Today's EU summit should be building bridges not destroying them

12.41.39pm GMT Fri 15th Dec 2006

Graham Watson, Liberal and Democrat group leader in the European Parliament appealed today to Heads of State, meeting for their annual summit in Brussels, to acknowledge that the widening gap between the practical success the EU's enlargement strategy and public perception of enlargement is largely a result of the breakdown in communication between the Europe's political class and its electorate.

"The debate about Europe's borders and absorption capacity is necessary, if only to explain clearly to people in all Member States why a growing Europe is essential to our future security, prosperity and opportunity."

"Europe is not a state with defined borders in the traditional sense but a supra-national body that seeks to build unity and cooperation through institutions and common policies."

"It would be dangerous and counterproductive to impose a new form of iron curtain across Europe by defining those who are in and those who are out. Today's summit should be building bridges across the continent not destroying them."

The sensible decision of Heads of State and government to discuss the security situation in Afghanistan and Middle East complements their recognition that we must not shut the door on Turkey."