General Report on the Activities of the European Union — 2011

Foreward by José Manuel Barroso

2011 was a year in which Europe’s resolve to respond to crises has been _______ to the test once again. The European Union has been _______ with a series of challenges that have needed immediate and sustained _______ — from addressing the _______ economic and financial crisis, to responding to the _______ in north Africa and the Middle East, to _______ global negotiations on climate change, international trade and development.

The European Union has taken important _______ towards deeper integration. We are more interdependent than ever before. This brings us great _______, but also great responsibilities. The crisis has _______ that we must do _______ more to assume these fully. This is now even better _______ by all of us in the EU. In 2011, the overall orientation of our discussions and decisions has been about stronger _______ than weaker ties — a more united and a more deeply _______ European Union.

The year was dominated by the financial and economic crisis. This crisis has _______ beyond the financial and economic sectors. It has _______ decisive questions over the political _______ of, and the confidence in, the euro area. Confidence can be lost in a day. It _______ much longer to regain it. That is why a truly comprehensive _______ is required.

Over the last year, we have continued the _______ reform of the economic policies of the Union. Bold mechanisms for economic _______, budgetary _______ and sanctions have been put in place, and more are being prepared. We have continued to work on strengthening the firewalls and firepower to help any country in the euro area that _______ difficulties. And for the longer _______, we are exploring the possibilities of the _______ issuance of bonds in the euro area as a natural consequence of greater convergence and as a key _______ in maintaining confidence in our _______ union.

This approach has been matched by the Commission’s work in _______ of creating

structural conditions for future _______. Spending our way out of the crisis would be spending our way into new indebtedness, and that is a road we cannot take. However, the Commission has presented proposals for _______ reforms, combined with targeted investments, to make our economies more competitive and _______ growth on a strong and _______ basis. To underpin this approach, we have strengthened the liquidity and _______ capacity of our banks in the short _______, while introducing the world’s strongest regulation and _______ of our financial sector so as to _______ similar problems in the future. We have also _______ three euro area Member States in difficulties with adjustment programmes, and have _______ particular measures to help Greece meet its _______. A special task force has been created to provide technical and administrative assistance to the country and _______ sure that structural funds are used to the full to _______ competitiveness, boost growth and _______ unemployment.

The Commission has also looked _______ the current crisis and put forward a proposal for an ambitious and responsible budget for the period 2014–20, a _______ that will bring real benefits to Europe’s citizens and _______.

The year 2011 will be remembered in the history books as the year when people _______ to the streets in north Africa and the Middle East to _______ democracy and change. The European Union _______ immediately — first with a new strategy for the southern Mediterranean and then with a major _______ of the manner in which the European neighbourhood policy is implemented. The European Union has acted to help all those that have _______ for freedom, democracy and _______.

The European Union also responded immediately to those in need _______ the world, with swift assistance following the earthquake, _______ and nuclear disaster in Japan, and a major humanitarian _______ in the drought-stricken _____ of Africa.

Over the last year, the European Union has worked tirelessly to _______ the fight against climate change high on the political agenda. The Durban package agreed in December gives room for optimism on delivering a clear roadmap towards a _______ decision. The European Union has also continued to _______ for the conclusion of a world trade deal, while in _______ negotiating bilateral trade agreements.

In 2011, the European Union has shown that the current crisis does not _______ our

commitment towards those who aspire to _______ our Union. After successfully completing the negotiation _______, Croatia is now set to become our 28th Member State, _______ demonstrating that a strong and credible enlargement policy is in Europe’s fundamental interest.

The 2011 General Report gives a detailed _______ of the activities of the European

Union over the last twelve months. It has been quite a _______ — bumpy, but moving forward — for a cause that today’s European leaders have the privilege to protect and _______. I hope the General Report _______ the point of reference for the steps we have taken to return Europe to the _______ of prosperity and solidarity.

https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/14887f44-be48-44d2-a0b9-271dd703f157

http://aei.pitt.edu/36288/1/General.Report.2011.pdf

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