Articles related to "Europe's new treaty: Towards a multi-speed Union"

France is open to the idea of a new European Union treaty to deepen integration if it is deemed necessary for new "solidarity" mechanisms in the bloc such as debt mutualisation, said French Minister for European Affairs Bernard Cazeneuve.

European lawmaker Daniel Cohn-Bendit revoked his membership of the French Greens on Sunday (23 September) in protest at the party's decision to oppose the ratification of the European Union's budget discipline pact.

Bulgaria has abandoned plans to adopt the single currency in response to deteriorating economic conditions and rising uncertainty over the prospects of the European Union, Finance Minister Simeon Djankov said in a newspaper interview.

The euro's new fiscal pact has become a political football in the Netherlands ahead of September elections, with Finance Minister Jan Kees de Jager dismissing opposition suggestions it should reject the treaty.

Germany's parliament resoundingly approved the eurozone's permanent bailout scheme and new budget rules on Friday (29 June), but legal hurdles remain and Chancellor Angela Merkel's concessions to eurozone partners Italy and Spain may make those harder to overcome.

José Manuel Barroso, European Commission president, has called on EU heads of state to "articulate the vision of where Europe must go" at a summit this week, saying this could lead to further treaty changes and, eventually, a two-speed Union. EurActiv reveals details of proposals that will be circulated among EU leaders on 28-29 June.

European leaders will discuss specific steps towards a cross-border banking union, closer fiscal integration and the possibility of a debt redemption fund at a summit on 28-29 June, according to a document prepared for the meeting.

French President François Hollande wants the European Union to agree before the end of 2012 on growth-boosting measures worth €120 billion, putting him on a collision course with German Chancellor Angela Merkel who has ruled out further spending to restart Europe's ailing economy.

Austria's outspoken finance minister said Italy may need a financial rescue because of its high borrowing costs, drawing a sharp denial yesterday (12 June) from Italy's "worried" Prime Minister Mario Monti.

According to government sources, Ireland's referendum on the EU's new fiscal treaty is likely to pass by a margin of more than three to two, but with a turnout as low as 50%. Unlike the Lisbon Treaty ratification, this time the Irish vote matters little for the Union.

Europe could strengthen its monetary union by giving European politicians the power to declare a sovereign state bankrupt and take over its fiscal policy, the former head of the European Central Bank said yesterday (17 May) in unveiling a bold proposal to salvage the euro.

Even after the victory of socialist François Hollande, German Chancellor Merkel and politicians of her conservative CDU fiercely refuse renegotiating the fiscal pact. But there could be a way to compromise, as Hollande receives support from Italian premier Mario Monti.

The Dutch cabinet became the latest victim of the EU-imposed push for austerity, with liberal Prime Minister Mark Rutte presenting his resignation to Queen Beatrix yesterday (23 April). The case of the Netherlands, a triple A eurozone country which is becoming prey to the markets, is raising doubts about the 'fiscal compact' merits, experts warn.

As the Netherlands heads for early elections, Prime Minister Mark Rutte's Liberal Party has strengthened its lead, followed closely by two leftist parties, an opinion polls showed.

​The only way to save the euro and get Europe out its financial crisis while maintaining people’s living standards is to have a more integrated union, the economist Jacques Attali said in an exclusive interview with EurActiv.

The campaign manager of François Hollande, the socialist candidate in the French presidential election who currently leads in opinion polls, has backed away from previous demands to radically "renegotiate" the EU's fiscal discipline treaty.

All but two EU countries signed a fiscal pact to tighten budget discipline on Friday (2 March), marking a coup for Germany which sought the accord to prevent a repeat of the loose spending that contributed to the economic crisis.

The EU's 27 finance ministers will be debating new transfers of power to the European Commission when they meet on Tuesday (21 February), as they examine proposals to tighten control over member states' budgets in the wake of the eurozone's debt crisis.

Britain should be relaxed about being "out of the room" when Europe discusses eurozone issues, Prime Minister David Cameron said yesterday (26 January), dismissing any prospect of signing up to a new treaty with other EU states to enforce stricter budget controls.

Poland, a European Union member but outside the eurozone, warned on yesterday (24 January) it could not sign up to the bloc's new treaty on tighter fiscal rules if it is not allowed to take part in meetings of the single-currency states.

The latest draft of the fiscal compact to be discussed today (23 January) and tomorrow by European finance ministers increases the isolation of Britain by excluding London from taking part in euro summits and rejecting the UK’s objections over the new role of the Court of Justice. 

The new fiscal compact came a step closer to final agreement yesterday (12 January) following a deal struck by European Council officials and disgruntled MEPs who had slammed the latest draft of the treaty a day earlier.

No celebrations are due to take place as the euro marked its 10th anniversary, but leaders seized the occasion to call for reforms needed to strengthen the EU common currency. 

The proposed 'fiscal compact' treaty currently being negotiated overly emphasises austerity and is insufficient to exit the economic difficulties, says Jo Leinen, a social democratic MEP from Germany. But the unprecedented attention brought to the EU by the crisis also presents an opportunity for European federalists to make their case to the public, he says.

A forum with around 100 delegates is likely to be convened before the end of the year to debate the proposed new intergovernmental treaty – to be signed by all EU member states apart from the UK – EurActiv has learned.

Germany continued to resist demands for the European Central Bank to intervene forcefully in the markets yesterday (14 December), whilst Ireland’s Europe minister called for a stronger role for the bank.

Up to 26 EU countries will finalise a pact to enforce budget discipline more strictly in the eurozone by March, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said yesterday in Strasbourg, as the bloc tries to move quickly to rebuild confidence without Britain's backing.

British Prime Minister David Cameron is grappling with a major row within in his Conservative-led coalition as his Liberal Democrat partner blasted his veto of an EU treaty aimed at tightening fiscal rules for countries using the euro.

EU leaders are meeting in Brussels on 1-2 March to officially put their signature on a new fiscal treaty to enforce stricter budgetary discipline in the euro zone. Britain and the Czech Republic will be the only two countries abstaining while attention turns to ratification and the referendum announced in Ireland.

EU heads of states and government would be well advised to announce which strategy for the eurozone they would like to endorse for the next 10 to 20 years, writes Renaud Thillaye, saying three options are on the table: An 'insurance-adjustment' strategy, a smaller eurozone or a fiscal federation.

EU leaders tend to argue that the newly agreed fiscal compact is a step towards a fiscal union, while in reality the future of the eurozone remains in limbo, argues Philip Whyte.

The new treaty on fiscal discipline cannot alone address the euro crisis and while there has been renewed talk of growth by EU leaders, current plans have proven "pitifully weak," says Carole Ulmer.

This week's EU summit has again illustrated that austerity continues to be Berlin’s only response to the crisis, ignoring social issues and a rising tide of euroscepticism and anti-German feelings among the population, writes Susanne Gratius from Madrid-based think-tank FRIDE.

The proposed 'fiscal compact' treaty currently being negotiated overly emphasises austerity and is insufficient to resolve the economic difficulties, says German MEP Jo Leinen. However the unprecedented attention brought to the EU by the crisis also presents an opportunity for European federalists to make their case to the public, he says.