Porreiro, pá

Cimeira UE-África do Sul

Terá lugar amanhã, em Bruxelas, uma cimeira UE-África do Sul. A UE será representada por Herman Van Rompuy, Presidente do Conselho Europeu, e por José Manuel Durão Barroso, Presidente da Comissão Europeia. A República da África do Sul será representada pelo seu Presidente, Jacob Zuma.
(Desenvolvimento em IP/10/1178 e MEMO/10/447)

Comissão Europeia e Imperial Tobacco assinam acordo para combater o comércio ilícito de tabaco

A Comissão Europeia anunciou hoje a assinatura de um acordo plurianual com a Imperial Tobacco Limited (ITL), nos termos do qual desenvolverão esforços conjuntos no sentido de travar o comércio ilícito de produtos do tabaco. Nos termos do acordo juridicamente vinculativo, a ITL trabalhará em conjunto com a Comissão Europeia, com o OLAF, organismo de luta antifraude da CE, e com as autoridades policiais dos Estados-Membros para ajudar a combater o contrabando e a contrafacção de cigarros. O acordo inclui pagamentos substanciais a efectuar pela ITL à Comissão e aos Estados-Membros, no total de 300 milhões de dólares (207 milhões de euros), ao longo dos próximos 20 anos e deverá contribuir de modo significativo para os esforços envidados pela UE contra o comércio ilícito de tabaco, que lesa a UE e os Estados-Membros em milhares de milhões de euros por ano.
(Desenvolvimento em IP/10/1179, MEMO/10/448)

Alimentação: Comissão Europeia revê a adopção progressiva da lista de reclamações em matéria de saúde

A Comissão anunciou hoje a sua intenção de reestruturar o processo de adopção progressiva da lista reclamações em matéria de saúde no que diz respeito a produtos alimentares. Sem se afastar do princípio da adopção progressiva da lista, a Comissão vai alterar o processo de forma pragmática para fazer face a questões assinaladas durante as discussões com os Estados¬Membros e as partes interessadas.
(Desenvolvimento em IP/10/1176)

Organismos geneticamente modificados: relatório sobre medidas concretas para evitar mistura de milho convencional e geneticamente modificado
Um relatório hoje apresentado pelo Comissário da Saúde e Protecção dos Consumidores, John Dalli, ao Conselho da Agricultura conclui que medidas específicas relativas à armazenagem e à aplicação de distâncias de isolamento pode ajudar a limitar ou a evitar a mistura de milho geneticamente modificado com milho convencional.
(Desenvolvimento em IP/10/1181)

UE vai defender pesca sustentável do atum na reunião da Comissão interamericana tropical do atum (IATTC)

A Comissão Europeia vai representar a UE na reunião anual da IATTC que começa hoje e se prolonga até dia 1 de Outubro, na Guatemala. A Comissão, em estreita cooperação com o Conselho e o Parlamento Europeu, vai defender medidas de conservação e gestão com base nos dados científicos que se traduzirão em pescarias sustentáveis de atum no Oceano Pacífico oriental. A Comissão pretende acentuar a luta contra a pesca ilícita, não declarada e não regulamentada através da adopção de medidas do Estado do porto, bem como pela introdução de um sistema para garantir o rastreio adequado das capturas, desde o mar até aos mercados finais.
(Desenvolvimento em http://www.iattc.org/)

Reunião da Organização das Pescas do Atlântico do Noroeste (NAFO) faz progressos sobre a conservação do peixe
Na sua reunião anual no Canadá durante a semana passada, a NAFO adoptou medidas sem precedentes para a conservação e gestão das unidades populacionais de peixe. As decisões dizem respeito às capturas totais permitidas para o alabote da Gronelândia e o camarão. Estes resultados vão de encontro à posição firme tomada pela UE acerca do seguimento estrito dos pareceres científicos e da adopção de limitações das capturas.
(Desenvolvimento em http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/news_and_events/press_releases/270910/index_en.htm)

Maior evento europeu em matéria de tecnologias da informação e da comunicação
A Vice-Presidente da Comissão Europeia, Neelie Kroes, abriu hoje o maior evento europeu das tecnologias da informação e comunicação (TIC) – ICT2010, em Bruxelas, com um apelo à comunidade da investigação. Neelie Kroes afirma que muito poucas empresas europeias de TIC têm ambições globais e isto mantém o sector em atraso em áreas-chave como o software.
(Desenvolvimento em MEMO/10/440 e SPEECH/10/481)

Cimeira UE-África do Sul: relançamento do comércio externo da UE com a África do Sul no primeiro semestre de 2010

O valor das exportações de bens da UE para a África do Sul aumentou de forma constante entre 2000 e 2007, passando de 11 800 milhões de euros para 20 500 milhões de euros. Esse valor baixou em seguida para registar 16 000 em 2009. As importações que eram de 14 700 milhões de euros em 2000 atingiram um máximo de 22 400 milhões em 2008, tendo recuado depois para 14 900 milhões de euros em 2009. No primeiro semestre de 2010, a balança comercial da UE com a África do Sul registou um excedente de 1 300 milhões de euros.
(Desenvolvimento em STAT/10/140)



Para mais informações sobre assuntos europeus:
http://ec.europa.eu/portugal/index_pt.htm

Antonio Tajani , Vice-Presidente da Comissão Europeia responsável pela Indústria e pelo Empreendedorismo, em visita a Portugal

30 de Setembro de 2010

António Tajani, Vice-Presidente da Comissão Europeia e Comissário responsável pela indústria e empreendedorismo estará em Portugal no próximo dia 30 de Setembro, para participar no XXI Congresso da Organização das Associações Patronais das Capitais Europeias (OPCE).
O Vice-Presidente Antonio Tajani irá proferir uma comunicação ao congresso às 18h00.
O XXI Congresso OPCE "a Europa e as empresas face ao novo paradigma económico mundial" decorre no Centro de Congressos do Estoril, entre dia 30 de Setembro e 1 de Outubro de 2010.

Para mais informações sobre assuntos europeus:
http://ec.europa.eu/portugal/index_pt.htm

Keep it simple

A CV is nothing more than a shorthand sketch of your academic and professional history. Use it to draw attention to your strengths without cramming in too much irrelevance. You can always explain to an employer the intricacies once they invite you for an interview.

Lead with achievements

Make frequent use of active verbs, ie: achieved, set up, managed, attained, responsible for, led. Use bullet points to emphasise the key successes in your life. Don’t write lengths of prose for job descriptions.

Work reverse chronologically

Start with your current employment and work backwards, remembering to include the name and country of your employer, start and end dates, your job title and a brief description, plus your accomplishments. If you are looking for your first job, list any RELEVANT work experience first, paid or unpaid.

Tailor your CV to the individual company

Employers can spot a mass mailing a mile off. So if you are applying for a job in Information Technology make sure that aspect of all your jobs is emphasised.

Be honest

Lying on your CV is a waste of your time and that of your prospective employer. Adding six months to your time in a job can seem like a good idea, but if you are caught out you will have lost the job. Don’t sell yourself short. If you think the three summers you spent working for a charity in France show your knowledge of the country and its culture – then say so.

Education

If you have been in the job market for less than two years, give equal attention to achievements while at University. Captain of the debating team, student union rep, set designer for the university play all show you to be enthusiastic, a self-starter and full of initiative.
Don’t overcrowd your CV

Make sure your CV is well presented and readable. The prospective employer needs to be able to find the key information quickly. Bullet points can help in summarising achievements that can be expanded on at an interview. If your prospective employer has to work hard to read your CV, they will quickly lose interest.

Spelling

Typing mistakes and grammatical errors can mean your CV goes straight in the bin. No employer will want to hire someone who can’t be bothered to check their own work. Don’t rely on the spell check to pick up any mistakes. Read it over thoroughly when you think you have finished.

Two pairs of eyes

A fresh eye is useful to spot mistakes or offer suggestions. Get a trusted friend to read through the CV when you think it is ready. Once you’ve read and amended your CV three or four times, it’s difficult to stand back and look at it objectively. Never try and finish your CV in one sitting – always go back to it after a couple of days.

References

Check with referees before you use their names. There’s nothing worse than using someone who has either moved on or holds a grudge against you. The best people to use for references are your current employer or a professor or teacher at your college/university – someone who knows how you react in a working environment.

source: www.stepstone.be

"Coimbra, Porto, Lisboa e Olhão celebram esta sexta-feira, 24 de Setembro, a Noite dos Investigadores 2010, com o tema 'Cientistas ao Palco'.
A Noite dos Investigadores é um evento promovido pela Comissão Europeia desde 2005 com o objectivo de aproximar os investigadores do público em geral. Serve para estimular a reflexão, a discussão e o debate público sobre o quotidiano dos investigadores, o poder e as limitações do trabalho que desenvolvem, os sucessos e as frustrações, as decisões que têm de assumir e o impacto da ciência na sociedade.
Este ano o evento tem data marcada para o dia 24 de Setembro, com actividades em diversos pontos do país, com o tema 'Cientistas ao Palco'. O objectivo desta iniciativa é mostrar ao público o que é isso de se ser cientista através do teatro e das artes visuais, com actividades dirigidas a pessoas de todas as idades.
A Representação da Comissão Europeia em Portugal estará presente no evento em Lisboa, no Jardim Botânico Tropical a partir das 18h00.
A entrada é livre e para públicos de todas as idades. Participe!

Programa Porto – Praça dos Leões (15h-24h),
Programa Coimbra – Museu da Ciência (15h-24h),
Programa Lisboa – Jardim Botânico Tropical (18h-24h),
Programa Olhão – Ria Shopping (10h-23h)

A Noite dos Investigadores 2010 coincide com o início do 22.º Concurso da UE para Jovens Cientistas. De 24 a 29 de Setembro de 2010, mais de 100 jovens cientistas de 37 países europeus vêm a Portugal para apresentar os seus projectos na esperança de ganharem não apenas um prémio, mas o reconhecimento dos seus colegas.
Durante mais de 20 anos, o concurso tem reunido os jovens cérebros mais brilhantes da ciência europeia, sublinhando a importância da inovação e da investigação para as futuras gerações. Este ano foram seleccionados para a competição 85 projectos de 37 países.
A edição deste ano em Lisboa conta ainda com a presença da Ministra da Educação, Isabel Alçada; do Secretário de Estado da Inovação, Carlos Zorrinho; do Prémio Nobel da Química em 2009, Ada Yonath; do Director do Centro de Pesquisa em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos da Universidade do Porto, Nuno Ferrand; da Directora-Geral adjunta responsável pela área do Desenvolvimento do Espaço Europeu da Investigação da Comissão Europeia Anneli Pauli e da Chefe da Representação da Comissão Europeia em Portugal, Margarida Marques."

Para mais informações sobre assuntos europeus:
http://ec.europa.eu/portugal/index_pt.htm

"Estima-se que 11% de pequenas e médias empresas perdem contratos devido a falta de competências em línguas estrangeiras. O custo dessas oportunidades perdidas pode ascender a milhões de euros e ameaçar empregos. Este ano, o Dia Europeu das Línguas, que tem lugar em 26 de Setembro, incidirá sobre a importância das línguas para as empresas. Em 24 de Setembro, Androulla Vassiliou, Comissária Europeia responsável pela Educação, Cultura, Multilinguismo e Juventude, fará uma alocução na conferência sobre «A Importância das Línguas para as PME», que se realiza em Bruxelas, e encontrar-se-á com representantes de empresas europeias cujas competências em línguas estrangeiras se traduziram em lucros. Com as suas 23 línguas oficiais e mais de 40 línguas regionais e minoritárias, a UE constitui uma comunidade multilingue de países e povos, única no seu género. O Dia Europeu das Línguas foi lançado em 2001 para celebrar a diversidade e para destacar a importância das línguas na nossa vida privada e profissional."

Em Portugal, a Representação da Comissão Europeia associa‑se à organização de diversos eventos.

Lisboa, 23/09/2010

"Publicou o Diário de Notícias na sua edição de hoje (23 de Setembro) uma noticia intitulada "Equipa da UE vem fiscalizar orçamento antes de ser apresentado", com destaque na primeira página.

Nesse artigo informam que a "Comissão Europeia vai enviar uma equipa chefiada pelo polaco Janusz Lewandoski para passar a pente fino as contas públicas portuguesas tal como fez com a Irlanda". Mais informam que se encontram previstas reuniões com vários membros do Governo, incluindo o Ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros, Luís Amado.

Gostaríamos de chamar a atenção para o facto de que esta informação não corresponde à realidade.

De facto, o Comissário Janusz Lewandoski estará em Portugal entre os dias 12 e 15 de Outubro no âmbito de uma tour de capital (à semelhança do que aconteceu recentemente com a Lituânia e a França) para discutir as perspectivas financeiras da União Europeia pós-2013, e não o orçamento português, porque não são essas as suas competências. Esta visita em nada está relacionada com o chamado "Semestre Europeu".
Lembramos que as competências do Comissário Janusz Lewandoski se inserem no âmbito da "Programação financeira e orçamento da União Europeia". No quadro da repartição interna de competências no colégio de comissários, a análise dos orçamentos nacionais dos Estados-membros compete ao Comissário europeu para os assuntos económicos e monetários, Olli Rehn.
Na visita do Comissário Europeu Janusz Lewandoski a Lisboa estão previstas reuniões com as Comissões Parlamentares do Orçamento e dos Assuntos Europeus (dadas as competências dos Parlamentos Nacionais, reforçadas pelo Tratado de Lisboa), reuniões com o Ministro das Finanças, com o Ministro da Economia e com o Secretário de Estado dos Assuntos Europeus."

Notícia comentada pela Representação da Comissão em Portugal.

Para mais informações sobre assuntos europeus:
http://ec.europa.eu/portugal/index_pt.htm

INVITATION

EMIConference

“Combating poverty and social exclusion during the economic crisis and beyond:
A multi-level governance approach”

15 – 16 October 2010, Lisbon

We have the pleasure of inviting you to the international conference of the European Movement on “Combating poverty and social exclusion during the economic crisis and beyond: A multi-level governance approach”, taking place in Lisbon on 15 – 16 October 2010.

This conference will have the aim of bringing together civil society actors, local and national European public authorities, discussing European solidarity and cohesion. In the light of the 2020 horizon and in the context of the European Year of Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, stakeholders shall debate on the post-crisis challenges and evaluate the need for a flexible from of governance, able to respond to change.

Fundação Montepio
Rua do Ouro nº 219 6º
Lisbon, Portugal

Please find attached to this invitation:

• Agenda of the event
• Registration form or visit http://www.europeanmovement.eu/index.php?id=9081 for online registration
• Hotel recommendations (we kindly ask you to make your own travel arrangements)



Please confirm your participation latest by 30 September 2010.

"Bruxelas, 15 de Setembro de 2010

Novo enquadramento para aumentar a transparência e garantir a coordenação das vendas a descoberto e dos swaps de risco de incumprimento:

A Comissão Europeia adoptou hoje uma proposta de regulamento relativo às vendas a descoberto e aos swaps de risco de incumprimento (credit default swaps, ou CDS). O regulamento destina-se fundamentalmente a criar um quadro harmonizado para uma acção coordenada a nível europeu, aumentar a transparência e reduzir os riscos. Graças ao novo enquadramento, as autoridades reguladoras – a nível nacional e europeu – terão competências claras para agir quando necessário, prevenindo a fragmentação do mercado e garantindo o bom funcionamento do mercado interno.

Nas palavras de Michel Barnier, Comissário responsável pelo Mercado Interno e Serviços: «Em tempos normais, as vendas a descoberto reforçam a liquidez do mercado e contribuem para uma formação de preços eficaz. Quando os mercados estão em dificuldades, porém, as vendas a descoberto podem agravar as quedas de preços e criar perturbações nos mercados e riscos sistémicos. A proposta de hoje trará maior transparência, tanto para as autoridades reguladoras como para os mercados, e permitirá aos reguladores detectar mais facilmente os riscos no mercado de dívida pública. Os reguladores disporão também de competências claras para restringir ou proibir as vendas a descoberto, em situações excepcionais e em coordenação com a nova Autoridade Europeia dos Valores Mobiliários e dos Mercados (AEVMM). As propostas de hoje são mais um passo para o reforço da estabilidade na Europa.»

Por venda a descoberto entende-se a venda de valores mobiliários que o vendedor não possui nesse momento, tendo a intenção de os comprar mais tarde para entrega. Fala-se de venda a descoberto sem garantia de detenção dos activos («naked short selling») quando o vendedor não tomou por empréstimo os valores mobiliários nem garantiu que os poderia obter até à liquidação antes de os prometer vender. Este tipo de venda pode dar origem a riscos específicos de impossibilidade de liquidação (ou seja, de a transacção não ser concluída). Desde o início da crise financeira, muitos Estados-Membros tomaram disposições para suspender ou proibir a venda a descoberto. No entanto, uma acção descoordenada pode ser menos eficaz e criar dificuldades no mercado, nomeadamente influenciando a confiança dos investidores.

Aumento da transparência
Actualmente, há pouca informação sobre as vendas a descoberto: os operadores e as autoridades reguladoras encontram dificuldades para saber que valores mobiliários estão a ser vendidos a descoberto e o valor que representam globalmente. A proposta hoje apresentada aumenta a transparência, ao exigir que todas as encomendas de acções em praças de negociação sejam assinaladas como estando «a descoberto» (o chamado «flagging») quando envolverem uma venda desse tipo, de forma a que as autoridades reguladoras saibam que transacções são efectuadas a descoberto. Além disso, os investidores terão de revelar as suas posições líquidas significativas em acções a descoberto às autoridades reguladoras, a partir de determinado limiar (0,2% do capital próprio emitido), e ao mercado, a partir de um limiar mais alto (0,5%).

Estas medidas permitirão que os participantes no mercado disponham de uma melhor informação e que os reguladores possam monitorizar os mercados e detectar a acumulação de riscos. Em relação às obrigações de dívida pública, os reguladores estarão em melhor posição para detectar eventuais riscos para a estabilidade dos mercados de dívida pública, já que receberão dados sobre as posições a descoberto, incluindo as posições constituídas por via de CDS sobre dívida pública (um tipo de instrumento derivado que é por vezes encarado como uma espécie de seguro contra o risco de incumprimento).

Poderes mais claros para os reguladores e um enquadramento europeu coordenado
Quando os mercados atravessam dificuldades, a transparência poderá não ser, só por si, suficiente. Actualmente, os poderes de que os reguladores nacionais dispõem para restringir ou proibir as vendas a descoberto variam conforme o Estado-Membro. A proposta hoje apresentada atribui aos reguladores poderes claros, em circunstâncias excepcionais, para restringir ou proibir temporariamente as vendas a descoberto de qualquer instrumento financeiro, com a coordenação da AEVMM (que deverá estar operacional a partir de Janeiro de 2011, sob reserva do acordo do Parlamento Europeu). A AEVMM terá também poderes para apresentar pareceres às autoridades competentes, quando estas tiverem de intervir em situações excepcionais. Em conformidade com o novo enquadramento de supervisão, a AEVMM poderá, em determinadas condições, adoptar ela própria medidas temporárias, com efeitos directos, para restringir ou proibir as vendas a descoberto.

Além disso, se o preço de um instrumento financeiro cair significativamente num dia, os reguladores nacionais terão poderes para restringir as vendas a descoberto desse instrumento até ao final do próximo dia de negociação. Estas medidas ajudarão os reguladores a tomarem as medidas necessárias, de forma coordenada, para desacelerar ou interromper as quedas de preços, que são por vezes amplificadas pelas vendas a descoberto em mercados com dificuldades.
As medidas contribuirão ainda para reduzir os custos de cumprimento actualmente suportados pelos participantes em resultado das regras nacionais divergentes.

Enfrentar os riscos específicos das vendas a descoberto sem garantia de detenção dos activos
As vendas a descoberto sem garantia de detenção dos activos aumentam o risco de que a liquidação não seja possível. A proposta hoje apresentada exige que, para entrar numa transacção a descoberto, um investidor tenha de já ter tomado por empréstimo os instrumentos em causa, já ter celebrado um acordo para esse empréstimo ou ter um acordo com um terceiro com vista a encontrar e a reservar esses instrumentos para empréstimo, de modo que garanta a sua entrega na data de liquidação [o mais tardar 4 dias após a transacção]. As praças de negociação devem garantir mecanismos adequados para forçar a compra de acções ou títulos de dívida pública, bem como para impor multas ou uma proibição das vendas a descoberto, caso se verifique uma impossibilidade de liquidação.
Isenções
A proposta inclui certas isenções – por exemplo, em relação a determinadas actividades que desempenham um importante papel na disponibilização de liquidez ou que são essenciais para garantir o correcto funcionamento dos mercados primários de obrigações.

Próximos passos
A proposta será agora enviada ao Parlamento Europeu e ao Conselho, para negociação e adopção. Uma vez adoptado, o regulamento será aplicável a partir de 1 de Julho de 2012."

Para mais informações:
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/securities/short_selling_en.htm
MEMO/10/409

"Os líderes europeus, reunidos na quinta feira em Bruxelas, vão discutir de que forma poderão melhorar a política externa europeia, à luz da entrada em vigor do Tratado de Lisboa, de forma a tornar a União Europeia um verdadeiro actor global.

Na carta-convite enviada hoje aos chefes de Estado e de Governo dos 27, o presidente do Conselho, Herman van Rompuy, explica que o principal objetivo é dar um novo ímpeto às relações externas da UE - motivo pelo qual a cimeira contará também com a presença dos chefes de diplomacia dos 27 -, e preparar já o que deverá ser a posição da Europa nas cimeiras que se avizinham com parceiros estratégicos.

De acordo com Van Rompuy, a conferência de Copenhaga sobre alterações climáticas, em dezembro último, mostrou que há «uma necessidade clara de melhorar a forma como a União Europeia define e conduz as suas políticas externas, de forma a tornar-se num ator global verdadeiramente eficaz»."


Carta de convite:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/116495.pdf

President,

Honourable Members,

It is a great privilege to deliver the first State of the Union address before this House.

Last year, you voted to give me a second mandate on the basis of my political guidelines. At the beginning of this year, you gave a strong endorsement to the Commission. In the process of investiture, we agreed to meet once a year to discuss the state of the Union. From now on, this is the moment when we will chart our work for the next 12 months.

Many of the decisions we take in the next year will have long-term implications. They will define the kind of Europe we want. They will define a Europe of opportunity where those that aspire are elevated and those in need are not neglected. A Europe that is open to the world and open to its people. A Europe that delivers economic, social and territorial cohesion.

Over the last year, the economic and financial crisis has put our Union before one of its greatest challenge ever. Our interdependence was highlighted and our solidarity was tested like never before.

As I look back at how we have reacted, I believe that we have withstood the test. We have provided many of the answers needed – on financial assistance to Member States facing exceptional circumstances, on economic governance, on financial regulation, on growth and jobs. And we have been able to build a base camp from which to modernise our economies. Europe has shown it will stand up and be counted. Those who predicted the demise of the European Union were proved wrong. The European institutions and the Member States have demonstrated leadership. My message to each and every European is that you can trust the European Union to do what it takes to secure your future.

The economic outlook in the European Union today is better than one year ago, not in the least as a result of our determined action. The recovery is gathering pace, albeit unevenly within the Union. Growth this year will be higher than initially forecast. The unemployment rate, whilst still much too high, has stopped increasing. Clearly, uncertainties and risks remain, not least outside the European Union.

We should be under no illusions. Our work is not finished. There is no room for complacency. Budgetary expansion played its role to counter the decline in economic activity. But it is now time to exit. Without structural reforms, we will not create sustainable growth. We must use the next 12 months to accelerate our reform agenda. Now is the time to modernise our social market economy so that it can compete globally and respond to the challenge of demography. Now is the time to make the right investments for our future.

This is Europe’s moment of truth. Europe must show it is more than 27 different national solutions. We either swim together, or sink separately. We will only succeed if, whether acting nationally, regionally or locally we think European.

Today, I will set out what I see as the priorities for our work together over the coming year. I cannot now cover every issue of European policy or initiative we will take. I am sending you through President Buzek a more complete programme document.

Essentially, I see five major challenges for the Union over the next year:

dealing with the economic crisis and governance;

restoring growth for jobs by accelerating the Europe 2020 reform agenda;

building an area of freedom, justice and security;

launching negotiations for a modern EU budget, and

pulling our weight on the global stage.

xxx

Let me start with the economic crisis and governance. Earlier this year, we acted decisively when euro area members and the euro itself needed our help.

We have learned hard lessons. Now we are making important progress on economic governance. The Commission has put its ideas on the table in May and in June. They have been well received, in this House, and in the Task Force chaired by President of the European Council. They are the basis around which a consensus is being developed. We will present the most urgent legislative proposals on 29 September, so as not to lose the momentum.

Unsustainable budgets make us vulnerable. Debt and deficit lead to boom and bust. And they unravel the social safety net. Money that's spent on servicing debt is money that cannot be spent on the social good. Nor to prepare ourselves for the costs of an ageing population. A debt generation makes an unsustainable nation. Our proposals will strengthen the Stability and Growth Pact through increased surveillance and enforcement.

And we need to tackle severe macro-economic imbalances, especially in the Euro area. That is why we have made proposals early on to detect asset bubbles, lack of competitiveness and other sources of imbalances.

I now see a willingness of governments to accept stronger monitoring, backed up by incentives for compliance and earlier sanctions. The Commission will strengthen its role as independent referee and enforcer of the new rules.

We will match monetary union with true economic union.

If implemented as we propose, these reforms will also guarantee the long-term stability of the euro. It is key to our economic success.

For the economy to grow, we also need a strong and sound financial sector. A sector that serves the real economy. A sector that prides itself on proper regulation and proper supervision.

We took action to increase bank transparency. Today we are better than one year ago. With the publication of the stress test results, banks should now be able to lend to each other, so that credit can flow to Europe's citizens and companies.

We have proposed to protect people's savings up to €100,000. We will propose to ban abusive naked short selling. We will tackle credit default swaps. The days of betting on someone else’s house burning down are over. We continue to insist that banks, not taxpayers, must pay up front to cover the costs of their own risks of failure. We are legislating to outlaw bonuses for quick-wins today that become big losses tomorrow. As part of this approach, I am also defending taxes on financial activities and we will come with proposals this autumn.

The political deal on the financial supervision package just concluded is very good news. The Commission proposals based on the de Larosière report will give us an effective European supervision system. I want to thank the Parliament for the constructive role it has played and I hope it will give its final agreement this month.

We will also go further on regulation. Initiatives on derivatives, further measures on credit rating agencies and a framework for bank resolution and crisis management will soon be before you. Our goal is to have a reformed financial sector in place by the end of 2011.

Sound government finances and responsible financial markets give us the confidence and economic strength for sustainable growth. We need to move beyond the debate between fiscal consolidation and growth. We can have both.

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Honourable Members,

Sound public finances are a means to an end: growth for jobs. This is our overarching priority. This is where we need to invest.

Europe 2020 starts now. We must frontload and accelerate the most growth-promoting reforms of our agenda. This could raise growth levels by over a third by 2020.

This means concentrating on three priorities: getting more people in jobs, boosting our companies' competitiveness and deepening the single market.

Let me start with people and jobs.

Over 6 million people have lost their jobs since 2008. Each one of them should have the chance to get back into employment. Europe's employment rates are at 69% on average for those aged between 20 and 64. We have agreed these should rise to 75% by 2020, bringing in particular more women and older workers into the work force.

Most of the competences for employment policy remain with Member States. But we won't stand on the sidelines. I want a European Union that helps its people to seize new opportunities; and I want a Union that is social and inclusive. This is the Europe we will build if Member States, the European institutions and the social partners move ahead on our common reform agenda.

It should be centred on skills and jobs and investment in life-long learning.

And it should focus on unlocking the growth potential of the single market, to build a stronger single market for jobs.

The opportunities exist. Europe has 4 million job vacancies. The Commission will propose later this year a "European Vacancy Monitor". It will show people where the jobs are in Europe and which skills are needed. We will also come forward with plans for a European skills passport.

We must also tackle problems of poverty and exclusion. We must make sure that the most vulnerable are not left behind. This is the focus of our "Platform Against Poverty". It will bring together European action for vulnerable groups such as children and old people.

As more and more people travel, study or work abroad, we will also strengthen citizens' rights as they move across borders. The Commission will address persisting obstacles as early as this autumn.

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Growth must be based on our companies' competitiveness.

We should continue to make life easier for our Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. They provide two out of every three private sector jobs. Among their main concerns are innovation and red tape. We are working on both.

Just before the summer, the Commission has announced the biggest ever package from the Seventh Research Framework Programme, worth €6.4 billion. This money will go to SMEs as well as to scientists.

Investing in innovation also means promoting world class universities in Europe. I want to see them attracting the brightest and the best, from Europe and the rest of the world. We will take an initiative on the modernisation of European universities. I want to see a Europe that is strong in science, education and culture.

We need to improve Europe's innovation performance not only in universities. Along the whole chain, from research to retail, notably through innovation partnerships. We need an Innovation Union. Next month, the Commission will set out how to achieve this.

Another key test will be whether Member States are ready to make a breakthrough on a patent valid across the whole European Union. Our innovators are often paying ten times the price faced by their competitors. Our proposal is on the table. It would reduce the cost substantially and double the coverage. After decades of discussion, it is time to decide.

We will also act further on red tape. SMEs are being strangled in regulatory knots. 71% of CEOs say that the biggest barrier to their success is bureaucracy. The Commission has put proposals on the table to generate annual savings of €38 billion for European companies.

Stimulating innovation, cutting red tape and developing a highly-skilled workforce: these are ways to ensure that European manufacturing continues to be world class. A thriving industrial base in Europe is of paramount importance for our future. Next month, the Commission will present a new industrial policy for the globalisation era.

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We have the people, we have the companies. What they both need is an open and modern single market.

The internal market is Europe's greatest asset, and we are not using it enough. We need to deepen it urgently.

Only 8% of Europe's 20 million SMEs engage in cross-border trade, still fewer in investment. And even with the internet, over a third of consumers lack the confidence to make cross-border purchases.

At my request, Mario Monti has identified 150 missing links and bottlenecks in the internal market.

Next month we will set out how to deepen the Single Market in a comprehensive and ambitious Single Market Act.

Energy is a key driver for growth and a central priority for action: we need to complete the internal market of energy, build and interconnect energy grids, and ensure energy security and solidarity. We need to do for energy what we have done for mobile phones: real choice for consumers in one European marketplace.

This will give us a real energy community in Europe.

We need to make frontiers irrelevant for pipelines or power cables.

To have the infrastructure for solar and wind energy.

To ensure that across the whole of Europe, we have a common standard so that charging electric car batteries becomes as natural as filling up the tank.

Over the next year, we will bring forward an energy action plan, an infrastructure package and an energy efficiency action plan to put this vision in place. I myself will travel to the Caspian region later this year to promote the Southern Corridor as a means of enhancing our security of supply.

To build a resource-efficient Europe, we need to look beyond energy. In the 20th century the world enjoyed phenomenal resource-intensive growth. We saw a four-fold growth in population accompanied by a 40-fold growth in economic output. But in the same period we also increased our use of fossil fuels 16 times, our fishing catches 35 times, our water use 9 times. And our carbon emissions increased 17 times.

That means we have to deliver on our climate and energy package, as a core driver for change. This means integrating the different strands of policy on climate change, energy, transport and environment into a coherent approach on resource efficiency and a low carbon future.

A forward-looking agricultural sector will play a major role in European measures to address some of the biggest challenges ahead, such as global food security, biodiversity loss and the sustainable management of natural resources. So will our maritime policy.

All of this will not only strengthen our economy tomorrow: it will provide new openings today. Jobs in the eco-industry have been increasing by 7% a year since 2000. I want to see 3 million "green jobs" by 2020, 3 million green collar workers that complement our blue and white collar workers.

We need sustainable growth, and we need smart growth. Half of European productivity growth over the last 15 years was driven by information and communication technologies. This trend is set to intensify. Our European Digital Agenda will deliver a single digital market worth 4% of EU GDP by 2020.

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Honourable Members,

Everything we do is for the citizens of Europe. A fundamental dimension of our European project is building an area of freedom, security and justice.

We are working hard to implement the Stockholm action plan. We will make a real push on asylum and migration.

Legal migrants will find in Europe a place where human values are respected and enforced. At the same time, we will crack down on the exploitation of illegal immigrants within Europe and at our borders. The Commission will make new proposals on policing our external borders.

And we will bring forward an internal security strategy to tackle threats of organised crime and terrorism.

Europeans will find that their fundamental rights and obligations exist wherever they go. Everyone in Europe must respect the law, and the governments must respect human rights, including those of minorities. Racism and xenophobia have no place in Europe. On such sensitive issues, when a problem arises, we must all act with responsibility. I make a strong appeal not to re-awaken the ghosts of Europe's past.

An area of freedom, liberty and security, will create a place where Europeans can prosper.

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Honourable Members,

Another challenge is sorting out the future budget of the European Union.

Next month, we will come forward with the Commission's first ideas for the budget review. It shall launch an open debate without taboos to prepare our legislative proposals that will be presented in the second quarter of next year.

We need to spend our money where we get most value for it. And we should invest it where it leverages growth and delivers on our European agenda. The quality of spending should be the yardstick for us all.

Europe offers real added value. That is why I will be pushing for an ambitious post-2013 budget for Europe.

I believe we should pool our means to back our policy priorities.

The issue is not about spending more or less, but spending more intelligently, by looking at European and national budgets together. The EU budget is not for Brussels – it is for the people that you represent: for the unemployed workers being retrained by the Social Fund; for the students that participate in the Erasmus programme; for the regions that benefit from the Cohesion Fund.

Energy interconnections, research, and development aid are obvious examples where a Euro spent at European level gets you more than a Euro spent at national level. Some Member States are seeing this logic even in areas of core national competence, like defence. They recognize that huge savings could be made if they pool some of their means and support activities. Pooling money at the European level allows Member States to cut their costs, avoid overlaps and get a better return on their investment.

We should also explore new sources of financing for major European infrastructure projects. For instance, I will propose the establishment of EU project bonds, together with the European Investment Bank. We will also further develop Public Private Partnerships.

As this Parliament has made clear, we must also address the issue of own resources. The present system is stretched to its limits – propped up by a byzantine set of corrections. Our citizens deserve a fairer and more efficient system. Some will not agree with all the ideas we will raise; I find it extraordinary that some are already rejecting them, without even knowing what they will be.

I know that one issue of interest to this Parliament is the duration of the next budget. Various options exist. I would like to look at a 10-year framework, with a mid-term review of the financial dimension after five years – a "five plus five" option. This will give us longer term planning and a clearer link with the mandates of both our institutions.

Of course, part of a credible European budget is the rigorous pursuit of savings. I am looking at the administrative costs within the Commission and other Community bodies like Agencies. We need to eliminate all pockets of inefficiency. We will build on recommendations from the Court of Auditors to improve financial management.

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Honourable Members,

The final challenge I want to address today is how we pull our weight on the global stage.

When we deal with our every day problems, we sometimes lose perspective and forget our achievements. A peaceful and successful transition to a European Union that has doubled in size and is negotiating further accessions. A sound currency, the euro, that is a major currency of the world. A strong partnership with our neighbourhood that strengthens us all. If we act decisively, then we have nothing to fear from the 21st century.

As the strategic partnerships of the 21st century emerge, Europe should seize the chance to define its future. I am impatient to see the Union play the role in global affairs that matches its economic weight. Our partners are watching and are expecting us to engage as Europe, not just as 27 individual countries. If we don't act together, Europe will not be a force in the world, and they will move on without us: without Europe and without its Member States. This is why, in my political guidelines, I called for Europe to be a global player, a global leader – a key task and test for our generation.

Together with High Representative and Vice-President Ashton, I will present our vision of how we can maximise Europe's role in the world. With the European External Action Service, we have the means to match our aspirations.

In our globalized world, the relationships we build with strategic partners determine our prosperity. To be effective on the international stage, we need the weight of the European Union. Size matters, now more than ever.

A good example is the fight against climate change. Copenhagen showed that, while others did not match our ambition, we did not help ourselves by not speaking with one voice. Negotiations may have stalled but climate change has not. I want us to intensify our engagement with international partners to turn their press releases into credible commitments to cut emissions and push forward with fast-start funding.

The next two months will see crucial Summits with strategic partners. The more we are able to establish a common agenda with a clearly defined European interest, the more we will achieve. For example, I see huge potential in developing a transatlantic agenda for growth and jobs.

Where we are already punching our weight is the G20, the forum where the key economic global players address common challenges. When President Van Rompuy and I go to Seoul in November and represent the European Union, we want to see concrete results:

Further progress in global economic coordination.

More stable and responsible financial markets and agreement on reform of international financial institutions.

More effective global financial safety nets.

More progress on a G20 development agenda.

We will continue to show leadership in this forum and work closely with the French G8/G20 Presidency next year.

We also want to see support for the Doha Round. Trade boosts growth and prosperity. We will also pursue bilateral and regional Free Trade Agreements. In October, the Commission will present a renewed trade policy to drive new benefits for Europe.

Being open to the world also means standing side by side with developing countries, especially with Africa. When I go to the Millennium Development Goals High-Level Event in New York in 2 weeks' time, I intend to commit, with your support, an extra €1 billion to the Millennium Development Goals.

Being a global player also means standing up for our values. Human rights are not negotiable. I am shocked about how the rights of women are being infringed in many countries. I am appalled when I hear that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani is sentenced to death by stoning. This is barbaric beyond words. We condemn such acts which have no justification under any moral or religious code.

Our values also mean that we must come to the aid of those facing a crisis situation, anywhere around the world.

Our humanitarian aid to Pakistan is the latest example of Europe's solidarity in action. It is a striking example of the need to present the different contributions of the Commission and the Member States as a truly European aid package. The Member States have the helicopters; they have the civil protection teams. We now need to pool them to create a real European crisis response capacity. This is what the Commission will propose in October. And I urge the Member States to show they are serious about the Union punching its weight in this area.

We are making progress on a common foreign policy. But let's be under no illusions: we will not have the weight we need in the world without a common defence policy. I believe now is the moment to address this challenge.

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Honourable Members,

We are still bedding down the new institutional set-up of Europe created by the Lisbon Treaty.

What really matters is what the institutions deliver to the people. What matters is the difference Europe makes in their daily lives.

The secret of Europe's success is its unique Community model. More than ever, the Commission must drive the political agenda with its vision and proposals.

I have called for a special relationship between the Commission and Parliament, the two Community institutions par excellence. I am intensifying my political cooperation with you.

Europe is not only Brussels or Strasbourg. It is our regions. It is the cities, towns and villages you come from. When you walk round your constituencies, you can point to the European projects that are so important for their prosperity.

At the end of the day, we are all in the same boat. The Union will not achieve its objectives in Europe without the Member States. And the Member States will not achieve their objectives in the world without the European Union.

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Honourable Members,

The citizens of Europe expect us to take the action needed to get out of this crisis.

We must show them that the common efforts we are making today will lead to new jobs, new investments, and a Europe fit for the future.

I am confident that Europe has what it takes. We will get the results we are reaching for.

Today, I have outlined how I see the European Union doing that.

I have committed to deliver the proposals to build our economic union.

I have made the case to fast-track our reform agenda.

I have set out how to modernise our social market economy to deliver growth and jobs in a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy through our Europe 2020 flagship initiatives.

I have set out how to achieve a common energy policy in Europe.

I have defended the need for an area of freedom, security and justice, where Europeans will find that their fundamental rights and obligations exist wherever they go.

I have made clear that the Commission will strive for an ambitious budget.

I have proposed to develop EU project bonds to finance major European projects.

I have announced our reinforced commitment to the Millennium Development Goals.

I have made the case of why we need a common crisis response capacity and a common defence policy.

And I have urged European leaders to act together if they want Europe to be a global player and defend the European interest.

It is an ambitious and challenging agenda.

For Europe to succeed, the Commission needs your support.

Thank you."

Durão Barroso

Itálico por nós.