G8 meeting and EU summit must deliver clear direction on tackling global challenges

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 7th Jun 2007

Speaking today in a parliamentary debate in preparation for a crucial EU summit on 21-22 June, Graham Watson, Liberal & Democrat group leader called on the leaders meeting at Heiligendamm this week and in two weeks time in Brussels to set aside semantics and agree the tools for dealing with the urgent global challenges that the Member States are facing together - climate change, energy security, terrorism; migration etc.

In reference to these high level meetings behind high security fences he recalled the saying that "when all is said and done, a lot more is said than done."

"How can we protect abuse of data, ensure energy security or manage migration policy if we don't give ourselves the tools to do so ? Are the naysayers prepared to sacrifice good governance for the sake of flags and titles ? Can they defend a system of national vetoes that castrate key initiatives ?"

Drawing a link to the debate amongst EU leaders later this month to draw together the strands of agreement on institutional reform he reiterated the group's commitment to a roadmap for reform that can enter into force by the next European elections: "Any attempt to impose a lowest common denominator outcome will lead to a two-tier Europe."

"Acting together, Europe can make a real difference where individual Member States meet only a brick wall. The detention of the Bulgarian nurses and the kidnapping of BBC journalist Alan Johnston are two cases in point."