Brussels, 24/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - The end of the current European Parliament in May 2014 means that European decision-makers must keep up the momentum to ensure progress in as many areas as possible, argued the ALDE Group on the fringes of the European Summit in Brussels on Thursday 24 October.
Euro Commissioner Olli Rehn said it was important not to cut corners. Speaking about the SRM bank resolution mechanism, he said it was better to be concrete and detailed than generic, and it was “possible and necessary” that member states reach agreement in principle later this year. He hoped that the European Summit would give ministers instructions and encouragement.
Commenting on the digital economy, EU Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes said that the European Summit could not dictate a timeline to the European Parliament, but she said: “I taste a willingness in the Parliament for very fast action on telecoms reform”. She added: “Digital jobs are medicine for youth unemployment”.
Migration. Another Liberal concern is the lack of a common EU migration policy, exacerbated by the Lampedusa tragedy, which was added to the European Summit's agenda at the last minute. The president of the ALDE Group, Graham Watson, said the EU had to be “able to police its borders properly”, and recommended dealing with the source of the problem (rather than simply treating the symptoms) via a trade policy and close cooperation with the governments of the countries from which illegal aliens hail. (EL/transl.fl)