Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-10-26-Speech-2-092"
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"en.20041026.5.2-092"2
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"Madam President, I do not have time in ten minutes to respond to all the questions, but I will try to respond to the fundamental issues.
So, ladies and gentlemen, I am committed to respecting the principles of institutional balance. I have made a great effort to deal with your legitimate concerns, but I must tell you, quite responsibly, that European culture is also a culture of tolerance and compromise. It is not a question of demanding everything you want from the other party.
I do not want a show-down with Parliament, because I am well aware that you represent the peoples of Europe, but what I can tell you is that we must move forward and meet each other halfway in terms of our concerns. That is what we must do. Some people were against the Commission from the outset and now they have found an opportunity to gain more support. I would, however, say to you, ladies and gentlemen, that if this Commission does not receive the necessary support, I honestly believe it would be difficult to talk of victory for the one side or defeat for the other. It would be a bad moment for the whole of Europe. I do not believe we would be able to commit ourselves truly to what we need to do in terms of the harmonisation of the Lisbon strategy, the debate on the financial perspectives, the cohesion of our Union, making a great success of this enlargement, putting ourselves on an equal footing with the United States or holding a debate with Russia at the summit planned for November. I believe that would be bad for Europe. I have therefore fulfilled my responsibility and I believe that everybody should now fulfil theirs. I can tell you in all honesty, however, that you can count on me to work with you, in a spirit of compromise. I appeal to you to show the same spirit of compromise for the good of Europe.
First of all, with regard to the doubts expressed about certain Commissioners, I went into detail at the meeting with the Conference of Presidents. In particular, in relation to the issue of independence in the competition portfolio, we will make public all the opinions of the legal services, which show that we can guarantee the independence of the Commissioner and the Commission on issues of competition. With regard to the accusations about the previous priority activities of one of the members of the Commission, despite what certain Members have requested, I cannot hold enquiries into the pasts of all the Commissioners-designate. It is not possible. I must take an objective view. You are well aware that, in political life, many of us are subject to unfounded accusations. I cannot accept a culture of intolerance, a culture of suspicion, simply because there are rumours or simply because there are attacks in our respective countries. Nevertheless, in the event that there is evidence of unacceptable practices, you may rest assured that I would have the means to act.
I now come to the fundamental issue on which I very much wish to express my feelings: the institutional question. Ladies and gentlemen, before becoming Prime Minister, I was leader of the opposition. I am also a parliamentarian, I have a great respect for all genuinely democratic parliaments and a great respect for your Parliament. The debate has shown, however, that, on more difficult issues, particularly on the issue of the portfolio of Mr Buttiglione, there was a division. It is true, it exists: some of you are asking me to replace Mr Buttiglione and others are asking me not to replace him. There has been no common position at your Conference of Presidents, quite the opposite. You have sent me letters from all the committees. On the subject of Mr Buttiglione, I have received two letters: one said that he deserved your support and the other, but for one vote, said that he did not deserve it. In these circumstances, I must find a balance. As far as we are concerned, you have the right to represent all the peoples of Europe, I know this and I respect it. I have the greatest respect for you. The European Union requires a difficult balance, however. The governments also have the right to represent the nation states and I myself, or the Commission once invested, must think of the general European interest.
I can tell you, in all honesty, that it was precisely by considering the general European interest, not the interest of any particular State or of any particular electorate, that I came to the conclusion that the best solution was, I believe, the one I have proposed to you. I have not given way entirely to those who wanted a shake-up, it is true, but I have gone a long way towards dealing with your concerns and I have given significant guarantees with regard to the substance, fundamental rights, civil liberties and non-discrimination. I believe I have been very clear and I can tell you that my Commission, if you place your trust in it, will be the most advanced Commission in terms of freedoms, civil rights and non-discrimination, as demonstrated by the composition of my Commission.
To be very frank, ladies and gentlemen, I expected certain criticisms, particularly from those of you who were opposed to my investiture from the outset. I expected ideological criticisms, but the only criticism of my Commission I did not expect was the accusation of a lack of commitment to human rights and non-discrimination. Our attachment to those values can be seen in the very composition of the Commission.
I must therefore ask for your trust, because I have sought a balance. It is necessary to seek a balance, not just the balance between the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission, but also a balance within this Parliament. Are the honourable Members who are critical of my choice sure that if I were to grant your request, the other side of the House would support the Commission? After all the consultations I have held, particularly with the leaders of the political groups represented here, I am convinced that any other approach could lead to a crisis. That crisis could be resolved, I am sure: in a democracy, all crises can be resolved. I would, however, ask you, ladies and gentlemen, whether it is normal for those amongst you who are most committed to Europe to be able to vote now alongside extremists who do not want Europe, members of the extreme right who are against Europe, people who are completely opposed to the advancement of our European project...
Do you not find it strange that populists, those who wage a constant battle against the credibility of our institutions, can vote against this Commission alongside committed Europeans, as most Members of this House are, I am sure?"@en1
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