Brussels, 13/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament (EP) has accused the member states of dithering over decisions to extend economic and monetary union (EMU), which are key to solving the sovereign debt crisis (see EUROPE 10864), measures that the EP itself adopted on Wednesday 12 June.
In a resolution tabled by the EPP, S&D, ALDE and Greens/EFA Groups, MEPs say the crying lack of ambition shown by the Council in its response to the crisis is a matter of extreme concern and they are worried about the negative impact of national election timelines on the EU's ability to take independent decisions. They also regret the risk that the European Summit this month will simply postpone until the end of the year any decisions on the structure of EMU.
In an amendment to the draft resolution, the EP points out that its priority is to ensure that any new fund connected with the convergence and competitiveness fund (ICC) is a full part of the EU's budget and fully subject to the ordinary budget procedure. Eurozone nations will decide on whether the eurozone should be given its own budget capacity that could be used to provide financial aid to countries implementing the structural reforms set out in contracts they sign with Europe in the future.
The European Parliament has rejected two alternative draft resolutions lodged separately by the ECR and the GUE/NGL. (MB/transl.fl)