Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-09-15-Speech-3-031"
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"en.20040915.1.3-031"2
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".
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the first speaker noted that it is easy to take the floor when you agree with the previous speakers. Having listened to what you have brought here today, I can certainly vouch for that, and I am also grateful to you for the support that many of you expressed for the programme as I unfolded it. I was also moved by the image that Commissioner Patten conjured up, that if we enter into the fight against terrorism, in a way we have one hand tied behind our backs. I should like to say, though, that that means two things, namely that we should strengthen the hand that we have left over, but, at the same time, that we also have a mouth, with which we can step up the dialogue. In my view, as I said initially, this is about two things. On the one hand, we must protect ourselves in the fight against terrorism, but on the other hand, it is crucial that we join forces. I think that we should keep these two elements very much in the forefront of our minds.
I have outlined the way in which we want to reinforce our cooperation. First of all, we must focus on cooperation within the European Union, because I believe that if we succeed in this, if we make it clear – as I have tried to make it clear to you – that among the twenty-five of us, we can organise cooperation more effectively in a different way, namely by stepping up our efforts to pool information, by adapting our legislation, by cutting off funding for terrorism, then I think we can also create a precedent in that way, one which we can use in our contacts with the rest of the world. As has been stated several times before, it is a worldwide fight, but a worldwide fight also requires a worldwide response. It is also in that context that the European Union is active. I have mentioned a few measures. I have told you that we are in the process of reinforcing and intensifying our contacts with developing world countries.
For example, let me mention the forthcoming ASEM Summit, where we, along with the Asian world, will be discussing this topic. How can we fight terrorism jointly? What are the means at our disposal? How can we pool our information more effectively? I noticed during my recent trips to Asia how great a concern there is about this in the Asian world too now that attacks have also taken place there, that people over there are increasingly prepared to work together in the spirit in which we would like to. It has also been stated that it is important for us to work more closely with the United States and with Russia. I have tried to explain to you in my introduction in what way we are trying to achieve this. This is a constant concern to us, both in respect of the United States and Russia, and I would like to eliminate a misconception here once again, which was re-emphasised by Mrs Flautre, when she stated that I took something back of what I had said earlier. I do not believe that to be the case. I have spoken out clearly in our dealings with Russia, and I stated, and I am reading out the English: ‘we will use the regular dialogue that we have with Russia to discuss how to proceed’. It is important for the dialogue to be in place, but at the same time for us to clarify our values.
I should like to return to the image of the hand that is tied behind our backs, which leads me to conclude that we should be more emphatic in spelling out our values and the reasons why we fight terrorism. We do so with the aim of honouring our own democracy, our own belief in human rights, of respecting minorities, and in saying this I am also referring to Chechnya, and we must do this together, we require everyone’s support for this. I can only reiterate my thanks for the support you have expressed today. I can also state that in the coming months, the presidency will be actively committed to vigorously pursuing the programme I have unfolded and which, in my view, is somewhat extensive and covers many areas, but we will need everyone’s help in realising it. I was pleased to hear today that that help will be forthcoming. As is customary, the presidency will report on everything that has happened and what we have done at the end of this term, at the end of the presidency. In saying that, I am also responding to Mr Wiersma’s question."@en1
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