Assistant Minister Marušić attends GAC on economic growth, employment

Assistant Minister Hrvoje Marušić 28 and 29 August attended an informal meeting of the General Affairs Council in Milan that discussed the implementation of the EU Strategic Agenda

Assistant Minister Hrvoje Marušić 28 and 29 August attended an informal meeting of the General Affairs Council in Milan that discussed the implementation of the EU Strategic Agenda which, among other things, aims to stimulate employment and competitiveness, achieve greater social security for the EU citizens and strengthen the Union’s role as a global player. Marušić said that a stronger role of the GAC was a prerequisite for an efficient implementation of the Strategic Agenda, with priorities being stimulating economic growth and employment.

In the part of a discussion on how to improve the functioning of the EU, Marušić underlined improving the efficiency of the EU institutions, notably through a better functioning legislature and less red tape. It is important at that that the EU respects the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, and be closer to its citizens, with a more prominent participation of national parliaments, said Marušić. He added that the reasons for the citizens’ disappointment with the EU and their turning towards more radical political options lay in economic issues and social inequality, and that therefore the priorities were stimulating economic growth and reducing inequality. Marušić emphasized the importance of energy security and independence as a catalyst of economic growth, especially in light of the current security and economic challenges. He underlined enlargement policy as the instrument of consolidation and one of Croatia’s political priorities.

The meeting also discussed strengthening the role of the GAC, which should become a venue for political discussion where topics and questions would be put forth for sessions of the European Council.

The EU Strategic Agenda can be found at:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/143477.pdf

 

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