Graham Watson MEP

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

Local MEP praises Eco-Home development

Published on Friday 1st April 2005

Local MEP Graham Watson has praised a new development of eco-homes in his home town of Langport. Commenting after a visit to the development, Mr Watson said:

"The Somerset Trust for Sustainable Development is blazing a trail by showing how new homes can be built in a more environmentally friendly way, using local and sustainable materials, and to a design which leaves less of a 'footprint' on our planet's ecosystem. The UK has a long way to go to catch up with Germany and some Scandinavian countries, but Somerset is pioneering the technology here in the UK. I hope that by 2010 every new home in Somerset will be built as an eco-home.

Read more: Local MEP praises Eco-Home development

ALDE members visit Beijing to discuss anti-secession laws

Published on Tuesday 22nd March 2005

10 MEPs from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe arrived in China this week for a five-day visit to the People's Republic of China. Invited by the Chinese Communist Party, they are currently meeting up with key governmental leaders, EU diplomats and representatives of civil society.

The trip will wind up with a day long visit to Khazakhstan's capital, Almaty, where MEPs will meet up with opposition leaders from the Democratic Choice of Khazakhstan party and the EU ambassador. Led by ALDE Leader Graham WATSON, the delegation also includes Marielle De SARNEZ (ALDE Vice-President), Lapo PISTELLI (ALDE Vice-President), Dirk STERCKX (Chairman of the EP Delegation for relations with the People's Republic of China), and Ona JUKNEVICIENE (Chairwoman of the EP Delegation for relations with the Central Asia).

Read more: ALDE members visit Beijing to discuss anti-secession laws

Combatting terrorism requires an intelligent and comprehensive approach

Published on Thursday 10th March 2005

On the eve of the first anniversary of the Madrid terrorist bombings (11 March 2004), the Members of the European Parliament commemorated the tragedy with 1 minute silence.

Graham Watson, current leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the parliamentary chamber (and author of Parliament's early positions in the fight against terrorism following 09/11, including the European Arrest Warrant) pointed out that the European Union was now acting together to combat the threat but could and must do more especially to address the unacceptable delays in implementing agreed EU measures as highlighted by the anti-terrorism coordinator this week, Gijs de Vries. Watson was especially critical of Italy which is the only European country that has still not applied the European Arrest Warrant (EAW).

" The fight against terrorism is an evident area where the EU can and must act together - where the collective effort is greater than the sum of its constituent parts.

Read more: Combatting terrorism requires an intelligent and comprehensive approach

Lisbon Strategy

Published on Wednesday 9th March 2005

Watson (ALDE), on behalf of the Group.

Mr President, for the President of the Commission to succeed in his Lisbon Agenda he needs the Member States to take it seriously. The Council presidency's plea this morning for somebody in each Member State to take responsibility is well judged. Moreover, President Barroso, you will need political will in the Council and support in this House for your reforms, neither of which is yet fully evident.

Read more: Lisbon Strategy