Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-07-06-Speech-3-440"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20050706.32.3-440"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:translated text |
"Allow me to make a few final remarks on the importance of the EIB’s external activities in the developing countries. As I said at the beginning of the debate, the EIB is a very important partner for the Commission when it comes to implementing new political initiatives, particularly the provision of infrastructure in Africa. We appreciate the progress that the EIB has made. Several recommendations from Parliament are encouraging it to continue down that path. We will continue to assist the bank in its efforts and we will endeavour to increase the possible synergies between our two organisations with the aim of improving aid to developing countries.
Many of the answers to the questions and remarks that have been put forward, and rightly so, clearly require, or in any event entail or would entail, an updating or amendment of the statutes. It is clear that with the current statutes it would not be possible to meet the wishes that have been expressed. We could consider various changes, but I am not going to discuss that subject today. Suffice it to say that we are considering it, even if, politically, I have the feeling that it will be difficult to achieve.
For the time being, we can already work towards renewing the mandates, and we can also consider altering the make-up of the Board of Governors, for example by introducing parity between the representatives of the Finance Ministers and the ministers responsible for development. Indeed, at the moment, the statutes and the composition of the Board of Governors pose a major problem. You did, I think, say as much in your speech, and others have also mentioned it. If I might make a personal observation, for this to be possible, the Finance Ministers will have to come to believe that the Development Ministers have a contribution to make to the Board of Governors, so that we can move away from a purely financial way of thinking, which I fear is not the right approach.
On the other hand, President Maystadt is currently exploring an option that would involve creating a subsidiary of the EIB, dedicated to development, with a Board of Governors made up solely of development representatives. That subsidiary could then have the interest-rate subsidy at its disposal and would therefore have much more flexibility to integrate the considerations and requests that have been raised regarding, for example, the social aspect. You are right: certain goods and services cannot be commoditised or, in any event, cannot be commoditised under the same conditions as others. The environmental aspect, and all issues of this kind, are components that are strictly development matters and that require different financial treatment, which would tend to involve subsidies.
I broadly agree with everything that has been said, but we must make do with what we have for the time being. We must make the EIB work better, contribute to improvements and, at the same time, reflect on its future. However, I must point out - and this is extremely important - that all of the teams with which I have worked so far, in both the presidency and management of the EIB - we have already had several meetings - have struck me as showing a modern and open attitude to these possibilities. I must say that usually we are faced with much greater conservatism when we want to carry out reforms of this kind. It is therefore interesting that within the EIB we can count on this open-mindedness, this flexibility and this mentality. I sincerely believe that they largely share the concerns that have been expressed here."@en1
|
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples