This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Europe told it has one chance to get it right
04/10/2002
First Minister Jack McConnell today called on the
European Union to get its laws right first time by
reflecting the situation on the ground across Europe.
In Brussels Mr McConnell said:
"The EU needs to be more democratic and efficient. If we
are to maintain and build public support for the new Europe
we need people to feel that the laws we agree are as
relevant locally as they are to the EU as a whole.
"Getting legislation right at the outset, and securing
the buy-in of individual citizens, has to be the most
effective way of delivering real efficiency
improvements."
Mr McConnell was in Brussels to present his opinion on
democracy, transparency and efficiency in the EU to the the
Commission for Constitutional Affairs and European
Governance of the Committee of Regions.
This body is preparing advice to the Convention
preparing proposals for running an enlarged Europe of 27
Member States.
A key element of this report is a call for those bodies
which implement EU legislation such as devolved Governments
and Parliaments to be consulted more effectively before EU
legislation is made.
Mr McConnell's draft report also calls on the EU to:
- Establish an effective system, involving both
devolved and national governments, to enforce the
principle of subsidiarity
- Make more use of IT to encourage greater
involvement and participation of devolved
administrations and civic society in the preparation of
EU legislation
- Invest more in educating our young people in
knowledge of how the EU works, other EU countries and
foreign languages.
- Involve devolved governments such as Scotland in
setting targets they must implement.
Mr McConnell said:
"The EU faces two key challenges: the largest
enlargement in the EU's history, from 15 countries to 27;
and tackling head on rising levels of public
dissatisfaction with the way the EU operates. Devolved
countries such as Scotland are key to bringing Europe
closer to the people and to making it more efficient.
"I am pleased that the Committee of the Regions is
developing a strong voice in this debate. It is important
that the EU takes full account of the views of regions as
it develops its future structure. I look forward to a good
debate in the Committee today."
The Committee of the Regions to the Convention on the
Future of Europe which is preparing proposals for treaty
changes when new Member States join the Union in 2004.
The First Minister has already set out proposals for the
future of Europe. On June 6 he propsoed a
Subsidiarity Council and on July 9 he outlined
proposals for
more transparency in the way the EU operates.