Mededeling Van Rompuy voorafgaand aan G20-top (en)

Remarks by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy i ahead of the G20 i summit in Saint Petersburg

The last years have demonstrated forcefully that no single nation, or even single continent, is powerful enough to master alone the storms of the global economy, guard against climate change, end extreme poverty or control tax evasion. Coordinated, collective action is paramount. And the G20 has become the most systematic and far reaching global economic policy coordination exercise

As we gather here in the elegant city of Saint Petersburg for this year's G20 summit, hosted by Russia, the global economic outlook is steady, but risks and challenges remain. The eurozone i is in a much better shape than a year ago in Los Cabos. We are correcting the internal imbalances and almost all 28 EU Member States will have positive growth in 2014 - with clear signs of improvement already now. Advanced economies are recovering and emerging market economies still contribute greatly to global economic activity

This is also the outcome of the bold actions that the G20 and G20 members took from 2009, to fight one of the most severe economic and financial crisis in living memories. Our decisions saved us from the worse, but we will need to do more to ensure the better

In Europe, our four-strand strategy is bearing fruits, yet we relentlessly continue our efforts

First, through measures to ensure financial stability and restore normal lending to the economy. Here we have succeeded to reduce financial fragmentation and substantially lower the cost of borrowing for our most fragile countries. The existential threat to the eurozone is over for almost a year now

Second, through structural reforms and gradual fiscal consolidation to restore competitiveness and sound public finances. Here we are already witnessing the first positive results with higher exports as a result of increased competitiveness, also in the weaker economies. And at the same time, public deficits have been halved since 2008. Our new fiscal and economic surveillance system is working and performing

We are now focusing more on structural than on nominal targets in order to give sufficient space for growth and jobs. This flexibility goes hand in hand with structural reforms in the labour and product markets, while deepening the single market and creating a real energy market and digital market in order to enhance competitiveness

Thirdly, through initiatives at the level of the Union and the Member States with an immediate impact on growth and jobs, notably our Compact for Growth and Jobs of 120 billion euro with a new investment plan and our Youth Employment Initiative

And fourth and finally, through measures to strengthen the architecture of the Economic and Monetary Union, in particular through the rapid completion of a banking union for all eurozone banks. After having agreed a single European supervisor of all eurozone banks, we are now taking the next step with the negotiation of a single resolution mechanism to handle banks in trouble

In this difficult economic context where everyone is making efforts, and where budgets are tight, it is unacceptable that many, individuals and corporations, continue to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. This is the reason why the European Council agreed to step up its fight against tax evasion and avoidance by extending automatic exchange of information to a full range of income. This open and inclusive initiative will contribute to speeding up the emergence of automatic exchange of information as a global standard. We are ready to tackle aggressive tax planning and profit-shifting and we expect strong support for the OECD i's Action Plan on base-erosion and profit-shifting

Let me also say a few words on Syria. The 21 August chemical attack in the outskirts of Damascus, killing hundreds of people, including many civilians and children, was a blatant violation of international law and a crime against humanity. This atrocious act runs contrary to all values and principles shared by the international community

In the face of this cynical use of weapons of mass destruction, the international community cannot remain idle. We have to show that such crimes are unacceptable and will not be tolerated, to show that there can be no impunity, and to prevent creating a dreadful precedent for the use of chemical weapons in Syria again, or elsewhere

We recall the responsibility of the perpetrators of attacks of this type and the role of the International Criminal Court in investigating and judging such acts

While respecting the recent calls for action, we underscore at the same time the need to move forward with addressing the Syrian crisis through the UN process. We note the on-going UN investigation on the 21st of August attack and further investigations on other chemical weapons attacks carried out in this conflict. We hope a preliminary report of this first investigation could be released as soon as possible. We urge the UN Security Council to unite in its efforts to prevent any further chemical attack. To that effect, we encourage the UNSC to fulfil its responsibilities in line with international law and take all initiatives to achieve this goal

Finally, there is no military solution to the Syrian conflict. Only a political solution can end the terrible bloodshed, grave violations of human rights and the far-reaching destruction of Syria. Too many lives have already been lost and too many people have suffered for too long and lost too much. The Syrian people deserve a chance to restore peace, reconcile, and rebuild their country. Refugees and those displaced need to see a positive future to return home so that Syria, its neighbouring countries and the whole region can return to normality

An encompassing diplomatic process leading to a political solution is now more urgent than ever. The initiative for a "Geneva II" peace conference, must move ahead swiftly. The EU is ready to provide all support needed to achieve a political settlement and work with partners and international actors, particularly the United Nations

The EU will uphold its commitment, as the largest donor, to provide aid and assistance to those in need due to the Syrian conflict. It will maintain its readiness to help the recovery, rehabilitation and transition in Syria, in accordance with the needs of the Syrian people

Thank you