Sommaire: Speech by European Commission President Barroso: More Europe where it matters (Strasbourg, 15 March 2006)
President, honourable Members,
The European Council next week comes at an important moment. We are seeing the first bright signs of growing consumer confidence. Investment is picking up. Growth figures are gradually improving. This is all good news.
Let's use this favourable economic wind to take another leap forward on our "growth and jobs" agenda. Let's move up a gear!
Last year, we proposed a bold revision of the way we conduct economic policy in Europe. We agreed to work together in a partnership. We divided the responsibilities. We re-focused our strategy and minds on the essentials. This Parliament gave resounding support for the renewed approach. I want to congratulate Parliament on the role it is playing.
The Commission's report to the Spring Council proposes a number of priority actions for growth and jobs. I do not want to go into the details of all the specific measures we are proposing, but I do want to highlight a number of issues that I consider particularly relevant.
National Action Plans
I am pleased that we now have 25 National Reform Programmes in place. They set out how each individual Member State, within the specific national context, intends to implement the agreed Guidelines for Growth and Jobs.
But let me be clear: this is only a first step. Everyone knows that reports do not create jobs.
That is why, this year, it is time to turn words into action. Over the coming months the Commission will work closely with Member States to assist and monitor the implementation of their National Programmes. I am very grateful for the role the Parliament plays in this respect. The Joint Parliamentary Meetings between the European Parliament and the representatives of national parliaments on the Lisbon Strategy has played an important role in raising awareness and encouraging a sense of ownership among members of national parliaments.
As part of the partnership, Member States are learning from each others' experience. Everybody has something to offer and everybody has something to learn.
Free movement of workers
I noticed that Parliament, in its proposal for a resolution to wind up this debate, "calls upon the Member States to move as fast as possible to a total freedom of movement of citizens and workers within the EU together with determined action to promote quality of work in all its aspects."
I fully agree with this proposal. And the evidence is on your side. A recent analysis from the Commission clearly shows that workers' mobility from the EU Member States in Central and Eastern Europe to the EU15 has had mostly positive effects. That's just one reason why the Commission welcomes the recent announcement that Finland, Portugal and Spain will join Ireland, United Kingdom and Sweden in lifting such restrictions on the free movement of workers. I look forward to more countries joining the club!
The Challenge of Globalisation
In a globalised world, no Member State can go it alone. This is not the time for economic nationalism.
Defending national champions in the short-term, usually end up relegating them to the second division in the long-term. More efficient companies that have been subjected to the full rigour of competition leave national champions behind as they move into international markets.
However, let there be no misunderstanding; the Commission will intervene if companies abuse a dominant position on the market. We are legally bound to enforce competition rules and to protect consumers, and I will make no apologies for that.
Strengthening of the Internal Market
The challenge of globalisation calls for a strengthening of the internal market. Freedom to provide services is an essential element of the internal market.
I want to thank you for the result of the Parliament's first reading of the Services Directive. You came forward with amendments, generally based on a broad consensus, which move us forward. The Commission will respond positively to this political signal.
Early next month we will present an amended proposal which will be largely based on this first reading and the discussions in the Council. I expect that the Austrian Presidency will work on a common position of the Council shortly after. I hope that this legislation can then be swiftly adopted, as we need to make progress in this area if we are serious about growth and jobs.
An integrated Energy Strategy
The energy challenges of the 21st century require a strong and effective response. After a long period of relative stability, we can no longer take secure and affordable energy supplies for granted. Increased import dependence, higher energy prices and climate change are challenges shared by all EU Member States. Only a European response, based on sustainability, competitiveness and security, can deal with the magnitude of these challenges.
In the Commission's Green Paper we have highlighted six key actions:
We must create a truly single European electricity and gas market. We must achieve better integration.
With better integration comes more solidarity between the Member States in times of crisis.
We must accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy, using both new energies and existing ones to ensure sustainability.
We must change not just energy supply but energy demand. There is considerable scope to use energy more efficiently, to the benefit of the climate, consumers and our security.
Europe is at the leading edge of developing low carbon technologies. We must stay there. We need more European innovation.
Last, but not least, we must foster a more coherent and integrated approach in our relations with third countries and in international fora.
I sometimes hear people say that a European Energy Policy is not feasible because it touches areas where Member States have national strategic interests. I don't need to remind you, honourable members of this House, that the very basis of the European Union was in fact a common European policy on coal and steel: the two areas which were considered the most sensitive in terms of national strategic interests of the Member States at that time.
The Green Paper invites everybody to contribute to this important debate. I look forward to strong support from the European Parliament for this new EU policy.
The Social Dimension
I also want to stress the need for social cohesion to be considered an integral part of the growth and jobs creation strategy.
The Commission is keenly aware of the need to ensure high quality jobs and avoid precarious working conditions.
I believe that globalisation offers major opportunities. But we cannot - and should not - ignore the pressure on companies and workers resulting from fierce international competition. This is why the Commission has proposed the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund. This Fund will act as a shock-absorber to the powerful engine of globalisation. It will complement Member States' efforts to help get affected workers back on their feet again.
The important thing is to get people retrained and back on the job ladder in a sustainable way.
We need to involve social partners in our discussions on jobs and labour markets.
In search of Excellence - the EIT
Europe's economic future depends on having the best educated and trained people, with the full range of skills and the adaptability required in a "knowledge economy". That is why we must boost investment in higher education significantly. The Commission is suggesting a target of 2 percent of GDP by 2010.
At the same time we must boost Europe's R&D-spending to 3% of GNP by 2010. That means more ambitious national targets and more ambitious measures to achieve them.
We have some excellent universities and research centres which will really benefit from more funding. However, our systems are fragmented. There is a gap between higher education, research and companies: They do not appear to be connected. Too many of our top brains are leaving Europe. That is why the Commission, in search of excellence, has proposed a European Institute of Technology. (EIT)
The EIT will teach students, carry out research and deliver top class innovation.
The EIT will complement other measures. It will use the resources made available by its participating partners and do so more effectively, for their benefit and the benefit of the whole European economy. It is an ambitious project. I will be asking the Heads of State and Government to endorse this idea, and I am asking the Parliament for support.
Airbus and Galileo have shown us the importance of successful European flagships. The EIT should be the next one. I am ready to fight for it because good ideas are worth fighting for.
Conclusion
Mr. President, honourable Members,
I am of course keenly aware of the need to conclude a good agreement on the forthcoming Financial Perspectives. The "trilogue" which will be held on 21 March is the key moment for the institutions to move towards a settlement. Swift agreement on the financial perspectives is a crucial element of our agenda for growth and jobs.
The Commission has made it perfectly clear where it stands - we want more Europe where it matters.
The National Reform Programmes must now be implemented. The challenge of globalisation must be met by more Europe, not less Europe. The internal market must be further developed with a new European Energy Policy. Free movement of people and services, based on social inclusion and a determined effort to ensure high standards, are essential cornerstones. More investment in research and development means promoting the EIT.
In short - more commitment to Europe will bring more prosperity and freedom to our citizens.
I warmly thank you for the European Parliament's support - so well expressed in your Motion for a Resolution.
Next week the European Council must show a similar commitment to growth and jobs.
The time has come for delivery - not of more words, but of action! Citizens rightly hold us, the politicians, responsible. We must not let them down.
Thank you.
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