Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2007-06-07-Speech-4-031"
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"en.20070607.3.4-031"2
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"Mr President, this House is prepared to agree to a revision of the Constitutional Treaty, but only – and I say this for the benefit of the President-in-Office of the Council – if the political content is right. The strenuous efforts to use semantics as a means of assuaging national sensibilities can be accepted for as long as the EU, as a whole, becomes more effective, and what that means is more decisions by qualified majority, including in foreign policy. President Sarkozy is pushing for a mini-Treaty; like a mini-skirt, a mini-Treaty would cover up the essentials.
What the people of Europe want is clear proportions, not diplomats in darkened rooms haggling over lawyers’ devious arguments about square roots. Whether or not the Treaty includes references to the European flag or the European anthem is not a matter of life or death. The flag with the ring of stars will continue to flutter in the wind, and the ode to European joy will not cease to resound. As for the foreign minister not being allowed to be called a foreign minister, that, though, is fraudulent labelling. If Mr Solana’s successor can only act after a unanimous decision by the foreign ministers, one might as well call him a postman.
What is the point of a permanent President of the European Council if a single Polish twin can put a stop to negotiations – with Russia, for example – that are needed. The people – even many of those in the ‘no’ camp – do not want less Europe, but rather a Europe that cares about their problems, and that means that there must be binding fundamental rights for every citizen, with, above all else, the fundamental social rights being secured and extended. The new Treaty must make provision for all proposals emanating from the Commission to be accompanied by a social impact assessment. Public services must also be put on a secure legal footing. Although I am backing the Presidency of the Council, I will not be party to a sell-out, and in that I will certainly not be alone."@en1
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