EU SUMMIT: PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT OUTLINES CHALLENGES AHEAD

EUPolitix.com
Dec 14 2007
Belgium

Hans-Gert Pottering spoke of the major challenges facing Europe at
the Brussels summit – and predicted that parliament would continue
to grow in influence.

He said with a smile that national leaders now comment and discuss
the parliament president’s speech to council, whereas before they
might simply have listened politely.

He also emphasised that Friday’s summit in Brussels would help shape
the future direction of the EU.

"This is a working summit," he told journalists Friday.

"This is no less important than yesterday’s signing of the treaty
in Lisbon, or the signing of the charter of fundamental rights in
Strasbourg. Europe is not just about important events, but is a
step-by-step process."

Pottering spent most of his time discussing long-term challenges. He
said for example that member states should be united in ensuring that
Kosovan independence is linked to security, and followed a clear
timeframe. "Firm principles combined with procedural flexibility,"
he said.

He added that Serbia has a future in the EU, and that Serbia and
Kosovo could one day find themselves together in the EU.

The issue of human rights – with particular reference to the alleged
massacre of Armenians around the First World War – and Turkish entry
into the EU was also raised. Pottering said that, as a German, he
had reason to be proud of the fact that his country’s own ghastly
past has been put behind it.

"If we want to move into the future, we have to recognise what we carry
as way of burden from the past," he said. "I’m grateful and a bit proud
that this spiritual and political absorption process has been achieved.

"Nazism was unique and cannot compare to anything else, but I would
hope that Turkey, in time, will come to terms with what happened to
the Armenian people."

Human rights, he said, was at the "heart" of parliament’s political
commitment. "We do not remain silent," he said. "~TTurkey wants to
accede to the EU. It therefore has to adapt to our value system."

Pottering also identified more short-term achievements. On 21 December,
border controls will be removed in several new member states, and in
March 2008, checks in airports will likewise be abolished.

He also repeated parliament’s commitment to funding the Galileo
project. "Galileo has thrown off its chains and is ready for launch,"
he said. "Parliament has always supported the commission in this."