They are chiefly intended as statements of Commission policy, rather than a consultation or starting point for debate.

This was the opening statement of Commission President, Prodi, when he presented the strategic objectives of the European Commission for the next five years.

In this context I would like to applaud the statement of Commission President José Manuel Barroso, who declared that the EU should not make any commitments on climate matters unless other countries, particularly the US and China, do the same.