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Proceeding contribution from Mike Gapes (Labour) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 20 February 2008. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee of the Whole House (HC) on European Union (Amendment) Bill.


European Union (Amendment) Bill

I agree with my hon. Friend. The need to develop that coherence is also in the interests of the larger countries in the European Union, because we will then not be dependent on countries with small diplomatic services which may not be able to cope with the sheer volume of contacts. How could the Maltese or the Luxembourgers provide the necessary back-up for engaging with China or the countries in Latin America? We need coherence, which the bigger countries can provide, alongside the European Union's collective institutions.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
472 c442 
Session
2007-08
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
EU enlargement European Union European communities EU common foreign and security policy EU institutions Treaties United Nations Treaty on European Union Russia EU defence policy Treaty of Lisbon EU presidency
Legislation
European Union (Amendment) Bill 2007-08
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk