Mr President, I took part in the work at Valencia and would like to draw your attention and the attention of this House to a couple of – strong – impressions I received there: firstly, confirmation that there cannot be a future of peace and stability, prosperity and economic growth in Europe if the Mediterranean area continues to experience the present conflict; secondly, I do not want to go against the general feeling but, for the first time, I had the impression, which was subsequently confirmed during the bilateral meetings, that the Arab world and the southern shore of the Mediterranean see Europe and the European Union as the only interlocutor that can possibly help them with their problems, the only interlocutor that can live alongside their problems and resolve them. In this, I must congratulate Mr Piqué, who directed all the meetings and troikas with truly rare neutrality and balance, given the difficulties of the political situation. What are we, as the European Union, going to propose? We must propose a path which we all unequivocally support; we must propose reinvigoration of the Barcelona Process, striving to bring about lasting change; we must propose a Parliamentary Assembly to monitor the initiatives undertaken; we must propose a new dialogue between the two shores of the Mediterranean and further consolidate it with regard to humanitarian issues, justice and combating terrorism. Moreover, there is a need for our proposals to be implemented practically without delay. The creation of the Bank, relations of closer cooperation and association relations are all tangible projects which show the European Union to be the ideal partner for the other shore of the Mediterranean. The peace process and the current conflict between Israel and the Palestinian world are threats to these projects. However, if, as the European Union, we do not have the courage to dare to go further, using all the means available to us and taking advantage of the hopes that are placed in us, then we will in all probability waste an opportunity that is historic, not least in terms of the European project which is in the minds and hearts of many of us and which is taking shape in the Convention. As regards practical action, I am taking up the call made again this morning by the Supreme Pontiff. I and Mr Mario Mauro are following the developments of the conflict in the holy places of Jesus’ birth through direct contact with Fr. Giacomo Bini, the Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor. Well then, the situation will soon be beyond humanitarian aid. The monks and sisters who live in the religious community of Bethlehem cannot be considered hostages. It is a symbolic fact of extreme importance: the attention of the whole world is focused on what is happening in the place where Jesus Christ, the bearer of peace to all men, was born. Millions of men and women are awaiting an intervention that will defeat the designs and actions of death. We call upon Parliament, upon you, Mr President, upon the Commission, upon the President-in-Office of the Council and upon Mr Piqué, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, to take practical action to bring this affair nearer to a conclusion. I feel that it would be a genuine sign of hope and a promise of stability for the future of this tragically war-torn Holy Land. (Applause)

Political group: PPE-DE