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Liberal Democrat Leaders to show the way forward from EU crisiseldr, Friday 15 December 2006 14:00 ::On the eve of the EU’s 50th anniversary year, ELDR Party President, Annemie Neyts, today launched an appeal to Liberal Democrat Leaders to shake off the EU blues and to re-new commitment to the EU and the four founding freedoms on which it is based. This appeal is the result of an extensive consultation period with ELDR Prime Ministers, MEPs, Commissioners, member parties and stakeholders, which was first launched during the 2005 ELDR Congress in Bratislava. It outlines what Liberal Democrat leaders can do to take the EU forward from its current crisis. Launching the appeal at the ELDR Leaders and Ministers Meeting on 14th December, Mrs Neyts stated that “Liberal leaders in the institutions of the Union, and in the governments and parliaments of member states should create an environment of renewed cooperation, where each entity concentrates on what it does best. At EU level, liberal leaders should concentrate on those areas where EU action really adds value, such as security and defence, international crime, single market and free trade, research, environment, energy and migration.” Mrs Neyts also stressed the need to address whether the priorities for EU spending should be the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and structural funds by opening up a public debate; “Liberal leaders may want to reorient EU expenditure and, for instance, further reduce the huge amounts spent on agriculture, but then we should clearly say so to our farmers, and come up with acceptable alternatives for both the farmers and the consumers. Liberal leaders may question the effectiveness of the EU expenditure for regional and structural development, but then we should launch the debate publicly.”The draft Constitutional Treaty offers substantial improvements in all decision-making mechanisms. These were seldom criticised during the referendum campaigns; the EU policies or the absence thereof were severely criticised. Liberal leaders should take account of these facts when we revisit the draft treaty, as we should in the near future. In terms of future expansion of the Union, EU enlargement has been a decisive factor in the spread of democracy, rule of law and market economy throughout most of Europe. Liberal leaders should remain true to the commitments made to Croatia and the states of the Western Balkans. Liberal leaders should allow negotiations with Turkey to continue provided that Turkey fulfils the Copenhagen criteria. Click here to read the full text of the appeal launched by ELDR Party President Annemie Neyts to Liberal Leaders to re-dynamise the European Union. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------For more information, please contact Myriam Cornillet (mcornillet@eldr.org), 00 32 2 237 01 43 or 00 32 485 99 40 56 |
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