Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2011-06-22-Speech-3-167-000"
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"en.20110622.16.3-167-000"2
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".
Mr President, I would like to start by thanking the European Council. We can all see the incredibly sensitive situation in Europe and especially in the eurozone which has required different countries to work together in a way that has never been seen before. We can see the vital need to improve competitiveness and rebuild public finances in a sustainable manner.
This is a time to try to understand each other’s problems but also respect each other’s differences. Earlier this week I warned colleagues that heading into a direct confrontation between Parliament and the Council on an issue that I did not believe I could explain to any man on the street would not be a responsible position of this Parliament. Indeed, I said I thought it would be irresponsible.
And this Parliament’s approach on that issue is not supported by many of my group’s members. I cannot support Parliament’s changes to the Council text on the macroeconomic imbalances and I would like to see in the weeks ahead more clarity on the different positions between euro zone and non-euro-zone Member States.
Over recent days, weeks and months, we have constantly seen ministers from Member States coming together to try to help find ways out of each other’s individual problems. In addition, never before have I seen such a desire from members of the public to understand where public money is spent. So let me first talk about the directive that I have worked on.
The directive sets out a series of requirements in accounting statistics, forecasting and budgetary processes. Let us not forget that inadequate budget planning and inaccurate information compounded this crisis.
It is a Council directive, not a co-legislative report, and the Council has debated this extensively. Member States themselves have agreed that they will adopt fiscal planning horizons of at least three years to include all levels of government and government funds in their budget processes and ensure that information on, for example, contingent liabilities is disclosed. Accounting and forecasting performance will be independently evaluated.
Let me say that many of the Member States already comply with large parts of this directive, but implementing this minimum series of requirements will introduce discipline and restore confidence, and is a first small step back on the path to stability in public finances.
In addition, Member States themselves have agreed that they will each introduce their own legislation on fiscal rules – not necessarily German constitution debt breaks – but rules tailor-made in each country to keep them in line with their obligations under the Treaty. Now this is sensitive as well because different countries have different obligations under the Treaty and for that reason that section does not apply to the UK.
During the negotiations on the wider ‘six pack’ a number of suggestions for improving this Council directive were made, many by the European Central Bank and by Members of this House. The Council has worked in good faith to try and improve the directive where appropriate and improve transparency, but without stepping on the sensitive issues relating to individual national constitutions.
Briefly on the other directives. Through these negotiations I have tried to be constructive in allowing euro zone Member States in particular to set up what rules and sanctions they see necessary to underpin their stability. I have not supported colleagues who think the solution is just a stronger role for the European Parliament.
Over the weekend and on Monday night, the Council tried to offer a final compromise on an outstanding issue of votes in the European Council. Whilst this is not, in my opinion, a deeply significant issue in my own Member State – as we do not intend to join the euro and resulting fines do not apply to us – it is an extremely difficult and contentious issue in many countries, including those who intend to join."@en1
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