Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-01-26-Speech-3-039"
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"en.20050126.6.3-039"2
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"Mr President, Mr Barroso, my group Chairman, Mr Schulz, pointed out earlier today that, in our view, what you said in this House is along the right lines. That is something that I too believe as Chairman of the European Social Democrats. Clearly, we are in agreement. I must, however, say one more thing to you. Those of us in the PSE have a common allergy. Our allergy consists in reacting badly to mere lip service. My point is that it is very important, Mr Barroso, for you now really to take seriously what Mr Schulz has said today – something on which I should like to comment. It is important for your statements today to be followed up by practical action. Allow me to give you some examples.
It is important, what you said today about the gap between rich and poor within the EU needing to become narrower. When, then, I see, on the front page of today’s
your Commissioner, Mrs Kroes, saying that regional aid in the rich countries too must be scaled down, I perceive an inconsistency. You should be careful, Mr Barroso.
It is also important, what you said today about our needing to create more and better jobs. Both Mr Schulz and I agree. Be careful, however, that old-fashioned recipes from the last century are not applied, based on the view that it was enough simply to talk about productivity and structural changes and not about what we need, namely greater investment and stronger demand in the European internal market. It is no use just focusing upon the supply side; in a modern economy, the demand side too must be focused upon. Without coordinated investment in training, innovation, regional policy and an active labour market policy, we do not get the jobs. I do not believe that you disagree, but I would ask you to confirm today that this is how the Commission President also sees matters. I would remind you that, six months ago, we presented an investment programme consisting of five points concerning five million new jobs in Europe. The programme can in fact be implemented and, as President of the Commission, you will have a crucial share of the responsibility.
When, today, you talk about the European social model, I agree with you, but be careful that we do not separate matters. It is very important that you should not let yourself be pressurised by old-fashioned thinking in the European Union into first focusing upon economic productivity and only then seeing if we can afford more welfare and, if need be, more social security and more environmental investment. Take care; these matters are inseparable from one another. We must insist upon the European social model, economic productivity, social justice and environmental investment. That is the European way.
When all is said and done, the challenge we both face can be summarised in the question: shall we compete in Europe under American or European conditions? That is what is at issue. We must find the answer together, and I am certain that we can do so.
I listened to what the President of the Council, Mr Juncker, said not so very long ago when he emphasised that the European way involves a balance between the economy, social conditions and the environment. We expect to see this balance on 2 February when the first proposal comes from the Commission, enabling us to begin work."@en1
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