MEPs Grill Šefčovič And Tajani
Monday evening saw Italian Antonio Tajani and Slovak Maroš Šefčovič face a grilling from MEPs on their respective European Commission portfolio’s of industry and entrepreneurship and inter-institutional relations and Administration.
Tajani pledged to support small businesses and Šefčovič the need to get the citizens’ initiative up and running and cooperate better with national parliaments.
Tajani pledges support for small and medium size business
Antonio Tajani faced three hours of questions from the Industry, Research and Energy Committee in Strasbourg Monday evening.
He told MEPs that the relaunch of industry in Europe should be done within the framework of the Commission’s “2020″ jobs and growth strategy (the successor to the Lisbon strategy).
Turning to small and medium size businesses across Europe he said he would push for the implementation of the “SME Business Act” and guarantee that 30 billion euro allocated by the European Investment Bank “will really go to SMEs”. He also promised to act to cut red tape.
Referring to the relationship between industry and environment Mr Tajani called for a “mutually convenient marriage” between the two for a more sustainable growth: “The fight against climate change is a economic and ethical task” he told MEPs. He pointed out that the EU’s rule for environmental and social standards are stricter than many others.
Mr Tajani also called for a focus on implementation of the REACH chemical safety legislation in line with the deadline of 2012, enhancing women’s entrepreneurship and supporting innovation.
Maroš Šefčovič: citizens’ initiative a priority
Speaking to the Constitutional Affairs Committee former Slovak diplomat Maroš Šefčovič outlined his priorities for the post of inter-institutional relations and administration. He said that implementation of the Lisbon treaty, the creation of the citizens initiative, better cooperation between EU institutions and increased transparency were his imperatives.
Taking questions from MEPs Mr Šefčovič on how the citizens’ initiative (where 1 million people can call for a change in EU law) and would work in practice he said his department aim to present plans in spring so that people could start using it by December this year.
He was also asked about his position on whether he would support dropping European Parliament sessions in Strasbourg and keeping them in Brussels. Šefčovič replied that the role of the Commission is “guardian of the EU treaties” and at present the treaties say the seat of the parliament is Strasbourg.
He was also challenged on alleged remarks he had make in 2005 saying that Roma were “exploiters of the Slovak welfare system”. Mr Šefčovič did not remember the exact quote and said it had been taken out of context: “I did not mean to offend anybody. If I caused offence, I really regret it.” He went on to point to the work he had done with the Roma community and NGO’s since that time.
Asked about reform to voting for the European Parliament he said that he supported transnational lists and 2-day elections in May instead of four days in June as is the practice now.
Topics: 2010, aid, assis, business, chemical, committee, Economy, energy, entrepreneurship, EU, European Union, future, growth, help, industry, initiative, MEP's, news, Parliament, people, progress, REACH, research, safety, Šefčovič, smb, Tajani, welfare, Women
Print This Article in Plain Text
|
|
Latest Headlines
- Florida Releases July 31, 2010 Gulf Oil Spill Situation Update
- NOAA: South Florida, Keys And East Coast Safe From BP Oil Spill
- Governor Crist Makes Changes To Florida Leadership Team
- Governor Christie Calls For Reforms To Delaware River Port Authority
- Florida Releases July 30, 2010 Gulf Oil Spill Situation Update
- Soladigm To Invest $130 Million In Mississippi, Create 300 Jobs
- Wisconsin Receives $46.5 Million For High Speed Rail Project
- Harris Corporation Expands In Virginia, To Create 100 High Tech Jobs
- Florida Outlines BP Gulf Oil Spill Response For July 30, 2010
- State Police Troopers Association Reaches Agreement With State Of Michigan
- New York Secretary Of State Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez Resigns
- Governor Christie Praises Honeywell’s Decision To Stay In New Jersey
- BP Provides Florida $7 Million For Tourism & Marketing
- UTC Fire & Security To Open Research And Test Center In Florida
- Florida Begins Rightsizing Response To BP Gulf Oil Spill
