EU opens new 'European House' in Vienna

(VIENNA) - EU Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso officially opened a new European House in Vienna on Friday, as part of an initiative by Brussels to bring the European Union "closer to its citizens".

In an inauguration ceremony attended by EU parliament head Jerzy Buzek, Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Deputy Chancellor Josef Proell, Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger and EU commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Barroso opened the building which includes a "European Public Space".

It is the ninth such house in the 27-nation bloc after Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin, Lisbon, Madrid, Rome, Stockholm and Tallin.

Spindelegger said he hoped the house would help combat euro-scepticism among Austrians after EU critics made strong gains in European parliament elections earlier this year.

"People want personalised dialogue, not glossy brochures," the minister said.

In his own speech, Barroso talked about the EU's main priorities at the moment.

"Unemployment is the main concern", he said, as well as the establishment of "a more ethical, more robust financial system".

"We will also continue to lead on climate change," Barroso said.

"Europe stands to benefit from investing in green technologies and future growth jobs. Fighting climate change and the move toward a low-carbon economy provide huge opportunities for business and people."

He also expressed "confidence" that Czech President Vaclav Klaus would ratify the Lisbon Treaty.

Klaus is the last EU leader holding out on signing the text and has asked for an exemption on the treaty preventing ethnic Germans forced out of his country after World War II from claiming back their property.

"It's not in the interest of the European Union or in the interest of the Czech Republic to delay the entry into force of the treaty," Barroso said.