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Kirkhope Calls on the Commission to Deliver Realm Reform
Wednesday January 26, 2005
Speaking in the debate in the European Parliament on the European Commission's Work Programme for 2005, Timothy Kirkhope, Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament, said:
"The emphasis which the Commission places in its 2005 Work Programme on creating prosperity in Europe is welcome and overdue. Central to success will be the outcome of the Lisbon Strategy review which will be discussed at the Spring European Council. The language used on competitiveness, entrepreneurship, research, growth and jobs is more robust than under the last Commission.
However, there remains much work to be done to convince certain Member States of the need for effective and tough reform of Europe's economies. The revised Lisbon Strategy must not be weighed down with political correctness. Much has recently changed in Europe. The enlargement of the Union has brought in countries who are strongly committed to flexible labour markets, to competitive taxation policies and the development of free trade.
In addition, we face the major challenges of competing not just with the United States, but with the emerging giants of China and India. Europe cannot simply go on talking about reform to meet these challenges.
We will judge this Commission in part on its effectiveness in creating the environment for real economic reform, its commitment to less and better regulation, its determination to ensure that taxpayers' money is used efficiently and that fraud and mismanagement are tackled with great vigour.
ENDS
