Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-02-23-Speech-3-008"
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"en.20050223.3.3-008"2
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"Before turning to the agenda for today, which relates essentially to relations between the European Union and the Mediterranean region, it is my duty as President to provide the House with information on the meeting that took place yesterday in Brussels.
Thank you for your attention.
As you are aware, ladies and gentlemen, members of the European Council met in Brussels yesterday, although this was not a Council meeting as such. Mr Barroso, the President of the Commission, and I were both present at the meeting, which was held in order to discuss with Mr Bush some of the most important aspects of relations between the United States and the European Union, and the problems we need to face together. Many, but not all, of the Heads of State or Government who attended were able to take the floor.
I am sure the House will appreciate that the fact that the President of the European Parliament represented the House at this meeting marks another step towards securing the political recognition Parliament deserves. I should like to thank Mr Juncker and Mr Barroso once again for appreciating the role of this House and making it possible for me to attend.
As I said, not all Heads of State or Government took the floor, but when they had finished speaking, the President of the Council invited Mr Barroso and me to take the floor briefly, and we did so. I spoke last, and had very little time at my disposal, as the time allowed for the meeting had already been considerably exceeded.
Nonetheless, I believe we should warmly welcome the fact that the European Parliament was also able to make its voice heard, even though this had not been planned. In my view, this sets a precedent, further strengthening the role of the European Parliament.
In the short time available I felt bound to refer to the resolution on transatlantic relations voted through by the European Parliament last January. I took it upon myself to convey what had been discussed and voted on in the House. I welcomed President Bush’s visit to Europe, and urged him to see it as a turning point, marking a new era when transatlantic relations would be based on multilateralism so as to ensure improved cooperation. In view of the time constraints, I was unable to mention all the issues I would have liked to refer to. I chose to focus on the situation in the Middle East and the Kyoto Protocol.
As to the former, along with the Heads of State or Government who had spoken earlier, I emphasised that there was now a window of opportunity that had to be exploited. I stated that fortunately we shared the same vision of the problem, namely guaranteeing the security of the State of Israel whilst providing for the establishment of a Palestinian State that would be geographically, politically and economically viable. I confirmed that the European Parliament supported what President Bush had said, and that we hoped to work with him to put his ideas into practice.
With regard to the Kyoto Protocol, I emphasised the importance the European Parliament has always ascribed to that international agreement, and the need for the United States to play its part in the essential effort required to fully implement it. I stated the need for us to continue working together, or at least, talking together, to ensure we each made our contribution to solving this global problem. I suggested that if it proved impossible to do so by means of the Kyoto Protocol, as the United States had decided not to sign it, then we use all the tools available in the field of technological development to counter global environmental problems.
That was all I was able to convey, focusing on two issues to which the House has devoted a good deal of political energy and debate."@en1
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