EU leaders must reflect on their collective responsibilities in failing to explain Europe (Andrew Duff MEP)

Andrew Duff MEP <info@andrewduffmep.org.uk>

EU leaders must reflect on their collective responsibilities in failing to explain Europe

June 18, 2008 12:47 PM

Ahead of the European Council summit meeting tomorrow in Brussels, the European Parliament held a debate with Council and Commission in Strasbourg today to assess the impact of the Irish vote and its implications for the EU agenda over the coming months.

Graham Watson, leader of the Liberal and Democrat group in the European Parliament, said:

"The heads of state and government should also reflect why, on the threshold of a new French Presidency, we have come full circle since the last. The Commission has a Plan D for Dialogue, but our member state governments have no equivalent. There is a role for Parliament and Commission in explaining the EU - but also for every national government to do so, every single day. Not just when ratification of the latest treaty is due.

My Group's advice to Council is to get on with the real business of Europe - boosting trade, combating climate change, fighting food and fuel price hikes - whilst those who will, continue to ratify the Treaty."

Andrew Duff (UK, Lib Dem), ALDE constitutional affairs spokesperson

This afternoon the Westminster parliament will complete ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. It will be refreshing to see Britain say 'yes' to Europe for once. It will restore the moral authority and political credibility of the UK and assist the Irish to seek a new consensus based on less 'Libertas' and more 'Veritas'."

"What is bizarre is that the British eurosceptics in this House prefer to let a referendum in a foreign country take the decision in place of Britain's sovereign parliament. The plebiscite is a crude form of democracy possibly suited for revolutionary circumstances of regime change but totally unsuited for informed and deliberative decisions on complex treaty revision."

Marielle de Sarnez MEP (MoDem, France) said: "Since the Treaty of Rome the world has changed. We must rethink and relaunch the European project in order for it to respond to the huge challenges of the new century: financial crisis and crisis of energy. How can we create qualitative growth that is both sustainable and fair ? How can we reduce the inequalities in our society ? How can we achieve a new world order ? These are the questions to which we need answers and to which Europe must now dedicate itself through politics."

Marian Harkin MEP (Independent, Ireland) underlined that "it is only possible to defend Irish sovereignty if you also recognise the sovereignty of other Member States too. The Lisbon Treaty represents a real test for the principle of unanimity and therein lies the challenge for EU leaders. Ireland must be allowed time to reflect on their vote and answer the questions it raises. Whatever the solutions proposed to the current dilemma, Ireland must remain at the heart of Europe."

ENDS