Strasbourg, 10/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament said in Strasbourg on Tuesday 10 March that it “strongly believes” that the EU has to take swift action on the world crisis “with additional and coordinated measures that have a direct impact on the economy”; furthermore, the EP says the EU should “support the member states with accompanying actions, particularly those stimulating economic growth, as this would result in encouraging investments by the private sector and therefore help to overcome the danger of job losses, to promote job creation and to support SMEs in the short and longer term”.
With its adoption by 537 votes to 73, with 59 abstentions, of the report by László Surján (EPP-ED, Hungary) on guidelines for the budget 2010 procedure, the EP notes the “enormous challenges” to be met in next year's Community budget to be negotiated this year. It points out that the key objective is to put European citizens first and give them more safety, “which requires special attention to be given to”: - the recent financial and economic crisis and its impact on growth and competitiveness, jobs and cohesion; - better and simpler implementation of structural funds; enhancing energy supply and transport safety; - internal security, meaning particularly immigration, combating terrorism, demographic challenges; - climate change and environmental protection; - social cohesion; - security of citizens; - the strengthening of the role of the EU in the world.
The EP says that the current economic crisis could be seen as an opportunity to increase investment in green technologies, which could require changes to current financial programmes. It calls for a “rapid agreement” on the proposal to amend the current European Globalisation Adjustment Fund Regulation in order better to address the consequences of relocations, decreasing production and job losses and to help workers return to the labour market.
Energy and transport security. MEPs highlight the need for projects which increase the European Union's energy security through diversification and interconnection of resources. MEPs also want measures, for example, to help realise the Nabucco project.
Security. The EP notes that funding in areas such as border protection, civil protection and combating terrorism should be maintained and strengthened in 2010 since these policies chimed in directly with the concerns of European citizens.
The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2007-2013 sets out a challenging amount of budgetary resources for 2010: €139,489,000,000 in commitments, representing 1.02% of EU GNI, and €133,505,000,000 in payments, or 0.97% of EU GNI (at current prices). The next adjustment of the MFF will take place in April 2009, just before publication of the provisional draft budget for 2010. There will be a mid-term review of various multiannual programmes in 2010. (L.C./transl.rt)