DIFFERENT VOICES

Date: 24/10/1996

“Last month there was an important debate in the European Parliament about the state of the European Union - I do not remember Sir James taking the floor.”

Commission President Jacques Santer dismissing calls from UK Referendum Party leader and French MEP Sir James Goldsmith for a televised debate between the two men.

“I think it is the biggest crisis in agriculture in the EU we have ever had ... Our immediate interest must not be to lift the ban in the UK on cattle exports, but to lift the consumers' self-imposed ban.”

Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler referring to the devastating impact the mad cow crisis has had on the beef sector.

“Criminals move around internationally unhindered by customs or frontier barriers. They have already created a transnational area where investigators are hindered by territorial competencies. Criminals pass borders without papers. Investigators have to make use of extradition treaties and international agreements.”

Giancarlo Caselli, chief public prosecutor in the Sicilian city of Palermo, arguing that a supranational legal system was needed to combat organised crime rings.

“I think that is a legitimate date for our participation in the EU.”

Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski's response when asked whether his country would enter the Union by the year 2000.

“There is, perhaps, a certain misconception about the conditions of membership which needs to be cleared up. No applicant country can afford to relax its reform efforts on the assumption that early membership is guaranteed on political grounds.”

Foreign Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek addressing a conference on investment in Poland.

“If there is one thing I am sure of as far as security is concerned, it is that NATO membership is not enough. That is why we need an all-embracing approach.”

Lithuanian President Algirdas Brazauskas referring to his country's application to join the EU and NATO.

“European integration only moves forward if it is geared to strengthening European solidarity.”

Social Affairs Commissioner Pádraig Flynn speaking on International Day for the Elimination of Poverty.