newsitems

    The importance of Ship transports in order to guarantee EU's Energy independence, against the risk of more ..."Pipeline Blockades" by 3rd, Non-EU Countries of transit, simply by closing a tap, started to be felt by Top EU actors.

- "That's right : No blackmails or threat to block pipelines should be made for Political aims", replied to "EuroFora" France's New Minister for EU affairs, Bruno Le Maire, shortly after Turkish Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan's astonishing threat in Brussels to block the non-existent yet "Nabucco" gazoduc project if the EU insisted to ask Turkey to fullfil its commitments.

    - "Even if Nabuco is an important project, there are also others, (as "Sourth Stream", etc), or even Ships' transport, with new Technologies of liquified gas, etc. Thus, it's preferable to diversify Enerhy Transports, as much as possible, in order to achieve greatest Security and Independence in Europe's Energy supplies", Le Maire added.     

Meanwhile, the secrets of sudden phone calls by Romanian President BASESCU to Russian Prime Minister PUTIN during the Ukranian pipeline crisis, were not openly revealed by Romanian MEP Jean MARINESCU, EPP Group's vice-Chairman, while discusssing, in EU Parliament in Strasbourg, with German MEP Elmar BROK a Moscow Summit due to try to solve the pipeline problems.  

 But Basescu is well known as a strong supporter of Ship Energy Transports through Seas and Rivers, mainly via the Black Sea - Danube and Rhine Rivers' route, that he was 1st to cross with a big boat, since 2001, as former Minister of merchand fleet, as he replied to an "EuroFora" question, at an earlier CoE Press Conference in Strasbourg.  

 Thus, now, a series of EU politicians started to question a lobby's attempts to exploit the current Gas crisis between Russia and Ukraine in order to impose to the EU an old plan for a too long, expensive and vulnerable "Nabucco" controversial pipeline zig-zaging through troublesome Turkey, notoriously exposed to earthquakes and conflicts.  

 The move went beyond the competition by a new project for a "SouthStream" pipeline from Russia via the Black Sea to Bulgaria, and then Greece and Italy, or Serbia, Hungary and Austria : 90% EU Members".

    Various Top EU Politicians, questioned by "EuroFora", agreed that Gas SHIP TRANSPORTS should be urgently developed as a way to face the current Gas Pipeline crisis, and avoid to fall to the trap of any lobby which might exploit it in order to impose another Pipeline, through other troublesome 3rd countries, even longer, more expensive and vulnerable.

     The move started recently, after a Franco-German Summit  between German chancelor Merkel and French President Sarkozy, who stressed that the current Gas Pipeline  incites Europe to "diversify Energy Transports".
 ,
     - "There is a series of issues to ensure EU's Energy Independency, and this would very probably include also the development of SHIP Transports", added, agreeing witth a "EuroFora"'s question, Sarkozy's Spokesman on European issues, Pierre Jerome HENIN

     - "The necessary Diversification of EU's Energy imports concerns not only the Sources, but also the Routes and Means of Transport. One of them certainly are Ship transports of oil and mainly gas, and EU has prepared programs (fex. TENS) to fund both Ships and Terminals for Gas Liquification", replied also to "EuroFora" the President of EU Parliament's Political affairs Committee, Polish ChristianDemocrat/EPP MEP, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI.

    - "Pipelines are OLD-fashioned. The Future belongs to Gas, and in particular to the LNG technology. The biggest Gas deposits in the World exist not only in Russia or Iran, but mainly around Quatar. So that Ship transports of LNG are certainly to be developed", replied also to "EuroFora" the experienced Finnish MEP Esko SEPANEN, member of EuroLEFT Group's Bureau.

    - "You are right : We (EU) must consider both the Costs and the VULNERABILITY of each kind of Energy Transports" :

     - "PIPELINES CAN BE totally BLOCKED by simply CLOSING A TAP, in case of any "Crisis", as we see now in the Russia-Ukraine row", replied EPP Group's Foreign Affairs Spokesman, Spanish MEP Jose SALAFRANCA to "EuroFora" Question, if he found that EU must avoid to be anew dependent to a Pipeline crossing any 3rd Country, which can be easily closed, under any pretext, (while Ship links cannot be easily sabotaged or blocked 100%)...  

   - "In consequence, Ship Energy transports should be also developed" by the EU in order to guarantee Europe's Energy Safety through Diversification, concluded Salafranca    

- "It's certainly an IMPORTANT issue the Diversification of Routes and Transports : In Future, our (EU) Priority must be to diversify our energy supplies by all means, including SHIP Transports, in order to ensure Europe's Security and Independence", replied also to a similar "EuroFora's" question the President of Latvia, Valdis ZATLERS.

    Last, but not least : Compared COSTS :

According to American Experts' sources, the cost of a Gas Pipeline becomes more and more expensive compared to that of Ship transports of LNG, particularly for long Distancies, starting from some 2.000 kms

This obviously proves that the controversial old "Nabucco" plan is too costly, since it should extend for more than ..3.300 kms (!), making Ship LNG transports cheaper..

In parallel and concording moves, EU Council and Commission presented recently a series of measures to ameliorate the working conditions of Seafarers.

EU Parliament already endorsed a Directive on an Agreement brokered by Shipowners and Transport Workers, hailed by Greek EuroMP Mrs Maria PANAYOTOPOYLOS-CASSIOTOU : 

- "The Seas around Europe are becoming more and more important for International Trade, and many Young People should see their Future in good jobs at the Shipping industry", she said.

Such moves could also contribute to a social Civilisation at the Seaside (and Riverside), able to revitalize Europe's Historic Cultural links to the Sea (and Rivers)", she added.

Typical of EU's Sea - River links, MEP Maria Cassiotou was born at Greek Island, but now lives with her Family close to Rhine River..

    EuroZone's rare privilege to celebrate ..twice its 10 Years Anniversary, first at Central European Bank's Headquarters at nearby Frankfurt on 2008, and now at EU Parliament in Strasbourg on 2009, saw a big Change :  From classic Monetary Stability to innovative Economic Policy...

    Nobody among the Chiefs of State or Goverment or Senior Experts who had attended the CEB's Summit, could have imagine what followed :

    - Back on June 2008, the accent was placed, indeed, mainly into stressing the fact that a strict Monetary Policy was also "Social", because it protected the People from risks of abrupt Devaluation, of which they had suffered in the Past, as German Chancelor Merkel had reminded then.

    The image of People suddenly losing their jobs, Businesses desinvesting, Factories closing, Banks stoping to lend money, Stock Markets going astray, Funds going bankrupt, Hundreds of Millions disappearing like thin air, in brief : The Global Financial and Economic Crisis which followed since September 2008, seemed still unthinkable...

    And EuroZone's President, Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Jean-Claude Juncker's attitude to "EuroFora"s question on eventual perspectives for "EuroGroup" to acquire also a "Political" dimension, had been surprisingly moderate and low-key, as if he didn't really think that it might be desirable.

    At least that was the frustrating impression he gave us when we raised such questions with President Juncker also at EU Parliament or when he got a Honoris Causa Doctoral diploma" at Strasbourg's University.. This had surprised us, because it was in complete contrast with his, otherwise, voluntary, combative personality, fond of big challenges and great vision..

    However, even back in Frankfurt, at CEB's Headquarters, during its 10 Years' Anniversary, IMF's Senior Expert on Europe, Allessandro Leipold, presenting the conclusions of a check-up by the austere Washington DC Global Financial body, had already started to surprise :

    IMF's diagnostics, while praising EuroZone's succes in achieving price Stability and building Confidence, at the same time, warned that Contradictions were growing and a Deceleration of Growth was possible : Therefore, FMI advised EuroZone to look after its own Cohesion and Economic Development.

    Joining the dots together, "EuroFora" had asked IMF's Senior Expert if this meant that EuroZone' countries should make "common European replies" to Global Market upheavels, (such as Oil or Food price sharp rises at that moment).

    Leipold's reply, even if it looked more like a "Yes !", was carefully covered by a typical Washington DC IMF's "diplomatic" foggy language, which left things rather vague and foggy. Wisely, he also postponed a definite appraisal for after the 2008 Summer...

    (A more detailed overview is available for EuroFora's subscribers).

    But now, January 2009, the change revealed at EU Parliament's special event for Euro's 10th Anniversary, organized in Strasbourg, compared its Frankfurt twin, was astonishing :

    The tone was given from the outset, when EU Parliament's President, German ChristianDemocrat MEP Hans Gert Poettering, described the succesful October 2008 1st EuroZone Summit, convened in Paris at the initiative of French President Nicolas Sarkozy :

    - " It wasn't merely a matter of Economy : The common European Decision proved that a Political Europe can exist !".

    And here is "another", differend Juncker; now :  

    - "During its 50 Years, Europe often astonished by its capacity to formulate Great Ambitions, and also to develop the necessary mentality and Determination to apply, in a consequent way, the ambition it nourishes", he started.

    -  "Anniversaries have value only when they serve as Bridges for the Future" : "The Economic and Monetary Union is, certainly, an Economic project, but, above all, it's a Political project. In consequence, we must use the 2nd Decade of the Euro to finalise the Economic and Monetary Union by reinforcing its Political instances at the internal and external field", Juncker concluded.
    
    - " What matters most today is our responsibility for the Future. If New Challenges ..are faced with utmost Lucidity and Audacity, they can generate ..Powerful Ideas", concluded even the traditionaly auster CEB's President Jean-Claude Truchet..

    - "The symbol of integration which is Euro's success, must incite to advance further in the European construction... To the fatality of failure, let's oppose the Dynamics of Succes, called, here and now, Euro", added former French President, and Coordinator of the EU Constitution, Valery Giscard d'Estaing.

    But he also warned to avoid to give Euro "a Global dimension" : "Its a European Money and must express its specific Culture of reason and stability in the concert of other world money".

    Co-Rapporteurs German MEP Verner Langen and French MEP Francine Beres, added in the debate their main proposals, endorsed by EU Parliament earlier in Strasbourg, to "strengthen the Political dimension of the EuroGroup, both internaly and externally".

    In vain, Brittish Nationalist MEP Nigel Farad, speaking for the IND/DEM Group recalled the "old Soviet times"' facticious "plans", expressing "doubts" if the Euro will survive another 10 Years, and accusing the EU to "stuck" national Governments "inside Euro straitjacket", which will be "tested for the first time" during this Global crisis, as he said...

    He was contradicted by Greek Communist Kostas Droutsas, who blamed Euro to be, on the contrary, one of "Capital's tools to intensify the exploitation of the working class".

    The fact is that, during this first Month of 2009, EuroZone penetrated inside the first former "Socialist" country to adopt it willingly ; Slovakia. This incited the Czech Republic, currently chairing the EU, to move : Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek anounced this same week in Strasbourg that his country intends to adopt the Euro currency asap, preparing another change at Prague...

    As for EU Citizens, they are obviously glad to be able to move accross 16 EU Member States without being obliged, no more, to change money at each border, wasting time and paying exchange percentages, as in the Past.. But they's certainly like for EuroZone to become able to protect them also from Financial and Economic Crisis..

    Finally, this "big change" was nothing new for Strasbourg :

    - It's as soon as 1995, during a visionary "State of the Union" debate at EU Parliament here, that MEPs were told that the adoption of the Euro would "pave the way" for the emergence of a Political Europe :

    By tranferring to a European level the national States' traditional capacity to stimulate Economy by augmenting the mass of Money put into circulation, the creation of EuroZone would inevitably create the need to transfet to a European level also a responsibility for Economic Policy, the 1995 visionary debate had concluded.

    - "Vote for the Euro, and afterwards we shall have e Political Europe. Because if a Political Europe does not emerge to monitor the Monetary Europe, the People will never accept it, never", as former EU Commission's President, Jacques Delors had said earlier, Prof. Alain Lipietz, spokesman of the Green Group in EU Parliament, reminded.

    But Strasbourg's Mayor, Senator Roland Ries, in a special anouncement, after receiving President Poetterings' invitees at Rohan Palace, reminded also that "it was since 1989" that former French President Francois Mitterand had launched a call in Strasbourg, joined by German Chancelor Helmut Kohl and others, to boost a European Economic and Monetary Union..

    1995 - 2009, or even 1989 - 2009 : In fact, it's not only Ten, but ..almost 15 or even 20 Years !

- Isn't it late enough ? Will History give to Europe more Time to waste ?

 Strong Franco-German/European will for New "Multipolar" World governance, with Social and Human Rights Values

and a "Political Europe" at the horizon of 2009 EU Elections,
(which may include Turkey issue)

(+Topical  issues on Economy, EU Defense/NATO, Energy, Middle-East, etc.)   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
---------------------------------------------
* Paris(Elysee Palace)/ACM/ 8 Januray 2009/-
----------------------------------------------------

    A strong will for a "Political Europe" and a "Multipolar World", working togeher with USA but, in a framework of "New International Institutions", without falling back to "outdated" and "failed" Unipolar organisations of the end of the 2nd World War, was expressed here by the  French President Nicolas Sarkozy and  the German Chancelor Angie Merkel.

    The move included anouncements for the preparation of the June 2009 EU Elections jointly by the two leaders, where Sarkozy's call for a "Political Europe" notoriously includes their well-known and common refusal of Turkey's  controversial EU bid, according also to his Historic February and July 2007 Strasbourg speeches, and his subsequent call for a "Debate on Europe's Future" due to start "affter the end of 2008",

    - "It's too early to confirm with certainty which issues  will be a matter for the June 2009 Elections, but we shall now soon, in a few weeks", told us Sarkozy's Spokesman for EU issues, Pierre Jerome Henin.

    - "EU wants to work together with the USA, but will not accept to fall back to the Past of a Unipolar world where only 1 voice was heard : Europe's voice must be heard, as well as other important voices of various other Countries
    : We cannot live in the 21st Century with out-dated Institutions stemming from the 2nd World War. Because the World has become Multipolar, and needs a New collective governance according to International Law, he concluded.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

    Merkel and Sarkozy spoke at a Paris' Press meeting, at the Presidential Palace Elysee, after participating in an International Conference on a "New World  Governance", with "new Values and regulation",  which started from Economic issues to enlarge on Social, Political and even "Human Rights" issues at the International arena, as Merkel added, supporting Sarkozy's stance in favor of bringing "Values" at the center of New Multipolar world rules.

    After the 2007 G-8 Summit at Heiligendam, we are involved in "process" due to enlarge the G-8 progressively "to more and more actors", said Merkel from the outset, giving a reply to those who had criticized the fact that, at the Washington 2008 G-20 Summit, Countries like Turkey were invited, while almost all African countries, and even African Union itself were not...This stirred strong protests from leaders and Heads of States at an subsequent International Conference in Strasbourg for Aid to Development.

    - "We (EU) already have a Human Rights charter. But we neeed also a Charter for a reasonble Economy", Merkel added. Because the current "crisis dissolved Values, provoked a void, doubts, anxiety, and this might lead to upheavals", Sarkozy explained.

    - "We must create a framework which will prevent Crisis", said Merkel. "We are for a Social Market", added Sarkozy. We want to do it together with the USA, but we shall not wait for ever. "The voice of 500 millions of Europeans must be heard in the World", they stressed.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
    That's why France and Germany, at the eve of "a very important International Conference in London, April 2",  decided to start unveiling their Vision on World developments"; he added. Europeans will gather in Berlin, beforehand, to prepare a common stance.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

    Afterwards, at a Press Conference with Merkel, Sarkozy announced that "in Munich", "on February", they intend to forge some "Franco-German Initiatives", "in preparation of NATO's Summit in Strasbourg on April".

    But "UK's place is to be among the first inside Europe", said Sarkozy, after meeting with  former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and other Top invitees from allover Europe and the World at an International Conference  on "New World governance", with multifacet Economic, Social and Political aspects.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

    Moreover, the current Gas Pipeline crisis between Russia and Ukraine incites Europe to
"diversify Energy Transports", as part of a larger updtate to its "EU Energy policy", stressed French
President Nicolas Sarkozy, after meeting here with German chancelor Merkel, opening perspectives also for more Ship transports, Renewable sources, etc.

     - "There is a series of issues to ensure EU's Energy Independency, and this would very probably include also the development of Ship Transports", replied, agreeing witth our question Sarkozy's Press Spokesman on European/International issues, Pierre Jerome HENIN

    Pipeline blackmails' confusio led EU to agree with Russia to send "Scientific Experts to find out f.ex. if Gaz left from Russia and disappeared at Ukraine, or not", said Merkel, who supported also ways to "store Gas stocks" for EU Energy independence.

    EU Energy Networks' funding programs include "Sea Highways" via EU Ships' Transport,  which does not depend on the desiderata of 3rd Countries (as Ukraine or Turkey) who might block Pipelines' transit.

    Meanwhile, Russia must respect its obligations vis a vis the EU, and Ukraine, who has a European ambition, must prove iits credibility, he concluded.

    On the Middle East crisis, they focused mainly on practical efforts to broker an agreement to monitor the border with Egypt against arm trafficking, as a key to stable Peace.very probably include also the development of Ship Transports", replied, agreeing witth our question Sarkozy's Press Spokesman on European/International issues, Pierre Jerome HENIN

    Pipeline blackmails' confusio led EU to agree with Russia to send "Scientific Experts to find out f.ex. if Gaz left from Russia and disappeared at Ukraine, or not", said Merkel, who supported also ways to "store Gas stocks" for EU Energy independence.

    EU Energy Networks' funding programs include "Sea Highways" via EU Ships' Transport,  which does not depend on the desiderata of 3rd Countries (as Ukraine or Turkey) who might block Pipelines' transit.

    Meanwhile, Russia must respect its obligations vis a vis the EU, and Ukraine, who has a European ambition, must prove iits credibility, he concluded.

    On the Middle East crisis, they focused mainly on practical efforts to broker an agreement to monitor the border with Egypt against arm trafficking, as a key to stable Peace.

            (../..)

It's important to create a synergy between "mutually stimulating" EU Countries' moves in order to overcome an "Unjust" Crisis "imported from USA", stressed new French Minister for Economic Revival, Patrick Devedjian, in Strasbourg, warning also that, while hoping for a vigorous Obama US Plan, nevertheless, "Time" is of essence for Europe...

In fact, it's EU's own interest to act Fast, before June 2009 EU Election, since, with Lisbon Treaty not ratified yet, it cannot face again the risk of a Majority Abstention, as back in 1999 and 2004, nor another "anti-EU" mood among Citizens, as in the 2005 French and Dutch "No", followed by the 2008 Irish "No", without endangering rare Historic opportunities, currently open for the EU, whose future is at stake.

From Social issues up to High-Tech Scientific Research, concrete action for Economic revival started from Strasbourg and its European dimension, for the new super-Minister Patrick Devedjian, who visited a Popular Social Housing and Infrastructure project at nearby Hagenau village, before meeting new leaders of Strasbourg's unified mega-University in a Scientific Labo at the Campus, close to EU Parliament and CoE headquarters.

Devedjian, who met also with all the spectrum of Local Political  deciders of Alsace region, close to FrancoGerman borders, wants for deeds to meet the words, in real practice, whenever politicians speak about Strasbourg and Europe's development.

-------------------------------
Devedjan to "EuroFora" : "European coordination can act as a multiplicator by mutual stimulations"
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Devedjian was questioned by "Euro-Fora" on his expectations for reciprocal effects of coordinated European plans :

- "We are living in a (European and Global) system where borders are transparent : When we take measures in France, they produce effects also in Germany, in Belgium, Italy, Spain, or other EU countries, and vice-versa. "So, we can have mutually stimulating effects between national revival Plans, if they are somehow coordinated", ..."They can augment each other's effects, acting as multiplicators and levers". "As a State stimulates Local authorities and Private business, similarly, each EU country's economic revival plan may multiply the effects of other EU countries' actions", he told us.

- "F.ex., when I visited Strasbourg University's Scientific labos, they told me that part of the renovation, funded by France, is realized by German companies located only a few Kms away from the border. Thus, the French revival plan benefits also the German economy. And vice-versa : when Germany takes certain measures, they can have beneficial effects also for French companies"

In an era of Globalisation, "nobody can close and isolate himself inside a Fish-Bowl !", he concluded.
----------------------------------
Economy's revival starts from Strasbourg and Europe, for new French Minister Devedjian
----------------------------------

This could be one of the reasons for which the new French Minister for Economic Stimulus chose to make his 1st visit to Strasbourg, the headquarters of European and Paneuropean Institutions, in the Franco-German river borders at the heart of Europe.

- "It was President Sarkozy's idea", he revealed, adding also fresh "support to Strasbourg's European vocation, not only with words, but also with deeds" :F.ex., the completion of a High-Speed Train network, due to stimulate fast links with Germany, Austria, Italy, Hungary and other central EU Countries.

- "This Crisis is Unjust for Europe, because it wasn't its fault". The greatest part of the "Crisis was imported from the USA, where problems are deeper than here'', in the EU. The Crisis "wasn't due to a bad managment by Europe", who was affected by problems which emerged elsewhere. That's why Europe must be united and active enough to face this challenge. said Devedjian, who has just won +5% in popularity...

- "I hope that there will be an "Obama-effect" also on Economy, and that the Plan of the New American President will be substantial enough to face this crisis, which is worse in the USA than in our area", Europe, he added.

"Economic Revival overcomes political divisions : F.ex. Strasbourg's Socialist Mayor "Ries agreed that State actions funded by Public Debt are justified during such exceptional circumstances", noted the Center-Right republican Minister.

---------------

"Zeitnot" for 2009 EU Elections ?

--------------------

"My problem is Time", stressed Devedjian from the outset, at Strasbourg's University. "I have to engage 75% of funds in 2009, out of a total of 29 Billion euros", he explained later. "Monitoring will be of essence", because we must "avoid bureaucracy or delays. No project should get lost or neglected in complex meanders of adminstrative offices' moving sands", he warned.

- "I must create activities in the middle of the Crisis", he added. Questioned by EuroFora whether he aims to start creating some "hopes before the June 2009 EU Elections", Devedjian, a former leader of the Governing Political Party in France: UMP, did not immediately reply, but revealed, later, that he "hoped to start at least some Projects on May 2009, even if the bulk of Revival Plan's effects are "expected from Autumn 2009".

However, with only 30% of EU Citizens currently aiming to cast a vote at the forthcoming EU Elections on June, (See other NewStory), the  coordinated moves' results are expected to be crucial for Citizens' participation and votes at the forthcoming June 2009 EU Elections throughout all 27 EU Member Countries...Thus, it's vital for all Europe's own Future that coordinated national Economic revival plans start to have concrete results and create hopes for new dynamics before the June 2009 EU Election...

A real challenge, since careful choices are needed : Our aim is to fund projects which "create activities", even "in the middle of the crisis", and have a "lever effect, attracting other investments", Devedjian said. Because the "Stimulus' Plan has 2 aims : A Tactical one : to create New Activities. And a Strategic one : Choose what can become efficient and useful also in the Long-term". 

- "Are you ready ?", he asked Strasbourg University's new President, professor Alain Beretz, with some 700 million euros in his pockets for Education-Research in France. - "We are !", he replied.

- "The Minister's initiative can accelerate funds, and Time is important for us. This concerns the entire renovation of all our buildings", said to "EuroFora" President, Beretz. "I showed some Scientific Research Labos to Mr. Devedjian. But, If we had more time, I could show him also some Education Amphis, whose condition needs to meet Strasbourg's new Mega-University's ambition" to reach the 10 best in the World, as Prime Minister Fillon earlier anounced here.

(Devedjian kicks off his Economic Revival tour from Strasbourg University, meeting with its new chairman Beretz, at Scientific Institute Le Bel) 

-----

Regional Prefectures should gather and select projects to be presented for decision before the end of January 2009.

A well-known close friend of President Sarkozy, who succeeded as EU Chairman to launch, in agreement with German chancelor Merkel and even British prime minister Brown, vigorous EU actions against the Financial/Economic Crisis, (starting from the 1st Historic Summit of EuroZone's Heads of State/Government, October 12 at Elysee Palace, followed by Washington G20 Global Summit), Devedjan will have a key role in the realisation of National and EU plans recently agreed in Brussels.

President Sarkozy is expected to arrive himself in Strasbourg, on the occasion of the official inauguration of its brand New Mega-Hospital, on the 9th of January 2009, at the eve of EU Parliament's session here, Elysee confirmed shortly after Devedjian's visit.

EU is due to review its economic revival plans at March 2009 EU Council in Prague, before the April 2 London Global Summit.

***

Multi-facet concrete activities at focus : Stimulus Minister Devedjian at the Political, Social and High-Tech fronts in Strasbourg...