ECR European Conservatives and Reformists´ : Kamall: The EU needs new ideas and new solutions in 2016

In his New Year's message, Syed Kamall MEP, the Leader of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament, said:

'As we say goodbye to 2015 can we really say that we have found long term solutions to our most pressing problems or did we just place more and more sticking plaster over the cracks?

None of Europe's challenges will go away easily.

Whether it's mass migration, the threat of terrorism, or resolving the weaknesses of the single currency, it is clear that there are no easy or quick answers, despite what some politicians may say.

And these challenges have questioned people's belief that the EU can offer solutions.

Britain will hold a referendum on whether to leave or stay in the EU either this year, or next.

It is clear that the EU needs new ideas and new solutions and in 2016 the ECR will play its role in helping to develop new ideas to change Europe for the better.

We will not answer these challenges by the reflexive or knee-jerk approach of calling either for more Europe or no Europe.

We will solve them by asking how we can make Europe better able to cope with the pressures, and to rise to the opportunities of the 21st century.

So as we enter 2016 I hope that we can put this knee-jerk attitude behind us and finally think of new ideas for solving our challenges - based on a pragmatic approach of what works best and what promotes cooperation.

If that is the approach that you want to see the EU taking then I look forward to hearing your ideas for EU reform.

I wish you and your families a Happy New Year, and I hope that 2016 is a happy, healthy and prosperous year for you, and your family.'