Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-01-12-Speech-3-205"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20050112.10.3-205"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spoken text |
"Mr President, this debate has rightly highlighted the need actively to rebuild relationships between the USA and Europe. That need has been recognised by almost all sides across the House. Certainly it is reflected within our Parliament's delegation for US relations. This is not only because we enjoy the most important global trading relationship, a trading volume of more than EUR 1 billion per day, but also because we share a common interest in finding solutions to major issues such as climate change, terrorism, security and peace in the Middle East.
Since the re-election of President Bush, we have noted the many positive comments from the US Administration in support of better relations. Europe has seen visits last month from Secretary of State Colin Powell, today from Head of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and will see a visit tomorrow from Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. I understand that President Chirac will visit Washington in the next few weeks. All this is welcome but these visits have almost all taken place within the context of bilateral relations rather than through visits to EU institutions. On the day when this Parliament has strongly supported the new EU Constitution, it is worth noting that the US still largely sees its European relations in these bilateral terms.
I have high expectations that our new ambassador, Mr Bruton, will be able to raise the profile of the EU. I suggest that he be invited in future to attend debates of this nature.
I also welcome President Bush's intention to visit the EU institutions next month, but I await further details of how widespread the US authorities consider EU institutions to be. For instance, I am not aware that he has any intention to address this Parliament.
I believe that our Parliament also bears some responsibility here. In 1999 we gave our full support to the creation of a transatlantic legislative dialogue, major parts of which we and the US have never implemented. As Mrs Mann said previously, we gave our support to the creation of a single transatlantic market by 2015, but we have not seen many steps towards taking that forward. I believe we need a renewed sense of purpose to reforge the transatlantic relationship. I trust that we will take the very many positive ideas and words of this debate forward into practical and effective steps, which will be to the mutual advantage of both sides."@en1
|
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:unclassifiedMetadata |
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples