excerpt from EAPN FLASH No 149 - 8 July 2005
Next issue: early August

NEWS

Priorities of the UK Presidency of the EU

On 1st July the United Kingdom took over the Presidency of the European Union for six months. UK Prime Minister Tony Blair presented his programme and ideas before the European Parliament on 23 June. The main issues promoted by Blair are renewed economic reforms; the shape of the debate over the future of Europe; how the EU budget is spent and social Europe versus a more free market-oriented Europe: " The issue is not between a 'free market' Europe and a social Europe, between those who want to retreat to a common market and those who believe in Europe as a political project. This is not just a misrepresentation ".

The priorities for the UK Presidency are grouped under three main headings: Economic reform and social justice, Security and stability, and Europe 's role in the world. The task under the first of the above is described: " A Europe better able to create jobs, higher living standards and modernised social protection " . At the outset, the target is identified in terms of the implementation of the 2004 Kok Report , which has clearly stressed the primacy of economic over social progress.

See PM Tony Blair speech to the EP (23 June 2005) and Commission President Barroso's response to UK Presidency Programme

See UK Presidency website: http://www.eu2005.gov.uk (including priorities and programme)

EAPN UK calls on the Presidency to make poverty history in Europe, too!

To influence the launch of the Presidency, EAPN UK has called on the UK Government to make use of the Presidency to make clear its commitment to a Europe where the drive for economic growth is meaningfully balanced with real progress towards a more cohesive society.

Peter Kelly, a member of EAPN's UK Liaison Group, said: " The UK Presidency comes at a vital time of the European Union, where there must be genuine debate about the way forward. In leading that debate, the UK must recognise that economic growth and increased employment do not by themselves tackle poverty. If the UK is to put itself at the heart of Europe and provide real leadership, it must offer Europe a social vision as well as an economic one. Above all the Government must be able to show how its approach will help make poverty history - not only in the developing world, but in the UK and across Europe " .