Date of release : 07-06-2005

Policy area : Economic and Financial Affairs Economic and Financial Affairs

Event : Economic and Financial Affairs Council

During the press conference after the Economic and Financial Affairs Council, Jean-Claude Juncker, current President of the European Council, stated that he had "encouraged" his colleagues to speak "in all earnesty" to their Presidents and Prime Ministers about the financial perspectives for 2007 to 2013, which should be decided on by the European Council of 16 and 17 June 2005. "We had the collective impression", said Jean-Claude Juncker, "that after the major difficulties Europe has been experiencing over the past two weeks, it would be desirable if we could reach an agreement on the financial perspectives and on the budgetary framework for our policies between 2007 to 2013. (…) If the European Council could reach an agreement on the proposals of the Luxembourg Presidency - or very close to it -, it would demonstrate its sense of responsibility and common sense. In addition, if it should be unable to do so, there will come a day when another European Council will reach an agreement on just about the same responses that the Luxembourg Presidency has supplied. If this is the case, it would be better to agree today while Europe risks entering into a sustained crisis, instead of postponing the right response until tomorrow, when by acting today we could prevent Europe from sinking into a crisis."