Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2007-01-17-Speech-3-013"
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"en.20070117.3.3-013"2
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"Mr President, Mr Poettering, Madam President-in-Office of the Council, Mrs Merkel, Mr President of the Commission, Mr Barroso, I should like to express my emotion on the occasion of the first major debate under the presidency of Mr Poettering, Mrs Merkel and our Commission President. These three figures are members of our political family, but if I express a favourable opinion on the proposals made by the German Presidency, it is not only because of that. It is also because of the path taken by Mrs Merkel herself, because of her political choice, the choice of Europe, as you explained so well this morning, Mrs Merkel.
The world has changed over the last 50 years. The reasons for us to unite and to close ranks have certainly changed somewhat, but they are at least as relevant now as they were in the past. The role not only of political decision-makers but also of economic players and the media is to be strong and convincing in sending out a positive, clear and perceptive message – a message of responsibility, quite simply.
The new reality is that major challenges can now only be addressed within the framework of large regions. Europe is one of those regions, perhaps one of the most powerful, the most prosperous and the most stable, one of the most democratic too, and therefore one of the most attractive.
I am sure, Madam President, that, with your determination and with that of your entire government, the next six months will be put to good use. We offer you our full political support so that, for all the complexity of the task, we might see progress made in June and assess the work left to do.
I wish you much happiness and success, my dear President-in-Office.
What is the role of an elected representative? To anticipate, to make decisions, to take responsibility for those decisions before his or her public. As a European, I can only welcome the Presidency’s proposals not only on such crucial issues as energy, climate change, environmental protection, security and justice, immigration policy, the coordination of economic policies, development policy and international trade, but also on relations with the United States and Russia. On these issues, the German Presidency is developing a resolutely European, and even pro-European, approach.
On the institutional issue, you stated, Mrs Merkel, that you would not adopt a minimalist approach but that you would try to strike a balance between the position of the 18 countries that ratified the Constitutional Treaty, that of France and the Netherlands, which rejected it, and that of the countries that have not yet adopted an official position: it will be difficult to do so, I grant you that.
Some say that it will be very difficult, even illusory. However, there is a long list of political ambitions that seemed unachievable but that nonetheless became a reality because courage prevailed over demagogy. Let us think about peace in Europe, about the return of prosperity and growth up to the creation of the euro, about the end of Communism after the fall of the Berlin wall and about the reunification of the European continent: the only battles lost are those that are not fought.
Your Presidency, Mrs Merkel, has decided to take up the institutional challenge. You are right to do so, and our political family will help you to do so. Why are you right? Because, in the same way that we welcome the recent enlargements of the Union, we must point out that the challenges facing us require Europe to provide itself with an effective decision-making system as quickly as possible. The European Convention was created in 2002 and drew up a draft Constitutional Treaty precisely in order to put right the inadequacies of the Treaty of Nice. How is it that what was considered urgent five years ago in a Europe of 15 is considered less so today in a Europe of 27? You will have the full support of the political family of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats, which has played a leading role on this issue in terms of seeking a new approach enabling Europe to provide itself with the tools it needs to make progress.
As I was saying, the German Presidency has chosen Europe, a Europe that suffers from a public image that is not, let us say, always positive, a Europe that, paradoxically, is also perceived by a large majority of citizens as the level best suited to respond to a number of everyday problems.
That does not mean, of course, that everything can and must be dealt with at European level. As far as our political family is concerned, the principle of subsidiarity constitutes a major principle of governance. Following the events of early 2006, and then those of the last few days regarding the Union’s and its neighbours’ energy supply, Europe must speak not only with one voice but also with a firm voice in order to protect its strategic interests. I would like to reaffirm my group’s support for the German Presidency’s and the Commission’s position regarding Russia. The Presidency has also announced that one of its main priorities will be to strengthen transatlantic relations. I welcome that move.
Cooperation founded on dialogue and on balanced relations with the United States is a key factor of stability, as you said. The prospect of a transatlantic market can only stimulate our economies, boost growth and create jobs. We must therefore work towards this.
On 25 March, the people of Europe will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. This is a very important event, which will be marked by the staging of a European summit and by the adoption of the Berlin Declaration. Let us remind everyone of the common values that unite us, but let us also highlight the future priorities of European integration."@en1
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