Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-05-04-Speech-2-133"
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"en.20040504.7.2-133"2
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"Madam President, I should briefly like to return to a point made, so powerfully and yet with such charm, by my group Chairman, Mrs Frassoni, which was that Turkish Cypriots need to be given the opportunity to take part in the European elections. On the assumption that it is listening, I should like the Council’s comments as I take this one step further and ask whether, if the Turkish-Cypriots are unable to vote, you do not think that consideration should be given to leaving unoccupied two of the six Cypriot seats that are specifically intended for defending the interests of the Turkish-Cypriots.
Secondly, in the discussion about the present enlargement, the question is often asked: 'where do we stop?' Where does Europe end? That is a point for Commissioner Nielson. So far, the European Commission has taken a very pragmatic line on this. In addition to Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey, the Balkans have, in principle, been given a 'yes', without a timeframe. The Ukraine and Belarus have not received any answer, whether ‘yes’ or ‘no’. According to the newspapers, though, the President of the Commission, Mr Prodi, stated in Dublin last weekend that the book is closed for the Ukraine and Belarus. They can never become members of the European Union. Is this a change in the Commission's position? Did the Commission establish the European Union's ultimate borders in its spare time this weekend, or is this a misunderstanding?
The third point relates to an old discussion, namely whether it is possible both to enlarge and to deepen. In other words, how does enlargement affect the chances of establishing a common foreign policy? Some, including some of us, are of the opinion that this is less likely after enlargement, because there are now 25 countries, which reduces the chance of unanimity. Others, on the other hand, are pleased, because they want anything but foreign policy. As I see it – and I am prepared to uphold this view here – the lesson we learnt in Iraq is that we never want Europe to be so divided again. I think that the chances of adopting a European foreign policy have increased, and, contrary to popular belief, I do not expect the new Member States to be Trojan horses. In my opinion, it is possible to enlarge and deepen, which means common foreign policy is a possibility, even after enlargement."@en1
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