Protectionism is the Wrong Road for Europe
Strasbourg, 14th November 2007 -- The Conservative Leader in the European Parliament called for more reform, not protectionism following President Nicolas Sarkozy's speech to the European Parliament yesterday.
Timothy Kirkhope MEP said:
"President Barroso has said: "Protectionism cannot make Europe wealthier. Protectionism would impoverish, not protect our citizens". This is a crucial statement and one that all European governments should heed and act on.
"There are protectionist tendencies in the EU. If we were to succumb to a protectionist agenda, then we would condemn Europe to certain relative decline. The way forward for Europe is radical reform of the European social model, increased flexibility in labour markets, further action to deregulate and reduce burdens on business, greater liberalisation in telecoms and elsewhere in the internal market, effective implementation of the Services Directive, competitive tax regimes in Member States, a rigorous competition policy and, perhaps above all, a strong and unshakeable commitment to free trade and open markets.
"The message is clear. Reform, reform, reform. It is a message that must now translate into effective policy decisions".
ENDS
