Jerzy BUZEK, EP President, José Luis ZAPATERO, Spanish Prime Minister, and José Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, speak to the press about the Spanish Presidency of the EU, in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Strasbourg

press conference

BUZEK, Jerzy (EPP, PL)

BARROSO, Jose Manuel (PT, EC President)

ZAPATERO, José Luis (ES)

Spanish Presidency of the EU (T)

Spanish Presidency: extracts from the press conference by Jerzy BUZEK, EP President, José Luis ZAPATERO, Spanish Prime Minister, and José Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC

Arrival to the press conference, taking the seat (3 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Jerzy Karol BUZEK, EP President, I pay tribute to the Spanish Presidency and to Prime Minister Zapatero; they have to sail the EU throughout difficult and stormy water. EU made substantial progress, there were some complications at start, we remember SWIFT agreement, but there is good progress later and the results are something like Spanish football team at the world championship; we wish you great success also in South Africa, but I must remember also about Germany and Netherlands!

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Jos&#233; Luis ZAPATERO, Spanish Prime Minister, The question is has the Lisbon Treaty been applied, in its letter, in its spirit, during this first 6 months? and the clear answer is yes, no question about it, definitely, with political will and determination.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Jos&#233; Luis ZAPATERO, Spanish Prime Minister, Let me say it has been a great happiness to work with President Buzek and President Barroso; when you are really working for Europe, then what you get is unity and understanding, and I've seen that the motivation of Mr Buzek and Mr Barroso is Europe.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Jose Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, Spain, a good and solid rotating presidency of the Council, and a difficult conditions, the worst economic crisis since the 30s and the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty with all the transition problems. The Spanish Presidency helped us to guide the Union in these new and difficult times. Cooperation with the Commission has been excellent. As it was to be expected the Spanish Government played a very European and pro-European part.