Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-04-03-Speech-2-027"
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"en.20010403.3.2-027"2
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". – Mr President, I would like to congratulate the rapporteur on establishing a clear set of priorities. I particularly welcome the emphasis on food safety and consumer confidence and improving the implementation of the EU budget. However, speaking on behalf of the Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy, I have to express my concern at the absence of any major areas of this committee's priorities in these guidelines. The committee's opinion has been appended but I would urge the rapporteur and the Commissioner to accord the following areas greater emphasis during this year's budgetary process.
First, the funding for the information society does not really correspond to the importance attached to it by the Heads of State or Government when it was launched with much fanfare at Lisbon. The information society is an area that has caught the imagination of European citizens and they want to see results. But within the EU budget it is nothing more than an afterthought. If we are to really connect the EU to its citizens, we must put our money where our mouth is. We need to recognise that this is where the future of new European jobs lies. However, the EU, and more importantly the EU budget, has never taken this on board.
We also have to address the issue of the possibility of the emergence of a digital divide in Europe. We must do all we can to prevent the emergence of an information underclass. That would drive a thick wedge between those who have access to information and those who do not. I therefore urge the Commissioner to seize the initiative to ensure that the resources are enhanced to allow the information society to conform to the principle of equality, in terms of both accessibility and opportunity.
My second point relates to energy. It is clear that we are too dependent on external resources. What we must do is enhance Europe's renewable energy capacity. We must avoid a situation similar to last year where industry across Europe was brought to a standstill by a small group of people. Therefore, we need corporate approach looking at alternative sources of energy.
Finally, what I am trying to obtain is not a shopping list of priorities for these guidelines; I am, however, trying to ensure that adequate support and resources are targeted to areas that underpin Europe's future economic success."@en1
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