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Foreign Affairs and Defence

Before my hon. Friend moves on from the Laeken declaration, I remind him and the House that only in June this year the European Council, continuing what was said at Laeken, called for the"““crucial importance of reinforcing communication with the European citizens…and involving them in a permanent dialogue. This will be particularly important during the upcoming IGC and ratification process””." So that urge to have democracy came not only at Laeken, but in the ensuing years. Unfortunately, it will not be fulfilled.