Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-06-08-Speech-3-062"
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"en.20050608.3.3-062"2
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"Mr President, I should like first of all to thank all the Members for their observations, their advice and the views they have expressed. I should like first to congratulate Parliament. Long may it last! If there were a fresh vote today on the Constitution, it would be clear that, in this Parliament, the Constitution is not dead. It is very much alive. That is the task before us all. It is a very difficult task, but one that we must carry out with determination and with tenacity.
All of those who have been members of the Convention have, to some extent, been deluding themselves because we really, honestly and sincerely believed that this Convention was very much in tune with public opinion and with the hopes and wishes of our fellow citizens. We wanted to change the way of drawing up a text, a treaty and then, finally, a Constitution. Today we have to recognise that, although the Constitution has some excellent qualities, it did not quite meet those expectations or make those innovations.
The first conclusion I would like to draw is that the democratic debate that has been started in Europe and that has opened up because of this sort of crisis, the importance of which should not now be exaggerated, must, at all events, continue. Once again, whether or not we call for a postponement
and that is an important question that I shall refer to the President of the European Council when I speak to him on your behalf to convey the different attitudes and the different analyses that you have expressed in your debate – reflection must not be restricted only to chancelleries. This will not provide a way out of the present crisis.
Whether there is a postponement or not, we must, above all, avoid adding confusion to the current uncertainty, and that uncertainty is very real. We must make clear decisions, we must tell the people, with the people, what are the ways out we have open to us and what we think is best. I agree that we have to recognise that it is up to each sovereign nation – and, as I am from Luxembourg, I feel directly involved, since our referendum will be taking place very soon, on 10 July – to decide, if it wishes, immediately and without waiting, to carry on as if nothing had happened. That is an option, and maybe that is the way we should continue. Be that as it may, if we do take a decision, we must take it with clarity and not in confusion.
The democratic debate must be extended to our countries and to our Parliaments. It must be carried on with the very lifeblood of our countries and with the unions and management. We have to make up for the time that has been wasted for so long. There must be a European debate in tune with the debates at national level because that is the only means of emerging greater and stronger from this challenge. I know of no magic formula. I am completely in agreement with the President of the Commission when he says that we need to find a new political consensus, here, in this Parliament above all, but also in our Member States. Europe must be an issue, but it must also be the subject of a basic consensus between all democrats and between all those who believe that Europe is the solution and not the problem. We must first reach agreement on the essentials and then open up the political debate, whatever its tendency, move it forward and carry it through to a conclusion.
I believe, Mr President, that when you go to the European Council you will be listened to because you have conducted a very useful debate. I believe that your message will serve to clarify the thinking of those who have to make a decision next week. Thank you again. You may not have provided a solution yet, but you have, perhaps, shown the way towards a solution."@en1
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