Hr. formand, mine damer og herrer, denne forhandling giver os anledning til at overveje den europæiske økonomis aktuelle situation, for selv om den udviser et positivt resultat for 2000 ­ med øget vækst, jobskabelse og monetær stabilitet - melder der sig nu nogle meget mere påtrængende spørgsmål om udviklingen af disse faktorer.
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, this debate provides us with an opportunity to consider the present state of the European economy. Although this was generally encouraging in the year 2000, and we have enjoyed high growth rates, job creation and monetary stability, many hard questions have now to be asked concerning the development of these factors.