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Conservative MEP Leader Calls for Commission to Stick to the Path of Real Reform in Europe
Thursday February 24, 2005
Commenting today on the vote in the European Parliament on the Commission's legislative and work programme for 2005, Timothy Kirkhope MEP, Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament said:
"I welcome much of what is contained in today's motion on the need for economic reform in Europe. Conservative MEPs are leading the way in changing attitudes in this Parliament and elsewhere towards reform, much of which we see reflected in this motion. The Lisbon Process has so far been a failure, and the focus now must turn to real reform and market-driven growth. I have said to the President of the Commission, Mr Barroso, that he deserves encouragement in realising his stated aim of refocusing the Lisbon Agenda towards growth and prosperity, and that we will give him our continuing support in this task.
I welcome the commitment to the completion of the Single Market which has long been a Conservative goal, something which will enhance the prospects of growth and prosperity. The old European social model has had its day, and we reject the interventionist obsessions of Labour MEPs and their Socialist allies.
I also welcome the sentiments of the European Parliament today on the need to fight fraud and mismanagement in the EU. Conservative MEPs have been at the forefront of calling for action on fraud and mismanagement and we will keep up the pressure on this.
However, there are important issues where we sadly cannot support the Commission programme and Parliament's view as expressed today. We believe very firmly that in the fields of justice and home affairs and foreign, security and defence, decision-making should remain with the nation state. For these reasons, we have not been able to give our wholehearted support to the Commission's programme and Parliament's decision on it today, but our abstention on the resolution in no way detracts from our strong support for a Europe of enterprise and growth."
ENDS
