Confession Juncker: We operate in many areas of European life
The growing opposition to the European Union, known as euroscepticism is a result partly of the excessive intervention of Brussels in everyday life, which needs to be mitigated, said European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker yesterday.
In statements that may find resonance in the UK as the country prepares for the referendum in June in favor or against the residence of the EU, Juncker said that the brunt of the decision should be deferred in the capitals than in the EU's central institutions.
Asked by British MP Nigel Evans conservative about how it plans to address the growing euroscepticism, Juncker said, "I think one of the reasons why European citizens are distancing themselves from the vision of Europe can be attributed to the fact that intervening in too many areas of their life. "
In many of these areas, he said, each country individually "is in a better position to take action and pass bills."
For this reason, Brussels vote much less new bills than with previous presidents of the European Commission, Juncker said.
The statements of the European Commission's head made following the decision of Dutch voters earlier this month to criticize their government and the EU, rejecting closer relations with Ukraine.
In 2005 the Dutch also voted against a proposed EU constitution.
"I had clearly said in 2006 that the European idea loses speed, there was disappointment. I do not think that has changed the situation fundamentally, otherwise, I would say," said Juncker at a meeting of the parliament of the Council of Europe.
"Yes, indeed we are not very popular when we support the idea of a (united) Europe. There you remain longer respected in your country if you insist on the need for supranational institutions."
Voters in newer eastern member states of Europe such as Poland and Hungary have also voted Governments exercising more critical of the EU.
The But Juncker said that closer cooperation was needed among the 28 countries to address common challenges, including migration and threats to the security of states, and has strongly supported the British stay in the EU.
"We made mistake nomothetisame and interfered excessively in the daily lives of our fellow citizens (...), but would also err if do not show the necessary respect for the principle of solidarity," he said.
The growing opposition to the European Union, known as euroscepticism is a result partly of the excessive intervention of Brussels in everyday life, which needs to be mitigated, said European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker yesterday.
In statements that may find resonance in the UK as the country prepares for the referendum in June in favor or against the residence of the EU, Juncker said that the brunt of the decision should be deferred in the capitals than in the EU's central institutions.
Asked by British MP Nigel Evans conservative about how it plans to address the growing euroscepticism, Juncker said, "I think one of the reasons why European citizens are distancing themselves from the vision of Europe can be attributed to the fact that intervening in too many areas of their life. "
In many of these areas, he said, each country individually "is in a better position to take action and pass bills."
For this reason, Brussels vote much less new bills than with previous presidents of the European Commission, Juncker said.
The statements of the European Commission's head made following the decision of Dutch voters earlier this month to criticize their government and the EU, rejecting closer relations with Ukraine.
In 2005 the Dutch also voted against a proposed EU constitution.
"I had clearly said in 2006 that the European idea loses speed, there was disappointment. I do not think that has changed the situation fundamentally, otherwise, I would say," said Juncker at a meeting of the parliament of the Council of Europe.
"Yes, indeed we are not very popular when we support the idea of a (united) Europe. There you remain longer respected in your country if you insist on the need for supranational institutions."
Voters in newer eastern member states of Europe such as Poland and Hungary have also voted Governments exercising more critical of the EU.
The But Juncker said that closer cooperation was needed among the 28 countries to address common challenges, including migration and threats to the security of states, and has strongly supported the British stay in the EU.
"We made mistake nomothetisame and interfered excessively in the daily lives of our fellow citizens (...), but would also err if do not show the necessary respect for the principle of solidarity," he said.
