Green Euro-MP calls for 'progressive opposition' in stormy debate over EU
10 March 2008
It is 'perfectly possible' to take a progressive pro-European stance in thedebate over the Treaty of Lisbon while at the same time opposing the Treatyitself, said the South East's Green MEP Caroline Lucas today.
Commenting on the political storm over the controversial EU Treaty which hasleft the Westminster parties troubled and divided, Dr Lucas - who is alsoGreen Party Co-Principal Speaker - said:
"Political leaders throughout the EU have shown extraordinary arrogance anddisregard towards their citizens in refusing to hold referenda on theTreaty, as well as in trying to pass off what is essentially a repackagedConstitution as a new 'Lisbon Treaty'.
"Even one of the key architects of the original text, Valery GiscardD'Estaing, has admitted that the proposals in the original constitutionaltreaty are practically unchanged. As he says, "they have simply beendispersed through the old treaties in the form of amendments."
"I don't oppose the principle of a constitution. But I oppose thisparticular one - and the Treaty which reproduces it - because EU citizensdeserve better.
"While the Treaty of Lisbon includes some positive measures, in my viewthese are outweighed by negative ones - the further militarisation of theEU, for example, as well as measures to promote increased free trade andeconomic liberalisation.
She continued: "Worse still, it squanders a unique opportunity to putsustainability and climate security genuinely at the heart of the Union, andfails to bring the EU institutions closer to European citizens.
"The Green Party's vision of the European Union is one based on peace,democracy, and social justice. We have a vision of a Green Europe, whichenforces ambitious policies for a more sustainable future, and which allowsfor rich cultural and social exchange between nations and regions."
