Toespraak Van Rompuy na zijn bezoek aan Slowaakse premier Radicova (en)
EUROPEAN COUNCIL
EN
THE PRESIDENT
Bratislava, 7 July 2011 EUCO 44/11 PRESSE 230 PR PCE 19
Remarks by Herman Van Rompuy i, President of the European Council following his meeting with Iveta Radicova i Prime Minister of Slovakia
Dobrý de Good morning,
Dear Prime Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Prime-Minister Radicova and I used the opportunity to exchange views on the European political agenda for the upcoming months.
Let me start by saying a few words about the economic situation in the Eurozone. What we are facing is not a crisis of the euro. The euro is a strong and stable currency. Since it was launched, inflation in the euro area has remained low and stable. The balance of trade of the Eurozone is in broad equilibrium. Overall public debt levels are lower (yes, lower!) than the USA or Japan. Economic growth has returned to the Eurozone as a whole more rapidly than expected and new jobs are being created.
But three Member States are facing a sovereign debt crisis and the situation in Greece is particularly vulnerable.
Because we are part of a monetary union, which is beneficial for all euro area countries, it is important that we all act in a united way. This is not about Greece alone, it is about safeguarding the financial stability of the eurozone as a whole. This is also in the direct and acute interest of Slovakia.
I know that extending support to countries facing a sovereign debt crisis; implementing ambitious fiscal consolidation and structural reforms; extending the EFSF or creating the ESM are difficult decisions to take -- in all Member States. But let me be very clear: these decisions are essential for the future of the euro and for the European project. Advancing on these issues is in the interest of everyone, including Slovakia.
This is why I welcome the determination of the Slovak government under the leadership of Prime Minister Iveta Radicova to honour the commitments made last year in respect to the European Financial Stability Facility Framework Agreement. I am equally pleased with your commitment to the new stability mechanism - the European Stability Mechanism.
These are decisive times for the euro area. In the past decade, all Member States benefited from the monetary union. Integration brings obligations, as well as benefits.
I am confident that we can overcome the difficulties. And this will make us all stronger. I pay tribute to the courage shown by the Greek government and parliament adopting a credible reform programme (approved by the EC, ECB ad IMF), by the Portuguese government front loading the adjustment programme and by the Irish government whose programme is on track. Let look at the facts and the figures, let remain objective, let behave responsibly.
Of course economic issues will continue to dominate our work in the second semester of this year and further on. We will prepare Summits with major partners such as the US, China, Russia and Ukraine, and the next G20 summit in Cannes. We will discuss energy and climate change. We will also review progress made in internal market agenda and work on ideas to further enhance growth.
One of the major topics throughout the next year will be the debate on the new multiannual financial framework for the years 2014 - 2020. Last week, the European Commission has tabled its proposal. It does not only include figures, but also first orientations on the reform of Cohesion Policy, the Common Agriculture Policy and the reallocation of resources to priority areas such as pan-European infrastructure, research and innovation, education and culture, securing the EU external borders and external relations (e.g. European Neighbourhood Policy). This will make the budget more future-oriented.
On the whole, the Commission proposal on the European budget is now the basis for the upcoming negotiations. The new Polish Council Presidency will lead these negotiations within the Council and with the European Parliament in the six months ahead. They will be intensive and complex. They will focus not only on "how much money should be available for whom" or "who is paying", but also on "where" the money should be spent. In other words, which will be the political priorities of the European Union for the coming years. A debate hopefully without slogans and one-sided views."
Finally, Prime Minister and I talked about enlargement. The European project continues to attract countries in our neighbourhood. For many, the Union symbolises the peace and prosperity of our continent.
Last week, the European Council paved the way for Croatia's accession to the EU as the 28th Member State. Two days ago, Croatia's accession negotiations were formally concluded. This is a milestone. This will give momentum to the European perspective of the whole Western Balkans. Some important decisions can be expected from the European Council in December, provided that these countries vigorously continue the reforms.
akujem (Thank you).