Brussels, 16/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - The head of the Centre-Right European People's Party (EPP) at the European elections, Jean-Claude Juncker from Luxembourg, wants a more effective Europe that focuses on growth and jobs - but not necessarily new treaties - in order to strengthen European economic governance. One of the craftsmen of the bailout plans for the eurozone countries, Juncker - the former president of the Eurogroup - is to travel to Greece, Portugal and Spain to persuade the citizens of these countries that the chosen way of combining solidarity and responsibility is beginning to bear fruit. (Interview conducted by SP)
Agence Europe (AE): Why will you be a better president of the European Commission than your Social Democrat adversary Martin Schulz?
Jean-Claude Juncker (J-CJ): When Europe was going through a tough time, I was the prime minister of Luxembourg and the president of the Eurogroup. I know what it is to govern in this period of crisis. It is this experience and intrinsic knowledge of European issues that I want to make available to Europeans. Martin Schulz and I are competitors, not enemies. We have different styles - Schulz sometimes divides with his definite opinions, while I always seek consensus. The fact that my candidature is supported by the Christian Democrats in Germany and the Nea Demokratia Party in Greece is a strong signal. I want to bring Europe together after the crisis.
(AE): How do you assess the results of the Barroso Commission? What kind of president will you be?
(J-CJ): In a very difficult context, Barroso and his Commission have worked continuously to put the European economy back on its feet and to stabilise the euro. As president of the Commission, I would focus my efforts on growth and employment. I want the members of the Commission to be politically experienced men and women, who bring clear proposals combined with methodology in order to reach this goal. I am a man of consensus with a vision.
(AE): What will happen on 26 May if the EPP and S&D parties are neck and neck, or even finish equal?
(J-CJ): The treaties are clear on this point. The results of the elections must be taken into account for the appointment of the president of the Commission by the heads of state and government. The candidate from the party that comes top must then organise his majority at the Parliament because it is the Parliament that must elect the president. I'm confident that I can put together this majority after the elections. What is more, the Treaty arrangement that enables the president of the Commission to be elected is the result of the constitutional convention and bears the EPP's signature. One thing is clear - the time for negotiations behind closed doors is over. If the election result was not respected, it would be a blow for democracy.
(AE): What will your initial reforms be if you become the head of the Commission?
(J-CJ): From the first day of my new role, jobs and growth will be priorities. The budgetary, legislative and human resources of the Commission must be directed to areas where Europe brings added value. Europe must be simpler, more efficient and less bureaucratic. It must be focused on the important issues such as economic and social policy, climate change, international trade and migration - without being thinly spread on the secondary aspects.
(AE): What are your proposals on the Transatlantic free-trade treaty? Is civil society right to be concerned about the possible lowering of social and environmental standards?
(J-CJ): This partnership offers real opportunities for the EU and the US in terms of jobs and growth. It is estimated that the agreement could bring €120 billion to the European economy - in other words, €545 of savings for every European family per year. But I can assure you that we will be very firm with our partners on many issues - such as food safety, environmental standards, social standards and the protection of our private life. The basic European laws protecting our citizens must be preserved.
(AE): Should the fight against illegal immigration be the main challenge of the years to come?
(J-CJ): Immigration will be an important challenge. We must work together with our partners in this area. While continuing to welcome migrants, Europe needs ordered and organised immigration.
(AE): How would you organise your Commission and the work of your 27 commissioners?
(J-CJ): Although it's not possible, in the short term, to reduce the size of the College of the Commission, I think that reorganising the work of the commissioners would help us be more efficient. Without going into detail on the distribution of portfolios, the commissioners' work could be regrouped under the leadership of five or six vice-presidents responsible, amongst other things, for the economy, the internal market and external relations.
(AE): What do you think of the red card procedure that London and the Hague want, which would enable a third of the national parliaments to make a European law invalid?
(J-CJ): The Commission must take the opinion of the national parliaments into account. I would not necessarily want each commissioner to go regularly to explain his proposals to the national parliaments - not just in their own country but still more in other member states.
(AE): What attitude should be adopted if there is a British referendum on belonging to the EU?
(J-CJ): I'd like the UK to stay an important member of the EU, and I'd like to see it at the centre of Europe and not relegated to the second level. But if the UK wants to remain a member of the EU, it can't undermine the very principle of the EU. After the elections, I am open to a discussion with the UK on its specific needs - but I will not make any compromises on the fundamental principles of the EU.
(AE): What reply should be made to the citizens who think that Europe is a machine for breaking the social laws that have already been obtained?
(J-CJ): The reforms that Greece, Spain and Portugal (three countries led by the EPP) have committed to have been extremely painful and courageous. These three countries are on the path to growth and there are many indicators that prove this. In Spain, the unemployment rate was 16.62% in March - the lowest rate since 2006. Portugal is on the way to exiting its aid programme, and last week Greece made its comeback on the markets. But I realise that Europeans don't live by indicators. European citizens must be told that their sacrifices have not been in vain and that these efforts will soon be felt in their homes. I will soon travel to Greece, Spain and Portugal to give them this message.
(AE): Do we need a new treaty to strengthen European economic governance?
(J-CJ): Right now, Europeans need growth and jobs - not new treaties. Many initiatives to strengthen economic governance can be taken under the current institutional framework. I would not rule out a treaty change if a better governance of economic and monetary union required it.
(AE): Should the burden of Greek debt be reduced?
(J-CJ): It's good news that after being supported by European solidarity and after undertaking very painful reforms Greece has returned a primary surplus in its budget. This was an essential condition for overcoming the crisis. The fact that Greece has for the first time been able to find investors for its loans again - and at an affordable price - is also good news. So it seems to me that the pessimists were not right and that our European solution of solidarity in exchange for responsibility is beginning to bear fruit in Greece as well. At the beginning of May I will myself go and discuss the next steps with Prime Minister Samaras, and I will discuss the measures to take as president of the Commission. Boosting growth and creating jobs in Greece will be one of my priorities.
(AE): What will you do to strengthen the fight against tax evasion?
(J-CJ): Let me first clarify two things. In 2012, 11 EU countries decided to introduce a financial transaction tax. Luxembourg is opposed to the tax not being introduced in the whole of Europe so as not to give a competitive advantage to the City of London.
It's the same thing for banking secrecy. Luxembourg did not want to put an end to this as long as Switzerland refused to do so. I only wanted to ensure fair play - nothing else. On 17 April 2013, I myself announced to the Luxembourgish Parliament the end of banking secrecy and the move to the automatic exchange of information.