Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-09-24-Speech-3-044"
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"en.20030924.1.3-044"2
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"Mr President, I should first of all like to thank the two rapporteurs, Mr Gil-Robles and Mr Tsatsos, for their excellent analysis and their report on the Convention’s activities. I am also indebted to the Italian Presidency for its constructive approach, and Commissioner Barnier, who, together with Commissioner Vitorino, played such a key role in the Convention.
For me, the work that I have done on behalf of our Parliament in the Convention is the single most important piece of work that I have done in my career in the European Parliament that has spanned twenty years. To work on a constitution for twenty-five, and soon perhaps thirty, European Member States, is to work on an important part of our common history. When we consider Europe’s violent past, we realise all the more that it is a very big step in the right direction, one that should bring peace and development to present and future generations.
Does this now mean that the work that has been done is complete? No, but perfection is not in any case within the grasp of human beings. We can, however, establish that the Convention has achieved more than the amendments to the Treaties of Maastricht, Amsterdam and Nice together. This is why the model of the Convention should be preserved also in future. We now know that a Convention achieves a great deal more than the normal IGC.
I will quote five positive elements: the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union has been incorporated in the constitution, which also includes a sound anti-discrimination clause. The Union’s constitutional standards and values as a community of law have been laid down effectively. In the relationship between the Council, Commission and Parliament, transparency and democratic procedures have now taken centre stage, and Parliament has been granted sound powers in terms of codecision legislation whereby decision-making by majority has become the rule. The whole legislative system and process have become a lot simpler and more transparent, with more openness in the Council, as a result of which the Council has now, in my opinion, taken on the character of a Senate. The concept of subsidiarity is expressed far more effectively through the national and also regional parliaments being given their own roles to play in the European decision-making processes, so that the Union’s activities can be carried out a great deal closer to the European citizen.
As I have already said, the result is good, but it is not perfect. The shortcomings I should like to mention are the lack of a qualified majority in the decision-making process on foreign policy, trade agreements and financial perspectives. Furthermore, I take the view that every Member State should retain its own Commissioner. These shortcomings, however, are not so serious that we cannot be positive about the document. I sincerely hope that the Heads of Government will reach agreement about this Constitution before Christmas, so that we can equip ourselves with this document for the European elections, and can add the positive judgments of the European citizens to it."@en1
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