• “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