Cameron and Spain's Rajoy propose EU measures to boost competition
British Prime Minister David Cameron has called for new measures to link the energy sectors of European Union countries and more help for small businesses, as part of a package of proposals to boost growth, employment and innovation in the region.
Ahead of talks with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in Madrid on Friday, the pair jointly wrote an article in the Spanish economic daily Expansion demanding new measures to help improve EU trade, working conditions, energy regulations.
Cameron and Rajoy called for the creation of a “passport” in fields such as engineering and accountancy
They called for the creation of a “passport” in fields such as engineering and accountancy that would allow companies to do business across all the union.
In addition, Cameron and Rajoy stressed that the EU should promote start-ups, and reminded that in the last five years 50% of the employment was created in companies with five or less years of existence.
Cameron and Rajoy also emphasised the need to “connect” the EU's energy sector, which would lower prices for companies and clients and would make easier the compliance with the climate change standards.
They also urged the EU to promote the digital sector, adding that it should be easier for companies to register in other countries.
The pair urged the EU to promote the digital sector, making it easier for companies to register in other countries
“The EU's main purpose is to foster growth and to create jobs, and all members must do their part,” they wrote.
Both countries shared deep structural problems such as excessive debt and low competitiveness but managed to crawl out of the recession due to making sacrifices, they wrote.
"We have learned a clear lesson from all this: countries that consolidate their public finances guarantee the sustainability of their welfare state, carry out ambitious structural reforms and incentivise employment, create the greatest number of jobs and bring back confidence in the future," they stated.
While both countries took different approaches towards making their economic recovery, "the results will be better if we work together to create a European Union that has growth, employment and innovation as its reason for being".
“That is how this organization will remain beneficial to European citizens. And this is one of the ways we will fulfill our obligation as leaders: providing the people we represent with a better life.”
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