Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-07-21-Speech-3-106"
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"en.20040721.6.3-106"2
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"Mr President, the President-in-Office of the Council has recalled that the June elections were an historic event, with the election to this House of 732 representatives of 25 European peoples.
The fact is truly historic, but I cannot hide my concern at the percentage turnout, which gets lower and lower from one election to the next. Citizens today are finding it difficult to identify with the European Union, which they see as too distant from their national realities and from the specific, legitimate, concrete interests that concern them. For democracy to be truly complete it has to be supported by the people, or else there is a serious danger that oligarchic systems or methods will arise. In order to inform and involve the citizens, we have to ask for appropriations for information campaigns on the activities of the Union and Parliament, but we must also look into the deep-seated reasons that have led the electorate to become disaffected in many of our countries. It is time to say that Euroscepticism, like Euroenthusiasm, are the two sides of a coin that the citizens are rejecting, because they are calling strongly for Eurorealist policies and for proper application of the subsidiarity concept. In other words, let Europe do what the nation states cannot do by themselves.
In this Eurorealist view, we think of a Europe that is actively involved in matters connected with the economic revival to combat unemployment and increase development, a Europe able to point out its own path to guide globalisation along and not be subjected to it any longer, as has happened so far, and to propose new economic rules that can prevent further speculative bubbles. The rules of economics and finance on which we base all our policy belong to the last century and are outdated. We must identify some new ones suited to the reality of the third millennium. Europe must be united in the fight against terrorism and organised crime and in encouraging the growth of democracy in those countries where it is still denied. Human rights, personal dignity, respect for freedom and the pursuit of peace must not remain just documents signed by the three Community institutions but must become economic, political and cultural actions directed towards those parts of the world where suffering and misery are tragic realities.
Within this framework, we see an urgent need for a Mediterranean policy which, having sanctioned principles in the past, is today at last being translated into concrete actions. We must re-engage the Community institutions to achieve development compatible with the adaptation times of human beings, safeguarding the environment as a source of life and a guarantee for the future of humanity, and paying greater attention to the enterprise concept, even at the smallest and most home-made scale.
Mr President, while the Union for Europe of the Nations Group confirms its vote for you and wishes you all the best in your work, it would also recall that, while we certainly need a pilot in the cabin of the aircraft, we also need a President who can travel around Europe to get to know others and to make himself known. Otherwise we shall continue to hear the silent protests of citizens who do not understand."@en1
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