Juncker Commission's plan will stimulate Internal Market

The plan of the Juncker Commission to unlock both private and public investments, expected to be launched this month, can only stimulate the EU's competitiveness by improving the Internal Market.

This was the conclusion made today by EPP Group Vice-Chairwoman Esther de Lange MEP at the 21st Summit of Chairmen of EPP Parliamentary Groups in National Parliaments and the European Parliament. Extensive discussions on kick-starting the European economy were held at the summit with European Commissioners and Parliamentarians.

The Juncker Commission's plan is a top priority. "This is the way forward. We should not burden future generations with more debt", said De Lange, adding that it was the EPP who took measures to tackle the economic crisis.

Several European Commissioners from the EPP family also participated in the discussions. "The Commission plan will need to be implemented immediately", said Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President of the European Commission. His fellow Vice-President Jyrki Katainen added that the European economy is now hampered by low confidence levels and financing problems in several Member States. These problems can be tackled by improving the lending capacity of the European Investment Bank (EIB), as well as improving the European Internal Market.

"The time is right, more than ever before, for pushing to improve the Internal Market", stated Katainen. "Why not simplify more rules or create an internal market for energy?", Katainen asked.

Esther de Lange underlined: "What is the use of putting money in a project if the surrounding market is not right?".

At the meeting, De Lange also welcomed Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group, as well as Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission. As a member of the Party of European Socialists, Timmermans is the first non-EPP participant ever at a Summit of Chairmen of EPP Parliamentary Groups.