Brussels, 20/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament has approved the Treaty of Lisbon and called for its swift ratification by the member states, in order to guarantee its entry into force from 1 January 2009. In its adoption, on Wednesday 20 February, of the report by Richard Corbett (PES, United Kingdom) and Íñigo Méndez de Vigo (EPP-ED, Spain) by 525 votes in favour, 125 against and 29 abstentions, the EP takes the view that the modifying treaty constitutes a “substantial improvement” over the existing treaties and that it will make the EU more democratic, more effective and more visible internationally. Five countries have already ratified the treaty: Hungary, Slovenia, Romania, Malta and France. 10 further countries have launched a parliamentary ratification procedure.
During the debate which preceded the vote on Wednesday morning, almost all of the members of the main political groups (EPP-ED, PES, ALDE, Greens) voiced their support for the new treaty, occasionally accompanied by criticism targeted at certain weaknesses or shortcomings in the text. Many of them would have preferred the draft European constitution to the Treaty of Lisbon. But the only real opposition - which can only be described as virulent - was voiced by certain MEPs belonging to the European United Left (GUE/NGL), the Independence/Democracy group (IND/DEM) and various independent members. Their criticism was levelled, amongst other things, at the fact that with the exception of Ireland, where a referendum will be held at the end of May or early June, the European citizens will not have the opportunity to take position on the new treaty directly. “Who is afraid of the citizens? I believe that the citizens reject this treaty and that is why they are not being asked their opinion throughout the European Union”, said Mary Lou McDonald (GUE/NGL, Ireland). In the view of British member Nigel Farage (IND/DEM), the Treaty of Lisbon is “identical” to the draft European constitution. Given that this treaty was rejected by France and the Netherlands, and that it would “without a doubt” have been rejected in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, the leaders are “too afraid” to put the Treaty of Lisbon to the citizens, said Mr Farage. Instead of this, he continued, the governments are using “authoritarian means” to have it approved by the national parliaments, he said. His countryman Jim Allister (independent) also said that he “rejected” the new treaty which, in his opinion, is the product of a “conspiracy” of the governments of the member states, designed to “transfer more powers to the despots of Brussels”.
The Irish MEP Brian Crowley, of the UEN group, does not share these negative views on the treaty, nor the alarmist prognostics on the results of the referendum in Ireland. “I am certain that the Irish citizens will vote in favour of the treaty”, he said, speaking in the Gaelic language. The Irish know what they owe Europe in terms of peace and prosperity and they will approve the new treaty, because it will help to reinforce this Europe further, said Mr Crowley. The Irish referendum was the subject of many more speeches from the floor. Irish MEPs, of the Greens group and others with no group affinity, announced that they would vote against the referendum. Other Irish members, including Avril Doyle (EPP-ED) and the Liberal Marian Harkin, announced that they would vote in its favour. The Socialist Proinsias De Rossa, also of Ireland, spoke out against the opponents of the treaty (who include Rupert Murdoch), who are playing on the “fears of the citizens”. He believes that Ireland should remain firmly anchored within Europe.
The Belgian member Gérard Deprez (ALDE), who is the president of the committee on liberties, justice and home affairs of the EP, stressed the progress made by the Treaty of Lisbon in the field of “JHA”. However, one thing is difficult for the EP to swallow, he said: until the time the treaty enters into force, all legislative acts adopted in the field of the third pillar will remain outside the powers of jurisdiction of the Commission and of the Court of Justice for five years. The EP is therefore calling for inter-institutional negotiations with the Commission and the Council to suspend this provision for all acts adopted between now and the end of the legislative period, said Mr Deprez.
Johannes Swoboda (PES, Austria), reiterated the new possibilities opened up by the treaty to act in fields which are important for the citizens, such as energy, foreign policy and trade. “The Treaty of Lisbon gives Europe its definitive political dimension”, said the Belgian member Jean-Luc Dehaene (EPP-ED), but we must pay close attention to the implementation of new provisions between now and 2009, because “mistakes can still be made during this phase”. Mr Dehaene welcomes the fact that the presidency of the Council and the Commission have begun a reflection on this subject, and calls upon the EP to do the same. Andrew Duff (ALDE, United Kingdom) shares this view. It is “crucial” that the new provisions of the treaty, particularly in the field of the CFSP (High Representative, European external action service, etc) are “firmly in place” when the treaty enters into force. A delay or squabbles over their interpretation would create “confusion” in third countries and irritate public opinion in Europe, said Mr Duff. The French Socialist Bernard Poignant made the point that the choice of the president of the European Council will be crucial. “The person who is chosen, man or woman” is of vital importance for the image of Europe in the world, he said.
Finish Liberal Anneli Jäättenmäki raised a concrete issue: with the treaty (of which she approves), the EP adds 46 new fields to its legislative activity; it will, therefore, have to reorganise its workload.
Whilst Ian Hudghton (Scottish Green) acknowledged the positive aspects of the treaty, he took the opportunity of the debate to reiterate a particular desire of his. “I want to see Scotland joining the EU as a nation, not as an observer on the sidelines”. (H.B./L.G.)