Binding roadmap to finalise the Internal Market in 2019 (2) - Main contents
During today's debate with the Dutch Prime Minister Rutte about the priorities of the Dutch Presidency, the European Liberals and Democrats have urged him to propose a binding roadmap to open up the Internal Market in 2019.
ALDE leader Guy Verhofstadt said: "25 Years after the establishment of the Internal Market launched by Jaques Delors, we need to give it a new boost. Only 35% of the Internal Market is open.
If we want to create real growth and tackle unemployment, it is high time that we untap the potential of the remaining 65%. We need a "Delors 2 package" with binding deadlines to open up the markets of the future, such as energy, telecommunications, transport and capital in 2019."
Sophie in 't Veld (D66, The Netherlands), added:“ Europe needs results. Not mere cosmetic changes or symbolic measures but real reforms to make Europe stronger. Rutte needs to seize the opportunity of the midterm review of the EU multiannual budget for a complete overhaul of the archaic and inefficient system. The next opportunity will be in 2027, let's not waste time."
Hans van Baalen (VVD, The Netherlands) concluded: “The outer borders of the EU need to be secured in order to safeguard the Schengen area, which is vital for our economy and crucial if we are to cope with the refugee crisis. Time is not on our side and we can no longer accept that some EU countries are still reluctant to comply. Member states that still do not want to secure the EU’s outer border should leave the Schengen area, countries that want to but cannot should accept help.”
“Prime Minister is right to focus on fulfilling the EU internal market because this will lead to millions of additional jobs, only economic growth can bring the unemployment rates down.”
“The UK is stronger within the EU and the EU is stronger with the UK in, the Dutch Presidency has struck the right tone to try to negotiate a good and final deal with Cameron.”