Ahead of the Merkel-Cameron meeting in London the Presidents of the European Movement UK and the European Movement Germany call on the Chancellor and the Prime Minister to use the EU budget as a vehicle that can help the EU as whole to overcome the current economic crisis.
 
EM-UK President the Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP and EM-Germany President Mr Rainer Wend said in a joint statement that “The talks should focus on ways to make the best possible use of the EU budget, rather than self-defeating red lines and vetoes”.
 
Charles Kennedy MP, said “In a time of economic contraction the EU budget must be used as a tool for investment in growth-inducing areas, with emphasis being placed on research and development, green technologies as well as digital and telecommunications infrastructure across Europe”.
 
According to Mr. Wend, EM-Germany President, “The EU needs a budget for growth, with strong emphasis on competitiveness and spending reforms as well as solidarity. Investing in the generation of jobs at one part of the EU can produce growth in another”.
 
At just above 1% of EU GDP the EU budget constitutes only a tiny proportion of government spending. But it has the potential to generate economies of scale for Member States. By focusing spending at the EU level in areas of mutual interest, Member States can avoid duplication and actually achieve savings at home.
 
“The UK is a major beneficial of EU spending in research and development and EU funds have helped transform parts of Merseyside and Cornwall, among others” said Charles Kennedy MP.
 
The Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP and Mr Wend concluded by expressing the wish that “both leaders will assume a communitarian approach in the EU budget negotiations at the end of November and work with other EU States at promoting the economic well-being of the EU as a whole instead of narrow and short-term national interests”.
 
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For further details please contact Lena Donner in the European Movement press team at press@euromove.org.uk or 07920 840003.

Notes for Editors:

The European Movement is a cross-party organisation campaigning to inform the debate on European integration and promote understanding of what the EU does and how the UK benefits from EU membership. Its President is Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP and its Chairman is Petros Fassoulas.