Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-10-02-Speech-2-012"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2001-10-02"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:White paper on reform of European governance2
dcterms:Language	"sv"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20011002.2.2-012"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2001-10-02-Speech-2-0132
lpv:speaker	lp:Cecilia Malmström2
lpv:spokenAs	member; AFCO (1999-07-21--2002-01-14)3 unknown; Folkpartiet liberalerna (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 substitute; Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy (1999-07-21--2002-01-14)3 vice-chair; Delegation to the EU-Hungary Joint Parliamentary Committee (1999-07-22--2002-01-14)3 substitute; Delegation to the EU-Latvia Joint Parliamentary Committee (1999-09-29--2002-01-14)3 member_of_the_bureau; ELDR (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3
lpv:translated text	"Madam President, support for the European Union is decreasing in just about every Member State. In the candidate countries, enthusiasm for enlargement is in decline. There is little confidence in the European institutions, and the individual citizen can feel that the gap between ‘those in Brussels’ and ‘those of us at home’ is extremely large. We are all painfully aware of this, and I am very pleased to find such a large measure of self-criticism in the Commission’s White Paper. The Group of the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party welcomes the White Paper on Reform of European Governance. These changes are an important part of the major work of reform we are facing over the next few years to make the EU more easily accessible, efficient and democratic. We are very well disposed towards the start made by the White Paper. It points out the problems and shows where changes are required. Some of the overarching proposals are entirely in line with what the Liberals have been pressing for over a period of quite a few years. There must be an increase in openness and public control. The new rules adopted earlier this year in accordance with Article 255 are a first step on the way. The decision-making processes must be simplified and made clearer. There must be regional, as well as local, involvement at an earlier stage of the decision-making process, and we must discover mechanisms for regular consultation at these levels for it is, after all, regional and local authorities that will be implementing the majority of the EU’s decisions. It is also very encouraging that the Commission wishes to work more with framework legislation and strengthen the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. There is little that is very specific in the White Paper, however. What, precisely, can be done about this? How is the individual citizen to be made to feel more involved in decision-making? And how, in particular, is the Commission to set about promoting the change of attitude or cultural revolution that has to take place in the Commission if all the reforms are to become a reality? We are aware that many of Mr Kinnock’s proposed reforms have come up against pretty formidable resistance. Bureaucracies – and the Commission is a large bureaucracy – change slowly, and many people are impatient to see results. We cannot afford to fail. The White Paper is now under consideration. I hope that many will feel prompted to respond and present their views before part two appears. Parliament will produce a report. In this connection, it was, moreover, extremely encouraging to hear Mr Prodi propose a joint working party, made up of representatives from the institutions. I hope that the Commission, together with Parliament, will also be active in making the White Paper more widely known and not expect people just to find it accidentally on the Internet. Thank you for this first part of the White Paper. We look forward to seeing part two."@en1

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