Madam President, Mr President-in-Office of the Council, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the Socialist Group endorses the conclusions reached at the Extraordinary European Council at Brussels. The Council came at just the right time politically, and resulted in a sea change in the Union’s collective conscience. I should like to recall that this change was initiated by the Watson Report in early September. Unfortunately, it was not until after the attacks on Washington and New York that the Council woke up to the situation and began to press ahead, and we do welcome the change in approach. I should like to emphasise that in our view it is very important for this action to be included in the framework of United Nations’ Resolution 1368 (2001), as stated in the Council’s conclusions. Kofi Annan’s proposal to establish a global convention against terrorism is also important. It is already under discussion in the United States and will receive the European Union’s full support. Global responses to the globalisation of terrorism are called for. However, in addition to this universal approach, there is a need to express solidarity with the United States. Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty was therefore invoked yesterday. A clear definition at all levels of the nature of the fight against terrorism is also needed. This fight will not curtail freedoms, it is a fight to defend the intrinsic freedom of every individual, namely the right to life and the right not to be subjected to indiscriminate violence. In this connection, Madam President, I believe the activities of the Justice and Home Affairs Council must be supported, as it works to consolidate both Europol and Eurojust. Common instruments must be developed, not only at European level but also within our respective countries. In this connection I feel it should be pointed out that Parliament can come under pressure from lobbying groups. This is already happening. The lobbying groups are very adept at exerting pressure or influence on the Commission and the Council. Please take note of this, Mr President, and pass it on to Mr Verhofstadt as President-in-Office of the Council. I believe we should respect the activities of others. I have in mind, in particular, the criticism of our activities in connection with the directive on money laundering. Mr President-in-Office of the Council, I should also like to express my group’s disquiet concerning the legislation passed by the Italian Senate yesterday. It is entirely contradictory to your aims, and will hinder judicial cooperation and the fight against terrorism because its provisions make cooperation at judicial level quite impossible. (Applause from the left and protests from the right) Madam President, I must appeal to my colleague Mr Poettering ... Surely, Madam President, this is a civilised House and those who resort to barracking have no place in it. I am addressing my colleague Mr Poettering too. He is very concerned about the statements made by certain Commissioners. My group would like all Commissioners to explain themselves before this House. Mr Poettering ought to confer with his political friends, especially with the Prime Minister of Italy, to ensure that no statements are made to undermine the European Union's action here and in the wider world. (Applause) In addition, Madam President, I should like to comment on the Ghent Council. The measures taken so far concerning the euro are good, and it is an important issue. However, we need to strengthen our economic capacity so we can respond to the world crisis. It is for the Council to do so, because it is essential for us to define an anticyclical policy and put it in place. Further, with regard to enlargement, and here I am addressing all the political groups in this House, we must make a commitment on the basis of what you achieve at Ghent, and of the Commission’s progress report. This has to come back to Parliament. I should like to highlight one point. There is a lot of talk of progress along the road, and about the road map. However, we need to check whether the road and the road map will eventually lead to the same destination and whether it will be possible to comply with Parliament’s request that the countries involved should participate in the 2004 elections. In conclusion, Mr President, I should like to make three comments on the Convention. Firstly, I understand that the Convention has already been adopted. Secondly, the Convention is to be established on the basis of its composition when preparing the Charter. Thirdly, when you refer to options, are you not speaking of coherent proposals by the Convention? The Convention is not a research body, nor is it a seminar. The Convention is required to present proposals. The latter sometimes involve two options, but they are never options to be accepted or rejected. We do not wish to be involved in that kind of game. (Applause from the left)

Political group: PSE