EU foreign ministers discussed 'sensitive' EU inter-institutional balance issues, Kourkoulas reports

21:11 30/5/2014 - Πηγή: Matrix24

Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Kourkoulas on Friday said that the EU28 foreign ministers meeting at the informal General Affairs Council (GAC) in Athens had agreed, in the wake of the European Parliament elections result, that European institutions must seek to establish the right mix of policies to tackle euroscepticism, enhance efficiency

in their operation and provide guarantees of prosperity to the EU member-states.

Speaking in a press conference after the GAC, which discussed an stronger role for the GAC and issues of inter-institutional balance preparatory to reaching an agreement, Kourkoulas noted that these were sensitive issues because while seeking to facilitate inter-institutional agreements and efficiency, they also tended to affect the EU's institutional balance. He also supported the need for a stronger role for the GAC.

European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefkovic also commented on the election results, noting that these had expressed the frustration and tension of societies. He also pointed out that the preceding summit had noted the need for a "strong stance in favour of economic growth and creating the conditions for new jobs".

Replying to questions about the prospects of completing an EU-U.S. trade agreement, Kourkoulas said that the agreement could ideally be extremely beneficial since it created a larger unified economic area. He also noted, however, that the negotiations were still incomplete and that "it is not a gift to the United States" nor should various problems be linked to the trade agreement.

source: ΑΜΝΑ