Pools Voorzitterschap in Parlement: EU overleeft niet lang als eurozone instort (en)
‘It seems obvious that if the eurozone i collapses, Europe (the European Union) shall not survive for any extended period,’ said Jacek Rostowski, Minister of Finance, representing the Polish Presidency i in the European Union Council, during the Economic Crisis and the Euro i debate organised on September the 14th in Strasbourg as part of the plenary session of the European Parliament.
‘As the state presiding over the Union and a European Union Member State, Poland shall support every effort to overcome the crisis through further integration in the eurozone. Nonetheless, the process cannot be used to create a two-speed Europe,’ emphasised the minister.
‘We have to realise that were it not for the August intervention of the European Central Bank, we would not be watching the oncoming storm - we would now be in its very heart. I have no doubt that decisions made at the time, the ECB i, and specifically its President Jean Claude Trichet i, saved Europe. Not only do we owe the ECB our gratitude, we have to strongly support its decisions,’ declared the minister.
The Presidency apart, the debate was also attended by José Manuel Barroso i, President of the European Commission, and Olli Rehn i, Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs.
In the opinion of the Presidency (shared by the majority of debate participants), in lieu of the current deep crisis threatening Europe’s future, it shall be of key importance for all European Union Member States and EU institutions (the EU Council, the European Parliament, and the European Commission) to take joint and responsible action in full solidarity.
Most speakers expressed a belief that further economic and political integration of the European Union is indispensable, and should take place in a joint and transparent manner, with rules of ultimate solidarity prevailing. This will also apply to further eurozone integration to the extent required to resolve all its current problems.
A number of decisions have been already made in response to the crisis, both in the eurozone states’ format, and within the community of all EU Member States. Interventions by the European Central Bank deserve special appreciation in this context. Today, the rapid and comprehensive implementation of all relevant decisions ought to be recognised as crucial - this applies to amendments to the European Financial Stability Facility i, and to the enactment of the new European Stability Mechanism.
Debate participants were unanimous in emphasising the necessity of completing all works on the economic management legislative package (the so-called six-pack i). The exercise will test the EU community method of rapid and efficient action, also for the purpose of developing international confidence in the Union. This is why it shall be of utmost importance for all participants of the negotiation process to act responsibly during the days to come, in order to reach a relevant consensus.
José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, emphasised that today’s extraordinary circumstances will require courageous action - before the year-end, the European Commission intends to table proposals for introducing Eurobonds i and a financial transaction tax.