Mr President, the wonderful speech that Mr Watson has just given is a hard act to follow. I fully agree with the comments that my fellow Member made about the detainees in Guantanamo Bay, and my group will also be appealing to the Presidency to stand firm on this matter at the next Council meeting. I should also like to call for the Council meeting to express its support for the Geneva Initiative for peace in the Middle East, under which a number of courageous Palestinians and Israelis have now signed an agreement that may succeed in breaking down walls. It may be our hope for peace in the region. Returning to the European Convention and the Intergovernmental Conference, when the Convention chose to draw up a whole treaty, that is what it was: a choice. Laeken, of course, primarily called for answers to a number of different problems, and, since the Convention nevertheless chose to draw up a single, unified treaty, I also think that it has been party to risking the method of working somewhat. Perhaps the Convention has raised the European banner so high that its feet do not touch the ground. It is to be hoped not, but I should like to say that the product of this – the European Constitution – has several weaknesses and also several strengths. Above all, however, it baffles me how we can sit in this House in a parliamentary assembly – an elected assembly – discussing a constitution which will possibly not be put to the vote, on which our citizens are not permitted to take a position, and to which European citizens are not given the opportunity to give their assent or dissent. A number of Member States are to hold referendums, but the mere idea of introducing something resembling a constitution without consulting the citizens is too far removed from my understanding of democracy, at any rate, for words. After all, democracy is more than just democratic institutions, although that is part of it. Democracy is also more than just free, democratic elections between multiple candidates and multiple parties, although that is part of it. Democracy also comprises the possibility for dialogue with the citizens in the process. Citizens should not just cast their vote and go home. They must also be consulted in the case of important events, such as the drafting of a European constitution. I hope that the outcome of the Intergovernmental Conference will be such that it can be accepted by those citizens who are able to vote on it. That will, however, be quite some task, for example on the subject of economic policy. We have just had a little talk about EMU, and this will also be discussed a little later in connection with the Stability and Growth Pact, but the policies behind the Stability and Growth Pact have of course been incorporated into the draft Constitution, and, at the same time, as was said during the Danish referendum, we are now seeing how the small countries have to comply with the rules whilst the large ones are let off. We do not care for this policy, and I also hope, therefore, that the Council meeting will find a solution to this problem, so that Germany is able to solve its economic problems and we do not just have to follow rigid requirements.

Political group: GUE-NGL