Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2012-09-12-Speech-3-305-000"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20120912.21.3-305-000"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:translated text |
"Mr President, honourable Members, let me first thank you for your kind comments on the success of the meeting in Paphos. We are looking forward to continuing until the end of the Cyprus Presidency, providing both hospitality for meetings but also substantial meetings that will contribute to moving forward our common European agenda.
Please allow me to begin this debate by stating that the Presidency is well aware of the concerns that have been expressed by many Members of this Parliament at recent political developments in Romania over the last few weeks and months. Given the implications of some of the actions and decisions taken at the highest political level in Romania, it is very understandable that this Parliament has not only followed developments closely, but has also wished to express its profound unease.
Unlike Parliament, the Council has not discussed this issue. You will appreciate that, since as a Presidency I speak on behalf of the Council as a whole, it follows that my contribution to this afternoon’s debate will necessarily be limited. I would, however, like to make some more general comments and offer some reflections which are relevant to the wider context. I hope these will also clarify the situation from the point of view of the Council.
Firstly and importantly, I would like to stress one point which is well known to all of us – that the European Union is founded on a number of basic values and principles which are set out in the treaties. These values and principles, which include freedom, democracy and the rule of law, are also enshrined in the constitutional traditions of all Member States.
The Council attaches particular importance to ensuring that these values and principles are fully respected. I know that this House also fully shares that view. However, there has been no suggestion – either within or outside the Council – that any procedure involving the Council linked to the respect for the values on which the European Union is founded, should be invoked in the light of recent events in Romania.
All Member States are required to ensure that their legislation respects the basic values on which the EU is founded. But the rule of law and democratic values have not only to be enshrined in the texts, but also put into practice. That means that the legislation has to be respected and enforced. If there are any concerns or doubts that this is not the case, this is firstly a matter for the Commission. I know that the Commission has raised its concerns in various contacts with different parties within Romania. The undertaking given to the Commission by the Romanian Government to act swiftly to ensure respect for the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary will certainly be welcomed.
On a separate note, and though legally not linked with Schengen accession, I am sure that the Commissioner will wish to say more about the concerns which the Commission raised with the Romanians and which are set out in the Commission’s latest report under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism which it adopted on 18 July. The Council is expected next week to take a view on this report as a whole and recall that the existence of an impartial, independent and effective administrative and judicial system is indispensable for EU policies to function properly and for citizens to benefit from all the opportunities offered by membership of the Union.
I hope you will understand that I am not able at this stage to make a more detailed contribution to this debate, given that the Council has not adopted a position on this issue. I can, however, assure Members that I will listen with particular interest and attention to your comments and reactions to this issue. Let me finish by greeting the presence of Vice-President Reding and the Ministers."@en1
|
| lpv:unclassifiedMetadata | |
| lpv:videoURI |
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples