The energy union, Greece and how to boost the economy were all hotly debated during a discussion on last week’s Council summit and during the European Parliament’s plenary session on March 25. MEPs welcomed plans for closer collaboration on energy issues, but also called attention to the situation in Greece.
European Council President Donald Tusk said reforms were still needed despite improving economic prospects. “The time to reform is now when the wind is blowing in our favour. We still have around five million unemployed young people in the European Union, so nobody can sit down and relax,” he said.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the economy was improving thanks to dropping oil prices and the euro losing some 30% in exchange rate against the US dollar. “This gives us an enormous boost on the short term economic program and we very much intend to make the most of this opportunity,” he said
Françoise Grossetête (EPP, France) said member states should invest more in the energy union and stressed the need for structural reforms in order to re-launch economic growth.
Kathleen Van Brempt (S&D, Belgium) said the strength of the energy union depended on Europe’s global clout: “What we need is a decarbonised economy. There was a time when in Europe we were pioneers when it came to new technologies, renewable energies, energy efficiency… but other areas of the world are overtaking us.”
Syed Kamall (ECR, UK) criticized the Council for not discussing Greece at last week’s summit: “Show that you have the will to provide solutions. Nothing should be considered a little bit too hot for the Council table.”
Guy Verhofstadt (ALDE, BE) urged member states to lead the EC in taking charge on the energy union: “If we don’t have a decision from member states to give a leading role to the Commission in the negotiations about energy agreements and about investments in interconnections, we don’t have a real energy union.”
Neoklis Sylikiotis (GUE/NGL, Cyprus) said the financial extortion of Greece should be stopped: “We should only implement the real reforms that can help the real economy and sort out the serious issues of corruption and tax avoidance.”
Rebecca Harms (Greens/EFA, Germany) expressed her support for the energy union: “If it is done properly it could give us the best way to protect climate and bring innovation in the industrial sectors and also guarantee security of supply vis à vis Russia and other countries that we are dependent on at the moment.”
Harald Vilimsky (NI, Austria) asked why the situation in Greece was not being debated more: “The majority of this house seems to be turning down the opportunity of a debate on the subject: Are you not ashamed?”
