News Release
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José Manuel Durão Barroso
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No. 109/04
June 28, 2004
STATEMENT BY EU PRESIDENT PRODI ON THE DESIGNATION OF JOSÉ
MANUEL DURÃO BARROSO
It gave me great pleasure to learn that the Portuguese Prime Minister is to
be the next President
of the European Commission -- first, because of José Durão Barroso's personal
merits; second, because it recognizes Portugal's constructive participation in
the European integration process; and third, because it sends a signal of the
European Union's restored unity. This decision underlines Portugal's symbolic
value as an EU success story and it acknowledges the abilities of the country's
leadership, people and institutions, its productive capacity and its social achievements.
Mr. Durão Barroso's designation also gives me pleasure because it demonstrates
once more the Union's ability to reach agreement on thorny issues, just a few
days after the Constitution
was approved. We have gone through some difficult times and other difficulties
will surely lie ahead, but we are tackling them in the right way and José Manuel
Durão Barroso is the right person to hold this office of great responsibility
and sensitivity.
To Bertie
Ahern too, who holds the helm of government of another country that represents
an EU success story, I offer my compliments for the outstanding diplomatic skill
he has shown in bringing the Union to agreement and unanimity on matters of great
complexity. The Irish Presidency is one we will long remember.
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Press Contacts:
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Anthony Gooch
202-862-9523
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Maeve O'Beirne
202-862-9549
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