Külügyi Szemle - A Magyar Külügyi Intézet folyóirata - 2014 (13. évfolyam)
2014 / 2. szám - BRIT-MAGYAR KAPCSOLATOK - Knott, Jonathan: Some Thoughts on British-Hungarian Relations, 2014
Jonathan Knott My Prime Minister's Bloomberg Speech in January 2013 made a powerful case for a more competitive, flexible and democratically accountable EU - for the benefit of the whole of Europe, not just the UK. But Mr Cameron's is not the only voice calling for reform. Prime Minister Orbán has also called for EU reform, including greater focus on competitiveness and jobs. Working with allies, like Hungary, the UK has started to make real progress on reform. The UK wants to see the new Commission President promote an open and efficient EU economy that creates jobs and strengthens competitiveness. Over the past six years, the European economy has stagnated while the Indian economy has grown 33 per cent, and China's 70 per cent. If we want future prosperity, now is the time for change. The Single Market The Single Market gives UK and Hungarian businesses and consumers access to the world's largest trading bloc with 500 million people and 21 million companies generating £11 trillion in economic activity. A strong single market creates jobs and growth and benefits all member states. The figures show these benefits clearly - the value of goods exchanged between EU countries has risen from €800bn in 1992 to €2,800bn in 2012. Without the Single Market, experts estimate that trade within the EU would be half the size it currently is. The UK strongly believes, however, that collectively we are still not making the most of the opportunities the Single Market could offer. We still need further action to complete the single market in services, digital and energy. We support a full implementation of the Services directive. There currently exist 4700 regulated professions. A relic of the past rather than a snapshot of real life. We should streamline the rules to enhance competition. This will lead to growth and more jobs. For the UK, as one of the largest economy for services in Europe, the benefits are clear. But not just for the UK. 90 per cent of all new jobs being created across Europe are in the service sector. Progress is also needed in the area of Digital. If Europe is to grow it needs to embrace digitalisation across all sectors. The European Policy Centre has found that development of the Digital Single Market by 2020 could result in a 4 per cent increase in GDP in the EU. Implementation of the Digital Agenda will update EU single market rules, strengthen internet infrastructure, support digital start-ups and establish a single area for online payments, further protecting EU consumers when they purchase goods and services online. Recent events have put energy security at the top of the EU agenda. The UK wants to see a single market in energy that is integrated, efficient and flexible in order to make the transition to a low-carbon economy and maintain secure supplies at the lowest cost. Without major changes, the EU will be faced with a less reliable and more costly energy system, and declining EU competitiveness and wealth. 10 Külügyi Szemle
