José Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, delivers a speech on the State of the Union 2010, during the EP plenary session in Strasbourg.

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

BARROSO, Jose Manuel (PT, EC President)

state of the Union 2010 (T)

State of the Union 2010: extracts from the statement by José Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC

Cutaways of Jos&eacute; Manuel BARROSO President of the EC

SOUNDBITE (English), Jose Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, This is Europe&rsquo;s moment of truth. Europe must show it is more than 27 different national solutions. We either swim together, or sink separately.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jose Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, I am also defending taxes on financial activities and we will come with proposals this autumn. The political deal on the financial supervision package just concluded is very good news. The Commission proposals based on the de Larosi&egrave;re report will give us an effective European supervision system"

SOUNDBITE (English), Jose Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, our goal is growth, sustainable growth, inclusive growth, this is our overarching priority. this is where we need to invest"

SOUNDBITE (English), Jose Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, It should be centred on skills and jobs and investment in life-long learning. And it should focus on unlocking the growth potential of the single market, to build a stronger single market for jobs.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jose Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, Investing in innovation also means promoting world class universities in Europe. I want to see them attracting the brightest and the best, from Europe and the rest of the world

SOUNDBITE (English), Jose Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, We have the people, we have the companies. What they both need is an open and modern single market. The internal market is Europe's greatest asset, and we are not using it enough. We need to deepen it urgently.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jose Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, A fundamental dimension of our European project is building an area of freedom, security and justice. We are working hard to implement the Stockholm action plan. We will make a real push on asylum and migration. Legal migrants will find in Europe a place where human values are respected and enforced. At the same time, we will crack down on the exploitation of illegal immigrants within Europe and at our borders.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jose Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, Everyone in Europe must respect the law, and the governments must respect human rights, including those of minorities. Racism and xenophobia have no place in Europe. On such sensitive issues, when a problem arises, we must all act with responsibility. I make a strong appeal not to re-awaken the ghosts of Europe's past.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jose Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, We should also explore new sources of financing for major European infrastructure projects. For instance, I will propose the establishment of EU project bonds, together with the European Investment Bank.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jose Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, Copenhagen showed that, while others did not match our ambition, we did not help ourselves by not speaking with one voice. Negotiations may have stalled but climate change has not. I want us to intensify our engagement with international

SOUNDBITE (English), Jose Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, Human rights are not negotiable. I am shocked about how the rights of women are being infringed in many countries. I am appalled when I hear that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani is sentenced to death by stoning. This is barbaric beyond words. We condemn such acts which have no justification under any moral or religious code.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jose Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, But let's be under no illusions: we will not have the weight we need in the world without a common defence policy. I believe now is the moment to address this challenge.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jose Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, I have urged European leaders to act together if they want Europe to be a global player and defend the European interest. It is an ambitious and challenging agenda. For Europe to succeed, the Commission needs your support for the benefit of our citizens. Thank you.