Speech from Mr Hans-Gert Poettering,
Chairman of the EPP-ED Group,
in the European Parliament
on Tuesday, 15 January 2002

Mr. Hans-Gert Poettering welcoming the new President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox

(Translation from the original German)

President, President of the Commission, dear colleagues,

"Today, the 15 January 2002, is a very significant day in the history of the European Parliament. First of all, because we have elected a new President, and I would like to say, Mr. President, on behalf of the EPP-ED Group, that we congratulate you wholeheartedly.

"I would like to say a few words about the candidates. There were many people who harboured doubts as to whether it would be possible to elect, to the post of President of the European Parliament, someone from a smaller Member State and small political party. I would like to say to you, President, but say to all of us at the same time, that I am very grateful, that we had the opportunity to prove that a small group and a small country has a chance to fulfil one of the most important tasks in the European Union. This is part of our European culture. Europe would be all the poorer, if positions of responsibilities could only be given to personalities from the so-called bigger countries. This Europe, is a Europe that takes full account of the dignity of all, every European has an opportunity, and if personality as yourself, Pat Cox, can become President of the European Parliament, or our deeply esteemed colleague, Mr. Jacques Santer from Luxembourg, was able to become the President of the European Commission. I think this is a message, that we need to put across once again today, that everybody has a chance.

"I wish you every possible success in your work. We will work together for the future of our old European continent.

"Let me also say a few words about the other candidates and in particularly David Martin. David Martin; I have clear memories, that a number of years ago in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, that we had discussions together. I know, that it is quite a number of years ago now, but on that occasion, something was imprinted on my consciousness. That was, that it is an absolute necessity, that the groups in the European Parliament, regardless of the different political stands and different views that they have, that they agree on peaceful and democratic future of our continent. This is why I would like to pay a particulate tribute to all candidates, but particularly to David Martin.

"Please allow me to make one final comment. President, this continent was a divided one, and when people voted into this Parliament in 1979 in my group and other groups, nobody would have dreamed, even remotely, that in a number of years we could welcome colleagues from the center of Europe as members of the European Parliament; that we would ever be able to welcome them into our ranks. I would like to say, that on the day that the candidate countries accession treaties are signed, we should invite observers to the European Parliament, so these countries can prepare for the democratic Elections in 2004 in these countries.

"As I said, President, on behalf of my group, I wish you every success. I am proud, that we have all kept our word, because confidence is very important within political life and political activity. You know, that you can count on us as allies, when we are talking about peaceful democratic future in Europe. I wish you once again every possible success in your work."