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Home arrow newsitems arrow EU Parliament biggest group head Daul to EuroFora: Anti-Corruption + Greek Debt: Decision December ?

EU Parliament biggest group head Daul to EuroFora: Anti-Corruption + Greek Debt: Decision December ?

Written by ACM
Dienstag, 25 Oktober 2011

 20111025_11.57.04_400

The President of EU Parliament's greatest Political Group of MEPs, that of ChristianDFeemocrats/EPP, French MEP Joseph Daul, speaking exclusively to "EuroFora", did not exclude that the dynamics of an Anti-Corruption approach (as advised by "EuroFora" since 12/2009 : See f.ex. our NewsReport of 21/10/2011) might be considered during the currently culminating efforts to search the Right Solution for the huge Debt provoked on Greece, and related €uroZone issues, considering, on the contrary, that the question remains Open, because Facts really need a Better Analysis, including at a Political level, so that a Final and thorough decision would need more Time, in both exchanges of views, contacts and thought, so that a complete settlement of this issue might take "4 Weeks" and even be postponed, if not entirely at least partially, until the next EU Summit scheduled for the Beginning of "December"... (9/12/2011).

-------------------------------

"On the matters which probably remain still open for settlement about the Debt in Greece, do you think that it might be possible to succeed to take with us at least a part of the Citizens' Movement, in order to make Real, Structural Reforms ?  F.ex. concerning the notoriously large number of individuals who got various cushy jobs in the State or the wider public sector by Nepotism during the 1980-2000 period, mainly by former PASOK's Governments, whose salaries are now paid by Greek Citizens and the whole EU, as long as they remain hired, since it's their Salary Mass which provokes problems, and now, they are even searching to get Retirement benefits !", "EUROFORA" denounced in our question to Daul.


- "In this regard, do you think that the issue of the ANti-Corruption struggle could help to attract at least part of the Popular Movement, which declares itself strongly against Corruption, for what happened in the period 1980-2010, in order to join together with those who wish Really Efficient Structural Reforms in the State/Public sector,  i.e. without cripling the Productive Economy, nor putting excessive burdens over Poor People ?"
---------------
Daul, speaking Carefuly, did not exclude anything at this moment, but prefered to wait even up to December EU Summit...


On the contrary, he revealed that he guessed, and probably understood, that the matter needs further Analysis, an overall view, and certainly a conscious Political choice of an efficient strategy :


>>> "You are right", he replied to "EuroFora", "it's (a) very complicated issue", (i.e. not only "Technical", but also Political), Daul acknowledged.

=> Therefore,  "for Greece, I'm still Waiting", the President of the biggest Group in EU Parliament prefered to say.

- This might take "3 or 4 Weeks", (i.e. almost a Month), he estimated extensively.

+ -"Because now, they are still trying to see" concrete details. So that, "with the Delegations that we have sent, the (EU )Commission and others", "I'm waiting for (further) Information" on some points, Daul added, but without revealing yet precisely what he meant exactly), "and that they give us" a thorough overview.


>>> Thus, "we (EU Parliament) shall see, Afterwards", he appeared satisfied with an at least partial postponement.

- At any case, "they (EU Heads of State/Government) cannot decide everything tomorrow" (Wednesday, October 26, at the complementary Brussels' €uroZone Summit), he estimated.

In fact,, this may take even longer than just a few "Days or Weeks" as "EuroFora" initially supposed :

- "No, in my view, this might take up to (the beginning of) Decembert" 2011, Daul surprised "EuroFora" by anouncing as plausible.

- Because, "in the meantime, there are a lot of things" to do, "such as a Report, the COOPER, and all that, etc", he added, without entering into concrete details.


=> So, "it will almost certainly be on December"s EU Summit, scheduled at the beginning of the Month, on Friday, 9/12/2011, he speculated in conclusion.


This may also give Time for more clear throughts and analysis of the situation about Greece, its real causes and the best solutions, he agreed.
--------------------                                                                                                          
In fact, Daul seems to understand that a crystal-clear "DEBATE" on the Debt provoked to Greece "must take place" :


-"Of course, we (EU) should be more proactive", he replied earlier to another Journalist's question during this morning's Press Conference. "Because "Businessmen and Markets are".

question_a_daul_400 

- "But, here, we are speaking of Heads of State/Government, who have also to find the Money needed".


- So, even if it's true that "Delays would cost us more, at the end", "however, that's the price for Democracy !", he stressed.

daul_on_debate_400


- "The EPP (ChristianDemocrat Group) never was for Dictatorship, and this Debate must take place !", Daul concluded, using an interesting formula, astonishingly close to "EuroFora"s main analysis (Comp. supra).
-----------------------------------
 - "We are living an Important moment", Daul anounced from the outset, since the beginning of his Press Conference, earlier this morning.

daulo_decided_400


-"I don't believe that there will be a Miracle tomorrow (at the Heads of State/Government Summit), even among ChristianDemocrats miracles are rare today", he joked. "But I think that we shall advance on the Plan for the way out of the Crisis".


- "It's not  €uro's Crisis, otherwise the rate of exchange from €uro to the Dollar wouldn't remain at 1,35, 1.40 or 1.80", the MEPs' leader critically observed, agreeing with several other analysts, (including, f.ex., former French President and former Chairman of EU's constitutional Convention, Valery Giscard d'Estaing : See ptrevious "EuroFora"s NewsReport with Giscard's statements).


=> The Head of the greatest Group of MEPs since the 2009 EU Elections also "saluted the work done by the Franco-German couple", and reminded an observation by German Chancellor Angie Merkel, who had noted, in this regard, that "we don't hinder anyone to make proposals. But, if others have different proposals to make, where are they ?"... "So, I think that now, (EU Commission's) President Barroso should take into account the proposals which are already on the table, examine them, and make us some Joint, common Proposals the soonest", he advised.
----------------
Meanwhile, apparently supporting the controversial stance of the unstable "Socialist" Government currently in Athens, a Journalist from Greece wanted to know whether the Criticism expressed by the ChristianDemocrat/EPP Opposition leader Antonis Samaras was muzzled, or not, by some among his pairs in Brussels :

compra_quest_400_01


- Thus, he asked Daul "if, during the last EPP meeting in Brussels, you spoke to the (Greek) Opposition Leader and if you convinced him to change his mind ?" (He obviously meant former Foreign Minister and MEP, Samaras, recently elected New President of the main Opposition party in Greece, "New Democracy", which is surfing now at the Highest rang in People's preferences according to Polls, and repeatedly called for Elections in order to change Government and Strategy in the talks with the EU - IMF Troika Experts on the Plan for the Greek Economy, in vain, given the persistent Refusal of the incubent PASOK Prime Minister Giorgos Papandreou...
 
- "We are analyzing the real situation in Greece, where we recently sent some representatives, and with whom we are closely in touch", replied Daul.


- Now, we'd better leave 2 or 3 weeks to the Experts the technical work, and, afterwards, we must react on a Political level". Because "I think that Political Decisions are needed for Greece, which must be applied".

daul_pol_decisions_should_be_applied_in_greece_400


- "And , in order to be applied, it should be done like in Portugal or Ireland, i.e. they must have a Majority in order to apply these Decisions. And we are working firmly on that", Daul concluded, (as if he meant that a Political Change, in order to find a Large and Stable Majority, might be better for Greece)..

Indeed, Daul said that at a moment when the controversial current PASOK Government has no more than only a ...3 votes thin "Majority", with one MP already warning that she will not support anew such moves, while Polls largely give a winning percentage to the main Opposition, the ChristianDemocrats/EPP of "Nouvelle Democratie", whose leader Samaras has repeatedly asked recently for Elections, until now refused by the governing PASOK.

--------------------
-  "Now it's important to win Trust anew", added earlier the experienced French Governing party's MEP Jean Paul Gauzes.


+ Speaking  "on the "Technical" issue",  Gauzes, observed that "the Difficulty to restructure Greece's Debt is not the Height, because it can be supported. The problem is not to leave a Bad Signal to the Markets by giving the impression that what happens in Greece might happen also for any other Country !"


- "The situation in Greece is absolutely unique", he reiterated, almost approaching "EuroFora"s analysis.


- "And we should regret that on May 2010 we (EU)associated the Debt in Greece with a so-called €uro Problem, which does not exist". "But that's the Past", and it's always easier afterwards to criticize".


 - "However, the real question now is how to find a Mechanism to isolate the problem existing in Greece, so that nobody believes that it might be afterwards duplicated for any other country, i.e. the so-called "Domino" effect,  Because, if we reason in such terms, then, the Dimension of the Stability Fund willl never be sufficient, if some add the total of all Debts of all €uro area Countries, arriving nowhere..


 - "So, we must made it clear that Greece's case is very Specific,, Portugal's and Ireland's cases being very Different", as Daul also observed, (NB : on the existence of a clear Political Majority agreing on a Strategy of Reforms, contrary to Greece, where PASOK has been notoriously isolated, with only a fragile 3 votes thin "majority" in the National Parliament),


- "Greece is a special case. We must settle it with special responses to a particular situation. At any case, the Plan due to be adopted won't be applicable but only after 2013", the experienced Gauzes also pointed out...

***

(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already sent earlier to "EuroFora"s SUbscribers/Donors. Watch out for a possible Final Version, more accurate and complete, asap).


***

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
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    The incoming Swedish EU Presidency (July-December 2009) may still remain in favour of Turkey's controversial EU bid, despite June 2009 EU Elections' results, but it has "very strong demands on Turkey"'s obligation to respect EU Rules, said the Head of Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service, Cecilia Julin, to "EuroFora", reacting to critical Press reports.

    - "I know (that) the link is often made also to Sweden's position on Turkey"'s controversial EU bid. Indeed, "we (Swedish EU Presidency) are very much engaged in the future membership of Turkey, but not without fullfiling all the Criteria".

    - "It's very clear that we (Swedish EU Presidecny) have very Strong Demands on Turkey, in a sort of concept for Future membership of the Union, ...which will be a Long Process...", she stressed.

    This means, in particular, "the Copenhagen Criteria (on Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law), and also the adaptation to the Acquis of the European Union".

     - "If you listen to what Mr. Bildt (the Swedish Foreign Minister) says on Turkey at different occasions, it's very clear : We want Turkey to become part of the Union, in the Future. But we want it to fullfil all the Criteria : The Acquis of the European Union. That's very clear", she concluded.

    The Senior Official of the Swedish Foreign Ministry was reacting to critical Press Reports, from Brussels' Journalists invited by EU Commission's secretariat to Stockholm, who claimed that Bildt was abusing of a ..."Whip" (sic !) against Cyprus, by "threatening" the presence of UNO's Peace-keeping force at the "Green line" which separates the island's Government-controlled areas from the territories occupied by Ankara's army, if Nicosia didn't accept any political solution, regardless of Turkey's demands, before the end of 2009.

        Governing AKEL Party's new Secretary General, Andros Kyprianou, reacted by declaring that no-one can threat the People of Cyprus : -"We shall decide for our Future, and nobody else",  he reportedly said, asking to "keep calm". "In order to find a Solution soon, certain basic Principles must be respected", he stressed, calling those who feel an urgency to use their influence on Turkey. Other Political Parties were more critical.

    This was a reference to recently reported statements by Turkish Minister Bagis, Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan and Turkey's National Security Council (a Military-Political body), accused to push towards a partitionist "2 States" solution, contrary to UNO SC Resolutions for Cyprus' reunification.

    December 2009 is a crucial moment for EU's appraisal of Turkey's controversial EU bid, because EU Council has decided to review then Ankara's compliance with the European position on the recognition of Cyprus' Government, which was clearly set out by an EU reply of 21 September 2005 to Turkish Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan's claims, refusing to recognize even the existence of EU Member Cyprus, in controversial statements he made to London (former EU chair) on July 29, 2005.

    EU Parliament's latest Resolution on Turkey, adopted on March 2009 in Strasbourg, warned Ankara that "the non-fulfillment of Turkey's commitments... by December 2009, may further seriously affect the process of Negotiations" with the EU.

    In practice, the issue boils down to Ankara's "embargo" against Ships and Airplanes using Cyprus' seaports or airports at the strategic EU island, which traditionaly hosts one of the World's biggest Shipping flags. EU has already "freezed" 6 relevant Chapters in EU - Turkey Negotiations since December 2006, after Ankara refused to fullfil a commitment it had undertaken when EU had decided to open controversial "accession" negotiations with Turkey, back on December 2005.

    - "As far as EU - Turkey relations are concerned, it's clear that Turkey needs to fullfil its obligation of full, non-discriminatory implementation of the additional Protocol (to "EC-Turkey Association Agreement"),  This is an important issue....and should be addresseed as soon as possible as it clearly affects the pace of the accession negotiations.Issues covered by the Declaration of September 2005 will continue to be followed up, and progress is urgently awaited", warned earlier in Strasbourg the out-going Czech EU Presidency (former vice-Prime Minister Alexander Vodra).

    But the Head of the Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service, Cecilia Julin, dismissed "interpretations" by "some" that Foreign Minister Carl Bildt was reportedly "threatening" Cyprus with consequences on the UNFICYP, if it doesn't accept any solution until December 2009, while Turkey is reportedly delaying in an attempt to impose a partitionist "2 States" solution.

    On the contrary, Julin, stressed that "Sweden has strong demands on Turkey'"s respect of "Copenhagen Criteria and EU Acquis".

    Meanwhile, Sweden  is "concerned" about the risk of "Stalemate" in Cyprus' Talks, but is well aware that "the main responsibilities lie with the two leaders and the UNO", Europe playing only a role of "facilitator".

    After carefully verifying, the Head of Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service, stressed to "EuroFora" that Bildt's reference to UNFICYP "was not linked to a Threat", and dismissed those who "interpreted" it so.

    On the contrary, the Swedish EU Presidency acknowledged the fact that Peace Talks are mainly for the UN and the leaders of the Cypriot communities, EU's role being limited into that of a "facilitator".

    As for Turkey's reported attempts to impose a "2 States' solution", the Head of the Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service sharply replied by stressing that Turkey must respect the "EU Acquis" rules.

    In particular :

    - "Basically he (Bildt) underlined that it's the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus and the UN that have the main responsibilities for solving the problem", started to say the Swedish Senior Official to "EuroFora", referring to the above-mentioned "briefing".

    - "But the EU had a role in sort of pointing out the benefits and facilitating a little bit the outcome for the settlement of the whole Cyprus' issue", she added.

    - "And he did state the Fact, that the rest of the World (i.e. USA, etc) will, of course, look at the differend issues which are at the table, and the future of the UN Peace keeping force is part of what is at the table", she admitted.

    - "I understand that some have interpreted that as a Threat, by the Swedish Minister" "But", in reality, "it's a statement of a Fact, that, when we'll look at the differend issues, one of the issues on which we shall have to take a stand on, is the future of the UN Peace keeping force in Cyprus".

    Indeed, one of the questions usually raised for a Solution of Cyprus' issue is what International and/or European or other Guarantees, by a Peace-keeping force, might be needed afterwards, eventually for a transitory period.

    Questioned anew by "EuroFora" whether (according to critical Press Reports) this could be taken as a veiled warning that, if Cyprus didn't accept any Turkish demand for any solution whatever, it might be left alone to face Ankara's Military Invasion/Occupation, she denied :

    - "He (Bildt) didn't say it in that way"... "It was not linked to a threat, or anything like that", the Head of the Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service stressed.

    On the contrary, "he (Bildt) underlined that the main responsibility lies with the parties concerned on the island". "The EU can try to facilitate and show the benefits of reaching a settlement. But also, when the EU and the rest of the World (i.e. USA) will have to look at it, they will look at all the Facts on the table, and the presence of the UN Peace-keeping force is one".

    And "he (Bildt) didn't speak about that at all", she replied to "EuroFora" question on Turkey's reported attemps to impose, in one way of another, a partitionist "2 States solution".

    Asked whether Bildt's aim was to incite both parties to move forward efficiently, she agreed :

    - In fact, "the EU is really very concerned with the Stalemate in the situation. Yes !", the Head of Sweden's Foreign Ministry's Press Service anounced. That's why Bildt "was hoping for the two parties (i.e. for Turkey's also) to engage and break, a little-bit, the present stalemate, come to a solution of the issue" of Cyprus.

    But, replying  to a "EuroFora"s question on the risk, denounced by several politicians in case of strict Time Deadlines, for Turkey to provoke a stalemate and wait for the time to come to impose a partitionist "2 States' solution", she reacted by pointing at Turkey's obligation to respect "EU Acquis" :

    - "Turkey must fullfil the EU Acquis : That's clear !", the Swedish Senior Official stressed.

    More details are expected when Swedish Prime Minister Reinfeldt will debate his Programme with new MEPs at EU Parliament's plenary mid-July in Strasbourg, that he has visited already in 2008.

    Foreign Minister Carl Bildt became familiar with Strasbourg's CoE last year, when Sweden chaired the PanEuropean organization of Human Rights. As EU chairman-in-office, he will also chair the 27-member States strong EU Group inside the 47-member States strong CoE.

    Minister for EU affairs, Cecilia Malmstrom is well known at EU Parliament, where she has been an active MEP of the Liberal Group for many years, following also Press Freedom issues.

    Both have already made various statements at "EuroFora", on differend topical matters.

    ***

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