Brussels, 8 July 2014
Thank you, Pier Carlo. Let me begin by wishing you “In bocca al lupo!” for a successful Italian Presidency.
Of course, the major challenge
for the coming months will be to strengthen the economic recovery in
Europe. Our long-term growth strategy, Europe 2020, which we discussed
today, contains the right reform priorities – but we must ensure that we
deliver on the commitments made.
The key to unlocking growth in
Europe is to wholeheartedly embrace structural reforms, while
maintaining fiscal discipline to reduce the high levels of debt. There
is no way around these twin imperatives.
We had a very good discussion
today on these subjects. There was a strong consensus that the economic
governance framework we have put in place is appropriate, and provides a
solid basis for sound public finances and the advancement of structural
reforms.
There was a very clear and
welcome emphasis on structural reforms. There was very strong support
for the position the Commission has consistently held, that reforms must
go hand in hand with fiscal consolidation and that there is no
contradiction between these two.
These were the main points, and I
think that, considering the Commission is in a transitional period, the
strategic discussions about economic policies will be more for the next
Commission, but from the Commission side, we will do our utmost to
contribute to a successful Italian Presidency - and I believe this will
be a serious Presidency.
Thank you.
