Brussels, 14/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - Several MEPs on the European Parliament's economic and monetary affairs committee are against the creation of an EP sub-committee for the eurozone after the European elections in May, an idea mooted by the committee's coordinators (see EUROPE 11010).
During a surprise debate initiated by Werner Langen (EPP, Germany) on Thursday morning, Othmar Karas (EPP, Austria) said that the EP represented a united Europe and should not be divided up. Speaking on behalf of the Greens/EFA, Sven Giegold (Germany) agreed with him, arguing that the EP could not make any distinction for legal reasons and should try to limit divisions in Europe. Olle Schmidt (ALDE, Sweden) feared that the sub-committee would worsen the divisions in Europe. Sylvie Goulard (ALDE, France) warned, however, that the EP should be flexible, because otherwise things would be done “outside the EP”, like some of the decision-making about the bank resolution fund, which is being done at intergovernmental level.
The suggested work programme for the sub-committee does not amount to much, added Langen. Jean-Paul Gauzès (EPP, France) pointed out that the decision would be made by the next European Parliament and nothing would be changed by the current parliament. (EL/transl.fl)