Politicians have to ensure the best conditions for sustainable economic growth and wealth, thereby ensuring citizen's freedom of choice. They have to ensure solidarity with those reeling the most under the burdens of the current crisis and must bear the responsibility of contributing to building a future of prosperity with the European blueprint of a Social Market Economy and the European Charter of Fundamental Rights.

PRESS RELEASES

02/02/2010	Economic Crisis: late payments endangering SMEs. Othmar Karas MEP
04/11/2009	Special Committee on the Financial, Economic and Social Crisis to provide detailed analysis and recommendations to support a global recovery. Othmar Karas MEP

POLICY

This newly-established Special Committee on the Financial, Economic and Social Crisis aims to provide detailed analysis and recommendations for measures to be taken to support a global recovery.

For the EPP Group, the current crisis is an opportunity for shaping change and transforming Europe in line with our core values - freedom, solidarity and responsibility - and for placing citizens at the forefront of our actions.

We believe in fostering job creation and teaching new skills to re-integrate the unemployed into the labour market. We believe in balancing financial support for the economy with keeping debt at a manageable level. We believe in supporting SMEs, the motor of the European economy, with short-term financing and reducing the administrative burden. Our growth must be sustainable, integrating low-carbon and digital technologies and generating efficiency gains.

Reference documents:
	Political Guidelines for the Commission 2009 - 2014. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission
	Consultation on the future EU 2020 strategy

HEARINGS

Workshop on the Impact of the Crisis on SMEs - Monday, 1 February 2010
Programme - Conclusions

Past Hearings
Hearing videos