Pavel Telička : The EU needs to focus on streamlining legislation

European citizens 'have had enough of empty words' and it's time the EU made real progress on its legislative proposals, says Pavel Telička.

By Julie Levy-Abegnoli

10 Sep 2015

Pavel Telička, a vice-chair of Parliament's Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) group, is clear on what he thinks policymakers should focus on for the next parliamentary year. 

"The EU should primarily tackle the internal issues that are threatening to hinder its economic growth and prosperity, which are affecting the interests and wellbeing of citizens", he says.

"These include reforming economic governance, boosting growth and creating jobs, completing the single market and energy union and removing trade barriers", explains Telička.


RELATED CONTENT


On the environmental front, Europe should work on "the circular economy and more effective waste management".

The MEP also wants to see policymakers focus on "introducing better regulation to streamline legislation and remove excessive administrative burden. I know a lot of this has been targeted in the past, but this time there has to be real progress. People have had enough of empty words."

"The EU also needs to develop a global strategy to respond to two main goals. First, we must take on the threats emerging at our borders that are jeopardising our stability and interests. In this respect, the European neighbourhood policy should be made a priority. Second, we should work towards strengthening the EU's role as a global power."

"We should, for example, engage in more conflict resolution in the Middle East, especially when it comes to the Syrian crisis. I believe certain measures are necessary, such as setting up integrated European military forces."

The Czech deputy told the Parliament Magazine that other priorities for the ALDE group include, "better economic governance to avert another economic crisis and instead, lead Europe back to growth, a better asylum and immigration policy and avoid a 'Brexit'."

On the topic of the UK's upcoming referendum on its EU membership, Telička believes it is "an opportunity to have a major debate on the necessary institutional evolution of the EU and, eventually, a treaty change that could allow everyone to finally play by the same rules - no more rebates or opt-outs."

"I'm also convinced that the British people will see that possible advantages of a 'Brexit' would be far outweighed by negative consequences for the UK. It will be a long and complicated discussion, but in the end, it could prove beneficial for the future of the EU as we need urgent reforms."

He believes "Europe must develop a comprehensive response to the [Greek] crisis by dropping its intergovernmental approach, and instead return to the community method, wherever needed."

"The fact that the Greek crisis has been putting the euro and the EU under strain for six years shows how the euro area's institutional architecture has failed."

"The Eurozone needs smart reforms leading to greater convergence. I urge EU leaders to acknowledge that the current situation is no longer sustainable, and that if nothing changes soon, a new crisis such as the one we experienced with Greece will emerge."

And while, "compared to the previous Commission, this one is without a doubt more political and has improved cooperation with the European Parliament, its performance is far from fully satisfactory."

Telička explains that, “European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans' better regulation package lacks many provisions. For instance, impact assessment of draft legislation throughout the entire legislative process should be strengthened, with a single independent scrutiny board for the three institutions."

"People from inside the Commission say that procedures have become lengthier. There are many other areas where the Commission should demonstrate stronger leadership."

 

Read the most recent articles written by Julie Levy-Abegnoli - MEPs vote against beginning negotiations on updating EU copyright laws