A message against austerity was sent from the European Parliament by the Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa, in his speech on the future of Europe. Mr. Costa also stressed that only with solidarity and cooperation can the EU to be sustainable, in addition to defending the mix, "common rules and autonomy".
Mr Costa hailed the existence and functioning of the European Parliament, speaking of being the highest body representing European citizens. The EU, he continued, has been shaken by a series of crises, such as the economic, immigration and Brexit, has entered a phase of peace which is constantly at stake. For this, he asked, the means must be given to the EU. and in countries to address the problems. Referring to the difficulties faced by Eurozone countries such as Portugal, he said that does not necessarily mean that there should be a strict austerity policy. Moreover, he believes that in order not to create inequality with the euro, there must be a fiscal background.
"Europe must move forward with the 28 countries together on all challenges, such as immigration, which can only be tackled on a European scale," said the Portuguese prime minister. He stressed that only through solidarity and cooperation can Europe be sustainable and in the process of developing its domestic and foreign policy. The EU It should not be limited to institutional discussions, he also argued and argued that substantial cooperation and action should be taken to ensure that Europe's democratic regime is in place and that its future is secure. "Only a coherent EU policy will properly represent European citizens and their concerns," he added.
Common rules are needed, but each country should be able to autonomously choose its own policies based on its needs - for example, economic hardship - and necessarily chart its own course. "In Portugal in particular, we support an alternative to austerity, which leads to greater equality and more jobs. So we regained the trust of investors with higher levels of growth. We now have healthier fiscal data and in 2017 we came out of the excessive deficit process. Confidence in the European institutions and the EU has been restored. We want our future to be in the EU. "and to face the challenges for the future," he told the European Parliament. Costa.
The Portuguese Prime Minister was the third guest head of state of the EU. in the European Parliament in a debate on the future of the European Union. He was a Member of the European Parliament and Vice-President of the European Parliament from July 2004 to March 2005, before resigning to become Minister of the Interior of Portugal.