In Milan, the head of the EU Executive spoke of new potential measures within the EU single market (rules on investments funds and "private equity", supervision of rating agencies, decrease in managers’ wages, …), which will have to support a broader-ranging political action: which might begin to take shape at the international summit, due to take place in Washington on November 15th. "The hardest goal admitted Barroso will be the reform of the global financial system". "Aware of the need to join forces not to drown, we have faced the challenge through an unprecedented cooperation". Barroso asked "not to disregard the opportunities of globalisation, that is still the best way to take millions and millions of people out of poverty". Then, he added: "Europe is at a critical stage. There are two options: either we throw away what has been accomplished over the last 50 years, in a frantic rush to unilateral measures and a source of divisions, or we stay together and take advantage of this crisis to become more integrated". In conclusion, Barroso insisted on the pressing need to enforce the Lisbon Treaty.
