Activites

• 2010/03/24 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament summary

    During the course of a debate with the Council and the European Commission, Members gave their views on the preparations for the Spring European Council on 25 and 26 March 2010. Council: the President-in-Office of the Council, Diego López Garrido recalled that the EU is witnessing an extraordinarily strong dynamic, being in the midst of a serious economic crisis and at the same time implementing a new treaty, the Treaty of Lisbon, getting new institutions off the ground, and carrying out a very broad reordering of the regulation of our economic systems.The Spanish Presidency recalled the main points on the European Council’s agenda: the commitment to a new strategy for growth and the creation of high quality jobs and the issue of governance: the Council wants this governance to revolve around its own political leadership and the action of the Commission with the close collaboration and monitoring of everything by Parliament ;  the fight against climate change : the EU must continue holding onto its leadership and confirm a commitment by developed countries generally to collaborate with those that are still not developed in order to move unequivocally towards legally binding commitments at the Cancún conference in Mexico;the issue of the financial situation in Greece and the refinancing of the country’s public debt which was a political commitment to support the financial stability of the euro area. Commission: the President of the Commission asked the European Council do two things: show that it is responding to the financial crisis which means that public finances at national level are under unprecedented strain and work on Europe’s long-term strategic framework and long-term strategic objectives, i.e. our economic future and climate change.  The targets which the Commission has put on the table are: (i) the need to increase the level of employment; (ii) to invest more in research and innovation, (iii) to meet our 2020 climate and energy targets; (iv) to improve our educational performance and (v) to combat poverty.Responding to the economic and financial situation in Greece, the President of the Commission stressed that Greece’s fiscal effort to reduce its deficit must continue. The Commission believes it is now appropriate to create, within the euro area, an instrument for coordinated action which could be used to provide assistance to Greece in case of need. The framework for coordinated action should be understood as a safety net to be used only when all other means to avoid a crisis have been exhausted, including, first and foremost, exhausting the scope for policy action at domestic level. Beyond technical aspects, any possible solution must reinforce and strengthen the unity and the coherence of the eurozone and its governance. Position of the political groups: whilst it is not on the formal agenda of this European Council, the economic and financial situation in Greece were at the heart of the debate : EPP: the President of the EPP Group called on the Heads of State or Government to reaffirm European solidarity and define their roadmap so as to bring Europe out of the crisis. Referring to the failure of the Lisbon Strategy, he asked the European Council to go beyond words and to give serious consideration to our common economic objectives on the basis of the Commission’s 2020 proposals. Stressing that it is in everyone’s interests to guarantee the stability of Europe and of the European Monetary System, the President of the group recalled that it is imperative that a European solution is found to this crisis, in accordance with European rules and within the framework of European financial aid mechanisms, including the IMF. In this context, he indicated that Europe must show solidarity with Greece but that Greece, too, must carry out those internal reforms that are required in the short and medium terms and in order to warrant this solidarity, particularly with regard to reform of public finances. In a period of crisis, he called on Member States to coordinate their budgetary, fiscal and social policies better, and strengthen European governance. S&D: the President of the Group stressed that solidarity with Greece makes economic sense and that this message must be heeded by Germany. Subscribing to the notion of a safety net, he indicated that it is not about transferring money from taxpayers in other Member States into Greece’s coffers but about enabling Greece to borrow money on the international markets at the same interest rates as are available to the other countries. This will put a stop to the speculators on the financial markets who have been encouraged by the lack of solidarity shown to Greece and who will then turn their attention to Italy, to the UK and to Spain. The Group President recalled that it is up to the Commission and not the IMF to make proposals on achieving a sensible stabilisation within the euro area. He also wanted to send a clear signal to the international financial markets that speculation will not dismantle the euro zone.  ADLE: the President of the Group indicated that the only way to assist Greece and the euro zone is is to take a firm decision on the basis of a Commission proposal. He is pleased that Mr Barroso has announced that he is going to propose a European instrument that will enable the interest rates on Greece’s government bonds to be reduced, issuing bonds at European level, since Europe has liquidity and credibility. He insisted that only such an instrument will solve the problem of the gap between the German rate, which stands at 3.05%, and the Greek rate, which is 6.5%.  Greens/EFA: the Group representative recalled that this Greek crisis – this crisis facing the euro – is actually a European crisis and that discussions have been going on for weeks and months without Europeans being able to make the necessary decisions. Deploring Mme Merkel’s lack of political will and populism in Germany, she stressed that the continued existence of the euro – of a single currency – in the long term can only be secured if Europeans pull together and integrate their economic policy.  She underlined that this is a time for solidarity, but henceforth, Greece will only be able to obtain credit on favourable terms if this is not a one-way street. The state of Greece must utilise the crisis to bring about real reforms and seize the opportunity to create a better state. ECR: the Group representative considered that Greece does need European solidarity, but that we should very firmly set conditions for Member States, to ensure they follow a rational economic policy. Sting that Greece probably adopted the euro too early, he stressed that we are also facing a problem which is seen so often in Europe, namely that ideology and politics are more important than the economy. He did not feel that greater bureaucracy, integration and regulation in Europe could help what should be the greatest objective – increasing competitiveness. GUE/NGL: the Group representative also agreed with the call for solidarity with Greece and warned against renationalisation.  Recalling Mr Barroso thinking aloud as to whether the worst of the speculation on the financial markets should be banned outright, he deplored the fact that the increasing social chasm in the EU is not on the agenda of the European Council. He was critical of the EU 2020 economic strategy because it is based on the failed ideology of competition which led to the crisis, and wants a strategy that gives social and ecological needs priority over competitive interests. EFD: the Group representative considered that the EU faces a crash test of the strength of the European currency and, more importantly, of the intentions of the leaders of the European Union to defend it. She hoped nevertheless that the EU achieved something other than the single market and the euro. Reply to Members: Mr Maroš Šefčovič, on behalf of the Commission, recalled that the EU is not just a group of countries but a European family, and the principle of solidarity must come into play if a family member has a problem. The Commission is therefore ready to propose an instrument for coordinated assistance to Greece which will be fully compatible with European law. He stressed the need for higher employment, a better gender balance and stronger education. It is also very clear that the EU needs to invest more in research and development, to fight poverty, and to have a concrete strategy for Europe and European citizens. With regard to the question of Greece, the President-in-Office of the Council indicated thatthe Council has very clear ideas. Firstly, Europe is an integration of economic policies. Secondly, Europe is based on solidarity and therefore has a strong social content. Thirdly, Europe has economic and financial stability.He wassure that the European Council will strengthen and preserve that stability. A strong political message on Europe will be sent out, one of support for its economy, support for its currency and, therefore, a message of support for solidarity.

• #3004
• 2010/03/22 Council Meeting
  • 3004
• #3003
• 2010/03/16 Council Meeting
• #3000
• 2010/03/08 Council Meeting
  • 3000 summary

    The Council held an exchange of views on the European strategy for growth and jobs, with a view to preparing the Spring European Council of 25 and 26 March.The new Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, László Andor, presented the Commission's Communication "Europe 2020: A European strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth". Ministers in general welcomed the Communication as a valuable basis for discussions with a view to the decisions to be taken on the new strategy which will follow the Lisbon strategy.While most ministers were in agreement with the Commission's suggestion that the new strategy should concentrate on a limited number of priority objectives, some pointed out that more explicit sub-targets could better address the specific national situation. In particular, they welcomed the proposed EU-level target for employment according to which 75% of the population aged 20-64 should have a job by 2020. Many ministers stressed the importance of women's participation in the labour market if the EU was to meet this target and maximise economic growth.A large number of ministers also emphasised the importance of finding the most effective ways of reducing the impact of unemployment on young people and the elderly. The importance of education, lifelong learning and vocational training was highlighted, and a number of ministers also noted the importance of job quality.The need to strengthen efforts in the fight against poverty was also stressed. In this context, some ministers welcomed the proposed EU-level target (20 million fewer people should be at risk of poverty by 2020) as a strong signal of the EU commitment in the framework of the 2010 European year against poverty and social exclusion. Other ministers wondered if the EU target would be appropriate as it referred to relative, and not absolute, poverty. Several ministers warned that such a target could create disincentives to take up work if it were to be reached through redistributive policies.Some ministers considered that the new EU-level targets should be supported with EU funds, such as the European Social Fund (ESF).Many ministers agreed that strong governance mechanisms are required to monitor the implementation of the new strategy and that, the EPSCO Council should play a key role.The presidency gave a summary of the debate which will be conveyed via Coreper 2 to the General Affairs Council on 22 March in preparation of the European Council.The debate was based on the following documents:the Commission's communication on the EU 2020 strategy, adopted on 3 March;the presidency background paper setting out its reflections in the light of the outcome of the informal meeting of ministers for Employment and Social Security on 28 and 29 January in Barcelona (doc. 6422/1/10 REV 1).;contributions from the Employment and the Social Protection.  The Council adopted the joint employment report 2009/2010 (doc. 6575/10) and the joint report on social protection and social inclusion 2010 (doc. 6323/10) and agreed to transmit them to the Spring European Council.The joint employment report 2009/2010 gives an overview of the challenges which the employment policies of Member States face due to the need to adjust crisis measures within the framework of continuing structural reforms. It draws from the reports submitted by Member States on the implementation of the employment part of their national reform programmes. The joint employment report will be submitted to the European Council which, according to the Treaty, will consider the employment situation in the Union and adopts conclusions thereon, on the basis of a joint annual report by the Council and Commission. The joint report on social protection and social inclusion 2010 calls for more effective social inclusion and social protection in line with the principles of access for all, adequacy and sustainability. It draws on Member States’ national reports on strategies for social inclusion, pensions, health care and long-term care which were submitted for the first time in an integrated form in 2006. The joint report notes that drawing on lessons of the crisis and of ten years of the Lisbon strategy there will be a need to foster sustainable growth along with job creation and social cohesion and systematically to assess progress of social outcomes.The Council also took note of the Commission's report on Equality between women and men, 2010.(doc. 5056/10). This report focuses, in particular, on gender equality and employment as a way to stimulate economic recovery and growth; the reconciliation of work and private life; promoting social inclusion through gender equality; and preventing and combating gender-based violence. The report will be forwarded to the Spring European Council.

• #2997
• 2010/02/22 Council Meeting
  • 2997 summary

    The Council examined an annotated draft agenda for the spring meeting of the European Council, to be held on 25 and 26 March. The European Council is expected to focus on the following:preparation of a new EU strategy for jobs and growth; andthe follow-up to the UN conference on climate change in Copenhagen in December.As regards jobs and growth, the European Council will be held to agree on the general framework of the Union's new strategy, on the basis of the Commission's communication on "Europe 2020". It will be called upon, in particular, to finalise the governance of the strategy and to agree on a limited number of quantitative targets. The European Council will also take stock of continuing efforts by the EU and Member States to tackle the economic crisis, and will hold a preliminary discussion on preparation of the next G-20 summit.On climate change, the European Council will take stock of work on the follow-up to the Copenhagen conference, both as regards the international negotiation process and the Union's relations with its strategic partners.The Council (General Affairs) will hold a further discussion at its meeting on 22 March, drawing on the work of the other Council configurations involved, in the run-up to the European Council.

Documents

• Debate in Council: 2997
• Debate in Council: 3000
• Debate in Council: 3004
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)