Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-11-17-Speech-3-052"
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"en.20041117.3.3-052"2
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"Mr Balkenende, I should like to offer my condolences on recent events in the Netherlands. Up until now, we had associated the name of Van Gogh with art and bold colours. The painting
symbolises sun, warmth and freedom. Is it not an irony of history that a person bearing the same name should die because he exercised his freedom of speech and of thought, and because he sought the truth?
Against this background, it is particularly significant that it was the Dutch Presidency that raised the complex issue of security for the EU, its Member States and its citizens. The public expects, and rightly so, that the EU, an institution that respects human rights and fundamental freedoms, will adopt effective solutions with regard to the area of freedom, security and justice. These expectations are to be met by the Hague Programme. I should like to stress that this programme sets out objectives that were already included in the Constitutional Treaty. Indeed, it meets the majority of those expectations. The announcement that this programme is to include an anti-drugs strategy is also to be welcomed, as is the fact that the Council Presidency has chosen to make information on Europe its priority. It is clear that awareness of Europe must be heightened amongst its citizens, especially given the turnouts in the last elections. The EU must be brought closer to its citizens, but will this be achieved by broadcasting public debates on European issues before Council meetings, an idea contained in the conclusions? Will that be enough to bring the EU closer to its citizens? I am also concerned at the announcement that we will have to wait until June 2005 for a full information strategy. Why should this take so long? We need such a strategy now, especially in view of the fact that the campaigns to inform the public about the European Constitution began immediately after the Constitution was signed.
Finally I should like to turn to one last issue which relates to our future. The leaders of four Member States were quite right when they highlighted the importance of demographic factors for the EU’s future economic and social development, and when they called for a European Pact for Youth to be drawn up. This is a worthwhile initiative. Young people have a different view of Europe. They are well educated, full of energy and free of the fears and prejudices of the older generation. This is a good sign for Europe, for the EU and for all of us. The Pact for Youth should therefore be drawn up as quickly as possible, with the participation of young people."@en1
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