Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2006-05-16-Speech-2-234"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2006-05-16"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Progress report on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania (debate)2
dcterms:Language	"nl"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20060516.35.2-234"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2006-05-16-Speech-2-2352
lpv:speaker	lp:Camiel Eurlings2
lpv:spokenAs	member; Temporary Committee on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transport and illegal detention of prisoners (2006-01-19--2007-02-21)3 substitute; Delegation for relations with Israel (2004-09-16--2007-02-21)3 member_of_the_bureau; EPP-ED (2004-08-31--2007-02-21)3 unknown; Christen Democratisch Appèl (2004-07-20--2007-02-21)3 substitute; SEDE (2004-07-22--2007-01-14)3 member; Conference of Delegation Chairs (2004-09-22--2007-02-21)3 member; AFET (2004-07-21--2007-01-14)3 substitute; LIBE (2004-07-22--2007-01-14)3 chair; Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (2004-09-21--2007-02-21)3 substitute; DROI (2004-09-08--2007-01-14)3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, the enlargement is undeniably one of the EU’s biggest success stories. We do not realise enough what it means to those countries to belong to the community of values, often after decades of tyranny, but also what it means to the old countries. We would have always been worse off had the enlargement not been so successful. In order to gain and maintain support for this enlargement, though, it is necessary that it should take place in a credible manner and that the criteria should not be tampered with. Bulgaria and Romania belong in the EU, but those criteria are important if we want to hold onto public support, if we want the enlargement to reinforce, rather than weaken, the community of values, and last but not least, those criteria are important for the citizens of Romania and Bulgaria, and that is why I would say to Mr Watson, who spoke a moment ago, but also to my fellow countrywoman, Mrs in 't Veld, that adhering to criteria is in fact, not against, but in favour of, enlargement. Turning to the Commission’s present proposal, if one considers the level of progress there, then I think that the pressure tactic has so far worked, particularly in Romania, where Mrs Macovei, in her capacity as justice minister has achieved more in a short space of time than the Nastase administration in previous years. That is worth a huge compliment. At the same time, we must realise that more pressure is needed. Yet more change is needed in Romania, but particularly in Bulgaria, where some developments appear to have been more negative than anything else. In the light of the need for persistent pressure, the Commission’s approach is the best one. If we say that 2007 will be the year, then that would take the pressure off, but if we say that 2008 will be the year, then that would equally take the pressure off, for then people will know that they can join in 2008 come what may and that they can rest on their laurels. Dangling the carrot of 2007 as still being a possibility, is important, provided this is done under three conditions. First of all, the Council should not state that October is too late to decide. Secondly, if the countries are not up to scratch, we should really be able to say in October that they cannot join in January 2007. Thirdly, if we really talk about credibility, then we should dare assess each country on their own merit and one country should not become the victim of the other. That would therefore mean that Bulgaria and Romania would be separated and assessed individually in October. I would thank you and would once again like to congratulate the Commission on the line it is currently taking."@en1

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