Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-02-21-Speech-1-173"
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"en.20050221.17.1-173"2
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"Thank you Mr President. Let me start by congratulating Mrs in 't Veld on her report, which I see as representing another step towards the abandonment, by the members of this Union, of the attempt at squeezing everyone into one size, which, in the long run, does not fit anyone. Instead we are moving towards the principle of subsidiarity, which involves us in recognising the needs of the countries and regions and of localities. I think that whoever believes in balance, recognises that the market economy has several advantages, although we must, at the same time, recognise that intolerable shortcomings keep occurring, and those who are entrusted with power and leadership do not budge. Without any doubt, there are cases of abuses, but there are several other cases, where, if properly regulated, State aid will be the social soul that arrives where the cold calculations of the market's reasoning do not. The ultimate success of this Europe and of its Member States cannot be measured only through the economy’s statistics. A healthy economy must be the means whereby we are led towards the real ultimate purpose, that of giving our families a decent life and dignified work in a better environment. Obviously, every type of aid that is given must be given within an agreed framework that takes into account the realities of different countries. Planning this framework must involve everyone, and here I emphasise ‘everyone’ – the social partners, trade unions, the consumers and the private sector, and, while we are on the subject of consumers, it would be appropriate to also remember the minorities among consumers and the taxpayers. I will give an example: an amendment I tabled, and that I am pleased to note was accepted in this report, makes it easier to supply aid from the air, as well through sea routes between islands. Let me give you an example why this is so. Currently, in order for the citizens of the island of Gozo to cross over to the main island of my country, Malta, using a 12-minute helicopter trip, the market economy requires them to pay much more than they would pay for an airline ticket for a trip between London and Brussels. Imagine how such a region can develop without some aid from the State. We must move even further forward than we have done to date. I only have to look at the shipyards in my country, which the government is trying to close down, while blaming European Union regulations for the need to do so. Despite the demonisation of the shipyard workers, these sectors and enterprises have a huge load of work and a large commitment to give in terms of an era of greater technical capacity. Other large countries of the European Union hid behind the military in order to give subsidies to this sector. We cannot do that. There are those who say that these subsidies go against the laws of the European Union. I say: then let us change the laws."@en1
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