Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2011-12-13-Speech-2-015-000"
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"en.20111213.5.2-015-000"2
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"Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the European Council opened the way, last Thursday and Friday, to governance of the euro area. It showed that the period of waiting, uncertainty and divisions is now behind us and that an end to the crisis is finally in sight.
This is what I propose as ‘homework’ for the Christmas holiday, and on that note, I wish all of you and your families a very happy Christmas.
Twenty-six out of 27 States have demonstrated their desire to revert to a healthy finance policy by establishing strict rules allowing for a return to balanced budgets and a reduction in public debt, and by agreeing to incorporate those rules in their constitutions and ensuring that any instances of non-compliance are punished.
Twenty-six out of 27 States have shown a sense of responsibility by ensuring that their main political and economic decisions are taken jointly, and by developing crisis mechanisms to be implemented by the European Central Bank (ECB). Twenty-six out of 27 States have conceded that shared sovereignty is preferable to sovereignty held hostage by markets. In short, the spirit of cooperation has prevailed over the attempt to create divisions. Determination has proved stronger than indecision.
Three major issues still need to be resolved: that of the nature of the new agreement, that of the United Kingdom’s place in Europe and the attitude of the 26 towards it, and, finally, that of the crucial ‘growth’ strand of our economic policy.
Ladies and gentlemen, since the United Kingdom has refused to support the decision taken by its counterparts, the resulting project is not a Community one, as we were hoping, and as I have often said, but an intergovernmental one. This situation presents us with a number of problems, not only legal problems, but political problems, too. My group calls for the European institutions to be fully involved in the discussions that will culminate in the drafting of the new provisions between now and March, and, in particular, for Parliament to be accorded its rightful place in this process so that it can ensure its democratic legitimacy.
I solemnly call upon Mr Van Rompuy and Mr Barroso to work closely with the European Parliament. We must ensure, in fact, that no radical changes are made to the spirit and the letter of what has been done for the last 60 years and what has made European integration the success that it is. Cohesion must continue to prevail over power struggles, something which only the Community method can ensure.
The second major issue raised by the decision of 9 December concerns the United Kingdom’s place in Europe, and I will come to this. I respect the decisions that were made but, clearly, the UK’s isolation shows that its government sees the European Union as nothing but a free trade area, and that it has no interest in showing solidarity with, and acting responsibly towards, its partners. To my mind, this calls for a change in behaviour towards the country by the 26 and also, to some extent, within the European institutions. In particular, I believe that the UK rebate should be called into question, since the resources of our fellow citizens should be used for something other than rewarding selfish, nationalist attitudes. Solidarity is not a one-way street. It is time Mr Cameron’s coalition government was made to realise that and was reminded of its obligations, in particular, with regard to the financial regulation rules from which it even requested an exemption, which fortunately was refused.
The third and final issue relates to the ‘growth and employment’ strand of our economic policy. Of course, there will be no growth unless we put our public accounts in order, but the Union must now set about strengthening and developing its industrial activities, exports and competitiveness with the same level of energy and coordination. Indeed, Europe will not resolve the crisis permanently without a radical two-pronged approach consisting of sound management, on the one hand, and growth, on the other.
As far as Parliament is concerned, I believe that we need to work closely with the Commission, on the basis of the proposals it made two months ago. I believe that we must do so, Mr President, in order to overcome the crisis, and that we must vote by a very large majority in February."@en1
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