IGC: A complex Treaty that rekindles hope for European integration

1.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 23rd Oct 2007

Speaking at the Strasbourg plenary session today during the public debate dedicated to the results of the Lisbon summit and the conclusions following the negotiations of the Reform Treaty, Graham Watson, group leader for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe congratulated the Portuguese presidency on reaching a text "which gives Europe the institutional resources required to face up to the challenges of the future".

Nevertheless, he lamented the last concessions that led to a complex final compromise. "But after being butchered by the ballpoint pens of civil servants from all 27 Member States what more could we expect?" he underlined. "Not one EU leader did I see return to their national capital flying the flag for Europe. Instead, they crowed loudly about the opt-outs, derogations and exclusions which disfigure the text before us today", Mr Watson regretted.

Andrew DUFF (UK, LibDem), one of Parliament's three representatives throughout the intergovernmental negotiations and present at the Lisbon summit said that "for 26 countries this Treaty is a great step forward together towards European unity, equal in historical importance to Maastricht."

In one country, this is not so. The British still seem intimidated by the success of the European Union, and have sought in the IGC to reduce the scope and force of common policies in the area of fundamental rights, freedom, security and justice and in common foreign, security and defence policies. Why this strategy of non-cooperation is thought to serve the interests of the British people is not entirely clear. Let it be as short-lived as possible", Mr Duff concluded.

ENDS