Sobotka: EU is safe haven
Prague, Nov 13 (ČTK) — The EU is a safe haven guaranteeing stability and prosperity to the Czech Republic, Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said at the opening of the National Convention on the EU today.
In his speech, Sobotka also criticized the non-observance of the rules and the existence of tax havens in the EU.
Sobotka appreciated President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker having “reshuffled” European commissioners’ portfolios.
In doing so, Juncker showed that he wanted an independent EC, which corresponded with the Czech Republic’s demand for a strong EC, he added.
“I consider the EU a sort of safe haven,” Sobotka said, mentioning the wars in the Balkans and the conflict in Ukraine.
“For us, the EU membership guarantees basic stability and at least some basic prosperity,” Sobotka said.
He stressed the Czech Republic’s shared responsibility for all Brussels’ decisions, including the unpopular ones.
It is vital that the rules should be observed in the EU, Sobotka said.
He criticized Greece for having reported false data on its economic development, which brought about a crisis in the EU, and exceptions for large EU members from the observance of the budget conditions of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP).
Sobotka said the Czech Republic was ready to fulfill its obligations arising from the budget rules.
Sobotka denounced the existence of tax havens in the EU.
“In Europe, the tax havens such as that in Cyprus should not function,” Sobotka said.
“It is one of the big mistakes that there are tax havens, that Europe has admitted the tax dumping. Such things should be eliminated,” he added.
Sobotka repeated that when it comes to the adoption of the euro by the Czech Republic, the question is not whether but only when.
His government would like the Czech Republic to join the eurozone after 2018.
However, it is up to the next government to decide on the exact date, Sobotka said.
It is important for the Czech Republic that the EU be headed by a strong and independent EC, he added.
“By playing with the nominations (of European commissioners), Juncker often did quite the opposite of what the EU members wished as far as the powers of their commissioners, including the Czech Republic, are concerned,” Sobotka said.
“I think it was a well-thought step. Although the Czech Republic may not like it, he made it clear that the European Commission is not subjected to the will of individual member states,” he added.
“When it comes to the efforts at making the EU strong, what Juncker did was good, although I was not enthusiastic at what it meant for the Czech Republic,” Sobotka said.
At first, the Czech Republic proposed Věra Jourová for European commissioner for regional development, transport or industry, but she was eventually named European commissioner for justice, consumer protection and gender equality.
Chamber of Deputies chairman Jan Hamáček (ČSSD) said before Sobotka that the process of a multi-speed EU was irreversible and the Czech Republic should join the hard integration core.
“The EU is no prison. Those who do not want to be in it, should not be prevented from leaving it and kept in it at any cost,” Hamáček said, commenting on the deliberations about Britain.
Senate deputy chairman Zdeněk Škromach (ČSSD) said the Czech Republic must not stand outside the main decision-making stream in the EU as it happened under the previous, right-wing Czech governments.
The National Convention on the EU is a new platform for the discussion on the EU and Czech interests in it. The debates are to result in recommendations for the government.
