Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-04-21-Speech-3-069"
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"en.20040421.3.3-069"2
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"Mr President, I hope that I am not disturbing too many of the private conversations that are going on. I wish to state, however, that transatlantic cooperation must be strengthened and expanded for the benefit of the US, of the EU and of the whole world. Through cooperation, the greatest military and economic power in the world must show the whole world the way to security, peace, democracy, justice and prosperity.
This cooperation is currently being put to the test in the fight against terrorism. It is here and now that confirmation must be provided that there is more that unites the US and the EU than separates them. Consequently, this topic must be high up on the agenda of the EU/US Summit, where a far-sighted common framework and action plan for the fight against terrorism should be established. The UN must have a prominent role in this struggle, and we must emphasise that the struggle is to be conducted with respect for human rights and international law. In this connection, I would once again draw attention to the prisoners being held at the Guantánamo Bay naval base, who have a right to a fair trial. I would again appeal to the Council, even if it is not listening, to place this issue on the summit agenda.
We must strengthen and expand our cooperation but, as friends of the US, we must also be able to speak out when we disagree with the US Government. That is what we must do right now on the issue of passenger list information, which the Presidency has discussed and which is also part of the war on terror. We must also stand firm in our assertion that fundamental rights must be respected in this matter. The Commission is evidently in the process of transferring a piece of US legislation to the EU – bypassing the European Parliament, the national parliaments and presumably also the US Congress.
As regards the attitude to the situation in the Middle East, we must also speak out against the latest pronouncements by President Bush. Any change to the boundaries dating back to before 1967 can only be recognised if it is the result of negotiation between the two parties. It is not something that Mr Sharon and President Bush can decide between them. Rather, we must call for the existing Road Map, to which the Quartet has given its support, to be abided by. Once again, yesterday, we heard in the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy about the Geneva initiative for peace in the Middle East, a highly commendable initiative that should be brought into the discussion.
The forthcoming summit between the EU and the US will be the first following EU enlargement. Europe will appear stronger and more united. The EU’s position on the international political stage has been strengthened, and we must exploit this situation in order to improve our necessary and desirable cooperation with the US. I hope I have not interrupted too many of your conversations."@en1
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