VP Šefčovič: The Commission's Work Programme for 2013

13 November 2012

In his speech at the EESC Bureau meeting, Šefčovič said: "We cannot stand still as we tackle the crisis. We need to keep working on concrete steps grounded in short-term results. The Commission Work Programme 2013 is a translation of this overall vision into concrete measures."

2013 will be another key year in turning Europe round to face up to the crisis and to pursue the path of sustainable growth. There is no simple solution. This is a task for society as a whole. Everybody must contribute. But we can together help to show a lead, to demonstrate how our Union provides the crucial added-value to offer prosperity and security to our continent.

The European Economic and Social Committee, in its letter to President Barroso on its key political priorities for 2013, stressed that "combining fiscal consolidation with growth and employment enhancing instruments is the way forward to put Europe back on the path to sustainable growth". I very much appreciate the strong determination of your Committee to be ambitious for Europe. These goals must be top of the list for next year. We need to work together to define the right vision, to bring key proposals to adoption, and to have the budget ready to deliver its benefits from day one of the new programming period.

The Commission Work Programme also announces a number of targeted priorities for new actions next year. These are clustered around seven key objectives for Europe, seven areas where we can clearly identify that more is needed. Let me briefly take you through some of the main priorities.

• A genuine Economic and Monetary Union: additional legislation to enhance stability, transparency and consumer protection in the financial sector, based in particular on the blueprint to a genuine economic and monetary union.
• Boosting competitiveness through the Single Market and industrial policy: initiatives to cut costs for businesses in areas like VAT and invoicing, tackle obstacles to competitiveness and encourage key growth sectors through public-private partnerships in research.
• Connect to compete: building tomorrow's networks today: modernising networks by liberalising in energy, by boosting investment in infrastructure like broadband, and by modernising Europe's transport and logistics.
• Growth for jobs: inclusion and excellence: building up practical support to the unemployed in areas like public employment services, and making sure the EU does its utmost to support social inclusion.
• Using Europe's resources to compete better: giving the long-term perspective so important to sustainable growth with a framework for energy and climate change to 2030 and dedicated action on air quality and waste.
• Building a safe and secure Europe: working to boost justice through a European Public Prosecutor's Office to protect the EU's financial interests, security by fighting traffic in firearms and consolidating citizenship in the European Year of Citizens.
• Pulling our weight: Europe as a global actor: driving forward our interest and values through a new generation of trade agreements, targeted action in our neighbourhood, and furthering the Millennium Development Goals as the world's leading development cooperation partner.

Macro-economic stability, smart fiscal consolidation and sustainable growth must go hand in hand. Europe is one economy. Events in one corner of our Union impact on employment and growth elsewhere.

The details of building a genuine economic and monetary union are the subject of deep reflection. The blueprint which will be presented later this year will give a comprehensive overview. It will show how to take an ambitious approach, based on the existing institutions to ensure full democratic control. Making this happen will be a key priority for the coming years.

This Commission also continues to push for a strong and competitive financial sector to restore growth and investment in the real economy. In 2013, we will for example address shadow banking, and put key indices on a stronger footing. Businesses and home owners must not fear manipulation of interest rates.

We are not starting from scratch. The European semester is now established as a key pillar of economic governance. But to restore the confidence of citizens and markets, everybody must go further...

These are crucial times for Europe. The steps we take over the next few years will decide our future path. I am looking forward to working closely with your Committee to move from programme to progress. To take the next determined steps towards a stronger, more prosperous and fairer Europe.

Full speech

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