Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/1999-07-21-Speech-3-103"
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"en.19990721.6.3-103"2
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"(EL) Mr President, the programme of the Finnish Presidency, as presented, seems a very positive one, even though it does not differ greatly from the programmes of other Presidencies. The question is whether or not there is the basic political will throughout the whole of Europe to ensure its progress. Naturally, it is a welcomed sign that one of its long-term objectives is to advocate an Intergovernmental Conference which will deal with all institutional issues, in particular the hitherto largely unchecked issue of maintaining institutional balance.
Of course, rebuilding Kosovo and intervention in the Western Balkans are matters requiring immediate attention but the question is: have we learned from past mistakes? I have the feeling that European intervention and investment in the Balkans has remained very much on an individual rather than an institutional level. If we fail to recognise our past mistakes, I do not think that we will be able to proceed in the future and it must be said that, from now on, it all boils down to whether we can deal with issues relating to democratic progress without the use of weapons. That is what is important.
As regards the issue of the reconstruction agency and of Thessaloniki, I would like to say that, whilst the solution may be a simple and straightforward one, let us not forget that we are primarily talking about European
intervention. When there is a neighbouring country – and the same would be true, Mr President, if the situation were in Hungary, in which case the base for intervention would probably be in Austria – the question is not only whether the latter can and should benefit but also whether those neighbouring countries which border problematic areas really can share their experience about what is happening in the area. Therefore, this issue should be examined from a political, practical and commercial perspective.
The security policy which the President referred to is, I believe, one of the most important issues but one which once again calls for political will. We have decided to narrow the gap between high-sounding proclamations and the practicalities of their implementation. Of course, all the organisations will work together and experience has it that wherever many international organisations are involved, we have had results. Issues concerning freedom and security are of utmost importance. Madam President, at the Tampere Council, we must decide to fight against drugs, organised crime and the threat to the safety of our citizens. We must also invest in the protection of citizens and not compromise with that ‘dark side’ which promotes closer links between terrorism, trade in arms and nuclear weapons and organised crime. Generally, our policy must not be one of compromise with the status quo, but of war against it. Only in this way can we ensure the protection of our citizens.
The resignation of the Commission proves that we do not just need institutions – we also need the control mechanisms and the collective will to assign the European Commission the role it deserves. In addition, we have to fill the democratic void – not, as I see it, within the European Parliament but between the Council and the Commission. We must return to the fundamental principles which advocate real co-ordination between social and economic policies. We must intensify our social intervention, Madam President, since guidelines are not enough. I am afraid that the problems are getting out of hand and our way of tackling them is far too bureaucratic.
I wish, of course, to congratulate the Finnish Presidency for its ambitious programme. We know that the Finnish Presidency will do all that it can. The issue is whether the whole Council is determined, and if we are all determined for that matter, to meet the challenges of these difficult times of heavy competition and internationalisation, and to respond to all the problems, including Third World development, where the support of Europe is vital. We also need to ensure the success of enlargement which can only be made possible, Madam President, if we increase our existing pool of resources."@en1
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"Giannakou-Koutsikou (PPE)"1
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