Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2008-04-23-Speech-3-052"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2008-04-23"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Negotiations between the European Union and the United States with regard to visa exemptions (debate)2
dcterms:Language	"mt"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20080423.3.3-052"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2008-04-23-Speech-3-0532
lpv:speaker	lp:Simon Busuttil2
lpv:spokenAs	member; BUDG (2007-01-31--2009-07-13)3 member_of_the_bureau; EPP-ED (2004-08-31--2009-07-13)3 member; Delegation to the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (2004-09-15--2009-07-13)3 vice-chair; Delegation for relations with the Maghreb countries and the Arab Maghreb Union (including Libya) (2007-03-14--2009-07-13)3 member; PETI (2007-01-31--2009-07-13)3 substitute; Delegation for relations with the countries of south-east Europe (2007-03-15--2009-07-13)3 substitute; LIBE (2007-01-31--2009-07-13)3 unknown; Partit Nazzjonalista (2004-07-20--2009-07-13)3
lpv:translated text	"Thank you, Mr President. The removal of the travel visa to the United States is a very important priority for our citizens and we are mistaken if we think that it is not. It is an important priority, as travelling without a visa is easier and also cheaper – for all travellers. It is also important because we can no longer maintain the unjust situation where half of the countries of the European Union do not require a visa to travel to the United States while the other half do. You have to be in the position of needing a visa to go to the United States to appreciate just how important its removal is. Thus, every effort, from whatever direction, to remove visas is good, positive and to be supported, not criticised. What is important is not who manages to remove the visa for the 12 countries that still require it. What is important is that it is removed. Thus the childish games between the Commission and the Member States over who has competence to negotiate with the United States should end. Aside from legalese there is one reality – the reality that the United States has old and strong bilateral ties with the Member States and it is obvious that discussions will be held with them directly. On the other hand it is clear that the Commission has a role – yes, it has a role to continue to increase pressure in the right direction. At the same time, however, we all know that the United States has so far preferred to speak to individual countries, and in fact the Commission has not yet managed on its own. Thus, it is important that we do not keep arguing about who has the right to negotiate, because that way we will lose and be divided instead of being strengthened. That is why I am in favour of a twin-track approach; what is important is that we support one another so that the visa is removed, removed without delay and removed for all EU citizens."@en1

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