XVIth EPP CONGRESS The EPP: Your Majority in Europe 4 - 5 February 2004 European Parliament BRUSSELS

Speech by Mr Bendt BENDTSEN, Deputy Prime Minister of Denmark
Chairman of the Conservative People's Party

Brussels, February 5, 2004



This congress has one specific target - to ensure that, even after the EP-elections in four months' time, we will continue to be the largest political group in the European Parliament. We have already paved the way with our congress document and our election manifesto. We have a common goal, we share the same set of values, let these be our guidelines and our inspiration. Our agreement here - on what we all believe in - should spur us on to do the very best we can when we return to our own countries and prepare ourselves for the forthcoming, historic EP-elections.

And historic they will be! For the first time ever voters in a total of 25 countries will select representatives for the old Europe and the new. For our ten new partners this will be the symbol of genuine union. For many months now our sister parties in the new member states have been busy preparing for the future. No more observers, watching from the sidelines, they will finally feel themselves to be true partners in a common cause.

And we "old" members must also work hard in our own countries. After all, it is at home where our voters live - and where they vote. Together we shall create a bigger and better European Union.

I know that we have had our problems, as in the recent past. The setback at the December summit in Brussels was unfortunate - but we have to accept it. However, I also know that problems are there to be solved. This is our challenge. Our new constitutional treaty represents the legal basis for the work in the new term of the European Parliament. So we must ensure that our governments will be able to reach the necessary compromises. There is only a little left to be taken care of. But we must not underestimate the complexity of the problems.

For my own country - Denmark - the EP-elections in June also represent a first. Danish voters will have to vote on a Sunday - together with most of the EU members - something we have never done before. We look forward to counting our votes on the same day they have been cast. I sincerely hope that it will increase the interest. Let's face it, we have to work hard - all of us - to make sure that our voters even take part. We only have to look back at the last EP-election to see the problem of low turn-outs and voter apathy. We must do what we can to increase voter interest and participation. This is a prime goal for us - as it should be all over Europe. In some countries only a third of the electorate voted in 1999. This is far from acceptable. The least we can do is to convince our voters that it is a good idea to turn up. If we can do this we have won half the battle!

But the EP election is not the only battle we have to face. Recent events have made us all aware of new challenges, a new spectre at the feast. Globalisation and the global economy have opened up new markets and new opportunities. Unfortunately, there are also some unfortunate side-effects.

So what should we do?

I believe that we should perhaps change our focus. We have excellent education systems. Why not use them? Change the emphasis from hand-power to brain-power. Create a central fund for European research and development. We must make it attractive for our graduates to remain in Europe and contribute to building up centres of excellence. Of course, we must still endeavour to retain our manufacturing base - all economies need to produce - but we also need to harness the expertise and abilities that we know abound within the EU. I know you will all understand my pride in the concept "Danish design". Let's all make "European" design and technology an idea to be proud of.

Because I believe that if we invest in a knowledge-based economy we invest in our future - Europe's future.