Andrew Duff calls for Commission strategy to repair transatlantic relationship
December 14, 2004 10:00 AM
Andrew Duff has called on the Barroso Commission to make a key priority of repairing Europe's relationship with the USA, including launching a campaign for the Constitution in America as well as throughout Europe.
In his speech to the Parliament at Strasbourg today on the strategy of the new Commission, Duff said that the Commission must work to prevent the collapse of the transatlantic partnership. He said:
"There is currently a dangerous ‑ and unprecedented ‑ American backlash against European integration. There are a number of issues where Europe and America are pulling apart: trade, science, fundamental rights, climate change, monetary policy, competition policy, and foreign, security and defence policy.
"Much of the US hostility is targeted at the new Constitution. Mr Barroso must work hard in America as well as within Europe to get the Constitution in place. I hope still for the emergence of a strong political leadership by the Commission in this difficult campaign.
"The Commission must come up with some serious answers to those who want to know what will happen if they vote No to the Constitution. The Commission should not fight shy of causing offence to some governments ‑ especially to those which have sought refuge in plebiscites but show no signs of wanting to fight to win them.
"The public have to hear why it would be sheer folly to reject the Constitution, and what the consequences of an enfeebled European Union would be."
ENDS/...
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