Verbatim report of proceedings

Wednesday, 28 March 2007 - Brussels

15. One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

  President. The next item is the one-minute speeches in accordance with Rule 144 of the Rules of Procedure.

  Zita Pleštinská (PPE-DE). – (SK) In the history of almost any nation there have been lean years caused by events of a natural or social nature. However, the famine that gripped Ukraine in 1932 to 1933 was exceptional. Millions of Ukrainian peasants died as a result of deliberate policies aimed at terrorising the population by starvation. This barbaric crime perpetrated against millions of innocent Ukrainians by the totalitarian regime of the former Soviet Union was one of the cruellest of the 20th century.

I appreciate the shared commitment of all Ukrainian leaders to try to reinstall historic justice and shed light on a past that has for so many years been kept secret. In the past, any attempt to condemn the totalitarian practices of the sacrosanct Stalin would at the very least have resulted in a life-long prison sentence – as in the case of my father who endured nine years of hell in the gulag – or in immediate death.

Ladies and gentlemen, the devastating images currently on view in the famine exhibition, inaugurated at the European Parliament in the presence of Viktor Yanukovich, must encourage us to condemn resolutely the terrible crimes of Stalinism in the former Soviet Union. By recognising the famine as genocide, the European Parliament will be expressing its solidarity with the Ukrainian people and will do so in a written declaration, Declaration 4/2007, which I believe most of the Members will sign before 15 April.

  Martin Schulz (PSE). – (DE) Madam President, I also had the impression that Mr Evans and Mrs Gil could barely contain their enthusiasm for their group presidents.

I should like to alert you and the Members of this House to a spate of extremely disturbing events that are of great concern to us. For several months we have been seeing an increasing number of attacks on journalists in the European Union. To be very specific this is a development in Bulgaria, which is just one example of a series of developments that are causing us concern. In Bulgaria, journalists who have expressed critical views of a far-right party, which is also represented in this House, have been subjected to physical, psychological and material threats by representatives of this party. As I said, this is a party that is also represented in this House and we would be well advised – indeed we are called upon – to draw attention to the fact that the increasing level of aggression towards journalists whose views are distasteful to certain political forces is to be found not only outside but also inside the European Union. I would ask you to be vigilant and ensure that journalists are protected, retain their independence and are not hurt!

  Marios Matsakis (ALDE). – Madam President, yesterday was the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery. This brutal practice was related to the worldwide colonisation carried out mainly by European countries and, although slavery was terminated, colonisation persists. Two EU Member States, Britain and France, still have colonies today. Britain has 14 colonies and France many more. Britain’s colonies, excluding British Antarctica, total 50 000 km2 and are inhabited by 250 000 people. The French colonies total 123 000 km2 and are inhabited by 2.5 million people. While the political and human rights of the citizens of these colonies are being profoundly violated, the EU institutions are turning a blind eye.

The European Parliament is no exception. In none of the annual human rights reports adopted by Parliament over the years is there the slightest mention of colonisation, and any attempts to introduce the subject by individual MEPs are met with complete refusal. How strange, or should I say, how hypocritical. We condemn human rights violations by every country in the world, except when it concerns our own Member States. Is this what the EU is about? Shame!

  Hanna Foltyn-Kubicka (UEN). – (PL) Madam President, it is difficult to count on one hand the number of times the European Parliament, other Community institutions or the Council of Europe have called upon Belarus to refrain from practices that violate the fundamental rights of citizens.

The fact that the Lukashenko regime reacts to all appeals from Europe was evident last Sunday, when a day to celebrate freedom served as an occasion to remind Belarusians that they are in bondage. Tear gas, police batons and water cannons are the response of tyrants to the people’s desire for bread and freedom. We cannot allow one man to mock the whole of Europe and to run his authoritarian regime right under our very noses with impunity.

As representatives of a united Europe, we must continue to take action on behalf of a free Belarus. We should also ask ourselves whether the means we have used so far are sufficient, whether we should not be more robust in following up our demands to the country’s authorities, and whether we should not provide more effective and open support for the democratic opposition of the country.

  Věra Flasarová (GUE/NGL) – (CS) An important component of EU strategy is equal opportunities for men and women. The public is not regularly informed in all Member States about the importance of gender equality.

The planned partnership created as part of the EQUAL programme has taken the initiative concerning the Gender Equality Day, which is already celebrated in some Member States on 19 July. The aim is to establish respect for gender equality, to portray a positive image of the partnership between women and men and to raise awareness among the public of the importance of the issue.

Gender Equality Day is aimed at men too, because men can also suffer discrimination and be undermined. This international day is a mark of appreciation for the long term efforts of women’s rights activists, and strengthens women’s political, economic and social standing. It also promotes equal opportunities for both sexes.

19 July is close to Fathers’ day in the calendar, providing an opportunity to emphasise our common interest regarding the role of fathers in looking after children and the family. I therefore feel that this year of Equal Opportunities for All is a most opportune moment for establishing Gender Equality Day in the EU.

IN THE CHAIR: MR MOSCOVICI
Vice-President

  Jim Allister (NI). – Mr President, following on from the President's comments earlier about developments in Belfast, I would like to say that, from this distance, euphoria about political developments in Belfast is understandable.

However, I must tell the House that I, and many in Northern Ireland, see nothing to celebrate in the premature admission to government of those who personally sanctioned, practiced and unreservedly supported a campaign of vicious terrorism that left thousands of my fellow citizens as innocent dead. I say ‘premature’ because even now Sinn Féin is still cherry-picking in its support for the police, with prominent members condemning legitimate police arrests for serious crimes and refusing full cooperation with the police in bringing to justice those responsible for such outrages as the Omagh bombing, which killed 29 innocent shoppers.

Where else in the world would you expect to find in government ministers inextricably linked to, and maybe even still members of, an illegal army council of their own illegal private army? Yet that is what many in this House will applaud in Northern Ireland.

Of evil no good can come.

  Атанас Папаризов (PSE). – Г-н Председател, българските граждани и редица правозащитни и професионални организации, с масови публични изяви и демонстрации, отбелязаха седемте години от задържането на петте български медицински сестри и палестинския лекар, осъдени на смърт от либийския съд. Резолюцията на Европейския парламент от 18 януари и заключенията на Съвета по общи въпроси от 22 януари и 22 февруари са израз на загрижеността на европейските институции и на страните-членки за положението на българските медици. Солидарността на страните-членки и постоянната загриженост на европейските институции са основа въпросът на българските медицински сестри да се реши. Единната европейска позиция, която, надяваме се, Европейският съюз и страните-членки ще изработят до края на този месец, може да стане основа за разговори с либийската страна за приключване на случая.

Уважаеми г-н Председател, уверен съм, че Европейският парламент, Съветът на министрите и Европейската комисия ще продължат съгласувано да действат в полза на решаването на въпроса на българските медицински сестри в Либия.

  Czesław Adam Siekierski (PPE-DE). – (PL) Mr President, the Berlin Declaration expresses the values that all Europeans have in common, including human rights and democracy. There is no doubt that this is a virtuous declaration, which succinctly puts forward the common values of the Member States and citizens of the European Union. It also points out the principles of equality and solidarity on which European integration is based, and the values which the European Union has always held in high regard: diversity and sovereignty.

For the citizens of Europe, the Declaration shows that the Union is the only effective response to the challenges of globalisation and competition.

However, the document says nothing substantial on the future enlargement of Europe, or anything more specific about a future common foreign and security policy.

In my opinion, the declaration provides a good start to future work on the new framework of the European Union. It is, however, more of a formal statement than an inspiring opening ceremony. If the Berlin Declaration is to mark a new beginning there has to be good will on the part of the Member States. The future of Europe is in our hands. That is something we should remember.

  Marco Cappato (ALDE). – (IT) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the President of this Parliament usually reacts when the leaders of dictatorships (China, Cuba and others) attack the European Parliament concerning its resolutions and decisions.

Well, the representative of an absolutist state, the Vatican City State, in the person of Cardinal Angelo Scola, deplored the fact that ‘in spheres such as those of marriage, family and life’ – I am quoting Cardinal Scola – ‘it is not appropriate for the current European Parliament to make continual pronouncements, actually exerting pressure and imposing conditions on individual countries’.

Cardinal Scola has made similar statements before the President of our Parliament, and I therefore consider that the President of the European Parliament and Parliament itself ought to react, as they usually do when the independence and deliberations of this House are attacked.

  Mario Borghezio (UEN). – (IT) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the Giornale di Milano – an Italian newspaper – and some news agencies, both Italian and Ukrainian, have reported an event that has had a profound effect on all those who still have memories and even open family wounds connected with the fate of those who fell in the Second World War.

What is at issue is the remains of over 200 Italian soldiers who have the misfortune to be buried in land belonging to a small town in Ukraine, where once already there has been an attempt to build an enormous ten-floor building. Today this attempt is being relaunched with a plan to build a supermarket there.

I believe that, by virtue of the values on which the European Union is based, we ought to express clear condemnation and adopt a strong position. I therefore urge the President of Parliament to speak to the Ukrainian authorities with a view to preventing this disgrace.

  Bairbre de Brún (GUE/NGL). – A Uachtaráin, ó thaobh an méid a dúirt Uachtarán na Parlaiminte inniu faoi imeachtaí na seachtaine seo i mBéal Feirste, ba mhaith liom fosta fáilte a chur roimh ráiteas na seachtaine seo ó Ian Paisley agus ó Gerry Adams.

Léiríonn an comhaontú idir Sinn Féin agus agus an DUP – agus an gealltanas soiléir sin ó Ian Paisley faoi athbhunú na n-institiúidí polaitiúla ar an ochtú lá de mhí na Bealtaine – tús ré nua polaitiúla in Éirinn. Bhí sé d’onóir domsa freastal ar an chruinniú stairiúil idir Sinn Féin agus an DUP dhá lá ó shin. Taispeánann na cainteanna agus taispeánann an comhaontú idir ár ndá pháirtí cad is féidir a bhaint amach anois.

Ba mhaith le Sinn Féin caidreamh nua a thógáil inar féidir le gach duine a bheith páirteach i dtodhchaí rathúil, shíochánta agus chóir. Caithfear dul i ngleic ar ndóigh le cuid mhór dúshlán agus cuid mhór deacrachtaí go fóill, ach níor chóir do dhuine ar bith meas faoi luach a thabhairt ar chuntasacht fhorbairtí na seachtaine seo, agus na féidearthachtaí a chruthaíonn siad don dul chun cinn polaitíochta in Éirinn.

  Мартин Димитров (PPE-DE). – Уважаеми г-н Председател, уважаеми колеги, оставам с впечатлението, че европейският комисар Ласло Ковач е решил да увеличи всички възможни минимални акцизи, започна с алкохола, продължи с дизела.

На 13 март Европейската комисия прие предложение за промяна на Директива 96, като предвижда увеличаване на минималните нива на акциза върху дизел от 302 евро на 380 евро за хиляда литра. Според Комисията, с увеличението на акциза се опазва околната среда. В анализа си Комисията пропуска да отбележи, че страни като България и Румъния още не са достигнали сегашните минимални нива на акцизите, а се предлага ново увеличение. Ако се приеме това предложение, България ще трябва да увеличи акциза върху дизела с 40%. Това би довело до покачване на цените на основни потребителски стоки абсолютно несъизмеримо с ръста на доходите в България. Едно такова нарастване на цените ще доведе до евроскептицизъм, особено в източната част на Европейския съюз и до проблеми с приемането на еврото. Европейският парламент трябва категорично да се противопостави на едно такова необосновано предложение.

  John Attard-Montalto (PSE). – (MT) Post-studies carried out on the building of this Marsascala plant are considered to be a farce by everyone, including officials of the Maltese Environment Authority. This process ignored a number of articles of the terms of reference and ran counter to a number of European Union directives. The study carried out on the technology required remains undisclosed, whilst comparative analysis of alternative sites is viewed as lacking seriousness and as being rigged and even flawed.

Socio-economic research into the area’s residents was not carried out diligently and in compliance with the terms of reference, while the study on the environmental health impact was completely ignored. It has to be borne in mind that this plant is to be built in a residential area, only 250 metres away from inhabited areas.

  Danutė Budreikaitė (ALDE). – (LT) The Via Baltica project is of great importance for integrating the transport systems of Baltic, North and Central European countries with the rest of the European Union. The European Commission has appealed to the European Court of Justice against Poland's building of the Augustavas bypass on the Via Baltica, which was commenced before Poland joined the EU. The appeal is based on claims that the environment protection requirements of the Rospuda Valley, through which the projected viaduct must pass, will be violated. It is planned that up to 4% of project funds will go toward compensation for damage to the environment, for animal crossings, and for reforestation. The Commission has not proposed any alternative route and has not made any clear proposal for compensation. However, no such environmental protection issues have been raised concerning the Northern Gas Pipeline, which is projected to pass through Natura 2000 territory, and which may cause unpredictable ecological consequences. The European Commission is also not concerned about the residents of Augustavas, and the pollution they put up with. Will we ever see the end of the European Union's application of double standards when it comes to the ‘big boys’ of Europe and their strategic partner Russia?

  Milan Gaľa (PPE-DE). – (SK) The European Commission has initiated breach-of-treaty proceedings against Slovakia on the grounds that certain owners of ships sailing under the Slovak flag are using the services of Bulgarian and Turkish classification companies. The Commission has yet to include these in their list of recognised classification companies. The problem affects twenty maritime ships sailing under the Slovak flag. The ships are owned by foreign companies registered in a variety of countries.

At the end of the day, however, it is Slovakia that will have to pay SKK 480 million in penalties. The contracts with the companies concerned were entered into before EU accession and were of a long-term nature. Last November a new Directive came into force, binding Member States to recognise only those companies that have been accepted by the European Union.

Slovakia has asked the European Union to recognise the Bulgarian classification registry. I believe that Slovakia will do its best to remedy the situation as soon as possible. For this reason I would like to ask the Commission not to act precipitously.

  Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg (PSE). – (PL) Over the past weeks, much has been written in the European press about the conflict between the Polish police and environmental groups defending the unique Rospuda Valley (Dolina Rospudy), which is a unique area protected by the Natura 2000 programme.

We already know that the European Commission has referred the matter of the planned road across the Rospuda Valley to the European Court of Justice. Whilst appreciating the efforts made by the Commissioner for Environment Stavros Dimas, I must express my deep regret that it has not been possible to resolve the deadlock and come to some arrangement with the Polish Government, instead of unnecessarily antagonising Polish society. A breach of EU law could effectively result in Poland, or more specifically Polish taxpayers, paying a fine running into millions, while at the same time prolonging the present hold-up of work on the road. The fact that there has been no agreed alternative route suggested will not help to resolve the present transport problems of the residents of the area.

It appears that, once again, ordinary citizens will end up paying for the authorities’ stubbornness and ignorance of the law.

  Brian Crowley (UEN). – Mr President, following on from the Berlin Declaration last weekend and the roadmap laid out for 2009 as being the year for rejuvenation or renewal of the Treaty in conjunction with the European elections, I would like to make a proposal that we designate 2009 as the year of the child, not only to protect those who are most vulnerable and set down common standards across the European Union as regards how we protect our children, but also as a vote of optimism in future generations for the way they can continue the project of the European Union after 50 years of construction and development. I would therefore like to put forward this proposal and ask colleagues to give it as much support as possible.

  Laima Liucija Andrikienė (PPE-DE). – Mr President I would like to draw you attention to the agreement on the new EU external assistance instruments, and in particular the European neighbourhood and partnership instrument, which grants Parliament increased scrutiny over the implementation of Community assistance.

Parliament is prepared to play an active role in the implementation of the EU external assistance instruments, though the Commission is not ready for open and timely cooperation with Parliament.

Parliament is only involved in the process of drafting documents – which is to say strategy papers, action plans, and national indicative programmes – just before their adoption, when there is almost no possibility to change or express an opinion concerning the matter. Therefore, Parliament remains only a passive observer to the implementation of the ENPI.

In this respect, I think we should call on the Commission to communicate with Parliament, and to involve Parliament in a full and timely manner in the drafting, implementing and monitoring of the European Neighbourhood Policy, and ENPI in particular.

  Jörg Leichtfried (PSE). – (DE) Mr President, I am pleased that at last I have been given the floor at my third attempt, but I can certainly see that if even group chairmen are using this opportunity to speak then there are fewer chances for a mere backbencher like myself.

I wish to criticise in the strongest possible terms the intention of the Polish Government to expel sick people – even citizens of the European Union – from their country. I consider this to be a massive attack on the basic freedoms of the European Union, such as the freedom of establishment and the free movement of people. I would call on the European Commission immediately to take the necessary steps so as to put an end to this constant provocation by the two brothers at the head of the government.

I would also be interested to know why the Commission takes immediate action in so many areas, such as for example on the issue of the German students in Austria, and yet does absolutely nothing about huge problems like this one. I consider this to be a scandal.

  Avril Doyle (PPE-DE). – Mr President, Joseph Conrad once said that what all men are really after is some form, or perhaps only some formula, of peace. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this unique European project, which has brought peace and stability to our continent, this week has also been unprecedented, remarkable and extremely positive for peace and progress on the island of Ireland. At last we have not just a form of peace, but a formula for a peaceful future for the citizens of Ireland, north and south.

I would like to warmly welcome devolved government and its return to Northern Ireland. The decision this week by the largest political groups, the DUP and Sinn Féin, to sit down face to face and agree to power-sharing within six weeks represents a profoundly promising milestone and, at last, the end game in the protracted peace process of Northern Ireland following 40 years of violence.

It is important that we in the European Parliament acknowledge the extraordinary happenings at Stormont this week. I would also like to acknowledge in particular the role of the Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP, David Trimble and John Hume, the former leaders, their current leaders …

(The President cut off the speaker)

  Neena Gill (PSE). – Mr President, I want to bring to your attention recent events in Pakistan surrounding the suspension of the Supreme Court Chief Justice Mohammed Chaudhry, which led to widespread unrest in that country.

Last December, as chair of the SAARC Delegation, I raised the issue of the importance of the freedom of the judiciary and media at the highest levels on a visit to Pakistan. It is disappointing, therefore, that we hear reports of a lack of both. However, I am grateful to the Pakistani Ambassador to the EU for providing me with his Government’s statements of its commitment to press freedom, and I particularly welcome its assurances on upholding the independence of the judiciary.

However, I would strongly urge the President of Parliament, in the interests of transparency, to write to request a copy of the reference sent to the Supreme Judicial Council, as well as a full explanation of the reasons for the Supreme Judicial Council’s decision to suspend Justice Chaudhry.

Finally, could the President also strongly urge the Government of Pakistan, however justified the suspension of the Chief Justice is, to hold open hearings so that the international community can judge the fairness of the trial taking place.

  Robert Evans (PSE). – Mr President, staying in the same part of the world I would like to bring to this House’s attention the worsening situation in Sri Lanka, where the ceasefire is all but non-existent. I believe this is a tragedy. Over 200 000 people are now displaced by the renewed fighting. Over 3000 civilians, and of course a number of soldiers on all sides, have been killed.

One thing that this Parliament could do is call for independent human rights observers to monitor any abuses and the many abuses that are being committed by the Sri Lankan security forces, by the LTTE and by the other armed groups that are all over the island. I believe that this European Parliament must act to support the people of this wonderful island, bringing about a peaceful solution and an end to this conflict as soon as possible.

Thank you very much. 47 seconds!

(Laughter)

  President. – The seconds that you have saved you have given to Mrs Gill.

  Carlo Fatuzzo (PPE-DE). – (IT) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, when leaving Bergamo for Brussels by plane, I met a delegation composed of 27 widows, one for each of the states in the European Union, protesting that the survivor’s pensions paid to widows of pensioners and workers are only half the pensions that their spouses received.

The widows asked me to raise this issue at the European Parliament – as I am doing – and were certain that their request would be heard by all 27 governments making up the European Union. They hope that a European pension will at last be introduced to provide equal, better rights for all European citizens, and this is something I also call for.

  President. – I am sorry, but we must move on to the next agenda item. I would inform you, however, that priority will be given at the Strasbourg sitting, in April, to all those who have asked to take the floor today, it being understood that they will have to re-register, for form’s sake. The presidency for that sitting will be told about this, and those MEPs will be put at the top of the list of speakers.

  Димитър Стоянов (ITS). – В съвременното демократично общество медиите и тяхната свобода са нещо много важно. Тяхното влияние над обществото е толкова голямо, че ние често се обръщаме към тях като към четвърта власт.

Вземам думата по отношение на изказването на г-н Шулц, което ме засегна лично, относно свободата на медиите. Защото ние знаем, че в съвременната демокрация основната характеристика на всяка власт е, че тя бива контролирана по някакъв начин, за да не се позволяват злоупотреби с нея. И за да ви опиша по-добре какъв е случаят специално, който г-н Шулц имаше предвид в България ...

(г-н Стоянов и прекъснат от председателя)

  President. – Mr Stoyanov, I must cut you off there. I should like to know on the basis of which rule of the Rules of Procedure you are requesting to take the floor and on which matter, because, at the moment, your speech is of a somewhat general nature.

  Димитър Стоянов (ITS). – Относно чл. 145 от Правилника.

(Г-н Стоянов е прекъснат от председателя)

  President. – I would remind you that Rule 145 stipulates, on the subject of a speaker who takes the floor to make a personal statement, that he ‘may not speak on substantive matters but shall confine his observations to rebutting any remarks that have been made about his person in the course of the debate or opinions that have been attributed to him, or to correcting observations that he himself has made’. Therefore, please refrain from speaking on general matters and come to the point that concerns you, since you have taken the floor to make a personal statement.

  Димитър Стоянов (ITS). – Не съм съгласен г-н Председател, защото моят отговор изисква изясняване на обстоятелствата, за да мога да отхвърля твърденията ...

(Г-н Стоянов е прекъснат от председателя)

  President. – You do not have to agree or disagree; these are the Rules of Procedure.

  Димитър Стоянов (ITS). – Значи това е диктатура, г-н Председател.

(Г-н Стоянов е прекъснат от председателя)

Няма свобода на словото в този парламент.

Няма свобода на словото в този парламент.

(Г-н Стоянов е прекъснат от председателя)

Това е свободата на словото в този парламент. Отнема се думата, без да се даде възможност....

(Председателят отнема думата на г-н Стоянов)

  President. – This is not a dictatorship; on the contrary, this is a democracy. We have Rules of Procedure, and they must be complied with. No MEP can make general remarks in this House on any subject of their choosing.

Mr Stoyanov, it was my understanding that you wanted to take the floor in order to make a personal statement. That is not the case, and I cannot allow you to continue.