Intervenções Públicas EPP Congress in Bucharest

During the EPP Congress in Bucharest Maria da Graça Carvalho said that the current economic crisis "should be seen as an opportunity to contribute to overhauling European economies"

Ms Carvalho was invited by the EPP President to participate at the meeting on "Preserving Europe for future generations: Towards green growth and sustainable economy" at the EPP Congress that was held today in Bucharest.

Maria da Graça Carvalho made the introductory remarks and during her intervention she described how Horizon 2020 will contribute to the greening of the economy, smart cities, a low carbon economy and regional development. She also outlined some of the ways in which Europe, can give itself the financial means to achieve the far-reaching ambitions that possess.

Ms. Carvalho also stressed the importance that the green economy will have for future generations. "In this respect, she added the current economic crisis should be seen as an opportunity to contribute to overhauling European economies. The expanding green economy - alongside the health and new technology sectors - is one of the developments that will offer us both the growth and new job opportunities that the European economy urgently requires".

The main objective of the meeting was to focus on the potential of green growth and sustainable economy. The panel also discussed the role of regions in achieving EU's 2020 Strategy objectives on a resource efficient, greener and more competitive economy.

As EPP sees green innovation and new technologies as key to stimulate sustainable development of European economy and to preserve the environment for our future generations, the discussion also focused on the role of cities: smart resource management, energy efficiency and urban mobility for 21st century. As such there were examined different pathways to low-carbon economy in the long run, and the necessary steps to achieve it.

The keynote address was made by Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for Regional Policy; and the panellists were Hendrik Bourgeois, Vice-President European Affairs at General Electric Company; Romana Jordan, MEP, Member of Industry, Research and Energy Committee in European Parliament and Richard Seeber, Co-Coordinator of the EPP Group in the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.