Like the British, the Flemish N-VA want an efficient EU

In November, British Prime Minister David Cameron formulated demands aimed at achieving a more efficient European Union, and to update the relationship between the EU and UK. After intense discussions, today the European Council President Donald Tusk made Europe's counteroffer. It is a draft negotiating text ahead of the European summit on 18 and 19 February where decisions have to be made.

MEP Sander Loones, the Vice-President of the N-VA, the largest party of Belgium, said: "To be or not to be together, to go together or not, that is the question, as Tusk rightly pointed out in his letter. One thing is clear: this Union will not stick together just for the sake of unity. Any relationship requires attention, hard work, and understanding of each other's concerns. The polls in Britain already show that the relationship is stretched and the referendum could go in either direction. Let us not forget that the UK is a geopolitical superpower and a very important trading partner for Flanders. "

The British formulated reform proposals around four major themes. Tusk worked out an initial response to all questions. The goal is a more competitive EU, a Union with a clear economic governance, a strong vision of Subsidiarity A principle that states that the lowest possible level at which a government is (still) effective is the most appropriate level from which to govern. It is for this reason that only the powers that a lower authority cannot exercise or cannot exercise well are allocated to a centralised or higher authority, and vice versa. The idea behind this is that political decisions are best made and executed as closely to the citizens as possible. subsidiarity and also empowering measures against harmful Social security Social security is currently managed at the Federal level in Belgium. The most important pillars of Belgian social security are: sickness and invalidity insurance (NIDHI), pensions, unemployment insurance and child allowances. In addition, occupational illness, occupational accidents and annual holidays are dealt with at this level. Some Flemish parties have been campaigning for years for (large parts of) social security to be transferred to the Regions and Communities. social security migration.

"When Cameron put his demands on the table, the traditional Europhiles believed he would not bring in much," said Loones. "Today, the proposals show that much progress has been made. The proposals to strengthen the economy and Competitiveness The extent to which companies in one country can compete with similar companies in another country. A law came into force in Belgium in 1996 to monitor competitiveness. This stipulates that Belgian salaries may not evolve faster than the average of those in the three neighbouring countries. The Central Economic Council (CEC) performs an annual measurement to see if the objectives have been obtained. competitiveness surpass what many had expected. The voice of National Parliaments will sound louder in the EU. And Member States will be able to intervene when the social security system is overloaded because migrants think only about what they can get, without contributing first."

Eurorealistic solutions

It remains to be seen if these texts will be sufficient for the EU summit in mid-February to reach a real agreement. They will form the basis for a referendum in which the British will decide whether to remain a member of the EU.

Loones: "Those who dream of a European superstate or of an interventionist state economy with no room for free enterprise, will not be satisfied with the text of Tusk. We believe there is a 'eurorealist' need for a more effective Union, and we must continue to reform. In the negotiating text there are several key elements to achieve a better Europe. Politicians who would argue for less reform are playing with fire. With the current asylum crisis which shakes the EU's foundations, we need partners who are open to realistic solutions. "