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Lisbon One Year On - A View from the Commission

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About this Event

05 Nov 2010 @ 12:45

About the Speech:

In an insightful and wide ranging address, Catherine Day spoke of the Commission’s responsibility to protect the euro zone and to work in close partnership with the member states on the emerging EU economic governance framework. She spoke of the limited nature of the recent proposals for treaty change to accommodate the creation of a permanent European Financial Stability Fund, which would not involve a transfer of powers to the Union, if the 'simplified revision procedure' under Art. 48.6 of the Lisbon Treaty is used. It would ultimately be a matter for member states to decide if they needed a referendum to ratify the change.

Catherine Day noted that internal economic difficulties have prevented the Union from being a strong presence on the international stage for the past year and stressed the importance of enhancing the EU’s visibility and coordination on foreign policy. Ms. Day discussed the evolving institutional dynamics in the post-Lisbon environment and stressed the need to find effective modes of interaction between the Council and the Parliament, as the Parliament has become more assertive in its post-Lisbon role. She also highlighted the need for the institutions to respect the right of initiative of the European Commission. Ms. Day referenced a recent speech by Chancellor Merkel at the College of Europe in Bruges, in which she explored the role of intergovernmentalism in the EU.  The Chancellor described the role of actors in the EU such as the European Council of Heads of State and Government, the Council of Ministers and the member states as the “Union Method” in contrast to the traditionally accepted “Community Method” of doing business in the EU, which protects the interests of both larger and smaller member states. Ms. Day said that it was important for smaller states to ensure that their voice is heard in the Union.

Looking to the future, Ms. Day suggested that Ireland should reflect on its position on key forthcoming issues such as the Common Consolidated Tax Base, which would respect the unanimity rule on taxation, the Budget Review and the next Multiannual Financial Framework, and the impact of the Union’s trade agenda for certain sectors of the economy.

 

About the Speaker:

Catherine Day is the Secretary-General of the European Commission, a post which she has held since 2005. Prior to this appointment, she served as Director-General for the Environment in the Commission. She has also worked in the Directorate General for External Relations and Enlargement and has served in the cabinets of Commissioners Sir Leon Brittan, Peter Sutherland and Richard Burke.

 

 

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