Brussels, 17/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - “In 2016, we will give more political room to dialogue with the EP”. It was with this commitment that Frans Timmermans, first vice-president of the European Commission, responded on Tuesday 16 December to criticism from various members of the European Parliament over the lack of transparency which surrounded preparations for the Commission's working programme for the year 2015.
Sophie in 't Veld (ALDE, Netherlands) deplored the lack of information the EP had been given and the fact that many of the MEPs had found out about the working programme on the basis of “documents leaked in the press”. The Dutch Commissioner said that over the last few weeks, he had met “many MEPs, heads of groups”, notably in Strasbourg. He admitted that “we have listened a lot, but not really had any dialogue, political dialogue”. This working programme comprises 23 new initiatives, including the key one on the investment plan, laying down legislation on a European Fund for Strategic Investment, and the package on the single digital market. It removes 80 legislative acts (EUROPE 11219). In this programme, “nothing will be done without the approval of the EP”, Timmermans promised. These acts will indeed be shelved, with the blessing of the EP. The MEPs will take position on this working programme in January.
The reaction to the 2015 working programme was mixed. Welcomed by the EPP party and its President, Manfred Weber, who sees it as the best way to put the EU back on the road to growth and employment, others believe that it has yet to show its worth. This is the opinion of Eurochambres, the association of chambers of commerce and industry, which feels that the objective of cutting red tape is a step in the right direction for businesses. However, it is only the content of these new proposals which will make it possible to assess the quality of this programme and its impact on employment and growth. Over at S&D group, Gianni Pittella said that the implementation and realisation of the commitments will also be decisive, particularly the realisation of Jean-Claude Juncker's announcements on fighting tax fraud and tax evasion.
Overall, the programme went down well with the United Kingdom. The British government issued a a highly restrained statement, stating that its efforts had been reflected in the results of the programme. The United Kingdom “led the debate in Europe on how to reduce the burden of red tape” and it is “welcome” that the Commission is determined to bring this about. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is disappointed. “The priority given to jobs and the economy is correct”. However, “there is not a single proposal to improve worker, consumer or environmental protection. This does not seem the best way to restore public confidence in Europe. It is a business agenda, with no sign of Juncker's commitment to the social market economy: it is all market and no social”, said its General Secretary, Bernadette Ségol. (SP)