13/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - In a press release issued on Thursday 9 October, Timothy Kirkhope (EPP-ED) rails against the decision taken by the European Parliament to amend its standing orders to make the symbols of the EU (anthem, flag, etc.) official. The British Conservative MEP sees this move as “provocative and a waste of time”. He also sees it as a “waste of time and money”. “The inclusion of the anthem and the EU symbols in the Parliament's functioning highlights the federalist intentions of a number of MEPs,” he complains. Carlos Carnero (PES, Spain) says, on the contrary that the EP decision “is a strong political message to our citizens. They (the symbols) embody our pride in being European and the common values we share”. (O.L./transl.rt)