Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Policy Papers
Table of Contents
About ALDE 5
Competition Policy 7
Defence Policy 19
Enlargement Policy 29
Immigration and Integration Policies 37
3
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
4
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
About ALDE
The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) is a political
group in the centre of the European Parliament which brings together
MEPs from 22 countries, representing Liberal and Democratic parties
across the European Union. These parties share a common vision and
ambition for Europe – that we can achieve more by acting together
than by each of the Member States acting separately.
Our vision for the EU is of a Europe which reaches out to all European
countries which respect the principles of democracy, rule of law, human
rights and a market economy.
We strive for freedom, security and justice for all European citizens, and
standing up for human rights and combating discrimination in all its
forms, with the aim to further peace, justice and stability in the world,
thus alleviating poverty, and cooperating through international insti-
tutions. We support the reform of the EU institutions to make Europe
more comprehensible, transparent, responsive and accountable to its
citizens.
Reflex Blue
PMS 129
Font: Myriad
6
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
Competition
Policy
October 2006
7
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
8
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
Introduction
This paper was drawn up by the Liberal and Democrat group in
the European Parliament following a number of discussions on
recent high profile cross-border merger cases in the EU.
9
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
10
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
Nevertheless we recognise
that many sectors in Europe
remain fragmented and
markets segregated (e.g.,
transport) characterised by weak
competition and persistently high
prices. Likewise, several issues
that hamper competition remain
to be tackled (e.g. asymmetric
information and product
differentiation). These obstacles
weaken the entire European
economy and the EU’s position in
the international market.
12
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
©belpress.com
positive cascade effects on SMEs
(such as poles of excellence, orders
from subcontractors etc.).
13
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
global competition.
14
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
15
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
and growth.
16
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
17
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
Reflex Blue
PMS 129
Font: Myriad
18
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
Defence
Policy
October 2006
19
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
20
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
Introduction
The events of 1989 changed the EU’s perception of Defence
matters, just as Sep 2001 changed thinking in the USA. Moreover,
the geopolitical challenges have evolved considerably since the
adoption of the European Security Strategy in 2003 (ESS). ALDE
believes that a revision of the ESS is necessary.
21
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
used effectively and that the NATO is the appropriate forum for
plans and responses of NATO transatlantic dialogue on security
and the EU are better balanced issues and the indispensable bond
and harmonised. A constructive to link USA and European Security
relationship between NATO and interests. For it to work properly,
EU is a key component of a vibrant however, EU Member States which
transatlantic relationship. are NATO Members should play a
more positive role in NATO.
Research
ALDE believes that the co- ALDE calls for the establishment
operation between the EU and of a European Security Research
NATO should be more political Programme (ESRP).
and should go beyond the mere
implementation of the Berlin plus The ESRP should fund research
arrangements. 19 countries of the activities targeted at the
EU belong to both organisations. developments of systems and
products that are useful:
For ALDE, NATO remains the
guarantor of common security a) in particular for the protection
for most countries of the Union of Member States territory,
in the event of an agression by the sovereignty, domestic population
armed forces of a third country. and critical infrastructure against
23
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
24
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
Intelligence
Developing international and
cross-agency cooperation has
become imperative in today’s ©belpress.com
security environment.
25
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
27
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
Reflex Blue
PMS 129
Font: Myriad
28
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
European
Union
enlargement
May 2007
29
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
Honour political
© European Commission
responsibilities
As regards the question of The European Union has
enlargement and future responsibilities that must be met
accessions, the current TEU in good faith, in line with the
article 49 must remain the base existing Treaty obligations and
for the Union’s approach, as long- established criteria. The Union
term membership prospects and its institutions, in particular
give neighbouring countries the Commission, have developed
a sense of direction and hope. considerable expertise in assisting
The transformative force of candidate countries to prepare
European Union ‘soft-power’ can for membership of the Union.
Both the Copenhagen criteria
30
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
and this process should be The ALDE group points out that the
codified and included in a revised further the enlargement goes on,
Constitutional Treaty the Union so the greater the need to safeguard
urgently needs. and promote the recognition of
regional and linguistic minorities,
as a larger Union will comprise
more states with a considerable
internal heterogeneity.
© European Commission
31
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
© European Commission
for neighbouring countries
unwilling or unable to become
full members. A specific category
might be explored for existing
member states which choose to
reduce their commitment. In order to support the democratic
forces in Belarus and to promote
democracy, rule of law and market
The ALDE Group supports efforts to economy, the European Union
create a close co-operation based should initiate a ‘Plan for Freedom’,
on cmmon vales with a democratic which should be more focussed
Russia. This co-operation has met than a Neighbourhood Action
obstacles that are not caused Plan, for instance on economic and
by the European Union. While administrative help for necessary
Russia’s future ultimately lies in reforms on a wide scale.
the hands of her own citizens, the
EU’s policy towards Russia must
be coherent and measured, as a
33
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
34
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
35
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
Reflex Blue
PMS 129
Font: Myriad
36
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
Immigration
and integration
policies of the
European Union
May 2007
37
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
38
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
39
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
41
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
42
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
Integration
and EU Citizenship
ALDE believes that a coherent ALDE believes that integration
European immigration policy should be considered as a‘two-way
must be accompanied by an process’ that presupposes both
ambitious integration policy. While the immigrants’ willingness to, and
responsibility in, integrating into
43
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
their host society and EU citizens’ population and the host country’s
willingness to accept and include population is a key part of
immigrants. integration policies. This should
be achieved by specific language
courses and introduction
programmes in civic traditions
of the host country to ensure
that the immigrants understand,
respect and benefit from common
European and national values.
Ensuring the promotion of
fundamental rights, non-
discrimination and equal
opportunities for all are key
© European Commission
45
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
Brussels address:
European Parliament
Rue Wiertz
B-1047 Brussels
tel: + 32 2 284 21 11
fax: + 32 2 230 24 85
Strasbourg address:
Parlement Européen
Allée de Printemps
B.P 1024
F-67070 Strasbourg
tel: + 33 3 88 17 40 01
fax: + 33 3 88 17 69 29
e-mail: aldegroup@europarl.europa.eu
www.alde.eu/ www.adle.eu
46
2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
47
“Our over-arching objective is to create the
highest possible level of well-being for the
citizens of Europe. We do not see an efficient
competition policy as a goal in itself but
as a tool to create an environment where
Europeans can exercise greater free choice.
This freedom is essential for a higher standard
of living and for an improved quality of life
for the individual. It also creates a business
environment that encourages innovation
and progress and, simultaneously, improves
Europe’s position in the global economic
context.”
excerpt from Competition policy
www.alde.eu/ www.adle.eu
48