Mr Solana talked about the need for a "durable and fully respected ceasefire which could allow the delivery of humanitarian aid" to the Middle East.

 

He sees the new US Administration as an excellent opportunity. "Conditions for cooperation between the EU and US are now better than ever; strong commitment on the part of the current American administration is a reality".

 

 

Christian Democrat Joseph Daul supported Mr Solana's call for dialogue. "It's not time to keep silent. Our message should be clear: we cannot tolerate aid and humanitarian assistance be taken hostage in this conflict

 

Martin Schulz of the Socialist group said "violence would only breed more violence".

 

Graham Watson of the Liberal ALDE group said it is the EU's "moral duty to assist in the reconstruction of Gaza". However, he said EU assistance through aid would not prevent a future conflict. "We need a new approach," he said.

 

Parliament's President Hans-Gert Pöttering will lead a Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary delegation on a fact-finding mission to Gaza and the Middle East from Sunday.

 

 

Mr Solana also spoke of the relationship between the EU and NATO. Many see this as a way of strengthening the EU's foreign policy through military means, as NATO is seen as the military backbone of Europe.

 

Many MEPs emphasised the growing role of the EU in military and security matters, while some minority voices deplored a possible "militarisation" of the Union.

 

See our special report on this issue.

 

 

Also Wednesday, MEPs discussed the problem of mental health in Europe. One in four adults suffer from mental health problems once in their lives and MEPs want strategies to treat the mentally infirmed.

 

The Social Economy plan was also discussed, stressing that businesses which place more of an emphasis on people rather than capital could flourish and help stimulate the economy again.

 

 

 

Mr Klaus, who is well known for his opposition to the Lisbon Treaty, and who has frequently expressed sceptical views about the direction of the EU, criticized the decision-making system of the EU as "different from classic parliamentary democracy". He pleaded for a greater shift of competencies to EU countries. "Are you really convinced that everything you decide in this hall must be decided here and not on the level of the member states?" he asked.

 

Mr Klaus said the Lisbon Treaty would worsen the EU's democratic deficit, and questioned the role of the EP.

 

During his speech a number of MEPs demonstratively walked out of the plenary chamber.  At the same time, his views were vociferously supported by some members of political groups opposing the Lisbon Treaty.

 

Responding, EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering described Mr Klaus's views as "an expression of the diversity in Europe" but pointed out that "in a democracy it's the view of the majority that counts". Without the EP, he warned, Europe would be in the hands of bureaucrats. Mr Pöttering reminded Mr Klaus that, for all his criticism, he owed his freedom to speak this way to the fact that "we live in European democracy where everyone can express his or her own opinion," – something which had not always been the case in the parliaments of the European continent.

 

 

MEPs adopted the report by Italian Socialist Claudio Fava on sanctions for employers of illegal immigrants by a big majority. The sanctions directive will be a further weapon in the struggle to combat illegal immigration. Employers could now be fined, banned or criminally charged if seen to be employing, exploiting or trafficking illegal workers.

 

 

MEPs also called for EU member states to "bear a particular share of political, moral and legal responsibility for transportation and detention" in Guantanamo. When they adopted a resolution on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners. Several EU countries have been involved in extraordinary renditions.

 

 

MEPs backed proposals on stricter global controls on whaling, called for a reduction in value added tax on restaurants, audio books and local services among other items and backed a stronger relationship between the EU and NATO.