AFR The Prime Minister speaks in the European Parliament

02.07.02

The Prime Minister will participate in a broad plenary debate in the Parliament on the next six months’ work in the EU during the Danish Presidency. Minister for European Affairs Bertel Haarder, President of the Commission Romano Prodi and Commissioner for Development & Humanitarian Aid Poul Nielson will also be participating in the debate.

On the occasion of the meeting, the Prime Minister states:

“I am looking forward to presenting the Danish Presidency in the European Parliament. I expect a good debate with the Members of the European Parliament about the tasks of the Presidency.

In my speech, I will present the very broad agenda of the Presidency. I will set out a number of the important tasks we have to solve. I will, particularly, underline the importance of the enlargement. The enlargement is the Danish Presidency’s main priority. It is a unique historical opportunity, which Europe cannot miss. The Danish Presidency will do its utmost to close the negotiations in Copenhagen in December. But we cannot do this on our own. We need the support from all of our partners – the European Parliament, the Commission, the Member States and the candidate countries.”

After the presentation of the Presidency’s work programme and a luncheon hosted by the President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, the Prime Minister goes directly from Strasbourg to Brussels, where he Wednesday evening addresses an audience in the Centre for European Policy Studies.

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Following the presentation by the Prime Minister of the Presidency’s work programme, the Minister for European Affairs, Bertel Haarder, will carry on with the Presidency's other obligations vis-à-vis the European Parliament at this plenary session. This includes among other things responding to questions to the Council from the European Parliament in the specific 'Question Time' in the late afternoon.

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There will be a joint press conference with the Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen and the President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, on 3 July 12.00 noon in the press center of the European Parliament.

There will also be a photo opportunity in the beginning of the Prime Minister’s meeting with the President of the European Parliament at 08.35 AM at the President’s office, 3 July.

Further information: Jesper Fersløv Andersen, (+45) 33 92 22 35.