Knapen: substantial progress towards more effective EU

News item | 01-02-2012

‘Due to the endless succession of “make-or-break” euro summits, there is a tendency to focus only on the most topical discussions and decisions. But if we widen our perspective we can see that substantial progress is being made towards making the EU more effective.’ European affairs minister Ben Knapen delivered this message on Wednesday at a lunch with ambassadors representing EU countries in the Netherlands.

Mr Knapen discussed a wide range of issues with the ambassadors. He stressed the need for the EU to foster economic growth, e.g. by introducing a European patent, completing the internal market and making full use of the potential of the digital economy through the EU’s digital agenda.

To promote growth and jobs, it is essential to modernise the EU’s new multiyear budget. The Netherlands wants to see a restrained EU budget with more focus on research and innovation. ‘We require member states to show budget discipline, and the EU budget should meet the same standards,’ said Mr Knapen. ‘The Netherlands therefore wants the EU to spend €100 billion less than the Commission has proposed.’

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