Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-02-23-Speech-3-041"
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"en.20050223.5.3-041"2
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".
Mr President, I believe this debate has shown first of all that Parliament is an important, not to say essential, partner in relaunching the Barcelona Process. A number of suggestions have been made and I will try to come back to some of the points that have been raised.
First, I would like to say that the democratic project, the project of democracy for the Mediterranean, is a European idea. With the Barcelona Process, we have effectively advocated this idea of defending democracy in this region. In this context, the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly is an important step, since we all know that democracy is also a form of apprenticeship. Apprenticeship in parliamentary government, in parliamentary democracy, takes place first of all in this context of exchange. As we all know, not all members of parliament are nominated or elected in the same way. However, I believe this assembly is a step in the right direction. You have been entrusted with an important task, one which I might almost go so far as to describe as democratic education, but also education for peace and dialogue, since this parliamentary assembly brings together those who today are enemies or perhaps were yesterday. I believe this form of dialogue is an extremely important point. Moreover, the presidency will have the honour of being present at your deliberations at your Cairo meeting.
Another point that has been addressed at length and is of concern to the Council is the situation in Lebanon. Since the assassination of former Prime Minister Hariri, the internal situation in Lebanon has become extremely delicate. I have noted that a number of comments, not to say demands, have been made. I can tell you that so far as Lebanon is concerned there is perfect agreement between the European Union and the United States, and that is something which clearly emerged from yesterday’s talks. In the context of the crisis into which Hariri’s assassination risks plunging the country, UN Resolution 1559, which initially was backed by one European country and the US, is taking on a completely new dimension.
Our attitude towards Syria is not one of weakness. I believe we have tried to work with the Syrians. We hoped, and continue to hope, that Syria will rejoin the train of reform and democratisation. We also know and have to recognise, however, that the forces in support of such a development are probably still very much a minority and are very weak. That is why we may have to move to another form of dialogue with that country, and there is, to say the least, some doubt about whether the agreement will be signed on schedule.
I would also like to say a word about Hezbollah. I do not believe there is any ambiguity, and we all know that Hezbollah is politically active, since it has members in the Lebanese parliament as well as being involved in other activities. However, the mere fact of putting it on the list will not solve the problem. I therefore believe we must monitor this Hezbollah question very closely. We also have to look at Hezbollah’s attitude to the present situation in Lebanon. I have to say that the threats made by some leading members of Hezbollah concerning the stability of Lebanon do not inspire confidence and we shall therefore probably have to take other measures in this regard.
So far as Syria is concerned, I would simply like to say that there was at least one positive point that gave us hope when, after long negotiations and long discussions, Syria agreed to the non-proliferation clause. That was a glimmer of hope that we could persuade Syria to adopt a more responsible attitude in keeping with the principles upheld by the European Union and the international community.
Concerning the peace process, I believe we are all agreed that it is essential if we are to give fresh impetus to the Barcelona Process and to dialogue with the Mediterranean region. I therefore agree with Mr Morillon when he says that Europe must make plans in preparation for the time when peace has been reached. I can assure him that the authorities responsible for these issues in relation to peacekeeping forces will certainly not neglect such preparation and planning.
I will end with a point that is particularly close to my heart, namely immigration, since I am also responsible for handling it during our presidency. The European Union has no intention whatsoever of building a new wall between one shore of the Mediterranean and the other. Reference has been made to the thousands of people who try to cross the Mediterranean and perish in the attempt. They are not the victims of a wall between Europe and the other shore of the Mediterranean. They are above all victims of poverty, destitution and oppression. They are also, however, the victims of traffickers, of criminal gangs who financially exploit their despair. I therefore believe we must work with our partners on the other side of the Mediterranean to fight against these criminal practices and activities. These matters are all included in the Hague programme, which also brings this very issue of immigration into the new neighbourhood policy approach. I therefore believe that our approach to immigration, especially with our Mediterranean neighbours, must form part of a much more global approach.
This week, the Justice and Home Affairs Council will hold its first debate on the Commission’s Green Paper, which has also been presented to this House by my fellow Commissioner Mr Frattini. It is a green paper on legal immigration. I believe we must adopt a partnership approach and try to find solutions for ordered, controlled but legal immigration, which, once people arrive in Europe, will allow them to be integrated and participate fully in life in our society."@en1
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