Brussels, 21/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - After listening to the aspirations of Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt of Sweden in favour of a “strong and modern” Europe, many MEPs called, on 19 February in Strasbourg, for rapid ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon.
“The sooner there is ratification, the sooner we shall have new operational tools which are essential for effective European action”, said Joseph Daul of France speaking on behalf of the EPP-ED. He added that the EU may also, after this ratification, focus its efforts on the content of its common policies. “Europe must be able to take decisions swiftly when it comes to energy, climate, food safety, immigration or defence”, Daul said. He urged for a competitive and prosperous Union that is responsible and demanding from the budgetary point of view but also, and above all, one that shows solidarity when it comes to helping the weakest. It must also be strong in its defence against terrorism and crime. The security of citizens is not up for negotiation, Daul asserted (he went on to add, however, that one should not forget to defend individual freedoms). As far as foreign policy is concerned, the declaration of independence in Kosovo “opens up a tricky period”, he said, pointing out that Europe is playing high stakes in this affair. In his view, it must provide the Western Balkans with a European prospect without isolating Serbia.
Speaking on behalf of the PES Group, Martin Schulz of Germany said the Swedish prime minister was right to highlight the example of supranational integration set by Europe for the rest of the world. He regretted, however, that Mr Reinfeldt had missed any reference in his speech to a social Europe. “If people feel the internal market threatens their social standards, then the internal market will be rejected”, Schulz warned the Swedish prime minister. When it comes to Turkey, Schulz invited Mr Reinfeldt to clearly point out to Nicolas Sarkozy that there is a strategy set in place for accession and that the strategy must be upheld. The leader of the ALDE Group, Graham Watson of Britain, is confident about the future. He said, addressing Fredrik Reinfeldt, that by the time Sweden takes over EU Council presidency, after France, a real “democratic revolution” will have taken place. He sees Reinfeldt as a “consensual personality” able to open a new phase in the life of the Union in 2009, with a new Parliament and a new Commission.
Cristiana Muscardini of Italy, who spoke on behalf of the UEN Group, was a little less optimistic. Europe, she said, must not allow itself to be “caught unawares” by events such as Kosovo's declaration of independence, and it must speak a clear language when it comes to energy.
The consequences of climate change are the big affair of the moment according to Monica Frassoni of Italy (Greens/EFA). She said she did not say this because she was a member of the Greens but because all society's problems are connected to the management of our Earth's resources. She trusts that the “virtuous” Sweden will set a good example in this field, as in that of energy policy. Ms Frassoni concluded by asking Mr Reinfeldt: “Why have you not reopened the question of the seat of Parliament?” It is quite another matter that troubles the president of the GUE/NGL Group, Francis Wurtz of France, and that is the Laval affair between trade unions in Sweden and the management of a Latvian company, which ended with a Court of Justice verdict limiting trade union demands to “minimal protection”. Mr Wurtz is not pleased with the ruling and would like a major debate at the European Parliament on this subject. Swedish national Hélène Goudin (IND/DEM) expressed her strong displeasure with her prime minister who, she says, should have fought for a more inter-state treaty and against a Europe that dabbles a little in everything. Jean-Marie Le Pen (National Front, France) takes the view that Ireland, if it holds a referendum on the treaty, “will become the spokesman for thousands of European citizens”, all those citizens who, if “deprived of the right to speak on their future” will take “vengeance” at the next European elections. He went on to call for “national resistance … for citizens, a right, for patriots, a duty”.
Although other MEPs did not use such robust language, others, and above all at both ends of the Parliament political spectrum, called for the right of citizens to express their opinion on the treaty. Elected representatives on every side called for a greater effort to be made on the social side, especially Jan Andersson (PES, Sweden), who would like to see directives on working time and on collective agreements. Inge Segelström (PES, Sweden) was one of the many speakers who raised the question of the oil pipeline from the Baltic. On this question, Mr Reinfeldt said that the current project, as presented at this stage, does not seem satisfactory. Another project should be put forward. Regarding the debate on the seat of the EP, he simply pointed out that the question must be decided by unanimity. He wished to reassure Mr Wurtz concerning the content of the Court of Justice ruling in the Laval affair, saying the judgement in no way brings the European social model into question. Finally, the Swedish prime minister states that, if some countries decide to ratify the treaty without a referendum, this in no way means that these countries are not democratic. (L.G.)