Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-11-19-Speech-3-281"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2003-11-19"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Defence equipment2
dcterms:Language	"en"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20031119.10.3-281"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2003-11-19-Speech-3-2822
lpv:speaker	lp:Richard Howitt2
lpv:spoken text	"Mr President, it is true that tonight's debate comes after Monday's Council decision in favour of a European Defence Capabilities Agency but I welcome that decision, as I welcome Mr Queiró's report. I am pleased that the report reaffirms that NATO is the cornerstone of Europe's collective defence, recognising that 11 of our existing EU Member States - 19 in the enlarged EU from next year - are members of both bodies. But if we want the EU to make a serious military contribution to the Petersberg task of peacekeeping and peacemaking, the European security and defence policy needs to be underpinned by a credible ability for EU nations to conduct military operations when NATO as a whole is not engaged. For those who want a greater EU role in global affairs vis-à-vis the United States, it is absolutely right to state that Europe is tied to US support for every military initiative and operation. That is why it is important in this debate to support the creation of a European Defence Agency, an agency that should be primarily focused on developing European military capabilities and establishing a framework for measuring them. Importantly, in the context of tonight's debate it will also have a wider commitment to promote cost-effective procurement and competition. I say to the previous speaker from the British Conservatives, who sees in every action a conspiracy to increase EU competence, that it is in Britain's as well as in Europe's interests to create a truly competitive, internal defence market. British industry has always been one of the most competitive and open. There are many examples, such as the recent A 400 M contract, where simpler and clearer administrative procedures for procurement would have been welcome. I look forward to firms and employment in Britain, including in my region, the east of England, which is the second most defence-dependent in the United Kingdom, benefiting from this opening up of markets. That brings me to my final point. Although tonight's debate focuses on defence equipment industries and procurement, we must not forget the importance of increasing civilian capabilities for the prevention of conflict. The importance of trying to build a sustainable peace also requires serious action on conflict prevention and post-conflict strategy. I am very pleased to see progress on this aspect too and its inclusion in the Council conclusions from Monday."@en1
lpv:spokenAs	member; Members from the European Parliament to the Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the Agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Union (ACP-EU) (2002-02-06--2004-07-19)3 member; PES (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 unknown; Labour Party (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 substitute; EMPL (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3 member; Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy (2003-06-02--2004-07-19)3
lpv:unclassifiedMetadata	"Howitt (PSE )."1

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