Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-03-09-Speech-3-173"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2005-03-09"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Preparation of the European Council (Brussels, 22-23 March 2005)2
dcterms:Language	"en"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20050309.15.3-173"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2005-03-09-Speech-3-1742
lpv:speaker	lp:Timothy Kirkhope2
lpv:spoken text	"Mr President, the Spring Council will no doubt be dominated by the mid-term review of the Lisbon Agenda. This is a matter on which I have spoken on a number of occasions in recent weeks, and one that should be at the heart of the European agenda in the coming years. I simply wish to emphasise the support of the European Democrats for strong action to reinvigorate that Agenda. We want to see a stronger commitment by national governments to real and enduring economic reform. The President of the Commission has our full support for an enterprising Europe, committed to growth and prosperity. However, I also want to make it clear that we are concerned about some recent developments and emphasise the need for President Barroso not to weaken his stance on EU market liberalisation by in any way undermining the Services Directive, which is a fundamental part of the Lisbon Agenda that he himself redefined only recently. There is also the Working Time Directive: it seems to me extraordinary that there are still politicians and governments who consider that a level playing field is one in which all EU Member States are equally uncompetitive. It is fundamental to our vision of Europe that employers and workers should, as far as possible, decide on their own terms and conditions and working hours, and not have governments or the EU decide for them. It goes against the whole spirit of economic liberalisation and flexibility that so many of us believe in. The Council will be considering other matters too, including the international situation. I wish to comment on one aspect of this: the reinvigoration of the transatlantic alliance. The visit of the President of the United States to Europe last month heralded a new chapter in the world's most important geopolitical partnership. There is a real prospect now of a fresh start to that relationship, which is crucial for world security. Some recent comments, including those by the German Chancellor, are of great importance and need to be taken seriously. His implication that NATO was no longer the pre-eminent vehicle for military defence is an issue which I feel needs to be further examined and about which I am concerned. If Europe wants to be a serious partner alongside the United States in the fight against terrorism and the spread of WMD, then it must work more closely with our American friends."@en1
lpv:spokenAs	member; LIBE (2004-07-21--2007-01-14)3,3 unknown; Conservative and Unionist Party (2004-07-20--2009-07-13)3,3 substitute; Temporary committee on policy challenges and budgetary means of the enlarged Union 2007-2013 (2004-10-14--2005-06-08)3,3 substitute; AFCO (2004-07-22--2007-01-14)3,3 substitute; Delegation for relations with Switzerland, Iceland and Norway and to the European Economic Area (EEA) Joint Parliamentary Committee (2004-09-15--2009-07-13)3,3 member; Delegation for relations with the People's Republic of China (2004-09-15--2007-03-13)3,3
lpv:unclassifiedMetadata	"Kirkhope (PPE-DE )."1

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