European Parliament
(B6-0428/2006)
Gérard Deprez (ALDE ). –
(FR)
Mr President, fellow Members, I was in Spain at the end of August, and I have to say that I was deeply shocked by the terrible pictures I saw of these poor wretches landing on the coasts of the Canary Islands.
I must also say, however, that I was ashamed, not at what the Spaniards were doing – they were doing their best – but at the lack of solidarity on the part of the European countries that had promised to help Spain but did not do so. I was also ashamed – and, Commissioner, I hope that you looked at the Spanish press – at the limited resources available to Frontex. It was a case of too little, too late.
Mr Rajamäki, it is usual in European circles to use flowery language to say that we are together constructing a common area of freedom within common borders. Remind your colleagues, however, that a common border has to be managed and protected jointly. It is scandalous that a number of Member States haggle over their solidarity and shameful that one Member State should have to beg for help from the others in order to perform a task that is in everyone’s interests.
(Applause)

