Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2006-01-18-Speech-3-407"
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"en.20060118.24.3-407"2
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"Mr President, in crisis situations like the one that arose recently when Moscow turned off gas supplies to Ukraine and Moldova, the European neighbourhood policy ought to play a key role and provide a formula for creating a common vision of European Union policy. Gas has become a means of exerting political pressure, so one of the priorities for European neighbourhood policy has to be to participate in a dialogue on energy with third countries, and become involved in the organisation of trans-European energy networks.
The most important reserves of oil and natural gas in the world are located in areas surrounding the European Union. Many of the Union’s neighbours are producer or transit countries. There is therefore considerable scope for action in the context of a policy aimed at the creation of a friendly zone around the Union. Action to date in this regard has proved unsatisfactory. I could mention the political consent to the construction of the northern European gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea. Not only is this system detrimental to the interests of Member States, in the longer term it will have a negative impact on countries beyond the European Union’s Eastern border affected by our neighbourhood policy. I refer to countries such as Ukraine, Belarus and to the countries of the Southern Caucasus.
European decision-makers failed to react decisively on this matter. This meant that a strategic decision was taken over the heads of several Member States, with negative repercussions for a number of transit countries. I would be grateful if the Commissioner would comment on the matter and make her views clear.
The European neighbourhood policy must become an effective tool for the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law in countries close to the European Union. It must also encourage change in countries where there is no effective democracy. The activities of democratic movements in neighbouring countries should be supported, by facilitating access to independent media and information. The European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights can play an important role in this regard. In a flexible and effective manner, this instrument ought to be able to support initiatives to promote parliamentary democracy. I would remind the House that this is the only external Union instrument that does not require the consent of the recipient country."@en1
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