Sept 23rd 2010 - Future Allocation of the European neighbourhood and partnership Instrument (EPNI) for the Cross-border cooperation programs (CBC) budget

Delivered by Derek Clark on 23 September 2010

Speech to Parliament Sept 23rd 2010 Debate; Future Allocation of the European neighbourhood and partnership Instrument (EPNI) for the Cross-border cooperation programs (CBC) budget President, Commissioner, what are you thinking about? Has the Commission been asleep the last two years? Here we are, at a time of economic stringency, in spite of Mr Von Rumpoy's comments this week.

There are millions out of work Some newer member states are still not getting the promised financial package Germany has a billion euro bail-bond round their necks to underwrite the Greek economy. In Britain my government is raising taxes, freezing public sector pay and pensions and cutting back on welfare, while finding £45 million every day for this place and now you want to spend 1.1 Billion euros of hard pressed European taxpayers money on a program to help "Partner Countries" along EU borders. Is this what you mean by "more Europe" or is it an attempt to draw these countries into the EU, sounds like empire building to me and after all Jose Barroso himself called this an empire.

We are told the EU is to prevent further wars in Europe but if you look at the record you will find that these were due to the Empire builders, and now you are doing it all over again. Do you never learn?

Derek Clark MEP Strasbourg 23rd Sept 2010