Strasbourg, 14/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday the EP adopted a 50-point long resolution introduced by the EPP-DE, PES, ELDR and UEN. The resolution on the Seville Summit was passed by 341 votes for, 64 voting against and 42 abstentions. It welcomes the intention to refocus European Council meetings on their essential function of political orientation and strategy but is concerned about certain information on the unilateral and "exclusive abolition" of some of the Councils. In its role of budgetary authority, the Parliament considers that it should be "consulted on/involved in any reform of the Council". It calls on the European Council to support, "an inter-institutional agreement on better regulation at its Seville meeting, to be concluded by the end of the year" to improve the legislative process. It also requested the setting up of an "inter-institutional working group…composed of political representatives of the Council, Parliament and the Commission" (see EUROPE 13 June p3).
The resolution touches on the main themes of the Summit: "the right to asylum, immigration and integration. The EP deplores the fact that the biggest factor slowing down real progress so far has been the Council itself and stresses that it is within a "genuine common European policy on asylum and immigration, as provided for at Tampere…that effective measures against illegal immigration and trafficking in human beings must be taken". The attention of the Berlusconi government must be drawn to this point, as the MEP from Democratici di sinistra, Giorgio Napolitano pointed out, and measures approved recently by the Italian government do not guarantee such balance. In adopting a single amendment from Jules Maaten, the EP has established a precautionary measure, it would not be appropriate to "please" certain third countries with granting them Community aid whilst depriving others because of the way which they deal with the migration phenomenon.
In connection with the Greece and Turkey issue blocking an EU/NATO agreement, the EP, "calls for the High Representative for the CFSP to directly negotiate this issue with the Secretary General of NATO".
On the follow-up to Barcelona, the EP points out that, "the integration of European networks and the opening up of public service markets must fully respect the principles laid down in Article 16 of the Treaties" (economic services for the general interest).
During the debate, Austrian Social Democrat, Johannes Swoboda, explained that citizens had to understand that the Union needed immigration but at the same time had to fight against illegal immigration and integrate legal immigrants. Hubert Pirker (ÖVP, Austria) also recognised that people's concerns shouldn't be ignored (if they are ignored we risk not getting elected..). Mr Pirker supports the ideas of Mr Aznar, not the case with Roman Nogueira (Greens/ALE, Spain), who is critical of the Presidency for wanting a Europe dominated by the police. This sentiment was echoed by his compatriot the Socialist Anna Terron. Mr Nogueira also criticised his government for its reform proposals for the Council, which he considers "arrogant and impertinent". Bastiaan Belder (Netherlands, Europe of Democracies and Diversities) insisted on the need for balance between Member States on this issue. As for the follow-up to Barcelona, Ilkka Suominen (EPP/DE, Finland) noted certain progress but that it was insufficient and insisted on the urgent need for the public services framework directive announced by the European Commission. Inigo Mendez de Vigo (Partido Popular) was worried by the certain laxness within the enlargement process with some leaders appearing less motivated and requesting protective measures in agriculture. On the issue of external relations, Italian Green, Reinhold Messner said that the Union could not remain indifferent to the India/Pakistan conflict and had to exert its influence on both sides. Neena Gill (British Labour Party) shared this view, exclaiming that war was never a solution. Two Irish MEPs expressed their concerns over the Treaty of Nice, Labour Party member, Proinsias de Rossa was convinced that another "no" vote against the treaty would strengthen the anti-Europeans and John Cushnahan (Fine Gael) underlined the responsibility of politicians who weren't committed enough during the last referendum and that this time they had to grasp the nettle if Ireland wasn't to begin a "semi-detached" relation with the Union. Carles Gasoliba (ELDR, Spain) asked for the siege of certain agencies in Seville to be sorted out. Carlos Bautista (Greens/ALE) stated that reform of the Common Fishing Policy should be raised at Seville. Ramon de Miguel tried to counter these criticisms by pointing out that Seville "is just a Summit" and that the Spanish Presidency had obtained results in several fields. He indicated that the Union had made progress and not just the Presidency and explained that José Maria Aznar would present the balance sheet to Parliament during the July session.