EU Budget: stop this nationalistic nonsense

The Young European Federalists (JEF-Europe) are concerned by the further nationalistic skirmishes that the EU finds itself in today with the letter of the 6 net payers stating they wish to limit the EU's budget.

"Such a brutal approach from the net payers could not have come at a worse time," stated Jon Worth, President of JEF-Europe.

"It is a proof that some national leaders have skipped the lesson of solidarity and forgot the precious meaning of collective growth."

"We need to reflect on how to move forward, not stoke the nationalistic fires of anger still further."

"Solidarity between the richer and poorer parts of the European Union has been essential for 50 years. As the EU stands today on the eve of enlargement, it is more necessary than ever."

JEF-Europe campaigns for a federal structure of the European Union, with the Commission becoming a true government for the EU, held to account by the European Parliament. Such a system would mean that the European Union would have the power to raise its own revenue.

"The decisions of how much the EU spends, and what projects the money should be spent on, need to be taken in an open and democratic manner," continued Jon Worth.

"We must debate the issue of an EU tax."

"The European Union must not be further held hostage by the selfish, nationalistic interests of bullying nation states."