By Martin Banks - 1st December 2009
Europeans have a new chart to guide us - the Lisbon treaty
Jerzy Buzek
Parliament's president Jerzy Buzek has heralded the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty on Tuesday as a "historic" event.
The former Polish PM told this website the treaty will "give people more of a direct say" in EU decision-making.
He said it represents "an increase in democracy" in the EU and gives a "huge boost" to the powers of parliament, particularly in budgetary and justice and home affairs issues.
He warns, however, that the treaty "is not an end in itself, nor is it perfect."
"It is an improved set of rules to develop EU policy," said Buzek.
He said the treaty "changes for the better" the way the continent is governed, enhancing both citizens' and national parliaments' influence on the way the EU operates.
"The treaty gives people more of a direct say in EU decision-making. For example, it creates the 'European citizens’ initiative' which enables one million citizens who are nationals of a significant number of member states to call directly on the commission to bring forward a legislative proposal in any area of EU competence.
"This sort of direct participation should lead to greater engagement with the increasingly influential European institutions.
"The EU is a Europe based on certain values, notably freedom and solidarity. The treaty promotes the EU's values, introducing the Charter of Fundamental Rights into European primary law, so ensuring better protection of European citizens.
"The charter is a guarantee that EU institutions and law cannot violate basic standards of human rights – European institutions will have to respect them. Parliament fully supports the Charter, even if the UK, Poland and the Czech Republic have all negotiated opt-outs, demonstrating the EU's ability to apply flexible arrangements and to respect the sensitivities of individual member states."
He adds, "Our EU of almost 500 million people will have an improved system of democratic accountability, whereby any legislation will be subject to the prior scrutiny of national parliaments and then the double approval of the council, composed of ministers accountable to those very same national parliaments, and parliament, directly elected by citizens to represent them at European level.
"This is a level of scrutiny that exists in no other international structure. Scrutiny that should make the EU more transparent and accountable to Europe's citizens.
"The treaty enables Europe to take its responsibilities in the world more seriously.
"The EU High Representative for foreign and security policy (and I am happy it is a woman as I had called for), served by a newly developed European external action service, will provide a clear voice for the EU in the world.
"Baroness Cathy Ashton as vice-president of the commission will face a hearing in parliament during the second week of January to assess her suitability for her new post.
"I am convinced that this new voice, supported by a strong action service, bringing together European expertise in intergovernmental diplomacy with our EU competences, can offer a step change in the effectiveness of our foreign policy.
"With a growing number of EU crisis management missions around the world, the parliament will hold Baroness Ashton to account ensuing transparency and accountability, as it our duty to do.
"The EU's external action is closely linked to energy supply and security. A whole new chapter on energy policy, including solidarity in energy supply, which is of concern to so many Europeans, is introduced in the treaty.
"The goals of EU policy are crystal clear, namely promoting the internal energy market, promoting energy interconnections and guaranteeing supply. The treaty sets the foundations for a much needed common EU energy policy - what I would call a 'European Energy Community'.
Buzek's comments come as he travelled to Lisbon on Tuesday for celebrations to mark the introduction of the treaty, named after the Portuguese capital.
Joining him was commission president José Manuel Barroso, Portuguese president Aníbal António Cavaco Silva and prime minister José Sócrates and Spanish premier José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.
Ahead of the visit, Buzek said, "On 1 December, we celebrate the entry into force of the treaty. This marks the beginning of a new era of European integration. We will of course meet in Lisbon as this is the place where the treaty was signed.
"In the 15th century Portuguese sailors used to set sail from Lisbon to explore the still uncharted waters of the world. Today we are living in a new globalised world but we Europeans have a new chart to guide us - the Lisbon treaty.
"The treaty represents an increase in democracy and efficiency in the EU. It gives a huge boost to the powers of the directly-elected parliament but the treaty is a tool not the aim. It gives the EU a set of tools to tackle more effectively the key concerns of citizens."
Meanwhile, the Federalist group in parliament is holding a special event on Tuesday, called "Goodbye Nice, hello Lisbon."
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.