It is now time for action
The Prime Minister came out punching when Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso jetted in to Poland for discussions ahead of this week's European summit.
He responded angrily to accusations that Poland is using so-called 'social dumping' to compete against wealthy Western countries.
"Our low wages are a result of healthy economic strategy and it is not social dumping," Belka said.
He went on to attack moves by old EU countries to weaken or install riders on the implementation of the Services Directive, which would allow the free movement of services across borders. "The new ideas about the Services Directive is a total negation of the Lisbon Strategy," Belka said.
The troubled Lisbon Strategy is supposed to set out the goals that will allow Europe to grow competitively. The Prime Minister identified key areas, including the elimination of the transition period that most old EU countries are imposing on labor movement, and the lack of recognition of qualifications, as particular barriers for Poland.
However, he hoped things may change: "Until now there was no political will," he said.
Chairman Barroso expressed the Commission's support for eliminating existing barriers to the Common Market, but added that the voice and worries of all member states must be taken into the account.
Barroso said he is confident though that this time a common strategy will be put into action. "There is much greater awareness of challenges facing EU and of the need to adapt to them than five years ago," he said.
Barroso also praised the achievements of Poland's economic transformation.
He responded angrily to accusations that Poland is using so-called 'social dumping' to compete against wealthy Western countries.
"Our low wages are a result of healthy economic strategy and it is not social dumping," Belka said.
He went on to attack moves by old EU countries to weaken or install riders on the implementation of the Services Directive, which would allow the free movement of services across borders. "The new ideas about the Services Directive is a total negation of the Lisbon Strategy," Belka said.
The troubled Lisbon Strategy is supposed to set out the goals that will allow Europe to grow competitively. The Prime Minister identified key areas, including the elimination of the transition period that most old EU countries are imposing on labor movement, and the lack of recognition of qualifications, as particular barriers for Poland.
However, he hoped things may change: "Until now there was no political will," he said.
Chairman Barroso expressed the Commission's support for eliminating existing barriers to the Common Market, but added that the voice and worries of all member states must be taken into the account.
Barroso said he is confident though that this time a common strategy will be put into action. "There is much greater awareness of challenges facing EU and of the need to adapt to them than five years ago," he said.
Barroso also praised the achievements of Poland's economic transformation.
