ALDE MEPs look for action, not just more reflection, on the Future of Europe

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 31st May 2006

The European Parliament debated today the current lack of vision on the future of Europe today with Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt.

Graham Watson MEP (Leader of the Liberals and Democrats in the EP) pointed out that the Union had still not managed to meet the challenge of the Laeken Declaration in December 2001 under the previous Belgian Presidency of the EU:

"It is time to recognise that the EU has been talking to itself more than to its citizens," said Watson.

"The Commission President is correct to see the value in concentrating on practical achievements as a way to reinforce links with the wider public but the 'Europe of projects' will not succeed without well functioning institutions lying behind them."

"We cannot afford to abandon the European constitutional project. The extended period of reflection should be more one of active analysis than silent reflection, producing clear proposals on how to proceed."

For Marielle de Sarnez MEP (UDF, France) "Europe is living through a crisis of vocation and a lack of inspiration. The European Council must not be satisfied with just prolonging the period of reflection which would be an abdication of responsibility if not backed up with a clear vision and orientation."

Andrew Duff MEP (UK, Lib Dem) ALDE spokesperson on constitutional issues, saluted the efforts of the Belgian Prime Minister in advancing ideas on Europe's future but urged "the European Council not to wait for the possibility of 20 of the 25 Member States to ratify the Constitution before contemplating the future of the document but to take action today."

"We need to set ourselves a rendez-vous in Autumn 2007 for agreeing a mandate for a new IGC to improve upon part III of the constitutional text."