Speeches

Speech from Mr Hans-Gert Poettering,
Chairman of the EPP-ED Group,
in the European Parliament
on Tuesday, 14 January 2003

Hans-Gert Poettering supports Greek Presidency priorities and calls for initiatives on Mediterranean policy and economic competitiveness





President, President in Office of the Council, President of the Commission, Colleagues,

"The EPP-ED Group wishes the Greek Presidency every success. We are going to be a fair partner for you. We think it is particularly good that the signing of the treaties with the accession countries will take place on the 16th of April at the Acropolis. This will be symbolic of the fact that where democracy was founded in Athens, the signal is now being sent out to these countries that are going to become Members who have gone through the terrible years of Communism and National Socialism before that.

President in Office of the Council,

"We fully agree with what you said on the peaceful solution on Cyprus and the pre-accession status for Bulgaria and Romania. We have an urgent appeal which we would like to address to you with regards to the Balkans. We agree with you that we have to give these countries some prospect of membership of the European Union, but as you said, this is a long term prospect. The people of the European Union must first of all deal with the enlargement to ten new countries. We shouldn't ask too much of them. We shouldn't give the impression that the Balkans are going to join the day after tomorrow. It is important that we make it clear that it is a long term process.

"We would like to encourage you to take an initiative with respect to the Mediterranean area and the Barcelona process. It is shocking that every week we see that boats, coming from Morocco, trying to reach the Spanish coast, are going down in storms and that young people are dying. It is unacceptable. We need to deal with that within immigration policies, but we also need to help these countries in the Mediterranean to help themselves and give the people living in these countries chances to develop. We have to help the governments in these countries. President of Council, you will certainly receive our support for such an initiative.

"On the Convention, the Foreign Minister Mr. Papandreou is going to be a Member of the Convention, and I am sure that we will see him on a regular basis here in the Parliament. The EPP part of our Group want a European Constitution. We want European democracy, we want a Europe which is capable of taking action, and a Europe which is transparent. This Europe must be based on the common Europe of values. I am sure that the President in Office of Council would support this proposal. We would like to see the Convention lining up by the end of June, then a short IGC, so that under the Italian Presidency we can adopt the European Constitution.

"As regards the Lisbon process, we agree, that we will only manage to keep qualified scientists in Europe, if we are capable of carrying out a reform of our tax system, so that investment and achievement will pay. We also have to reform our labour markets, make them more flexible, and our social security systems as well. We need to adjust them so people take more responsibility themselves, so we can combine subsidiarity and solidarity. We have to make Europe a competitive Europe. To achieve that we have to ensure that it pays for people to work in Europe. We have to encourage initiative. We shouldn't promise the citizens anything that the European Union cannot deliver on. We need to co-ordinate work on reducing corporate taxation, reforming labour market, and reforming our social security systems.

"Two important points on foreign policy for the Council President. Concerning Iraq, we have to recognise the danger of weapons of mass destruction, and where they threaten the world or part of the world. Those who are in power and have the power of taking decisions shouldn't have access to such weapons. What has been done in the UN, which we support, is the developing of a European position on the basis of the UN. It is unacceptable for one government in the European Union to say that it will be done without us. Regardless of what the UN decides, we are on their side. We have to be responsible in our policy in Europe, and I would encourage you to ensure that we can develop this common European pact.

President in Office of Council,

"You mentioned co-operation with Russia. What we see happening in Chechnya is quite appalling. The Russian government does not want to extend the OECD mandate in Chechnya. This is a violation of our common principle of humanity. I will call on you, President in Office of Council, when you go to Russia, to make it clear to the Russian government that the OECD mandate should be extended, and that the ad hoc delegation from the European Parliament, which we decided to establish, will be able to go there. We will only be credible if we apply these values not just in this wonderful and democratic well-off European Union. We have to assert these human rights not only for ourselves but also for the people who are at the doors of Europe."


(Translation from the original German)