Eyes on Prague and Warsaw

The European Parliament has welcomed the positive result of the Irish referendum for the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, but at the same time has sent out a clear message to Poland and the Czech Republic, the only two countries that have still to complete the ratification process: Europe cannot wait.“Now it’s up to Poland and the Czech Republic”. The plenary session of the EP, held in Brussels on 7-8 October, dedicated much of its work and great political attention to the future of the Treaty, which contains the reforms considered necessary to modernise the “Community machine” and make it more functional and efficient. Apart from many MEPs, those who spoke during the debate included Fredrik Reinfeldt, Swedish Premier and President of the European Council, and José Manuel Barroso, President of the Commission. Fredrik Reinfeldt said: “We think that, after the referendum in Ireland, the Treaty ought to enter into force as soon as possible, if possible within the semester of the Swedish Presidency”. He explained that Poland and the Czech Republic could conclude their ratification process speedily. “We have already consulted Czech Prime Minister Fischer – he added -; we are awaiting a decision by the country’s Constitutional Court, but are unable to say when this pronouncement will come”. “Meanwhile we’ll begin consultations on the post of long-term President of the European Council and will work together with the other institutions”.The President flies to Prague. Jerzy Buzek, President of the EP, was even more resolute in asking Poland (his country) and the Czech Republic to accelerate their ratification times. As soon as the plenary ended, Buzek flew to Prague to meet (on 9 October) Premier Jan Fischer, and the Presidents of Chamber and Senate, Miloslav Vlcek and Premysl Sobotka. “We will monitor the state of progress in the ratification process – explained Buzek – and ways of increasing parliamentary cooperation”. The Polish politician then continued: “Either the Czech Republic assumes a sovereign decision on the Lisbon Treaty, or we will be forced to tackle the question of the costs incurred due to the delay of its entry into force”. “The Treaty is a means, not an end in itself, but it will help the EU to solve the problems with which we are now faced”.Positions pro and contra the Treaty. With Lisbon, pointed out the President of the European Parliament, “the European Union is equipping itself with the necessary means to tackle the challenges of the twenty-first century”, such as “climate change and rising unemployment”. Buzek does not ignore the need to “listen to and to take account of the reasons of the supporters of the ‘no'” to the Treaty. They include the eurosceptic British MEP Nigel Farage, who asked for “a third referendum” in Ireland; “then let’s choose the best of all three. But this time it ought to be free and fair. Meanwhile we in Great Britain will campaign to get out of the Union as soon as possible”. Lothar Bisky, German MEP, and leader of the unified left group, said he would have preferred “compulsory referendums in all member countries” to verify real popular support for the contents of the treaty. According to Timothy Kirkhope, British MEP of the conservative group, “the Treaty signifies a step towards a European superstate which many citizens don’t want”. The main political groups, the European People’s Party, the Socialists, the Liberals and the Greens, by contrast, all expressed their support for the rapid entry into force of the Treaty.Commission on the economic crisis. During the plenary the EP also tackled various other questions. An allocation from the Solidarity Fund of 493 million euros in favour of the earthquake victims of the Abruzzo (Italy) was approved almost unanimously. A debate on pluralism and freedom of information in Italy and Europe was also held. A tribute was paid to Anna Politkovskaja, the courageous Russian journalist and human rights activist, who was killed three years ago in circumstances that still remain to be cleared up. Lastly the EP approved the setting up of a “special Commission on the financial and economic crisis”, which will have a twelve-month mandate. Composed of 45 MEPs, its remit will be to “analyze the situation” and “propose measures aimed at the long-term reconstruction of sound and stable financial markets able to support growth, social cohesion and employment”. It will also be asked to “evaluate EU legislation”, “coordination between member states”, the “repercussions of the recession in the social and employment fields”, and its repercussions on “world governance of the economy”. It will have the power to propose auditions with international organizations, with the national parliaments and governments of member states and third countries, “as well as with representatives of the scientific community, businesses and civil society”.