The EU needs a strong policy response to election results – Donohoe

30th May, 2014

Speaking at an informal meeting of EU European Affairs Ministers in Athens, Greece today (Friday 30th May), Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe TD, said ‘it is exceptionally important that the EU prioritises the delivery of a strong policy response to the results of the European Parliament elections. This response should be focused on jobs and growth’.

 

The meeting, which was convened by the Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union, focussed on the European Parliament and how to further enhance the Council’s relationship with MEPs, in light of the results of the recent elections.

 

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Donohoe said: ‘The economic crisis and the lack of employment opportunities have had a severe impact on communities and societies across Europe. As we formulate our response to the elections, and to the new composition of the European Parliament, we must ensure that delivering policies to address these difficulties will remain our primary consideration’.

 

Regarding the relationship between the EU Institutions, Minister Donohoe said: ‘as the European Parliament organises itself around new political groupings, and as a new European Commission comes into office in the months ahead, new ways need to be found for the Institutions to work better together’.

“The European Union is based on the equality and parity between Member States. This equality is ensured by a strong, independent Commission, which has the right of legislative initiative and a role which is protected by the Treaties. While it is for the new President of the Commission to formulate the College of Commissioners, it is vital for this strength to be maintained through the legislative abilities of its twenty eight members.”

 

On the issue of the election of the new Commission President, Minister Donohoe commented that: ‘the European Union has created an expectation, on which the European Parliament elections were conducted, regarding the process whereby the President of the Commission would be nominated. It is important for our credibility in the eyes of our voters that this expectation is met’.

Ends