EUROPEAN COMMISSION president José Manuel Barroso has said tackling the economic crisis and building a stronger EU are his key priorities if he wins a second five- year term. In a policy programme presented to MEPs yesterday, he said it was too early to withdraw the financial support measures put in place by governments.
He also said interest rates should stay low and EU budget rules should be applied flexibly to allow EU states’ economies time to recover from the crisis.
“It is obvious that the short-term priority must be the successful exit from the crisis, sustaining demand and stemming the rise in unemployment,” said Mr Barroso, who hopes to persuade MEPs to re-elect him as president later this month.
The 48-page document, Political Guidelines for the Next Commission, was published at the request of MEPs from the Socialist, Green and Liberal groups in the European Parliament.
These groups have strongly criticised Mr Barroso’s record, arguing that his first term as president “lacked ambition” and that he has been too easily influenced by big member states. Despite being nominated by all 27 heads of state for a second term, Mr Barroso needs the support of a majority of MEPs before he can take up office.
“Europe is facing stark choices in today’s interdependent world. Either we work together to rise to the challenges. Or we condemn ourselves to irrelevance,” he wrote in the paper.
“I will redouble my efforts to make an ambitious Europe happen. A Europe that puts people at the heart of the policy agenda and projects European values and interests in the world.”
The guidelines also set out his plans to achieve: a “true common immigration policy”; a new European supergrid for electricity and gas to boost energy security; and a new EU financial supervisory structure.
He said there was a need for a stronger and more co-ordinated EU but this did not require any new treaties or institutional measures.
“Let me be clear: this does not mean more centralisation of powers in Brussels. The Lisbon Treaty and the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity it enshrines determine the proper level for efficient delivery,” he said.
Mr Barroso also highlights the need for the conclusion of a new world trade deal and a shake-up of how the EU spends its money.
However, the document lacks detail on any future reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.
Mr Barroso will meet MEPs next week in an attempt to win their support to enable a vote to take place on his appointment in mid-September.