(15/06/05) Voorbeschouwing - Europese top heeft beter geen compromis dan een onwerkbaar akkoord

• 2005-06-16

Greens warn against unworkable compromise: Brussels summit runs 'Nice syndrome' risks

Commenting the day before European leaders begin a two-day summit in Brussels, Daniel Cohn-Bendit and Monica Frassoni, co-presidents of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, said:

"When the question of the EU's budget comes up this summit runs the risks of developing into a Nice situation. In the current tough political climate, European leaders badly need a success and will consequently try to reach a compromise. They will then sell this – as they did with the Nice Treaty – as a big breakthrough, but some weeks later it will become clear that they made a bad deal. A failure or a postponement of the decision on the budget is therefore better than a shoddy, unworkable compromise that impedes the Union's ability to act."

"The EU must have the courage now to tackle fundamental problems without any taboos. Everything must be on the negotiation table including the British rebate and the common agricultural policy. Nobody should be able to insist on historic agreements in order to block the negotiations – everybody must be ready to move."

"The first priority of the budget must be to kick-start the economy and reconnect Europe with its citizens. We need investment in research and education, ecological innovation, renewable energies, Trans-European Networks and the funding of necessary projects in the enlargement countries. We also need more funding of culture, cinema and youth exchange programmes such as Socrates, Erasmus and Leonardo. The Union deserves an ambitious budget, with which it can meet the huge challenges of our time."

"As regards revenue sources, the EU leaders should not be afraid of fresh thinking. Additional funding could be raised through a European loan or other co-financing measures. The Union should explore new ideas on 'own-resources' as well. There could be the introduction of an EU tax on kerosene or on business. While Europe's leaders lack the courage to contemplate radical new measures, the summit will never be a success."

"Regarding the EU's future enlargement we must recognise that there are two levels. The first is European re-unification, which is a historic obligation for the Union. The second level is genuine enlargement. During the accession negotiations, which will begin on 3 October, we will look at Turkey's progress in becoming a modern European society and state – as well as the Union's progress in bringing about the necessary deepening in order to be able to integrate Turkey."