Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-04-21-Speech-3-289"
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"en.20040421.11.3-289"2
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".
Mr President, there have been some extremely good and passionate speeches in this debate, which indicate the extent to which honourable Members have thought carefully about the issues and have weighed the sort of arguments which Mr Cushnahan, Mr Howitt and others have put.
I would say to Mr Cushnahan, who made a storming speech which reflects his own passionate commitment to democracy, that it came as a modest surprise to me to be described as a 'puppet of Washington and London'. This will improve my street credibility in certain parts of the House, but anybody who was in the Chamber this morning may find that a slightly outlandish description of your humble servant. All is fair in love and war and I recognise that the honourable Member's speech was, as I said, a reflection of the passion that he feels about this subject.
One direct question was asked of me and – admirably, because it is not always thus – the person who asked the question has stayed behind to hear the answer. I am not prepared – though I understand the importance of the issue – to agree to procedures for this agreement that we do not apply to any other, but I note that the agreement itself contains a suspension clause which both sides can invoke in the event of a breach of an essential element of the agreement. Article 1 of the agreement on human rights and democratic principles is such an essential element. The Commission is fully aware that this requires constant monitoring and this is, in fact, already being done. There is an EU working group on human rights in Islamabad which produces regular reports. It is perfectly possible for Parliament to debate those reports whenever it wishes. Regular dialogue on human rights will be strengthened once the agreement is in place. If the suspension clause is invoked by one of the parties, a consultation mechanism is provided for under the agreement itself, though I sincerely hope there will be no need for this.
Again, I would like to thank Parliament for what has been an interesting and passionate debate. The issues raised are of great importance. However, as I have said repeatedly – not least in the committee presided over by the honourable Member – on balance, now is the time for Parliament to vote in favour of this third-generation agreement with a country of considerable importance, both within the region and globally, and of considerable importance not least to our own geostrategic interests."@en1
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