Brussels, 30/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - There have been many comments in the European institutions about the Commission's proposals. Here are just a few of them.
László Andor. The commissioner for social affairs and employment described this budget as “good news for the European Social Fund (ESF), which means good news for workers and, more particularly, for job seekers. The ESF will increase by at least 7.5%, or 25% of the total expenditure of the cohesion policy by the member states, or at least €84 billion over seven years. This is putting the money where it is the most needed: human resources.” This budget will also allow the Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to continue its launch. “€3billion will be available for the EGF, to assist workers of all sectors who have lost their jobs as a result of globalisation. This fund will help to provide solutions and improve their skills to find another job.”
Androulla Vassiliou. T he education, training and youth sector will benefit from one of the greatest increases provided for by the proposals (+70%), along the lines of the priorities of the EUROPE 2020 strategy for growth and employment, said a source from DG Education at the European Commission. The commissioner for education, culture, youth and multilingualism, Androulla Vassiliou, said that “this budget is excellent news for our young people. Investing in youth is one of the best working plans for the future of Europe. We want to help them to develop their talents and mobility to increase their chances of finding a job.” Thanks to the additional money, 700,000 young people, rather than 400,000 previously, will have help to continue their training abroad, said the commissioner. The culture sector also has an increased budget (+37%), “which will have a leverage effect to attract extra public and private investment”, the commissioner continued. “This will improve competitiveness in favour of small businesses in particular, and will help to create job opportunities”, she added.
Alain Lamassoure. “There can be no salvation today without budgetary austerity. But there can be no growth tomorrow without future investment.” The chair of the committee on budgets of the European Parliament stressed that what is at stake with the proposals presented by the Commission on Wednesday 29 June is “giving future policies the European dimension they need to fight the major conquering powers from other continents on an equal footing”. In the view of Alain Lamassoure (EPP, France), these proposals have the merit of “taking up the main priorities of the Parliament: spending better wherever Europe is needed, making savings elsewhere. And, most of all, finding new, modern, European financial resources, to take the burden off the national taxpayers”. Alain Lamassoure went on to observe that a subject of this kind “cannot be negotiated in secret in ministerial meetings behind closed doors (…), but must first of all be put to the broadest possible public debate, through a European financial conference with the full involvement of the national parliaments”.
Mercedes Bresso. “The Commission can count on the Committee of the Regions (CoR) to support it and to stress the consistency and ambition of its plans, particularly to certain national governments.” That was the message from the president of the CoR further to the Commission's adoption of its proposed multi-annual financial framework post-2013 (MFF). “We will get to work to ensure that the negotiations do not end in these proposals being distorted or undermined, particularly by the Council of Ministers.” Mercedes Bresso welcomed the proposal of 1.05%: “I think that we are going to be able to welcome these proposals with satisfaction. The introduction of a tax on financial transactions, the setting in place of the new European value added tax (VAT) and the simplification of the financial correction systems also correspond perfectly to our expectations: this is a realistic and brave choice on the part of the Commission, and one which we fully support.”
Staffan Nilsson. For the president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), “deciding on the future European budget means putting solidarity into practice. The EU budget must be intelligent, proactive and respond to the requirements of the Europe of today. Taxpayers' money should be spent on clear priorities and visible projects, which add value at EU level and correspond to the needs and expectations of the citizens. The Commission's proposal for a multi-annual budget for 2014-2020 is right in putting the emphasis on investment and growth.” Staffan Nilsson (a Swedish farmer) stresses that non-Europe has a cost, adding that a euro invested at EU level produces greater effects than a euro invested nationally. But focusing on the level of the budget is a mistake: it is better to ask what the budget can do for Europe, he concluded. (G.B./I.L./transl.fl)