Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-03-10-Speech-3-138"
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"en.20040310.4.3-138"2
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"Mr President, Mr President-in-Office of the Council, Commissioner, fifteen years after the countries of Eastern Europe threw off the straitjacket of communism, what we are seeing is a completely new life and, in reality, new countries. This is a fantastic achievement by these people. As members of the EU they will, just like the rest of us, gain full freedom of movement to promote increased solidarity and strength throughout the whole Union.
In different ways during my work with enlargement, I have met many ambitious, hard-working people. I therefore regret that, in the existing Member States, we seem to be so afraid of the workforce coming here. I am ashamed that, in my own country, there is talk of social tourism. This freedom of movement would mean a necessary injection into our slightly stagnated labour markets.
Agriculture is more important in these countries than in the existing Member States. The areas are larger; three times as many people are involved in agriculture as in the present EU; and agriculture represents a larger proportion of the gross national income, that is to say, agricultural policy is more important for these countries than it really is for us. We need a policy for all the countries. We need, of course, to ensure that the new Member States have organisations that provide support and control and that they can tighten up food standards and the monitoring of animal and plant health. Much has happened and, if we compare the current situation with the Commission’s report, we can be pleased about the information that we are receiving to the effect that much of what had not been achieved by 30 September 2003 has now been achieved. We hope that the rest can be done by 1 May 2004.
As far as the other two countries that we are dealing with, Bulgaria and Romania, are concerned, it is important to report that Bulgaria has made substantial progress in recent years and that the country deserves great praise for this. Romania has been in a more difficult situation and has further to go in order to catch up but, even this morning, we have received reports that things are happening, and of course we must recognise this and approve of it.
Romania is the most typical agricultural country of the candidate countries, having many small farms. Forty per cent of the population still works in agriculture, and many farms rely on subsistence farming. A huge economic and social change is necessary in order for development to be made possible, but we must remember that we have a shared responsibility. The candidate countries have their responsibility, but the existing Member States must also take responsibility. The Commission must participate rather than just making demands. It must also stimulate and make resources available. More effective use must be made of the SAPARD resources.
Having tried to follow the developments in Central and Eastern Europe for almost 40 years, I feel sincere joy at being able to welcome these countries both on 1 May 2004 and during 2007."@en1
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