THE introduction of the single currency would represent "a key political choice in favour of irreversible integration", the President of the European Parliament has said.
Mr Jose Maria Gil-Robles told the European Council yesterday that while the single currency was essential to Europe's economy, its role as a catalyst for integration was its most important aspect. "It is both the culmination of a process which has been under way since 1957 and a powerful symbol of unity," he said.
The President of the European Parliament traditionally addresses the European heads of state and government at the opening of a summit. Mr Gil-Robles yesterday used the occasion to press the Parliament's case for greater involvement in EU decision making.
"It is essential that the European Parliament play a full part in future inter governmental conferences, he said. During this Inter-Governmental Conference the Parliament had observer status only.
"As the representative of all the Union's citizens," Mr Gil-Robles said, the Parliament should be fully involved. It would be driven more by common European interests than national interests, he maintained.
The European Parliament also had an inadequate role in the EU's common foreign and security policy, he added. "Why does the European Parliament's ability to play an active and constructive role in the common foreign and security policy have to be ignored yet again?" he asked.
He welcomed the proposed enshrining of fundamental social rights into the EU treaties. He asked that the Parliament be allowed to play a fuller part in decision making on social affairs.