Brussels, 12/01/2016 (Agence Europe) - During a debate with MEPs from the European Parliament's Energy, Industry and Research Committee (ITRE) on Monday 11 January, the Dutch Minister for Economic Affairs, Henk Kamp, appeared very circumspect when it came to discussing the question of the reduction in European investment funds for infrastructure.
Kamp visited the EP to present the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the EU's programme. The first salvo came from Christian Ehler (EPP, Germany), who immediately demanded that within the context of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) the Dutch Presidency concentrates on investment in infrastructure, particularly the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and the development of new technologies. This appeal was backed up by Kathleen van Brempt MEP (S&D, Belgium). The latter said that the Single Digital Market or Energy Union would be unable to take shape without investment and quoted the example of the shortfall incurred by the wind turbine project in the North Sea. Neoklis Sylikiotis (GUE/NGL, Cyprus) expressed concern about the difficulties SMEs and VSEs were having obtaining finance from the markets. Jean-Luc Schaffhauser (ENF, France) expressed concern about the reduction in investment loans from the banks to SMEs and VSEs.
This general observation appeared to be shared by the Dutch minister, who recognised that the EU was losing ground against the US in the investment field. Nonetheless, he said that they should wait for the MFF mid-term review and proposals from the European Commission and explained, “we do not want to string you along but we do want a reasonable and well thought out policy”. Van Brempt, however, ironically alluded that “This is what we mean by sober”. She added “It is good to have proposals and projects but what is important is the ability to finance them”. For the minister, the real problem was distributing loans and the need to optimise the funding available to the full. He therefore indicated that it was certainly unlikely that there would be any upward rise in European funding in this area.
Recognising China's status as a market economy. The other point tackled by MEPs involved the recognition of China as a market economy (see other article). This was mainly put forward by Édouard Martin MEP (S&D, France). This kind of recognition could have considerable repercussions on the European economy. Martin therefore expressed annoyance with the inaction from the member states in this connection. Addressing the Dutch Minister, in this context, he said that they were losing time and highlighted the fact that this point had not explicitly been included in the agenda of the forthcoming Councils. This question is a source of concern, admitted Kamp, in reply. He also provided assurances that the crisis in the steel sector, hit by Chinese competition, would be treated separately during the next Competitiveness Council on 29 February. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)