MEPs brand summit work ‘inadequate’

Date: 05/04/01

By John Shelley

MEPS have branded the work by EU leaders at the Stockholm summit as inadequate, insisting they should have gone further to modernise the Union's economy.

Euro MPs from both the Parliament's largest political section, the European People's Party (EPP), and the Liberal group have said they feel let down by the deal brokered by Swedish premier Göran Persson.

They cited a lack of concrete steps taken towards the long- term goal of making Europe's economy the most competitive and dynamic in the world.

EPP spokesman Robert Fitzhenry said: "Obviously my group is disappointed with the results of the Stockholm summit. We would have liked some progress on the liberalisation of markets and in other areas."

Alison Suttie, Liberal group spokesman, echoed that, saying MEPs in her group were "very disappointed".

Fitzhenry also criticised EU leaders for trying to claim the glory for completing talks on the Lamfalussy action plan on financial services, when the negotiations still have to be concluded with the European Parliament.

"I think they should be a little bit more careful when they are announcing such agreements to make it clear that they are not final agreements," he said.

MEPs have branded the work by EU leaders at the Stockholm summit as inadequate, insisting they should have gone further to modernise the Union's economy.