| Series Title | European Voice |
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| Series Details | Vol.10, No.2, 22.1.04 |
| Publication Date | 22/01/2004 |
| Content Type | News |
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Date: 22/01/04 WIM Kok, the former prime minister of the Netherlands, has criticized EU leaders for failing to agree a new constitution. He said the collapse of talks on the issue at December's summit in Brussels, which he dismissed as a "non-event", had caused "a lot of damage" to the image of the European Union. And he warned that, unless government leaders show the political will to find a compromise, public scepticism about the EU project will grow. Failure to broker a deal on a constitution, as well as disputes over the war in Iraq and the Stability and Growth Pact, mean it is now "vitally important" for EU leaders to put their differences behind them, he said. Kok made his comments during a debate hosted by the Lisbon Council campaign group at the Résidence Palace in Brussels. The focus of his address was the outcome of the Employment Task Force, which he headed. His wide-ranging report, which put forward proposals aimed at boosting Europe's labour markets, will provide the basis for further work by the European Commission and member states. He said the importance of reaching agreement on an EU constitution does not mean the issue should be allowed to overshadow the Spring economic summit, where employment will be a key issue. "I know Bertie Ahern [prime minister of Ireland, current holder of the EU presidency] well and am confident he will use the March summit for the purpose it is intended," said Kok, who was Dutch premier for eight years until 2002. Kok's report makes four key recommendations:
Report on comments made by former Dutch PM, Wim Kok, at a meeting to discuss the recommendations of the Employment Task Force, headed by Mr Kok. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://www.european-voice.com/ |
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| Subject Categories | Employment and Social Affairs, Politics and International Relations |
