In a vote today in Brussels, ALDE MEPs supported the formal recognition by the European Parliament of the European Union symbols of a flag and an anthem which have existed in practice since the beginning of the European Community but have not been formally recognised in Parliament's rules of procedure.

Speaking in the debate, Andrew Duff MEP (UK, Lib Dem), ALDE spokesperson on Constitutional Affairs, attacked those MEPs, especially from the former Soviet bloc states, who oppose the move. 

"We all remember the blue flag with the yellow stars in the enormous demonstrations which broke communism and set these countries on the road to EU membership. We all remember the playing of the anthem at the Brandenburg Gate after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

"This did not happen because of rules or treaties, but because the symbols inspired the hearts and emotions of ordinary European citizens. They symbolise the European Union's dignified values of peace and solidarity."

Andrew Duff also criticised opposition from Parliament's extremist fringes to the use of the symbols as petty nationalism.