04/05/2004

Speaking in a debate in the European Parliament on the European Constitution, Hans-Gert Poettering the Chairman of the EPP-ED Group said:

"This is a good opportunity when thinking about the future to take stock as we have just done in the solemn session for Jean Monnet and Altiero Spinelli. When we take stock this gives us the hope and belief that we can look to the future of our continent with confidence. Let us think of enlargement, 1973 a Europe of 6 is enlarged with Ireland, Denmark, and the United Kingdom, 1981 Greece, 1986 Spain and Portugal, 1995 three more countries Finland, Sweden and Austria, and then finally the Community of 25 that we have now. In parallel with this the deepening, 1956 EEC Euratom, 1986 the European Single Act, 1992 the Maastricht Treaty and one must remember the enormous contribution of Chancellor, Helmut Kohl, President, François Mitterrand, and Commission President, Jacques Delors continued by Jacques Santer. Amsterdam in 1995. Nice, perhaps this wasn't such a great success but, however, it brought the decision that we would conduct the negotiations with the candidate countries by the time of the European elections. If you put all of these developments together over the years, you must say that it is a marvellous continent that has gone forward despite great difficulties.

"I would also like to thank Commissioner Vitorino together with Commissioner Barnier who lead the work in the Convention. Of course there are some open questions in the EPP-ED Group. We would like to have a reference in the preamble to the Christian Judaic tradition and heritage. Another thing is important, Mr. Vitorino, if I understood correctly referred to this. We shouldn't allow a limitation of the budgetary powers of the European Parliament. It is a prerogative of the European Parliament and of any Parliament that it can decide on the budget. We won't tolerate any limitation of our budgetary powers. The European Constitution is a big step forward, because it strengthens the Community of Europe. It is a step forward because it strengthens European democracy and the parliamentary system. It is a step forward because subsidiarity is strengthened. For the first time the principle of the local authorities and municipalities having a right, for the first time, to decide on their own affairs is provided for.. Europe is becoming more democratic and better able to act. We want to maintain the unity of this diverse Europe and the Constitution is a means to achieve this.

Full press release is available on-line at:

http://www.epp-ed.org/Press/showpr.asp?PRControlDocTypeID=1&PRControlID=2699&PRContentID=5195&PRContentLG=en