Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2012-02-14-Speech-2-421-000"
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"en.20120214.20.2-421-000"2
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"Mr President, Commissioner, honourable Members, thank you for a constructive debate. I would like to emphasise that the agreement that is to be voted on later this week is an incredibly important symbol of cooperation between the EU and Morocco. I am therefore also pleased to see the support that a number of the Members of this House have expressed, including Mr Kazak, Ms De Kaiser, Mr Martin and Mr Lange, along with many others. It is a sign that, if we want to bolster development and reforms in North Africa, we need to demonstrate this by means of practical initiatives that create economic growth and bind us closer together. That is precisely the purpose of this agreement. If it is rejected, we will send completely the wrong signal to both Morocco and the other North African countries.
To Mr Bové and all the others who have expressed their scepticism and opposition to the agreement I would just like to say that I respect your views, but I do not agree with your conclusion. I would like to remind you that the agreement contains provisions that give the EU the right to limit imports from Morocco if they create significant disturbance on the European market or harm production, and it also takes account of products that are particularly sensitive in the EU.
No political agreements are completely black and white when compromises are made. However, this agreement is particularly important because it will send the first important signal to North Africa following the Arab Spring. It is now that the EU has the opportunity to back-up its fine words and strong values with action in the form of an agreement which will make a tangible difference to the people of North Africa. This is an agreement that will send a clear message that the EU takes action and supports democratisation, free trade and a partnership based on trust, trade and democratic values. Therefore, it is about more than just trade when the Members of this House vote on Thursday. It is a question of whether the EU will fulfil the promises it has made concerning close cooperation and providing support for the forces of democratic reform, which need and deserve our support.
With these words on behalf of the Council, I strongly urge all of the Members of this Parliament to vote in favour of this agreement."@en1
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