Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-12-03-Speech-3-078"
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"en.20031203.7.3-078"2
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"Mr President, why should we conclude a new treaty in Europe if we refuse to adhere to existing agreements? And if we refuse to adhere to the Stability Pact in times when it does not suit us, why do we not simply admit to this? And why do we not start working on agreements to which we
want to adhere?
In my country at least, many people are asking these questions. Their confidence has been dealt a serious blow. Why are all countries equal, but certain large countries more equal than others? The justifiably devastating comments in the media speak volumes. All of this undermines confidence in politics, and that reflects badly on us. Why, Mr Tremonti, have you not elected to play your role as independent chairman on the side of the Stability and Growth Pact, as proposed by the Commission? Do you realise what the role of chairman entails?
I am also reminded of this by certain clauses of the report of the Euro Group and Ecofin Council's meeting. In that report, Commissioner Solbes indicates that the Commission has given France and Germany recommendations with comparable content, which means that these countries are on an equal footing. He notes that we have reached a critical moment in time. The wrong decisions can seriously damage the procedure. Decisions can create an important precedent and affect interest rates. This issue concerns the equal treatment of large and small Member States. Commissioner Solbes goes on to say that if the Commission's recommendations are not followed, there is a considerable risk of France and Germany remaining above the 3% mark even in 2005. The Commission has already been extremely flexible. The recommendations currently before us really are as far as we are prepared to go. Commissioner Solbes also indicates that, pursuant to Article 104(7) of the EC Treaty, returning to an excessive deficit is not an option, because sanctions would never follow otherwise. Moreover, the Treaty and the Pact do not distinguish between cooperative and uncooperative countries. As the Guardian of the Treaty, the Commission has no choice but to follow the route it has now proposed."@en1
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