European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced on Wednesday a 315 billion euros investment plan for Europe aimed at getting Europe growing again and get more people back to work.
“This is an investment offensive that optimises our economic policy. We are focusing on long-term, large-scale European investment to create jobs. We are also targeting SMEs – Europe’s job creators – to give a boost to the real economy,” President Juncker told the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Juncker said that “this ground-breaking investment plan, mobilising all levels of government, is the missing part of the puzzle, the third point in the virtuous triangle.”
“We are turning a corner, completing fiscal responsibility and structural reform with innovative investment plans and instruments,” he said.
He added that Europe “we will stand tall on three pillars: the money, the projects and the rules to create the right business environment.”
“We are offering hope to millions of Europeans disillusioned after years of stagnation. Now that we are going in the right direction, there will be no turning back,” he insisted.
Juncker said that that Europe could still become “the epicentre of a major investment drive,” while preserving “the European social model will persevere.”
Jyrki Katainen, the Commission’s Vice President, said the plan “will change the way public money is used for investment in Europe.”
“There is ample liquidity in the market. Interest rates are very low and financial market tensions have eased. At the same time, there is a real demand for credible investment projects. And yet, investment is not happening,” Katainen warned.
Insisting that “public authorities can play a vital role on both supply and demand,” Katainen said “long-term financing” should be “available for projects that contribute towards… common priorities for Europe: energy, digital, transport and innovation.”
“To succeed, Europe must be united and innovative,” he said.
More at:
http://ec.europa.eu/priorities/jobs-growth-investment/plan/index_en.htm
