Brussels, 05/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - When it comes to economic matters, the 'Juncker' Commission wants to make its mark: the economic and social dimensions will now be given equal priority.
In office since the start of this month, the College of European Commissioners held its first meeting on Wednesday 5 November, during which it held a “political” debate on economic and social issues, with the European Commission having reviewed its growth forecasts for 2014 and 2015 downwards the day before (EUROPE 11190).
“I believe that the social dimension in Europe is of the same importance as the economic and financial dimension. You will see that these are not words spoken in vain. The social dimension must regain - or gain - the place it deserves”, said the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. The former Prime Minister of Luxembourg is a member of the Christian Social People's Party.
This guideline debate marks the start of preparations for the budgetary process of the 'European Semester' 2015, which will be launched in mid-November with the Commission's publication of the 'Annual Growth Review' document, in which it will specify the socio-economic policies to be applied in order to kickstart the European economy. This document will be drafted under the joint responsibility of Commissioners Valdis Dombrovskis, for the Euro and Social Dialogue, and Pierre Moscovici, for Economic and Financial Affairs.
Juncker went on to give a few indications about the division of responsibilities between the two Commissioners. In Frankfurt this Thursday 6 November, Dombrovskis will attend the monthly meeting of the governors of the ECB, whilst Moscovici will attend the meetings of the Eurogroup and of the Ecofin Council.
Investment plan. The 'Juncker' Commission also referred to the 300 billion-euro investment plan it is to put together under the aegisof the Commissioner for Growth and Investment. The EU is “desperately short of investment”, Juncker stressed. He repeated that the plan would be ready before the European Council of December, but declined to give any further details.
Eurozone governance. The Commission has decided to relaunch the reflection on eurozone governance. Juncker will steer the work of four Presidents (Commission, European Council, ECB and Eurogroup) with a view to proposals on the “broad outlines” of reform ahead of the European Council of December, in parallel to the presentation of the investment plan. “On this point, the Commission is returning to its role of leader and inspiration for all things European”, he stressed.
As regards tax competition, the Commission President said that the Competition Commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, would be in charge of these matters. “I have ideas on the subject, but I will be keeping them to myself”, he added. (MB)