Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, today, during the formal meeting with President Schuster of the Republic of Slovakia, we spoke yet again of the historical opportunity of overcoming once and for all the division of Europe. An opportunity that must be given concrete shape, as the honourable Member Böge said. In just three years’ time we shall be able to work together on an equal footing with colleagues from current candidate countries, at any rate in theory. Consequently we must speed up institutional changes to ensure that enlargement goes smoothly. We shall shortly be receiving the three-year plan on administrative preparation. Perhaps then, we may come to the conclusion that it would be sensible to employ civil servants from candidate countries in advance so that they can play a part in preparing for enlargement. Think, for example, of people required to set up a language regime. It therefore strikes me as extreme foolish to reject that option now in the resolution of Parliament. Enlargement must be prepared for not only administratively, but also substantively. In order to exchange mutual experiences it is important that contacts between ourselves and colleagues from candidate countries are intensified. The Committee on Budgets asks that the most appropriate form for this be included in the three-year plan. I myself can imagine that it might, for instance, be useful if a very limited number of facilities were offered to these parliamentarians and future Member States so that their visits are as effective and useful as possible. Mr President, enlargement will increase pressure on the margin of the budget. It is therefore a financially sound policy to pay off real estate costs faster, creating scope for future budgets. In addition accelerated financing leads to considerable savings in interest. It is, though, a pity that I now have the doubtful honour of being the rapporteur who is investing a very considerable sum in the parliament building here in Strasbourg. But you will agree with me that for as long as the Parliament is condemned to being a travelling circus, it is not sensible to force another EUR 210 million down the throat of the European taxpayer. It is becoming less and less of one, so that it is all that money for just four days in Strasbourg. This brings me nicely to another point in which I hope content will win out over the fine words, and that is the environmental audit. Mr President, this House also devoted some fine words a few years ago to the desirability of an environmental audit. An interinstitutional working party was even set up. But since it was not given the slightest priority, it was short-lived. So we shall now again, and more resolutely, take responsibility and consequently, Parliament should make a clear political promise to participate in EMAS, the Community eco-management and audit system. Our political position against discrimination must be converted here in this House into policy. Equality of opportunity is still not a reality. And I am talking not only about women in influential positions but, for example, about equal treatment irrespective of sexual orientation, race or religion. The Committee on Budgets therefore asks the Secretary-General for clarification on what measures are necessary to be able to keep the promise of Article 13 of the Treaty of Amsterdam. Mr President, in recent years we have gained greater understanding of the advantages of Activity Based Budgeting and Activity Based Management. The old management structures method of budgeting need a radical overhaul and part of that is a clear division of responsibilities between the Bureau and the Committee on Budgets in the area of personnel policy as at present specified in the budgetary procedure. The Committee on Budgets examines the financial envelope and its limitations and the Bureau concerns itself with specific content. This system must be complemented by guiding statements by the House to the Bureau and close monitoring of the management of the Secretary-General. Should problems arise in future with the Bureau or the Administration, they should lead to changes at that level and not to the assumption of management responsibilities by a House of 626 political representatives. The new modus operandi must go hand in hand with a radical change in culture, so that the Administration can be democratic, monitored and also very decisive. To those honourable Members who have been seriously concerned about the margin of category 5, I can say by way of reassurance that that this afternoon’s vote on the schedule of part-sessions for next year at any rate turned out very favourably financially. Estimates were based on a four-day week in Strasbourg and the decision now taken entails no change in costs.

Political group: Verts-ALE