Speeches

Speech from Mr James Elles,
Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group,
in the European Parliament
on Tuesday, 11 March 2003

Commission policy strategy for 2004/ 2004 budget guidelines


"I would like first of all to say that the EPP-ED Group appreciates the documents which the Commission has put in front of us this morning. It is a historic and unique occasion. It is the first time in our history where we have had the opportunity to debate budget guidelines but also with policy documents at the same time. So now we have to see how we begin to fit the priorities to the sources available. It is a pity that the Council can not be with us, because I think that they should also be a part of this debate.

"Let me start with the broad document which has been produced by the Commission this morning setting out the outline of Union finances post 2006 and asking the question, rightly, what project do we want in terms, for example, of what competencies the Union will have, what is the limit of geographic size of the Union and other matters which set up our budget debate in the right perspective. Let me first deal with the substance. I think it is right that we should have a range of ideas with working groups set up by the Commission dealing with peace, prosperity and other questions including sustainable development. But in terms of the external side, it seems to me that the working group does not cover what should be the external dimension of the Union; particularly, as the President was saying, about the current context which seems to be relevant thinking of substantive issues like how is the transatlantic partnership going to be in five years time. We have asked for a report on this subject: it hasn't been produced. Indeed we put in the budget a request to have a report on what should be the strategic priorities for the Union in the external field; there is a deadly silence on this point.

"Next, in terms of procedure, I think that we should be a little bit careful that this Commission, although very active in looking forward to the next financial perspective, could bring us in theory to 2013, which not only covers the next Commission but the Commission after that. To find ourselves already in 2003 discussing 2013 seems a little far away. In this context there is a specific question. I would like to ask the President of the Commission. In this interesting document it says: "The duration of the next financial perspective could be brought in line with the five year mandate of the Commission and of the European Parliament." Does this mean that the financial perspective would be to 2010? Our Group in any case is in favour of the financial perspective being over a five year period. I would like some clarity on this point.

"When talking about the Commission you mentioned the Convention. Mr. President, when we are looking at the Union of post 2006 with 500 million people or more, how is it possible to run a Union with fewer Commissioners than we have today? There seems to be this refrain across the House at the moment that we should have 10-12 Commissioners. I don't see how we can run a Commission with only 10-12 Commissioners, when most governments have at least 30-35 Ministers to run their own countries. We are dealing with a much bigger enterprise as a Union. Why not have 30-35, it would seem to me quite normal to do so in the context of the Union of tomorrow?

"Secondly, looking at the annual policy strategy document, I think that the priorities of the budget 2004 are well set out in terms of the three points that are made. In terms of sustainable growth, it makes obvious sense to have better integration of environmental concerns. The EPP-ED Group is interested in the document coming out on better relationship with our neighbours in the context of security and stability. Above all, we are interested in the enlargement process and making sure that we can fulfil our obligations and make sure that Member States are fully integrated into the Union post May 2004. We also share the view that the procedure is going to be very important on how we deal with these policy strategies in Committees in addition to the budget process, so we can see that they are properly brought together.

"Lastly, I turn to the priorities of the Group during the budgetary process. Here we remain faithful to what has guided us in last few budgets, in terms of three particular elements which are important to us. Firstly, there is the completion of the reform of the Institutions. We would like to ensure that this reform is completed by the end of our mandate. Here we still find irritations. There is a document quoted partially in the press on the ongoing affair of the Chief Accountant who has been suspended. We would like to see that document. It is not such big secret. I think that most Members have a copy, I have a copy. But why is there fear of wanting to keep a confidential document which is half known? We would like to see that document as soon as possible. Secondly, in terms of the A30 subsidy lines - a specific point but a very sensitive for one in the Parliament. We would like to be clear on what the Commission is going to be proposing in terms of the subsidies for particular Institutions. We have different views across Parliament on what should be benchmarked and what shouldn't. Here we need a common approach.

"My last comment is on a letter from the Secretary General, which I have in my hand, about the "Suivi des actes". Here we find that there are at least 25%-30% of reports that we have asked for which are never produced. Out of the COS resolutions of Parliament we made 490 requests last year of which in 104 cases the Commission has simply decided itself not to follow up. We would like some clarity to why the Commission is not doing what the Parliament is requesting.

"I conclude, Mr. President, that I believe in this key budgetary process the Commission has set out some useful lines of discussion and debate looking ahead post 2004. I hope that by the end of the process our Parliament will be able to come to the right conclusions in the interest of our citizens."