Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-04-09-Speech-3-064"
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"en.20030409.3.3-064"2
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"Mr President, I would like to start by thanking Commissioner Verheugen, who has been most assiduous in following the enlargement process. I would also like to thank Mr Brok and Mr Wynn – I agree with what Mr Wynn said in his speech – and the Greek Presidency.
Every moment is history in the making but not all moments are equally important, and this is one of the more important events. This is not empty rhetoric: I am expressing my awareness of the responsibility we bear in saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in this matter. We are gradually restoring Europe’s integrity and unity, reintegrating and reunifying its culture, traditions, peoples and children. We have not yet completed this major building project. Yesterday, we received a visit from the President of the Republic of Macedonia, and our thoughts are already turning to the Balkans, to that region in which we helped to achieve peace and which is starting to establish democracy, the rule of law, the welfare state, an economic fabric and international relations. Then Moldova and Ukraine are potential candidates, assuming that Bulgaria and Romania will join the Union in four years’ time. The process will require more work where Turkey is concerned, for Turkey’s idea of society will have to be brought into line with ours. Lastly, we cannot fail to consider Russia, with which the European Union will have to have an increasingly close, organic relationship.
All the seeds we are sowing will take root if the Community method prevails. The European Union will only survive and develop if, I reiterate, the Community method prevails in the Convention. The most recent position adopted by the Budget Council is evidence of a completely opposite trend and is to be deplored. If the egotism of the Member States leads to the intergovernmental method prevailing, Europe will suffer a heart attack, a setback, but history will continue regardless. I therefore call upon the ten new Member States to stand shoulder to shoulder with Parliament in advocating a different line from that taken by the governments of the current Member countries, which have a pessimistic view of the Union. Dear people of Slovenia, dear people of the other nine acceding countries, help us to build new European institutions in which we can all be equal and develop with full respect for the dignity of the individual."@en1
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