7. Welcomes the updating of the ESS as part of the European Union's commitment to defining and protecting European security interests and strengthening effective multilateralism, thus equipping the Union with a strategy for tackling the threats of the 21st century; notes that a genuine, comprehensive and democratic consensus between the European Union and NATO is an essential element of the implementation of this strategy, based on a security consensus between the EU and the United States of America, reflecting their common values, g ...[+++]oals and priorities, namely the primacy of human rights and international law;

So when they met at the Lisbon summit in March 2000, European Union leaders set out a new strategy, based on a consensus among Member States, to make Europe more dynamic and competitive, in a sustainable way and while enhancing social inclusion.

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives are proposing a strategy based on the American approach: severe minimum sentences, larger prisons, little room for rehabilitation, and an approach based on a sentence for every crime, no matter what the circumstances.

28. Recalls that there is currently no legal basis for a consistent and independent European energy policy, and that a European strategy must be based on consensus and agreement among the Member States and broad public acceptance, and urges all EU Institutions to concentrate in their discussions on those areas where such consensus could quickly emerge, such as energy and transport efficiency, renewable energies and getting the internal market right and to leave those issues where no agreement can be reached at EU ...[+++]level - notably nuclear energy - to subsidiarity;

8. Warns that a strategy based on the selective implementation of the Constitution risks destroying the consensus that achieved a balance between the institutions and among Member States, thereby aggravating the crisis of confidence;

The joint action should be prepared along the following lines: - the basis for the joint action is consensus among partners that the NPT should be extended indefinitely and unconditionally; - joint efforts have to be made in order to promote this goal among States parties to the Treaty which might not share this conviction; - the aim of universality of the NPT requires joint efforts in order to convince States which are not yet parties to the NPT to accede, if possible before 1995, and to assist the States ready to accede in accelerating their accession; - in order to enhance the prospects for a successful outcome of the 1995 NPT Conf ...[+++]erence, demarches have to be made with a view to = promoting participation in the remaining two PREPCOM sessions in Geneva and New York respectively and the 1995 Conference itself; = widening consensus on the aim of indefinite and unconditional extension of the NPT.