- “In a few weeks, the leaders of the European Union are to decide on the next multiannual financial framework for the European Union (MFF 2014-2020). In the current difficult state of affairs, the budget for the next 7-year period is a critical ‘crash test’ for the EU’s political credibility, as well as an indication of the direction the EU will take during this period. Right now, the negotiations on what each member state will offer and what funding each state will get during the period 2014-2020 has come to a critical stage.”
- “There is no doubt that what is mainly at stake in the 2014-2020 EU budget is what direction and what form the reshaping of the European Union will take. At a time of recession and deepening poverty in member states, the Union’s new multiannual financial framework needs more than ever before to set a tone of solidarity and support for every effort towards sustainable development.”
- “And there is no question that these negotiations are of major importance not just for the European Union, but for our country as well. In particular, in light of the economic slump, any influx of funds from the social budget is of major importance to breaking out of the ongoing recession.”
- “Austerity policies cannot but be accompanied by development policies designed to help us emerge from the crisis. For this reason, as I have already said, we support a budget that can, on the one hand, produce tangible gains for citizens, and, on the other, focus on projects that enhance growth, competitiveness and employment, and function as a key tool for large-scale investments.”
- “At tomorrow’s (13 November) meeting of member states belonging to the “Friends of Cohesion” group, the Prime Minister, the Development Minister and I will participate in order to coordinate our efforts with the member states with whom we share common goals and pursuits.”
- “We have built alliances with members states and European organs, and what we want the EU to take as its compass – its point of reference – is the real state of affairs, and not the ‘virtual’ statistical reality of 2008-2010.”
- “Beyond a positive outcome for the negotiations on cohesion and Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), we are also pursuing increased funding for policies provided for by the Lisbon Treaty and being included in the multiannual financial framework for the first time. I am referring in particular to migration policy, because dealing with the impact of migration is a critical issue for Greece.”
November 12, 2012