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

Speech by Costas KARAMANLIS, President of Nea Demokratia and Vice-President of the European People's Party

Brussels, February 5, 2004



Mr President,
Dear Prime Ministers and Leaders,
Mr Chairman of the Group,
Dear Friends,

We have reached a pivotal point in the EU's evolution. In three months, ten new nations will officially join our Union. We have better prospects for an agreement on a new constitutional Treaty for Europe. In the coming European elections, the forces of the European People's Party will increase their majority. We are the clear majority of today and will be the great majority of tomorrow. We share the responsibility for leading Europe to brighter days. We rush together in a new age. An age, when we must respond with precision and responsibility to the aspirations of the European citizens. The European People's Party has proved its vision and resilience ?n many historic occasions. Not only has it contributed to important milestones; furthermore, it has raised the level of expectation for its ability to bring true and lasting developments on our Continent's future.

Today, we face new challenges. We understand that it is not our citizens who seek direction; they have already chosen the direction Europe must take. What they expect from their leadership is specific steps forward. For a more political, more democratic Europe. For a Europe that creates opportunities for prosperity and conditions for security - to all its citizens. With its 16th Congress, our Party manifests its readiness to successfully confront these challenges. And not only that. Through its Action Program our Party shows political thinking that brings forth a Europe with history and conscience. A Europe with principles and values. Clear goals. The kind of Europe we speak of, when we speak to each other has the historic and political depth to look forward. Take the next step. Shape the next milestone. With rigor for reform and the common European good. For all the European citizens.

We -at the EPP- think it necessary never to forget that the changes we speak of didn't come about yesterday. Nor the day before. ?he kind of Europe we speak of when we speak to each other is not solely our "Union of Values" - but a Community of effective action. And as such, it moves ahead. We move forward. In about a month, Nea Demokratia, the historical European Party of Greece that I have the honor to lead, will join you in this avenue of change - this time, as another Government of the EPP family.

We are called on to make a tangible reality of the kind of Europe we speak of, when we speak to each other.

• We are called to face head-on the challenges brought by the latest enlargement. So that our common European vision is shared equally by all and that no one stays behind.
  
  
• We are called to achieve together a fair, viable and functioning solution to the Cyprus issue. A solution based on the Annan Plan and the requirements and rights of an EU member. We will work for a speedy resumption of the negotiations leading to a solution which will tear down the last wall of shame, still standing on European soil and that will allow the two communities in the island to live and prosper together in peace, within the EU. They never had, nor they have, nor should they ever have something to separate them from each other.
  
  
• We are called to change together stubborn misconceptions that have kept the - still fragile - region of Southeast Europe, behind. And turn the historic achievement of an irreversible peace into a clear choice and a viable reality for all the nations in the wider Balkans. In the context of our Western Balkan Democracy Initiative, we witnessed together how this process of transformation prepared nations for a new era and in the process, changed lives for the better.
  
  
• We must make a reality of the kind of Europe we speak of when we speak together, so we can prepare well the next rounds of EU enlargement. Making war and the use of force inconceivable among those nations and their neighbors. Spreading the gift of irreversible peace to regions still struggling to find a place in this new era. This can and must be a consensual precondition to all.
  
  
• We are called to make a reality of the kind of Europe we speak of, so that we agree together on a constitutional Treaty that means more to citizens. The EPP initiated the process; it must help finish the job. For a Treaty that will deepen the democratic character of our Union; will safeguard and make more functional the balance between our institutions, an equally balanced say among the Member States; a Treaty that will make us all proud.
  
  
• So that we can achieve together a Europe which will be more fair socially, more competitive economically, more inspiring spiritually - on a global scale. A Union that will grow with greater freedom. And do it faster. A Union that will channel its wealth to more citizens. And do it fairer. So that no one stays behind.

These are in sum the challenges we have to undertake. We confidently stand before them. Knowing, that our success will be the one, the exclusive, criterion by which we will remain a confident majority in Europe, for the time to come. Our success will - once again - make the Europe we speak of when we speak together, a Europe everyone enjoys. A Europe for all.

Thank you.