Katainen is our man for jobs and growth

EPP Group looks forward to working with Jyrki Katainen

"The EPP Group is looking forward to working with Jyrki Katainen to set up the new European Investment Programme. He is our man for jobs and growth. Today he showed that he is well prepared for this extremely important job", said Burkhard Balz MEP, EPP Group Spokesman in the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, after today's Hearing of Katainen, the Finnish European Commission Vice-President-Designate.

"As Prime Minister of Finland, Katainen managed to rein in government debt and helped Finland weather the financial and economic crisis very well. I think we can learn a lot from his ideas. He is definitely well versed on the subject, very competent and the EU needs him in this capacity. He is the right man for the job", said David Casa MEP, EPP Group Spokesman in the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs.

Katainen will prove to Europe that investments and budgetary discipline are not a contradiction. Burkhard Balz MEP

The €300 billion Investment Programme announced by Jean-Claude Juncker will be an important part of the work of the new European Commission. "The Investment Programme is the litmus test. Katainen will prove to Europe that investments and budgetary discipline are not a contradiction", Balz pointed out.

The EPP Group MEP emphasised how important the Single Market is for Katainen to complete his job. "We expect a quantum leap forward from Katainen in this area. The essential instrument for jobs, growth and competitiveness is the determined and unfearful implementation of the Single Market", concluded Balz.