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Theme Resolution: Working Together for a Competitive Europesupport@globulebleu.com, Monday 26 September 2005 14:53 ::Theme Resolution adopted at the ELDR Congress in Bratislava, 24 September 2005
Recognising that the future prosperity of the EU depends upon how well it can compete globally, ELDR notes that the newly joined countries have much to offer the EU in their dynamic approach to reform and potential to promote competitiveness. The policies and institutions of the Union should respond positively to the needs of business, assuring the good functioning of the European internal market, and the internal market of financial services. A radical reform of the EU budget should be implemented. ELDR therefore proposes the following objectives in 10 key areas. Working Together for a Competitive Europe
1. External Competitiveness: Accept globalisationEuropean liberals favour globalisation, from which Europe can benefit greatly. Using competition in the internal market to reduce prices for consumers in the EU is also a way of making prices of our products and services competitive for export. The EU now faces high technology competition from China and India as well as the established big economies of US and Japan. Europe must look for its place in the global economy, among others by strengthening sectors where it has a comparative advantage. 2. Economic Reform: The key to success European liberals value the progress in economic reforms achieved by new EU member countries, partly due to their integration ambitions. Pro-reform and pro-investment oriented governments, democratic political conditions, low taxes, flexible and competitive labour markets, stable currency and simplified rules in the business environment – all these are reasons why businesses are being established or transferred to the new member countries. This new dynamism and internal competitiveness gives an incentive for some of the old EU member countries to reform as well and thus is one of the factors that can make Europe more competitive in the world. 3. Social Reform: The European DreamA reformed economy is just the first step for a country and its citizens to prosper. It needs to provide all its citizens with high quality and accessible healthcare, flexible and competitive education, sound and transparent pensions, employment, and continued adherence to the “acquis”. Europe is becoming one big market for goods, services, capital and labour, so no European country should underestimate any of these areas. 4. Tax Competition: Good for competitivenessWithin broadly balanced budgets, member states have the right to determine their own balance of taxation and services. Tax competition in the corporate sector can be used by Member-States to attract businesses. Harmonisation should only be used to correct trade distortions. European liberals encourage tax competition as it gives incentives to mobility and choice, therefore stimulating the dynamics of the internal market. 5. Regions: Competitiveness depends on all levels of government The EU's competitiveness goals cannot be achieved without involving citizens in the project, enabling them to participate fully in the economy. Regional and local authorities have a key role in enabling citizen participation. The institutions of the EU, especially the Parliament and Committee of the Regions, must establish a real partnership with Europe's regions and cities to promote competitiveness, research and innovation and a generalised spirit of creativity and entrepreneurship. The partnership should include financial resources for regional policy focused on competitiveness, going beyond convergence policy which should concentrate resources on the poorest regions. The Commission should implement the provisions for subsidiarity from the Constitution immediately. 6. Women: Equal opportunities and statusThe EU’s ability to reach its Lisbon targets depends to a great extent on the degree to which we shall be able to increase the equal participation of women in all spheres of life, in particular in employment at all levels. Unfortunately the gap between current employment rates and targets is still very large. We need a concerted effort particularly by providing better child-care facilities, life-long education, greater incentives for self employment, opportunities for part-time work with equal pay and status, fair sharing in family and household responsibilities, narrowing the gap between pay and opportunities for men and women. 7. Labour: Meeting our needs Many European countries already suffer from significant labour shortages and this phenomenon will shortly affect larger parts of the EU, due to its ageing population. A comprehensive scheme for labour immigration to the EU would be an effective way to meet future needs for labour. An EU-wide “green card” should be considered. However, many people tend to enter the labour market later and benefit from healthy ageing, therefore it makes sense to adjust retirement age accordingly. The modernisation of the social protection system should aim at providing incentives for workers to stay active longer and for employers to hire and keep older workers on the payroll. In parallel, moving towards more flexible working patterns could allow people to engage in lifelong learning or take time away from work for family, volunteering or travelling or other reasons. 8. Climate Change: Preventing climate change through technological progress Climate change and environmental damage must not be the way to subsidise competitiveness, within the EU or by importation. The EU must make strong representation on the international stage to achieve effective agreements. It must ensure that its own targets are met by real energy saving and world-leading technological progress rather than by shifting production to other countries merely to meet eco-targets. Taxation in EU countries should be shifted to consumption, including on imported products. 9. Research and Development: Europe to become centre of scientific excellence Liberals also favour competition in research, to achieve excellence in our technology. Europe should become again the centre of excellence and research opportunities, and compete with other centres of research and development. For this, the EU should implement greater investment in science and technology in the 2007/2013 Financial Perspectives. Collaboration at the EU level on large projects should be encouraged. But brain drain is increasing and represents probably the largest single threat to Europe’s growth in the years to come. However, the current trends can be reversed if the correct measures are adopted such as: providing greater assistance to EU universities and research institutions, more scholarships for PhD and post-doctoral research for both EU and other (third) country nationals, and simplified conditions for employment for third countries’ scientists. 10. Communication networks: Highway to growth In order to be more competitive, Europe needs transnational networks for transport and communication. This will promote greater mobility of goods and citizens around European countries. Working together for a competitive Europe, the European Liberal Democrats call upon their member parties, MEPs and Commissioners to promote these objectives. |
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