EU parliament with no decision...

EU parliament with no decision-making authority when it comes to war or peace

Documented: Press release of the Federal Committee Peace counsel to the forthcoming European elections

On 7 June 2009 found the European Parliament elections take place. For this reason, the peace movement with an election call has gone out in public. It is not a party to the election, but the election of MPs called for the militarization of the EU to resist. We document the press release and the election call in the hereafter in the text.

Yes to Europe - No to Lisbon Treaty

Press release of the Federal Committee Peace counsel at the forthcoming European elections


Kassel, 1 June 2009 - At the upcoming European Parliament elections task of the Federal Peace Committee issued a statement advice, aimed at the peace movement and the public at large. It is called, only parties or candidates to choose who goes against the "militarization" of the European Union.


The electoral appeal of the "peace advice" is entitled "Yes to Europe - No to Lisbon Treaty". The peace movement was always an internationalist movement, against nationalism and chauvinism, and for the solidarity of the peoples and the cooperation of the states have had. So would the quest for a united and democratic Europe that is in the interior and exterior peace holds, the agreement of the peace movement. For the same reason, but should the Lisbon Treaty strictly rejected.


In the declaration of Kassel is a number of reasons. How does the Lisbon Treaty is a binding commitment for the upgrading of EU Member States (Art. 28 c). At the same time, a "defense agency" responsible for arms production and procurement as well as the European arms trade more effective, which is also on a further upgrade of the Union runs. The EU is increasingly becoming a military union expanded. Today they have over forces in the amount of 80,000 soldiers, and until next year, 13-14 battle groups, each 1,500 men strong, worldwide use to be ready to battle.


Especially critical will be the election call that the European Parliament, specifically in matters of foreign and security policy, if it is literally "to war or peace" is no decision-making competence. And the European Court could (under Article 240) in this field Politi not be.
"Neither Europe nor the world need a new military union," says the paper of the Federal Committee Peace counsel, who concluded "only for a civilian-oriented foreign policy" of the EU decides.


For the Federal Committee Peace Tip:
Peter Strutynski (Speaker)





Annex

Yes to Europe - No to Lisbon Treaty


Federal Committee Peace Tip: call for election of the EU Parliament


Kassel, 29 May 2009 - On the forthcoming elections to the European Parliament, the Speaker of the Federal Committee Peace counsel in Kassel a statement. It is clear that the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty peace politically necessary, but that this was not synonymous with a move away from the European Union.



The peace movement was always an internationalist movement, against nationalism and chauvinism, and for the solidarity of the peoples and the cooperation of states on the basis of equal sovereignty has occurred - as the UN Charter (Art. 2) and international law require. The quest for a united and democratic Europe that is in the interior and exterior peace holds, the agreement of the peace movement, even if this goal with the current European Union of 27 is reached no.


Our "Yes to Europe" but not the recognition of principles and rules that the precept of international law, peace and the general desire for disarmament to the contrary. So let's say in particular "no" to the EU Reform Treaty of Lisbon, for several reasons:

1: After the controversial EU Constitution Treaty of 2004 in two referendums (France and the Netherlands, 2005) was rejected, would have complied with democratic practices, if the entire draft was withdrawn, and on a European constitutional charter fundamentally new thinking would have been. The governments of the EU Shear but not the vote of the population, but, two years after the failure of the EU Constitution a "Reform Treaty", which according to the Irish prime minister to 90 percent identical with the old document. Vertigo label this population may not go to the glue.


2: The EU Reform Treaty obliges the EU Member States to upgrade. C In Article 28 states this unequivocally: "Member States commit themselves to their military capabilities to improve gradually." In the European Security Strategy of 2003 is executed in addition that also the increase in military spending was necessary. Already today the EU over 200 billion for defense and military. A huge waste of taxpayers' money, for the better about spending in the social field or in education are urgently needed.


3: It is an "agency in the field of defense capabilities development, research, acquisition and armaments (European Defense Agency) set up (Art. 28 a) - ie Defense research and arms production, procurement and arms exports to Europe-wide coordinated. These "defense agency" is already working since 2004 and is replaced by the Reform Treaty is the legal legitimacy. The armed forces of the EU countries are among the best-equipped high-tech armies in the world. Not another upgrade and construction of new weapons, but disarmament is the commandment of the hour.


4: It is also worrying that the willingness of EU countries to worldwide military operations also contract is written. EU forces are to "combat missions in crisis management including peace-making" can be used. Next it says in Article 28 b: "All these tasks can be used to combat terrorism are contributing, including by supporting third countries in combating terrorism in their territory." The summon a fugitive terrorist threat in Europe is also a pervasive global formula for justifying military interventions made. With the option of a territorial defense, the defense decided on a lower level would include, these provisions have nothing to do. It is solely for military intervention - without geographical limitations.

5: The Reform Treaty of Lisbon provides for the formation of a so-called "core Europe", namely via the "permanent structured cooperation" in the military field. In Article 28 a states: "Member States, the more demanding criteria in terms of military capabilities and meet with a view to the most demanding among broader missions shall establish permanent structured cooperation within the Union." This is possible, even at European level, "coalitions of the willing" to forge. At the same time with this scheme the unanimity procedure in the foreign and security policy, virtually abandoned, as only the participating countries must reach unanimity. (See Article 28 e)
6: Without any decision-making power remains the European Parliament, when it comes to the common foreign and security policy, and therefore also about war and peace. The EUParlament by the High Representative is to "key aspects" regularly informed and consulted. " A right to information but is no right decision. The absence of legal control of the EU Parliament violates principles of separation of powers and parliamentary democracy. Incidentally, also the approval of the Federal Government in the Council not to a Bundestag decision bound, but only after the decision sought. This national parliament investments generally questioned.


7: A big egg is also Article 240 of the Reform Treaty: "The Court of Justice of the European Union is not responsible for the provisions concerning the common foreign and security policy and on the basis of these provisions of Acts." Thus, contrary to the whole of the Militarisierungsteil elementary principles of democratic governance: neither has the European Parliament the possibility of military action nor reject their premises and consequences should be checked. Moreover, the basic principles of separation of powers in this field from the outset set aside because the judiciary neither the contract nor the conformity with international law can verify.


Neither Europe nor the world needs a new military union. Nothing else but with the Lisbon reform treaty contractually fixed. And the treaty - the first to come into force when all EU member states have ratified it - the practice hurries ahead. Since 2000, European troops (with a total strength of 80,000 soldiers) and since 2004, called Battle Groups ( "battle groups") under construction. The planned 13-14 battle groups, each 1,500 men strong, to be, it shall submit the Lisbon Treaty, at the latest by 2010 and 5-10 days across the globe up and running. Germany will focus on five battle groups involved - more than any other EU country.


Even if the EU parliament in matters of foreign and security policy has nothing to decide: The peace movement has an interest in ensuring that the votes in Parliament to be strengthened, which opposes the militarization of the EU and also for a foreign policy based exclusively civil occur.

Federal Committee Peace Tip

29. May 2009


http://www.uni-kassel.de/fb5/frieden/themen/Europa/eu-wahl2009-baf.html