Brussels, 22/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - Rejecting the allegation that there is no alternative but the draconian austerity measures currently being imposed, the European Antipoverty Network (EAPN) formulated a number of proposals in a letter to heads of state and government for another kind of crisis exit strategy and “a new heart for Europe”.
These proposals consist of:
(1) placing social and sustainable development, respect for human rights and solidarity at the heart of the EU's response to the crisis;
(2) demonstrating that the poverty reduction objective adopted by the Council in June 2010 is a serious commitment;
(3) defending and promoting welfare state and social rights;
(4) defending access to public goods (water, health, transport and social services) as a fundamental right;
(5) strengthening the real economy, which involves supporting the social economy;
(6) curbing and regulating the destructive system of speculative finance;
(7) tackling tax evasion by abolishing tax havens and strengthening cooperation against organised crime;
(8) creating the conditions that enable member states, particularly those subject to EU and IMF borrowing conditions, to borrow at reasonable rates;
(9) promoting and putting forward measures for promoting income generation and wealth creation measures and reducing inequality. (G. B.trans/fl)