11/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - During the debate on the Spring Summit (see EUROPE of 10 March, p. 6), many MEPs acknowledged the problems posed to Member States by the review of the Stability Pact. Austrian Social Democrat Hannes Swoboda defended the Schröder government, saying that it was not a matter of special treatment for Germany, but rather of taking account of its special situation and the fact it's the biggest contributor in the EU. By getting round rules, we destabilise the system, countered Marielle de Sarnez (ALDE, France), adding that debate on the Stability Pact should not take place until agreement on the basic principles had been confirmed. Ms de Sarnez asked whether common discipline was possible without cooperation in defining economic policies. Belgian Green Pierre Jonckheer said the danger of division between old and new Member States should not be underestimated in the debate over reforming the Stability Pact. Derek Clark (UK Independence party) took a radical view - saying the Pact was useless and should be thrown in the bin. In response to the MEPs, the President of the Council, Nicolas Schmit, said that sustainable development (another big issue at the 22 and 23 March Summit) was a 'global' concept whose strategic principles could be set out in a Charter. He said the Spring Summit aimed to be at the forefront of protection of planet earth. Catalan Bernat Joan i Marì (Greens/EFA) took advantage of the opportunity to call for respect of everyone's language rights of individuals.