I agree: "success" can only be achieved on a rather smallish scale.

Presidency Programme available now:

„Europe – succeeding together“

1 January to 30 June 2007

35 pages, pdf:

http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/de/EU-P/Programm-EU-P-en.pdf

Quotes:

### "The German Presidency will press for the strengthening of transatlantic relations on the
political and economic stage. One summit with the United States and one with Canada will be
held. The intensified dialogue and cooperation with the United States will centre around
selected topics such as the Middle East, Eastern Europe, the fight against terrorism and
energy security. Germany will aim to reach an agreement on cooperation between the EU and
the United States in the area of civilian crisis management. The implementation of the
Transatlantic Economic Initiative will focus on regulatory cooperation, innovation and
technology, trade and security, capital markets, energy and the protection of intellectual
property."

### "One way in which the EU’s capacity to deploy civilian and military crisis prevention and
management tools is to be strengthened is through the Headline Goal processes (Headline
Goal 2010 for the armed forces, Civilian Headline Goal 2008). Particular attention will be
given to the European rapid response battlegroups, which will be available for operations in
crisis areas from 1 January 2007. Civil-military cooperation in the planning and
implementation of ESDP operations is to be bolstered to improve the ESDP’s scope for
independent action. The operations centre, which will be ready from early 2007, will be
activated when needed. Finally, the strategic partnership between the EU and NATO is to be
expanded by intensifying political dialogue and cooperation in the fields of deployment and
the development of capabilities."


### "The stabilization of the Balkans depends heavily on upholding and concretizing the prospect
of EU accession through the stabilization and association process, while adhering strictly to
the criteria of the Commission’s four-stage plan and taking account of the EU’s capacity to
absorb new members."

### "The Presidency will pay particular attention to the strategically significant region of Central
Asia. The EU plans to adopt a strategy on Central Asia defining its interests and objectives.
Political dialogue with the region is to be expanded."

### "The Presidency will work towards further stabilization of the situation in Lebanon and,
together with its partners in the EU and the Middle East Quartet, actively seek ways to arrive
at a comprehensive peace solution for the Middle East conflict. Another of the most urgent
challenges will be to continue efforts to find a peaceful solution to the dispute concerning the
Iranian nuclear programme. The Presidency will elaborate proposals on intensifying its partnership with the Gulf Cooperation Council. It will continue to support the political, social
and economic reconstruction process in Iraq. With regard to Afghanistan, Germany will call
for an increase in EU commitment within the Afghanistan Compact programme."