Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-03-09-Speech-3-157"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20050309.15.3-157"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:translated text |
"Mr President, with the Lisbon strategy and the Stability and Growth Pact, the prime focus of the forthcoming spring meeting of the European Council will be issues of economic policy.
With unemployment at 9% in Europe and a growth forecast of only 1.6% in the euro zone, it is perfectly clear that the time for talking is over and we need to take fundamental action in order to relaunch growth and employment. We need shared budgetary discipline. We must reaffirm that clearly so that there can be no doubt in anyone’s mind. It is the responsibility of each Member State to control public expenditure, to act to reduce their deficit and to stabilise or even cut the debt burden. Failing this, future generations will bear the cost, and the more the Member States try to circumvent the rules which they themselves introduced, the more they will destabilise the system as a whole.
If we have rules, we obviously need to ensure they are adhered to. If not, they serve no purpose. It is only when we have agreed on these basic, common-sense principles that we can open the debate on possible changes in the pact. Moreover, these changes must take account of the nature of economic cycles and the necessary distinction between an operating deficit and an investment deficit.
There is another and even more important question facing us: can we live in the longer term with common budgetary discipline while at the same time operating different economic policies? In my view, the answer is no. I believe we must urgently decide to coordinate our economic policies, failing which we shall never be able to generate our own growth.
We are fortunate in having a President of the European Council who is simultaneously the Eurogroup President. Let us, therefore, take advantage of it. The time is now ripe – it is now or never – to introduce economic governance which is so lacking in Europe and to take initiatives which will finally get things moving. We propose that the major investment for the future should be made on a European scale. I am thinking, for instance, of defence, research or major infrastructure investment. We are lagging far behind in this area and I think the time has come to change that – or at least to make an attempt to do so.
There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Of course we will need ambition, determination and courage, but I am sure of one thing: none of us acting alone and in isolation can achieve it. If we want to create growth and employment, if we want to continue to implement an innovative social model, the only solution is to do more at European level."@en1
|
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples