7/9/2016
Remarks by
President Donald Tusk after his meeting with Taoiseach Enda Kenny
Good
afternoon.
It is great to be here in Dublin. I would like to thank the
Taoiseach, not only for his warm Irish welcome, but also for our excellent
co-operation over the past years. Ireland is, and always has been, a respected
voice around the European table. After the dark days of the banking crisis,
your return from the edge to be the fastest growing economy in Europe is really
remarkable. Enda, you are a symbol in Europe of effective crisis management.
Without Ireland's sacrifice and example, the European Union would be in a worse
situation now. And we know it.
No one in
Europe should question that the reasons for the success of your country are
wise political leadership, and the hard work, creativity, and the determination
of the Irish people.
I am in
Dublin today to consult with the Taoiseach ahead of our summit of 27 leaders in
Bratislava next week. We will be meeting to discuss what Brexit means
politically for the future of the European Union. I know that Brexit is a very
disorientating prospect for Ireland. You are a committed EU member. Sooner or
later, your biggest trading partner - and the country with which you share a
long history- will not be. The consequences of this are serious, also for the
situation in Northern Ireland. The Taoiseach and I are working together closely
to ensure that your country does not suffer from a decision that it did not
make. Enda, I know you are in constant touch with Prime Minister May. You will
also be the first leader that I brief after my own meeting in London tomorrow.
The
Bratislava summit is not about Brexit per se. It is about bringing back
political control of our common future. People are turning against what they
perceive as an irrational openness. They see the world around them getting more
chaotic: uncontrolled migration, terrorism, injustices linked to globalisation.
We have to confront such issues with real and uniform political leadership. And
by saying leadership I don't mean the institutions but first of all the
community of member states and their leaders. What must be delivered is a sense
of security and order. We in Europe cannot build a political community only on
the concept of mandatory and total openness for everyone. The Union also has to
be about protection - protection of our freedoms, our security, our quality and
way of life. Our goal is to regain the sense that globalisation is an
opportunity and not a threat. There is a balance to be restored. I think the Union
is one of the best tools we have to do it.
Bratislava
needs to show that the political elites in Europe are not detached from
reality. That we will be open to the outside world, but always bearing in mind
the best interests of our own citizens. That is why I want our leaders to have
a political discussion without any taboos about the future.
To
conclude, I know there has been a tremendous debate already here over the
European Commission's decision in the Apple case. The Taoiseach has explained
to me the reasons why the Irish government wants to take the issue to court. I
will not comment on this case because this will now be up to the Court. But let
me add that I don't expect taxation to be a major issue in Bratislava. Thank
you.
2/9/2016
Eurogroup,
09/09/2016 - Agenda highlights
The
Eurogroup will discuss progress in Greece's programme, the quality of public
finances, preparations for the evaluation of budgetary plans and exchange rate
developments.
Meeting
information
Draft
annotated Eurogroup agenda, 9 September 2016
Greece
The
Eurogroup will discuss progress made by Greece in achieving the milestones
agreed in its financial assistance programme. Their accomplishment will open
the way for the disbursement of further financial assistance under the second
tranche.
That
tranche, which is attached to the successful completion of the first review of
the programme, amounts to €10.3 billion; €7.5 billion of which was disbursed on
21 June 2016.
Greece: the
third economic adjustment programme
Thematic
discussion on growth and jobs: the quality of public finances
The
Eurogroup will discuss how government spending reviews can help improve the
quality of public finances in the euro area member states. Such reviews may
promote fiscal responsibility and changes in the structure of public spending
to enhance economic growth.
Ministers
will exchange best practices and lessons learned from their national
policymaking.
The
Eurogroup began the discussion on the quality of public finances in February
2016.
Current
fiscal issues
Ministers
will briefly talk over the procedural preparations for the upcoming assessment
of the euro area's draft budgetary plans, which begins in mid-October each
year.
The euro
area member states have to submit their draft budgetary plans for the next year
by 15 October for assessment by the European Commission and later discussion by
the Eurogroup.
Ministers
will also touch upon some current issues related to the Stability and Growth
Pact, such as the ongoing work to simplify the implementation of the Pact's
rules and the situation following decisions on the excessive deficit procedure
for Spain and Portugal taken in July and August this year.
Excessive
deficit procedure: Council agrees to zero fines and new deadlines for Portugal
and Spain
Excessive
deficit procedure: Council finds that Portugal and Spain have not taken
effective action
Ministers
will take stock of the exchange rate developments in the last few months in
view of the upcoming international meetings.
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