Brussels, 27/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - In an open letter to the EU's leaders on Thursday 26 April 2012, the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, mentioned measures that can be taken at EU level to encourage economic growth. He said there were no immediate solutions because the sovereign debt crisis had to be dealt with as a matter of emergency, but the focus should now increasingly be on measures to encourage economic growth and job creation based on budget consolidation. He may decide to convene an informal meeting of Europe's heads of state ahead of the June European summit.
Van Rompuy said in his letter that “there are some pending proposals where delegations in the Council will have to show more of a spirit of compromise if we are to meet the deadline set by the European Council. On energy efficiency, where the deadline is June, there are still divided positions on the overall level of ambition. More movement is also needed on the public procurement package if we are to meet the end-of-year deadline for agreement. Other key single market legislation dossiers requiring particular attention are dispute resolution for consumers, the accounting directive and the posting of workers.” Van Rompuy said final agreement is required on the EU patent and if the May 2012 Competitiveness Council fails to reach agreement, then the matter will be discussed at the European summit. Van Rompuy adds that the new Multiannual Financial Framework (the EU's budget) that will be discussed at the June European summit should back a growth-stimulating approach. (MB/transl.fl)