Stöhr: Building a more social Europe through a fairer EU budget

"Especially in these times of crisis national budgets as well as the European multiannual financial framework must consider economic and social objectives as equally important," said CESI board member Frank Stöhr during a debate at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on 25th November in Brussels. The vice-chairman of the dbb, who has been a member of the EESC since 2002, encouraged the commission and the council not to lose sight of social concerns during the budget negotiations for 2014 to 2020. Claiming soli-darity among the EU member states Stöhr also criticized the national rebates as "unfair special treatment for some privileged countries".

At the start of the meeting, Jutta Haug laid out the position of the European Parlia-ment regarding the recommendations about the new budget, which were put forward by the European Commission. Haug is a member of the S&D faction within the European Parliament and heads the special committee on policy challenges and budget funding for a sustainable European Union after 2013 (SURE). "Europe needs to follow clear guidelines. Only in this way can the welfare of EU citizens be ensured," said Stöhr. He went on to welcome the decision to bring the budget into line with the Europe 2020 strategy because, according to Stöhr, such a clear and dependable structure can be easily integrated in the workings of existing institutions. He also stressed that the strategy's various programmes needed to be designed to serve the Europe's citizens. "We need to strike a balance between social and economic goals," said the dbb vice-chairman. Adding that the crisis had shown what happens when markets are allowed to operate without any limits.

"Over the past months and years, there has been much talk about solidarity within the European Union. However, solidarity is not a one way street," said Stöhr. That's why it is unacceptable that some countries, such as the United Kingdom for example, cling to their permanent rebates and other countries pay their full share. Exceptions to the rule need to be renegotiated for every new budget so as not to give the impression that some privileged countries receive unfair, special treatment. Each member state must contribute to the budget according to its means. In other matters, Stöhr also made clear he shared the position of Jutta Haug who said that the EU budget must remain an instrument for investment. Stöhr emphasised that "Europe's exit strategy out of the crisis will have to involve more Europe not less."