Green works

The 13th council meeting of the European Greens, in which I participated as a delegate representing Alternattiva Demokratika, was dominated by an air of measured self-confidence and sober optimism resulting from the electoral success of the German Greens and the achievements of Ecolo and Agalev (the Belgian Greens) through their participation in the Belgian government after winning 14 per cent of the vote in 1999.

One got the feeling that the Greens are becoming a mature political force, just after two decades of political history! Maturity and innovation can really work hand in hand.

On a superficial level I was struck by the elegance and style of Green Ministers Olivier Delueze and Isabelle Durant who are neither the stuffy politicians of yesterday nor the plastic clones created by the political market. They are politicians with style, authenticity and character!

In a discussion about the challenges for Green parties in Europe, the German delegate Reinhard Butikofer clearly spelled the Green vision: "If the left has any future at all, that future must be green... the Greens are indeed the future of the left in Europe".

His words were loaded with meaning especially when one considers that the Gerhard Schroeder was only re-elected Chancellor of Germany thanks to the nine per cent of the vote achieved by the German Greens.

Butikofer spoke on the innovative nature of Green politics. Rather than changing present-day society in the name of a future blueprint of society the Green project is based on the constant renewal of present day society according to constantly renewed green values. These values include: individual freedom, grass root democracy, sustainable development, social inclusion and equality for all residents irrespective of ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation.

Belgian Green Minister Isabelle Durant underlined the Green commitment in favour of a united and social Europe. It is clear for most Greens that only through full participation in European institutions can Europe can be democratised further. Other speakers dwelt on the need of partnerships with private sector ecological initiatives, with trade unions and the anti-globlisation movement.

One of the most interesting meetings focused on EU enlargement. All Green parties from the accession countries were unanimous in their desire to see their countries in the EU. During the meeting Green parties from member states agreed to support the Greens from the accession countries in the referendum campaigns of 2003.

Another meeting organised by the Green/European Free Alliance group in the European Parliament discussed the European Convention. The prevailing opinion was that Europe needs a constitution which enshrines the democratic rights of its citizens. The idea of a European citizenship was endorsed by most speakers.

On the other hand it was agreed that the text being proposed by the convention's president, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, had several shortcomings especially in those areas which are so dear to the Greens, like social justice and environmental sustainability.

The Greens were also shocked by Giscard's remark that Turkey's joining the EU would mean the end of Europe. The Greens reject a "racialist" concept of European identity.

The Swedes and the British expressed their concern that decision-making should be as close as possible to the grass roots. Interestingly, the Irish Greens supported enlargement and the European integration project but expressed their opposition to military integration and a common defence policy.

Other Greens, especially the Germans and Benelux, welcomed a common European defence and security policy since this will serve to decrease European dependence on NATO and the United States. Professor Arnold Cassola, secretary of the Federation of European Greens and EU affairs spokesman of AD - the Green Party, proposed that neutral EU countries be given an opt-out from further military/defence integration.

The council discussed European enlargement, Iraq, the Middle East and globalisation. A resolution was approved supporting the return of UN inspectors in Iraq but clearly opposing military intervention. The risks this would pose to the Middle East peace process were underlined.

The Greens are actively supporting the Palestinian and Isreali peace movements. Mr Abedrabbo, Palestinian Minister of Information, and Yossi Beilin, former Israeli Minister of Justice, participated in this debate which was ably chaired by Professor Cassola.

In very emotional terms Mr Beilin recalled a ministerial visit in Muscat, capital of Oman. He said that while visiting a fishmarket he was asked by a fishmonger about his nationality. On learning that he was Israeli, the fishmonger told him that he would never speak to an Israeli in his life. For Beilin this was a shock and an eye-opener, he said. The fact that he and Mr Abedrabbo not only spoke to each other but agreed on most points showed that as long as there are people of good will on both sides, hope will never be extinguished.

Both Beilin and Abedrabbo denounced the policies of Ariel Sharon, condemned terrorism and recognised Yasser Arafat's role as the main Palestinian interlocutor. Both warned of the catastrophic risks if a war against Iraq is allowed to obscure the peace process in the Middle East.

During the meeting the Italian Greens called for the suspension of the EU association agreement with Israel and the Belgian Greens proposed a boycott on certain Israeli products. The German and Austrian Greens, however, disagreed with the idea of economic sanctions on Israel and explained that such a campaign would be hijacked by the anti-Semitic right wing.

The Greens are no longer a fringe party. They are currently represented by 182 MPs in 16 national parliaments. In just two decades the Greens have become a political family with a tradition of social and ecological values distinct from the prevailing neo-liberalism.

The strong values animating the Greens contrast with the identity crisis facing social democracy in Europe. While traditional social democracy characterised by 'workerism' is out of touch with modern realities, the New Labour experiment in Britian is indistinguishable from the neo-liberalism of the right. In this scenario the Greens are the only innovative force on the left.

In the face of the challenge posed by xenophobic populism, the Greens stand out as force for European integration, a governed globalisation, world peace, openness towards migrants, social inclusion and individual freedoms. As the German Greens put it loud and clear, Green works!

Significantly, the 14th council meeting of the Greens will held in Malta next May. By then Malta would be electing its first Green MP and most probably would have already approved its membership of the European Union.

By electing the Greens to Parliament, the people of these islands will join millions of Europeans who are discovering that Green politics works and brings about an improvement in the quality of life and more democratic freedoms.

James Debono is media officer of Alternattiva Demokratika - the Green Party

e-mail: www.alternattiva.org.mt