Reinforcement of legitimacy
If we want to increase the political legitimacy and democratic accountability of the Union, the focus should shift towards building and re-building trust between politicians and citizens, between the national and European levels, as well as between the economic, social and political levels.
"The EU must develop a new European Social Action Programme which would set clear and tangible targets and explore the right of European citizens to a minimum guaranteed income to be set by each individual country", stated Luca Jahier, President of the Various Interests Group of the EESC. He also supported the idea of making the activities of the Troika accountable to the EP and of giving the European Commission responsibility for assessing the socio-economic impact of the austerity programme.
Stimulation of Growth
The participants agreed that Europe's immediate objectives should be job creation, support for the economy, increased competitiveness and poverty reduction. They welcomed the EU's proposal to provide alternative financing for SMEs through the launch of an SME Initiative co-funded by the Structural Funds and called for the re-capitalization of the European Investment Fund to enable it to provide SMEs with development capital.
Press release
© EESC - European Economic and Social Committee
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