Parsley in Berlin to challenge Europeans to cut business red tape

9.58.41am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th Apr 2007

North Down Alliance Councillor Ian James Parsley

North Down Alliance Councillor Ian James Parsley and West Tyrone representative Michael Bower will form the Young Alliance team at a congress of European Liberals in Berlin to discuss the challenges of globalization to local businesses.

The event takes place from 20-22 April in the symbolic capital of European reunification. The NI politicians will join German Opposition Leader Guido Westerwelle and Liberals from all over Europe to discuss ensuring the competitiveness of European businesses.

Cllr Parsley stated: "The Alliance Party is part of the third largest European political movement, one with a proud record of delivering on free travel, environmental protection, and practical assistance to the developing world. As a growing party, we are keen to be seen as actors on the European stage, where so many of the decisions which affect us are

made.

"We must seize these challenges of globalization as an opportunity for wide-ranging reforms to make Europe truly work for us. We cannot afford just to stand aside and let Brussels take all the decisions for us - it is up to us to participate!

"It is somewhat appropriate that we will meet the leader of the largest German Opposition party, and a fellow Liberal, since we ourselves are now leading the Opposition at Stormont. We look forward to learning from that party's experiences."

Already in the past year, the Alliance team has been at the forefront of developing European Liberal policy to protect farming through sustainable rural development, promotion of English as a common administrative language to reduce bureaucracy, and promoting awareness of reciprocal agreements on hospital treatment for EU citizens abroad.

ENDS