Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-06-12-Speech-3-203"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2002-06-12"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Enlargement of the Union2
dcterms:Language	"en"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20020612.5.3-203"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2002-06-12-Speech-3-2042
lpv:speaker	lp:Gary Titley2
lpv:spoken text	"Madam President, I wish to begin by paying tribute to Commissioner Verheugen, because it is down to his industry and determination that we are so close to grasping the prize of the reunification of Europe. Credit should be given to his efforts. I should also like to echo his opening words in relation to Lithuania. The decision taken by the Lithuanian Government in relation to the closure of the Ignalina power station is an extremely brave one, as it is not in accordance with general public opinion in Lithuania, and illustrates just how determined the Lithuanians are to fulfil the EU entry requirements. They have moved at tremendous speed in order to catch up, and it has been very difficult for them. However, if accession were suddenly to disappear off the horizon, that decision by the Lithuanian Government and Parliament could well rebound on them and we could find accession moving further away and not closer. It is vital to keep to the timetable and the road map. We must not allow that timetable to be eroded. If we slow down, some of the accession countries – for example, Hungary – will turn elsewhere, perhaps towards the United States rather than the European Union. Political movements that we see within the European Union could well mean that we will be unable to proceed if we miss the Copenhagen Summit deadline. As Commissioner Verheugen quite rightly said: we must take advantage of this window of opportunity before it is closed. Or, as the late, great Elvis Presley said: "It's now or never, .... Tomorrow will be too late". History will not judge us extremely well if we fail to show the leadership and courage required at this moment. That is not to suggest that we should somehow weaken our position in relation to our demands on the countries. Each country must be judged on its own merit and keep to the criteria, in particular in relation to implementation and administrative capacity. Let us look at individual countries. The Czech Republic needs to reassure us that competition policy will be in line with EU competition policy and that public administration will be reformed. Latvia has to make serious advances in the reform of its judicial system and in dealing with corruption. I welcome Commissioner Verheugen's plans in relation to Bulgaria and Romania, but we must also send out a message to Romania that it has to get its act together, otherwise it will seriously fall behind schedule. The Brok report should be a warning to them in relation to corruption and reform of public administration. Let us not forget that we have to convince the people that enlargement is in their interests. We should stop talking about the problems of enlargement and remind people that enlargement is a solution to many of those problems."@en1
lpv:spokenAs	unknown; Labour Party (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 substitute; Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3 chair; Conference of Delegation Chairs (2002-03-13--2002-09-24)3 member; Delegation to the European Economic Area Joint Parliamentary Committee (EEA) (2002-02-07--2004-07-19)3 member; Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3 chair; Delegation to the EU-Lithuania Joint Parliamentary Committee (2002-02-07--2002-09-19)3 member; PES (1999-07-20--2003-05-20)3 substitute; Delegation to the EU-Slovenia Joint Parliamentary Committee (2002-02-07--2004-04-30)3
lpv:unclassifiedMetadata	"Titley (PSE )."1

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