Polen ziet voorzitterschap als kans om beleid EU voor komende 10 jaar vorm te helpen geven (en)
‘We want to build a strong Europe, economically and socially integrated. Therefore, we must strengthen the position of the EU in the international arena and increase support for its activities among citizens,’ said Deputy Prime Minister Waldemar Pawlak during a meeting with representatives of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC i). Mr Pawlak was discussing the economic priorities of the Polish Presidency with committee members in Brussels on 13th July 2011.
The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the EU is above all 500 million citizens who expect efficient and effective efforts for socio-economic development. ‘Full of energy and faith in European solidarity, in our circle of 27 Member States we want to tackle the problems faced by the European community now,’ he added.
The head of the Ministry of Economy pointed out that, under the priority objective of European integration, the goal of the Polish Presidency will be development of the internal market so that companies can fully benefit from it. ‘The common internal market is the main achievement of the European integration process. I am convinced that its deepening will help the Union return an economic-growth path,’ he said.
He pointed out that that the actions of the Polish Presidency will focus primarily on the development of electronic commerce and the construction of a uniform digital market. In the Deputy Prime Minister’s opinion, about 60 percent of online transactions do not take place in Europe mainly due to legal obstacles. Therefore, the Polish Presidency will work on a project of the European Commission in the field of contract law, which would create the 28th Legal Regime (the blue button ). ‘This tool will greatly facilitate the conclusion of sales contracts on the internal market and, above all, simplify online transactions for 500 million consumers and European companies,’ explained Mr Pawlak.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Pawlak, Europe can also benefit from openness. ‘We will strive for further EU enlargement and the development of cooperation with neighbouring countries,’ he said. ‘The construction of free-trade areas with the countries of the Eastern Partnership expands the area subject to EU principles and regulations, and the internal market will gain new consumers.’
Deputy Prime Minister Waldemar Pawlak also argued that an important step increasing security is to strengthen Europe's external energy policy. ‘The EU’s position towards major producers, consumers and energy-resource transit states can be considerably more robust,’ he noted. ‘If the Union starts functioning more efficiently in the international energy environment, we can count on savings and better conditions for economic growth.’ He reminded his discussion partners that these issues would be raised at an informal meeting of EU energy ministers taking place in Wroclaw in September. In its wake, the conclusions of the Energy Council would be worked out and adopted in November.
The Deputy Prime Minister also praised the EESC's role as an institution representing civil society in shaping EU policy. ‘I am convinced that cooperation with the Committee will contribute to the success of the Polish Presidency,’ Mr Pawlak said.
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The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) was established by the Treaties of Rome in 1957. It is composed of representatives of employers, employees and other civil-society entities in Member States.
The EESC is a consultative body of the European Union, particularly in the socio-economic, civic, professional and cultural fields.