Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2011-09-27-Speech-2-637-000"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2011-09-27"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Eastern partnership summit (Warsaw, 29 September) (debate)2
dcterms:Language	"nl"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20110927.31.2-637-000"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2011-09-27-Speech-2-638-0002
lpv:speaker	lp:Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy2
lpv:spokenAs	substitute; Delegation for relations with the Maghreb countries and the Arab Maghreb Union (2009-09-16--2014-06-30)3 vice-chair; Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly (2009-09-30--2014-06-30)3 substitute; BUDG (2009-07-16--2012-01-18)3 member; CONT (2009-07-16--2012-01-18)3 member; Delegation to the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (2009-09-16--2014-06-30)3 substitute; Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (2009-09-16--2014-06-30)3 member; ALDE (2009-07-14--2014-06-30)3 member; ENVI (2009-07-16--2012-01-18)3 unknown; Democraten 66 (2009-07-14--2014-06-30)3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, Baroness Ashton, Commissioner, it takes two to tango, as the saying goes, and after a somewhat tentative opening dance with our partners in North Africa and the Middle East, we need to recognise that we share a dance floor with our partners in the Eastern partnership as well, and that the party is really starting to swing in one or two places. The atmosphere on the eastern edges of Europe, however, is generally one of awkward and icy reserve. Apart from Poland and Sweden, amongst the Member States, there is little genuine political will or interest in improving relations between the EU and our eastern partners. That is short-sighted, because we actually stand to benefit from stable neighbourly relationships, if only because of our dependence on energy from that region. The summit’s draft statement confirms this picture. I would therefore ask Madam Ashton, Commissioner Füle and all Member States to show more initiative in genuinely deepening the political dialogue. The EU should not behave like a dance teacher to these countries, but like a flexible and sympathetic partner. I am deeply concerned by the show trial in Ukraine and the continuing arrests of activists in Belarus and Azerbaijan. It is, therefore, important right now that we hold out our hand to our partners and step onto the dance floor in the East, ready to attempt some ambitious and creative moves. We need deeper economic cooperation and fewer barriers to travel for us and our partners there. Obviously, there will be conditions attached to this, but continually postponing the dance will not do anyone any good. I wish to thank Madam Ashton for her willingness to intensify the dialogue with progressive social movements, such as the Public Chamber in Azerbaijan. Relations in the Eastern partnership are also changing. After Russia, Turkey is the next dancer to take to the floor. New dance partners may feel uneasy in each other’s presence, but what we need is clear vision and commitment. A fortnight ago, we had the chance to attend our first ball with our partners from the five Euronest partnership countries. It was felt that it was a little too early to send an invitation to Belarus. Although we did not produce a statement that everyone could endorse, I do believe in this process and am confident that, if we continue to practise our dance steps and, in particular, listen to each other, it could lead to something beautiful."@en1
lpv:videoURI	<go to Events_and_structure europarl>2

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