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11/23/2009

SPIEGEL: Mr. Prime Minister, the Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy has been appointed as the first permanent European Council president and the British EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton is to become the EU's first foreign minister. Can this really be the outcome of close to 10 years of tough battles to reform the EU?

Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero : That's your interpretation. I, at any rate, congratulate the Swedish council presidency, because its proposal was accepted unanimously. The Belgian prime minister is a European through and through, and he has demonstrated leadership ability as the head of his government. I am also very pleased that we have found a woman for the post of foreign minister. I know her from the family of socialists within the EU, and I supported her. I have always been convinced that we need women in top offices.

SPIEGEL: Spain was the first country in the union that approved the European constitution, which later failed, in a referendum. And now it will be the first country, starting in January, that will have to implement, together with the new EU leadership, the rules of the Lisbon Treaty during its presidency of the European Union. Will you be giving Europe a new start?

Zapatero: The Lisbon Treaty must give Europe fresh energy. The new stage begins with three main goals. Our economic policy must become more efficient. Europe must play a much more active and more important role in the world. And, finally, Europe must be a greater champion of more civil rights and a policy of equality. This, most of all, is what characterizes our European identity. This large democratic zone cannot lose its appeal.

SPIEGEL: There was a lot of resistance to the Lisbon Treaty, not to mention widespread pessimism and lethargy. How do you intend to convince Europeans to believe in the European project once again?

Zapatero: But Europeans do believe in Europe. This is the world region with the highest standard of living and the most far-reaching freedoms for citizens. In other words, Europe has power. But the European Union and its political institutions are urgently in need of new momentum. Results must become visible. Citizens lose faith in Europe if we spend years debating every change in our rules. They want quick decisions when it comes to improving the economy, the employment market and the welfare state.

SPIEGEL: And this time the most important leadership posts were only filled after prolonged bickering. Doesn't this damage the new leaders even before they take office?

Zapatero: This process of deliberation is part of democracy, of course, because the offices of permanent European Council president and that of high representative for foreign and security policy are truly important positions. This is the first time that we have filled these posts. Hence they must have a high degree of legitimacy so that they can perform their functions properly. To that end, the governments of the individual member states must continue to support them. We must grant them authority.

SPIEGEL: But the major players in Europe didn't even want to fill these top posts themselves. You too showed no real interest in letting your well-known foreign minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, move to Brussels.

Zapatero: I always believed that very capable people are needed in both positions, people like the ones we eventually selected. That was what I supported.

SPIEGEL: Now that the Lisbon Treaty has come into effect, Europe has institutions and the means to conduct a joint foreign policy, but it still doesn't mean that the bloc has a united foreign policy. What does Spain intend to do to establish a foundation for the EU's unified presence as a global player?

Zapatero: We will set up the new European diplomatic service (editor's note: the European External Action Service), staffing it with European officials from all member states and establishing offices in all countries. During the Spanish EU presidency, we will do everything to ensure that this service quickly becomes ready for deployment. In addition, we will ensure that Ms. Ashton receives the unanimous support of all governments for her foreign policy.

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• Part 1: 'The EU Is Already Playing in the Top League'
• Part 2: 'The EU Is a Leading Economic and Trade Power'