Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-12-14-Speech-2-019"
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"en.20041214.5.2-019"2
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".
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, I should like to comment briefly on several points in the order in which they were mentioned by Mr Barroso.
I will start with economic issues. The Lisbon strategy is a splendid idea, but it has to be remembered that if Europe is to compete with the rest of the world, its economy must be soundly based on freedom. Much has been said in this House about the need for a knowledge-based economy and for an economy based on social values, and rightly so. Nonetheless, unless Europe’s economy is based on freedom, it will be unable to compete successfully with the rest of the world. Mr Poettering seemed to be of the same mind, and I endorse the views he expressed. Mr Farage took the words out of my mouth, and there was sound common sense in what he said too. We must say yes to economic freedom, and it must have priority over everything else.
You referred to the environment, Mr Barroso. It certainly is crucially important to protect the environment. We must say yes to environmental protection, but no to ideological
. It is not acceptable to be hemmed in by screens when driving through some beautiful German countryside, yet this is what happens to me twice a week. The screens have not been installed for the benefit of human inhabitants, but to prevent any possible disturbance to animals. As a result, I am prevented from admiring the landscape, and that is not acceptable. The wind generators one cannot fail to notice when travelling through the beautiful countryside in the Black Forest area are a similar case. These useless loss-making monsters are actually subsidised by the German Government and the European Union. Quite simply, they are detrimental to the environment. It is important to bear in mind the visual aspect of the environment and not to equate environmental issues with the defence of all conceivable animal rights.
As regards social issues, it must be remembered that there is more to them than democracy and tolerance. Moral values also have an important role to play. I am bound to say, Mr Barroso, that you gave in to pressure from the Left when you undertook your reshuffle to come up with a new Commission-designate. Your actions do not bode well for the future of moral values in Europe.
Turning to foreign policy, its scope has to be broader than Turkey and North Africa, Mr Barroso. I am well aware that citizens of the old Union holiday in those countries. I also realise that citizens of the old Union meet people from those countries as they go about their daily lives back in Europe. It must be understood, however, that foreign policy also involves what lies beyond the Union’s eastern border. Until recently, that was deemed to be the single huge area of Russia. That is not the case. There are countries other than Russia across that border, and I have in mind Ukraine in particular. Ukraine is a free nation and wishes to remain one. You spoke of showing solidarity with Africa, Mr Barroso. Subsidies are not the best way of doing so, as they are mere drops in the ocean. The best way of demonstrating solidarity is by withdrawing subsidies from European agriculture. African countries would then be able to compete and build a better future for themselves.
Mr Barroso, it is essential to be guided by moral principles and common sense if we
are to come up with something more than empty phrases. I trust you will bear this in mind."@en1
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