Barroso welcomes Austrian Presidency programme as MEPs reject EU budget deal
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso has welcomed the Austrian government's intention to place a high priority on growth and jobs during its Presidency of the EU. Presenting his views on the Austrian Presidency's work programme to a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 18 January, Mr Barroso described growth and jobs as 'the preoccupation of our citizens'. Politicians and policy makers must show citizens that Europe can deliver a credible response to their concerns, he added. 'The Spring European Council in March is the first real test of the determination of all actors to move forwards towards economic reform and modernisation,' said Mr Barroso. 'Member States have drawn up their national reform programmes. The Commission is finalising its appraisal of these programmes and will report to the Spring European Council.' He continued: 'The message we need from the [Council] is that Europe has made a credible commitment to structural reforms and is determined to exploit fully all its potential for growth and more and better jobs. We therefore welcome the Austrian Presidency's willingness to inject new dynamism into the discussion of some pending proposals that are key to the success of the Lisbon strategy.' Insofar as the revised Lisbon agenda has managed to create a common vision and strong consensus on the need to focus on growth and jobs, the Commission President says that the relaunched initiative has already been successful. Further progress must be made in areas such as research and development and higher education, he concluded, adding that the Commission would propose initiatives in these areas including the establishment of a European Institute of Technology (EIT). Also on 18 January, MEPs overwhelmingly rejected the agreement reached in December by Heads of State and Government on the EU's financial perspectives, agreeing with the Budgets Committee's assertion that it does not guarantee an EU budget for prosperity, competitiveness and cohesion. MEPs adopted a resolution by 541 votes in favour to 56 against, with 76 abstentions, which was particularly critical of the Council's proposed reduction of the EU budget for 2007-2013 from 975 billion euro to 862 billion euro. However, Parliament did welcome the fact that the Council was able to reach an agreement, which will allow the opening of further negotiations between the EU institutions.
Countries
Austria