A Budget for Europe: liberal priorities for the EU budget 2014-2020

A copy of the draft theme resolution for next month's European Liberal Democrats Congress in Palermo has reached me. So, over the next few days, I'm going to publish it (in sections), and let you have my thoughts. And where better to start than...

Preamble

The effects of the global economic and financial crisis that began in 2008 continue to be felt by the European Union (EU) and its member states. The crisis is not over and Europe’s response to it remains a matter of vital importance.

So far, so obvious...

The crisis has highlighted how interconnected the world has become, and shown that no single country can overcome the consequences of such an upheaval in economic and financial markets on its own. European Liberal Democrats believe that it is only through coordinated action at the European level that member states of the Union will return to a path of growth, employment and prosperity. Therefore, it is essential that the EU budget for the seven-year period from 2014 to the end of 2020 is one that promotes and enables initiatives to be undertaken at European level, in order to meet these goals and to make a demonstrable difference to the lives of European citizens, whether at local, regional or national level.

It's the 'promotes and enables initiatives to be taken at European level' bit that would really upset our Coalition partners, isn't it...

It is therefore vital that on the expenditure side the EU budget focuses on creating European added value and puts European interests above those of individual countries, including on matters of research and development and innovation within the framework of the Europe 2020 strategy and in tackling climate change and reducing the EU’s dependency on external, un-environmentally friendly energy sources. In this regard, there must also be a clear route for the long-term financing of the EU that deflects the discussion away from national interests about how much money countries are going to get back from the European pot at the end of each year, and establishes the focal point of budget discussions on how to use the EU budget most effectively for the common good of the Union.

Putting European interests above those of individual countries? This is entirely worthy, but assumes a level of altruism that is NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN. That's never. Sad, but true. One can dream though...

So, there's a gentle introduction to the thinking of our European liberal family. They're so cute... Tomorrow, I'll be looking at some of their thoughts on creating added value from EU expenditure...