Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-01-14-Speech-3-048"
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"en.20040114.1.3-048"2
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"Mr President, I would like to wish the President-in-Office and his government colleagues every success during the Irish presidency. While I acknowledge that the Irish presidency has to tread sensitively in pursuing progress on the draft Constitution, I support Commissioner Prodi's warning that failure to reach agreement will inevitably lead to the creation of a two-speed Europe. If unanimous agreement on the Constitutional Treaty cannot be achieved, then the only alternative is the creation of a two-speed Europe. To do otherwise would be to give the power of veto to any eurosceptic Member State.
A two-speed Europe already exists in at least two areas: namely the Schengen Agreement and the single currency. Schengen allowed for full implementation in the countries subscribing to the Single Act, especially as regards the free movement of persons. The decision by the United Kingdom and Ireland to opt out – although in our case this was for unavoidable reasons because of the UK position – did not prevent this from happening.
Additionally, the decision by the United Kingdom, Sweden and Denmark to opt out of the single currency did not prevent its establishment, which, given the magnitude of the technical problems involved, was a massive achievement by the Commission. Its implementation was a momentous, historic development, representing the largest quantum leap towards political union.
Given these experiences, we should not be alarmed at the prospect of taking similar decisions in other areas rather than face paralysis and stagnation at the hands of eurosceptic Member States. Fundamental to the dream of the founding fathers of our Union, 50 years ago, was the imperative to cede national sovereignty in exchange for the greater sovereignty of a united continent. The proposed Constitution is the fulfilment of that dream, to be pursued, if necessary, without those states where nationalistic chauvinism still rules.
President-in-Office, your challenge is to ensure that the debate on the Constitution is concluded over the next six months; this is a difficult task, but let me wish you every success in this particularly historic task."@en1
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