Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-05-15-Speech-4-012"
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"en.20030515.1.4-012"2
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"Mr President, we are all aware of the current economic difficulties faced by national governments. For those like myself from countries within the eurozone it is clear that the constant decline of the euro vis-à-vis the United States dollar is causing considerable problems for our exporters. All of this at a time when the global economy is already facing many uncertainties. Rather than dwelling on the current difficulties and becoming doom and gloom merchants, we need to take a positive approach and I commend our rapporteur for his approach in this regard. I fully share his conviction that the European economy is one which urgently needs a new approach to economic policy making.
This year's broad economic policy guidelines cover a three-year period and a new streamline procedure within the European employment guidelines has been put in place. I very much welcome this. I would hope that this integrated and longer-term planning perspective will bring about the desired level of economic policy coordination between the Member States. At the same time it is important that each Member State government fulfils its duty to react to the particular set of circumstances in that Member State and uses those policy instruments open to it to boost competitiveness, employment and the national economy.
The summit's decision to set up a special employment taskforce in this regard is welcome. While the successful completion of the enlargement process is clearly being focused upon by all institutions, we must avoid becoming too inward-looking in the Union. The newly-enlarged market will add a new impetus in terms of investment opportunities and labour mobility to the whole competitiveness agenda. I sincerely hope that forthcoming presidencies will take this view and prioritise those areas of the Lisbon Agenda where further progress is needed.
The suggestion of enforcement powers for the Commission smacks of a centralist approach to economic development that has long become obsolete as our new Member States from central and eastern Europe can testify. I doubt if any of the ten new Member State governments would take kindly to the idea that their national budget must be vetted in Brussels, rather than in their own national parliaments. I would be opposed to any proposal to bestow economic governance powers on the EU in the context of the forthcoming Treaty revision.
Even in the context of this debate, it is proper to put down a marker to make it clear that attempts to create a federalist EU, as distinct from a confederation of Member States, must be strongly resisted. The EU is unique in this respect and our goal and vision must continue to be a Union of Europe of the Nations."@en1
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