Luxembourg, 15/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European finance ministers and their colleagues responsible for labour affiliated to the Party of European Socialists (PES) used the opportunity provided by meetings in the Luxembourg seat of the Council of Ministers to meet and draft a joint statement “for a fair, social and sustainable Europe”. This is a very different project for Europe from austerity and one that the ministers intend to argue at the European Council, said Luxembourg Social Security Minister Mars Di Bartolomeo at a press briefing in Luxembourg on Tuesday 15 October.
The statement comprises five principles which provide, the ministers say, an alternative response to the crisis, while still following the rules of the stability and growth pact. Thus, (1) European policies should seek sustainable and jobs-rich growth, building in a certain wriggle room, such as a proportion of the EU budget that can be adjusted to suit economic conditions and that focuses on the creative industry, the green sector and ICT; (2) reducing youth unemployment must work through youth guarantees in all member states; (3) a minimum living wage and other common social standards should be part of strengthening the social dimension of the economic and social union (EMU) - a programme of social and employment investment should be added, just as the indicators of the future European semester scoreboard should have an operational impact, according to French Labour Minister Michel Sapin; (4) a “well regulated” financial system is crucial, with a “strong and effective” banking union; (5) consolidation of national budgets must be extended in time, while increasing certain taxes (financial transactions tax, company tax and taxation of the richest in society). (JK/transl/fl)