Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-12-13-Speech-2-269"
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"en.20051213.56.2-269"2
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".
Madam President, I would also like to thank the Commission and all the honourable Members who contributed to an impressive debate. I am always impressed by the range of human rights issues on which Members of the European Parliament are active. I am certainly encouraged by the commitment, not only that shown today but throughout, on these issues.
I would like to deal with one or two of the specific points that have been raised. First of all, I welcome Richard Howitt’s suggestion, and Simon Coveney’s as well, that we should act on today’s useful exchange and hold further discussions on our two reports. A number of honourable Members have expressed a wish for a more active role for the European Parliament in the EU’s annual report on human rights. As reflected in the conclusions reached at its meeting yesterday, the General Affairs and External Relations Council welcomes the cooperation with the Parliament in developing and delivering its human rights policy during 2005 and looks forward to building on that relationship further.
I will ensure that we give very serious reflection to the specific ideas that have been put forward and I am sure that we can find ways to deepen our dialogue. I want to emphasise that one of the EU’s great strengths lies in its variety of different institutions: they have different and complementary roles. The Troika often works to promote human rights in an intergovernmental framework. Parliament can bring its weight and views to bear in different ways and often with much greater flexibility. We greatly welcome such opportunities to share views and ideas. We particularly value our regular and open exchanges with the Subcommittee on Human Rights.
We need to make sure our work is well coordinated and coherent, but we must also capitalise on our respective strengths. It is important to keep some distinction between the roles the different institutions can play in promoting human rights and democratisation.
Glyn Ford raised an important issue about the way in which we use human rights clauses. The Council will look seriously at any issues put forward by the European Parliament. It is worth noting that their primary purpose is to provide a constructive platform for engagement with third countries on human rights. Suspension of any agreement is a last resort and is therefore very rarely used.
Human rights clauses have been invoked in at least 12 cases since 1995 as a basis for consultation, suspension of aid or other measures involving 10 ACP countries. So obviously that is a weapon we are prepared to use. It has to be used discreetly and effectively if it is to bring results.
I conclude by welcoming once again the strong commitment the EU institutions have shown to promoting human rights and to providing an effective report on EU policy and actions in this area. It is extremely valuable to have these opportunities to review collectively how we are doing and how we can do better. We look forward to continued close cooperation with the European Parliament as we take our human rights work forward in the months ahead.
I am very grateful to all those who have contributed to what has been an extremely good debate."@en1
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