Download Summary 2012/13:UU4

Summary of Statement from the Committee on Foreign
Affairs 2012/13:UU4
The Commission Work Programme 2013
In this Statement, the Committee considers the Commission Work Programme 2013, COM
(2012) 629, adopted on 23 October 2012. The Committee on Finance and Committee on
Justice have submitted statements of opinion on the Programme.
In the Work Programme, the Commission presents a long-term vision of the EU in terms of
key policy areas. It also provides a summary of what is missing today to be able to achieve
this vision and of the measures the Commission intends to take to tackle these challenges. The
Committee underlines the importance of safeguarding an open Europe – also in times of crisis
– and notes that the priorities set out in the Work Programme are on the whole in line with
Sweden's priorities. It is positive that growth and competitiveness are given ample scope. The
Committee stresses that openness must be a guiding principle within all of the EU's areas of
cooperation and a foundation for all initiatives and programmes that the Commission intends
to launch.
It considers that Sweden has a clear interest in a strong and stable euro zone, and that the
countries that are experiencing considerable economic problems also receive common help to
solve these problems. Ultimately it is a question of keeping Europe together and avoiding
serious social conflicts. The Committee supports the positions of the Committee on Finance
as regards proposals on the shadow banking sector, a review of the system for financial
supervision, e-invoicing for public procurement, an integrated payments market in the EU for
card, electronic and mobile phone payments, and on occupational pensions.
Furthermore, the Committee supports the Commission's assessment that the EU, to be able to
build its global competitive position, needs to link its internal policies with external measures.
The Committee especially underlines the importance of freedom on the Internet in order to
help people get involved and promote democratic change, and of the EU promoting freedom
of expression and of the media. In the opinion of the Committee, the EU's capacity to take
action in the field of security policy is a function of resources and cohesion, and it is for this
reason vital to counteract any new divisions among EU member states on the basis of
economic strength and prosperity. The Union gains both influence and credibility by standing
united and taking joint action. The Committee also welcomes the fact that the Commission
intends to present a coherent EU position as a framework for the Millennium Development
Goals, the post-2015 development agenda and Rio+20. In this context, the Committee
especially wishes to emphasise how important it is that the Commission aims to increase
cohesion between the EU's various policy areas, that the gender-equality perspective is made
clear and that the Commission works actively to mobilise resources so that the EU's common
development cooperation goals can be achieved.
The Committee supports the positions of the Committee on Justice as regards the Stockholm
Programme, cooperation in criminal matters and the initiative to establish a European
Prosecution Authority. Furthermore, the Committee welcomes the fact that the Commission
intends to present a new framework with goals for the EU's transition towards a low-carbon
economy for the period 2020-2030, and it stresses how important it is that the Union takes a
decision on binding emissions goals.
The Statement contains explanatory reservations from the Green Party, the Sweden
Democrats and the Left Party.