Stability, jobs and growth: priority (also) in the Irish agenda

The new presidency takes charge beginning January 1st
The new president’s agenda for the term include agreements for the new multi-year budget and the new CAP (Common Agricultural Policy)

Stability, jobs and growth: these are key concepts for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Ireland began its 6 month rotation in the first term of 2013 on January 1st by delineating various priorities and other policies under this program. The document presented by the Irish delegation outlining its Presidency program specified, “The Irish presidency will focus on securing stability and ensuring it leads to creating jobs and improving growth.” Ireland “is seriously committed to providing concrete decisions and is optimistic about the economic recovery and the social cohesion of Europe.” They will focus on various issues: guaranteeing stability during “the drive for European economic recovery” by focusing on the problem of youth unemployment, favoring laws and initiatives that promote Europe’s digital economy, and supporting small and medium businesses. The Irish presidency will also play a part in securing commercial agreements with other member states and the European Parliament to take advantage of natural resources of the EU.

The proposed program of the Irish presidency contains reference to “how” they will try to respond to the priorities specified in Dublin. At the top of the list for the Irish is the importance of stability because that would stimulate growth. This is why the governing council president intends to “restore confidence in the financial sector by making progress on the Banking Union proposals and financial services reform.” The strategy for growth entails both an important and delicate role: in the Irish program there are negotiations for future financing plans, the new Common Agricultural Policy, and the next European research plan (Horizon 2020). The new president ensures “Ireland will play its part in securing agreements” on these platforms. Another crucially important issue is sustaining the small and medium businesses. Ireland intends to improve access to credit, public procurement opportunities and research funding. The Irish will focus on this bi-color project for the new European direction: “blue growth” potential of using EU resources from both “land and sea” combined with putting the “green economy” (ecological) agenda back on track.

Renato Giannetti