Speech by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, to the
European Parliament
Last week's European Council was about combining short term action to
stabilise the markets and medium term action to stimulate growth, together with
a longer-term vision on the way forward to strengthen our Economic and Monetary
Union.
It was a sometimes difficult but in the end fruitful meeting.
It was another step on the long road to overcome the financial and economic
crisis and to correct the structural flaws of the euro-area framework.
The steps we took last week were important on a number of fronts.
First, we put together and decided on a "Compact for Growth and Jobs". It
will mobilise €120bn for immediate investment, which will boost the financing of
the economy and help create jobs.
A 10 billion euro increase of the capital of the European Investment Bank
will increase the Bank's overall lending capacity by 60 billion euro.
The other 60 billion euro comes, first, from the structural funds which will
be devoted to growth enhancing measures in the current period (55 billion) and,
second, from the pilot phase of Project Bonds that will be launched this summer
and will go to key initiatives such as energy, transport and broadband
infrastructure (almost 5 billion).
The "Compact for Growth" is not just about injecting money: it contains a
number of elements.
Work to be done by the Member States individually, who have already
undertaken a number of commitments in that respect.
And work to be done together as a Union; including deepening the single
market, negotiating good trade agreements, working together on tax matters, and
strengthening the European research area.
Several Member States will launch a request for enhanced cooperation
regarding a Financial Transaction Tax with a view of its adoption by December
2012.
As I have said before, the European Council has not suddenly discovered the
virtues of economic growth.
Re-launching growth and creating jobs has been a constant concern, from the
very first meeting under my presidency in February 2010 right up until now.
I am happy this European Council has been able to give it a real push.
The growth and jobs agenda requires a structural approach, but also short
term actions for financial stability.
A return of confidence for consumers and investors will itself lead to more
demand and growth.
Second main point: as Eurozone leaders, we re-affirmed our strong commitment
to do what is necessary to ensure the financial stability of the euro area,
In particular, we affirmed that it is imperative to break the vicious circle
between banks and sovereigns, and we reached a number of important agreements to
this effect among the Eurozone 17.
We urged the rapid conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding attached to
the financial support to Spain for recapitalisation of its banking sector.
We agreed that the financial assistance to Spain will be provided by the EFSF
until the ESM becomes available, and that it will then be transferred to the
ESM, without gaining seniority status.
The Commission will shortly present proposals for a single supervisory
mechanism for the financial sector, on the basis of Article 127(6) -- so
involving the European Central Bank.
We ask the Council and the Parliament to consider these proposals as a matter
of urgency, before the end of the year.
When an effective single supervisory mechanism is established, involving the
ECB, the ESM could, for banks in the euro area and following a regular decision,
have the possibility to recapitalize banks directly, under certain conditions
and in certain circumstances.
The perspective is clearly to avoid that this recapitalisation impacts upon
public debt.
This single supervisory mechanism was a key proposal in our recent report
"Toward a genuine Economic and Monetary Union".
It is a breakthrough.
It also shows a clear link between the longer term measures we are proposing
and the short term actions we are taking.
The Eurogroup will examine the situation of the Irish financial sector, with
the view of further improving the sustainability of Ireland's well-performing
adjustment programme.
To ensure the financial stability of the euro area, we agreed to the possible
use of existing EFSF/ESM instruments in a flexible and efficient manner, in
order to stabilise markets for Member States which are complying with our common
rules, recommendation and time-tables.
The short term measures in both areas respect the fundamental approach of the
Eurozone policies ever since the start of the crisis: responsibility and
solidarity.
We need both.
We tasked the Eurogroup to implement these decisions.
Third important point: further deepening our Economic & Monetary Union.
At their informal dinner of 23 May, the Heads of State or Government asked me
to prepare, in close cooperation with the Presidents of the Commission, the Euro
Group and the European Central Bank, a report on the future of the Economic and
Monetary Union.
The financial and debt crisis has exposed structural weaknesses in the EMU's
original design, which must be addressed.
The stakes are high.
My report was not a final blueprint or master plan, but offered a perspective
on how to strengthen the EMU.
It provided the main building blocks and a working method.
It proposed an architecture based on more integrated frameworks for the
financial sector, for budgetary matters, and for economic policy.
It underlined the importance of strengthening at the same time the democratic
legitimacy and accountability of decision-making within the EMU.
The European Council has asked me to continue this work, again in close
cooperation with the Presidents of the Commission, the Eurogroup and the
European Central Bank, and associating the governments in the process.
I will also ensure that your Parliament's views are taken into account, and I
look forward to working with you on this.
In my view, we first need to exhaust all possibilities under the current
treaties; then explore which avenues could require treaty-change.
The report of October will focus on the first type of proposals.
Some solutions will be tailor-made to the Members of the Eurozone and those
who are expected one day to join the Euro.
But the actions will matter for all Member States.
Honourable Members, this European Council also discussed other matters.
We had our first discussion during a European Council on the Multiannual
Financial Framework for the years 2014-2020, a discussion to which your own
President made a significant contribution.
Under the Treaty, this is a matter for the Council of ministers and your
Parliament.
However, we all know from past experience that this is one of the areas in
which the European Council will inevitably be called on to fulfil its role,
under Article 15 of the Treaty, of "defining the general political directions
and priorities".
In having a discussion on the principles and priorities without specific
figures, it was my intention to focus attention not on national advantages and
disadvantages but on the strategic priorities for the Union as a whole.
The European Council agreed that the MFF needs to be at the service of a
strategy: jobs and growth throughout the Union.
Hopefully we will finalise the work before the end of the year at the level
of the Council.
Your Parliament, which voted an important resolution on the MFF, will be
involved in this process.
The European Council found -- finally -- a solution to the question of the
European patent.
The last outstanding point, the seat of the Unified Patent Court, was solved.
After decades of unsuccessful attempts, this is a truly historic agreement.
I call on your Parliament to finalise the agreement with the Council.
I thank the Danish Prime Minister for the close cooperation we had in this
respect, which led to our joint appeal to the sense of compromise of our
colleagues.
We endorsed the decision to open accession negotiations with Montenegro -- a
signal to the Western Balkans as a whole that they have a European future if
reform processes are maintained.
Honourable members, this concludes my report on a European Council meeting
that achieved some significant results and took us a few more steps down our
journey to economic recovery.
We dealt with short, medium and long term problems
We found a balance between responsibility and solidarity.
We worked on growth and jobs on the one hand and on financial stability on
the other hand.
We need reforms in our Member States and collective action at the level of
the EU and Eurozone.
All this has to go hand in hand.
It takes time. It demands courage. It will be implemented step by step.
The agreements of Thursday and Friday are important steps in the right
direction.
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