Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-11-18-Speech-2-032"
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"en.20031118.2.2-032"2
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"Mr President, I am familiar with the lengthy list of measures in the Commission’s programme for 2004. Nonetheless, as I see it, one intangible measure is conspicuous by its absence. A way must be found to restore the harmonious balance between Parliament and the Commission. It is to that strategic alliance that so many advances in the project of European Union were due.
Nowadays we think of ourselves as citizens of a Union, not as mere consumers in a large market. The concept of a consumer implies the existence of a market. The concept of citizenship, however, demands and requires the existence of a Parliament as a
. Such a Parliament needs to be a functioning entity. It must be able to imbue the project of integration with legitimacy. It must also be in a position to audit the Commissioners appointed, to invest the Commission, and to exercise democratic control over the latter. It has to be a Parliament capable of debate, rebuttal, ratification and rectification. It must be a Parliament firmly anchored in the real world that is not vain enough to court stardom. It must not adopt an arrogant stance either. Such a Parliament is certainly called upon to cooperate with the Commission, as the latter is a key institution in the project for European integration. Nonetheless, Parliament must also continue to play a vital and leading role in the future. It is the political engine powering the whole project and disseminating progress achieved.
This vital cooperation between Parliament and the Commission must not prevent the Commission from continuing with its activities. The Commission must always be governed by criteria of transparency, clarity, honesty and efficiency. For its part, Parliament must also demonstrate a capacity to distinguish between the essential and the ancillary. It must not succumb to the temptation of adopting a permanently hostile attitude to the Commission. It must exercise its rights and duties, in other words, its responsibilities to the citizens, with a sense of proportion, responsibility and in a measured manner. Sadly, Mr Baron, leader of the Group of the Party of European Socialists, has been found wanting in this respect. It is unfortunate that he is absent at the moment. Mr Baron raised doubts concerning the activities of Mrs de Palacio, Vice-President of the Commission. Mrs de Palacio has a fine record of defending European interests. Many have good cause to be grateful to her. Further, she is irrevocably committed to the cause of the victims of terrorism and to the cause of freedom and the right to life in the Basque Country. I have to say, Mr President, that I was surprised to hear Mr Baron speak of awarding so-called compatibility certificates when you consider he occupies a seat in this House whilst simultaneously holding a seat on the Madrid town council.
In conclusion, I should like to state that the measures proposed by the President of the Commission are on the right lines, taking into account also developments in what has become known as the Eurostat case. Even though I am of a different political persuasion, I have no doubts as to the integrity of the Commissioner in question. There is a general reluctance to stick one’s neck out for anyone these days. Nonetheless, I am prepared to vouch for the honesty of the Commissioner responsible for Eurostat, and for the measures he has proposed concerning amendment of OLAFs remit. These measures are on the right lines and aim to restore that strategic alliance and harmonious balance between Parliament and the Commission on which so much of the progress made in the European Union project is based."@en1
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