Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-04-21-Speech-3-268"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2004-04-21"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Transatlantic relations (continuation)2
dcterms:Language	"en"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20040421.10.3-268"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2004-04-21-Speech-3-2692
lpv:speaker	lp:Geoffrey Van Orden2
lpv:spoken text	"Mr President, many of us, particularly on this side of the House, wish to strengthen relations with the United States. In these dangerous times it is vitally important that democracies should come closer together and that any differences should be minimised. I am encouraged by much of the positive and constructive language in the resolution before us and I am particularly pleased that the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy adopted my amendment calling for the establishment of a transatlantic single market by 2015. We must now work to turn that aspiration into a reality. It is a pity therefore that an otherwise good resolution is spoilt by some sniping against the United States or a subtext that has little to do with transatlantic relations and more to do with the obsessive movement towards some sort of European state. The integrationalists clearly visualise just two interlocutors in the transatlantic relationship, the US and the EU. The ambition is also for the EU to speak for the European countries in NATO and the UN. Indeed, in the objectionable draft European Constitution there is a requirement that the new EU Foreign Minister should present the EU case in the UN Security Council in certain circumstances. As a United Kingdom representative, I cannot accept that the European Union should represent us in our dealings with the United States on defence and security matters. For over fifty years NATO has provided the forum where the nations of Europe and of North America have discussed the great security issues of our time and agreed on necessary action. Difficulties arise when other institutions come into the frame. It is misleading our own citizens and our allies to suggest that the development of an autonomous EU military capability has anything to do with reinforcing NATO or is motivated by the desire to work in close partnership with the United States. I see no willingness among many EU Member States to contribute more military resources to the defence of the democracies and there is a lack of political will to deal robustly with the security threats that we face. We have no wish to see the EU as such involved in defence policy. We welcome rapid progress in the creation of a transatlantic single market."@en1
lpv:spokenAs	substitute; Delegation to the EU-Hungary Joint Parliamentary Committee (2002-03-13--2004-04-30)3 member; EPP-ED (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 vice-chair; Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy (2002-01-22--2004-07-19)3 substitute; Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3 unknown; Conservative and Unionist Party (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 member; Delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee (2002-02-07--2004-07-19)3
lpv:unclassifiedMetadata	"Van Orden (PPE-DE )."1

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