Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-12-18-Speech-3-024"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2002-12-18"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:The work of the Danish presidency2
dcterms:Language	"sv"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20021218.3.3-024"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2002-12-18-Speech-3-0252
lpv:speaker	lp:Cecilia Malmström2
lpv:spokenAs	unknown; Folkpartiet liberalerna (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 substitute; Delegation to the EU-Latvia Joint Parliamentary Committee (2002-02-07--2004-04-30)3 substitute; AFCO (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3 member; Delegation for relations with the countries of Central America and Mexico (2002-02-07--2004-07-19)3 member; Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3 vice-chair; Delegation to the EU-Hungary Joint Parliamentary Committee (2002-02-06--2004-04-30)3 member_of_the_bureau; ELDR (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3
lpv:translated text	"Madam President, the word ‘historic’ has been used a very great deal in connection with the write-ups from Copenhagen. It is beginning to feel rather trite, but there is no better word, for the fact that ten countries that are former Communist dictatorships are now being welcomed in from the cold and into the Community is certainly an historic decision. At last, the continent and its citizens are being united. The fact that the door was so clearly opened to Bulgaria and Romania was also historic, as was the signal given to Turkey. The EU is no Christian club. It is a union of values that defends democracy and human rights. Certainly, all summits are teamwork, but there are appalling examples of teamwork’s having capsized and of people almost having come to blows. When this has happened, it has been felt far beyond the closed negotiating chambers. There was undoubtedly a certain amount of drama in Copenhagen, but matters should never of course be too pre-arranged from the start. In spite of this, and above all in spite of the concessions within agricultural policy, the Liberals hope that the reforms are here to stay. The will was there. Everyone was prepared to compromise, but it is the Danes who must be credited with the outcome. Your objective, from Copenhagen to Copenhagen, has been crystal-clear all down the line. Despite the hesitancy on the part of certain people, you yourselves did not hesitate, Mr Rasmussen and Mr Haarder, but always sounded a clear note. While others demurred, like Hamlet whingeingly soliloquising ‘to be or not to be’ at Elsinore, you had the path clearly marked out. Your efforts will go down in history. As a liberal, I am very proud that it is a liberal government that has brought about these events. Political victories can only be enjoyed for short periods, however. After Christmas, the work now begins again. The EU is to be reformed. Powerful leadership is needed, as well as the political courage to dare to implement a number of the institutional reforms required. The EU must become more effective, and that requires more majority decision-taking, especially within agricultural policy. The EU must become more democratic. A common constitution, common visions and common leadership are needed. Referendums must be held. We must all show that the new countries are welcome. They will be no B team but, rather, be as welcome as we ourselves are. There is therefore a heavy responsibility upon us all, including the Greek Presidency. Finally, we must also tackle the issue of how large the EU really can become. We eagerly await the Commission’s report on the strategy in relation to the countries that in future will border upon the EU."@en1

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