The Gazette 1979

GAZETTE

JULY-AUGUST

1979

these weaknesses, because it is these deficiencies that have contributed, it is true, to the slowing-down of the momentum of die Community and to growing doubts as to its continuing internal dynamism. If these deficiencies are not overcome the loss of momentum couíd become a permanent source of weakness. The Treaty is notably weak in the section on economic policy. There is a notable absence of the kind of provisions with respect to the co-ordination of economic policies in member States that would be essential if full economic union was to be achieved and there is a lack of adequate provisions with respect to monetary policy. Another deficiency was the implied assumption that seems to run through the Treaty that exchange rate stability could be readily maintained between member Countries. The founders of the Community were also over-optimistic in expecting that decisions would be taken quickly and that the consultative Assembly would quickly establish itself. We must be clear-sighted about the deficiencies of the Treaty seeking in the immediate future to minimise their impact on future progress and then to think about alterations or amendments to the Treaty which will form a basis for progress in the years ahead. I will now examine several other factors which hope- fully will pave the way for greater unity within the E.E.C. and ultimately within Europe. In June the first direct elections to the European Parliament will take place. In certain Countries there has been a certain amount of mis- giving over these elections, in some cases amounting to almost outright opposition. People have questioned the value of holding such elections and what they will achieve. In Articles 138 of the Rome Treaty it is clearly stated that "the assembly shall draw up proposals for elections by direct universal suffrage." But it has taken a long time to honour this commitment. However there is an overwhelming case for holding direct elections to the Parliament of the Community. The Community's performance is based solidly on the principles of representative democracy. One of the most necessary and essential elements of such democracy is that those who make decisions should be subject to control and scrutiny by the representatives of those in whose name decisions are made and plans carried out. At the moment many decisions are taken at Community rather than National level. If the Community is to develop and greater unity is to be achieved more important decisions will have to be taken at Community level than in the past. National Par- liaments already scrutinise and control the activities of their National Governments within the Community and to a certain degree the activities of the Community itself. But it is simply not possible to scrutinise and control the whole of Community decision making and plan- ning at nine National levels. National Parliaments elected on national issues have a full time job as it is — and in my opinion, Commun i ty decisions and Community decision makers can only be controlled by a Community Parliament elected solely for Community tasks by Community Constituents. Also the problem of Politicians serving two Parliaments must be looked at - While they might appreciate the two salaries they might not be able to fulfill their duty adequately at home and in Europe. In all the member States there is a certain resentment against the bureaucrats of Brussels, remote figures who basically appear to take insensitive decisions which effect

everyone and these people are apparently accountable to no-one. If the Community is to move forward and achieve more, then the ordinary citizen of the member States must get more involved in the whole European concept and feel that his voice is being heard in Burssels. The issues which are decided there must be made more real to him and the means by which they are decided more clear. I do not think a nominated Parliament can achieve this but a directly elected Parliament may be able to do so. How- ever, all must recognise that the new Parliament must play a bigger role in the Community process than the existing Parliament. Turning to the challenge of the Community's own enlargement. Recently three new democracies in Southern Europe have applied for Membership. They have done so partly because they wish quite legitimately to share in the economic advantages which membership of the Community can give to them. But their motives are not chiefly economic for there are greater and more pressing motives for seeking membership. They are seeking membership because for them as for us the Community represents a gathering together of a Europe, a Europe with its commitment to representative democracy social justice and human rights. They see membership of the Community as being membership of a powerful body whose voice will be listened to and respected. It would be too easy for us to say that Greece, Portugal and Spain are far away and can take care of themselves. To hold such a view, in my opinion, would be a great mistake. Greece, Portugal and Spain have every right to join the Community. They have all made contributions to European civilisation which can be compared to those made by existing Member States. To reject European Countries entitled and qualified to join would not only be a betrayal of the Treaty upon which the Community is founded but also make a mockery and a farce of all the underlying principles and aims to which the Community is dedicated. Enlargement of the Community augurs for the greater unity of Europe. But let us not deny that the enlargement will create difficult problems for us all. But in the Community we are not either losers or gainers according to some narrow profit and loss account. In fact we all gain - Adaption will be necessary but adaption was necessary before, and took place, and the result was eventually good for all. I see no reason whatsoever why current fears of competition in the Industrial or Agricultural fields should be any more soundly based. On the industrial side the effects of Greek, Portuguese and Spanish membership could be to contribute that stimulus to our economies which is badly needed and on the agricultural side, their membership will coincide with necessary and overdue changes in the balance of the Common Agricultural Policy between North and South, designed to bring more sense and greater equity into the system as a whole. Enlargement carries many perils. If it does not succeed the future of Greece, Portugal and Spain could be greatly affected. Hopefully it will bring about re- inforcement of our institutions and stimulate economic growth and necessary change. The result is far from certain. But a fact which is certain is that political unity requires economic stability as a basis. This has been made all the more difficult in the face of the economic pressures of the last few years. As a result the national economic

100