Graham Watson MEP

EU-Russia relations: complex, but necessary

Published on Thursday 12th May 2005

"Durable EU-Russia relations cannot be based on real-politik or old- fashioned assumptions that the European Union is nothing more than a free-trade area. No lasting relations with Russia can be built on anything less than full respect for democracy, the rule of law and EU values", said Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe leader Graham WATSON at the occasion of the hearing organised by the ALDE on EU-Russia relations, held in Strasbourg on the 11 May.

The discussion was scheduled the day after the 15th EU-Russia Summit in Moscow. It provided an excellent opportunity for scholars, experts and MEPs to comment on the outcome of the summit.

Read more: EU-Russia relations: complex, but necessary

WWII Commemoration speech 11th May 2005

Published on Wednesday 11th May 2005

Mr President, the British poet John Donne observed: 'No man is an island, entire of itself, but a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less'.

That was in 1624, yet for over 300 years peoples and states continued to wage war across our continent. Tribalism and hatred are Europe's ugly legacy.

Read more: WWII Commemoration speech 11th May 2005

Europe's Constitution: Liberal Democrat Group leader appeals to French sense of history

Published on Monday 9th May 2005

Graham Watson today (leader of the Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament) took the opportunity of Schuman Day to appeal to French sense of history and their central role in creating the European Union by making a personal appeal ahead of the referendum at the end of the month.

"The European Community was launched 55 years ago today by a Frenchman, Robert Schuman, on the 5th anniversary of the end of the Second World War," recalled Watson

"It would be a great irony of history and unthinkable to Schuman's generation if those same ideals were also to be rejected by French men and women in the referendum on May 29th. The European Constitution is to today what the European Coal and Steel Community was to the French and Germans in 1950 - a hope for a better future in shared ideals, common objectives and pooled resources."

As Schuman himself said in prefacing his famous Declaration of 1950 "It is not a matter of mere words, but a constructive act of great audacity.

Read more: Europe's Constitution: Liberal Democrat Group leader appeals to French sense of history

More Liberal Democrats in Westminster will mean more constructive relationship with Brussels

Published on Friday 6th May 2005

Welcoming the result of the UK's national election last night which saw the Liberal Democrats win the highest number of parliamentary seats in Westminster since 1929, Graham Watson, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the European Parliament said:

"The Liberal Democrats in the UK continue their inexorable progress towards government. A stronger parliamentary team in the House of Commons under Charles Kennedy will pack more punch for liberalism and strengthen Britain's EU commitment."

"The UK's persistence with an out-dated voting system means once again that some votes count more than others whilst many are wasted and the outcome does not reflect the electorate's wishes. A proportional system similar to those used everywhere else in Europe would have produced an outcome which more truly reflected the strength of Liberal Democrat support.

Read more: More Liberal Democrats in Westminster will mean more constructive relationship with Brussels

Data retention: ALDE rapporteur considers Council proposals "disproportionate, invasive and illusory"

Published on Wednesday 4th May 2005

Data retention has been on the European Parliament's agenda since April 2004, when four Member States (France, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Sweden) submitted a joint proposal for a Framework decision on the retention of communications data. The Proposal aims to co-ordinate Member States' legislation in this field, in order to increase prevention, investigation, detection and prosecution of criminal offences, including terrorist acts. European Liberal Democrats organised a hearing with experts and industry yesterday (3rd May) "We need a genuine debate, one which has been sorely missing", said Alexander ALVARO (FDP, Germany), the European Parliament rapporteur on the data retention proposal. "The current proposal lacks a proper legal base, is disproportionate and ineffective.

Read more: Data retention: ALDE rapporteur considers Council proposals "disproportionate, invasive and illusory"

Liberals and Democrats back the Commission's new step to consolidate the Single Market in financial services

Published on Tuesday 3rd May 2005

"We welcome the Commission's launch of an extensive consultation in the field of financial services, which meets the European Parliament's call for transparency and involvement of stakeholders and market participants at all levels of law-making process", said Graham Watson, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), referring to the new Green Paper on Financial Services presented today by Commissioner Charlie McCreevy.

"Liberals and Democrats are convinced that a sound and efficient integrated market for financial services has a pivotal part in the Lisbon strategy and we will therefore contribute with our proposals for making the Financial Service Action Plan more effective", Watson added.

"The near completion of the FSAP at the end of 2004 (93% of the measures have been adopted) has allowed substantial progress towards integration of wholesale financial markets. This can be attributed to shared political will and the existence of an agreed roadmap of measures, which have stood firm in spite of recent downturn in stock markets.

Read more: Liberals and Democrats back the Commission's new step to consolidate the Single Market in financial services

"Welcome to the people of Bulgaria and Romania", says ALDE leader Graham Watson

Published on Monday 25th April 2005

Today, EU foreign ministers are set to sign in Luxembourg the EU accession treaty of Bulgaria and Romania. At this occasion, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe leader, Graham Watson said: "I warmly congratulate the liberal governments of Bulgaria and Romania who have implemented an impressive series of reforms. I am confident that both countries will meet the full commitments made in the negotiations to join the EU on 1 January 2007".

According to Graham Watson, Europe faces today many global challenges.

Read more: "Welcome to the people of Bulgaria and Romania", says ALDE leader Graham Watson

Recycling Plan put back

Published on Friday 22nd April 2005

In a major speech this week in the European Parliament with European Council President-in-Office Jean-Claude Juncker and Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Graham Watson, Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, appealed for stronger leadership from Heads of State and Government in the wake of flagging enthusiasm for Europe's Constitution in several Member States.

"What has happened to Europe's leadership? Where is the common sense of purpose?" asked Watson, ahead of a major televised debate in France tonight where President Chirac must make a defence of the Constitutional Treaty.

"Is it any wonder that French, Dutch or British citizens show little enthusiasm for a new Treaty when their leaders fail to communicate the European project effectively and inspire their citizens with a positive vision of a united and vibrant Europe?"

Debating the outcome of the Spring summit at the end of last month, billed as the 'relaunch of the Lisbon Strategy - Europe's bid for greater competitiveness and prosperity, Watson highlighted the contrast between the fine words and rhetoric of the written conclusions and the reality. "Europe's leaders seem to be sleep-walking on the Lisbon Agenda" declared Watson.

Read more: Recycling Plan put back

Somerset Group visits European Parliament

Published on Thursday 21st April 2005

In a major speech this week in the European Parliament with European Council President-in-Office Jean-Claude Juncker and Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Graham Watson, Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, appealed for stronger leadership from Heads of State and Government in the wake of flagging enthusiasm for Europe's Constitution in several Member States.

"What has happened to Europe's leadership? Where is the common sense of purpose?" asked Watson, ahead of a major televised debate in France tonight where President Chirac must make a defence of the Constitutional Treaty.

"Is it any wonder that French, Dutch or British citizens show little enthusiasm for a new Treaty when their leaders fail to communicate the European project effectively and inspire their citizens with a positive vision of a united and vibrant Europe?"

Debating the outcome of the Spring summit at the end of last month, billed as the 'relaunch of the Lisbon Strategy - Europe's bid for greater competitiveness and prosperity, Watson highlighted the contrast between the fine words and rhetoric of the written conclusions and the reality.

Read more: Somerset Group visits European Parliament

South West needs warmer homes

Published on Friday 15th April 2005

Better insulation in local homes could cut bills and help save the planet says a South West Euro-MP.

Graham Watson, the South West Lib Dem MEP, wants the Government to make energy-saving its top priority in the battle against global warming. He says a campaign is needed to ensure that homes in Britain match the best insulation standards in Europe.

Figures released earlier this month revealed that, despite a commitment to achieve a 20% reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 2010, emission levels in the UK are actually growing.

Read more: South West needs warmer homes

"Recent riots in Chinese province will test regime's human rights credentials" says Graham Watson

Published on Friday 15th April 2005

Whilst EU ministers and officials continue to discuss the possibility of lifting the EU arms embargo on China, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe stays firm in calling EU leaders to maintain it. "If the Council decides to lift the embargo, it would send a very poor signal in three respects", outlined Graham WATSON, referring to informal meetings of EU foreign ministers over the weekend. "First, the Council would be ignoring the clear and repeated opposition of the European Parliament to lifting the embargo, before evidence of political reforms. Our position was reiterated yet again, this week in Strasbourg.

Read more: "Recent riots in Chinese province will test regime's human rights credentials" says Graham Watson

Europe needs strong leadership on Europe - Watson

Published on Thursday 14th April 2005

In a major speech this week in the European Parliament with European Council President-in-Office Jean-Claude Juncker and Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Graham Watson, Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, appealed for stronger leadership from Heads of State and Government in the wake of flagging enthusiasm for Europe's Constitution in several Member States.

"What has happened to Europe's leadership? Where is the common sense of purpose?" asked Watson, ahead of a major televised debate in France tonight where President Chirac must make a defence of the Constitutional Treaty.

"Is it any wonder that French, Dutch or British citizens show little enthusiasm for a new Treaty when their leaders fail to communicate the European project effectively and inspire their citizens with a positive vision of a united and vibrant Europe?"

Debating the outcome of the Spring summit at the end of last month, billed as the 'relaunch of the Lisbon Strategy - Europe's bid for greater competitiveness and prosperity, Watson highlighted the contrast between the fine words and rhetoric of the written conclusions and the reality. "Europe's leaders seem to be sleep-walking on the Lisbon Agenda" declared Watson.

Read more: Europe needs strong leadership on Europe - Watson

"The unscrupulous attempt to postpone the vote on Romania and Bulgaria failed", says Graham Watson

Published on Wednesday 13th April 2005

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe is delighted that the European Parliament gave its assent vote by an overwhelming majority this morning to Bulgaria and Romania's accession to the EU, which will complete the fifth enlargement. "There was an attempt by some unscrupulous factions. of the EPP and Green groups to delay today's vote for narrow-minded political reasons, but I'm happy that the majority of the House was wise enough to make a responsible decision .Once again Jean-Claude Juncker, the President in Office of Council was forced to come to the rescue of the EPP at the eleventh hour in concluding an agreement on the financing of accession", said ALDE Graham WATSON, after the vote.

Read more: "The unscrupulous attempt to postpone the vote on Romania and Bulgaria failed", says Graham Watson

Outcome of the Spring Summit

Published on Wednesday 13th April 2005

Watson, on behalf of the ALDE Group. - Mr President, it often seems to fall to the smaller Member States to rescue Europe from the problems created by their larger partners. Mr Juncker, I fear you find yourself once more the victim of high expectations. The European Union is now facing major challenges which will test not only its capacity to provide for the hopes and needs of its citizens, but its very capacity to hold together.

Read more: Outcome of the Spring Summit

Bridgwater Cellophane Factory debate

Published on Wednesday 13th April 2005

Watson (ALDE), author. - Mr President, I rise on behalf of my Group to add my concern to that expressed by previous speakers about this terrible situation in relation to an innovative and, frankly, quite remarkable company in the constituency that Mr Ford and I represent.

Innovia Films is a profitable company, which has developed a process discovered in the United Kingdom in 1898. I suspect that had that process been discovered in Scandinavia in 1998, it would have been viewed as best available technology, plastic packaging would have been banned and cellophane would have been used instead.

Read more: Bridgwater Cellophane Factory debate