Swedish Presidency outlined their priorities for a range of parliamentary committees
07 September 2009
“Defence line number one" is to improve the supervision of financial markets and to set up European infrastructure in this area.
Finance minister Anders Borg told the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee on Wednesday that in the current economic and financial crisis "defence line number one" is to improve the supervision of financial markets and to set up European infrastructure in this area. Mr Borg also stressed the need to guarantee the long-term sustainability of public finances and to have an active labour market policy. Local government and financial markets minister Mats Odell underlined the importance of the proposals on capital requirements, sound remuneration policies and alternative investment firm managers.
While MEPs agreed with these priorities, several stressed that the Stability and Growth Pact should be implemented more strictly and more prudently and that rules should apply to all players. MEPs also emphasized the need for the EU to speak in one voice at all G20 meetings.
Concerning Consumer protection, keeping the internal market open is all the more important, argued trade minister Ewa Björling. Improving the way the single market works, in order to boost growth and jobs, is a key priority of the Presidency, she said.
MEPs welcomed this general aim as well as the detailed action plan for the coming six months, which includes swift and effective implementation of the services directive as well as legislative work on the Community patent, European patent disputes, late payments in commercial transactions, construction products and gambling.
