Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-11-15-Speech-4-025"
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"en.20011115.2.4-025"2
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"Mr President, Madam President-in-Office of the Council, Commissioner, what has happened with Sabena in my country is very tragic, and I am pleased that the Belgian Government is making a huge effort to try to cushion the direct and indirect social effects. Needless to say, that is never entirely possible with a bankruptcy of this scale, but it is important nevertheless that an effort is also being made indirectly, in the area of training and in-service training. I should also like to ask the Commissioner to advise soon whether something will also be done at European level, what the amounts will be that are involved and what kind of efforts will be made in respect of various airline companies. Sabena is, of course, a spectacular case, but social tragedies are also unfolding in other airline companies. That is where a European approach and European support are needed, so that people know that Europe is doing something, for my fellow MEP quite rightly pointed out that at the moment we have a one-sided image of Europe which, in my view, should be rectified.
One thing is clear to me. In my opinion, the role of the Member States and of an individual approach to aviation per Member State is over. We have been saying this for years, even if some people in this Parliament still believe that a national approach must be maintained. That era should finally come to an end, in my view. We must opt for a European approach. National state aid to airline companies makes no sense whatsoever. We must decide very quickly on whether – and I share your view in this, Mr Simpson – European aid to a European sector is possible and on the conditions under which that can be done. However, I do not think the problem is solved by saying: OK, they put USD 5 billion on the table, we will put EUR 5 billion on the table. In my view, the problem will not be solved in that way, for this financial solution must be accompanied by a simultaneous restructuring scheme. There was no point in getting the Belgian Government, or possibly the European Government, to bail out Sabena once again and to keep it in the air. Sabena had to restructure and do something, which happened in too painful a manner. They have waited for too long to do this rationally. Instead, it is now happening in a chaotic manner. That is unfortunate, but I believe we should learn from this.
The fact that Sabena is the first national airline company to go bankrupt in the Union speaks volumes. We tend to hold on to national airline companies, and those days are over, as various MEPs have stated today. We must adopt a European approach. That implies air traffic control, security measures and agreements with third countries. Mrs Durant, I am pleased that you are offering a window in this respect, but I hope that you can convince all your colleagues, for that is exactly what the opposition in the Council was about. Member States are reluctant to relinquish this authority, and refuse to join forces at European level, and we are now paying the price for this. the Americans
able to adopt a joint policy, but we are not. You are not represented at international level when aviation is at issue. It is the fifteen Member States that conclude agreements with open skies etc. and that compete with each other politically. I hope, therefore, Madam President-in-Office of the Council, that you will be able to convince your colleagues. And I hope that everyone here in this Parliament is convinced of the fact that we must at long last respond at European, rather than national, level."@en1
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