Brussels, 19/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - As desired by the Swedish Presidency, the open debate that the EcoFin Council had in Brussels Friday morning, chaired by Bosse Ringholm, focused on one of the Presidency's priorities, employment, and ways to achieve the objective of a return to full employment in Europe set out by the European Council of Lisbon of 23 and 24 March of last year, and to reach, as promised in Lisbon, an employment rate of 70% in the EU (60% for women). On this question, close to the hearts of citizens, the tone was consensual, but there were different nuances regarding the Swedish Presidency's suggestion of setting intermediate employment rates: thus, Luxembourg Prime Minister and Finance Minister Jean-Claude Juncker said he agreed with this idea, whereas German Finance Minister Mr. Eichel declared himself to be "sceptical". France ended the year 2000 with the "highest level of job creation in a hundred years", Mr. Fabius pointed out, whereas his Belgian counterpart, Mr. Reynders noted that "modestly, without going back a century" Belgium had had the highest rate of job creation in forty years, and Portuguese Minister Mr. Pina Moura, observed that Portugal had an unemployment rate of some 4%, "which is a figure close to full employment".
Several Ministers made a point of placing emphasis on the role of EcoFin in the EU's enlargement process and in the one leading to the European Council of Stockholm of 23 and 24 March, the first follow-up summit to Lisbon. The EcoFin Council is called on to "play a more visible role" in the EU's enlargement, Mr. Juncker stressed, who, like many others, welcomed the initiative of the Swedish Presidency of inviting the ministers and governors of the central banks of applicant countries to the informal EcoFin meeting in Malmo (from 20 to 22 April).
As for Mr. Eichel, he considered that the EcoFin Council should have a "defining" role in preparing the Summit of Stockholm. Mr. Ringholm stressed the importance of the "macroeconomic dialogue" that the Presidency was proposing to launch with applicant countries, and affirmed that the European Union had to do more in promoting employment and growth, especially by making better use of public funding and placing emphasis on investment (notably into education and knowledge) and by pushing forward with the reform of tax and social security systems, so as to respond to the challenge that is the demographic ageing of Europe. On this subject, referred to in most of the addresses, the European Commissioner for economic and monetary affairs, Pedro Solbes said that, to increase the rate of employment, incitements to opt for early-retirement would in future have to be limited.
The main issues raised during this open debate were:
Integrated financial markets. European Commissioner Frits Bolkestein said in particular that the key-message of the Lamfalussy Report was that the EU had to provide itself with "better legislation". Mr. Juncker, for his part, said that "it increasingly appears that we should not wait for the 2005 rendez-vous" to achieve this integrated market, and hoped for "if only a slight advance on the agenda".
Taxation. Mr. Bolkestein remarked that the Group on the Code of Conduct on fair tax practices, headed by Ms. Primarolo would "only progress if it worked in a disciplined manner", and Irish Minister Mr. McCreevy, for his part, said that Ireland would continue to contribute constructively to the work of the Primarolo Group. "We must close the fiscal package and define harmful tax measures precisely and the deadlines for their dismantling, Italy's Mr. Visco exclaimed. In that context, certain ministers broached the question of the tax on energy: Finland's Mr. Niinisto regretted the "stagnation", for some time now, in this issue, Denmark's Ms. Jelved spoke along the same lines, and Germany's Mr. Eichel also hoped that the EcoFin Council would tackle the subject before the Summit of Gothenburg in June. Belgium's Mr. Reynders expects a great deal in this field from the Gothenburg Summit too, and said that there would need to be agreement on the subject, if possible among the Fifteen, or "failing that, in a more limited framework".
The EU's Budget 2002. The Netherlands' Mr. Zalm welcomed the prospects of an initial discussion on the subject at the EcoFin Council in March (this discussion is very important for Austria, net contributor to the EU budget, Austrian Minister of State, Mr. Vinz, noted). "We have succeeded in resisting attacks against the financial perspectives", and the Berlin agreements on Agenda 2000 will be respected, he remarked.
In addition, Mr. Niinisto announced that Finland would be presenting the Swedish Presidency with a note on its ideas regarding employment, noting that, whereas unemployment continued to be excessively high, in certain sectors there was a shortage of labour. Spanish Minister of State Mr. Folgado placed emphasis on structural reforms, and Greece's Mr. Papantoniou made special reference to the EU's role on the international stage, placing emphasis on strengthening the dialogue with Russia and aid to the Balkans, including to Bulgaria and Romania. Britain's Mr. Brown also referred to the international dimension, asking in particular for the EU to contribute towards greater liberalisation. Mr. Lamy's proposal in favour of the least well-off developing countries must be adopted, he declared.