Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-07-21-Speech-3-073"
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"en.20040721.4.3-073"2
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"Mr President, I should like to wish the Netherlands Presidency every success with its priorities. The Presidency is working under the motto ‘realism and ambition’, and that is something that appeals to me greatly, because, over the past few years, we have witnessed a growing trend of ever more fresh priorities being added to the agenda, and while solemn declarations are made at every Council summit, in reality they often turn out to be hollow phrases and no action is taken at all. Public disappointment and scepticism should therefore come as no surprise, and no manner of promotion campaign can do anything about that. It is therefore time we rolled up our sleeves, and that also applies to the Lisbon agenda, because, a moment ago, I heard a number of speakers on the Left of the political spectrum, and, ironically, to the right of me, saying that this Lisbon agenda is not social. However, in my opinion, the interpretation of this Lisbon agenda is extremely social. We are faced with 9% unemployment in Europe and with unemployment among young people, some of whom will never get a job. It is high time we implemented this agenda, and I would actually like to point out that we can learn an awful lot from the ten new countries in the European Union, because although they have carried out many difficult and painful reforms over the past 15 years, they have, in the process, managed to accomplish greater economic growth, from which everyone stands to gain. I therefore find it incomprehensible and also irresponsible that some parties try to undermine the Lisbon strategy. Finally, agreements should also be made about EU funding. It is a well-known fact that the Dutch Government is in favour of drastic financial cutbacks, and I should like to find out from you how this fits in with the ambitions which you mentioned in the motto, because, in addition to an effective treasury, at the moment, what Europe needs more than anything else is vision, decisive action and political leadership, and I look forward to a successful Presidency."@en1
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