Civil liberties

1. Respect all fundamental freedoms in the EU.

2. The EU must become a real area of freedom, security and justice.

EU single market, growth and employment

3. Support for the fifth freedom – the free movement of knowledge, including greater mobility for students, academics and researchers.

4. A competitive European business environment is essential to achieve the highest possible standard of living for Europe’s citizens.

5. Sustainable growth, independence of the European Central Bank and national central banks, and a sound fiscal remain essential for prosperity and welfare.

6. Reform of the financial system should be based on better regulation and proper supervisory implementation.

7. An EU ‘blue card’ will ensure measured economic migration for the benefit of EU citizens.

Environment and energy policy

8. Business needs reduced administrative burdens and incentives to stimulate investment in techniques to enhance a strong low carbon economy.

9. Europe’s energy industry should be unbundled to ensure transparency and serve consumer interests.

10. Ambitious reform of the Common Agricultural Policy within a multilateral framework (WTO) is necessary.

Enlargement, foreign, security and defence policy

11. Enlargement has been a success and existing commitments to countries fulfilling the Copenhagen EU accession criteria should be honoured.

12. The EU should contribute effectively to global security, where appropriate in cooperation with NATO.

13. EU member states’ interests can best be served through a Common Foreign and Security Policy, speaking with one voice.

14. The EU should strengthen its civilian crisis management capabilities.

15. The EU should extend its post-conflict institution-building and nation-building experience.

The manifesto is available at voteliberal2009.com/en/eldr-manifesto.php