Local MEP reminds people of the importance of the EU on Armistice Day.

10.01.00am GMT Tue 11th Nov 2008

West Midlands MEP Liz Lynne has today paid her respect to those who gave their lives in service to the UK while reminding people of the importance of the EU in helping prevent wars between European countries.

Her comments came on the eve of Armistice Day, which remembers the end of the First World War.

On Sunday, as part of Remembrance Day, Liz attended the cenotaph in Birmingham where she watched a parade by veterans before laying a wreath in honour of service men and women.

Liz spoke about the debt of gratitude owed by UK citizens not just to those who gave their lives in the First World War, but in all the major conflicts that our troops have been involved in.

Liz said:

"No matter what walk of life you come from rich or poor, liberal or conservative, old or young it is vital that we remember what our troops have done for us and applaud their service."

Liz, who is a member of the European Parliament's Sub-committee on Human Rights, also highlighted the way in which the EU has helped to prevent further European wars:

"Tuesday is the 11th of November- armistice day, the day that ended one of the most brutal wars in the history of the world. It is a day when not just people in Britain, but people all across Europe will stop to remember those who died. It was a war between some of the major countries of Europe and a dark period in the history of the continent.

"However, since the formation of the EU there has not been a single major conflict between European countries. I think it is a clear sign of the success of the EU that it has allowed countries who once attempted to destroy each other to sit down and to talk. We have been able to move from the battlefield to the meeting room.

"Not only that, but the EU has played an important role in helping prevent conflict right across the world. EU negotiators have helped in conflicts ranging from Kosovo to the Congo. I truly believe that the EU has helped to prevent the loss of both civilian and military life.

ENDS