EU
#ALDE and #EPP form pro-European coalition
ALDE and EPP have formed a pro-European coalition to reform Europe. The coalition invites other groups to join.
EPP leader Manfred Weber (pictured) said: "The EPP Group has always been pushing for an approach that is based on partnership - we remain true to that principle and will continue to deliver. We want to act together to bring results for European citizens and guarantee Europe's stability. Our partnership is based on content and on reforms for Europe. It is a pact for results. We invite all pro-European forces to join our partnership."
ALDE leader Guy Verhofstadt said: "This is a first important step in the construction of a pro-European coalition to reform and strengthen our union, which is absolutely necessary. With Trump, with Putin, with many other challenges Europe faces, it is key we co-operate to reform our Union. Our coalition plan is open to all pro-European groups. It’s a coalition of ideas to change the direction of the European Union. The agreement entails a European border and coast guard. A new governance for the eurozone to lift us out of the crisis. A European defence force to make Europe safe again. And we agreed also to examine whether a European intelligence and investigation capacity is necessary to fight terrorism and international crime."
As part of this political agreement, both groups will back Antonio Tajani to become president of the European Parliament.
Agreement in full
EPP - ALDE Agreement Europe is in crisis. Nationalists and populists of all boards try to destroy the Union from within and from outside. A pro-European coalition is needed to withstand this attempt. A co-operation of all the pro-European groups and MEPs in the House not to defend the status quo, but to deliver on the needs of the European citizen and to reform the European Union.
Therefore, the EPP and ALDE - beyond their ideological differences - have decided to work closely together and to offer a common platform as a starting point for this pro-European cooperation. We appeal to all other pro-European forces in the House to join this initiative and to add their ideas and their priorities to our agenda of reform.
(1) In recent decades, we as Europeans achieved a lot. But now, we need a fundamental debate and the will for reforms to secure the success-story EU. The starting point for this is the adoption of the three EP-reports (Brok/Bresso, Beres/Böge, Verhofstadt).
Based on these reports the EP will propose to the two other institutions the launch of a common, inter-institutional reflection on the future of the European Union. This reflection must include the possibility of launching a Convention. We need leadership, the future does not wait.
(2) A strengthening of the growth, stability, sustainable development and investment strategy in the Union including support for new ambitious trade agreements. Therefore both groups require from the European Commission to introduce legislative proposals establishing a new economic governance in the European Union and especially in the eurozone based on the so-called Five Presidents report.
In the same spirit they will prepare the new multi annual financial framework using as basis the Monti report from the High Level Group on Own resources. Other issues such as further deepening of the internal market especially in the field of digitalization and energy, fight against bureaucracy, fair taxation and social cohesion will have high priority, taking subsidiarity into account.
(3) This will also be the case for environmental policies and in particular the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the further development of the European emission trading system.
(4) The European Union is a Union based on values.
The EPP and ALDE therefore commit themselves to use the instruments at their disposal when fundamental European principles and values are persistently breached. Moreover they both support the establishment of a new EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights, and ask the Commission for a legislative proposal. The two groups further agreed to support the fact based, fair assessments and recommendations from the European Commission.
(5) A strengthening of European capacities for internal and external security. Both groups will work closely on the establishment of a European Defence Union and commit to the further development of a true European Border and Coast Guard that will effectively manage our common borders, providing protection to those in need and effectively prevent illegal migration. Moreover, there is an urgent need to develop capacities at the European level to better protect our internal security.
An investigation in this regard through the establishment of a special committee will be undertaken. To push forward this agenda the two groups will launch a structured dialogue with the European Commission. The two true European institutions, Parliament and Commission, must build a action unit for results.
In the same spirit, the two groups will engage with their counterparts in the Council and European Council. Finally, both groups will act to ensure the full involvement of the European Parliament in the Brexit negotiations so that the interests of the European citizens are fully taken on board.
The European Parliament resolution will clearly indicate that the presence of the Parliament (besides the Council) in the EU negotiations delegation is a pre-condition for the consent procedure.
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