Post by Admin on Aug 1, 2013 15:44:46 GMT
The Prague Declaration
Principles of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group
Conscious of the urgent need to reform the EU on the basis of Eurorealism, Openness, Accountability and Democracy, in a way that respects the sovereignty of our nations and concentrates on economic recovery, growth and competitiveness, the European Conservatives and Reformists Group shares the following principles:
Free enterprise, free and fair trade and competition, minimal regulation, lower taxation, and small government as the ultimate catalysts for individual freedom and personal and national prosperity.
Freedom of the individual, more personal responsibility and greater democratic accountability.
Sustainable, clean energy supply with an emphasis on energy security.
The importance of the family as the bedrock of society.
The sovereign integrity of the nation state, opposition to EU federalism and a renewed respect for true subsidiarity.
The overriding value of the transatlantic security relationship in a revitalised NATO, and support for young democracies across Europe.
Effectively controlled immigration and an end to abuse of asylum procedures.
Efficient and modern public services and sensitivity to the needs of both rural and urban communities.
An end to waste and excessive bureaucracy and a commitment to greater transparency and probity in the EU institutions and use of EU funds.
Respect and equitable treatment for all EU countries, new and old, large and small.
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Although a young group the ECR is already an influential force in the European Parliament arguing for a flexible, open and non-federalist agenda. The ECR in now represented on all the major committees of the European Parliament, including the Conference of Presidents, as well as holding the chairmanship of the Parliament’s Internal Market committee. The ECR’s membership also includes two former national finance ministers, while outside the European Parliament the eight ECR constituent parties are parties of Government in two EU Member States: the UK and the Czech Republic. The ECR has already proved pivotal in the re-election of the President of the European Commission Jose Barroso.
All of the establishing parties and MEPs believe that the establishment of a non-federalist centre/centre-right group in the European parliament is good for European democracy. We are delighted with the progress we have already made but there is far more that can be achieved together in reforming the EU in line with the peoples’ priorities.
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This ECR Group was duly formed in June 2009. The core of the group is 53 MEPs from 10 countries.
On 6th July 2011 British MEP, Giles Chichester, was elected the Vice-Chairman of the European Parliament.
Following parties joined the new group:
Belgium: Lijst Dedecker – 1 MEP
Czech Republic: ODS – 9 MEPs
Denmark: Independent – 1 MEP
Hungary: Independent – 1 MEP
Italy: Conservatori e Social Riformatori – 1 MEP
The Netherlands: ChristenUnie – 1 MEP
Latvia: Tēvzemei un Brīvībai/LNNK – 1 MEP
Lithuania: LLRA – 1 MEP
Poland: PiS Prawo i Sprawiedliwosc – 6 MEPs
PJN Polska Jest Najważniejsza – 5 MEPs
United Kingdom: Conservative Party, Ulster Conservatives and Unionists – 26 MEPs
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