Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-01-14-Speech-3-279"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20040114.6.3-279"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:translated text |
"Mr President, Mr Pirker’s report has a long title, suggesting a multiplicity of subjects. To an extent, the mix of subjects renders the report impractical and difficult to place in relation to the real world, but that is in no way Mr Pirker’s fault.
In general, I am able to support the report’s overall objective of strengthening cooperation and coordination within the EU in these essential and cross-border areas of policy. The report nonetheless contains a proposal that I find too far-reaching: that of establishing a federal European corps of border guards which – in contrast to, for example, Europol – would have extensive operational authority to use its powers. I am opposed to the creation of a federal corps of border guards.
With regard to the principle of subsidiarity, I do not think that the Commission is able to document either the effect of, or the operational need for, a federal corps of border guards. Secondly, I think it is too early to establish such a corps. We still do not know what would be the effects of the many sensible proposals, such as those for increased cooperation and coordination between the Member States’ customs and border authorities. In particular, no account has been taken of the encouraging fact that we are now working towards a better distribution of the financial burden. Thirdly, there is simply no legal basis in the existing Treaties for a federal corps of border guards and, even if the Convention’s proposals for new Treaty wordings were adopted, it is doubtful if there would be a legal basis for such a corps.
I recognise that, in its present form, the proposal to introduce an EU corps of border guards simply proposes a model according to which the Member States might voluntarily make use of this force. At the same time, it is clear, however, that, if the introduction of a corps of border guards were to have any meaning at all, the Commission would, in the long term, plan to delegate a number of EU tasks to that body. In other words, the common corps of border guards would, to an increasing degree, come under general EU legislation, and the voluntary element would thus quickly become illusory. With regard to the proposals concerning the biometric data, I do not wish to comment in more detail upon these at the present time. I am myself rapporteur for the report on which Parliament is to adopt a position, and it will not be long before we have a debate on it.
To sum up, I recommend, on behalf of the Group of the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party, that we vote in favour of the motion for a resolution in the report. At the same time, it is, however, crucial for me to emphasise that what I want is a common policy in this area and not a common police force."@en1
|
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples