Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-04-22-Speech-4-096"
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"en.20040422.5.4-096"2
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"Mr President, as the House knows, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy was deeply divided over whether or not to ratify the third generation agreement with Pakistan. However we are not divided on our concern for human rights and democracy, and the resolution before the House was supported unanimously by the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
It is vitally important that there be a strong vote for this particular resolution. The reason I recommend this is that when this House agreed to ratify the third generation agreement, it gave a commitment to review progress on human rights and democracy after one year. The position the Committee on Foreign Affairs puts forward in this resolution under my name is the appropriate benchmark for judging how much progress has been made. I welcome the amendments tabled by Mr Ford and Mr Swoboda, which strengthen the resolution. I respect the fact that there were sincerely-held views on both sides in the debate over Pakistan. I would therefore like to thank Members for all their individual contributions during the time I had the honour to be rapporteur.
This is my last speech in the House, so I wish to thank all my colleagues for their friendship – and indeed the battles over the years, even if I lost one today – and also to thank the staff for the courtesy they have extended to me. I wish my colleagues who are standing again well – I hope they are successful. To those, like me, who are retiring, I wish fulfilment.
Mr President, I very much welcome the fact that President Cox paid you such an outstanding tribute today when your authority in the Chair was challenged, since you have been an outstanding chairman of these proceedings. You have always chaired with efficiency, courtesy and, most important of all, humour. I wish you well. You are an asset to this House and I hope you return."@en1
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