Oporto/Brussels, 02/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - The head of the EPP Group at the European Parliament, Joseph Daul (France), has shared his thoughts with EUROPE on the European elections in May 2014 and the scandal involving the bugging of European citizens by US intelligence services. The interview with Daul was conducted at the summer university of the European Ideas Network, the EPP's think tank, in Oporto at the end of June. (SP/transl.fl)
Agence Europe (AE) - How is the EPP approaching the upcoming European elections?
Joseph Daul (JD) - The EPP is continuing with its work. In periods of crisis, we need to continue with our programme. The worst thing to do would be to change course in the middle of the storm. In Portugal, a response was required to the situation left by the Socialists, namely, enormous amounts of debt. The only problem facing us with the approach of the elections is how to tackle populism. We have to remain faithful to our values and not jump on the populist bandwagon, even if this ultimately means that we lose votes. We need to continue on our path and restore Europeans' faith.
(AE) - The theme of the summer university is the relationship between the EU and the US. What's your opinion of the transatlantic relationship in light of the revelations of spying?
(JD) - We need to work together. This free trade agreement is going to give us between 1.5% and 2% growth. Nonetheless, we also have to say to ourselves what is wrong and we are going to have to work on this. Obviously, the PRISM programme isn't good. At the European Parliament, we'll see how we can respond to this question. Maybe a commission of enquiry will have to be set up. In general terms, the Americans need to understand what we are saying; and this goes for GMOs and hormone-treated chickens. They have to listen to us and understand our positions.
(AE) - You have been working to obtain an agreement on the 2014-2020 budget. The Greens, however, are critical of what they describe as cosmetic changes, particularly with regard to youth unemployment...
(JD) - We have done a lot of work. The figures bequeathed us were not ours and we have made a clear improvement to what was on the table, particularly with regard to flexibility. This will allow us to help young people and promote innovation. A glass can either be seen as half empty or half full. After the first two years, there will be a budgetary review (by the end of 2016 at the latest) and I do not see why the aid programme for young people cannot be continued. In the meantime, let's implement what has been agreed to find a way out of the crisis!