Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-01-12-Speech-1-069"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20040112.6.1-069"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:translated text |
"Mr President, first of all I wish to thank Mrs de Palacio for her efforts to promote air safety. I agree with what she has said. I also wish to express my sympathy for the families of the victims of the air accident at el-Sheikh in Egypt before concentrating on the sensitive aspects of the discussions with the United States on air safety.
The Commission deserves all credit for its fight to defend privacy in the negotiations with the United States concerning the air passenger lists. Some of us in the delegation for relations with the United States were there in the US and discussed these issues. We know, in particular, how incredibly difficult it is to get the United States to achieve an, in our view, fair and considered balance between combating terrorism and defending human rights.
The outcome of the negotiations is, in some respects, successful and, in others, unsatisfactory. The United States has, however, made major concessions. The fact that it is possible to store information for three and a half years is positive from an American perspective. From a European perspective, it is, however, barely acceptable. In this case, it is, however, also a question of creating efficient contacts between the EU and the United States so that business, trade and aviation can thrive and develop. In the light of this, it is very important to find a solution that does not put a complete stop to these contacts at the very moment when the economy is in the process of improving.
I wish, however, to warn against contagion. Three and a half years must not constitute a model for the EU when we proceed with our own legislation on data protection and combating crime. In Europe, we have stronger protection for human rights than the United States does, especially when it comes to protecting privacy. That protection is something of which we should be proud. When we in the EU develop our own measures to combat terrorism – in many cases similar to, but not identical with, those adopted by the United States – we must defend our protection of privacy. Cooperation and coordination with the United States on these issues is certainly necessary, but we cannot abandon our own principles concerning human rights. Who wishes to see European aviation include armed marshals and requirements to have finger prints taken?
The agreement must fall if the United States does not comply with the protection of human rights. We cannot afford, in either financial or human terms, to make room for woolly interpretations by one side or the other. In this area, the Commission must, on every point, be given clear assurances on interpretation and compliance. A broader international agreement on air safety may be a step on this road too."@en1
|
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples