Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-03-10-Speech-3-023"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2004-03-10"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Preparation of the European Council (Brussels, 25-26 March 2004) – Follow-up to the IGC2
dcterms:Language	"nl"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20040310.1.3-023"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2004-03-10-Speech-3-0242
lpv:speaker	lp:Margrietus van den Berg2
lpv:spokenAs	vice-chair; PES (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3,3 unknown; Partij van de Arbeid (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3,3 vice-chair; Committee on Development and Cooperation (2002-01-22--2004-07-19)3,3 member; Members from the European Parliament to the Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the Agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Union (ACP-EU) (2002-02-06--2004-07-19)3,3 substitute; AFCO (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3,3 member; Delegation for relations with the countries of Central America and Mexico (2002-02-07--2004-07-19)3,3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, this month, for the second time in a short space of time, after the failure of the Italian Presidency in December, and under Irish leadership, the Heads of Government are facing a choice that is crucial to the European Union's future. The European Council in Italy looked foolish when it failed to dispose of the narrow-minded national interest and to opt for a more democratic, efficient and transparent Europe. Many wonder whether the Council will make the same mistake again. Fortunately, the Irish Presidency has already done a great deal of work over the past couple of months. There is willingness to reach agreement; very tentatively, things are moving in Europe. I would urge the Irish Presidency to tread carefully, for another failure would be disastrous for the confidence among the European electorate as it heads for the ballot boxes in June. If the Heads of Government drop another clanger this time, it will be impossible to convince the European electorate of Europe's power. In this light, it is preferable to wait a little longer than not to have a constitution at all. I would stress here once again that the text should actually benefit Europe. Let us not produce another insignificant document, as happened at the meeting of Heads of Government in Nice in 2000. The European Convention's draft Constitution was good news for Europe and its citizens. It provides for a more democratic, understandable and, above all, decisive Europe. That is why we should adhere to those proposals as closely as possible, without detracting from the rights of the European Parliament, without resorting to back-room politics and without any loss of transparency. The idea of one Commissioner per country should be accepted, the defence agreement of Naples must be utilised, and social Europe must be reinforced. I would therefore urge the Heads of Government, this time round, to produce a meaningful document, rather than an insignificant one. I take the view that if a constitution is not forthcoming, the Heads of Government will throw Europe into crisis, further enlargement will be made impossible and the financial problems will become insoluble. For them and for Europe, this is a decisive moment. The Irish Presidency is working in a way that instils much confidence in this House, and I wish it every success."@en1

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