institutions of the European Union

Our Group wants to encourage the fair representation of men and women in the institutions of the European Union.

The institutions of the European Union have to provide a more precise definition of a stronger Neighbourhood Policy.

Consideration must be given to the repercussions on structural policy, on the common agricultural policy, and on the institutions of the European Union.

Firstly, in my view we need greater coordination between Member States, their respective humanitarian agencies and the institutions of the European Union.

Added value therefore comes from the joint efforts of the three institutions of the European Union – the Commission, Parliament and the Council.

This Parliament is today demonstrating that we take our role of monitoring and controlling the unelected institutions of the European Union very seriously.

Does this permit legislation also to be passed concerning national laws on transparency and not only in connection with the three institutions of the European Union referred to there?

In the first place, we must ensure that the institutions of the European Union are operating properly at this time when the Union is set to radically change its appearance.

I hope that he will draw further courage from the support that all the institutions of the European Union lend to him, his supporters and the brave men and women of Belarus.

It seems to me that transparency quite rightly has a special place in the Nordic legal world, and transparency should also occupy a special place in the institutions of the European Union.

I hope that the institutions of the European Union will be strong and brave enough to be able to guarantee the same fundamental rights to all European citizens in every corner of Europe.

There is a danger that, whilst we all talk about reducing burdens on business, we constantly vote here for specific items doing the opposite, so all the institutions of the European Union, including our own, must play their part.

We must be permitted to debate and discuss the functioning of the different institutions of the European Union, including the European Court, but, I repeat, that in no way means we are calling the institution itself into question.

You say we need 'a new pact between the citizens and the institutions of the European Union', then, about the future European treaty, you say: 'we need a thoroughgoing reform of the European Union'.

(FI) Mr President, in the debate on transparency it is worth stating right away that we are not starting from scratch, as rules on public access to information have been in force in the institutions of the European Union since around 1993.

There was a lot of discussion about better coordination, better coordination between Member States and all the institutions of the European Union, which I know is a serious priority of the French presidency and one which I totally share.

This is what we, who have put down the real motion of censure, are seeking to restore: we want to restore our people's confidence in the institutions of the European Union and, contrary to what I have heard said, that will strengthen rather than weaken the building of Europe.

No final decisions of course have been taken and, as I said to you a moment ago, the constitutional structure of that authority has yet to be decided and how it would interact with the other institutions of the European Union and with the national food safety agencies of Member States.

Mrs Maes, in her contribution to Parliament, made a statement that this was a textbook example of cooperation between the three great legislative institutions of the European Union; I would echo that, but refer also to the role of the Court of Justice in its judgment in the case relating to the advertising directive.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to follow Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner in saying, at the end of this debate, what a joy it is that we are all agreed on the need for the three institutions of the European Union to speak to the outside world with one voice if they are to be effective.