cial status in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Liechtenstein,
Luxemburg as well as Switzerland, and 15-16 million people
around the globe learn German as foreign language.
Ó… the world-famous “Made in Germany” trademark was
originally introduced by England in 1887? What started as a
punitive measure to protect British business by discriminating
against German goods soon turned into the opposite!
Ó… there are currently about 7.3 million foreigners in Germany,
which represents 8.8% of the population? Almost every sixth
citizen of Germany has either immigrated or stems from an
immigrant family.
Ó… Germany has 2389 km of coastline and boarders with
two seas and nine European countries? Furthermore, there
are 10.7 million hectares of forest, 90 cities with more than
100 000 inhabitants, eleven mountains of over 2000m, and
four rivers which are longer than 500km.
47
Ó… the number of women in German politics has increased
sharply? Whereas in 1980 women made up only 8% of the
members of the German Parliament, in 2005 the fi gure
had risen to almost 32%. The same year Dr Angela Merkel
became the fi rst woman to become German Chancellor.
Ó… since reunifi cation Germany is the most successful nation
in the Olympic Winter Games? However, football is still by far
the most popular sport in Germany. During the world cup, 3.5
million international guests followed the games in the stadiums
while more than 11 million spectators celebrated their teams
in front of large screens in all major German cities.
Ó… there are 13 wine-growing regions in Germany and over
200 restaurants which have been awarded a Michelin-star?
From fi sh in the north to hog roast in the south, what a typical
German dish is varies signifi cantly between the regions. A
common trait of German food is the importance of bread:
bakeries serve more than 300 different types!
Ó… Germany is the home of 32 UNESCO world heritages?
With “Bauhaus”, German architects coined a school of
architecture, and their successors play an active role in
designing cities around the globe, e.g. in China.

The Länder and German Federalism
The Länder and German Federalism
Germany’s federal system can be traced back to different
historical sources. On the one hand, it is rooted in the second
German Empire proclaimed in 1871 which absorbed preexisting
sovereign nations into a new state. On the other hand, it is also
a political reaction to the Nazi era, which saw the federal Weimar
Republic turned into a highly centralized dictatorship.
The 16 Länder which nowadays form the Federal Republic of
Germany are sovereign states, each with its own constitution,
government, parliament, and courts. While the bulk of legislation
is enacted at federal level, the Länder still maintain important
legislative powers in policy fi elds such as policing, local
government, cultural affairs and education, media legislation
and their respective constitutional affairs.
In the federal legislative procedure, the interests of Germany’s
16 states are represented in the Bundesrat, or federal council.
Until recently, the federal parliament had to seek the assent
of this second chamber in as much as 60% of all legislative
dossiers. As this high interweavement of the two chambers led
to political deadlocks, the latest federalism reform – nicknamed
the “mother of all reforms” – was put in place to recalibrate the
legislative process.
The Länder are also active players in the EU and maintain their
own permanent representations in Brussels. Depending on how
deeply the interests of the Länder are affected by EU politics,
they either agree with the Federal Government on Germany’s
position before the opening of the Council negotiations, join the
government for negotiations in the Council, or – in the event that
an EU matter falls solely within the competences of the Länder
– represent Germany in the Council by themselves!
48
Hamburg
As Germany’s “gateway to the world,” Hamburg is the
second largest port city in Europe and the largest city
of the EU which is not a capital. Hamburg is also one
of Europe’s leading centers for civil aviation, along with
Toulouse in France.
Bremen
Germany’s tenth-largest city is one of Europe’s leading
hubs for manned space fl ight. As such, Bremen
successfully combines its status as a port city and a
high-tech center.
Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony)
One of the world’s leading trade show centers, Lower
Saxony’s state capital Hanover hosts the CeBIT technology
trade fair and the Hanover Messe industry trade fair. In
2000, the city hosted the EXPO 2000 world exhibition.
Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia)
With a high-speed rail network, international airports
at Düsseldorf and Cologne and Europe’s largest inland
harbor at Duisburg, Germany’s most populous state is one
of the country’s best connected regions. It attracts onethird
of all foreign investment to Germany.
Hessen (Hesse)
With an annual output of over € 195 billion, Hesse’s
economy is about as large as Denmark’s. As the home of
Frankfurt, the state boasts a key fi nancial center and one
of the world’s largest airports.
Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate)
Rhineland-Palatinate exports 46% of its goods, more
than any other German State. In recent years, the state
has expanded its role as an air traffi c hub amid the
dramatic growth of the lowcost Frankfurt-Hahn airport.
Saarland
With its small size and lean management, the state
delivers quick decisions to investors. The cost of labor
in Saarland is also low, averaging 7.5% less than
elsewhere in Western Germany.

Schleswig-Holstein
The “state between the seas” is seen as a bridge to
the neighboring Baltic States and a hub for trade with
countries in Scandinavia as well as Eastern and Western
Europe. It is seeking to position itself as a model region
for maritime science and technology in Europe.
Baden-Württemberg
The state is recognized as one of the most successful
business locations in Germany. While just 0.17% of the
world’s population lives in the state, its share of world
trade stands at 1.9%.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
(Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania)
Hardly any other state in Germany has undergone such
a comprehensive makeover since 1989 as “Mc-Pom”.
That process includes the installation of the world’s most
modern telecommunications infrastructure. With eight
Baltic Sea ports, it is a hub between Scandinavia and
Continental Europe.
Bayern (Bavaria)
Bavaria has grown into one of Europe’s most dynamic
economic regions. Conscious of tradition and open to
innovation, Bavarians credit a combination of laptops and
lederhosen for their region’s success. Munich, home of
the Oktoberfest, is also one of the world’s leading centers
for information technology and biotechnology.
49
Berlin
Germany’s vibrant metropolis boasts a rich network of
research and scientifi c resources and is the home of three
renowned universities, 14 technical colleges and over 250
public and private research institutes.
Brandenburg
Brandenburg is home to the economic “fat belt” that
has formed around the German capital Berlin. In
2006, the state is due to kick off construction of the
Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport, the largest
infrastructure project in eastern Germany, planned to
become fully operational in 2011.
Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt)
Saxony-Anhalt attracts by far the largest volume of
foreign direct investment of any eastern German state. It
is home to the facility where Bayer has produced aspirin
tablets since 1995.
Sachsen (Saxony)
Rich in tradition but looking confi dently towards the future,
Saxony is home to Europe’s most modern chip factories.
A cluster of over 750 semiconductor producers and their
suppliers are based in the area around Dresden.
Thüringen (Thuringia)
Located right at the heart of Germany, Thuringia is an
ideal springboard to far-fl ung markets, with outbound
trucks reaching even the most distant German city in less
than eight hours.

People to watch
Prof. Dr. Horst Köhler, Federal President Dr. Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor
Prof. Dr. Horst Köhler, Federal President
Horst Köhler was born on 22 February 1943 in Skierbieszow, Poland. He graduated in economics at the Eberhard Karls University in
Tübingen in 1969, going on to obtain his doctorate in 1977 and was later appointed to the position of guest professor in 2003.
In 1976 Köhler joined the Policy Principles Directorate-General of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Finance. From 1981 to
1982 he was an advisor to Gerhard Stoltenberg, then Minister-President of Land Schleswig-Holstein, at the State Chancellery in Kiel.
In November 1982 Horst Köhler accompanied Gerhard Stoltenberg, the new Federal Minister of Finance, to Bonn. After working in
various functions for a number of years, Köhler was appointed State Secretary in the Federal Minister of Finance in 1990.
Horst Köhler was the chief negotiator for Germany at the Inter-Governmental Conference which led to the Maastricht Treaty on European
Economic and Monetary Union. Furthermore he was the Personal Representative of Federal Chancellor Dr. Helmut Kohl during the G7
Economic Summits in Houston (1990), London (1991), Munich (1992) and Tokyo (1993).
In August 1993 Köhler became President of the German Savings Bank Association, where he remained until 1998, when he was
appointed President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London. In May 2000 Horst Köhler moved from
London to Washington, to serve as Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). On 1 July 2004 Horst Köhler became
President of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Dr. Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor
Angela Merkel was born on 17 July 1954 in Hamburg and grew up in the East-German town of Templin, in Brandenburg. After obtaining
a degree in Physics from the University of Leipzig in 1978, she worked as researcher in the fi eld of quantum chemistry at the Central
Institute of Physical Chemistry at the Academy of Sciences, Berlin. In 1986 she was awarded a doctorate for her work on calculation of
speed constants of simple hydrocarbons’ reactions.
At the end of 1989 Angela Merkel joined the Democratic Awakening (Demokratischer Aufbruch) of which she became spokesperson in
February 1990. Following the fi rst democratic elections in the GDR in March 1990, Merkel served as Deputy Government Spokeswoman
of the East-German de Maizière Government. Later that year, Merkel joined the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) and was
elected a member of the German Bundestag for Stralsund, after German reunifi cation.
Angela Merkel served as Federal Minister for Women and Youth from 1991 to 1994 and as Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature
Conservation and Nuclear Safety from 1994 to 1998. She was elected General Secretary of the CDU in 1998 and holds the chair of the
party since April 2000. From 2002 to her election as Federal Chancellor Angel Merkel held the position of Chairwoman of the CDU/CSU
parliamentary group in the German Bundestag. On 22 November 2005, Dr. Angela Merkel became the fi rst female German Chancellor.
51

Franz Müntefering Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble Brigitte Zypries
Franz Müntefering, Vice-Chancellor, Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs
Franz Müntefering was born on 16 January 1940 in Neheim. Müntefering became a member of the Social Democratic Party of
Germany in 1966 and since then he has held a number of political positions: Chairman of the SPD coalition in the Federal Parliament
(2002- 2004) and Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (2004 – 2005). From 1975 to 1992 Müntefering was a
member of the Bundestag, followed by a posting as Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of the North-Rhine/Westphalia
region between 1992 and 1995. Müntefering later became Federal Minister for Transport, Building and Housing from 1998 to 1999.
Since 1998 he is once again member of the Bundestag and was nominated as Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister of Labour and
Social Affairs in November 2005.
Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs
Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier was born on 5 January 1956 in Detmold. He studied Law and Political Science at the Justus Liebig
University in Gießen, becoming academic assistant at the Chair of Public Law and Political Science, and in 1991 joining the State
Chancellery of Lower Saxony as desk offi cer for media law and media politics. In 1993 he became head of the Offi ce of the Minister-
President of Lower Saxony, moving to the position of State Secretary and Head of the State Chancellery of Lower Saxony in 1996.
Steinmeier was appointed State Secretary in the Federal Chancellery and Commissioner for the Federal Intelligence Services in 1998.
From 1999 until his appointment as Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2005, he was Head of the Federal Chancellery.
Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble, Federal Minister of the Interior
Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble was born on 18 September 1942 in Freiburg and studied law and economics at the universities of Freiburg
and Hamburg. As a Member of the German Bundestag since 1972, Dr. Schäuble served as Parliamentary Secretary of the CDU/CSU
Group from 1981-1984. In 1984 he was appointed Federal Minister for Special Tasks and Head of the Federal Chancellery, before
becoming Federal Minister of the Interior in 1989, a post he held until 1991. Since 1989 Dr. Schäuble is a member of the CDU Executive
Committee, having spent nine years as Head of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group in the German Bundestag and two years as CDU
Party Leader. Before being appointed Federal Minister of the Interior in November 2005, Schäuble served as Deputy Head of the CDU/
CSU Parliamentary Group in the Bundestag for Foreign, Security and European Policies.
Brigitte Zypries, Federal Minister of Justice
Brigitte Zypries was born on 16 November 1953 in Kassel and studied law at the University of Gießen. Before moving into the position
of Head of Division for Constitutional Law at the State Chancellery of Lower Saxony in 1991, she worked as academic assistant at the
Federal Constitutional Court from 1988 until 1990. In 1998 Zypries became State Secretary of the Lower Saxony Ministry for Women,
Labour and Social Affairs. In November 1998 she was appointed State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, a position she
held until becoming Federal Minister of Justice.
52

Peer Steinbrück Michael Glos Horst Seehofer
Franz Josef Jung
Peer Steinbrück, Federal Minister of Finance
Peer Steinbrück was born on 10 January 1947 in Hamburg and studied economics and social sciences in Kiel. From 1990 to 1992 he
was state secretary in the ministry for nature, environment and rural development of Schleswig-Holstein, later appointed state secretary
in the ministry of economy, technology and transport. From 1998 to 2000 Steinbrück held the post of the minister of economy, small
and medium sized enterprises, technology and transport in North Rhine-Westfalia, before becoming minister of fi nance of the same
Land. From 2002 to 2005 Steinbrück served as prime minister of North Rhine-Westphalia. Peer Steinbrück is deputy chair of the Socialdemocratic
Party of Germany (SPD) and is the Federal Minister of Finance since November 2005.
Michael Glos, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology
Michael Glos was born 1944 in Brünnau and has been a member of the German parliament since 1976. In 1990, Glos became deputy
chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary faction for the policy areas economy, small and medium sized enterprises, agriculture, transport
and tourism and held this post until 1992. In 1993 Glos was appointed chairman of the CSU national committee, as well as fi rst
deputy chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary faction. Michael Glos took the post of the Federal Minister of Economics and Technology
in November 2005.
Horst Seehofer, Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection
Horst Seehofer was born on 4 July 1949 in Ingolstadt. After completing his studies in management sciences at the Verwaltungs-
und Wirtschafts-Akademie in Munich, Seehofer took on several positions in the District Offi ces of Ingolstadt and Eichstätt until 1980.
Since 1971, Seehofer is a directly elected member of the Bundestag for the constituency of Ingolstadt and from 1992 to 1998 he was the
Federal Minister of Health. Since November 2005, Horst Seehofer is the Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection.
Franz Josef Jung, Federal Minister of Defence
Franz Josef Jung was born on 5 May 1949. After completing his secondary education, he studied law in Mainz and obtained his PhD in law
in 1978. Jung was a member of the Rheingau-Taunus District Council from 1972 to 1987 and worked as a solicitor in Eltville from 1976,
before becoming a notary in the same town in 1983. Jung was elected to the parliament of Hesse in 1983 where he became parliamentary
secretary of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) parliamentary group from 1987 to 1999. From 1999 to 2000 he was the Minister for
Federal and European Affairs of Hesse and head of the State Cabinet Offi ce, later becoming chairman of the CDU parliamentary group from
2003 to 2005. On 22 November 2005, Franz Josef Jung was appointed Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany.
53

Ursula von der Leyen
Ursula von der Leyen, Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth
Ursula von der Leyen was born on 8 October 1958 in Brussels. Von der Leyen studied economics in Göttingen, Münster and at the London
School of Economics. She fi nished her degree in medicine in 1987 at the medical school of Hanover, where she obtained her medical
doctor’s degree in 1991. She also holds a master’s degree in public health. Her political career started in 1990 when she became a
member of the CDU, going on to hold a number of political mandates in the region of Hanover. In 2003, she became a member of the CDU
in the state assembly of Lower Saxony as well as Minister for Social Affairs, Women, Family Affairs and Health for that same region. Since
2005 von der Leyen is chairwoman of the Family Affairs Committee “Eltern, Kind, Beruf” (Parents, Children, Work) of the CDU.
Ulla Schmidt, Federal Minister for Health
Ulla Schmidt Wolfgang Tiefensee
Ulla Schmidt was born on 13 June 1949 in Aachen. She studied Psychology at the technical university of Aachen. Since 1983, Schmidt is a
member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and became a member of the German Parliament in 1990. From January 2001 until September
2002, Schmidt was Federal minister for Health, a post which she kept during the second term of the Schröder government as minister for
health and social security. Under the grand coalition, Schmidt has been appointed Federal minister for Health again in November 2005.
Wolfgang Tiefensee, Federal Minister for Traffi c, Construction and Urban Development
Wolfgang Tiefensee was born on 4 January 1955 in Gera. A graduate in industrial electronic engineering, Tiefensee worked after
graduation in 1979 as a development engineer in the research and development unit of the VEB Leipzig. In 1990 Tiefensee became
head of the school administration of the city of Leipzig, before he was promoted to departmental head for school and education.
Elected fi rst deputy mayor of Leipzig in 1994, he went on to become mayor of the city from 1998 until 2005. A member of the Social
Democratic Party (SPD) since 1995, Wolfgang Tiefensee is currently the federal minister for traffi c, construction and urban development
and since November 2005, the representative for the new Länder.
Sigmar Gabriel, Federal minister for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear safety
Sigmar Gabriel was born on 12 September 1959 in Goslar. Having studied German, Politics and Sociology at the University of Göettingen
Gabriel was a member of the Lower Saxony Parliament from 1990 until 2005. Gabriel served as member of the environment committee
from 1990 until 1994, and for the next three years as domestic policy spokesperson for the SPD parliamentary group, later becoming
group Chairman. From December 1999 until March 2003, Gabriel held the offi ce of Minister-President of Lower Saxony, until he was
reinstated as Chairman of the SPD parliamentary group in the Lower Saxony in 2005. Since November 2005, Sigmar Gabriel is federal
minister for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear safety.
54
Sigmar Gabriel

Dr. Annette Schavan Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul Dr. Thomas de Maizière Dr. Bernd Pfaffenbach
Dr. Annette Schavan, Federal Minister for Education and Research
Annette Schavan was born on 10 June 1955 in Jüchen. After receiving her PhD in 1980, Schavan worked as a University lecturer for fi fteen
years, also leading the Cusanuswerk, a Catholic students grant association. Schavan’s political career started in 1975 with local politics in
Neuss where she was municipal councillor from 1982 to 1984. In 1995, she was appointed Minister of Education, Youth and Sport for the
region of Baden-Württemberg, a position she retained until 2005. In 1998, she became vice president of the CDU. Schavan is a member of
the German Bundestag and Federal Minister for Education and Research since October and November 2005 respectively.
Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development
Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul was born on 21 November 1942 in Frankfurt am Main. She studied English and history at Frankfurt
University and started her career as a teacher in Rüsselsheim. She joined the SPD in 1965, for which she was Deputy Chairperson at the
federal level and spokesperson on European policy, focusing on European development policy. From 1979 to 1987, Wieczorek-Zeul was
a Member of the European Parliament and since 1987 she is a member of the German Bundestag. Since October 1998, Heidemarie
Wieczorek-Zeul is the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Dr. Thomas de Maizière, Head of the Federal Chancellery
Thomas de Maizière was born on 21 January 1954 in Bonn. Having qualifi ed as a Doctor of Law in 1986, his professional career began
in 1983 with the Governing Mayors of Berlin. Subsequently, de Maizière worked from 1985 to 1989 as Head of the Basic Issues Division
of the Berlin Senate Chancellery, later as spokesman of the CDU group in the Berlin Parliament. From 1999 to 2001 he was leader of
the State Chancellery of Saxony, from 2001 to 2002 Minister of State for Finance, from 2002 to 2004 Minister of State for Justice, and
from 2004 to 2005, Minister of State for the Interior, in Saxony. De Maizière has been a member of the CDU since 1971 and has headed
the Federal Chancellery and the Federal Minister for Special Affairs since November 2005.
Dr. Bernd Pfaffenbach, G8 Sherpa
Bernd Pfaffenbach was born on 7 May 1946 in Kassel and received his PhD from the University of Marburg in 1974. Pfaffenbach
subsequently worked in the Federal Ministry of Economics, until he moved to the German UN Mission in Geneva in 1977. In 1978, he
returned to the Ministry of Economics where he stayed for ten years. After four years spent in executive positions in the Offi ce of the
Federal President, he worked from 1992 to 2004 in the Federal Chancellery as Deputy Director-General in charge of Economic Policy,
Financial Policy and Germany’s New Länder. In 2001 he became Economic Policy Advisor to the Federal Chancellor and Director-
General for Economic and Financial Policy. Since December 2004 Pfaffenbach has been State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of
Economics and Technology, as well as Personal Representative of the Chancellor for the G8 World Economic Summits (Sherpa).
55

Federal Permanent Representation
8-14 Rue Jacques de Lalaing
1040 Brussels
Tel +32 (0)2 787 1000
info@eu-vertretung.de
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
Dr. Wilhelm SCHÖNFELDER
Ambassador, Permanent Representative,
Coreper 2
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1001
wilhelm.schoenfelder@diplo.de
Michael ZENNER
Minister
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1003
michael.zenner@diplo.de
DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
Dr. Peter WITT
Ambassador, Deputy Permanent
Representative, Coreper 1
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1100
peter.witt@diplo.de
POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE
(PSC)
Dr. Clemens von GOETZE
Ambassador, Representative to the
Political and Security Committee
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1010
clemens.von-goetze@diplo.de
PRESS RELATIONS
Martin KOTTHAUS
Spokesman
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1070
martin.kotthaus@diplo.de
Rainer RUDOLPH
Spokesman Coreper 1
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1072
rainer.rudolph@diplo.de
PROTOCOL
Max MALDACKER
Chief of Protocol
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1007
max.maldacker@diplo.de
RELATIONS TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Jens LORENTZ
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1034
jens.lorentz@diplo.de
CULTURAL AFFAIRS
Guenter RAUER
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1033
GSM +32 (0) 479 791 854
guenter.rauer@diplo.de
Key contacts
DEVELOPMENT POLICY
Christoph RAUH
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1076
christoph.rauh@diplo.de
HOME AFFAIRS: MIGRATION, ASYLUM,
MOVEMENT OF PERSONS
Dr. Friedrich LÖPER
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1046
friedrich.loeper@dipo.de
HOME AFFAIRS: POLICE COOPERATION AND
CIVIL PROTECTION
Rudolf ROY
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1050
rudolf.roy@diplo.de
JUSTICE
Dirk MIROW
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1054
dirk.mirow@diplo.de
FAMILY AFFAIRS, SENIOR CITIZENS,
WOMEN AND YOUTH
Felix BARCKHAUSEN
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1044
felix.barckhausen@diplo.de
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
Thomas WESTPHAL
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1200
thomas.westphal@diplo.de
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Dr. Silvia BOSCH
Tel: +32 (0) 2 787 1250
silvia.bosch@diplo.de
ECONOMIC AND TRADE POLICY
Ursula BORAK
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1110
ursula.borak@diplo.de
ENVIRONMENT
Rainer STEFFENS
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1140
rainer.steffens@diplo.de
LABOUR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Iris KRÖNING,
Tel +32 (0)2 787 1320
iris.kroening@diplo.de
HEALTH POLICIES
Dr. Frank NIGGEMEIER
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1300
frank.niggemeier@diplo.de
FOOD, AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER
PROTECTION
Dr. German JEUB
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1340
german.jeub@diplo.de
57
TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Sabine DANNELKE
Tel +32 (2) 787 1360
sabine.dannelke@diplo.de
ADMINISTRATION
Bernd STADTMÜLLER
Tel +32 (0) 2 787 1900
bernd.stadtmueller@diplo.de
Permanent Representations
of the Länder
Baden-Württemberg
Rue Belliard 60-62
1040 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 741 7711
poststelle@bruessel.bwl.de
Bavaria
Rue Wiertz 77
1000 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 237 4811
bayern.buero@stk.bayern.de
Berlin
71, Avenue Michel-Ange
1000 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 738 0070
berlinerbuero@SKZL.Verwalt-Berlin.de
Brandenburg
Rue Joseph II 108-110
1000 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 737 7462
poststelle@eulv.brandenburg.de
Bremen
22, Avenue Palmerston
1000 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 230 2765
vertretung@bremen.be
Hanse Offi ce
Joint Representation of Hamburg and
Schleswig-Holstein
20, avenue Palmerston
1000 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 285 4640
hanse.offi ce@infomaco.com
Hesse
19, avenue de l’Yser
1040 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 732 4220
hessen.eu@lv-bruessel.hessen.de
Lower Saxony
61, Rue Montoyer
1000 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 230 0017
eu.vertretung@niedersachsen.be

Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania
87, Boulevard Louis Schmidt
1040 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 741 6000
Reinhard.Boest@MV.bei-der-EU.de
North Rhine-Westphalia
10, avenue Michel-Ange
1000 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 739 1775
poststelle@lv-eu.nrw.de
Rhineland-Palatinate
60, avenue de Tervuren
1040 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 736 9729
vertretungbruessel@lv.rlp.de
Saarland
46, Avenue de la Renaissance
1000 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 743 0790
offi ce@saarlandbuero.be
Saxony
Av. d’Auderghem / Oudergemlaan 67
1040 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 235 8733
matthias.mueller@bxl.sk.sachsen.de
Saxony-Anhalt
Boulevard Louis Schmidt 87
1040 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 741 0931
post@vb-bruessel.stk.lsa-net.de
Thuringia
111, Rue Frédéric Pelletier
1030 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 736 2060
German Industry and Commerce
Associations
Chamber of Commerce (AHK)
Manhattan Offi ce Tower
21 Avenue du Boulevard
1210 Brussels
Hans-Joachim MAURER, CEO
Tel +32 (0) 2 204 0172
maurer@debelux.org
Federation of German Industries (BDI)
BDI Brussels Offi ce
Rue du Commerce 31
1000 Brussels
RA Bernd DITTMANN
Head of the EU Representation
Leiter der EU-Vertretung
Tel +32 (0) 2 548 9021
b.dittmann@bdi-online.de
German Employers’ Association
(BDA)
BDA Brussels Offi ce
Rue du Commerce 31
1000 Brussels
Alexandra-Friederike ZU SCHOENAICH-
CAROLATH
Permanent Delegate
Tel +32 (0)2 290 0300
buero-bruessel@bda-online.de
German Association of the
Automotive Industry (VDA)
VDA Brussels Offi ce
Rue du Commerce 31
1000 Brussels
Dr. Bernhard DICKE
Manager
Tel +32 (0) 2 548 90 23
dicke@vda.de
German Chemical Industry
Association (VCI)
VCI Liaison Offi ce Brussels
Rue du Commerce 31
1000 Brussels
Dr. Reinhard QUICK
Head of Liaison Offi ce
Tel +32 2 548 06 90
quick@bruessel.vci.de
German Electrical and Electronic
Manufacturers’ Association (ZVEI)
ZVEI Offi ce Brussels
Diamant Building
Boulevard A. Reyers 80
1030 Brussels
Marta LIPCZYK
Head of Offi ce
Tel +32 (0)2 706 8258
bruessel@zvei.org
German Engineering Federation
(VDMA)
European Offi ce Bruxelles
Diamant Building
Boulevard A. Reyers 80
1030 Brussels
Holger KUNZE
Head of Offi ce
Tel +32 (0)2 706 8205
european.offi ce@vdma.org
58
Political Foundations
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
38, rue du Taciturne
1000 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 234 6280
fes@fesbrussels.org
Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung,
Internationaler Politikdialog
118, Av. de Cortenbergh, Bte 1
1000 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 282 0930
ipd@brussels.fnst.org
Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung
155, rue de la Loi
1040 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 230 5081
russ@hss.de
Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
EU Regional Offi ce
15, Rue D’Arlon
1050 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 743 4100
brussels@boell.de
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
11, avenue de l’Yser
1040 Brussels
Tel +32 (0) 2 743 0743
sekretariat@eukas.be

Federal Institutions
Useful Links
Federal President www.bundespraesident.de
Bundesrat www.bundesrat.de
Bundestag www.bundestag.de
Federal Chancellor www.bundeskanzlerin.de
Federal Government www.bundesregierung.de
Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs www.auswaertiges-amt.de
Federal Ministry of the Interior www.bmi.bund.de
Federal Ministry of Justice www.bmj.bund.de
Federal Ministry of Finance www.bundesfi nanzministerium.de
Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology www.bmwi.de
Federal Ministry of Defence
Federal Ministry for Family Affairs,
www.bmvg.de
Senior Citizens, Women and Youth
Federal Ministry for the Environment,
www.bmfsfj.de
Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety
Federal Ministry of Economic
www.bmu.de
Cooperation and Development www.bmz.de
Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Federal Ministry of Food, Agricultur
www.bmbf.de
and Consumer Protection www.bmelv.de
Federal Ministry of Health
Federal Ministry of Labour
www.bmg.bund.de
and Social Affairs
Federal Ministry of Transport,
www.bmas.bund.de
Building and Urban Development www.bmvbs.de
Political Parties
Christlich Demokratische Union
Deutschlands (CDU) www.cdu.de
Christlich Soziale Union (CSU) www.csu.de
Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD) www.spd.de
Freie Demokratische Partei (FDP) www.fdp.de
Die Linke.PDS www.sozialisten.de
Industry and Commerce
Association of German Banks (BDB) www.bankenverband.de
Association of German Retailers (HDE) www.einzelhandel.de
Confederation of German
Employers‘ Associations (BDA) www.bda-online.de
Federation of German Industries (BDI) www.bdi-online.de
Federation of German Wholesale
and Foreign Trade (BGA) www.bga.de
German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) www.bdli.de
59
German Association for Information Technology,
Telecommunications and New Media (Bitkom) www.bitkom.org
German Association for Small
and Medium-Sized Business (BVMW)
German Association of the
www.bvmwonline.de
Automotive Industry (VDA) www.vda.de
German Businesswomen’s Association (VDU) www.vdu.de
German Chambers of Industry and Trade (DIHK) www.dihk.de
German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) www.vci.de
German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH) www.zdh.de
German Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB)
German Construction Industry
www.dgb.de
Federation (HDB)
German Electrical and Electronic
www.bauindustrie.de
Manufacturers’ Association (ZVEI) www.zvei.de
German Electricity Association (VDEW) www.strom.de
German Engineering Federation (VDMA)
German Gas and Water
www.vdma.org
Management Association (BGW) www.bgw.de
German Industry Association for Optical, Medical and
Mechatronical Technologies (Spectaris) www.spectaris.de
German Insurance Association (GDV) www.gdv.de
German National Tourist Board www.germany-tourism.de
German Savings Bank Association (DSGV)
German Shipbuilding and
www.dsgv.de
Ocean Industries Association (VSM) www.vsm.de
German Steel Federation (WV Stahl) www.stahl-online.de
German Transport Forum
German Volksbanken und
www.verkehrsforum.de
Raiffeisenbanken Association (BVR) www.bvr.de
European Institutions
Committee of the Regions www.cor.europa.eu
Council of the European Union www.consilium.europa.eu
Economic and Social Committee www.eesc.europa.eu
European Central Bank www.ecb.int
European Court of Auditors www.eca.europa.eu
European Commission www.ec.europa.eu
European Court of Justice/ Court of First Instance www.curia.
europa.eu
European Parliament www.europarl.europa.eu
European Ombudsman www.ombudsman.europa.eu

JANUARY
Key Dates
5 PSC (poss.) [BR]
8 Agriculture and Fisheries Council (poss.) [BR]
9 Joint meeting of the German government
with the College of Commissioners [B]
PSC [BR]
10 COREPER 1/2 [BR]
11 Chancellor meets EPP chair [B]
12 COREPER 1 (poss.), PSC [BR]
Chancellor meets PES chair [B]
15 Informal JHA [DD]
16 Informal JHA [DD]
PSC
17 Chancellor delivers speech in EP:
presentation of the presidency’s
[BR]
programme [STR]
COREPER 1/2, PSC [BR]
18 COREPER 2 (poss.) [BR]
Informal Employment and Social Policy [B]
19 Informal Employment and Social Policy [B]
COREPER 1 [BR]
20 Informal Employment and Social Policy [B]
22 Gen. Affairs and Ext. Relations Coun.
EU Project Day: Chancellor and other
[BR]
members of government visit schools [B]
23 Gen. Affairs and Ext. Relations Coun. [BR]
PSC [BR]
24 COREPER 1/2 [BR]
26 COREPER 1 [BR]
29 Eurogroup (informal) [BR]
Agriculture and Fisheries Council
30 Ecofi n Council, PSC
[BR]
Agriculture and Fisheries Council [BR]
31 COREPER 1/2 [BR]
[G] Germany
[R] Russia
[BR] Brussels
[LU] Luxembourg
FEBRUARY
60
[STR] Strasbourg
[AC] Aachen
[B] Berlin
[BN] Bonn
2 COREPER 1, PSC [BR]
6 PSC [BR]
7 COREPER 1/2, PSC [BR]
8 COREPER 2 (poss.) [BR]
9 COREPER 1 [BR]
12 Inf.Culture and Media [B]
Gen. Affairs and Ext. Relations Coun. [BR]
13 Inf. Culture and Media [B]
Gen. Affairs and Ext. Relations Coun. [BR]
PSC [BR]
14 COREPER 1/2 [BR]
15 Transport, Telecom. and Energy Council [BR]
Justice and Home Affairs Council [BR]
16 Justice and Home Affairs Council [BR]
Education, Youth and Culture Council [BR]
PSC [BR]
19 Competitiveness Council [BR]
20 Environment Council, PSC [BR]
21 COREPER 1/2
22 Employment, Social Policy, Health and
[BR]
Consumer Affairs Council [BR]
23 COREPER 1 (poss.), PSC [BR]
26 Eurogroup (informal) [BR]
Agriculture and Fisheries Council [BR]
27 Agriculture and Fisheries Council [BR]
Ecofi n Council, PSC
Chancellor delivers speech for the 1st
working session of the
[BR]
European Research Council [B]
28 COREPER 1/2, PSC [BR]
MARCH
[DD] Dresden
[E] Essen
[H] Hannover
[HB] Bremen
1 Informal Defence [WI]
Informal Education, Youth and Culture [HD]
2 Informal Defence [WI]
Informal Education, Youth and Culture [HD]
5 Gen. Affairs and Ext. Relations Coun. [BR]
6 Gen. Affairs and Ext. Relations Coun. [BR]
COREPER 1, PSC [BR]
8 European Council [BR]
9 European Council [BR]
12 Inf. Development [BN]
13 Inf. Development [BN]
PSC [BR]
14 COREPER 1/2
Chancellor delivers speech in EP
[BR]
(mid-term report) [STR]
16 COREPER 1, PSC [BR]
19 Agriculture and Fisheries Council [BR]
20 Agriculture and Fisheries Council [BR]
PSC [BR]
21 COREPER 1/2 [BR]
22 Transport, Telecomm. and Energy Coun. [BR]
23 Transport, Telecomm. and Energy Coun. [BR]
COREPER 1 (poss.) [BR]
24 PSC
Informal summit of the heads of
state and government
[BR]
(50th anniversary Treaty of Rome)
25 Informal summit of the heads of
[B]
state and government [B]
26 Eurogroup (informal) [BR]
27 COREPER 1, PSC, Ecofi n Council [BR]
28 COREPER 1/2 [BR]
30 COREPER 1, PSC [BR]
Inf. Gymnich [HB]
31 Inf. Gymnich [HB]

APRIL
EU summit with USA [USA]
3 PSC [BR]
4 COREPER 1/2 (poss.) [LU]
16 Agriculture and Fisheries Council [BR]
17 Agriculture and Fisheries Council [BR]
COREPER 2 (poss.), PSC [BR]
18 COREPER 1/2, PSC [BR]
19 Justice and Home Affairs Council [LU]
20 Justice and Home Affairs Council [LU]
Inf. Health [AC]
COREPER 1 [BR]
Inf. Ecofi n [B]
21 Inf. Ecofi n [B]
23 Gen. Affairs and Ext. Relations Coun. [LU]
24 Gen. Affairs and Ext. Relations Coun. [LU]
PSC [BR]
25 COREPER 1/2 [BR]
26 Inf. Competitiveness [WÜ]
27 Inf. Competitiveness [WÜ]
COREPER 1, PSC [BR]
28 Inf. Competitiveness [WÜ]
[HD] Heidelberg
[HDM] Heiligendamm
[L] Leipzig
MAY
61
[MZ] Mainz / Rheingau
[WI] Wiesbaden
[WÜ] Würzburg
EU summit with Russia [R]
2 COREPER 1/2, PSC (poss.) [BR]
4 COREPER 1, PSC [BR]
7 Eurogroup (inf.) [BR]
Agri. and Fish. Coun. [BR]
8 Agri. and Fish. Coun., Ecofi n Coun., PSC [BR]
9 Europe Day
10 COREPER 2, PSC [BR]
11 COREPER 2 (poss.) [BR]
14 Gen. Affairs and Ext. Relations Coun.
(+ Defence and Development Coop.)
15 Gen. Affairs and Ext. Relations Coun.
[BR]
(+ Def. and Devel. Coop.), PSC [BR]
15 Inf. Family and Equal Opportunities [H]
16 Inf. Family and Equal Opportunities [H]
COREPER 1/2 [BR]
20 Inf. Agriculture and Fisheries [MZ]
21 Inf. Agriculture and Fisheries [MZ]
Competitiveness Council [BR]
22 Inf. Agriculture and Fisheries [MZ]
Competitiveness Council
23 Inf. Council Urban Development
[BR]
and Territorial Cohesion
24 Inf. Council Urban Development
[L]
and Territorial Cohesion [L]
Education, Youth and Culture Council
25 Inf. Council Urban Development
[BR]
and Territorial Cohesion [L]
Education, Youth and Culture Council [BR]
29 PSC [BR]
30 COREPER 2
Employment, Social Policy, Health and
[BR]
Consumer Affairs Council
31 Employment, Social Policy, Health and
[BR]
Consumer Affairs Council [BR]
JUNE
EU summit with Japan [G]
EU summit with Canada [G]
1 COREPER 1, PSC [BR]
Inf. Environment [E]
2 Inf. Environment [E]
3 Inf. Environment [E]
4 Eurogroup (informal) [LU]
5 Ecofi n Council [LU]
PSC [BR]
6 COREPER 1/2 [BR]
G-8 Summit [HDM]
7 G-8 Summit [HDM]
8
Transport, Telecomm. and Energy Coun. [LU]
Transport, Telecomm. and Energy Coun. [LU]
PSC [BR]
11 Agriculture and Fisheries Council [LU]
12 Agriculture and Fisheries Council [LU]
PSC [BR]
Justice and Home Affairs Council [LU]
13 Justice and Home Affairs Council [LU]
COREPER 1, PSC [BR]
14 COREPER 2 [BR]
15 COREPER 1 (poss.) [BR]
18 Gen. Affairs and Ext. Relations Coun. [LU]
19 Gen. Affairs and Ext. Relations Coun. [LU]
PSC [BR]
21 European Council [BR]
22 European Council [BR]
26 PSC [BR]
27 COREPER 2 [BR]
28 Environment Council [LU]
29 COREPER 1, PSC
EP Conference: Final report
[BR]
by the Chancellor on the presidency [BR]

About Weber Shandwick
Weber Shandwick is one of the world’s leading public relations and communications management fi rms. We rely on a clear client
focus and a commitment to delivering outcomes – not just output. We are proud to be recognized by clients and industry peers as the
winner of more major awards than any other fi rm:
In 2006 we were named Pan-European Consultancy of the Year by The Holmes Report, and “Large PR Firm of the Year” by PR News.
Additionally, we won the coveted “Pan-European Programme of the Year” SABRE Award for a multi-country campaign run from Brussels,
as well as the United Nations Grand Award for outstanding achievement in public relations.
Weber Shandwick is managed by a diverse senior team with the broadest range of professional backgrounds, nurturing a collaborative
culture in which we work across borders, continents, disciplines and industry sectors. Collaboration and cooperation in pursuit of
integrated marketing solutions for our clients is at the core of Weber Shandwick’s service model. That means combining forces
within the global Weber Shandwick network, as well as with our partner companies in the Interpublic Group. The Interpublic Group of
Companies is one of the world’s largest advertising and marketing services organizations which reaches out to virtually every marketing
area with its best-of-class businesses.
On top of that, Weber Shandwick itself maintains the largest PR network in the world – whether measured in terms of employee numbers
or geographical coverage. With a core of 81 owned offi ces in 39 markets, and affi liates expanding the network to more than 120 offi ces
in 73 markets, Weber Shandwick operates in virtually every major media, government and business centre on six continents.
Please explore our network and learn more about our individual offi ces by visiting www.webershandwick.com.
62

Weber Shandwick in Brussels is the leading public affairs consultancy in the European capital and is pivotal in Weber Shandwick’s global
network of public relations and communications agencies. The physical and political nature of this city situated at Europe’s heart enables us
to support our clients in reaching out to EU institutions, communicating with pan-European stakeholders and supporting Benelux clients.
Organized in six practices, Weber Shandwick in Brussels brings together experienced, energetic consultants from more than 20
countries, a unique diversity in professional capabilities and cultural understanding which sets us apart. Our specialist services include
media relations and analysis, public affairs and lobbying, consumer marketing, reputation management and internal communications,
as well as intelligence gathering and research.
As the European hub for Weber Shandwick’s public affairs, we counsel clients on effective positioning in political debates, as
well as communicating messages and policy proposals to the increasingly complex web of decision-makers and stakeholders.
Our specialists bring together an unrivalled combination of strategic advice and issue-specifi c knowledge with a proven track record in
developing effective, no-nonsense campaigns that get results.
Brussels is also a natural command centre for multinationals needing strategic communication and public relations support across
Europe. We provide the widest scope of planning, campaign coordination and multi-country implementation in EU markets, engaging
support as required from across our global network.
Understanding that companies can no longer rely solely on traditional communications tools to persuade their target audiences,
our experts know what it takes to cope with the challenges of new consumer demands and a fragmented media environment.
Whether you want to engage the Benelux market or outreach to Europe, our experts have a wealth of fresh ideas and experience in using
a mix of the latest communications tools and tactics to deliver your message to the right audience, in the right place, at the right time.
Weber Shandwick Berlin, located in the vibrant heart of the German capital, is a leading player in the fi eld of government relations and
public affairs in Germany. As part of Weber Shandwick’s regionally diverse network throughout the country, with offi ces in all main industrial
and services centres, the Berlin offi ce is the German hub for public affairs. It specialises in political and corporate communications
services and cooperates closely with other Weber Shandwick offi ces, particularly those in Brussels, London and Washington.
Being extremely well connected with the decision-makers of Germany’s political and business sphere, as one of Europe’s key economies
and as the EU’s largest member state, we help clients from Germany, Europe and the US to reach their objectives and achieve success
in this exciting yet complex market. As Germany’s economy is rapidly evolving and becoming increasingly international, the environment
and conditions of public affairs are also changing, especially in regulated policy areas such as telecommunications, healthcare, energy,
environment and consumer protection.
The public affairs team is composed of skilled political and communications experts with experience in both national and international
political arenas. The team has worked for a wide range of clients, including several governments, major national and international
companies, trade associations and NGOs. Strategic advice, political and business intelligence, lobbying, media relations, highly effective
integrated public affairs, public relations programmes and campaigns are the focal point of Weber Shandwick’s offi ce in Berlin.
Bringing together public affairs and online communications in a constantly evolving digital political and media environment, whilst
tackling the challenges of an ever changing political landscape, is a notable forte of our Berlin offi ce.
63

Weber Shandwick Contributors
Education and Training
Khalid Ali, Senior Consultant
Employment, Social Affairs and Gender Equality
Colin Mackay, Director
Energy
Tove Larsson, Principal Consultant
Enlargement
Thomas Boué, Consultant
Environment and Climate Change
Ivan Martin, Director
External Dimension
Roberto Ferrigno, Director
Financial Affairs and Corporate Governance
Francesco Laera, Senior Consultant
Food and Consumer Protection
Cecilia Thorn, Senior Consultant
Germany and the G8
Daniel Brinkwerth, Researcher
Public Health and Pharmaceuticals
Ingrid van den Neucker, Senior Consultant
Information Society
Florian Cartoux, Senior Consultant
Intellectual Property Rights
Cristof Fischöder, Associate Director, Head of WS Berlin
Internal Market
Tristan Suffys, Consultant
Lisbon Agenda and Competitiveness
Winnie Petersen, Director
Research and Innovation
Philippe Ghyssels, Consultant
Security
Nicolas Acker, Principal Consultant
Development
Christian Hierholzer, Principal Consultant
Trade and International Competitiveness
Patrick McMullan, Consultant
Transport
Nour Amrani, Researcher
Contact our practices in Brussels and Weber Shandwick Berlin:
Public Affairs
Ivan Martin, Director
imartin@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 28 21 624
Technology, Media and Telecommunications
Financial Services
Winnie Peterson, Director
wpeterson@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 74 34 202
Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
Colin Mackay, Director
Tel: +32 2 282 16 32
cmackay@webershandwick.com
64
kali@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 23 56 576
cmackay@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 28 21 632
tlarsson@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 74 34 223
tboue@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 74 34 229
imartin@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 28 21 624
rferrigno@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 74 34 205
fl aera@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 74 34 213
cthorn@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 74 34 206
dbrinkwerth@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 74 34 216
ivandenneucker@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 28 21 614
fcartoux@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 28 21 636
cfi schoeder@webershandwick.com
Tel: +49 30 20 351 10
tsuffys@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 74 34 214
wpeterson@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 74 34 202
pghyssels@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 28 21 622
nacker@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 74 34 205
chierholzer@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 28 21 638
pmcmullan@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 28 21 618
namrani@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 28 61 264
Corporate Communications
Roberto Ferrigno, Director
rferrigno@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 743 4205
International Communications and Consumer PR
Sam Rowe and Paul Baeyaert
srowe@webershandwick.com
pbaeyaert@webershandwick.com
Tel: +32 2 240 97 88 (SR) Tel: +32 2 282 1626 (PB)
Weber Shandwick Berlin
Cristof Fischöder, Associate Director, Head of Offi ce
Tel: +49 30 20 351 10
cfi schoeder@webershandwick.com

Credits
Editorial team: Daniel Brinkwerth and Christian Hierholzer, Weber Shandwick Brussels.
The editorial team and Weber Shandwick would like to show their appreciation to all clients and friends who contributed to
Inside the German Presidency as external authors. For their extended help in producing this guide we would like to thank in
particular: Thomas Boué, George Candon, Florian Cartoux, Borislava Markova, Susan McConville, Patrick McMullan, Seema
Mistry, Franziska Neher, Mariyana Radeva, Sam Rowe, Petya Stancheva, Tristan Suffys and Christian Thams.
The editorial team and Weber Shandwick would also like to express their gratitude to the Ambassador, Dr. Wilhelm Schönfelder,
the spokespersons, and their colleagues in the German Permanent Representations to the EU as well as our contact points in the
Communication Department of the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin for their far-reaching support.
The views expressed in Inside the German Presidency are those of Weber Shandwick and those third parties directly attributed to
specifi c sections, and not the German ministries nor Government.
The content remains the intellectual property of Weber Shandwick, other than that accredited to third parties. All information is correct
to the best of our knowledge at the time of going to print.
The images for Inside the German Presidency were provided by the German National Tourism Board. All portrait pictures in the section
“People to watch” were provided by the Press and Information Offi ce of the Federal Government of Germany.
15 November 2006.
66

Josep Catllà, Chief Executive Offi cer, Weber Shandwick, Park Leopold, Rue Wiertz 50, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
T +32 2 282 1610 - F +32 2 230 1496 - eu-presidency@webershandwick.com
www.webershandwick-eu.com
68