“Europe is plainly facing new challenges, to which it must respond. The growing pressure of competition from beyond its borders, both economic and technological, the ageing population, the inexorable rise in energy prices and the need to ensure a secure energy supply are but a few examples”, State Secretary Hans Winkler said in his speech to the European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg, in which he gave a statement on the key priorities for the spring summit of the European Council.
“We cannot halt the march of globalisation. What we can do, however, is create the conditions that will enable us to take up the challenge and adapt to globalisation. We must place the emphasis on greater individual responsibility and a stronger sense of specific priority measures", Winkler declared.
Specific priority measures for 2007 are to be decided by the European Council at the end of next week: increased expenditure on research and development by means of specific targets and commitments, support for innovation, measures to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises. The creation of more jobs, cutting unemployment, greater integration in the labour market and energy are further priority objectives.
"Only the prospect of work and of security will restore people’s confidence in the European Union. The EU cannot create jobs on its own. But it can create the necessary environment, on which the Member States must then build“, Winkler continued.
In the afternoon, State Secretary Winkler will make a statement on behalf of the Presidency of the Council on the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, mergers in the internal market and the status of negotiations on the United Nations Human Rights Council.
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