EU summit must raise the scale of Europe's ambition

11.30.00am GMT Tue 9th Dec 2008

'Europe's leaders should raise the scale of their ambition', says Andrew Duff MEP, President of the Union of European Federalists.

In a statement today (Tuesday), Duff called for the European Council to restore confidence in the project of European unity. 'What the public wants is assured political leadership on a regional scale which points the way out of Europe's current economic, ecological and political crises', he said.

Speaking after a meeting of the UEF in Brussels at the weekend, Andrew Duff said:

'First, the heads of government must introduce the culture of integration into their economic policy making. There are no national solutions to the monetary and economic crisis, and prime ministers -- and indeed Chancellors -- should stop pretending that there are. The Commission's recovery package deserves firm backing. A more consensual approach is badly needed to the recapitalisation of the financial system, to new banking rules enforcing transparency, and to fresh investment in leading technologies. Tax payers should not have to bear the consequences of weak European leadership.

"Second, it is this European Council which must salvage the Treaty of Lisbon -- without which the EU will remain under-performing and incapacitated. Lisbon is a decisive turning point for the Union, and the rendezvous must not be missed. The summit should raise the scale of Ireland's ambition to be a modern European country. Ireland's partners and the EU institutions can do a lot to persuade the Irish to change their mind about the treaty, but the Irish must also reflect on the seriousness of the consequences for them and for all Europe if they decline to be so persuaded.

"Third, federalists insist on no retreat on the climate change and energy package. Europe has to be serious about delivering a low carbon economy. The current economic situation reinforces the need for sustainable growth, as we look to leaders to build resilient economies that are insulated from global shocks. The cost of inaction outweighs the cost of action. Further delay will increase costs."

Duff added: "The European Council has to work hard to restore confidence in the project of European unity. What the public wants is assured political leadership on a regional scale which points the way out of Europe's current economic, ecological and political crises".

ENDS