Verklaring Parlementsvoorzitter Buzek over toespraak 'Staat van de Unie' van Commissievoorzitter Barroso (en)

Mr Barroso i's State of the Union speech provides a convincing diagnosis of Europe's ills and also promises the right cures.

Most MEPs welcome the readiness of the European Commission to take the initiative and show decisive legislative leadership. Now we need the Commission to keep up the momentum and put detailed proposals on the table soon.

Due to the sovereign debt crisis, the European Union is facing perhaps the biggest challenge in its history. It needs strong and consistent leadership, greater unity, closer integration, and the right balance between solidarity and responsibility to achieve renewed confidence and avoid falling back into nationalism and fragmentation.

I welcome the commitments made in the State of the Union speech, notably to create a genuine economic Union, with the European Commission at its heart. The Commission should be the economic government of the Union - just as the European Parliament should hold the new economic structure accountable as the parliament both of the euro zone i and the whole Union.

Only by standing united can Europe overcome its current problems. The Community method is the best way of moving forward. It is well-tested to protect the common interest. Ad hoc intergovernmental solutions risk inertia, instability and unnecessary quarrels.

I keenly await the proposals on the stability bonds. I also welcome the Commission's proposal on the financial transaction tax. The EU should renew efforts for such a tax to be applied globally.

Unblocking bottlenecks in the internal market and fostering innovation are the right steps to create jobs and achieve sustainable economic growth.

The Commission can count on the European Parliament's support for determined and quick action at the EU level to restore faith in our European project."