Making the right strategic decisions for Europe

European leaders negotiating the bloc’s budget must not lose sight of the project’s overarching purpose, argues Hans Zomer

WHEN EU leaders come together on Nov 22, they have one topic to discuss — the shape of the EU budget and the continent’s priorities for seven years up to 2020. And in these talks there is more at stake for Ireland than the bank debts, as the negotiations come just weeks before Ireland takes up the Presidency of the Council of the EU.

In the first six months of 2013, we will be tasked with implementing the deals struck at this summit meeting — which should be reason enough for all of us to have a good discussion about the issues on the table.