Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-05-14-Speech-2-073"
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"en.20020514.7.2-073"2
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"Mr President, I too would like to thank the rapporteurs for their work. Two – almost magic – formulae, typical of a certain type of Europeanism are constantly being proposed in this Chamber: the European social model and the social market economy. The underlying implication – which is, in reality, often expressed – is that this is where the distinction between the European model and the US model lies, the former being an altruistic, inclusive model and the latter being an egotistical and cynical model. I feel we would do well to ask ourselves whether these labels actually correspond to the facts in reality, whether the European social model genuinely does protect the weaker sections of society and the marginalised. Does our economic policy really produce better results than that of the US? The Council texts before us today are pervaded by the optimistic, consoling mantra of the Lisbon goal: making Europe the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world in ten years. This is, of course, an excellent proposal, but we are overlooking the fact that two years have passed already and that the European economy is still at the starting post, that the necessary reforms are being postponed or diluted from summit to summit and that the hopes of Europe’s unemployed of economic growth bringing them work are still linked to the resumption of growth in the US economy, which is the motor for growth. It is a constant factor: we set grandiose, ambitious goals and then, when we fail to achieve them because it has become unrealistic to pursue them, we have to just resign ourselves!
The reforms need to be speeded up. The demands made upon Italy in this year’s broad economic policy guidelines are the same as those which have been made throughout the past five years, but nothing effective is being done to meet the requirements relating to the labour market, pensions, the liberal professions and the liberalisation of the markets.
I will end, Mr President, with a warning: only ten years ago, Japan was still seen as an invincible economy with a social model offering a remarkable level of protection. Now, a long recession coupled with the country’s inability to effect liberal reforms in its economy appear to be inflicting torture on Japan which is as long-drawn-out as it was unexpected. These are, of course, different situations which cannot be compared, but the fate of Japan is a warning which we in Europe would do well to heed."@en1
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