Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2007-03-29-Speech-4-024"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20070329.5.4-024"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:translated text |
"Mr President, I should like to thank Mr Solana for the observations he has made about the rocket shield, and particularly for his conclusion that it is very much a topic for discussion within the European Union on the grounds it can also affect the security strategy to which Mr Solana has been so committed in recent years, and our view is that it does do just that.
The negotiations between the United States and two EU Member States about the deployment of a rocket shield in Europe cause us great concern. We are not persuaded of the need for such a system; we do, in fact, fear that the plans will have a divisive effect, and could seriously undermine international efforts at stopping the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The spread of weapons of mass destruction forms an increasing threat to international peace and security, and I am pleased with the general observations Mr Solana made in this respect.
The European Union has made non-proliferation one of its top priorities, and we realise that it is impossible to maintain the non-proliferation system unless we act in unison and multilaterally. Multilateral cooperation is not an option, it is a necessity, and it is particularly in that light that we are very concerned about Washington’s plans. Persevering with the development of a rocket defence system that is, rightly or wrongly, experienced as a provocation by other recognised nuclear powers is counter-productive. It could even lead to a new arms race.
Needless to say, since the nuclear aspirations of countries such as North Korea and Iran are also cause of great concern to us, we support the EU’s and UN’s efforts, via dialogue, but also via political and economic sanctions, to thwart their plans. According to the Americans, the rocket shield offers protection against attacks from Iran. Does this not, however, undermine the credibility of the international community at the negotiating table? This does, after all, go against the intention to prevent Iran from developing a new nuclear arms arsenal.
In short, we are very unhappy about America's recent defence plans and the unilateral way in which they have gone about things, but we are also greatly concerned about the willingness of Poland and the Czech Republic to accept such a one-sided dialogue. Federal Chancellor Merkel was right to invite the two countries to discuss this within NATO. Whilst we support the German Presidency’s proposal, we should also like to ask Mr Solana to discuss this matter further with his colleagues in the Council.
Some believe that Member States are free to join forces with third countries bilaterally in the area of defence. The political effects of such a system, however, are not confined to Poland and the Czech Republic, and the deployment of such a rocket shield will adversely affect the security of the whole of the European Union."@en1
|
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples