On the EU 2020 Strategy ‘Transformation requires content’. That was the message from Party of European Socialist (PES) President, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. In a strongly worded open letter to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, the PES leader outlined the detailed progressive plan for Europe as proposed by the PES. He also expressed his concern that the Commission President was making bold statements about the EU’s future without backing them up with concrete actions.
The PES has called for a much stronger emphasis on employment and a genuine integration of the social dimension into EU strategic thinking.
Mr. Rasmussen stated that; “If there is truly a commitment to ‘transform the EU’ then there would be a clear set of practical steps outlined. But all we are seeing from this Commission President is an attempt to put shiny new packaging on discredited neo-liberal ideas. They are not fooling anyone”.
The European Commission is conducting a two day ‘retreat’ on 25-26 February to finalise its positions on the 2020 strategy. They are due to present their proposals at lunchtime on Wednesday 3 March.
Mr. Rasmussen added that; “the situation in Greece underscores the need for a clear political vision for Europe. However the events of this week have shown that Conservative forces are clinging to ideologically redundant plans of ‘austerity for them and business as usual for us’. Political principles must be translated into financial solidarity”.
The PES have outlined a clear set of proposals that include:
- A clear jobs creation strategy that combines the economic, social and environmental pillars. It calls for a focus on job creation while providing clear training and education opportunities that are well funded and targeted, strong social protection for those who have momentarily fallen out of the job market, and a renewed focus on developing green jobs.
- A clearly and transparently regulated financial system.
- A horizontal strategy for a Eurobonds scheme.
- A clear switch to a greener economy, by using clear incentives.
Read the full outline of the PES 2020 position here
For further information please contact Brian Synnott on +32 474 98 96 75 (brian.synnott@pes.org)
