"What will the public remember from the European Council this Friday in Brussels? That Europe speaks with one voice on Egypt, the Euro, and energy or that it spends its time on less important issues?", asked Joseph Daul MEP. "For the EPP Group, the solution to all these problems is not less, but more Europe."

On Egypt, the Chairman of the main European parliamentary Group said that he hopes Europe speaks loudly and clearly and that it plays its role in the region by "assisting the transition and establishing democratic and open elections."

On the Euro and European governance, Joseph Daul stressed that "the solution is not more differences on our budget policies, our labour laws, and our tax rates but to have more convergence."

"I know that our governments will stand firm and that they won't allow speculators to destroy 60 years of European construction, but if there is one lesson to be learned from this crisis, it is that without a common vision and common resources, our countries will be burdened with slow growth and a deepening of the social crisis", warned the Chairman of the main political force in Europe.

On energy, the priority is to make the internal energy market fully functional.

"We can't say it enough: if we make this market fully functional, it will make us more competitive, it will ensure the security of our supplies and will guarantee a considerable increase in renewable energy production."

Finally, on innovation and research, the Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament emphasised the increased focus on small and medium-sized enterprises: "The solution is to reduce red tape as much as possible and to agree on a European patent."

"The time has come to move beyond our past reactions", concluded Joseph Daul. "Taking individual initiatives, such as recent letters from 2 or 3 countries to the Commission, can be useful. But playing as a team wins the game. It is fine to nourish national ambitions but understanding that the global game is won by teams is a guarantee for the future of Europeans.

(Translation from the original French)

For further information:
Joseph DAUL MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group, Tel: +32-2-2847525
Antoine Ripoll, Chairman's Spokesman, Tel: +32-475-856290

Notes to Editors:
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 265 Members.