Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2012-05-21-Speech-1-091-250"
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"en.20120521.15.1-091-250"2
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"There is something deeply symbolic in that the reason for holding a debate on waiving Canadian visa requirements for Bulgarians, Romanians and Czechs turns out to be the forthcoming trade agreement between Canada and the European Union. Trade agreements always seek mutual benefit and are as pragmatic as possible. This is why discussing principles and values during trade negotiations is often regarded as a sign of bad taste. I call for us to drop the good manners and ask our Canadian partners the following: Do you think that there are first and second class Europeans? How else can we explain your deliberate refusal to treat all European citizens equally?
The European Union has always prided itself in being a ‘Union of values’. Member States’ equality under the Treaties is declared in Article 3 of the Lisbon Treaty. This point needs to be defended because the contempt it is being shown touches the EU’s very foundations. We have sufficient mechanisms available to request that the principle of visa reciprocity be applied to Canada. Ensuring visa-free travel for all European citizens is a priority for all European institutions. Canada must lift its visa restrictions on Bulgaria, Romania and the Czech Republic. I call on MEPs not to forget this when the trade agreement between the EU and Canada returns to this Chamber for our approval."@en1
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