Netwerken met Britten voor Vlaamse jobs

Brexit. Voor het eerst in haar geschiedenis zal de Europese Unie kleiner worden. De Britten stappen eruit.
Van zondag 2 tot woensdag 5 oktober trok ik naar Birmingham. Ik woonde er het partijcongres van de Britse Conservatieven bij. Ook vorig jaar was ik erbij, in Manchester toen. 
Waarom onze aanwezigheid daar belangrijk is? Dat hoort u in mijn interview in De Ochtend op Radio 1 (http://outpost.vrt.be/privemp3/Sander%20Loones%20in%20De%20Ochtend.mp3  en leest u in dit verslag in Het Laatste Nieuws: https://sanderloones.parlement.n-va.be/sites/parlement.n-va.be/files/generated/files/news-attachment/20161006_het-laatste-nieuws-middenkust_p-14.pdf

 

Jaarlijks exporteert Vlaanderen €27,4 miljard naar het Verenigd Koninkrijk (totaal België: 29 miljard, dus handel zowat integraal vanuit Vlaanderen). Dit is ook goed voor duizenden jobs in Vlaanderen. Moeten de op onze knieën zitten en de Britten alles op een dienblaadje aanbieden? Tuurlijk niet. Maar we mogen ook niet naïef zijn. Correcte en ambitieuze vrijhandel is de motor van onze Vlaamse welvaart en welzijn. Wanneer wij niet blijven focussen op die handel met de Britten, zullen andere landen het wel in onze plaats doen. We trekken de wereld rond om handelsakkoorden af te sluiten, waarop zouden we dat dan niet doen bij onze directe buurlanden?
Zondag speechte ik ook zelf op hun partijcongres. U kan mijn tekst hieronder nalezen.

Brexit’s potential impact on Europe,

on Belgium/Flanders and on the N-VA

Soon the European Union will reduce in size, for the first time in its history. Because you are leaving the club. You have the luxury of living on an island. We, don’t. Flanders, Belgium, we are at the centre of the EU and of the continent. Most of the European institutions are based in Brussels. Plus, we have a very open economy. So we don't want out and we even can’t just walk out. If only because of our geographic location, right in the heart of Europe.

Therefore we, we must opt for the narrow road, a road that leads to EU reform and getting it back on the right track. And please do not let yourselves be fooled. It’s also in your interest for matters in the EU to run smoothly, Because, while you are leaving the European Union, you are not leaving Europe. We will always be neighbours. You are an island. But you are not a boat sailing closer now towards Australia or America. I’ll even say more. When I was on the train this morning, I sat next to Samantha, she’s a geography teacher from Birmingham. And she was pointing me to the fact that looking at the tectonic plates under the Atlantic. Technically, you are even moving away from the states And coming closer to the EU. Good to keep that in mind. In a couple of thousand years you might become part of the continent after all ;-)

On a more serious note We do not know what the future will bring, but we do know that when you, when the British join us around the table, an important voice sounds the call for more common sense. Brexit will weaken that voice. However, it is not because you leave the table That also the so called “British ideas” leave the debate Ideas of fewer European regulations, lower taxes, and more accountability. Choosing free entrepreneurship and trade, And a tougher migration policy The support also for a trimmed down EU, with a greater role for Member States and revolting against a European super-state. These ideas remain So the question on the table today is How can Britain best play its cards at the European table? Because a good deal for Britain, will also mean a good deal for those British ideas Which will also highly benefit us, remaining in the EU. Ideas that are getting more and more support By more and more politicians In more and more EU member states. What are the key aspects in the negotiations?

I see 3 key elements:

-        Economic pragmatism 

-        Two. The need to build a circle of confidence and influence

-        And 3. The security and migration issues

 

1/ The need for Economic pragmatism

 

The so-called economic recovery is now in its seventh year, but it doesn’t always feel that way. The economic engine has stalled Growth in productivity is at a standstill, Ordinary people’s wages have stagnated And since the crisis, debts among companies, banks, households and especially governments have increased once more. This is the state of play pretty much throughout Europe as a whole And we all know what needs be done we need to strengthen our economic fundamentals This can and must be achieved on 2 levels

- First and foremost, on a national level Governments must concentrate on their core tasks We need to reform the labour market and social security systems, lower taxes, reduce public expenditure, and we need to make entrepreneurship appealing again.

- But we also need action on an inter-national level And it is this reality, that gives you leverage in the Brexit negotiations. Not only from the perspective of the UK, but also from the perspective of a lot of EU member states it is important that we reach an effective agreement, for imports as well as exports. For instance, German industrial concerns have invested heavily in the UK these recent years For them, your country is vital as an export destination I also see the same in Belgium.

The UK is our fourth largest trade partner in the world, Every year we export €29 billion euros to the UK every year, Flanders is good for at least €27.4 billion of it. And some 270 British businesses are based in Flanders. A good and fair economic deal is therefore not only in the interest of the UK but also in the interest of the EU Do not underestimate the impact of this reality Especially when we will be discussing free movement. Personally, I see no contradiction in providing the British with full access to the European market, even if you do not appear willing to retain the free movement of persons. Free trade is a win-win. With our without that free movement.

 

2/ I think Britain needs to build a Circle of confidence and influence And invest in bilateral partnerships

 

While Britain will leave the EU This does not imply that British ideas of more realism and common sense leave the European debate. On the contrary. The ECR Group in the EU parlement has kept on growing. Amongst others we hold MEP's of 5 governing parties in 5 member states. But we must be honest. Brexit will destabilise the traditional balances in the EU. The power of us, like-minded politicians will decline in favour of the socialist Mediterranean countries. To secure and increase our influence we will therefore need to seek out new coalitions, first and foremost with countries in the North. Finland and the Netherlands, for example, could be partners for a stricter budgetary and monetary view.

Denmark can be a partner to tighten the EU’s migration policy. Coalitions could also be formed with the so-called Visegrád countries. Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland have their own, refreshing ideas about how the EU should be reformed. Political correctness is less stifling over there, And they have greater respect for cultural identity. The UK needs to position itself in this new playing field. The EU not being as one team, as one club, but as a combination of clubs. Will you keep on focussing your political energy mainly on Germany and France? Or will you deal with this new reality? Choosing to build closer ties with these countries from the North of the EU and also with smaller alliances within the EU and with like minder political parties.

Especially since more and more relative smaller countries in the North are annoyed with the painfully slow pace in the EU and therefore are willing to act as nations independently, with greater assertiveness especially now that our older British brother has left the table. This said, building stronger relationships Also implies respecting each other’s views And one of the important views in the North is that Turkey will never become a member of the EU. The United Kingdom will not be replaced by a new Turkish Member State. Not today. Not ever. Never. One of the key frases of Syed is that The UK now needs to reposition itself. From being a reluctant tenant, to becoming a good neighbour But neighbours don’t force unwelcome tenants on another. Which brings me to the 3rd and last issue I wanted to discuss Migration and security.

3/ Security gives you leverage

Peaceful society in Europe is under pressure.The problems already present have accelerated as a result of the recent asylum and migration crisis. The civic integration of large groups of immigrants has failed. Someone walking through certain neighbourhoods in Paris, London or Brussels will think he or she is in some distant country rather than ‘at home’. This creates unease. In my country, it has become clear that a significant number of Muslims, even third-generation Muslims, have not integrated and are even hostile to our values, society and population. People fear the terrorist threat. People fear that Europe will not be able to remain European.

As far as migration and security is concerned, all governments must do more. Closed border control must put a halt to illegal immigration and a clear limit must be set for the number of newcomers that can be welcomed in Europe. Foreign finance intended for radicalism must be cut off. Order must be restored in our cities. This is a challenge for the European Union But it also remains your challenge. When borders aren’t closed, people walk right through Europe, to France and then try to cross to the UK. This reality poses a challenge, but is also an opportunity. Your views and ambition on security can serve as a leverage within the entire Brexit debate.

I hope you make maximal use of that leverage To serve as an example for all countries in Europe. In this respect I absolutely welkom Boris Johnson's speech on the main stage in which he stressed several times the British ambition to keep involved in protecting the European borders.

 

To conclude.

 

I understand why the British voted to leave, why they want out. Today I feel as though I am at a boring party with my best friend. My friend tells me that he wants to go home, and I understand, but at the same time, I cannot leave, I have to stay a little longer. And you know what? The party will be a lot less fun after you have left.

 

Sander Loones
N-VA vice-chairman and Member of the European Parliament