Federal council of the European Movement

The Chairman of the European Movement (Malta), Dr Roderick Pace, attended a meeting of the Federal Council of the European Movement (International) held in Dublin from June 25 to 27.

The Movement decided among other things that if the necessary support is acquired, its next federal council be held in Malta. This would be the first time since its establishment in 1947 that the Federal Council of the European Movement would have met in Malta.

Dr Pace took part in the many debates which took place in Dublin. He urged the Movement not to be afraid that the new European Constitution faces referenda in various EU member states. The process of European unity can only move forward if it continues to receive the support of the citizens of Europe. It is therefore important to inform and involve citizens.

A motion on Cyprus and another one on Turkey presented by the Turkish representative were unanimously rejected by the Federal Council. Dr Pace spoke against the motion condemning the Greek Cypriots for rejecting a UN solution to an end of the Cyprus conflict, arguing that a people cannot be condemned for taking a democratic decision.

The European Movement should rather play a positive role of encouraging both communities to come together and should therefore steer clear of condemnatory statements.

On a motion calling on the European Movement to support Turkey's membership of the European Union the Maltese representative argued that the Movement should wait for the Commission's Opinion before expressing itself on the matter since little work had been done by the Movement on Turkey's application. The Federal Council decided to continue debating the issue with a view to taking a decision later on this year.