Presidents Briesch and Prodi

1

European Economic and Social Committee

AT THE EESC:

PRESIDENTS BRIESCH AND PRODI,

VICE-PRESIDENT KINNOCK, AND

COMMISSIONERS SCHREYER AND MONTI

DEBATE THE EU’S POLITICAL PRIORITIES:

"MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD IN THE EU'S FINANCIAL DEBATE"

Over two hundred representatives of civil society met today in Brussels at the European Economic and Social Committee's Conference for a debate and discussion on 'Political Priorities 2007 - 2013 of the EU and the Financial Perspective'. The Conference was opened by President Roger Briesch of the EESC and President Romano Prodi of the European Commission. Commission Vice-President Neil Kinnock and Commissioners Michaele Schreyer and Mario Monti outlined the contents of the Communication, 'Building our Common Future, Policy Challenges and Budgetary Means of the Enlarged Union 2007-2013' and participated in a debate with participants.

The debate focussed on the Commission's three declared priorities:

Sustainable development - based on the Lisbon strategy of sustained growth, social inclusion and respect for the environment;

European citizenship - the principals of freedom, security and justice and the concept of the European citizen;

The EU as a global partner.

EESC President Roger Briesch invited civil society partners to provide their feedback on the Commission's communication and stressed the necessity of encouraging dialogue and discussion amongst civil society partners in reaching the Union's objectives. Commenting on the Commission's communication, he stressed that, if budgetary means are to be reduced, then priorities should be limited, complementarities found with national budgets and private/public partnership encouraged. He believed that the Committee was an essential mechanism to reinforce 'the democratic conscience of the European citizen'. Whilst certain Member States have criticised the EU for a lack of budgetary discipline, he saw this conference and the inclusion of civil society partners as vital for creating a new approach to ensuring budgetary discipline, greater economic coherence and improved methods of governance. 'There is no question of a union without cohesion nor of cohesion without solidarity'.

Romano Prodi, President of the Commission, declared the Union's objectives 2007-2013 as to create 'a Union respected at the international level, a Union capable of meeting its citizens needs and expectations and a Union that would be a model for other regions in the world'. These objectives would only be reached via a combined effort of the Union institutions, the Member States, European citizens and business. He stressed the key role played by the Committee in facilitating 'dialogue, consultation and the participation of civil society' to meet these objectives. He called for participants to 'Make your voices heard'.

Michaele Schreyer, Commissioner for the Budget, outlined the five financial priorities for the budget 2007-2013 1) sSustainable growth 2) agricultural expenditure including the environment, 3) European Union citizenship: freedom, security, justice 4) education and training 5) administration. She noted that there would be an initial seven- year transitional period following by terms of five years.

Mario Monti, Commissioner for Competition Policy, called on Member States to 'put their money where their mouth is'. He declared that the Lisbon strategy had suffered in its delivery because of the lack of responsibility taken by Member States. He stressed the importance of value-added initiatives in collaboration with public and private sector partners.

Neil Kinnock, Vice-President of the European Commission, stressed the importance of European citizenship in the EU’s construction process.

Commissioner Jacques Barrot for his part stressed his determination to ensure continuity in the Union's regional policy.

For more details, please contact :

Vasco de Oliveira or Tristan Macdonald, at the EESC Press Office.

Rue Ravenstein 2, B-1000; Bruxelles

Tel.: 02 546 9396/9586; Mobile: 0475 753 202

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