2007 - EPP Group

Transcription

2007 - EPP Group

yearbook of the epp-ed group
2007
Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats)
and European Democrats in the European Parliament
Published by: EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament
Documentation - Publications - Research Service
Responsible:
ascal FONTAINE, Deputy Secretary-General,
P
Head of the Documentation - Publications - Research Service
Coordinator: Angela KALADJIS
[email protected]
Internet:
http://www.epp-ed.eu
©:
EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, 2007
2007
YEARBOOK
OF THE EPP-ED GROUP
IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Responsible:
Pascal FONTAINE, Deputy Secretary-General,
Coordinator:
E-mail:
Angela KALADJIS
[email protected]
Photos:
- Photo Service of the European Parliament
- Photo Gallery of the EPP-ED Group
Address:
European Parliament
EPP-ED Group
60, rue Wiertz
1047 Brussels
BELGIUM
©:
Original version:
EN
Foreword by the Chairman
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yearbook of the epp-ed group -
2007
> The Presidency
> Heads of National Delegations
> EPP-ED Members in the Bureau of the European Parliament
> EPP-ED Chairmen of Parliamentary Committees > EPP-ED Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees
> EPP-ED Chairmen of EU Joint Parliamentary Assemblies, Joint Parliamentary Committees and Interparliamentary Delegations
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2. EPP-ED Members of the European Commission
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3. The 288 Members of the Group > Contents
4. The General Secretariat of the Group
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II. Events in 2007 10/01/2007: N
ew EPP-ED Presidency
Joseph Daul elected Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
11/01/2007: EPP-ED Group Presidency received by German Presidency of the EU Council
16/01/2007: New Presidency of the European Parliament
Hans-Gert Poettering elected President of the European Parliament
30/01/2007: Meeting with Abdelwahab Abdallah, Tunisian Foreign Minister
08/02/2007: EPP-ED Group Study Day on Belarus
13/02/2007: Exchange of views with Béla Bugár, Chairman of the Party of Hungarian Coalition (SMK-MKP)
15/02/2007: Ukrainian Order of Merit for MEPs Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, Elmar Brok and Charles Tannock
19/03/2007: Exchange of views with Kjell Magne Bondevik, former Prime Minister of Norway
20/03/2007: Meeting with Dimitris Dimitriadis, President of the European Economic and Social Committee
27/03/2007: Presentation of the Group’s Yearbook 2006
28/03/2007: Exchange of views with Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of Germany and President-in-Office of the European Council
28/03/2007: Meeting with Arab League Ambassadors
11/04/2007: The European Parliament hosts the 2007 Energy Globe Awards
16/04/2007: 7th Summit of Chairmen of EPP-ED parliamentary groups of the EU-27
25/04/2007: Meeting with Vicente Fox Quesada, former President of Mexico
25/04/2007: Celebration of the 60th birthday of Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
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1. Group’s Structure
2007
I. The EPP-ED Group
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> EPP-ED Group Bureau meeting in the Azores, Portugal: 14-15/06/2007
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Programme
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Conclusions
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> EPP-ED Group Bureau meeting in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: 06-07/12/2007 126
Programme
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Conclusions
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4. EPP-ED Group Study Days
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III. External meetings in 2007 1. Third Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly in Tunis: 16-19/03/2007
Conclusions
2. 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome.
The Berlin Declaration. Berlin, Germany: 24/03/2007
3. EPP-ED Bureau meetings
> EPP-ED Group Bureau meeting in Granada, Spain: 19-20/04/2007
Programme
Conclusions
> EPP-ED Group Study Days in Malta: 04-06/07/2007
Programme
Conclusions
5. EPP-ED Presidency meeting in Lisbon, Portugal: 15-16/06/2007
Press Release
6. EPP-ED Presidency visit to Washington, USA: 17-20/07/2007
Press Release
7. EIN Summer University in Warsaw, Poland: 20-22/09/2007
Programme
Press Release
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IV. Parliamentary Work > Introduction
> Co-decision procedure and conciliation
> Political Strategy
V. Important issues in 2007 by the Parliamentary Work Service
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Working Group A
> The Assemblies: EU/ACP
EUROMED
EUROLAT
> Human Rights, Democracy and good Governance
2007
2007
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O
pen Day in the European Parliament, Strasbourg
Meeting with Jan Peter Balkenende, Prime Minister of the Netherlands
O
pen Day in the European Parliament, Brussels
Celebration of the International Day of the Family
Meeting with Garry Kasparov, Leader of the United Civil Front, Russian Federation
06/06/2007: Meeting with Jiří Čunek, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
27/06/2007: The Robert Schuman Medal awarded to Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany and President-in-Office of the European Council
27/06/2007: H
ans-Gert Poettering MEP, President of the European Parliament receives the award of ‘Honorary President of the EPP-ED Group’
09/07/2007: Inauguration of the Pierre Pflimlin Building in the European Parliament in Strasbourg
18/09/2007: Reception offered by the EPP-ED Group to the outgoing Secretary General Niels Pedersen
05/10/2007: EPP-ED Group Chairman Joseph Daul MEP visit to Romania
10/10/2007: E
PP-ED MEPs receive awards for their work in the Energy, Regional and Development Policies
10/10/2007: Meeting with Bulgarian medical staff recently released from Libya
18/10/2007: EPP-ED Study Day on EU-China Relations
07/11/2007: Presentation of the Calendar 2008 of the Group
13/11/2007: EPP-ED Group celebrates Otto von Habsburg’s 95th birthday
13/11/2007: N
icolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic
at the European Parliament in Strasbourg
28/11/2007: Celebration of the approval of the Charter of Fundamental Rights
11/12/2007: Exchange of views with the Sakharov Prize Winner: Mr. Salih Mahmoud Osman, Sudanese defense lawyer for the victims of the war in Darfour
12/12/2007: Signature of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU
01/05/2007:
02/05/2007:
05/05/2007:
16/05/2007:
23/05/2007:
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> Regulation on Roaming
> Portability of pension rights
> Sport in general
Working Group C
> EU Budget 2008: aims of EPP-ED Group
> Careful Management of Expenditures, Providing Value for Money
> Natural disasters
> Voluntary modulation of direct payments under the CAP
> Reform of the wine sector
> Implementing sustainability in EU fisheries through maximum sustainable yield
Working Group D
> Return directive
> Framework decision on data protection
> Better lawmaking of EC law
> Rome II Regulations
> The Constitutional Process
> TDIP Committee
> Equitable life
Working Group E
> Green Paper: Mental Health
> LIFE+ (2007 - 2013)
> Health Action Programme
> ERIKA III (Maritime safety)
> Enlargement of the Eurozone
> Progress made on Financial Services Integration
> Consumer confidence in the Digital environment
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VI. EPP-ED Reports on the Plenary Sessions of the European Parliament
By the Press Service
January 2007
February 2007
March 2007
April 2007
May 2007
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June 2007
July 2007
September I 2007
September II 2007
October 2007
November 2007
December 2007
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VII. EPP-ED Publications in 2007
2007
2007
Working Group B
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1. By the Documentation - Publications - Research Service 2. By the Press Service
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VIII. The European People’s Party (EPP)
> EPP Structure
> EPP Presidency
> Leadership of EPP Groups
> EPP Government Leaders
> EPP General Secretariat
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> Summit in Meise, Belgium. 08/03/2007
> Extraordinary Summit in Berlin, Germany. 24/03/2007
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IX. Chronology 2007
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X. Contents of the CD-ROM
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> Yearbook 2007 (EN, FR, DE)
> 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome - The Berlin Declaration (EN, FR, DE, IT, EL)
> Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
(EN, FR, DE, IT, ES, NL, POL, HU, CZ, EL, PT, LT, LV, SL, SK, ET)
> Dialogues between the Orthodox Church and the EPP-ED Group (EN, FR, DE, EL)
> Brochure on the Robert Schuman Medal (EN, FR, DE)
> EU competitiveness in the world
> Transatlantic relations
> The Group’s Development Charter
> Towards a Common European Foreign Policy on Energy
2007
Dear Colleagues,
It is my great pleasure to present this year’s EPP-ED Yearbook, which
outlines the activities, and successes, of our political Group over the past
year.
> Foreword by the Chairman
2007 has been the year of the Reform Treaty, signed in Lisbon, which
extended Qualified Majority voting and granted new powers to the
European Parliament, making co-decision the rule in almost all areas of
legislation.
2007 has also seen the enlargement of the European Union to two new
countries, and the welcoming of new members to the Group. They have
brought with them their own experiences, traditions, and concerns, which
have served to strengthen the EPP-ED, which continues to be the only
Parliamentary Group which represents all twenty-seven Member States.
This year an important step was taken by the Presidency of our Group
with the formulation of ten guiding themes which have filtered into our
legislative work.
The EPP-ED is committed to the defence of strong values, and the
European social model, while maintaining an efficient and open single
market. The Group is committed to a common immigration policy. The
Group is committed to the reform of the European Union’s budget, while
creating a sustainable energy policy, and the defence of food security, so
that consumers feel safe with the products they purchase. The Group has
2007
Foreword by the Chairman
pushed for the intensification of the fight against international terrorism.
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transatlantic alliance.
These themes represent the principles my political Group has defended in
its work in the European Parliament this past year, and will defend in the
upcoming European elections.
Joseph DAUL MEP,
Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
in the European Parliament
2007
neighbourhood policy, while at the same time strengthening the existing
2007
The Group is committed to the development and the deepening of the EU’s
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I. The EPP-ED Group
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The 288 members of the EPP-ED Group come from the 27 Member States of the European Union.
The Group is currently the largest in Parliament.
Its membership is made up of:
I > The EPP-ED Group
49 members from Germany
28 members from the United Kingdom
24 members from Italy
24 members from Spain
18 members from Romania
17 members from France
15 members from Poland
14 members from the Czech Republic
13 members from Hungary
11 members from Greece
9 members from Portugal
8 members from the Slovak Republic
7 members from the Netherlands
6 members from Austria
6 members from Belgium
6 members from Sweden
5 members from Ireland
5 members from Bulgaria
4 members from Finland
4 members from Slovenia
3 members from Luxembourg
3 members from Cyprus
3 members from Latvia
2 members from Lithuania
2 members from Malta
1 member from Denmark
1 member from Estonia
2007
Founded as the Christian-Democratic Group on 23 June 1953 as a faction in the Common Assembly
of the European Coal and Steel Community, the Group changed its name to the «Group of the
European People’s Party» (Christian-Democratic Group) in July 1979, just after the first direct
elections to the European Parliament, and to «Group of the European People’s Party (Christian
Democrats) and European Democrats» (EPP-ED) in July 1999. It has always played a leading role
in the construction of Europe.
2007
1. The Group’s structure
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Joseph Daul presides over the Group. He is assisted by 10 Vice-Chairmen, including the Treasurer,
who have different areas of responsibility within the framework of the Group’s activities. The
Presidency meets at regular intervals with the heads of national delegations to discuss key
guidelines and to prepare decisions of major importance for the strategy of the Group.
The Bureau
How we work
The EPP-ED Bureau consists of: the Presidency, the President and Vice-Presidents of the Parliament
belonging to the Group, the heads of national delegations, the Chairmen of Parliamentary
Committees belonging to the Group and the Group’s Coordinators of Parliamentary Committees
and one co-opted Member for every 10 Members of a national delegation. The President and the
Secretary-General of the EPP if they are Members of the European Parliament.
The 785 Members of the European Parliament form political groups. With its 288 MEPs, the
EPP-ED Group is the largest in the European Parliament. The Members of the EPP-ED Group
participate actively in the plenary sessions of the European Parliament which take place one week
a month in Strasbourg, as well as the so-called ‘mini-sessions’ held in Brussels.
The Permanent Working Groups
The parliamentary work of the Group takes place within the framework of five permanent Working
Groups which prepare business before consideration by the Group. Each Working Group is chaired
by one of the Group’s Vice-Chairmen and brings together the Group’s representatives from a
number of committees.
Working Group A
- Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Subcommittee on Security and Defence
- Subcommittee on Human Rights
- Committee on Development
- Committee on International Trade
Chairman: João de Deus Pinheiro
Working Group B
- Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
- Committee on Culture and Education
- Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Chairman: Gunnar Hökmark
Working Group C
- Committee on Budgets
- Committee on Regional Development
- Committee on Agriculture
- Committee on Fisheries
- Committee on Budgetary Control
Chairman: Struan Stevenson
Working Group D
- Committee on Legal Affairs
- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
- Committee on Constitutional Affairs
- Committee on Petitions
Chairman: József Szájer
Working Group E
- Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
- Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
- Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection
- Committee on Transport and Tourism
Chairwoman: Marianne Thyssen
Each MEP from the EPP-ED Group sits at least on one of the 20 parliamentary committees and is
a substitute member of a second committee. These committees conduct in-depth debates into all
of the reports drawn up by Parliament before their final adoption in plenary.
EPP-ED Group meetings: In accordance with the EPP-ED Group’s Rules of Procedure, the bodies
of the Group (the Group Assembly, Presidency, Bureau and five Permanent Working Groups) meet
before each plenary session of the European Parliament to prepare the work scheduled on the
session agenda.
All reports and amendments thereto, together with other items on the agenda (oral questions,
motions for resolution and so forth), are considered first of all by EPP-ED working groups, and then
by the Group’s Plenary Assembly, which establishes the Group’s final position.
Our political position
The Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats in
the European Parliament (EPP-ED Group) is a major political force in the European Union; it is
the direct heir of the tradition established in the 1950s by Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer and
Alcide De Gasperi.
The EPP-ED Group has worked consistently and successfully to consolidate the European Union
on the bases of the primacy of law and respect for fundamental rights, on the application of the
principle of subsidiarity and an efficient sharing out of power, and on independent democratic
institutions, in order to ensure that future progress serves the common interest of all Europeans.
As members of the EPP-ED Group, we believe in a Europe of values, united, open, more humane
and embracing diversity.
We want a Europe which creates opportunity and wealth within a single market, competitive at
world level, and which at the same time promotes the wellbeing of everybody, not only in Europe,
but also in the rest of the world, in accordance with the principle of sustainable development
enshrined in the EU Treaty as one of the European Community’s aims.
We wish to see the Union develop a consistent and effective common foreign and security policy
and to carry out the institutional reforms necessary to make enlargement a success.
The EPP-ED Group comprises Christian Democrats and similar parties, as well as Conservatives,
from the 27 Member States of the European Union. Moderation and dialogue are the tools our
Group deploys. Using them, all our work as members of the EPP-ED Group reflects our unstinting
commitment to building a Europe of opportunity, a better Europe for all.
2007
The Presidency
2007
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EPP-ED
Group: The major political force in the European Parliament
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16
2007
102
2007
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The Presidency
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288
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Joseph Daul
Marianne Thyssen
First Vice-Chairwoman
Chairwoman Working Group E
Relations with EPP-ED staff
Vice-Chairman,
Treasurer. External meetings, Professional Training (CET)
Struan Stevenson
Jaime Mayor Oreja
Vito Bonsignore
Chairman
Othmar Karas
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EPP-ED (Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats)
Vice-Chairman
Chairman Working Group C
Vice-Chairman
Political Strategy,
European Ideas Network (EIN)
Vice Chairman
Relations with National Parliaments, COSAC,
Neighbourhood Policy (EUROMED, South East Europe)
Relations with the Arab World
PES (Socialist Group in the European Parliament)
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ALDE (Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe)
UEN (Union for Europe of the Nations Group)
Greens/ALE (Group of the Greens / European Free Alliance)
GUE/NGL (Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left)
Gunnar Hökmark
József Szájer
João de Deus Pinheiro
Marian-Jean Marinescu
Vice-Chairman
Chairman Working Group B
Internet and Information Technologies
Vice-Chairman
Chairman Working Group D
Constitutional Process
IND/DEM (Independence/Democracy Group)
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NI (Non-attached Members)
Situation: 18.12.2007
Vice-Chairman
Chairman Working Group A
Interparliamentary Delegations
Vice Chairman
Neighbourhood Policy (Eastern Europe,
North Caucasia Countries)
Dialogue with the Christian Churches
Hartmut Nassauer
Vice-Chairman
Parliamentary Work (Legislative Coordination, Conciliation, LWP, Chief Wip)
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Heads of National Delegations
Germany
United Kingdom
Hungary
Greece
Portugal
2007
Werner Langen
Italy
Markus Ferber
Italy
Antonio Tajani
Spain
Giles Chichester
Portugal
Spain
Iles Braghetto
France
Pál Schmitt
Slovakia
The Netherlands
Austria
Austria
Carlos Coelho
Peter Šťastný
Luís Queiró
Jaime Mayor Oreja
Romania
Ioannis Varvitsiotis
Maria Martens
Belgium
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2007
Germany
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Gerardo Galeote-Quecedo
Poland
Margie Sudre
Czech Republic
Jacek Saryusz-Wolski
Jan Zahradil
Othmar Karas
Sorin Frunzaverde
Sweden
Hungary
József Szájer
Reinhard Rack
Ireland
Sweden
Gunnar Hökmark
Mathieu Grosch
Charlotte Cederschiöld
Avril Doyle
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Finland
Slovenia
2007
Rumiana Jeleva
Luxembourg
Piia-Noora Kauppi
Cyprus
Jean Spautz
Lithuania
Mihael Brejc
Hans-Gert Poettering
Valdis Dombrovskis
Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou
2007
Bulgaria
EPP-ED Members in the Bureau of the European Parliament
President of the European Parliament
Latvia
Panayiotis Demetriou
Malta
First Vice-President of the European Parliament
Alejo Vidal-Quadras
Vice-President of the European Parliament
Denmark
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Vytautas Landsbergis
Simon Busuttil
Christian Foldberg Rovsing
Edward McMillan-Scott
Mario Mauro
James Nicholson
Astrid Lulling
Estonia
Tunne Kelam
Quaestor of the European Parliament
Ingo Friedrich
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EPP-ED Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees
2007
Jacek Saryusz-Wolski
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Angelika Niebler
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Reimer Böge
Committee on Budgets
Gerardo Galeote-Quecedo
Committee on Regional Development
Miroslav Ouzký
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
Neil Parish
Committee on Agriculture
José Ignacio Salafranca
Sánchez-Neyra
Maria Martens
Nirj Deva
Robert Sturdy
Salvador Garriga-Polledo
Ingeborg Grässle
Committee on Development
Committee on Development
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Committee on International Trade
Committee on Budgets
Committee on Budgetary Contro
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2007
EPP-ED Chairmen of Parliamentary Committees
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Giuseppe Gargani
Committee on Legal Affairs
Anna Záborská
Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Karl von Wogau
Subcommittee on Security & Defence
Alexander Radwan
Philip Bushill-Matthews
John Bowis
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
Giles Chichester
Malcolm Harbour
Georg Jarzembowski
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection
Committee on Transport and Tourism
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EPP-ED Chairmen of EU Joint Parliamentary Assemblies, Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPC),
and Interparliamentary Delegations
2007
Lambert van Nistelrooij
Lutz Goepel
Carmen Fraga Estévez
Pál Schmitt
Antonios Trakatellis
Delegation to the EU-Fyrom JPC
Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (PCC)
Doris Pack
Klaus-Heiner Lehne
Amalia Sartori
Doris Pack
Jana Hybášková
Luisa Fernanda Rudi Úbeda
Committee on Regional Development
Committee on Culture and Education
Committee on Agriculture
Committee on Legal Affairs
Committee on Fisheries
Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Delegation to the EU-Croatia JPC
Delegation for relations with the
countries of South East Europe
Delegation for relations with Israel
Ria Oomen-Ruijten
Delegation for relations with the Maghreb countries
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2007
EPP-ED Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees
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Sir Robert Atkins
Manfred Weber
Stefano Zappala’
Laima Liucija Andrikiene
Committee on Petitions
Subcommittee on Security and Defence
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice
and Home Affairs
Subcommittee on Human Rights
Íñigo Mendez de Vigo
Committee on Constitutional Affairs
Jonathan Evans
Georg Jarzembowski
Hartmut Nassauer
Hubert Pirker
Guido Podestá
Giles Chichester
Delegation for relations with the United States
Delegation for relations with the Korean Peninsula
Delegation for relations with Japan
Delegation for relations with
Afghanistan
Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the Association of
South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Delegation for relations with Australia
and New Zealand
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2. EPP-ED Members of the European Commission
2007
José Manuel Durão Barroso (PT)
José Ignacio Salafranca
Sánchez-Neyra
Delegation for relations with the EuroLatin American Parliamentary Assembly
Jacques Barrot (FR)
Franco Frattini (IT)
President of the European Commission
Vice-President of the European Commission
(Transport)
Vice-President of the European Commission (Justice, Freedom and Security)
Joe Borg (ML)
Stavros Dimas (GR)
Ján Figeľ (SK)
Hans-Gert Poettering
Delegation to the Euro-Mediterranean
Parliamentary Assembly
(Fisheries and Maritime Affairs)
(Environment)
(Education, Culture, Training and Multilingualism)
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2007
EPP-ED Chairmen of EU Joint Parliamentary Assemblies, Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPC) and Interparliamentary Delegations
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Benita Ferrero-Waldner (AT)
(External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy)
Andris Piebalgs (LV)
(Energy)
Viviane Reding (LU)
(Information Society and Media)
I
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BEREND, Rolf
BÖGE, Reimer
BROK, Elmar
CASPARY, Daniel
DESS, Albert
EHLER, Christian
FERBER, Markus
FLORENZ, Karl-Heinz
FRIEDRICH, Ingo
GAHLER, Michael
GEWALT, Roland
GOEPEL, Lutz
GOMOLKA, Alfred
GRÄSSLE, Ingeborg
HIERONYMI, Ruth
HOPPENSTEDT, Karsten Friedrich
JARZEMBOWSKI, Georg
JEGGLE, Elisabeth
KLAMT, Ewa
KLASS, Christa
KOCH, Dieter-Lebrecht
KONRAD, Christoph
LANGEN, Werner
LAUK, Kurt Joachim
LECHNER, Kurt
LEHNE, Klaus-Heiner
LIESE, Peter
MANN, Thomas
MAYER, Hans-Peter
NASSAUER, Hartmut
NIEBLER, Angelika
PACK, Doris
PIEPER, Markus
POETTERING, Hans-Gert
POSDORF, Horst
POSSELT, Bernd
QUISTHOUDT-ROWOHL, Godelieve
RADWAN, Alexander
REUL, Herbert
SCHNELLHARDT, Horst
SCHRÖDER, Jürgen
SCHWAB, Andreas
SOMMER, Renate
STAUNER, Gabriele
ULMER, Thomas
von WOGAU, Karl
WEBER, Manfred
WEISGERBER, Anja
WIELAND, Rainer
UNITED KINGDOM (28)
ASHWORTH, Richard James
ATKINS, Sir Robert
BEAZLEY, Christopher
BOWIS, John
BRADBOURN, Philip
BUSHILL-MATTHEWS, Philip
CALLANAN, Martin
CHICHESTER, Giles
DEVA, Nirj
DOVER, Den
ELLES, James
EVANS, Jonathan
HANNAN, Daniel
HARBOUR, Malcolm
HEATON-HARRIS, Christopher
JACKSON, Caroline
KAMALL, Syed
KARIM, Sajjad
KIRKHOPE, Timothy
McMILLAN-SCOTT, Edward
NICHOLSON, James
PARISH, Neil
PURVIS, John
STEVENSON, Struan
STURDY, Robert
SUMBERG, David
TANNOCK, Charles
Van ORDEN, Geoffrey
ITALY (24)
ALBERTINI, Gabriele
ANTONIOZZI, Alfredo
BONSIGNORE, Vito
BRAGHETTO, Iles
BRUNETTA, Renato
CAROLLO, Giorgio
CASINI, Carlo
CASTIGLIONE, Giuseppe
EBNER, Michl
FATUZZO, Carlo
GARGANI, Giuseppe
SPAIN (24)
AYUSO GONZALEZ, Pilar
de GRANDES PASCUAL, Luis
DEL CASTILLO VERA, Pilar
DÍAZ DE MERA GARCÍA-CONSUEGRA, Agustín
FERNÁNDEZ MARTÍN, Fernando
FRAGA ESTÉVEZ, Carmen
GALEOTE, Gerardo
GARCIA-MARGALLO Y MARFIL, José Manuel
GARRIGA POLLEDO, Salvador
GUTIÉRREZ-CORTINES, Cristina
HERRANZ GARCÍA, Esther
HERRERO-TEJEDOR, Luis
ITURGAÍZ ANGULO, Carlos José
LÓPEZ ISTÚRIZ WHITE, Antonio
MATO ADROVER, Ana
MAYOR OREJA, Jaime
MÉNDEZ DE VIGO, Iñigo
MILLÁN MON, Francisco José
MONTORO ROMERO, Cristobal
POMÉS RUIZ, José Javier
RUDÍ ÚBEDA, Luisa Fernanda
SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA, José Ignacio
VARELA SUANZES-CARPEGNA, Daniel
VIDAL-QUADRAS, Alejo
ROMANIA (18)
ANASTASE, Roberta Alma
BODU, Sebastian Valentin
BULZESC, Nicodim
DAVID, Dragoş Florin
DUMITRIU, Constantin
FILIP, Petru
FRUNZĂVERDE, Sorin
IACOB-RIDZI, Monica Maria
MARINESCU, Marian-Jean
NICULEŞCU, Rareş-Lucian
OPREA, Dumitru
PETRE, Maria
POPA, Mihaela
POPA, Nicolae Vlad
SOGOR, Csaba
STOLOJAN, Theodor Dumitru
WINKLER, Iuliu
ZLOTEA, Marian
FRANCE (17)
AUDY, Jean-Pierre
DAUL, Joseph
DESCAMPS, Marie-Hélène
De VEYRAC, Christine
FONTAINE, Nicole
GAUBERT, Patrick
GAUZÈS, Jean-Paul
GROSSETÊTE, Françoise
GUELLEC, Ambroise
MORIN, Elisabeth
LAMASSOURE, Alain
MATHIEU, Véronique
SAÏFI, Tokia
SUDRE, Margie
TOUBON, Jacques
VATANEN, Ari
VLASTO, Dominique
POLAND (15)
BUZEK, Jerzy
CHMIELEWSKI, Zdzisław Kazimierz
GACEK, Urszula
HANDZLIK, Małgorzata
HOLOWCZYC, Krzysztof
JAŁOWIECKI, Stanisław
KACZMAREK, Filip
LEWANDOWSKI, Janusz
OLBRYCHT, Jan
PROTASIEWICZ, Jacek
SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, Jacek
SIEKIERSKI, Czesław Adam
SONIK, Bogusław
ZALESKI, Zbigniew
ZWIEFKA, Tadeusz
CZECH REPUBLIC (14)
BŘEZINA, Jan
CABRNOCH, Milan
DUCHOŇ, Petr
FAJMON, Hynek
2007
2007
GERMANY (49)
GAWRONSKI, Jas
LOMBARDO, Raffaele
MANTOVANI, Mario
MAURO, Mario
MUSOTTO, Francesco
PATRICIELLO, Aldo
PODESTÀ, Guido
SARTORI, Amalia
TAJANI, Antonio
VENETO, Armando
VENTRE, Riccardo
VERNOLA, Marcello
ZAPPALA’, Stefano
3. The 288 members of the EPP-ED Group
29
30
HYBÁŠKOVÁ, Jana
OUZKÝ, Miroslav
ROITHOVÁ, Zuzana
ŠKOTTOVÁ, Nina
STREJČEK, Ivo
VLASÁK, Oldřich
ZAHRADIL, Jan
ZATLOUKAL, Tomáš
ZIELENIEC, Josef
ZVĚŘINA, Jaroslav
SLOVAK REPUBLIC (8)
IRELAND (5)
LITHUANIA (2)
BAUER, Edit
DUKA- ZÓLYOMI, Árpád
GAĽA, Milan
HUDACKÝ, Ján
MIKOLÁŠIK, Miroslav
PLEŠTINSKÁ, Zita
ŠŤASTNÝ, Peter
ZÁBORSKÁ, Anna
BURKE, Colm
DOYLE, Avril
HIGGINS, Jim
McGUINNESS, Mairead
MITCHELL, Gay
ANDRIKIENĖ, Laima Liucija
LANDSBERGIS, Vytautas
HUNGARY (13)
THE NETHERLANDS (7)
BARSI-PATAKY, Etelka
BECSEY, Zsolt László
DE BLASIO, Antonio
GÁL, Kinga
GLATTFELDER, Béla
GYÜRK, András
JÁRÓKA, Lívia
OLAJOS, Péter
ŐRY, Csaba
SCHMITT, Pál
SCHÖPFLIN, György
SURJÁN, László
SZÁJER, József
DOORN, Bert
de LANGE, Esther
MARTENS, Maria
van NISTELROOIJ, Lambert
OOMEN RUIJTEN, Ria
VISSER, Cornelis
WORTMANN-KOOL, Corien
GREECE (11)
ANGELAKAS, Manolis
DIMITRAKOPOULOS, Georgios
GKLAVAKIS, Ioannis
KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU, Rodi
MAVROMMATIS, Manolis
PANAYOTOPOULOS-CASSIOTOU, Marie
PAPASTAMKOS, Georgios
SCHINAS, Margaritis
TRAKATELLIS, Antonios
VAKALIS, Nikolaos
VARVITSIOTIS, Ioannis
PORTUGAL (9)
COELHO, Carlos
ESTEVES, Maria da Assunção
FREITAS, Duarte
GRAÇA MOURA, Vasco
MARQUES, Sérgio
PINHEIRO, João de Deus
QUEIRÓ, Luís
RIBEIRO E CASTRO, José
SILVA PENEDA, José Albino
AUSTRIA (6)
JELEVA, Rumiana
MLADENOV, Nickolay
STAVREVA, Petya
URUTCHEV, Vladimir
ZDRAVKOVA, Dushana
DENMARK (1)
FINLAND (4)
KELAM, Tunne
ITÄLÄ, Ville
KAUPPI, Piia-Noora
KORHOLA, Eija-Riitta
STUBB, Alexander
KARAS, Othmar
PIRKER, Hubert
RACK, Reinhard
RÜBIG, Paul
SCHIERHUBER, Agnes
SEEBER, Richard
SLOVENIA (4)
BELGIUM (6)
LUXEMBOURG (3)
BELET, Ivo
BREPOELS, Frieda
DEHAENE, Jean-Luc
GROSCH, Mathieu
LANGENDRIES, Raymond
THYSSEN, Marianne
HENNICOT-SCHOEPGES, Erna
LULLING, Astrid
SPAUTZ, Jean
SWEDEN (6)
CEDERSCHIÖLD, Charlotte
FJELLNER, Christofer
HÖKMARK, Gunnar
IBRISAGIC, Anna
WIJKMAN, Anders
WOHLIN, Lars
BUSUTTIL, Simon
CASA, David
BREJC, Mihael
JORDAN CIZELJ, Romana
NOVAK, Ljudmila
PETERLE, Alojz
CYPRUS (3)
DEMETRIOU, Panayiotis
KASOULIDES, Ioannis
MATSIS, Yannis
LATVIA (3)
DOMBROVSKIS, Valdis
KUŠĶIS, Aldis
PĪKS, Rihards
18.12.2007
ROVSING, Christian Foldberg
ESTONIA (1)
2007
BULGARIA (5)
MALTA (2)
2007
I
31
4. The General Secretariat of the Group
2007
Secretary-General
Martin Kamp (D)
32
2007
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33
Deputy Secretary-General
John Biesmans (UK)
Head of the Cabinet of the Secretary-General
Head of the Internal Organisation Service
The General Secretariat of the Group
2007
Paolo Licandro (IT)
Pascal Fontaine (FR)
Head of the Central Secretariat
Head of the Documentation - Publications Research Service
34
2007
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35
Miguel Papi-Boucher (SP)
Head of the Parliamentary Work Service
36
2007
Head of the International
Relations Service
Arthur Hildebrandt (NL)
Head of the Press Service
Robert Fitzhenry (IRL)
2007
I
37
10/01/2007:
New EPP-ED Presidency
Joseph Daul MEP, elected Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
2007
II. Events in 2007
2007
II
II > Events in 2007
38
39
F R O M R I G H T T O L E F T:
Joseph Daul MEP, newly-elected Chairman of the EPP-ED Group and
Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, former Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament
10/01/2007: New EPP-ED Presidency
11/01/2007: EPP-ED Group Presidency received by German Presidency
of the EU Council
F R O M L E F T T O R I G H T:
F R O N T R O W, F R O M L E F T T O R I G H T:
Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP (Romania), Gunnar Hökmark MEP (Sweden), Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP (Spain), Marianne Thyssen MEP (Belgium), Hartmut Nassauer MEP (Germany), all Vice-Chairpersons of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP-ED Group,
Othmar Karas MEP (Austria), Vito Bonsignore MEP (Italy), József Szájer MEP (Hungary),
Struan Stevenson MEP (United Kingdom), João de Deus Pinheiro MEP (Portugal), all Vice-Chairmen of the EPP-ED Group, and Niels Pedersen, Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group
Struan Stevenson MEP, Othmar Karas MEP, Marianne Thyssen MEP, all Vice-Chairpersons of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Angela Merkel, German Chancellor,
Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, former Chairman of the EPP-ED Group and candidate for EP Presidency, Gunnar Hökmark MEP and Vito Bonsignore MEP, both Vice-Chairmen of the EPP-ED Group
40
2007
2007
II
B A C K R O W, F R O M L E F T T O R I G H T:
József Szájer MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Markus Ferber MEP, Head of the German Delegation (CSU) of the EPP-ED Group, Hartmut Nassauer MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Werner Langen MEP, Head of the German Delegation (CDU) of the EPP-ED Group, Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, and Ville Itälä MEP
41
16/01/2007: New Presidency of the European Parliament.
Hans-Gert Poettering elected President of the European Parliament
2007
Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, newly-elected President of the European Parliament (in the middle), Julian Priestley, Secretary-General of the European Parliament (right of the President), Harald
Rømer, Deputy Secretary-General of the EP, Director-General of the Presidency (left of the President), (l-r) Eva Dudzinska and Robert De Buyst, both DG Presidency
42
Vito Bonsignore MEP), Marianne Thyssen MEP all Vice-Chairmen of the EPP-ED Group and
Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, newly-elected President of the European Parliament
2007
II
43
Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, newly-elected President of the European Parliament (in the middle), Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group (on the left), and José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission
30/01/2007:
Meeting with Abdelwahab Abdallah, Tunisian Foreign Minister
08/02/2007: EPP-ED Group Study Day on Belarus
44
Bogdan Klich MEP, Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, President of the European Parliament,
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Alexander Milinkevich, Leader of the United Democratic Opposition, Belarus, and David Kramer, Deputy Assistant Secretary, US State Department
B E H I N D C O N F E R E N C E TA B L E :
Simon Busuttil MEP, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European
Parliament
RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF PHOTO:
Abdelwahab Abdallah, Tunisian Foreign Minister, followed by Mohamed Salah Tekaya,
Director at the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2007
2007
II
45
The award ceremony took place today in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Mr Jacek SaryuszWolski, Mr Elmar Brok and Mr Charles Tannock expressed thanks for this great honour bestowed
by the Ukrainian government in the name of the Ukrainian people and also fully subscribed to the
common goal of a fruitful future cooperation, aimed at further strengthening relations between
the EU and Ukraine.
Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Member of the EU-Russia
Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, Elmar Brok, former Chairman and Member of the
Committee, as well as Charles Tannock, Member of the Committee and Vice-Chairman of the
EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation Committee have actively accompanied Ukraine’s political
development and were active during the Orange Revolution, supporting a rerun of the fraudulent
second round of the Presidential election. Due to the growing importance of the country and its
democratic development, its continued integration in the European family of nations remains
highly desirable.
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group and Béla Bugár, Chairman of the Party of Hungarian Coalition (SMK-MKP)
2007
On the occasion of the fifteenth anniversary of Independence, EPP-ED MEPs Jacek Saryusz-Wolski
(Poland), Elmar Brok (Germany) and Charles Tannock (United Kingdom) have been awarded
the Ukrainian Order of Merit. According to the Presidential Decree signed by Ukrainian Prime
Minister Viktor Yuschenko, the three MEPs are honoured for their «special contribution to the
development of international cooperation, strengthening of Ukraine’s international image and the
popularization of its historical and modern achievements».
46
15/02/2007: Ukrainian Order of Merit for MEPs Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, Elmar Brok and Charles Tannock
13/02/2007: Exchange of views with Béla Bugár, Chairman of the Party of Hungarian Coalition (SMK-MKP)
2007
II
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19/03/2007:
Exchange of views with Kjell Magne Bondevik, former Prime Minister of Norway
20/03/2007: Meeting with Dimitris Dimitriadis, President of the European
Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament and Kjell Magne Bondevik, former Prime Minister of Norway
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament and Dimitris Dimitriadis, President of the EESC
48
2007
2007
II
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27/03/2007:
Presentation of the 2006 Yearbook of the Group
2007
Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group presenting the EPP-ED Yearbook 2006
Ioannis Varvitsiotis, Head of the Greek Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
50
2007
II
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Hans-Gert Poettering, President of the European Parliament (speaking),
Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Alejo Vidal-Quadras Roca, Vice-President of the European Parliament, João de Deus Pinheiro, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Ingo Friedrich, Quaestor of the European Parliament
II
2007
Piia-Noora Kauppi, Head of the Finnish Delegation of the EPP-ED Group and Gunnar Hökmark,
Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group and Head of the Swedish Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, and Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of Germany and President-in-Office of the European Council
52
2007
28/03/2007: Exchange of views with Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of Germany and President-in-Office of the European Council
53
Othmar Karas MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the
Federal Republic of Germany and President-in-Office of the European Council, Joseph Daul
MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, and Niels Pedersen,
Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group
II
28/03/2007: Meeting with Arab League Ambassadors
11/04/2007:
The European Parliament hosts the 2007 Energy Globe Awards
The awards were presented this year by President Hans-Gert Poettering, actor Martin Sheen, UN
Good Will Ambassador Waris Dirie, former Environment Minister of India Maneka Gandhi and Bee
Gees musician Robin Gibb, representing respectively: Europe, America, Africa, Asia and Australia.
54
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament (in the middle), and a delegation of EPP-ED Group Members, welcome Arab League Ambassadors
2007
The annual Energy Globe Awards have been presented since 1999 to innovative projects from
around the world which are notable for their economic use of resources and alternative energy
sources.
2007
The event was organised on Wednesday, 11 April 2007 at the European Parliament in Brussels in
response to an initiative by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.
55
Paul Rübig MEP, Wolfgang Neumann, Director-General, Energy Globe, Maneka Gandhi, Indian Congress Member, former Environmental Minister and Chairwoman of Energy Globe Jury,
Hans-Gert Poettering, MEP, President of the European Parliament and Angelika Niebler MEP
56
16/04/2007: 7th Summit of Chairmen of EPP-ED Parliamentary Groups of the EU-27
2007
The EPP-ED Group - largest political group in the European Parliament with 277 Members from all
Member States - held its 7th summit of the Members of the EPP-ED Presidency, Heads of EPP-ED
Group national delegations and the Chairmen of the EPP-ED Parliamentary Groups in the national
parliaments of the EU on Monday 16 April in the European Parliament.
The summit, chaired by EPP-ED Group Chairman Joseph Daul MEP, and Andreas Schockenhoff,
Vice-Chairman of the CDU/CSU Parliament Group in the German Parliament, focused on relations
with Russia, the question of energy supplies, and climate change.
In his introduction, Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, underlined the importance
of maintaining our close cooperation with Russia and working together towards a more secure
future for both the EU and Russia. As far as climate change is concerned, Mr Daul stressed the
necessity for the EU to develop one united voice in the International Organisations where the EU
is represented.
Andreas Schockenhoff, Vice-Chairman of the CDU/CSU Parliament Group in the German
Parliament, mentioned that Russia needs to modernise itself and that the EU should encourage the
development of cultural, educational and youth programmes between Russia and the EU.
Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, Chairman of the Committee of Foreign Affairs in the European Parliament,
expressed his dissatisfaction with the course of EU-Russia relations and called on the Russian
authorities to ensure a free and fair electoral process and to give opposition parties a real
opportunity to campaign. «Economic relations with Russia should be based on reciprocity of
market access and respect for market rules» Saryusz- Wolski said.
Andreas Schockenhoff, Vice-Chairman of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group in the German
Parliament, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament,
Niels Pedersen, Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group, Marianne Thyssen MEP and
Othmar Karas MEP, both Vice-Chairmen of the EPP-ED Group
Herbert Raul, MEP, Deputy-coordinator of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy in
the European Parliament said: «We should make sure that the security of energy supply should be
given equal importance as the climate change and therefore the nuclear energy issue should be
opened urgently».
2007
II
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As concluding remarks, Ria Oomen-Ruijten, MEP, Chairwoman of the EU-Russia Inter-parliamentary
Delegation in the European Parliament, said that the EU has to remain critical towards Russia on
human rights issues, the rule of law, freedom of speech and the independence of the media as well
as the legislation on the activity of the NGOs but at the same time the EU needs to maintain a
close contact with Russia. «The Council of Europe, where Russia is a Member, should play a more
active role towards this direction,» Ria Oomen-Ruijten added.
Speaking on climate change Marianne Thyssen, MEP and Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP-ED
Group, mentioned the setting up of the temporary committee on climate change in the European
Parliament and encouraged National Parliaments to do the same.
Gunnar Hökmark, MEP, and Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group focused on the fight against CO2
emissions. «We need to transfer EU’s expertise of new technologies to the developing countries»,
Gunnar Hökmark, added.
The final remarks made by John Bowis, MEP, coordinator of the Committee on Environment and
Karl-Heinz Florenz, MEP, marked the need for the EU to improve its energy efficiency and security
and agreed on: «What can be good for the environment could also be good for businesses».
Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, President of the European Parliament, and Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
2007
Werner Langen, Head of the CDU Group in the European Parliament
Karl-Heinz Florenz MEP, Paul Rübig MEP and Erna Hennicot-Schoepges MEP
58
2007
II
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Apostolos Stavrou, Secretary-General of Nea Demokratia Party, Greece
Markus Ferber, Head of the CSU Group in the European Parliament
2007
Giles Chichester, Head of the UK Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
Jaime Mayor Oreja, Head of the Spanish Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
60
2007
II
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Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group and Antonio Tajani, Head of the Italian Delegation (FI) of the EPP-ED Group
Iles Braghetto, Head of the Italian Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
2007
Gerardo Galeote, Head of the Spanish Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
Peter Šťastný, Head of the Slovak Delegation of the EPP-ED Group and Ioannis Varvitsiotis, Head of the Greek Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
62
2007
II
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Othmar Karas, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group and Head of the Austrian Delegation of
the EPP-ED Group and Margie Sudre, Head of the French Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
O N T H E L E F T:
Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, Head of the Polish Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
2007
Ingo Friedrich, Quaestor of the European Parliament and Mathieu Grosch, Head of the Belgian Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
Simon Busuttil, Head of the Maltese Delegation of the EPP-ED Group and Othmar Karas,
Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group and Head of the Austrian Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
64
2007
II
65
Panayotis Demetriou, Head of the Cypriot Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
Mihael Brejc, Head of the Slovenian Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
2007
Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group and Maria Martens, Head of the Dutch Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
Piia-Noora Kauppi, Head of the Finnish Delegation of the EPP-ED Group and Alejo Vidal-Quadras Roca, Vice-President of the European Parliament
66
2007
II
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Vytautas Landsbergis, Head of the Lithuanian Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
Tunne Kelam, Head of the Estonian Delegation of the EPP-ED Group and Jean Spautz, Head of the Luxembourg Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
2007
Jan Zahradil, Head of the Czech Delegation of the EPP-ED Group, Valdis Dombrovskis,Head of the Latvian Delegation of the EPP-ED Group, Tunne Kelam, Head of the Estonian Delegation of the EPP-ED Group, József Szájer, Head of the Hungarian Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
Luis Queiró, Head of the Portuguese Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
68
2007
II
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Marian Jean Marinescu, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group and Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
Avril Doyle, Head of the Irish Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
2007
Pál Schmitt, Head of the Hungarian Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
70
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Dushana Zdravkova MEP, Rumania Jeleva MEP, Head of the Bulgarian Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
2007
II
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Reinhard Rack, Head of the Austrian Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
25/04/2007: Meeting with Vicente Fox Quesada, former President of Mexico
25/04/2007: Celebration of the 60th birthday of Joseph Daul, MEP
Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament
72
2007
Address by Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, President of the European Parliament, Mrs Marie-Thérèse Daul, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group,
Niels Pedersen, Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group, Martin Schulz MEP, Chairman of the Socialist Group, Graham Watson MEP, Chairman of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, and Jens-Peter Bonde MEP, Chairman of the Independence/Democracy Group
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Niels Pedersen, Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group, Vicente Fox Quesada, former President of Mexico, Marcel Granier, President of RCTV (Radio Caracas Television), and Struan Stevenson MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
2007
II
73
Flowers for Mr Daul from Marianne Thyssen MEP, first Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP-ED
Group in the European Parliament
II
2007
Jens-Peter Bonde MEP, Chairman of the Independence/Democracy Group in the European
Parliament, Martin Schulz MEP, Chairman of the Socialist Group, Joseph Daul MEP,
Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, and Graham Watson MEP, Chairman of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Hans-Dieter Teske, Secretary-General of the Europa-Union Baden-Württemberg, Rainer Wieland MEP and Karin Hipper, Representation of Baden-Württemberg in Brussels
74
2007
01/05/2007: Open Day in the European Parliament, Strasbourg
75
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, with his wife Marie-Thérèse Daul and Graham Watson MEP, Chairman of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
02/05/2007: Meeting with Jan Peter Balkenende, Prime Minister of the Netherlands
76
2007
2007
II
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament and Jan Peter Balkenende, Prime Minister of the Netherlands
77
05/05/2007: Open Day in the European Parliament, Brussels
2007
2007
II
Ivo Belet MEP and Frieda Brepoels MEP
78
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II
16/05/2007: Celebration of International Family Day
80
2007
Dr Ted Baehr, director of MovieGuide magazine (USA) and internationally renowned media
critic, was one of the key speakers at the meeting, during which the issue of the impact of the
media on children was discussed. Mr Baehr presented some alarming figures demonstrating the
considerable extent to which children were addicted to the media and the effect this had on family
lifestyles. According to statistics gathered in the United States, children devote over 63 000 hours
per year to the media against 11 000 to school. As for parents, they only spend two minutes per day
talking to their children. Mr Baehr stressed that in order for children to adopt selective behaviour
towards media content, parents first of all had to become more involved and responsible, fully
taking on their role as educators. He also mentioned the importance of establishing an ethical
code, to which film companies could subscribe in order to assure the quality of their productions
from an ethical, family perspective. Lastly, Mr Baehr pointed out that according to recent statistics,
film productions which expressed moral values were more successful with the public and more
profitable.
2007
The European Parliament took part in the celebration of International Family Day by holding
a meeting that day, organised by Mrs Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, MEP. The meeting,
preceded by a press conference, brought together parliamentarians, international experts and
representatives of family NGOs, with a view to addressing two very important issues for families
– educating children with regard to the media and family financial circumstances.
Speaking about the financial circumstances of families, Mr Laszlo Marki, Vice-Chairman of
the European Federation of Large Families, pointed out that 16% of the EU’s population was
threatened by poverty; he also stressed the importance of providing financial support to families,
given that the cost of living was constantly on the increase. He then presented an appeal to the
Commission, supported by a coalition of European family NGOs, for a reduced VAT rate on
products and services for children. Mr Marki reminded participants that the Commission, as part
of its action to promote family-friendly policies, had undertaken to seek a legal basis in order to
include nappies among products that could benefit from a reduced VAT rate, as was the case with
sanitary protection for adults.
The MEPs present pledged to promote the family NGOs’ proposal both with the Commission and
among their respective governments in order to help create the prerequisites for demographic
renewal in Europe. Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou said that the success of such an initiative
would send out a strong, symbolic message that the EU had an interest in families and children
in Europe.
81
Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, MEP, Chairwoman of the Intergroup on Family and Protection of Childhood of the European Parliament
23/05/2007: Meeting with Garry Kasparov, Leader of the United Civil Front, Russian Federation
06/06/2007: Meeting with Jiří Čunek, first Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
EPP-ED Group Vice-Chairmen Gunnar Hökmark MEP and Othmar Karas MEP, Garry Kimovich Kasparov, Leader of the United Civil Front, Russian Federation, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Niels Pedersen, Secretary-General of the Group
and EPP-ED Group Vice-Chairman Hartmut Nassauer MEP
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, and Jiří Čunek, first Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
82
2007
2007
II
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27/06/2007: The Robert Schuman Medal awarded to Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of Germany and President-in-Office of the European Council
27/06/2077: Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, President of the European
Parliament receives the award of ‘Honorary President
of the EPP-ED Group’
2007
2007
II
Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of Germany and outgoing President of the European
Council, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament,
Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, President of the European Parliament, and Marianne Thyssen MEP, First Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP-ED Group
84
Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, President of the European Parliament, with his award of
Honorary President of the EPP-ED Group
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, and Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of Germany and outgoing President of the European
Council, with the Robert Schuman Medal
85
09/07/2007:
Inauguration of the Pierre Pflimlin Building at the European Parliament in Strasbourg
18/09/2007: Reception offered by the EPP-ED Group to the outgoing Secretary General Niels Pedersen
2007
Hans-Gert Poettering, President of the European Parliament,
Mrs Merete Pedersen, Niels Pedersen, outgoing Secretary General of the EPP-ED Group,
Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
Hans-Gert Poettering, President of the European Parliament unveils the plaque to
inaugurate the Pierre Pflimlin Building at the European Parliament in Strasbourg and Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament
86
2007
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Klaus Welle, Head of the Cabinet of the President of the European Parliament and former
Secretary General of the EPP-ED Group, Martin Kamp, new Secretary General of the EPP-ED
Group and Niels Pedersen, outgoing Secretary General of the EPP-ED Group
II
05/10/2007: EPP-ED Group Chairman Joseph Daul MEP visit to Romania
10/10/2007: EPP-ED MEPs receive awards for their work in the Energy,
Regional and Development Policies
88
Romana Jordan Cizelj, MEP (SL) received the «2007 Parliament Magazine MEP Award» for Energy.
This award is for the MEP who has made the most valuable contribution in the field of energy
policy. «There is a lot of work coming up in the energy policy domain and I am full of energy!» was
vivid Jordan Cizelj.
Romana Jordan Cizelj has a long history in the energy sector, her experience ranging from PhD
in nuclear engineering to being a president of the Nuclear Society of Slovenia. In the EP she is a
member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. Her principal political goals include
supporting the FP and pursuing the Lisbon strategy on economic growth and innovation.
In her political work, Jordan Cizelj also stresses the importance of the six priorities the EU set out
in its Energy Green Paper, including energy security of supply and a diverse sustainable energy mix,
combating climate change and promoting innovation.
Maria Martens MEP (NL) received the «2007 Parliament Magazine MEP Award» for
Development.
Centre: Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament. To his left: EPP-ED Vice-Chairman Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP, and Monica Maria Iacob-Ridzi MEP
Maria Martens has been an MEP since 1999. She is currently coordinator for the EPP-ED on
Development as well as for the ACP delegation. She is also a member of the delegation to the Pan
African Parliament. In her work for the Development Committee she focuses particularly on Africa.
In 2005 she was the rapporteur on EU strategy for Africa and she is currently rapporteur on the
joint EU-Africa Strategy.
Martens helped to put sport and development on the parliamentary agenda. Her initiative report on
sport and development was adopted in the plenary in 2005. As member of the International Trade
Committee she also took care of the development dimension in trade issues, and was a member
of the European Parliament delegation to the WTO in Hong Kong in 2005. Martens recently joined
the Sub-committee on Security and Defense, where she hopes to use her development expertise
in tackling defense issues.
Jan Olbrycht, MEP (PL) received the «2007 Parliament Magazine MEP Award» for his work in the
regional policy sector. «This prize is a form of recognition of the constructive work and thought
that the new MEPs bring to the process of European integration of cities and regions,» said
Olbrycht.
Jan Olbrycht is the Vice Chairman of the Committee of Regional Development in the European
Parliament. He has been particularly active in drafting the new regulations for spending the
structural funds in the framework of the new financial perspective 2007-13 and for his close
collaboration with regional organisations while drafting his report on «European groupings of
territorial cooperation».
Nominations for each of the categories have been taken from NGOs and not-for-profit
organizations working in sector-specific areas. These organisations were asked to nominate those
who they felt had done exceptionally good work in their policy area. Voting was carried out by the
785 MEPs themselves.
2007
Among them were three MEPs from the EPP-ED Group: Romana Jordan Cizelj, Maria Martens and
Jan Olbrycht.
2007
The Parliament magazine has last night awarded nine MEPs with the awards to recognise their
contribution and hard work in specific policy areas in the European Parliament.
89
10/10/2007: Meeting with Bulgarian medical staff recently released from Libya
18/10/2007: EPP-ED Study Day on EU-China Relations
2007
The EPP-ED Group Chairman Joseph Daul welcomed today to the European Parliament the
Bulgarian medical staff recently released from Libya. On 24 July last they returned to Bulgaria
following more than eight years imprisonment on allegations of deliberately infecting hundreds of
Libyan children with HIV.
«You are very welcome, we are delighted that you are finally free to visit us. We celebrate your
freedom and the great strength you displayed during your imprisonment.»
The Bulgarian nurses and doctor were warmly welcomed to the European Parliament by the whole
EPP-ED Group. They had been invited by the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert
Poettering.
Rumiana Jeleva, Head of the EPP-ED Bulgarian Delegation said: «Saving your lives was a lesson
of European solidarity for all us in Bulgaria. Another mission for United Europe should be helping
the other victims in this story to survive: the children suffering from AIDS.»
Karsten Friedrich Hoppenstedt MEP, José Ignacio Salafranca MEP, Georg Jarzembowski MEP, EPP-ED Coordinator for Chinese Affairs, and Li Fushun, Responsible for the PRC Mission to
the EU
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Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, meets Bulgarian medical staff recently released from Libya
Georgios Papastamkos MEP, Tokia Saïfi MEP, David O’Sullivan, Director-General DG Trade,
European Commission, and Jeremy Clegg, Professor J Monnet, International Business
Management
07/11/2007: EPP-ED presentation of the Calendar 2008 of the Group
13/11/2007:
EPP-ED Group celebrates Otto von Habsburg’s, 95th birthday
92
2007
Doris Pack MEP, Robert Fitzhenry, Head of the Press Service of the EPP-ED Group, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, first Vice-President of the European Parliament
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament (standing),
Marianne Thyssen MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP-ED Group, Otto von Habsburg, former MEP and first Honorary Member of the EPP-ED Group,
Martin Kamp, Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group, Hartmut Nassauer MEP and Struan Stevenson MEP, both Vice-Chairmen of the EPP-ED Group
2007
II
93
94
The EPP-ED Group today celebrated the approval of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the
European Union with a special ceremony to highlight the importance of this text which brings
together for the first time all the civil, political, economic and social rights of citizens living in the
Union.
The Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Joseph Daul MEP, the President of the EPP, Wilfried Martens,
and the two Group Members who represented the European Parliament in the Convention
which drafted the Charter, Ingo Friedrich MEP and Iñigo Méndez de Vigo MEP, spoke during the
ceremony which ended with a symbolic signature of the text by the MEPs.
Chairman Joseph Daul congratulated the EPP-ED Members who participated in the Convention
drafting the Charter because this text «is not only a strong political symbol for the European
Union but also a considerable cornerstone for the defence of Human Rights». Daul underlined
the importance of the legally-binding status of the Charter as proof that the «European Union is a
community of values». «Thanks to the work of EPP-ED Members», he said, «the Charter includes
values of human dignity, freedom, equity and solidarity as well as the protection of religious and
opinion freedoms and the mention in the preamble to the moral and spiritual heritage of the
EU.»
«We can be proud of the results achieved», concluded Chairman Joseph Daul.
EPP President Wilfried Martens said during the ceremony that the Charter represents the synthesis
of the common values of the 27 Member States and that the most important achievement of the
text is the guarantee of protection of citizens’ rights regardless of the evolution of society.
Hans-Gert Poettering, President of the European Parliament,
Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic, and Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, first Vice-President of the European Parliament
Iñigo Méndez de Vigo MEP, former Vice-Chairman of the Convention which drafted the Charter,
said that with the approval of the text «the EU closes the circle opened in the Cologne European
Council in 1999». In his view, the EPP has achieved the three objectives pursued for the Charter:
the EU has a political character and is not a simple economic club, the EU Institutions will
guarantee the respect of rights and freedoms and, last but not least, European citizens will have
more rights.
Ingo Friedrich MEP closed the ceremony highlighting that the Charter «will define the European
way of life» and that it will serve to increase the importance of the role of the European Union in
the world.
2007
28/11/2007:
Celebration of the approval of the Charter
of Fundamental Rights of the EU
13/11/2007:
Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic
at the European Parliament in Strasbourg
2007
II
95
2007
Gunnar Hökmark, Jaime Mayor Oreja, Othmar Karas, Marianne Thyssen, all Vice-Chairmen of the EPP-ED Group, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
in the European Parliament, Wilfried Martens, President of the EPP, Íñigo Méndez de Vigo
MEP, former Vice-Chairman of the European Convention which drafted the Charter, and Ingo Friedrich MEP, who represented the European Parliament on the Convention in his capacity as the then Vice-President of the EP
Wilfried Martens, President of the EPP
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Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament
Íñigo Méndez de Vigo MEP, former Vice-Chairman of the European Convention which drafted the Charter
2007
Ingo Friedrich MEP, who represented the European Parliament on the Convention in his capacity as the then Vice-President of the EP
98
Charlotte Cederschiöld MEP, former Member of the Convention for Fundamental Rights
2007
II
99
Elmar Brok MEP, former European Parliament representative at the IGC
11/12/2007: Exchange of views with Salih Mahmoud Osman, Sakharov Prize Winner: Sudanese defense lawyer for the victims of the war in Darfour
12/12/2007: Signature of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU
The Charter of Fundamental Rights was formally proclaimed during the plenary session on
12 December 2007 by Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, President of the European Parliament,
José Sócrates, President-in-Office of the European Council and José Manuel Durão Barroso,
President of the European Commission
2007
2007
II
F R O M T H E L E F T:
Salih Mahmoud Osman, Sakharov Prize Winner 2007 and Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament
100
101
José Socrates, Prime Minister of Portugal and President-in-Office of the European Council, Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, President of the European Parliament and
José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission
Salih Mahmoud Osman, Sakharov Prize Winner 2007, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Martin Kamp, Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group, Hartmut Nassauer MEP and Struan Stevenson MEP, both Vice-Chairmen of the EPP-ED Group
III
III. External meetings in 2007
102
The third session of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly met today in Tunis. 240
parliamentarians from the European Parliament and national parliaments from the EU Member
States and 10 countries of the Mediterranean rim (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco,
Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey) voted on several resolutions concerning the peace
process and the fight against terrorism, on the exchange between civil societies and culture, the
conditions of women and the economical development of the Euro-Mediterranean region.
III > External meetings in 2007
Mrs Rodi Kratsa, First Vice-President of the European Parliament and Vice-President of the adhoc Committee on Women’s Rights in the Euro-Mediterranean countries, said that it is vitally
important to talk openly and freely without taboos on cultural differences. Only by doing so, can
one explore the possibilities for creating a peaceful society together. In this respect, we should also
include the Gulf States in this dialogue as well as the civil society.
The Assembly supported Mrs Kratsa’s initiative to establish a «Euro-Med Women of the Year
Prize» to be awarded annually to organisations or persons who contributed exceptionally in the
promotion of women’s rights. Her proposal to include the gender dimension in addition to the
democratic clause regarding respect for fundamental rights in the Association Agreements was
also supported.
The Assembly also backed the recommendation tabled by the Political Affairs Committee, presided
by Tokia Saïfi MEP, on the implementation of a code of conduct on countering terrorism. The
Assembly considers that any terrorist act, given that it involves the death of innocent civilians in
particular, is unjustifiable in any circumstances and cannot take justification from or be vindicated
by the pursuit of political or religious goals. The political response to terrorism should be based
on four elements: a more meaningful intercultural dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean region, a
sustainable and fair economic development, which must go hand in hand with democratisation
and good governance, the strengthening of cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the
resolution of conflicts, and the end of any acts of occupation that foster and fan terrorism of all
kinds. A settlement of the Middle East conflict resulting in the peaceful coexistence of the two
states would considerably strengthen regional and international security alongside other peacekeeping initiatives in the area. The Political Committee also presented a project of an extraordinary
conference in Cairo on the Middle East Peace Process which will take place at the end of summer
2007.
On behalf of the EPP-ED Group, Simon Busuttil MEP called on the EU Member States and their
Mediterranean partners to start the transformation of the existing Facility for Euro-Mediterranean
Investment and Partnership (FEMIP) into a Euro-Mediterranean Development Bank. This kind of
budget facility is vital for strengthening the private sector and developing investment.
Amongst other subjects, the Assembly discussed the recent excavations in the Old City of
Jerusalem. The EPP-ED Group recalled the need to safeguard the sites on the UNESCO World
Heritage list and the UNESCO list of World Heritage in Danger in territories affected by current
conflicts, fully respecting the communities living there and in compliance with international law.
2007
Conclusions
2007
1. Third Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly
in Tunis: 16-19/03/2007
103
2007
Françoise Grossetête MEP expressed her concern at the increasing deterioration of the
environmental balance in the Mediterranean basin and stressed the fact that greater impetus
must be given to launching environmental policies throughout the whole region as a fundamental
element of any sustainable development policy. Mrs Grossetête said: «We must also have an
agreement on the control of shipping and the transport of toxic waste in order to regulate them in
a rigorous and binding manner for all the countries in the Mediterranean basin.»
Mrs Grossetête also supported the establishment of a Euro-Mediterranean University. This initiative
should upgrade major existing networks of national universities and might play a fundamental role
in a real dialogue between cultures.
Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, President of the European Parliament (in the middle), Fouad Mebazaâ, President of the Tunisian Chamber of Deputies and President of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA) (on the right) and Ahmed Fathi Sorour, President of the People’s Assembly of Egypt and Member of the EMPA Bureau
104
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105
Note: The political foundation of the Mediterranean Dialogue is based both on the Barcelona Process
(strengthening the Partnership also with the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly – EMPA)
and on the European Neighbourhood Policy.
The Euro-Mediterranean Assembly has several important functions: to develop political dialogue, to
promote economical and cultural exchanges and to discuss parliamentary issues like the democratic
development, checks and balances through legislation and the involvement of civil societies and political
parties.
Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group and HE Habib Aouida MP, Democratic Constitutional Assembly, Tunisia
III
2. 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome. The Berlin Declaration. Berlin, Germany. 24/03/2007
2007
2007
Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, MEP, First Vice-President of the European Parliament, HE Habib Aouida MP, Democratic Constitutional Assembly, Tunisia, Maria Rauch-Kallat, and Hubert Pirker MEP
106
107
FRONT ROW: (FROM THE LEFT):
Traian Băsescu, President of Romania, Franco Frattini, Vice-President of the European
Commission, Wilfried Martens, EPP President, Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of
Germany and President-in-Office of the European Council, Hans-Gert Poettering MEP,
President of the European Parliament, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament,Jan-Peter Balkenende, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, and Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg
Michael Gahler MEP, Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European
Parliament, Tokia Saïfi MEP, HE Fatima Leili MP, National Assembly of the Independent,
Morocco, and Simon Busuttil MEP
III
European leaders met in Berlin on 24th March 2007 to sign a Declaration on Europe, on the
occasion of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome. The document highlights
achievements of the EU over the past half a century, and outlines a common vision for its future.
The Berlin Declaration
108
I. I n the European Union, we are turning our common ideals into reality: for us, the individual is
paramount. His dignity is inviolable. His rights are inalienable. Women and men enjoy equal
rights.
e are striving for peace and freedom, for democracy and the rule of law, for mutual respect
W
and shared responsibility, for prosperity and security, for tolerance and participation, for justice
and solidarity.
We have a unique way of living and working together in the European Union. This is expressed
through the democratic interaction of the Member States and the European institutions. The
European Union is founded on equal rights and mutually supportive cooperation. This enables
us to strike a fair balance between Member States’ interests.
e preserve in the European Union the identities and diverse traditions of its Member States.
W
We are enriched by open borders and a lively variety of languages, cultures and regions. There
are many goals which we cannot achieve on our own, but only in concert. Tasks are shared
between the European Union, the Member States and their regions and local authorities.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT
Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, President of the European Parliament, Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of Germany and President-in-Office of the European
Council, José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission
II. W
e are facing major challenges which do not stop at national borders. The European Union
is our response to these challenges. Only together can we continue to preserve our ideal of
European society in future for the good of all European Union citizens. This European model
combines economic success and social responsibility. The common market and the euro make
us strong.
We can thus shape the increasing interdependence of the global economy and evergrowing
competition on international markets according to our values. Europe’s wealth lies in
the knowledge and ability of its people; that is the key to growth, employment and social
cohesion.
We will fight terrorism, organised crime and illegal immigration together. We stand up for
liberties and civil rights also in the struggle against those who oppose them. Racism and
xenophobia must never again be given any rein.
e are committed to the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the world and to ensuring that
W
people do not become victims of war, terrorism and violence. The European Union wants to
promote freedom and development in the world. We want to drive back poverty, hunger and
disease. We want to continue to take a leading role in that fight.
e intend jointly to lead the way in energy policy and climate protection and make our
W
contribution to averting the global threat of climate change.
2007
For centuries Europe has been an idea, holding out hope of peace and understanding. That hope
has been fulfilled. European unification has made peace and prosperity possible. It has brought
about a sense of community and overcome differences. Each Member State has helped to unite
Europe and to strengthen democracy and the rule of law. Thanks to the yearning for freedom of
the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe the unnatural division of Europe is now consigned to
the past. European integration shows that we have learnt the painful lessons of a history marked
by bloody conflict. Today we live together as was never possible before. We, the citizens of the
European Union, have united for the better.
2007
Declaration on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the signature of the Treaties of Rome
109
III
3. EPP-ED Bureau meetings
110
Programme
Wednesday 18 April 2007
Evening
F or that reason we must always renew the political shape of Europe in keeping with the times.
That is why today, 50 years after the signing of the Treaties of Rome, we are united in our aim
of placing the European Union on a renewed common basis before the European Parliament
elections in 2009.
Welcome speech
> Pilar del CASTILLO VERA MEP, Member of the EPP-ED Group in the EP
For we know, Europe is our common future.
Thursday 19 April 2007
09.00-10.00
Opening
> Joseph DAUL MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the EP
Welcome speech
> José TORRES HURTADO, Mayor of Granada
10.00-12.30
Part I: EUROPEAN UNION FACING THE CHALLENGE OF IMMIGRATION THE SOUTHERN DIMENSION
Chairman
> Jaime MAYOR OREJA MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the EP
Intervention
> Mariano RAJOY BREY, Leader of the Partido Popular in Spain
Speakers
1) Immigration in the South of Europe: a concrete example - Andalusia’s borders
> Javier ARENAS, Leader of the Partido Popular in Andalusia (invited)
2) Policy of the German Presidency with regards to immigration
> Günther BECKSTEIN, MdL, Bavarian Minister for Home Affairs
3) The challenge of illegal immigration
> Simon BUSUTTIL MEP, Head of the Maltese Delegation in the EPP-ED Group in the EP
Discussion
Conclusions
> Othmar KARAS MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the EP
2007
III. The European Union will continue to thrive both on openness and on the will of its Member
States to consolidate the Union’s internal development. The European Union will continue to
promote democracy, stability and prosperity beyond its borders. With European unification a
dream of earlier generations has become a reality. Our history reminds us that we must protect
this for the good of future generations.
2007
EPP-ED Group Bureau meeting in Granada, Spain:
19-20/04/2007
111
III
Conclusions
112
Welcome speech
> José TORRES HURTADO, Mayor of Granada
> Gerardo GALEOTE QUECEDO MEP, Chairman of the Committee on Regional Development
Friday 20 April 2007
09.00-11.00 Part II: IMMIGRATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE EXTERNAL BORDERS
OF THE EU
Chairman
Introduction
> Augustín DÍAZ DE MERA GARCÍA CONSUEGRA MEP, Rapporteur, Member of the
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Member of the EPP-ED
Group in the EP
Speakers
1) FRONTEX: European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the
External Borders
> Gil ARIAS FERNÁNDEZ, Deputy Executive Director of the agency FRONTEX
2) Necessity of a European policy on immigration
> Alexandros ZAVOS, President of the Hellenic Migration Policy Institute (IMEPO)
3) Directive on the return of illegal immigrants
> Manfred WEBER MEP, Rapporteur, Coordinator for the Committee on Civil Liberties,
Justice and Home Affairs, Member of the EPP-ED Group in the EP
Discussion
11.00-11.30
Opening session on immigration
Opening the EPP-ED Group Bureau meeting in Granada, the Group Chairman Joseph Daul
thanked Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP, leader of the Spanish delegation, for the invitation to meet in
Granada and the Mayor of Granada, José Torres Hurtado, for his warm welcome. Mr Daul said that
two important subjects - immigration and border controls - would be examined in depth during
the meeting.
«We must tackle those two issues - immigration and border controls - with determination because
they are of concern to all our citizens and we must work hard to be able to combat the views of
extremists. We must also work closely with our colleagues in the National Parliaments if we are to
achieve success», declared Joseph Daul.
Concluding his opening remarks, Mr Daul wished the Mayor of Granada every success in the local
elections on 27 May next.
The Mayor of Granada, José Torres Hurtado welcomed the EPP-ED Members and outlined the main
characteristics of the city (population of 240,000 inhabitants) and the region.
The first part of the programme on «Immigration - the Southern Dimension» was chaired by
EPP-ED Group Vice-Chairman Jamie Mayor Oreja. He said that in the European Union there are
27 security forces, 27 police forces but we cannot have 27 separate immigration policies. We need
a common policy based on common criteria. In the EPP-ED we must take on the challenge of
designing a common immigration policy and make it part of our political priorities, he declared.
The Bavarian Minister for Home Affairs, Günter Beckstein, gave an overview to the Bureau meeting
of the German Presidency activities on immigration policy. He referred to the Prüm Treaty which,
he said, has allowed a dramatic increase in crime detection. In Bavaria last year the success rate
for murder cases was 118%. This was because the exchange of data (finger prints and genetic data)
between neighbouring countries had resulted in more cases being solved than new cases coming
on the books. He would welcome an extension of the Prüm Treaty to other countries.
The European Union has a huge task to allow data transfer to help fight crime on the one hand
and protect this data on the other hand, the Minister declared. He went on to describe the changes
in immigration trends - from huge immigration into Germany in the 1990s to the more recent
population movements in Southern Europe. He called for greater contact agreement with the
countries of origin and transit of immigrants.
Conclusions
> József SZÁJER MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the EP
> Joseph DAUL MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the EP He also referred to the «brain drain,» from which poorer countries are suffering. These countries
are losing their brightest and best people and therefore we in Europe must encourage growth and
job creation in these countries.
Press Conference
Minister Beckstein said that the host European countries had underestimated the need to integrate
immigrants culturally and socially. Now second generation immigrants were less well integrated
than their parents. This issue must be addressed in the interests of all concerned.
11.30
Simon Busuttil MEP, Head of the Maltese Delegation in the EPP-ED Group, outlined the dramatic
situation of illegal immigration in Malta.
2007
2007
20.30
113
2007
Opening the second day of the EPP-ED Group’s Bureau meeting in Granada, Joseph Daul MEP,
Chairman of the Group, said that European immigration and border control policy must be
carried out in a humanist and responsible manner. However, he strongly criticised the actions of
the current Spanish Government who had asked for European solidarity only after it had acted
unilaterally and without consulting its partners by regularising the situation of millions of illegal
immigrants.
114
Mr Daul referred to a recent meeting he had with the Ambassadors to the EU of the Arab countries.
They had criticised EU policy without themselves making any proposal for joint policy or activities
in the area of immigration policy. He said that a Marshall Plan was necessary to help the countries
of North Africa grow and provide jobs for their inhabitants.
Augustín Díaz de Mera MEP, Author for the European Parliament on Europol and other Civil
Liberties Committee reports, outlined the current situation in Spain. There are daily arrests
of illegal immigrants arriving by land and by sea. He said that more than 10% of the Spanish
population now consists of immigrants.
EPP-ED Group will agree concrete proposals for an EU
immigration policy for the end of 2007
The EPP-ED Group will decide on a package of concrete proposals for EU immigration policy by
the end of this year, which could include a Marshall Plan for those countries which are the source
of illegal immigrants coming to Europe, and a plan to fight against the mafias responsible for the
trafficking of persons.
After two days of meetings in Granada, the Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Joseph Daul,
said that the discussion on this subject inside the Group will continue in July in Malta and that the
Group will be ready to put forward concrete proposals by the end of this year.
«We have the imperative need to offer solutions for the problem of immigration because otherwise,
it will promote the politics of extremists in Europe», said Daul, who also called on third countries
to work together to end illegal immigration.
«We should not be afraid of words: we need to combat the mafias organising illegal immigration»,
he concluded.
He called for an increase in the resources of FRONTEX, the EU Agency for the coordination of
external border controls. FRONTEX also provides financial aid and analysis of the risks to Member
States. Mr Díaz de Mera said, however, that FRONTEX could only act when the Council of Ministers
allowed it to act. Its budget should be trebled over the next two years to make it effective.
Concluding Session
Mr Díaz de Mera also informed the EPP-ED Bureau that the city of Conakry, Guinea has been
identified as the collection point for illegal immigrants. As soon as sufficient ‘customers’ are
assembled, they are put into a rickety boat and sent to Europe.
The EPP-ED Bureau meeting in Granada came to a close today in the presence of Marciano Rajoy,
Leader of the Partido Popular in Spain. On immigration, he said that immigration can be good for
all concerned but illegal immigration and the activities of organised crime must be fought.
EPP-ED Group Spokesman on the Civil Liberties Committee, Manfred Weber MEP, outlined to the
Bureau meeting the current situation of the draft ‘returns’ directive. He said that there were an
estimated 10 to 12 million illegal immigrants in Europe. These people are living without rights and
risk exploitation and even slavery.
Józef Szájer, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, drew the conclusions from the two days of
debate on immigration and border control. He said the Bureau had learned much from the
authoritative expert contributions from the professionals who handle these issues daily.
The European Commission has proposed that illegal immigrants could be held in custody for up
to six months. Mr Weber urged his colleagues to accept this proposal provided that in exceptional
circumstances the time limit could be extended. He also proposed that illegal immigrants agreeing
to voluntary return could receive financial help.
Weber said that any immigration and returns policy must recognise family and children’s rights
and basic human rights and there must be safeguard clauses. However, one of the most important
aspects is mutual recognition by the Member States of each other’s decisions in this area.
The Deputy Director of the FRONTEX Agency, Gil Arias Fernández, outlined the duties,
responsibilities and resources of the agency.
Szájer said immigration was a big issue. If we accept that there are at least 10 million immigrants
living in Europe, then this is equivalent to a medium-sized EU country. It is also a complex issue
involving border controls, immigration itself, development, the source countries and, unfortunately,
organised crime, all of which control much of the illegal immigration.
In external border management, the whole EU is involved and therefore we must have a common
policy. If we value freedom of movement, then we must prevent illegal immigration. Spain had sent
the wrong message because it had acted unilaterally. Popular support for freedom of movement
will decline if we do not attack illegal immigration. We must protect human rights and ensure
correct procedures but illegal activities must be fought. We have strategic goals of free movement
within the EU and security for our citizens. These aims will be undermined if we do not put an end
to illegal activities including illegal immigration.
In summary, Mr Szájer called for more financial and other resources, more cooperation between
the Member States and more awareness of the extent of the problem.
2007
Border Controls, FRONTEX
III
115
2007
Günther Beckstein, MdL, Bavarian Minister for Home Affairs, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Niels Pedersen, Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group, Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, and Simon Busuttil MEP
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament and José Torres Hurtado, Mayor of Granada
116
2007
III
117
Javier Arenas, Leader of the Partido Popular in Andalusia,
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament and Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Augustín
Díaz de Mera García MEP, Gil Arias Fernández, Deputy Executive Director, FRONTEX, and Alexandros Zavos, President of the Hellenic Migration Policy Institute (IMEPO)
III
EPP-ED Group Bureau meeting in the Azores,
Portugal: 14-15/06/2007
11.15-12.00
Programme
12.00-12.15
Discussion
Conclusions
Afternoon
Visit to a tea factory and plantation
2007
09.00-10.00
Opening
Thursday, 14 June 2007
> Joseph DAUL MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament (EP)
Welcome
> Carlos Henrique da COSTA NEVES, President of the PSD in the Azores, former MEP
09.00-12.00
> Luís MARQUES MENDÉS, Leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) in Portugal
THEME II: GREEN PAPER: TOWARDS A FUTURE MARITIME POLICY Fishery and Environment aspects
118
10.00-12.15
THEME I: OUTERMOST REGIONS
Chairman
10.00-10.15
> Othmar Karas MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the EP
Introduction
10.15-10.30
> Margie SUDRE MEP, Chairwoman of the French Delegation in the EPP-ED Group in the EP
Speakers
10.30-10.45
1) The outermost regions and the EU neighbourhood policy
> Carlos AMARAL, Coordinator of the Centre for European Studies of the University of the Azores
Friday, 15 June 2007
Chairman
09.00-09.15
> João de Deus PINHEIRO MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the EP
Introduction
09.15-09.30
> Struan STEVENSON MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the EP, EP
Rapporteur for the Fisheries Opinion on Maritime Policy
Speakers
2007
Sérgio MARQUES MEP, Member of the EPP-ED Group in the EP
09.30-09.45
1) Presentation and follow-up of the Green Paper
> Joe BORG, Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs
09.45-10.00
2) How to manage our relations with the oceans
> Régis KALAYDJIAN, Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea
10.45-11.00
2) Evaluation of additional burdens due to the nature of the outermost regions
10.00-10.15
> Germain GULTZGOFF, Representative of the Association of the French Outermost
Regions Economic Organisations (EURODOM)
3) The maritime development: an opportunity for Europe
> Liberato FERNANDES, President of the Federation of Fisheries of the Azores
11.00-11.15
10.15-10.30
3) The concept of outermost regions - a success story
4) The maritime strategy: an opportunity to modernise the European economy
> Fernando FERNÁNDEZ MARTÍN MEP, Member of the EPP-ED Group in the EP
> Luís QUEIRÓ MEP, Member of the EPP-ED Group in the EP, Vice-Chairman of the
Committee on Transport and Tourism, Shadow Rapporteur of the EPP-ED Group
119
5) Deeper than light and far from land: Environmental issues of the wide European
North-East Atlantic
> Prof. Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Senior Researcher at the University of the Azores,
Department of Oceanography and Fisheries
10.45-11.30
2007
120
Discussion
11.30-11.45
Conclusions
> Duarte FREITAS MEP, Member of the EPP-ED Group in the EP
11.45-12.00
Final conclusions
12.00
Press conference
Conclusions
Opening Session
Opening the EPP-ED Group Bureau meeting in the Azores, Portugal, the Group Chairman,
Joseph Daul MEP, thanked Carlos Costa Neves, President of the PSD Azores, Duarte Freitas MEP
from the Azores and Luís Marques Mendés, President of the PSD, for the invitation to meet in
Ponta Delgada. Mr Daul said that two important subjects - outermost regions and maritime policy
- would be examined in depth during the meeting.
Joseph Daul emphasised that the EU solidarity with the outermost regions is total. This is the key
message from the EPP-ED Group. Nevertheless, this solidarity through EU programmes like POSEI
Agriculture/Fisheries is not enough.
«The outermost regions allow the European Union to benefit not only from a wide maritime
territory but also from a more diversified economy. These regions allow all EU citizens to develop
strategic relations with the furthest neighbours of the European continent and are privileged
territories for research and technological development, especially maritime research», highlighted
the EPP-ED Group Chairman.
«Nevertheless, the particularities of these regions - insularity, distance, climate conditions - are
sometimes obstacles to their development. Despite the dynamic of their inhabitants, most of these
regions belong to the less-economically favoured of our Union. So, the big challenge for the Azores
is to build a society of innovation and technological development, and to explore to the maximum
the potential of these regions to create, for instance, services centres in the ecological field and
centres of maritime and environmental research and excellence», concluded Mr Daul.
Mr Costa Neves, President of the PSD Azores, welcomed the Group Bureau Meeting and said that
European construction is above all a sharing process. Sharing implies giving and receiving. Thanks
to the European Union, the Azores have been improving and mobilising resources to achieve a
high level of economic growth and development. Thanks to the support of the European Union, the
Azores overcame problems of poor infrastructures and facilities. Now we need qualified Azoreans
strengthening the dynamic among companies. Therefore, there is still a lot of work to do in order
to improve the job conditions of the Azoreans.
Mr Marques Mendés, President of the PSD Portugal, considered the EPP-ED initiative to meet in
the Azores very opportune and appropriate and congratulated the biggest European political Group
for coming to Portugal just before the beginning of the Portuguese Presidency.
Concluding the opening session, Mr Marques Mendés highlighted that the deepening of the
European project is fundamental for the future of Europe. The absolute priority is a European
Treaty, an instrument to overcome the current crisis. Including in the new draft Treaty of the
European Union an article on the Outermost Regions is a guarantee for fair policies and measures
of the Union towards its outermost regions.
The Outermost Regions and EU Neighbourhood Policy
Introducing the debate on the outermost regions, Margie Sudre MEP, representing the French
overseas territories, welcomed the progress that had been made over the last 15 years since
specific measures were introduced for the ultra peripheric regions of the European Union. She
described the special challenges facing these regions including distance from main markets,
climate, topography and specific health problems. Also, very often, the outermost regions were
situated in regions of poor economic growth and were characterised by high unemployment.
Also, the economies of these regions tend to rely on very few economic activities, for example, the
2007
10.30-10.45
III
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122
Germain Gultzgoff, Representative of the Association of the French Outermost Regions Economic
Organisations (EURODOM), then took the floor. He explained a little bit about his organisation
which represents the socio/economic interests of regions, industry and stakeholders from
outermost regions.
He stressed that the present re-definition of European Union policy on outermost regions was a
source of great anxiety and he wished to ring alarm bells regarding the methodology of calculations
regarding additional costs and additional burdens. In view of the handicapped nature of the regions
themselves, subsidies were justified and they are not overcompensated. This method has its faults;
a single methodology is out of the question in political and economic terms as additional burdens
cannot always be quantified. The problem is that the European Commission wants to compare the
outermost regions with the mainland, which is not possible as goods and services produced are
in competition with ACP countries which constitutes a major stumbling block. Methodology must
serve the political objective of the European Union and not just the economic. Further arguments
regarding distance need to be made and existing services need to be maintained otherwise the
regions are freeze-framed and this prevents further development.
Fernando Fernández Martín MEP concluded by referring to the historical background to gaining
recognition for the outermost regions. He referred to the concept of the outermost regions as
a success story advanced by negotiations, islands like the Azores being the outermost of the
outermost. The specific nature and often volcanic nature of islands need to be taken into account
as well as distance and insularity. The Azores had been a success story due to geothermic energy
and also to the cooperation and recognition between all seven recognised outermost regions
where problems had been shared and responses to problems had been shared. He hoped the last
fifteen years of success would be a preface to the years ahead for more success for the outermost
regions.
Green Paper: towards a future maritime policy Fishery and Environment aspects
Opening the second day of discussions at the EPP-ED Bureau meeting in the Azores, Portugal,
Struan Stevenson MEP, Vice Chairman of the EPP-ED Group and European Parliament
Rapporteur for the Fisheries Opinion on Maritime Policy was followed by Commissioner Joe Borg,
Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs who made a presentation of the Commission’s
Green Paper on Maritime policy. These interventions were followed by several maritime experts
Struan Stevenson, MEP, said that the Commission’s Green Paper offered an opportunity to
integrate the vast plethora of laws and regulations that cover European maritime interests and at
the same time encouraged the sustainable exploitation of the seas and oceans. Mr.Stevenson went
on to say that the maritime sector is one of the few areas in the European Union where the «polluter
pays» principle is not adhered to and although industrial pollution has caused massive damage to
fish stock, it is the fishermen who have had to meet the costs of this contamination through cuts
in quotas, cuts in days at sea. These impositions have devastated the fishing industry.
He called for the creation of a single Marine Management Organisation (MMO) in coastal
Member States which would help streamline management which would benefit everyone and the
environment. He also called for the causes of Climate change to be tackled now. A strategy to
maintain coastal defences and protect against rising sea levels must also seek to minimise habitat
loss for plants and animals. Improvements in other factors such as improving the image of fishing
as a profession and the by-catch problem, sewage, industrial effluents and litter also needed to be
addressed. He welcomed the Green Paper as an intergrated approach which seeks to achieve a
sustainable and competitive future for the maritime sector.
Commissioner Joe Borg in his intervention added that 80% of the problems of the sea come form
land. The European Commission was trying to find new ways of dealing with these problems: The
threat of Climate change, the decline of maritime biodiversities and the risk of collapse of the
oceans sustainability, the problems of globalisation and maritime transport and increased energy
demands and the possibilities of developing new offshore energy resources. He continued by
saying that the European Union had up until now taken a separate sector-specific action in the
maritime sector but the European Commission’s aim is to change this and to build a policy taking
a look at oceans and seas as a whole. An integrated maritime policy will allow Europe to maximise
the benefits from marine resources and also enhance them for the future. Joe Borg emphasised
the fact that the functioning of our oceans and seas is seriously threatened. After climate change,
ocean sustainability is possibly the next most significant challenge of our times. We can no longer
ignore the threats we face. We must therefore find the right balance between legitimate economic
growth and the preservation of our seas. He said it was too early to speak but broad support
throughout the Union for developing an integrated maritime policy in Europe was emerging.
Concluding the discussion, Duarte Freitas MEP said that the oceans and the sea are a vital resource
for life on Earth. They are of a great richness and carry huge potential for development. He
supported the creation of a new European Maritime Policy, where the European Union would bring
the different oceans of Europe closer and bring back the ties of a maritime identity that had
long been forgotten. Mr. Freitas MEP said that the Commission Green Paper is an opportunity as
the decisive role of the sea is one of the greatest challenges that Europe is facing, including the
need to maintain the competitiveness of maritime transport on a global scene. He also added that
there is a need to understand and reduce the impact of climate change; a need to take in hand
a decision on the sustainability of the oceans - today seriously threatened; and the need to put
in practice the objectives of the recently adopted Energy Strategy. The sustainable management
of the oceans means a global vision, which includes various policies: Fisheries, Transport,
Competitiveness, Energy, Environment, Regional Policy, Research and Tourism. Preserving the
maritime environment is an economic requirement, because all these sub-sectors depend on it. He
closed by saying that the new European Maritime Policy needs financial support which has not yet
been foreseen but should be assured from 2013 onwards.
2007
Continuing the debate on the outermost regions and the EU Neighbourhood Policy,
Carlos Amaral, Coordinator of the Centre for European Studies of Azores University, thanked
the EPP-ED Group Bureau for the opportunity of addressing them. He wanted the EU to fully
understand the realities of outermost regions, such as the Azores, whose geographical location
and distance from mainland Europe has effects on all policy areas, health, education and energy in
particular. Due to the extra transport and energy costs involved, the same financial yardstick cannot
be applied for hospitals and universities in the outermost regions as to those in Barcelona or Paris,
for example. These additional costs and the very specific nature of island life have to be taken into
account when calculations and decisions are being made. Carlos Amaral said that all people from
outermost regions and people on the Azores were all citizens with the same political, civic, national
and European rights as any other citizens in the EU. He thought it very important that the EU needs
to acknowledge the global dimension that the outermost regions add to the European Union, not
only by extending its borders into the Atlantic, Caribbean and other areas but also with the manifold
dimensions added by the outermost regions to connections from the USA and Canada.
including, Régis Kalaydjian, Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea, Francisco Liberato
Fernandes, President of the Federation of Fisheries of the Azores and Luís Queiró MEP, Vice
Chairman of the Committee on Transport and tourism, Shadow rapporteur of the EPP-ED Group.
2007
economy of Guadaloupe is highly dependent on bananas, the economy of the island of Reunion
is dominated by sugarcane. Concluding her remarks, she called for not just the preservation and
improvement of the infrastructure and economic facilities of these regions, but also for a greater
emphasis on sustainable development.
123
2007
Carlos Henrique da Costa Neves, former MEP and President of the PSD in the Azores,
Margie Sudre MEP, Head of the French Delegation of the EPP-ED Group, Niels Pedersen, Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Luís Marques Mendés, Leader of the Social Democratic
Party (PSD) in Portugal, and Othmar Karas MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Luís Marques Mendés, Leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) in Portugal, and Carlos Henrique da Costa Neves, former MEP and President of the PSD in the Azores
124
2007
III
125
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, and Duarte Freitas MEP
Pascal Fontaine, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group, Struan Stevenson MEP,
Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament and Duarte Freitas MEP
III
> Erhard BUSEK, Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe
Discussion
Conclusions
> Marian-Jean MARINESCU MEP, Vice Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament
2007
14.15 -16.30
Thursday, 6 December 2007
09.00-10.00
Opening
> Vito BONSIGNORE MEP, Vice Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament
Welcome
> Sulejman TIHIC, Leader of Party of Democratic Action (SDA), Bosnia and Herzegovina
> Mladen IVANIC, Leader of Party of Democratic Progress (PDP), Bosnia and Herzegovina
126
10.00-12.30
Part I: EU-ENGAGEMENT IN SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
FOR PEACE KEEPING, STABILISATION AND STATE BUILDING
Guided City Tour in Sarajevo - ancient Sarajevo
17.00-19.00
Part II: EXCHANGE OF VIEWS WITH LEADERS
OF EPP SISTER PARTIES IN SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
Chairman
> Othmar KARAS MEP, Vice Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament
Introduction
> Wilfried MARTENS, Chairman of the European People’s Party
Speakers
> Sulejman TIHIC, Leader of Party of Democratic Action (SDA), Bosnia and Herzegovina
> Mladen IVANIC, Leader of Party of Democratic Progress (PDP), Bosnia and Herzegovina
Chairman
> Doris PACK MEP, Chairwoman of South-East Europe Delegation, Member of the EPP-ED Group
> Sali BERISHA, Leader of Democratic Party of Albania, Albania
> Genc POLLO, Leader of New Democrat Party, Albania
Introduction
> Nikola GRUEVSKI, Leader of VMRO-DPMNE, FYROM
Speakers
1) Military Engagement and Policy Engagement
> Vojislav KOSTUNICA, Prime Minister of Serbia, Leader of Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS), Serbia
> Rear Admiral Hans-Jochen WITTHAUER, EU Force Commander for the EU Military Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR-Althéa)
> Mladjan DINKIC, Leader of G 17 Plus Party, Serbia
Discussion
> Brigadier-General Vincenzo COPPOLA, Head of the European Union Police Mission
in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUPM)
2) Civil Engagement
> Miroslav LAJCAK, UN High Representative and Special Envoy of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina
> Joachim RÜCKER, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General
and Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)
> Erwan FOUÉRÉ, Envoy of the European Union and Chief of European Commission’s
delegation to Macedonia
2007
Programme
3) Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe (SEE)
Group Bureau meeting in Sarajevo, Bosnia
and Herzegovina: 06-07/12/2007
127
III
Friday, 7 December 2007
Part III: STABILISATION AND ASSOCIATION PROCESS / REGIONAL COOPERATION
Chairman
> Joseph DAUL MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament
Speakers
> Pierre MIREL, Director responsible for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo issues in DG Enlargement in the European Commission
> Hido BISCEVIC, Secretary General of the South East Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP)
> Osman TOPCAGIC, Director of the Directorate for European Integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina
> Tanja MISCEVIC, Director of the Department of European Studies of the G 17 Institute in Belgrade,Serbia
> Prof. Dr. Gordana DUROVIC, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration,
Government of the Republic of Montenegro
> Gabriela KONEVSKA TRAJKOVSKA, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration,
Government of the Republic of Macedonia
> Majlinda BREGU, Minister of Integration, Government of Albania
Discussion
General conclusions
2007
F R O M L E F T T O R I H T:
Doris Pack MEP, Chairwoman of the Delegation for relations with the countries of
South-East Europe, Mladen Ivaniç, Leader of the Party of Democratic Progress, Bosnia
& Herzegovina, Sulejman Tihiç, Leader of the Party of Democratic Action, Bosnia &
Herzegovina, Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European
Parliament, Paolo Licandro, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group, Marian-Jean
Marinescu MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, and Jolyon Naegele, Acting Director
of Office of Political Affairs for the United nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo
12.00
Press conference
128
2007
09.00-12.00
129
F R O M L E F T T O R I H T:
Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament,
Paolo Licandro, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group, and Sulejman Tihiç, Leader of the Party of Democratic Action, Bosnia & Herzegovina (in the middle)
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130
The head of the EU police mission (EUPM), Brigadier-General Vincenzo Coppola, said that the
EUPM’s remit is to support the local police, fight organised crime and ensure the accountability of
local police forces and sometimes political interference.
The meeting of the EPP-ED Bureau began today in Sarajevo on the topic of the relationship between
the European Union and the countries of South-East Europe. Opening speeches were delivered by
Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Sulejman Tihic, Chairman of the Party
of Democratic Action, and Mladen Ivanic, Chairman of the Party of Democratic Action.
Jolyon Naegele gave the EPP-ED Bureau members an outline of the progress achieved by the UN
interim administration mission in Kosovo. European standards and practices have been achieved
in sectors such as banks, customs and privatisation. He said that certainty on the future status of
Kosovo was a key to stability in the region - an opinion shared by several speakers in the debate.
Vito Bonsignore MEP welcomed the representatives of the sister parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina
and said «we start this meeting with great optimism shortly after the initialling the Stabilisation
and Association Agreement. The Agreement was a result of hard work on both sides and it allows
BIH to take its membership prospects one step further. The Vice-Chairman expressed satisfaction
that the leaders of BIH managed to reach an understanding on the major reforms. He added: «The
reason we are here today is to support the efforts of the EU and the UN in the Balkans and show
the commitment of the EPP-ED Group to the goal of peace and stability.»
Summing up the morning’s debate, Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED
Group, congratulated the political leaders present on the initialling of the Stabilisation Association
Agreement which occurred only a few days ago. He referred to the importance of BIH regionally
and the cultural and traditional links it shared with the rest of Europe. He called for tolerance,
especially towards minorities, to be respected. His conclusion was that Europe is very willing to
help, normality is returning to BIH and economic integration inside the region and with the rest of
Europe is important to underpin peace and security for all the peoples of the region.
Croatia is negotiating accession and is expected to join before the end of the decade. FYROM
is a candidate country and can expect to start negotiating in the near future. Other countries
in the region also need to grasp this opportunity soon. «We hope that Bosnia-Herzegovina in
2008 will become a country that will help guarantee the stability of the entire region», concluded
Bonsignore.
Sulejman Tihic echoed the words of Mr Bonsignore underlining that Bosnia and Herzegovina is in
a festive mood having only recently initialled the SAA. He expressed the hope that the signing of the
Agreement would take place middle of next year at the latest when the country hopes to fulfil the
remaining conditions: the implementation of police reform, the reform of the public broadcasting
service and full cooperation with the ICTY. Tihic thanked the EPP-ED Group for having organised
its Bureau meeting in Sarajevo. In his view it was an appropriate choice due to the key position
of Bosnia in Herzegovina in the region. In conclusion, Tihic especially thanked Doris Pack MEP,
Chairwoman of the Delegation for South East Europe, for her continuous support and engagement
in BIH and in the region.
Mladen Ivanic expressed satisfaction that after a deep crisis, the leaders of BIH have managed to
solve many important problems through agreement. He said it was a crucial test of whether the
country «is ready to do what Europe is doing on a daily basis - agreeing and compromising». He
said he expects a quick signing of the SAA and announced the adoption of the relevant laws by
February-March of next year. The next important challenge to follow is the discussion on the postDayton Constitution which is on the agenda for next year.
European Union involvement in South-Eastern Europe
Opening the session of the EPP-ED Bureau meeting on European Union involvement in SouthEastern Europe, Doris Pack MEP, Chairwoman of the European Parliament Delegation for relations
with the countries of South-East Europe, said that we are interested in Bosnia and Herzegovina
for several reasons. The country is right in the heart of the region, its stability and prospects are
important for the region and indeed for all of Europe. Mrs Pack referred to the good progress made
by Croatia and said this could be an example for the other countries in the region. The EU and
other international bodies can and are playing a role but it is up to the local elected politicians «to
provide their citizens with the opportunity for peace, stability and prosperity.»
Brigadier-General Pablo Bermudo, Chief of Staff of the EU military operation in Bosnia and
Herzegovina, gave the meeting an overview of the current status and progress of his mission. He
emphasised the almost daily contact with the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy. The task
Exchange of views with sister parties
Under the chairmanship of Othmar Karas, Vice President of the EPP-ED Group, the conference
continued with a second panel discussion and an exchange of views with the sister parties from
the region. In his introduction, Karas highlighted how important it is for the EPP-ED Group to
have strong parties in the region which are supported by the people and have anchorage in the
EPP family.
The Chairman of the EPP Party Wilfried Martens was moderating the panel. He welcomed the
representatives of the EPP sister parties and expressed satisfaction that Bosnia and Herzegovina
had managed to reach agreement on police reform. Mr. Martens had chaired a special Committee
on police reform over an 8 month period and said that the atmosphere for cooperation was vital
for BIH and the whole region. He recalled the founding fathers of the European Union and urged
the leaders of South East Europe to take guidance and inspiration from them. At the time they
had brought a new atmosphere of confidence, trust and loyalty based on which they were able to
establish the European Union. The same rationale lies behind the EPP and he called the parties to
create links of loyalty and friendship and build a new, European future.
Sulejman Tihic, Chairman of the SDA described Bosnia and Herzegovina as a uniquely multicultural
country where different people and religions have been living side by side throughout history. Life in
the country is very tolerant in that respect. He expressed satisfaction that there was agreement on
the police reform and said that the key to progress is to build institutions. He said that criminals
do not want police reform, they do not want constitutional reform because they don’t want the rule
of law. The crises that arose in the country’s political life was in his view caused by an incoherent
state set up.
Lulzim Basha, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania emphasised the role of the EU in the
democratisation of countries in South East Europe. Organised crime and corruption are the biggest
challenges which Albania is tackling reasonably successfully. According to the Foreign Minister,
political will is a sine qua non of fighting organised crime. Recently due to a strong anti-corruption
commitment Albania has been registering successes in dismantling criminal organisations
and charging individuals suspected of corruption. The Minister also touched upon the issue of
Kosovo and supported the Ahtisaari proposal as the most comprehensive proposal.
Genc Pollo, Leader of the New Democrat Party in Albania also reiterated the importance of the EU’s
drawing power, but also said local politicians must not shy away from the responsibility for political
dialogue. He expressed satisfaction that all parties in Albania have been showing maturity in their
2007
2007
Opening of EPP-ED Bureau meeting in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
of EUFOR is to provide a safe and secure environment for the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina
and to assist the police when necessary. He described the current situation as «calm and stable»
with some «political turbulence».
Conclusions
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2007
Borko Ilic, Vice Chairman of the Democratic Party of Serbia reviewed the history of Serbia in the
post-Milosevic era and the reforms initiated during the term of the previous Government when the
DSS was a major partner. He highlighted the priorities of Serbia - the EU, full cooperation with the
ICTY, further economic development, and most immediately Serbian territorial integrity. He said
that for Serbia it does not make sense to make new borders in the Balkans when we will soon all
be reunited in the EU.
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4. Study Days of the Group
Study Days in Malta: 04-06/07/2007
Programme
Wednesday, 4 July
Stabilisation and Association Process and Regional Cooperation
09.00 - 10.00
Opening:
Stabilisation and Association process and regional cooperation were the main topics of the second
day of the EPP-ED Group Bureau meeting in Sarajevo.
Welcome address:
Opening the third Session of the meeting, Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group underlined
that the top priority of the EPP-ED Group is peace, stability and prosperity for the whole region of
the Western Balkans. « I don’ t want to use easy language and tell you wait and Europe will help
you. Yes, Europe will help you but this must not stop you from cooperating with each other and
to say that narrow nationalism and populism are misguided and will not help this region or any
other», emphasized Mr. Daul.
> Lawrence GONZI, Prime Minister of Malta
Speaking on behalf of the European Commission, Mr. Dirk Lange, admitted that the countries of
South-East Europe moving to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) have a credible
strategy but they still need some fine tuning. The signing of the SAA will have a high impact on
investment decisions which will contribute to the prosperity of the countries and the region, he
added.
Osman Topčagić Director of the Directorate for European Integration for Bosnia and Herzegovina
explained that the main challenge is to build institutions which can serve as a partner for Europe.
He also admitted that changes and reforms take longer than expected but the introduction of laws
which comply with the reforms will speed up the whole process. He asked the leadership of the
EPP-ED Group to encourage his country on it’s way through further and difficult reforms. «Real
reforms start with accession negotiations and this is far away», he concluded.
The none functioning of the state and the lack of cooperation with the ICTY, were the two
main obstacles for Serbia towards the SAA, said Mrs Tanja Mišćević, Director of the European
Integration Office of Serbia. She summarised the achievements of her country underlining the clear
political consensus for EU Integration. « The EU is the most respected Institution in Serbia, the
promised land» she said. « But our aim is to create the promised land in Serbia and then to apply
for accession.». At the end of her presentation Mrs Mišćević called for more visa liberalisation due
to the fact that 70% of Serbia’s young people have never been abroad and for more EU help in
order to resolve the remaining issues.
10.00 - 12.30
Part I: EUROMED - The peace process in the Middle East
10.00 - 10.10
Chairman:
> Vito BONSIGNORE MEP, Vice Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament
10.10 - 10.25
Welcome address:
> Guido de MARCO, Former President of Malta
10.30 - 10.40
Speakers:
> Mohammed Al-Fatah NACIRI, Director of the office for European Affairs of the Arab League
10.40 - 10.50
> Marc OTTE, EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process
10.50 - 11.00
> Patrick CHILD, Head of Cabinet of Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU Commissioner
11.00 - 11.10
> Tokia SAIFI MEP, Chairwoman of the Political Committee of EMPA (Euro
Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly)
2007
political dealings and practices. In his closing remarks he also invoked the issue of Kosovo saying
that a solution is essential to fully guarantee stability. He warned that the EU and US should move
decisively in the coming months.
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> Michael GAHLER MEP, Vice Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the
European Parliament
11.20 - 11.30
2007
09.00 - 09.30
Part II: EUROMED
Chairman:
11.30 - 11.40
The peace process in the Middle East
> Keynote speech by Abdelelah AL-KHATIB, Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs
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Thursday, 5 July
> Jana HYBÁŠKOVÁ MEP, Chairwoman of the EU-Israel Inter-parliamentary Delegation
> Ioannis KASOULIDES MEP, Vice Chairman of the EU-Palestine Delegation
11.40 - 12.30
Discussion
15.00 - 18.00
Part II: EUROMED - Future steps
15.00 - 15.10
Chairman:
> Othmar KARAS MEP, Vice Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the EP
15.10 - 15.30
Welcome addresses:
> Michael FRENDO, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malta
15.30 - 15.50
Speakers:
> Abdelwahab ABDALLAH, Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs
09.45 - 12.30
Part III: MARITIME POLICY - Transport and Energy
09.45 - 10.00
Chairman:
> Marianne THYSSEN MEP, Vice Chairwoman of the EPP-ED Group in the EP
10.00 - 10.15
Speakers:
1) Green Paper on Maritime Policy: Introduction and the energy dimension
> Joe BORG, Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs
10.15 - 10.30
2) The transport dimension
> Jacques BARROT, Vice President of the European Commission, Commissioner for
Transport
15.50 - 16.10
10.30 - 10.45
3) Malta’s position on the Green Paper
> Censu GALEA, Minister for Competitiveness and Communications in Malta
> Didier BOUTEILLER, Expert on the coordination of financial instruments (European Commission)
16.10 - 16.30
> Antonio TAJANI MEP, Vice President of the EPP, responsible for Euromed Policy
16.30 - 17.45
10.45 - 11.00
4) EPP-ED Group’s position on the Piecyk Report
> Georg JARZEMBOWSKI MEP, Member of the EPP-ED Group Bureau, EPP-ED
Coordinator of the Committee on Transport and Tourism, Member of the Committee
on Fisheries
Discussion
17.45 - 18.00
11.00 - 12.15
Conclusions:
> Vito BONSIGNORE MEP, Vice Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European
Parliament
12.15 - 12.30
18.45
Buses to depart for evening events
Discussion
Conclusions:
> David CASA MEP, Member of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament
2007
11.10 - 11.20
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Conclusions
09.00 - 12.00
Opening Session
Part IV: IMMIGRATION
2007
09.00 - 09.20
136
Chairman:
09.20 - 09.40
Speakers:
1) Introduction of the immigration package
> Franco FRATTINI, Vice President of the European Commission, Commissioner for
Freedom, Security and Justice
09.40 - 10.00
2) Problem of immigration across the Mediterranean Sea
> Tonio BORG, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Home Affairs
10.00 - 10.20
3) View of the future Slovenian Presidency
> Dragutin MATE, Minister of the Interior in Slovenia
10.20 - 10.50
4) Towards an EPP-ED Group approach on immigration
> Mario MAURO MEP, Vice Chairman of the European Parliament and Member of the Bureau of EPP-ED Group
10.50 - 11.30
Discussion
11.30 - 11.45
Conclusions:
> József SZÁJER MEP, Vice Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the EP
11.45 - 12.00
Final conclusions:
12.00
Press conference
At the opening session of the EPP-ED Group’s Study Days in Malta, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of
the EPP-ED Group, extended his gratitude to the Maltese MEPs as well as to the Nationalist Party
and the Maltese Prime Minister for their hospitality. The Chairman stressed the importance of the
three main subjects of discussion that top the European agenda: EUROMED and the process in
the Middle East, Maritime Policy - Transport and Energy and Immigration.
Mr Daul said: «The EPP-ED Group, like the EU, works in the spirit of solidarity by respecting
common European rules. Malta has a remarkable geopolitical position in the EU. Therefore it
is necessary to help Malta in the fight against illegal immigration. What is more, we have to
reinforce our cooperation with the countries of origin to improve living conditions for people there.
The EPP-ED Group is also committed to giving a new impetus to the Euro-Mediterranean and
Neighbourhood Policy, especially with regard to the Middle East peace process.»
Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister of Malta, underlined the need for enhanced multilateral
cooperation not only in immigration policy but also in the field of maritime policy. However,
bilateral agreements are no longer sufficient, neither in immigration or neighbourhood policy nor
to guarantee preservation of natural resources in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Therefore, an integrated strategy is now indispensable.
The Prime Minister explained that the number of illegal immigrants exceeds the country’s birth rate.
It is not only a question of saving people’s lives but also of giving them a perspective for the future.
«Malta cannot cope with this situation on its own», Gonzi said. EU countries should get involved
more actively in development policy, which is connected to immigration policy. Humanitarian aid
and fighting poverty in Africa should thus bear fruits in the combat of illegal immigration.
Simon Busuttil MEP, Head of the Maltese Delegation of the EPP-ED Group, stressed the
importance of the EPP-ED Group as the biggest political force in the European Parliament. This is
demonstrated by the fact that the Study Days are being attended not only by EU Commissioners
Barrot, Frattini and Reding, but also by MP observers from Egypt, Morocco, Israel and Jordan. The
three main topics of the EPP-ED Study Days are therefore important for Malta and for the European
Union in general. However, the country’s specific geographical position and historical identity
prove that Malta is the right place for this venue.
Euromed - Future Steps
«We are going to focus on the quality of all our activities. Decisions need to be evaluated. We must
do our homework», said Othmar Karas MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European
Parliament and Chairman of Theme II of the EPP-ED Group Study Days: Euromed - Future Steps.
«How do we see the Euromed more than 10 years after its initiation? The situation has evolved
considerably since 1995», confirmed Michael Frendo, Maltese Minister of Foreign Affairs, who
delivered the welcome speech. He urged the audience not to reduce the Euromed solely to the
Middle East conflict. «The problem is very important but we should not lose sight of other issues.
The whole area is integrating economically. Our ultimate goal is the attainment of a genuine
free trade area, in the framework of the European Union Neighbourhood Policy. In some areas,
progress is better, in some, it is worse», explained Frendo.
2007
Friday, 6 July
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Dider Bouteiller, a European Commission expert on the coordination of financial instruments,
recalled that EU support to the Mediterranean region would reach the sum of €18.5 billion over
the period 2007-2013. In March, the European Commission adopted the Strategy Paper for
Mediterranean states.
Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group and Coordinator of the Euromed
Parliamentary Assembly, concluded the debate. He said that the time has come to act, not react.
The Konrad Adenauer Foundation provides a very good network in the region and is willing to
cooperate with the EPP-ED Group. The EPP-ED Group should identify projects in important policy
areas such as water management, environment, and transport infrastructure. Mr Bonsignore also
suggested an EPP-ED initiative of setting up a single labour market within the framework of a
common migration strategy. We also have to deal with the prospects of the Euromed Free Trade
Area which should be up and running by 2010. A great deal of attention must be given to southsouth trade and not only to the EU-Med trade. Last but not least, we must make it clear to the
outside world that another side to the Middle East also exists. The majority of its population is not
anti-Western, but want to cooperate with the EU.
The programme consists of four priorities:
> promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of law;
> supporting EU neighbours, economic reforms and promoting integration with the EU Single Market;
> contributing to conflict resolution in the EU’s neighbourhood;
> promoting regional co-operation and integration.
After Mr Bouteiller’’s speech, Othmar Karas MEP, opened the discussion with the participation,
amongst others, of Michael Gahler MEP, Tadeusz Zwiefka MEP, John Purvis MEP, Christopher
Beazley MEP, Margie Sudre MEP and Malcolm Harbour MEP. They focussed on the subjects raised
by speakers Michael Frendo, Hatem Ben Salem, and Didier Bouteiller.
They discussed the lack of success of the Barcelona Process. Some speakers said that in the last
ten years of the Barcelona Process, there was a lot of talk but not much action. Other topics under
discussion were culture and education. Intercultural exchange is vitally important for fostering
understanding, peace and development. Also the role of the EIB and the creation of a Euromed
bank facility were discussed as well as the Black Sea dimension. Now that Bulgaria and Romania
are Member States of the EU, the question is whether to integrate the Black Sea countries into the
Euromed Policy.
Maltese Foreign Minister Michael Frendo said the Barcelona Process placed the Euro-Mediterranean
dimension on the political agenda. This is extremely important at a time when the EU is focused
mainly on the East and Middle European countries during the period of enlargement. This interest
was very logical during the enlargement process, but now it is time, and in the interest of the EU
as a whole, to fill the glass up. The Euromed process must become more visible in the Member
States. For future security and stability and economic growth, it is very important to look at the
Mediterranean area.
Tunisian Secretary of State for Europe, Hatem Ben Salem, said the high expectations at the start
of the Barcelona Process were not met. He explained that the reasons behind the poor results
are perhaps the focus placed on meetings and not on concrete projects and the implementation
of policies. The process has become more and more political, with a lack of control measures.
According to Mr Ben Salem, the partner countries should realise this and act upon it.
He agreed with Christopher Beazley’s remarks on more cultural dialogue. Culture is the basis
of society and sharing basic ethical foundations is vital for peace. He also saw potential for
cooperation regarding the information society. Much has already been achieved in this area and
the development of the information society could be the engine for the economy.
Euromed - The Peace Process in the Middle East
H.E. Mr Abdelelah Al Khatib, Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, was a keynote speaker during
the EPP-ED Study Days.
Mr Al Khatib expressed his deep admiration of the efforts of the European Parliament in
contributing to a future of peace and prosperity for Europe and to foster cooperation and friendship
with Europe’s neighbours.
The Minister recalled the words of King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein when he addressed the
European Parliament: «You have built a bridge, where others might promote division. You have
helped understanding triumph over stereotypes.»
«My country takes pride in its excellent and long-standing relationship with the EU. Jordan has
been supportive of the Barcelona Process since its inception in 1995 and attaches great significance
to the values and objectives of this process, which include working together for peace and
stability, improving mutual understanding, tolerance and creating shared economic prosperity.
Furthermore, Jordan has perceived the European Neighbourhood Policy as a major step forward in
consolidating the Euro-Med partnership», said Al Khatib.
The situation in the Middle East was an important part of Al Khatib’s speech.
«Today, there is an historical opportunity to achieve just, comprehensive and lasting peace and
this must not be missed. Arab countries are unified behind the Arab Peace Initiative. There is
a new international will to solve the crisis. We call on Israel to accept it as a basis for restarting
negotiations and to have the political will to achieve progress and resolve the conflict», underlined
the Jordanian Minister.
He concluded by again quoting King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein: «The time has come to stop
thinking about peace as an end; an end to conflict, but as a beginning, a beginning of sweeping
new opportunities and benefits for people of this region. An era that will free human and financial
resources for region-wide achievement and prosperity. An era that will open new, cross-border
opportunities that multiply the benefits of development and investment.
2007
In his speech, Hatem Ben Salem, Tunisian Secretary of State for Europe, said: «Building peace
is the most important goal for everyone within the Mediterranean area.» He called for the
development of a code of conduct regarding the fight against terrorism. «We should acknowledge
that true war is going on before our very eyes. The most important task for us is to recognise the
sources of terrorism. The European Union has to tackle this very difficult task», he stressed.
Responding to questions regarding the European Investment Bank and the possible creation of
a Euromed Bank, Didier Bouteiller said the EIB has a very cautious risk policy. The EIB’’s actions
should be better coordinated with EU programmes. The right balance is not always struck.
Regarding the Euromed Bank, he said that in his view, a separate bank is not necessary and that
the EIB should be sufficient.
2007
The Minister also called on Mediterranean states to engage more seriously in helping to build a
European energy policy, as well as making more efforts geared towards fighting climate change.
He put special emphasis on assisting in the development of future generations. «We should help
young people to exchange their views on the world. Only the development of true dialogue can
produce better understanding. This is essential not only for Europe or Euromed but for the whole
world», underlined Frendo.
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140
Georg Jarzembowski MEP, EPP-ED Coordinator of the Committee on Transport and Tourism,
Member of the Committee on Fisheries
MEPs from the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, Anna Záborská, Chairwoman
of the Committee, Astrid Lulling, Edit Bauer, Dushana Zdravkova, Petya Stavreva, and Marie
Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, met with members of the National Council of Women in Malta on 4
July, the first day of the Study Days of the EPP-ED Group in the country. They insisted that it is now
urgent that this organisation, which has existed for a long time and is fully representative, to be
represented in the European Women’s Lobby.
Mr Jarzembowski pointed out that the rules should be adopted in the closest interest of the citizens
keeping in mind the complexity of the issues: climate change, fishery policy, technology innovation,
tourism etc.
The MEPs welcomed the new legislative changes concerning part-time work, bringing it into line
with European laws and opening more opportunities for women in the labour market. They noted
that these changes have taken place since the recent visit to Malta of a delegation of the Committee
for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality. The country has made great strides but MEPs would like
to encourage a broader participation of women in Maltese society.
Referring to the Lisbon goals, the MEPs consider necessary a more active participation of women
in public decision-making positions through positive actions. «Only 6 out of 65 MPs are women
in the Maltese Parliament which shows a necessity for more intensive work in the field of equal
treatment and equal opportunities. EPP-ED MEPs call for further legislative measures to enable
women to reconcile their professional career and family life», said Mrs Lulling.
Summary of Theme III: EUROMED
Maritime Policy - Transport and Energy
Joe Borg, Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs
It is now time to move to the next phase: to build on all the contributions we have received and to
put together a Maritime Policy package to be adopted by the Commission in October. This package
will have two major components: the first a report that synthesises and analyses all the various
needs and demands expressed by stakeholders during the consultation; and the second which puts
forward the Commission’s view on what an EU Maritime Policy should be - its ultimate objectives,
the principles it should be based on, and the tools and mechanism that will be necessary to realise
its vision. This will be supplemented by an action plan, showing how the Commission will act in
the course of its mandate to make the Maritime Policy a reality and to begin working towards
achieving its objectives.
Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the European Commission, responsible for Transport
Integrated logistics are a key factor in our economic system. The EU Transport Policy tackles the
problems and opportunities created by the globalisation process. Sustainable economic growth
requires all transport modes working together. This reduces external costs and, ultimately, avoids
disruptions in our industrial, commercial and distribution structures.
In the first place, we have to be aware of the congestion challenge that Europe and many other
economies are facing today. The second element refers to the issues of energy efficiency and clean
propulsion in shipping. The third and last element concerns the contribution of maritime transport
to the objectives of the Lisbon Agenda.
The Commission’s action plan announced last year with the mid-term review of the Transport
Policy focuses precisely on those elements.
The EPP-ED Coordinator underlined the danger of potential conflicts between different areas under
the same policy, for example, shipping against the environment or tourism against the alternative
energies.
Georg Jarzembowski pledged for a good approach and the need to speed up the legislative process
on maritime policy. He called on the Commission for closer cooperation and a greater degree of
openness.
Several MEPs put questions on maritime and transport policies to Jacques Barrot, Vice-President
of the European Commission,
Immigration
Simon Busuttil MEP, Head of the Maltese Delegation of the EPP-ED Group
On Friday 6 July, the EPP-ED Study Days in Malta concentrated on Immigration. Simon Busuttil
MEP introduced the topic by underlining the importance of the theme for the whole EU and
added how the participants of the Study Days saw how the Maltese live this reality in a very tough
manner.
In his address, Mr Busuttil, stated: «The first aspect we need to keep in mind when discussing
immigration policy is the human aspect of it; especially the thousands of lives lost at sea. But faced
with human tragedy, we cannot forget the other aspect, notably that of the ability of the Member
States to cope with the influx of illegal immigrants. Most immigrants hoping to come to Malta do
not even arrive safely on Maltese shores but are picked up at sea by our navy. They cannot be sent
back to their homelands due to the lack of travel documents or other reasons, and Malta has no
hinterland which can accommodate such a large number of people. European citizens, especially
the Maltese, need tangible answers from us on how to solve these problems.»
Franco Frattini, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Freedom, Security
and Justice
The keynote speaker, Franco Frattini, thanked the Maltese hosts for the excellent organisation
and the chosen topic. He agreed with Simon Busuttil MEP in saying that protection of human life
and human dignity was one of the basic values of the EPP-ED Group and the European Union.
Therefore, migration should be seen as a global and European issue.
«We need a common European policy on migration. It is no longer possible to act at Member State
level only. The EU common policy was endorsed in December 2006 by the European Council, and
now we have to implement it. The comprehensive European strategy should be based on solidarity,
i.e. no Member State can be left alone, and on credibility, so that we avoid transforming illegality
to legality. A credible policy of repatriation should be elaborated and a clear distinction between
refugees and economic migrants should be made», he declared.
«The European policy addressing the problems in the Mediterranean should be composed of
reinforcing the Frontex missions by making them permanent from the beginning of 2008, and
asking the Member States to fulfil their earlier commitments. Extra funding and rapid intervention
2007
Gender equality and women’s rights need more political will.
2007
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Antonio Tajani took the example of the Roman Empire where people from all over were welcome
with their religions and traditions as long as they respected the Roman laws. «Anyone who comes
legally to Europe should be willing to become a European citizen: our freedoms should not be
undermined by violence. European identity is similar across Europe and when it is undermined,
our society is undermined», he said.
Tonio Borg, Maltese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Home Affairs
Tonio Borg spoke on the strong impact of immigration on the Maltese society and called for
solidarity among the EU Member States. «Malta recognises its responsibilities towards those who
need help and protection by giving them a status. But the burden of illegal immigration should
be shared in two ways: firstly we need more help at sea, and secondly we should reach a burden
sharing agreement on immigrants within the EU. However, the countries of origin of the illegal
immigrants should help us in the repatriation process by accepting European travel documents»,
stated Borg.
Mario Mauro MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament
Mario Mauro MEP underlined the importance of integration and especially the language skills
of the immigrants. «Europe is not a desert where everybody can pitch their tent ignoring the
surroundings. A multi-ethnic and harmonious society is possible with careful planning. We need
respect and we need an explicit desire on the part of the immigrant to integrate into society. We
have overcome similar challenges in the past and I am confident that we will do so in the future.
The EPP-ED Group has always promoted integration, we want to avoid clashes,» he concluded.
Dr Saad El-Sharmani, Libyan Ambassador to Malta
Also participating in the discussion was the Libyan Ambassador to Malta Dr Saad El-Sharmani. He
stressed the will of Libya to stop illegal immigration, their efforts to discourage brain drain from
Africa, and their need for financial and technical help from the EU.
Petya Stavreva MEP
Bulgarian MEP Petya Stavreva highlighted the different impact of the illegal and legal immigration
policy. Bulgaria, being a new Member State and having an external border, has to protect the EU
from organised crime i.e. traffic of human beings, and arms and drugs. Therefore, the country
needs the assistance and expertise of the EU where solidarity is of major importance. The old
Member States that have opened their borders to the labour force from Central and Eastern Europe
have benefited economically and socially. «I agree with Commissioner Frattini that the decisive
role for efficient immigration policy in Europe is in the hands of the European Parliament and the
Council of Ministers rather than in those of the Member States», said Stavreva.
Concluding the debate, Jozsef Szájer MEP stated that the EPP-ED Group had travelled to the spot
to observe the problems. «If we do not have a common immigration policy which the people
support, we risk losing the freedom of movement inside the Union, one of its founding principles»,
he voiced. He laid out a 9 point programme for the European immigration policy, summarising it
to the clear separation of legal and illegal immigration, and taking efficient actions to implement
the policies.
Closing session
Speaking at the closing session of the EPP-ED Group’s Study Days in Malta, the Chairman of
the EPP-ED Group Joseph Daul MEP expressed strong solidarity with the country which has
experienced the tragic conditions of thousands of irregular migrants arriving at the shores.
«We have heard your message loud and clear. We have seen the distress and extreme difficulty in
which these migrants live, but we have also fully understood the concerns of the Maltese people.
This situation calls for solidarity and action. Our Group will remind the EU Portuguese Presidency
of its commitments in the field of developing the European Union’s migration policy further», said
the Chairman of the largest and most influential group in the European Parliament.
«However, we cannot solve the problems of misery and poverty with migration policies alone. The
countries of origin of these migrants must be helped to develop their societies and economies and
we must strengthen our policies and partnerships with Africa and the Mediterranean area», Mr
Daul stressed, referring to initiatives of the new French Government.
The EPP-ED Chairman underlined the importance of gaining on-site knowledge about problems
and concerns of the different regions in Europe and the world, as various bodies of the EPP-ED
Group have done on many occasions. He thanked the Maltese authorities and Prime Minister
Lawrence Gonzi for their hospitality and the Maltese Delegation in the Group, Simon Busuttil MEP
and David Casa MEP, for the invaluable help and support for the organisation of the Study Days.
2007
Antonio Tajani, Head of the Italian Delegation (FI) of the EPP-ED Group
Jozsef Szájer MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
2007
forces have also been found to help Member States in interpretation, immigrant identification and
first aid. This should be deployed as decided by the European Council. In addition to the European
repatriation strategy, political proposals need to be offered to the countries of origin of the illegal
immigrants to offer them help in training and languages, so that viable routes and prospects for
legal immigration could be established», said Frattini. He concluded by stating: «Immigration is a
top priority of the Portuguese Presidency: we have to play a political role and this is an issue that
can only be solved politically. We need to endorse the proposal on the Euro-Mediterranean pact
on immigration».
143
2007
Simon Busuttil MEP, Head of the Maltese Delegation in the EPP-ED Group, Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister of Malta, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament and Niels Pedersen, Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group
Hatem Ben Salem, Tunisian Secretary of State for Europe, Didier Bouteiller, Expert on the coordination of financial instruments, European Commission, Michael Frendo, Maltese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Othmar Karas MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group and Chairman of the session, Paolo Licandro, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group, and Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
144
2007
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Marc Otte, EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process, Mohammed Al-Fatah Naciri, Director of the office for European Affairs of the Arab League,
Simon Busuttil MEP, Head of the Maltese Delegation in the EPP-ED Group, Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister of Malta, Niels Pedersen, Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group, Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group,
Michael Gahler MEP, Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European
Parliament, Jana Hybášková MEP, Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Delegation for relations with Israel, and Patrick Child, Head of Cabinet of Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy
Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament,
Paolo Licandro, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group, Tokia Saïfi MEP, Chairwoman of the Political Committee of the Euro-Mediterranean
Parliamentary Assembly, Michael Gahler MEP, Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament, Jana Hybášková MEP, Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Delegation for relations with Israel, and Patrick Child, Head of Cabinet of Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy
2007
Michael Frendo, Maltese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Othmar Karas MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group and Chairman of the session, Paolo Licandro, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group, and Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
Michael Gahler MEP, Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European
Parliament, Jana Hybášková MEP, Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Delegation for relations
with Israel, Mohammad Arslan, Jordanian National Assembly, Paolo Licandro,
Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Tokia Saïfi MEP, Chairwoman of the Political Committee of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, Luciano Stella, EPP-ED Group Secretariat, Abdelelah Al-Khatib, Jordanian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Hardy Ostry, Regional Director for the Middle East, Konrad Adenauer
Foundation, Othmar Karas MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Mohammed El Ansari MP, Istiqlal, Morocco, and Mohammed Alami, Moroccan Deputy
146
2007
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147
Abdelelah Al-Khatib, Jordanian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group and Niels Pedersen, Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group
David Casa MEP, Georg Jarzembowski MEP, EPP-ED Coordinator of the Committee on Transport and Tourism of the European Parliament, Censu Galea, Maltese Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the European
Commission responsible for transport, Marianne Thyssen MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP-ED Group, Pascal Fontaine, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group, and Joe Borg, Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs
III
5. EPP-ED Presidency meeting in Lisbon, Portugal: 15-16/06/2007
Meeting in Lisbon, the future President-in-Office of the European Council, and Joseph Daul MEP,
together with the Vice-Chairmen of the EPP-ED Group, outlined their priorities; a new European
Treaty, a continued fight against terrorism and organised crime and continued economic reforms.
József Szájer MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Franco Frattini, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Freedom,
Security and Justice, Simon Busuttil MEP, Head of the Maltese Delegation in the EPP-ED Group, Natacha Scriban-Cuvelier, EPP-ED Advisor,
and Tonio Borg, Deputy Prime Minister of Malta
On the issue of institutional reform, the EPP-ED Group agreed, if, as the Group strongly wishes,
there is an agreement at the European Council on 21-22 June with Angela Merkel, that the
negotiations in the ICG are quick, non-confidential and open to the European Parliament and
national parliaments. It is essential that the new Treaty be submitted for ratification by the 27
Member States early in 2008 so that the voters may participate in the elections of 2009 with
full knowledge on this issue. The Treaty will enable Europe to act where action is useful - climate
change, energy security and immigration.
The EPP-ED Group also asked Prime Minister Socrates to tackle the problems of the fight against
terrorism and organised crime. «Our Member States must pull together their intelligence services
and all necessary measures to act in a coordinated and effective way. The European Union Antiterrorism coordinator, Mr De Vries, resigned a few months ago but nothing has been done to find
his successor or to provide the tools needed for this successor to work. This cannot continue»,
declared Joseph Daul.
The Portuguese Presidency is expected to make progress on the completion of the internal EU
market. Europe is still a long way from carrying out the economic reforms needed for it to become
the promised zone of competitiveness and social cohesion. «The spirit of the Lisbon Strategy must
inspire the Portuguese Presidency», emphasised Daul when addressing Prime Minister Socrates.
148
Finally, the EPP-ED Group underlined its external relations priorities; the relaunch of the
Trans-Atlantic dialogue, Kosovo, relations with Russia, and strengthening relations with the
Mediterranean area. The Group also welcomed the willingness of the Portuguese Presidency to
organise Summits with Brazil and Africa.
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, presents the Robert Schuman medal to Guido de Marco, Former President of Malta
2007
The Presidency of the EPP-ED Group, the largest and most influential political group in the
European Parliament, led by Joseph Daul MEP, presented the Portuguese Prime Minister Socrates
with its political priorities for the second half of 2007, the period when Portugal will have the
Presidency of the European Council.
2007
The EPP-ED Group presents its priorities to Prime Minister
Socrates
149
III
6. EPP-ED Presidency visit to Washington, USA: 17-20/07/2007
150
2007
«The European Union and the United States have to make a quality leap in their relations and
should initiate together a closer cooperation in order to enhance the security of their citizens»,
said EPP-ED Group Chairman Joseph Daul MEP at a meeting with US Vice-President Dick Cheney
in the White House in Washington DC today.
«Since the key visit of the US President to Brussels in 2005, the relations between Europe and
the US have taken a new turn. Since that time it is not only the traditional bilateral relations that
dominate our relationship, it is an axis between Brussels and Washington that has been put into
place», underlined Joseph Daul, who is leading a delegation of the Presidency of the EPP-ED
Group, the strongest and most influential political group in the European Parliament, to the US
capital.
Apart from today’s meeting with Vice-President Cheney, the EPP-ED leadership has been meeting
key personalities in American politics this week like Deputy Secretary of State John D Negroponte,
the US Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, high-ranking Members
of the US Congress and Senate as well as with the President of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, and
Rodrigo de Rato y Figaredo, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund.
On the occasion of the Presidency’s visit to Washington, the EPP-ED Group’s own Think Tank,
the European Ideas Network (EIN), has organised a seminar on security and the fight against
terrorism, one of the EPP-ED Group’s high priorities, together with the defense of our values,
growth and employment.
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney
«Europe must increase its awareness on issues of security, as it has fortunately done on topics like
energy and the fight against global warming,» said Joseph Daul, who has placed these challenges
at the heart of the discussions of the Group Presidency with their American counterparts in
Washington.
2007
Transatlantic Relations: The EPP-ED Group calls for a quality leap
151
The EPP-ED Group called on the United States to put an end to the division of Europe on
the visa question: «The US cannot both want to work with a united Europe, and divide it when it
comes to access for citizens of the 27 EU Member States to American territory», said Chairman
Joseph Daul.
The war in Iraq, the situation in the Middle East, relations with Russia, Iran and the Balkans, the
status of Kosovo, but also the WTO negotiations, assistance to the poorest countries, and the role
of NATO were also the subjects of the debates held during this visit.
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament and Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
2007
EPP-ED Vice-Chairman Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP, Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, EPP-ED Vice-Chairmen
József Szájer MEP, Vito Bonsignore MEP, and Othmar Karas MEP
Interpreter, Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, EPPED Vice-Chairmen Othmar Karas MEP, Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP, József Szájer MEP,
Elmar Brok MEP, Niels Pedersen, Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group, and Barry Jackson, Deputy Assistant to President Bush
152
2007
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153
EPP-ED Vice-Chairmen József Szájer MEP, Vito Bonsignore MEP, Othmar Karas MEP,
Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Republican Member of US Congress, EPP-ED Vice-Chairmen Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP, Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP, and James Elles MEP
Comments by:
> Craig Mundie, Chief Research and Strategy Officer, Microsoft
Programme
Thursday 20 September
12.00
Registration for participants opens, Sofitel Victoria Hotel, UL.
Krolewska St 11, Warsaw
13.15-13.55
Opening Session:
Chairman:
> Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman, EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament;
Welcoming remarks by:
> Wilfried Martens, President, EPP transnational party; former Prime Minister of Belgium (1979-92)
> Donald Tusk MP, Chairman, Civic Platform
> Waldemar Pawlak MP, Chairman, PSL
> Jacek Saryusz-Wolski MEP, Chairman, EP Foreign Affairs Committee; Head of the Polish Delegation, EPP-ED Group
> Ashraf Ghani, President, Kabul University; former Finance Minister of Afghanistan
> Jeremy Rifkin, President, the Foundation on Economic Trends; Author of ‘The Hydrogen Economy’, and ‘The European Dream’
> Ernest-Antoine Seillière, President, BusinessEurope
> Garry Kasparov, United Civil Front, Russia
Questions and Answers
Concluding Remarks
> Dr Franck Debié, Director, Fondation pour l’innovation politique
19.00 - 20.00
Reception
20.00 - 22.30
EIF Dinner
Chairman:
> Hartmut Nassauer MEP, Vice-Chairman, EPP-ED
Guest speaker:
> José María Aznar, former Prime Minister of Spain; Chairman, FAES Foundation
Vote of thanks:
> Jerzy Buzek MEP, Former Prime Minister of Poland
2007
7. EIN Summer University and European Ideas Fair, Warsaw, Poland
20-22 September 2007
2007
III
European Ideas Fair
154
155
The World in 2025:
Choices and Challenges for Tomorrow
14.00 - 17.30
‘The World in 2025’
Chairman:
> James Elles MEP, Chairman, European Ideas Network
Presentation of EIN draft report ‘The World in 2025’
> Dr Michael Borchard, Head of Department Political Consulting Konrad Adenauer Foundation
Keynote Speaker:
> José Manuel Barroso, President, European Commission
III
Friday 21 September
16.15 - 18.15
EIN Summer University
Policy Roundtables:
> Geographic Limits of the EU
> Globalisation
> Reform of Public Services
> European Governance
156
Open Forum on the Third Industrial Revolution
Chairman:
> Jerzy Buzek MEP, Former Prime Minister of Poland; Member of the European Parliament’s Temporary Committee on Climate Change
Guest speaker:
> Jeremy Rifkin, President, the Foundation on Economic Trends; Author of ‘The
Hydrogen Economy’, and ‘The European Dream’
Comments:
> Jean-Didier Vincent, Professor of Physiology, University Paris-XI
10.00 - 12.00
Policy Roundtables:
> Terrorism and Security
> Competitiveness and Innovation
> Employment, Skills and Human Capital
> The Digital Economy
12.00 - 13.00
Lunch
19.30 - 20.30
Reception
20.30 - 22.30
EIN Dinner
Introduction by:
> Elmar Brok MEP, Former Chairman, EP Foreign Affairs Committee
Guest speaker:
> Lech Wałęsa, former President of Poland; 1983 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Vote of thanks:
> József Szájer MEP, Vice-Chairman, EPP-ED
Saturday 22 September
08.30 - 09.30
13.00 - 13.45
Chairman:
Open Forum on Russia
> Inge Grässle MEP, Member, EIN Board
Chairman:
Panel:
> Jacek Saryusz-Wolski MEP, Chairman, EP Foreign Affairs Committee; Head of the
Polish Delegation, EPP-ED Group
> Dave Winston, President, The Winston Group
Guest speaker:
> Philip Weiss, Managing Director, ZN.be
> Garry Kasparov, United Civil Front, Russia
> Fred Smith, President, Competitive Enterprise Institute
14.00 - 16.00
Open Forum on ‘Networking through the internet’
09.30-12.30
Conclusions of the Policy Roundtables
Policy Roundtables:
> Economic, Monetary & Fiscal Policy
14.30 - 16.30
> Demographic Change and Immigration
Meeting of Centre-Right Think Tanks and
> Foreign Policy Challenges
Political Foundations
> Energy and Environment
2007
2007
08.30 - 09.45
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158
The European Ideas Network is an open, pan-European think-tank process designed to promote
new thinking on the key challenges facing the countries of the European Union. Sponsored by the
EPP-ED Group, the network was launched in the summer of 2002 and has rapidly emerged as an
important meeting point and intellectual crossroads for the centre-right in European politics.
The meeting was opened by Joseph Daul MEP, the Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European
Parliament. Among the keynote speakers were President of the European Commission José Manuel
Durão Barroso, United Civil Front in Russia representative Garri Kasparov, former President of
Poland and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lech Walesa, and author and President of the Foundation
on Economic Trends Jeremy Rifkin.
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Waldemar Pawlak MP, Chairman, PSL, Wilfried Martens, President of the EPP, Donald Tusk MP, Chairman, Civic Platform, and Jacek Saryusz-Wolski MEP, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament and Head of the Polish
Delegation of the EPP-ED Group (standing)
2007
The EPP-ED Group held its annual European Ideas Network Summer University and European
Ideas Fair on 20-22 September in Warsaw, Poland. This year’s meeting focused on the choices and
challenges in the World in 2025.
2007
Press Release
159
IV
IV. Parliamentary Work
Introduction
160
The work of parliamentary committees mainly consists of debating and then voting on the various
reports that are submitted to each committee and then, subsequently, to the plenary sessions of
the European Parliament.
Drawing up parliamentary reports and amendments therefore constitutes the main part of the
work of an MEP.
IV > Parliamentary Work
2007
Under the authority of the Coordinator and the Deputy-Coordinator the members of the EPP-ED
from each committee form a working group that prepares the common positions of our Group
within the parliamentary committee concerned.
2007
The 288 Members of the EPP-ED Group are full members of at last one of the 20 parliamentary
committees and alternate members of another.
161
162
Since its introduction in 1993, the importance of codecision has progressively increased. Currently
being applied to 44 areas of community activity, the Reform Treaty is expected to double this
number bringing the total of legal bases subject to the ‘ordinary legislative procedure’ to around 90
areas. The conciliation procedure, as the third and final phase of the codecision procedure, always
applies if the Council does not approve all the amendments adopted by the European Parliament at
second reading. The European Commission is present at all meetings concerning this procedure,
at which it plays a mediating role.
The Conciliation Committee consists of twenty-seven members of the Council or their representatives
and an equal number of representatives from Parliament who make up the EP delegation. Inside
the European Parliament the 27 members of the EP delegation in the Conciliation Committee are
appointed for each individual conciliation procedure by the political groups. The composition of
the delegations reflects the overall political balance of Parliament. 1
The EPP-ED Group in the Conciliation procedure
Mr. Hartmut Nassauer, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, is responsible for the Group’s
coordination service at the conciliation stage of the codecision procedure. With the cooperation of
the group coordinators in the parliamentary committees concerned, the Vice-Chairman takes the
necessary measures in respect of the EPP-ED members of the conciliation committees to ensure
that the Group obtains the results in these committees that best reflect its position.
The EPP-ED Group was fully involved in all of these negotiations through its parliamentary VicePresidents Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou and Alejo Vidal-Quadras - chairing four of the six Conciliation
Committees convened in the course of the past year - and also through its rapporteurs and shadow
rapporteurs. The coordinating activity of Hartmut Nassauer, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
with responsibility for conciliation procedures, ensured the active participation of numerous MEPs
from the EPP-ED Group, who served on conciliation committees in their respective specialised
areas and succeeded in securing European legislation which was more in tune with the Group’s
preferred political options.
Between October 2006 and November 2007, six conciliation dossiers were concluded. Half of
the proposals fell within the remit of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food
Safety (3 dossiers). In the remaining cases, the Committee on Transport and Tourism (2) and the
Committee on Legal Affairs (1) were concerned.
Groundwater - European Parliament and Council Directive on the protection of groundwater
against pollution
Groundwater is an important natural resource as it acts as a reservoir from which good quality
water can be extracted for drinking and for use in industry and agriculture. The aim of the proposed
Directive was to modernise and extend rules for the protection of groundwater.
The outcome of the conciliation was a success for Parliament as well as the EPP-ED Group. By
including the ‘non-deterioration’-clause in the text of the final agreement, Parliament secured
protection from ‘deterioration’ as one of the main objectives of the Directive. Another important
achievement allows Member States to establish safeguard zones concerning water intended
1. The political composition of the EP delegation corresponds to the composition of Parliament by political
groups EPP-ED has 11 seats, PSE 9, ALDE 4, UEN 1, Greens 1 and GUE 1)
for human consumption. In line with Parliament’s proposal, such zones may cover the entire
territory of a Member State. The Council agreed to a strengthening of Member States’ obligations
concerning prevention or limitation of inputs of pollutants into groundwater.
INSPIRE
The aim of the proposed directive establishing an infrastructure for spatial information in the
Community was to create a framework to pool and develop the standard of geographical data
generated in the various EU Member States, such as satellite images, temperature records and
rainfall levels in order to improve the planning and implementation of Community policies in areas
such as the environment, transport, energy and agriculture.
EPP-ED Members played a key role during negotiations with Council. The final agreement includes
references to intellectual property rights and indicates a level of charges as Member States will have
to make available the services for viewing spatial data sets free of charge.
LIFE+
The conciliation procedure was concerned with a proposal for a Directive on the Financial
Instrument for the Environment (LIFE) which has been running since 1992 and co-finances
environmental initiatives in the EU as well as in some candidate, accession and neighbouring
countries.
The result of the conciliation on LIFE+ was in total conformity with the goals of the EPP-ED Group.
Thus the main goal of this financial instrument framework was reached, namely assuring a more
efficient, flexible administration which at the same time is less bureaucratic.
EPP-ED MEPs contributed pro-actively and positively throughout the whole procedure to the strong
position sustained by the European Parliament against the initial European Commission proposal
on the one hand, and the Council common position on the other. Needless to say that the strong
presence of EPP-ED MEP’s at the delegation meetings showed the commitment of our Group in
order to reach a successful outcome on this important dossier
Third railway package
The third railway package is the latest step in a 15-year process to open up the European railway
sector to competition and harmonise standards across Europe. The TRAN committee was
responsible for these three legislative codecision procedures which are all intended to liberalise the
European rail network, opening up national rail tracks to operators from other Member States. The
principal point of difference between the EP and Council had been whether the measures foreseen
should be confined to international rail passenger services (as proposed by the Commission and
supported by the Council) or whether such measures should be extended to national rail passenger
services (the EP position).
The main points of the agreement reached on the three dossiers of the package are:
- Passengers’ right and obligations: Under the agreement, a range of basic passengers’ rights will
apply to all rail services immediately on entry into force. Urban, suburban and regional services
may be exempted from all other provisions of the Regulation. Long-distance domestic services are
2007
Codecision procedure and conciliation
2007
IV
163
> Certification of train drivers: The EP agreed to postpone the introduction of provisions for
certification of train crews other than the driver. Member States will address the other key issue
> reimbursement of the training costs of train drivers who subsequently change employer.
2007
> On the third dossier entitled Rail market access and development of the Community’s railways
164
> the Rapporteur of this dossier was Mr Georg Jarzembowski - the second-reading position of the
EP was actually quite close to the Council’s common position. Finally, a satisfactory solution was
found to one of the two remaining issues - a levy on new international passenger services to meet
public service obligations.
Rome II
The Regulation on the Law Applicable on Non-Contractual Obligations determines the applicable
law in cases of Member States’ rules of conflict of laws regarding cross-border non-contractual
obligations. This includes matters such as traffic accidents, accidents caused by defective products
and violation of the environment, thus facilitating mutual recognition of court rulings in different
Member States.
The outcome of the negotiations can be characterised as being very positive for Parliament as well
as the EPP-ED Group
One of Parliament’s - and our Group’s - main priorities was to secure a solution for the problems
faced by EU citizens when involved in a road traffic accident abroad, due to the widely differing
levels of compensation awarded by national courts. Parliament managed to include a reference in
the Regulation whereby judges when quantifying personal injuries will take account of all actual
circumstances of the specific victim, including the actual losses and costs of after-care and medical
attention.
On Parliament’s insistence, there will be a specific rule on unfair competition that secures the
application of one single national law which is an important point for judges and lawyers. Another
achievement was the limiting of «forum shopping» - the possibility for claimants to choose to
instigate their lawsuit in a Member State whose law may offer the plaintiff greater benefits.
Botond Török-Illyés
Adviser
Political Strategy
Background
For the second half of this parliamentary term, the Presidency of the EPP-ED Group has decided
to increase the attention and resources devoted by the Group to promoting strategic priorities.
The Group’s position as the strongest political force in the European Parliament - alongside the
increasing legislative power of the European Parliament - has put the Group in a pivotal position
at the heart of the EU law-making process. The Group is in a stronger position than any other to
set the EP’s political agenda and to win its most critical votes. By recognising the importance of
identifying key priorities, ensuring coherence of its policy positions, and seeking to maximise the
impact of its stances within the Parliament and beyond, the Group has been on the winning side
of more votes than any other group in the EP’s monthly plenaries.
Group Bureau
As part of the preparations for the 2009 European elections, the Group Presidency has upgraded
the role of the Group Bureau, which now considers the main issues relating to the Group’s
Political Strategy, Parliamentary Business and Legislative Coordination. This further strengthens
the central capability of the EPP-ED Group to analyse the key policy choices and challenges facing
the European Union.
Since the autumn 2004, the Bureau has met regularly in Brussels during the week before the
Strasbourg plenary sessions. Its meetings bring together a range of key players in the Group
- the Group’s Presidency, the EPP-ED Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament, the EPP-ED
Chairmen of EP Committees, the Group’s coordinators on those committees, the heads of the
Group’s national delegations, and a number of other Members, as provided for in the Group’s
rules of procedure.
In March 2007, the EPP-ED Group Bureau put forward initial ideas designed to develop a clear
and coherent political strategy for 2008 to 2009 based on strategic lines for action. The resulting
«Decalogue» establishes a strategic approach based on ten agreed group priorities which will form
the basis of the Group’s political and communications strategies over the next two years. These
priorities can be classified under four headings: i) defending the values of the European Union;
ii) making Europe more prosperous, iii) making Europe a safer place; and iv) achieving greater
solidarity in Europe. Once adopted, the Group’s priorities under the «Decalogue» will become the
cornerstone for Group initiatives including the External Bureau meetings, Study Days, Hearings
and Seminars.
These priorities may be classified under four headings:
I) CREATING A EUROPE OF VALUES by:
1. upholding strong values;
2. developing a firm and deeply-rooted transatlantic relationship;
3. developing and deepening the neighbourhood policy and continuing to pursue
the enlargement policy;
2007
covered by a transitional period - of up to 15 years where necessary - but will then be subject to
the Regulation. The Regulation will also improve access to travel by rail for persons with reduced
mobility.
IV
165
IV
II) FOR A EUROPE OF GROWTH AND OF PROSPERITY by:
4. achieving an efficient and open single market and continuing to pursue the Lisbon Strategy
objectives in order to promote a dynamic and innovative knowledge-based European society;
5. defining EU own-resources in the near future, together with budgetary stability
and an independent monetary policy.
The subject areas of the horizontal Working Groups - each chaired by a member of the Group
Presidency - were chosen to reflect broad issues under active consideration within the European
Ideas Network. They were:
WG 1 - European Values and Identity (József Szájer MEP)
WG 2 - A Single Market delivering for citizens and business (Marianne Thyssen MEP)
WG 3 - Energy Security and Supply (Struan Stevenson MEP)
166
7. developing a coherent policy in the context of measures to combat climate change
and achieving sustainable development;
8. ensuring food safety and security;
9. developing a joint immigration policy.
IV) ACHIEVING GREATER SOLIDARITY IN EUROPE by:
10. greater solidarity between the Member States as part of the cohesion policy
and upholding the values of the European social model.
The legislative issues discussed in the Group Bureau meetings during 2007 covered a range of
issues including: mobile phone roaming charges; the European Institute of Technology; postal
services; environmental measures relating to plant protection and pesticides; CARS 21 and the
creation of competitive European car industry; flexicurity and Europe’s labour laws; specific rules
governing the free movement of goods; and the EU Budget for 2008. - The Bureau also examined
the first interim report from the working party on Parliamentary Reform, assessing the potential
impact that this will have on political groups. Inter-institutional issues discussed in the Bureau
in 2007 included the Commission’s Annual Policy Strategy and Legislative Work Programme for
2008.
It is worth noting that the legislative planning function continues to grow in importance within all
the EU institutions. The Inter-Institutional Agreement on Better Law-Making - negotiated between
and signed by the European Parliament, European Commission and Council of Ministers in 2003
- provides for a more systematic approach to legislative co-ordination between the EU institutions
in coming years.
Horizontal Working Groups
The Bureau also examined the outcome of the five new horizontal Working Groups established
by the Group Presidency to investigate important questions meriting special attention. These
Working Groups formed part of a pilot project designed to help the Group strengthen its
policy-making capacity in areas beyond the immediate, more day-to-day work of the five existing
permanent Working Groups (A-E). By reflecting the «Decalogue» priorities of the EPP-ED Group,
the Working Groups provided an additional way of promoting joined-up policy-making.
The five horizontal WGs were open to all MEPs from the Group, offering a valuable opportunity to
contribute to the Group’s policy-making process and providing a useful mechanism to help keep
the Group’s policymaking process up-to-date in topics of special importance. By developing such
forums, the Group establishes a stronger spirit of debate and political identity.
WG 4 - Terrorism and Internal Security (Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP)
WG 5 - Demographic change: reform of Pensions, Social Security and Family Policy
(Othmar Karas MEP)
The WGs presented their conclusions in August 2007, and these were then communicated as a
Group contribution to the EIN summer university in Warsaw in September 2007. The Chairman or
Rapporteur of each Working Group presented the conclusions of their work to the relevant «policy
roundtable» at the Warsaw meeting. The Working Groups were encouraged to draw on work
already done on each topic within the EIN, promoting an effective cross-over between reflection
within the EIN and the Group’s policy-making process.
The Chairman of each Working Group was free to designate another member of the Group as
Rapporteur, and Group coordinators were invited to play an especially active role in the WG
work. Over forty MEPs contributed to the drafting of the reports and jointly authored the final
conclusions, which were the subject of a special publication by the EPP-ED Group.
Policy Strategy
The aim of the unit it to support the work of the Bureau and to help ensure that the day-to-day
legislative work and other initiatives undertaken by the Group are located in a broader policy
framework and reflect long-term Group priorities and goals.
Among the unit’s tasks are to organise the monthly meetings of the Group Bureau, including the
elaboration of draft agendas and preparation of background briefing notes and other material for
such meetings. It coordinates and organises the activities of the European Ideas Network, the
Group’s network think tank and promotes a close interface between EIN discussion and other
policy work within the Group. The unit monitors and analyses legislative planning within the
EU institutions, helps identify Group priorities and appraises Group performance, including an
on-going assessment of Group successes and achievements throughout the EP legislative term.
It monitors developments within the EU-level policy community more widely - of think tanks,
research institutions and representational bodies - to identify forward policy trends and over-thehorizon issues, and to attempt to maximise the Group’s impact on these processes.
Christine Detourbet and Tim Beyer Helm
Policy Strategy Unit
2007
6. stepping up the fight against terrorism and protecting the public from organised crime;
2007
III) MAKING EUROPE A SAFER PLACE by:
167
V
V. Important issues in 2007
by the Parliamentary Work Service
V > Important issues in 2007
171
173
183
185
189
193
195
197
Working Group B
> Regulation on Roaming
> Portability of pension rights
> Sport in general
199
201
203
2007
> The Assemblies:
EU/ACP
EUROMED
EUROLAT
> Human Rights, Democracy and good Governance
> EU competitiveness in the world
> Transatlantic relations
> The Group’s Development Charter
> Towards a Common European Foreign Policy on Energy
2007
Working Group A
Working Group C
168
> EU Budget 2008: aims of the EPP-ED Group
> Careful Management of Expenditures, Providing Value for Money
> Natural disasters
> Voluntary modulation of direct payments under the CAP
> Reform of the wine sector
> Implementing sustainability in EU fisheries
through maximum sustainable yield
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209
211
215
217
219
Working Group D
> Return directive
> Framework decision on data protection
> Better lawmaking of EC law
> Rome II Regulations
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223
225
227
169
229
233
235
2007
Working Group E
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> Green Paper: Mental Health
> LIFE+
> Health Action Programme
> ERIKA III (Maritime Package)
> Enlargement of the Euro zone
> Progress made on Financial Services Integration
> Consumer confidence in the Digital environment
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241
243
245
249
251
The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly:
A Unique Institution
The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly brings together the elected representatives of the
European Community - the Members of the European Parliament - and the elected representatives
of 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific states («ACP countries») that have signed the Cotonou
Agreement: it is the only international assembly in which the representatives of various countries
sit together regularly with the aim of promoting North- South dialogue and interdependence.
Significantly, a substantial part of the work of the JPA is directed towards promoting human rights,
democracy, the rule of law and good governance in ACP countries, and the EPP-ED Group in the
EP has always been at the forefront in defending these fundamental principles.
Successes of the EPP-ED Group in the JPA
in the period under consideration
i) The 12th session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly took place in Bridgetown
(Barbados) from 18 to 23 November 2006
In spite of losing the urgent resolution on East Africa - which was rejected by the ACP house in a
secret ballot - the EPP-ED Group continued to play the leading role on the EU side, thus securing
a number of successes:
i) The successful adoption without amendments of the Report by Ana GOMES (PES, PT) and
William DUGUID (MP, Barbados) on small arms and light weapons and sustainable development
(spokesman Michael GAHLER);
ii) The successful amending and adoption of the Report by L. Boyce SEBETELA (Botswana) and
Hans-Peter MAYER (EPP-ED, DE) on the impact of tourism on the ACP countries’ development
(spokesman Hans-Peter MAYER);
iii) The successful adoption virtually un-amended of the Report by Achille TAPSOBA (Burkina Faso)
and Eija-Riitta KORHOLA (EPP-ED, FI) on water in developing countries, and the rejection of
anti-liberalisation amendments tabled by the Greens/EFA and the GUE/NGL (spokesperson
Eija-Riitta KORHOLA);
iv) The successful negotiation and adoption virtually un-amended of the Urgent resolution – The
review of the EPAs negotiations, and the rejection or withdrawal of several populist and
demagogic amendments tabled by Co-President Kinnock and the GUE/NGL (EPP-ED negotiator
Robert STURDY).
ii) The 13th session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly took place in Wiesbaden
from 23 to 28 June 2007
The EPP-ED Group continued to play the leading role on the EU side, thus securing a number of
successes:
i) The successful adoption, unanimous and virtually without amendments, of the report by Michael
GAHLER and Evelyne B. Cheron (Haiti) on Good governance, transparency and accountability
in relation with the exploitation of natural resources in ACP countries (Committee on Political
Affairs);
2007
> Constitutional process
> TDIP - Committee
> Equitable life
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2007
iii) The successful amending and unanimous adoption virtually un-amended of the report by
Sharon Hay Webster (Jamaica) and Luisa Morgantini on Migration of Skilled Workers and its
Effect on National Development (Committee on Social Affairs and the Environment) (Shadow
rapporteur Jürgen SCHRÖDER);
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iv) The successful negotiation and adoption of the Urgent resolution on the situation in Darfur
(EPP-ED negotiator Jürgen SCHRÖDER);
v) The upholding of the debate on the situation in Zimbabwe (without resolution), despite a firm
request by the ACP group to remove this item from the agenda on the false pretext that the
delegation from Zimbabwe had been denied visas by the German authorities, a request which
was vigorously opposed in the Bureau meeting by Michael GAHLER, who also issued a press
release to shed light on the real facts of the issue (spokesman Michael GAHLER);
vi) The successful adding to the agenda of a debate (without resolution) on the review of the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), at
the request of Vice-Presidents Gay MITCHELL and John BOWIS.
Carlo Palassof,
Jesper Haglund,
Advisers
Euro-Mediteranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA)
In 2007, the three committees of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA) and
the ad hoc committee
> Committee on Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights
> Committee on Improving Quality of Life, Exchanges between Civil Societies and Culture
> Committee on Economic and Financial Affairs, Social Affairs and Education
> Ad-Hoc Committee on Women’s Rights (Vice-Chairwoman: Mrs Kratsa)
met on several occasions.
At the plenary session held in Tunis on 16-17 March 2007, each committee adopted a
recommendation which was debated and voted in plenary.
In the plenary session, during the general debate, Mr Bonsignore spoke on behalf of the EPP-ED
Group to stress our Group’s commitment to, and interest in, relations with the Mediterranean
region.
Alongside the committee meetings, the Working Group on Financing of the Assembly and revision
of the EMPA’s Rules of Procedure, chaired by Mr McMillan Scott, also held several meetings. At the
last of those meetings, on 12 September 2007, the working group set out proposals to amend the
Rules of Procedure and confirmed the need to establish a small secretariat, to be based in Brussels.
These proposals were sent to the Bureau, which should consider them at its next meeting.
Below is a brief report on the work of each committee.
Committee on Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights
To date, four meetings1 of the Committee on Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights have
been held in 2007. All were held in Brussels, except for the meeting of 16 March 2007, which was
held in Tunis, on the eve of the plenary sitting of 17 March.
A draft recommendation was submitted by Mrs Tokia Saifi, committee chairwoman, and was
considered by Members at the meetings of 1 and 16 March. The document addresses three key
topics:
> the implementation of the Code of Conduct on Countering Terrorism
> the Middle East peace process
> landmines.
With regard to the implementation of the Code of Conduct on Countering Terrorism, the
resolution considers that any terrorist act is unjustifiable in any circumstances and cannot take
justification from or be vindicated by the pursuit of political or religious goals; it also condemns
the stigmatisation of any particular nationality, culture, civilisation or religion.
It is therefore essential that terrorism be combated in compliance with international and human
rights law; accordingly, all measures for combating terrorism must respect international human
rights and humanitarian law obligations and be subject to democratic parliamentary scrutiny and
independent judicial review.
1. 25 January 2007, Brussels - 1 March 2007, Brussels - 16 March 2007, Tunis - 2 July 2007, Brussels
2007
ii) The successful amending and unanimous adoption of the report by Kilontsi Mporogomyi
(Tanzania) and Carl Schlyter on Poverty reduction for small farmers in ACP countries - in
particular in the fruit, vegetable and flowers sectors (Committee on Economic Development,
Finance and Trade) (Shadow rapporteur Hans-Peter MAYER);
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> sustainable and fair economic development, which must go hand in hand with democratisation
and good governance;
> the strengthening of cooperation in the fight against terrorism, both with neighbouring countries
and countries in other parts of the world;
2007
> the resolution of conflicts and the end of any acts of occupation.
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The recommendation calls for education, investment, youth employment, democratisation, the
promotion and protection of human rights and respect for these, the management of migratory
flows and protection for migrant workers to be viewed as priorities for the Partnership. It also
calls for an international code of conduct for combating terrorism to be drawn up. In this regard,
procedures should also be developed, subject to parliamentary scrutiny and legal review, for
exchanges of intelligence at bilateral and regional level.
As regards the Middle East peace process, the recommendation reiterates that the negotiation
of a firm and final peace agreement as set out in the Roadmap and the resolutions of the United
Nations is a prerequisite for true peace – a peace based on the coexistence of two democratic,
sovereign and viable states within secure and recognised international borders. The settlement
of the Middle East conflict should result in the peaceful coexistence of two states and would
considerably strengthen regional and international security. To that end, the recommendation calls
on the Council to make every effort to convene an international peace conference involving all the
stakeholders in the region.
The recommendation condemns and expresses its utmost indignation at the arrests, abductions
and armed confrontation, and calls on the two sides to do their utmost to contain the violence and
to maintain and expand the ceasefire. It takes the view that the situation of the Palestinian people
calls for the embargo to be lifted, so that supplies of essential humanitarian aid can be guaranteed,
but that it is also important to strengthen the Palestinian institutions.
It calls on Israel to lift the embargo of the Gaza Strip and calls for an end to the Israeli attacks and
to the firing of rockets against towns and villages in Israel from within the Gaza Strip.
With regard to Lebanon, the recommendation welcomes the outcome of the Conference on the
reconstruction of Lebanon held on 25 January 2007, supports all the efforts to rebuild the country
and endorses the legality of the Lebanese state institutions, but remains concerned about the
internal political situation.
The final topic addressed by the recommendation is that of landmines. The partner countries and
institutions of the Barcelona Process are asked to cooperate more closely with a view to proposing
tangible solutions to the problem of the spread of landmines and antipersonnel mines on the
territory of several states in the region such as Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia. A financing plan
for programmes concerning technical cooperation, training and the transfer of technology should
be drawn up, so that the financing meets the needs of the countries affected by this problem. Lastly,
the recommendation urges the Parliaments of the Euro-Mediterranean countries to support the
request by Norway and signed by 46 States to ban the production, utilisation and trade in cluster
bombs by means of an international treaty like that on landmines.
The Working Group on Peace and Security in the Middle East met in Tunis for the third time
since its establishment2. A working document entitled ‘The Middle East peace process: the
parliamentary dimension’ was discussed at this meeting. Further to recent events, Mr Radi
proposed that the Secretariat draw up another text, based on the debates in Tunis, for the next
Working Group meeting.
2. The first meeting was held in Brussels on 21 September 2005 and the second in Rabat on 18 November 2005.
The committee also decided to set up a human rights contact group and to hold a joint meeting
with the Culture Committee to discuss the topic ‘Politics and religion: a dialogue of civilisations
and cultures’.
The committee’s work was carried out with Mrs Tokia Saifi in the chair. Throughout the year, she
tirelessly sought to be present for all discussions relating to the
Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, showing passion and enthusiasm. The EPP-ED Group has always
supported and encouraged any initiatives in this area.
Beatrice Scarascia Mugnozza,
Adviser
2007
> a more meaningful intercultural dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean region;
At the last meeting of the Political Affairs Committee, held on 2 July, Mrs Saifi proposed drawing
up some reports. Mr McMillan Scott was appointed co-rapporteur for ‘A parliamentary approach
to help settle the Israeli-Arab conflict’.
The recommendation highlights four key elements in the fight against terrorism:
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Mr Simon Busutil, Co-ordinator of the EMPA Economie Affairs Committee, with the other
Members of the EPP-ED Group, has given considerable impetus to the economic aspects of
the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. The European Union is the Mediterranean countries’ main
trading partner in terms of goods and services. More than 50% of ail transactions in the region
occur with the European Union, which is the main direct investor in the region (36% of the global
total). The EU is the main source of aid and financing, each year granting nearly 3.000 million €
in loans and aid.
The EPP-ED Group have provided support for the process of trade liberalisation, which needs to
be accompanied by a harmonisation of EU single market rules and those of the Mediterranean
countries, within the framework of Association Agreements, their Action Plans and the
Neighbourhood Policy.
Our Members have worked on future initiatives with the goal of creating jobs and sustainable
economic growth, in the context of regional integration, giving support to economic reforms to
encourage investment and development of the private sector, not least with a view to strengthening
the role of SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises), which provide between 50% and 70%
of jobs in many countries. The EPP-ED Group also believes that South-South cooperation is very
important and necessary for the economic cooperation to have a maximum impact.
As far as actions based on technical assistance under the MEDA programmes, EMPA Members of
the EPP-ED Group would support the European Investment Bank, so that it could count on more
resources and instruments, in particular with regard to technical assistance, more participation
and greater visibility.
The EPP-ED Members have developed several key objectives of future actions:
> Increasing the activity of SMEs.
> Encouraging foreign investments (European, in particular) in southern Mediterranean countries.
> Strength Mediterranean economies at the Partnership level and at the bilateral level under the
Association Agreements and Action Plans, requesting more resources for venture capital and
technical assistance.
EPP-ED Group proposals
Education
Education is a very important factor for economic progress, constitutes the best investment on
«human factor» and plays a vital role in the socio-economic development of the region.
The EMPA Members of the EPP-ED Group have proposed to develop the ERASMUS MUNDUS
and TEMPUS programs in the region, launched to foster the exchange of students of the different
countries, and expanded to the LEONARDO programme.
Our Group has also proposed to establish bi-lateral workers and trainees exchange programmes
between different enterprises in order to support the awareness of different work surrounding
and opportunities, and also establish programmes that give women, especially of weak economic
background, access to secondary and university education.
2007
Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly
(EMPA). Economic Affairs Committee
2007
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Social Stability
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Micro-credits are important in combating poverty. Therefore, our Group fully supported the
successful projects under the MEDA programme, access to micro-credits in financing small-scale
economic projects and to support the establishment of small and medium sized enterprises. In
parallel, the EPP-ED Group believes that no development process can begin without the full and
broad participation of women in the world of labour.
Euro-Mediterranean Relations
and the EUROMED Working Party
Mr Vito Bonsignore, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group and coordinator for Mediterranean policy,
has given Euro-Mediterranean relations a considerable political boost. The EPP-ED Group has
shown itself strongly committed to the European Neighbourhood Policy, which aims to strengthen
and supplement the Euro-Mediterranean partnership. The EPP-ED Group has developed, over
the last 10 years, close relations with the Mediterranean countries on the basis of the concept of
‘regional partnership’. It was our Group which had the idea of revitalising the Barcelona Process,
the most important and practical means of facilitating discussion and cooperation between the
EU, its Member States and its Mediterranean partners. In the Barcelona Declaration, the 27
Euro-Mediterranean partners agreed to set up a Euro-Mediterranean free trade area by 2010. That
objective should be achieved by means of Euro-Mediterranean association agreements negotiated
and concluded between the EU and its Mediterranean partners, and free trade agreements
between the partners themselves. The Euro-Mediterranean association agreements are free trade
agreements, but their scope is much wider. Although they may differ in detail depending on the
partner concerned, they share certain common features: political provisions, trade provisions,
additional economic provisions, and financial, social and cultural cooperation.
Our Group proposes to enhance the security, safety and continuity of the Euro-Mediterranean
energy supplies, to facilitate the financing of energy infrastructures both North-South but also
South-South, to optimise the use of technical assistance for developing the Euro-Mediterranean
energy policy and to adopt a realistic agenda for the Euro-Mediterranean energy partnership.
The EPP-ED Group’s EUROMED working party meets every month for the purpose of examining
new opportunities for deepening our political relations with the countries of the southern
Mediterranean, in collaboration with the European People’s Party and our members on the
Foreign Affairs Committee. The EUROMED working party has also extended its activities to include
conferences, seminars and meetings, which are held throughout the year.
Liberalization
Several Mediterranean countries have been visited by EPP-ED Group delegations. This has enabled
us to build up stronger political contacts at bilateral and multilateral level, with a view to making
our Group’s presence felt and establishing a network of political links in the Mediterranean area
to enable us to devise a joint strategy and develop relations with groups and parties in that area
which share our values.
2007
The EPP-ED Members believe that employment and opportunities for work access, especially for
women, is an important link between social stability and economic development. The main aim is
to reduce poverty and social exclusion in the Mediterranean region and to reduce the gap between
the North and the South of the Mediterranean Sea.
2007
V
Mr Bonsignore is also responsible for coordinating the work of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary
Assembly (EMPA, the parliamentary branch of the Barcelona Process) as an organisation whose
purpose is to foster dialogue between the opposite shores of the Mediterranean.
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Energy
The EU already imports almost two-thirds of its fossil fuel requirements. Energy plays a central
role for the economic and the social development in the region, which a special importance of gas
and electricity markets. The EPP-ED Group promotes the acceleration of reforms in the countries
on the southern shore of the Mediterranean Sea with a view to gradual integration of the EuroMediterranean electricity and gas markets, in the global context of efficient use of energy and the
promotion of the potential of renewable sources, supporting the Kyoto process.
The main objective of an Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area in 2010 was fully supported by
the EPP-ED Group as one of its main challenges. Negotiations on the liberalization are primarily
conducted in the framework of WTO. The EPP-ED Group underlines necessity to improve the
efforts, especially in trade for services, which is a
basic goal for the Barcelona Process, especially as this services sector currently only represents
20% of the total trade exchange between the North and the South of the Mediterranean, but a least
50% of the GDP for countries on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea.
The liberalization process should be gradual, and South-South cooperation must be encouraged.
Negotiations should keep into account the differences between the different partner countries, as
well as between the countries on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea. The characteristics of each
sector and the nature of the Mediterranean economies must be taken into consideration. In this
context, the EPP-ED Group believes that negotiations in the framework of the WTO constitute a
potential opportunity for the EU and the Mediterranean partners to enhance common strategies in
order to liberalize trade and services.
Transports
The transport sector is a key sector in the Euro-Mediterranean relations. The improvement in
freight and passenger transport infrastructures in the Euro-Mediterranean region is a main
priority for our Group, with particular emphasis on ports and the motorways of the seas and the
development of a Euro-Mediterranean transport network, which is essential for the establishment
of the Euro-Mediterranean free trade zone.
Jorge Soutullo,
Adviser
Thanks to the work of the members of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, the MEDA
Programme has been strongly supported. It is the main financial instrument whereby the EU can
implement the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and its activities. The partnership established by the
Barcelona Process is based on universal values and on dialogue and cooperation. It has established
long-term political and institutional links between Europe and the Mediterranean partners and
is inspired by a shared political will to develop an area of dialogue, peace, security and shared
prosperity.
When it comes to the EPP-ED Group’s political and strategic priorities, emphasis should be placed
on stepping up and strengthening political contacts between the members of the EPP-ED Group
and the Mediterranean parties and representatives who share the same political, economic and
social values. The EPP-ED Group reaffirms the need to maintain this dialogue to ensure mutual
knowledge and understanding.
The members of the EPP-ED Group, in close collaboration with the Commission, have supported
the European Neighbourhood Policy, which seeks to extend the benefits of EU enlargement
(namely peace, stability and prosperity) to the enlarged Union’s neighbours, including those in the
Mediterranean region. The Neighbourhood Policy embraces a number of states which share the EU’s
fundamental values and objectives. Most of these states have been drawn into ever-closer relations,
going beyond cooperation and including a significant degree of economic and political integration.
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Mr Bonsignore is convinced that the effectiveness of these joint actions will depend on the ability
of partners from the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean to work as a team. He has
committed himself to organising preparatory meetings to discuss concrete issues and strengthen
mutual parliamentary relations. The aim is to establish a real network linking the EPP-ED Group at
the European Parliament and the Mediterranean parties. Exchanges of information are essential in
order to develop these joint activities.
Revitalising the role of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly is one of the main
objectives of our political family, which must be closely involved in all the organisation’s activities.
The visibility of the EMPA depends on its ability to work together. The network of cooperation
between the EPP-ED Group and the Mediterranean parties must concentrate our collective efforts
on practical issues.
We must set objectives and a timetable for developing these priorities if we are to achieve concrete
results. The issues which could gradually be addressed are:
Political:
Middle-East peace process.
Democracy and the rule of law
The role of religion in society and the State
Economic/Environmental:
Free-trade area by 2010: North-South and South-South actions
Developing the activities of SMEs
Energy (including nuclear energy)
Transport networks
Environment
Water management policy
Climate change
WTO Negotiations: trade liberalisation
Social:
Education
Immigration and movement of persons
Cultural and university exchanges
Jorge Soutullo,
Adviser
EMPA Committee on Improving Quality of Life,
Exchanges between Civil Societies and Culture
Rome, 26 February 2007 and
Tunis, 16-17 March 2007
In 2007 Committee meetings were held on 26 February in Rome and on 16 March in Tunis,
followed by the EMPA Plenary session on 17 March.
On 26 February 2007 in Rome, a draft recommendation was presented by Ms. de Zulueta (Chair,
Italian Chamber of Deputies). It comprised three sections: intercultural dialogue and education,
protection of the Mediterranean Environment, management of migration flows.
As far as the first section is concerned, the draft recommendation underlined the importance of
intercultural dialogue and protection of cultural diversity and freedom of expression. Moreover, it
advocated for the enhancement of academic exchanges and the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean
area of higher education and research.
With regard to environmental protection, the draft recommendation noted the progressive
deterioration of the Mediterranean environment and endorsed the Horizon 2020 initiative,
delivering indications concerning its implementation. Furthermore, it welcomed the decision of
the European Council to transform the EU into a highly energy-efficient and low greenhouse-gasemitting economy.
As far as migration flows are concerned, the draft recommendation called for protection of
immigrants’ fundamental rights, in particular women’s rights, and for the enhancement of
integration policies and better international cooperation. It also condemned illegal immigration
and human trafficking.
The meeting of 16 March 2007, held in Tunis, was devoted to the discussion and adoption of the
draft recommendation.
Compromise amendments were tabled and adopted by the Committee on three items: the Israeli
archaeological activities in the old city of Jerusalem, the EP-EMPA initiative to hold parliamentary
youth meetings along the lines of the Euroscola programme and the German Presidency initiative
of a Euromed Youth Parliament and finally the voting rights for legal immigrants in local elections
In addition the Committee decided to set up a small working group in order to formulate
suggestions concerning the possible creation of a Euro-Mediterranean university.
Johan Ryngaert,
Adviser
2007
2007
The EPP-ED Group has met its counterparts in the Euro-Mediterranean parliaments on several
occasions in the course of various meetings and seminars organised by our Group jointly
with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The EPP-ED Group’s political family has shown, in the
course of these meetings, its determination to meet the challenge of finding practical means of
working together with the political parties from the southern shores of the Mediterranean and
strengthening the links and cooperation between Members of Parliament from either side of the
Mediterranean who share the same principles and values, with a view to taking joint action at
parliamentary level.
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Eurolat
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This was the commitment reiterated in Vienna on 12 May 2006 by the Heads of State and of
Government of the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean, namely to continue
to promote and strengthen the bi-regional strategic partnership as formulated at the preceding
summits in Rio de Janeiro (June 1999), Madrid (May 2002) and Guadalajara (May 2004), the
purpose being to extend and deepen LAC-EU relations in all fields, economic, political, commercial,
social and cultural alike, in a spirit of mutual respect, equality and solidarity. In order to achieve
this, the partnership has been being fostered as a way of bringing our societies closer together
to our mutual benefit. The successful Association Agreement signed by the EU with Mexico and
Chile and now in force, and negotiations have recently begun with the Andean and Central America
Communities, which will in due course result in the corresponding association agreements. It is
to be hoped that the more prolonged and thorny negotiations with Mercosur will bear fruit in an
agreement which satisfies both blocs, and thus complete the loop of associative partnerships.
The Vienna Summit was held at an incomparably critical moment, when the Union was focused
on its own problems, and despite this, the intention was to send out a clear message, focused on
Latin America, that would serve as a point of departure for a review and updating of the bi-regional
political agenda. These objectives were met, and once again the commitment to the fundamental
shared principles and values on which this bi-regional relationship is based, values enshrined in
the United Nations Charter, was reiterated.
Paragraph 8 of the Vienna Declaration specifically acknowledged the proposal made by the
integration parliaments to set up a Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly.
After Vienna, a series of rounds of negotiations throughout 2006 (Guatemala, Strasbourg,
Cartagena de Indias and Sao Paulo) set in motion the work which not long thereafter led to the
setting-up of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly.
2007
Here, the leadership demonstrated by our Group has been indisputable. The EPP-DE has for quite
some time reported supported the idea of setting up a bi-regional strategic partnership. José
Ignacio Salafranca was the author of the report ‘On increased cooperation between the European
Union and Latin America’ which unequivocally called for stronger links with the countries of Latin
America, with which we are united by a common history and a whole series of shared values and
traditions. The report, unanimously adopted by the European Parliament, has been taken as a point
of reference as far as the approach and path to be taken were concerned. The EPP-DE invariably
sent out a clear message of support to this end, and made this obvious in the framework of the EULatin American Interparliamentary Conferences, the immediate precedent for and precursors of the
Assembly, and particularly at the last two Interparliamentary Conferences held in Lima (Peru) and
Bregenz (Austria). Our political family actively contributed to launching and assessing the various
proposals, and played a pioneering role when it came to upgrading transoceanic interparliamentary
relations and embodying them in a tailor made institutional instrument such as already existed for
Mediterranean relations in the shape of the Euromed Assembly, and in the sphere of ACP [Africa,
Caribbean and Pacific] relations in the shape of the ACP Assembly; a parliamentary instrument
which could really take full advantage of all the benefits offered by this kind of assembly, in order
better to organise and systematise our work, and enable us to have an overall vision, as well
as allowing both regions to play in the first division as far as interparliamentary relations are
concerned.
2007
The EU and Latin America recently committed themselves to strengthening and deepening their
links, by setting up a strategic partnership covering the whole of both regions in both political
and geographical terms. At the Rio Summit, the EU and Latin America agreed to implement a ‘biregional strategic partnership’ with a view to establishing close relations in the political, economic,
social and cultural spheres.
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The Assembly elected its two co-presidents, one representing Latin America, namely Mr Ney Lopes
(Brazil), now replaced by Senator Pizarro (Chile), President of the Parlatino; and one representing
the EP, José Ignacio Salafranca of the EPP-DE. The Assembly also appointed its Bureau, whose
European component includes one Vice-President from each political group represented in the EP,
with the EPP-DE Vice-President chosen being Struan Stevenson (UK). We should remember that
the make-up of the European delegation for this inaugural session was specific to it and purely
temporary, which meant that its definitive composition, which would affect the structure and the
Assembly’s leading posts, led to the seat in the Bureau held by Vice-President Stevenson being left
to the new EPP-DE Vice-President, Mr Peter Štastný. On 9 November, during the same Constituent
Sitting, the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure were adopted, highlighting the integrationist and open
spirit which the Assembly embodies. Its composition is based on parity, with 60 MPs each from
the two sides; 21 of the EP representatives are members of our political family. The members of the
EPP-DE Group appointed Mrs Quisthoudt-Rowohl (Germany) coordinator.
In July 2007, in Quito, work began at committee level. The Assembly’s three committees also
met, and Mr Fernández Martín and Mr Daniel Varela were elected as chairman of the Political
Committee and rapporteur for the report to be submitted to the Trade Committee respectively. The
Committee’s next meetings were scheduled to take place immediately before the 18-20 December
part-session in Brussels.
For 2008, the timetable of activities provides, amongst other meetings, for a Plenary Sitting which
may be held from 29 April to 1 May 2008 in Lima (Peru). It will thus precede the V EU-LAC Summit
of Heads of State and of Government, under a Slovenian and Peruvian co-presidency, and to which
it is hoped it will be possible, thanks to the work done by this newly-fledged Assembly in its first
year, to submit our preliminary proposals, in the shape of conclusions and reports, concerning the
deepening and strengthening of the strategic bi-regional global partnership between the EU and
Latin America.
Juan Salafranca,
Adviser
Human Rights and Democracy
Human rights and democracy are an objective of Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU
and the EPP-ED Group is engaged consistently and actively in this area, it encourages a policy
which aims to guarantee the respect of human rights, religious freedom and democracy building
in the World, because the Group recognizes that human rights and democracy are universal,
fundamental and indivisible. Therefore, the Group takes initiatives to put this issue on the agenda
inside and outside the European Parliament (EP), and considers a permanent priority to defend
freedom linked to the rule of law, democracy and the promotion of human rights.
In order to promote Human Rights, fundamental freedom, democracy and conflict prevention in
third countries, the EU established a financial instrument in 2006, the European Instrument for
Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), which provides financial aid for activities supporting
these goals, not only as a complement to the EC programmes and to the EU’s CFSP objectives, but
also as an independent financial instrument which can be granted directly without the agreement
of states and governments. The former fund of this instrument, the European Initiative for
Democracy and Human Rights, was founded in 1994 by an initiative of a Member of our Group,
Mr Edward McMillan-Scott, MEP.
A number of projects have benefited from the EIDHR so far. In 2006, there have been projects,
for instance, on promotion of freedom of association and campaigning for the public interest
in Belarus, creation of an enabling environment for civil society in Ethiopia and EU election
observation missions to Aceh, Fiji and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The EP has adopted several Resolutions concerning the EIDHR such as «Human rights in the
world 2006 and the EU’s policy on the matter»(April 2007) and «Human rights dialogues and
consultations on human rights with third countries»(September 2007). The EPP-ED Group
promoted and supported all these resolutions.
The EPP-ED Group, as a founder of the EIDHR, pays attention to the areas which needs the
EIDHR, helps this instrument finance with flexibility local key role players (49% of the total EIDHR
funding went to big thematic projects and only 24% to micro projects in 2006) and truly hopes
that this financial instrument will be useful and helpful to develop the situation on human rights
and democracy worldwide.
Human rights and democracy building as well as to promote peace, freedom and stability are
the core of the external EU political actions of the EPP-ED Group. Actually, the Group remains
concerned about crimes involving genocide and ethnic cleansing, mass expulsions for political
reasons, attacks against the civilian population in conflicts, a rise in fanaticism and denial of
freedom of expression, disregard for minority rights and the growing importance of problems of
exclusion and marginalisation. The Group believes that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a
key vehicle for bringing war criminals to justice and supported its establishment.
Since 1988, in the spirit of Andrei Sakharov, the EP has awarded the annual Sakharov Prize for
Freedom of Thought in order to honour individuals or organisations for their efforts on behalf of
human rights and fundamental freedoms and against oppression and injustice. The EPP-ED Group
has contributed to nominate candidates and appoint winners for the Prize: Oswaldo Payá (2002),
United Nations (2003), Belarusian Association of Journalists (2004), Ladies in White (2005),
Alaksandr Milinkevich (2006), Salih Mahmoud Osman (2007).
In order to promote democracy and the respect of human rights throughout the world, the EPP-ED
Group has been working on several countries and supporting that the EU focuses constantly on it
in its relations with third countries:
2007
2007
On 8 November 2006 in Brussels the Presidents of the European Parliament, the Andean
Parliament, the Central American Parliament and the Latin American Parliament signed the
Constituent Act of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly, a body intended to be the
parliamentary institution of the Bi-regional Strategic Partnership between the European Union and
Latin America, covering its three main facets, by establishing the three appropriate committees,
namely (a) issues concerning democracy, foreign policy, governability, integration, peace and
human rights; (b) economic and commercial affairs; (c) social affairs, human exchanges, the
environment, education and culture.
V
185
The EP approved a Resolution tabled by the EPP-ED Group. The Resolution regrets the immobility
of the Cuban regime and the continuing breaching of human rights. The Group calls on the Council
and the Commission to take necessary actions to demand the release of political prisoners and
ensure the immediate end to the harassment of political opponents and human rights defenders;
2007
> Belarus
The act of the Lukashenko regime demonstrates that the authorities in Belarus are not ready to
follow the proposed road map which the EU has outlined for normalising relations. The Group has
always supported the right of the peoples of Belarus to express their opinions freely and demanded
the freeing of political prisoners and the respect for human rights;
> Darfur
The EP has adopted two Resolutions co-supported by the EPP-ED Group for a strong advocate of
definitive action against the violence. The Group demands tougher EU sanctions on Khartoum
regime. Another major achievement of the Group was the nomination (presented by Mr J.Ribeiro
e Castro and Mr J.Schroeder, MEPs) of Mr Salih Mahmoud Osman, as candidate to the 2007
Sakharov Prize. Mr Osman is a human rights lawyer who denounced the Sudanese civil war and the
HR abuses in this conflict. He has been later chosen as the laureate of the 2007 Sakharov Prize.
> Iran
Regarding the nuclear issue, the deterioration of the human rights situation and the death penalty,
the Group calls on the Council to concentrate its efforts on protecting human rights, and the
Commission to implement all actions required within the framework of the EIDHR, so as to
promote contacts and cooperation with Iranian civil society and to further support democracy and
human rights;
> China
186
The EPP-ED Group considers that, despite significant economic reforms, political and human
rights concerns still persist regarding such matters as political imprisonment, forced labour,
freedom of expression and religion, rights of religious and ethnic minorities, the Laogai camp
system, allegations of organ harvesting and death penalty. Therefore, the Group emphasises the
necessity of strengthening and improving the EU-China human rights dialogue and calls on the
Council and the Commission to raise the issue of Tibet and to actively support the strengthening of
the dialogue between the Chinese government and envoys of the Dalai Lama. Furthermore, China
is at stake regarding the Burma’s dossier. The Group calls on China, to fully respect and support
a UN Security Council statement condemning the regime’s use of brutal force, for not casting a
shadow over the 2008 Olympic Games.
> Burma
The EPP-ED Group supports the Council and the Commission in their stance against the ongoing
human rights and democracy violations in Burma and the EU’s commitment to attain the
establishment of a legitimate, democratically elected civilian government.
Regarding the Burmese Junta’s irresponsible acts of September 2007, it is essential to show our
solidarity with the pro-democracy movement and the Group urges the international community
to continue applying pressure on Burmese regime. The Group not only condemns the acts of the
government, but also demands the release of all political prisoners and Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi,
Nobel Peace Prize Winner and Sakharov Prize Laureate of 1990.
Good Governance
The Commission adopted a White Paper on European Governance in 2001 to establish more
democratic governance at all levels – global, European, national, regional and local, and defined
governance as “the rules, processes and practices that affect how powers are exercised at the
European level” and good governance as governance underpinned by “openness, participation,
accountability, effectiveness and coherence.” The EP has on one hand reaffirmed its democratic
role in the EU, on the other hand expressed concerns about the new forms proposed in the
White Paper which might increase democratic deficit and weaken the role of the EP as an organ
which represents European citizens, reflects democracy the most and plays an important role for
governance by the people.
If the EP is the only European Institution which represents the citizens and democracy, political
groups play a decisive role as obligatory intermediary between the Institutions and its citizens. In
this respect, trans-national political group, the EPP-ED Group, can represent the citizens better
than any other political group, because the EPP-ED Group is the only one of the eight political
groups in the EP to represent Members from all 27 Member States.
Taking account of the principles of good governance and the role of the EP as democratic
participation and legitimacy, the EPP-ED Group believes that the EU should be comprehensible,
closer and open to the citizens. It is essential to have an effective information strategy to enhance
communication between the citizens and the Institutions, so that the Group is convinced that
national political parties, political groups, social partners and representatives of civil society have
responsibility to play an active role, by contributing to the opinion-making process at European
level and by expanding all forms of dialogue and debate with the citizens. Furthermore, a
coordinated and joint approach by political groups and organisations of civil society will be able to
reinforce public support for the EU among the citizens.
The Group also believes that future public information campaigns should be more focused,
policy-oriented and targeted to specific issues, that our citizens expect to be solved by the EU. The
Group will re-orient the focus of its media strategy to the fundamental political issues dealt by the
Institutions and make effective interventions for the benefit of Europeans.
The ongoing process of European integration clearly demands the strengthening of transparent
and democratic participation in the European decision-making process. The Group has always
been stressing the necessity of accompanying the enlargement of the EU with reforms for
more democratic and transparent decision-making processes, and more simplified and flexible
mechanisms that would keep the enlarged EU capable of action. All Institutions should work out
proposals for reforming their procedures, making them less bureaucratic and more accessible to
the citizens.
Regarding democratic management of resources, it is essential to improve financial planning,
develop a system of own resources and ensure the necessary budgetary flexibility. In this respect,
the Group proposes to increase openness, transparency and accountability in budget procedure,
consolidate the EP’s rights and protect the EU’s financial interests without increasing fiscal pressure
on European citizens. Budgetary management should be comprehensible to the citizens.
The review of expenditure and, in a second moment, the introduction of a new own resources so as
to gradually replace the national contributions, will reduce the gap between the EU and its citizens
in understanding the financial effort that makes the Union to accomplish its task as written in the
founding Treaties.
This will contribute also in the transparency and in the sound management of the «good
governance in the World» via the external action of the EU.
2007
> Cuba
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EU Competiteveness in the World
188
Europe is the world’s biggest exporter of goods and services. It is well equipped to benefit from
globalisation Because of its strong knowledge based economies and its quality and high valueadded products. The EU needs to defend and promote the multilateral trade rules within the
WTO, but also needs to reinforce its engagement with the major emerging economies, particularly
in Asia, where there is huge potential for growth. Here the EU should pursue bilateral free trade
agreements. The Commission set out its competitiveness agenda for trade policy with a series of
linked initiatives, like a new strategy on China, stronger protection of Intellectual Property Rights
(IPR’s), a programme of bilateral free-trade agreements (FTAs) and a renewal of the Market Access
Strategy.
The EPP-ED took an active role in the discussions on the EU competitiveness. Mr Daniel
CASPARY was rapporteur of the European Parliament on «Global Europe, external aspects of
competitiveness». The report considered the EU Communication to be an important contribution
to the renewed Lisbon agenda. The EPP-ED reiterates its position, as also outlined in the Doha
report of Mr Giorgios PAPASTAMKOS, that achieving the multilateral WTO Doha negotiations
must be the EU’s first priority. Bilateral and regional FTAs are a sub-optimal solution, because
they lead to trade diversion, are often unbalanced and contribute to introducing discrimination
in international trade relations. Therefore, new bilateral or regional free trade initiatives should
only be launched when necessary to improve the competitive position of EU exporters on crucial
foreign markets.
Open markets are an essential element of competitiveness. This should also be the case of the EU
trade partners. The EU’s performance, in relation to already developed and emerging economies,
is too often negatively affected by a lack of reciprocity in market access conditions. Other problems
are insufficient compliance with agreed (WTO) trade rules and proliferation of unfair trading
practices. The respect for patents and the defence of IPR’s lie at the heart of the EU’s external
competitiveness. The EPP-ED takes the position that the EU should adopt a more resolute stance
in its approach towards third countries in that connection. The EU has to insist on the need to
particularly focus on Non Tariff Barriers which, as tariffs are progressively reduced or eliminated,
tend to become the main obstacles to international trade. The growing share of services in global
economic output should be emphasised and the European Commission should pursue in trade
negotiations a progressive and reciprocal liberalisation of services and a policy of standardisation.
Mr Syed KAMALL was nominated, on behalf of the EPP-ED, as EP rapporteur on the topic of
services.
The pursuit of further trade liberalisation makes it all the more necessary for the EU to preserve
its ability to protect itself against unfair trading practices. Therefore, Trade Defence Instruments
(TDI’s, e.g. anti-dumping) should be an indispensable component of the EU’s strategy for external
competitiveness. The current EU TDI’s should be adapted to the globalising world. The EPPED pleads in any case for more transparency and efficiency of the current TDI’s. Mr Christofer
FJELLNER has been designated as EP rapporteur on this topic and will issue a report early 2008.
With regard to textiles, Mrs Tokia SAÏFI initiated an oral question to the Commission. The
«Memorandum of Understanding» between the EU and China to manage equitably the transition
to free trade in textiles, will expire on 31 July 2007. Mrs SAIFI asked the Commission to explain
how a EU-China system of joint importation surveillance would be set up, and how a proper
2007
Luizi Mazza,
Adviser
2007 was an important year for the EU policy on international trade. Whilst the so-called Doha
trade negotiations within the WTO did not give any result, and whilst our main trading partners
concluded more and more free trade agreements with other partners, the European Commission
decided to update its trade policy. In the Communication «Global Europe: Competing in the
World», the Commission set out a series of initiatives to ensure EU trade policies are adapted to
the competitiveness challenges of the future.
2007
Then, in order to expand the EU’s contribution to develop democracy and good governance
throughout the World, namely its contribution to global governance, the Group reiterates that
the EU should improve political dialogue with third countries and effectively utilize instruments
such as neighbourhood policy and the EIDHR. The Group strongly supports every democratic
improvement and anticipates achieving the ultimate goal of promoting peace, stability, democracy,
prosperity, good governance and respect for human rights in all countries.
189
190
Mrs WORTMANN-KOOL also led the delegation of the International Committee to Singapore
and Vietnam. The delegation was organised in the context of the negotiations on a Free Trade
Agreement with ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations), initiated early 2007. The EPPED welcomed the start of the negotiations, which should assure a larger market access of the
parties to each others markets. IPR’s (Intellectual Property Rights) and counterfeiting were singled
out as mayor problems.
The EPP-ED puts the interests of developing countries, and their capacity to profit from a
globalising economy, high on its agenda. In this context, Mr Robert STURDY, EPP-ED coordinator
on International trade, took the responsibility for the EP report on Economic Partnership
Agreements. The EPA’s are trade related agreements which the European Commission is currently
negotiating with ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) countries, to replace the existing «Cotonou
Agreement», which expires. The EPA’s regard trade as an instrument for development that
contribute to increased economic growth, regional integration and the reduction of poverty. The
ACP countries are grouped into six regions for the EPA negotiations. Mr STURDY stressed in his
report the importance of EPA’s and the advantages of opening up to trade for the economic and
sustainable development of the ACP countries. He agreed with full duty-free and quota-free market
access for the ACP, with more flexible rules of origin. The regional aspect of EPA’s is essential for
boosting not only North-South, but also South-South trade. A genuine regional market represents
an essential basis for the success of EPA’s. However, the pacing timing and scope of liberalisation
should be gradual, with an increased reciprocity of market opening between the EU and the ACP
countries. Improved facilities for trade, technical assistance and to help ACP producers must offset
losses from tariff revenues and help ACP countries take advantage of market access. The EU must
ensure that more support is given to projects which will boost ACP competitiveness and growth,
simplify the bureaucratic burden and improve training in the ACP countries. However, the slow
and unbalanced progress of negotiations with the different regions in 2007 is very regrettable. The
Commission should ensure that disruption of existing ACP exports to the EU is avoided pending
a final settlement.
In the development context, Mr PAPASTAMKOS negotiated on behalf of the EPP-ED a resolution
on «TRIP’s», (Trade Related intellectual Property Rights), allowing WTO members to export
generic drugs to the poorer third countries which could normally not import medicines they
needed, by making use of compulsory licences. Due to the EP pressure, additional measures were
granted by the European Council to encouraging the transfer of technology, research and capacity
strengthening in order to facilitate the production of pharmaceutical products by the developing
countries themselves.
Several EPP-ED Members were active in the field of trade relations with EU’s Eastern neighbours.
Mrs Godelieve QUISTHOUDT-ROWOHL issued the EP report on «EU Economic and Trade
relations with Russia». The economic and trade relations between the EU and Russia are at an
important juncture. In December 2007, the current EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation
Agreement (PCA) is coming to an end and the negotiations of Russia’s WTO accession are at their
final stage. Despite the complex relations between the EU and Russia, the general conditions for
strengthening economic ties are favourable. Trade between Russia and the EU has grown by more
than 70% over the last five years. By joining the WTO, Russia could reassure potential investors.
With a view of Russia joining the WTO, the EU and Russia planned to continue the exploratory
talks on a possible Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The human rights situation in Russia should be
an integral part of the EU-Russia political agenda. At the same time, Russia is a big neighbourcountry and stability in the region is needed. Here, trade can play an important role. Both parties
would benefit from good neighbourly relations and increased economic integration. However,
extensive economic cooperation should be based on free-market principles. Therefore, Russia
should continue with market reforms, to refrain from politicising the economy and to respect the
independence of public and private institutions. A coherent European energy policy is needed. The
cooperation of regulatory convergence in the agricultural sector, notably with regard to sanitaryand phytosanitary measures, should be intensified. The EPP-ED urges the EU to find a common
solution to problems with exports to the Russian market, such as the ban on meat imports from
Poland. Moreover, the importance of facilitating non-discriminatory, transparent and predictable
business conditions in Russia are stressed, including better legislation and enforcement of
intellectual property rights, two-way investments and de-bureaucratisation.
Mr Zbigniew ZALESKI has been nominated by the EP as rapporteur on trade relations between
the EU and Ukraine. The EU and Ukraine launched negotiations on a bilateral agreement, that
will replace the present Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. IA comprehensive Free Trade
Agreement will be an essential part of it. The report will be voted in plenary of the EP early 2008.
Mr Béla GLATTFELDER drafted a report on the macro-financial assistance to Moldova.
The clear stance of the EPP-ED with regards to the developments in the field of international trade
was driven by its firm believe in open markets, benefiting to all. Also developing countries should
be able to take advantage of it. However, within the globalising economy, the international rules on
trade should be respected by all trading partners, to ensure the practice of a free and fair trade.
Adriaan Bastiaansen,
Adviser
2007
implementation of double checking could be guaranteed. Mrs Corien WORTMANN-KOOL
negotiated on behalf of the EPP-ED a Resolution on imported dangerous toys. The Resolution
called on the Commission to reinforce cooperation with the quality authorities of third countries,
especially the Chinese, which are major exporters of consumer goods towards the EU. Technical
assistance should be given to third country authorities in order to implement health and safety
rules and to improve inspection and custom’s cooperation.
2007
V
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V
Transatlantic relations
192
The April 2007 Summit saw an important step being taken by the establishment of a «Transatlantic
Economic Council» (TEC), whose role is to make transatlantic cooperation more transparent and
provides a channel for stakeholders to make their views known. The Council will be co-Chaired
by Al Hubbard (the President’s economic advisor) and Commissioner Gunther Verheugen. The
declaration identifies five key areas (known as ‘lighthouse projects’) for the TEC to concentrate
on:
1. Intellectual Property Rights: An emphasis on the exchange of information, the exchange of
customs officials, the organization of joint technical assistance and enforcement missions as
well as seeking to harmonize both patent regimes.
2. Trade: Develop common security standards and mutual recognition of programs for economic
operators.
3. Financial Market: Promote joint accounting principles and international financial reporting
standards to be recognized by 2009 at the latest.
4. Innovation and Technology: Conduct a high-level conference on innovation in healthrelated industries and a workshop on best practices in innovation policies. Also develop a
joint framework for cooperation on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID); promote EU-US
collaboration on innovative in bio-based products; establish joint research infrastructure for
mouse functional genomics; and sponsor joint workshops or conferences to foster the exchange
of information on nanotechnology.
5. Investment: Establish a regular dialogue to address obstacles to investment
The TEC will be supported by three advisory bodies: the Transatlantic Legislators Dialogue, the
Transatlantic Business Dialogue and the Transatlantic Consumers Dialogue. In November 2007
the Chairman of the US Delegation, Jonathan Evans (EPP-ED), will attend the first meeting of the
Transatlantic Economic Council as a member of the advisory board.
The EPP-ED Group has always put a priority on its relationship with the United States, and has
actively participated in the Transatlantic Legislators Dialogue (TLD) which meets twice a year.
The TLD creates a platform for Congressmen and MEP’s to meet on a regular basis to exchange
views on upcoming events. Ten EPP-ED members participated in the 63rd TLD meeting held in
Washington and Nevada in October.
Two resolutions were passed by Parliament in 2007 on Transatlantic Relations - one resolution
which passed in February dealt specifically with Passenger Name Record (PNR) and Swift. The
second resolution was passed prior to the EU-US summit in April. Both resolutions were supported
by the Group and passed by overwhelming majorities.
2007
The European Union and the United States share a long standing relationship, with the first
delegation of the EU to the US being opened in 1954. Together the two economies generate 57%
of the world’s economic output and around 40% of world trade, with exchanges worth some
€1.7 billion a day, making this the largest bi-lateral economic relationship in the world. Since
1990 regular Presidential summits have been held and the relationship is framed by the 1995
«New Transatlantic Agreement» which set out 150 specific actions both side are committed to
implementing.
2007
The EPP-ED Group and EU-US relations in 2007
193
194
In July 2007 the Presidency of the of the Group had a series of high level meetings in Washington
which included a meeting in the White House with Vice President Dick Cheney, a meeting with
Secretary Chertoff from the Department of Homeland Security, a meeting with Deputy Secretary
John Negroponte at the State Department, as well as meetings with Congressmen and other senior
political leaders, notably with the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Governor
Howard Dean.
It was at the end of March that DEVE Coordinator Nirj Deva took the initiative to an EPP-ED
Development Charter by circulating a first draft to EPP-ED Members of the Development
Committee. While debates and reports in the Committee generally seem to be consensual, the
purpose of the Charter is to serve as a basis for EPP-ED development policy, to guide Members
in their committee work and - possibly most important - to clearly show why and how EPP-ED
development policy from that of other political groups.
The Presidency discussed on-going EU-US relations with a special focus on the Western Balkans,
Russia, energy security, trade, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the fight against terrorism, as
well as issues related to PNR and Swift. In the future a visit to the United States by the Group’s
Presidency will be part of the annual calendar.
The long process leading up to the adoption of a draft Charter by our DEVE Members, now
scheduled for Wednesday 14 November, has been a very positive and fruitful one, with several
Members actively contributing to the debate, to consecutive versions of the draft and finally
through over one hundred amendments.
Marek Evison,
Adviser
The Charter will identify a number of areas where the EPP-ED Group can and must make a
difference, areas where our policies differ from those of other groups;
> While other political groups tend to focus almost entirely on the consequences of poverty,
the draft Charter underlines that « will work towards sustainable improvements in the lives of
ordinary people through building systems to address the causes of poverty rather than simply
ameliorating the symptoms «,
> While other groups compete to be the ones calling for most aid to be given out, EPP-ED
Members make clear that while aid is desperately needed and does need to be increased, we
also need to «create conditions for sustainable development - i.e. a development process
creating a strong economy that is protective of the environment and where nobody is deprived
of basic social services and - in the recipient countries, with the long-term objective for aid to be
progressively phased out.»
> While other groups put an equal sign between development assistance and the Millennium
Development Goals, we stress that the MDGs should play a central role in our development
policy, but development cooperation must also prioritise on the one hand actions that promote
peace, democracy, freedom and justice, and on the other hand measures for growth, such as
promoting productive capacity and entrepreneurial spirit, reducing administrative burdens on
small and medium-sized enterprises, creating a good investment climate and building capacity
for international trade. These areas are mentioned only in passing in the MDGs.
«Helping those that cannot help themselves must be at the heart of our Development policy».
Solidarity and the protection of human life and dignity are principles that must always guide
EPP-ED development policy. Our solidarity must lie with the peoples of the developing countries.
Consequently, we will and must act to protect their rights and well-being. We will never hesitate to
take action against violations of human rights and to put an end to impunity, action to promote
good governance and fight corruption, in short to fully assume our moral responsibility to act
and protect wherever and whenever the human rights, life and dignity of peoples of developing
countries are menaced.
Finally, the draft Charter calls for a more effective and transparent development assistance, so that
development funds are put to a better use, to give more help per spent Euro and also to show to
our own populations that we can make a difference.
Jesper Haglund,
Carlo Palassof,
Advisers
2007
EPP-ED Group’s Development Charter
2007
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We all agree with three statements: firstly, that reliable, affordable and sustainable energy is crucial
to ensure security, economic development and thus prosperity in Europe. Second, that energy is
not only a commodity but also can be used as a political weapon which was illustrated eloquently
by Russia in January 2006. And third, that Europe is largely dependent on energy supply from
undemocratic and unstable countries or regions which is matter of serious concern.
There is however much less consensus as to the way to tackle this problem and how to move from
diagnosis to action, to prevent possible crisis and to apply an efficient remedy.
The report by Saryusz-Wolski adopted with full support of our Group on the 25th September by
an overwhelming majority, advocates a common EU foreign policy on energy as the only way to
face today’s challenges as regards energy security stating that this policy would bring necessary
substantial added value to efforts made at national level according to the subsidiarity principle and
would allow better protection of Europe’s energy interests.
What should this policy look like?
As far as the concept is concerned it should be based on a number of principles which have
already been applied for closer EU integration such as solidarity among Member States, unity in
defending the EU’s interests «vis-à-vis» external partners and the EU speaking with «one voice».
Specifically, in the context of energy we need to develop a pro-active, broad energy diplomacy aimed
at strengthening our cooperation with all major producer, transit and consumer countries and to
create a mutually beneficial, open, transparent and stable energy sector based on the principle of
reciprocity. The EU has to be more active, more determined and united in securing the interests
of the EU as a whole and of its Member States. Internal and external aspects are very much
interrelated and some will argue that we cannot carry out efficient external policy without achieving
a minimum of harmonization of Member States’ policies regarding the management of energy
flows and also developing interconnections, infrastructure, enhancing investment etc. and backing
further progress towards a single energy market.
The report stresses the need to include concrete provisions in the Treaty in order to equip the EU
with institutional competence. It also suggests to include in the EU agreements with producer
and transit countries a so called “energy security clause», which lays down a code of conduct and
explicitly outlines measures to be taken in the event of disruption of supply by one of the partners.
According to the report, the current EU Member States’ preference for energy unilateralism should
be replaced with a new common policy of energy solidarity based on a multilateralist approach.
Meanwhile there is a necessity to establish a good practice of consultation among Member States
on strategic decisions which may affect one of its EU’s partners. The new common policy must be
consistent and coherent with all EU related policies e.g. internal market, competition, transport,
trade, environment.
This proposal should in no way undermine individual Member States’ legitimate and sovereign
right to choose their internal energy mix, to explore their energy resources, to decide on the supply
structure etc. rather, the development of common foreign policy on energy should enhance the
collective external energy security and increase EU’s potential to face more efficiently today’s
challenges.
2007
Towards a Common European Foreign Policy
on Energy
2007
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Regulation on Roaming
The report proposes to adopt a gradual, progressive approach. It suggests the creation of a new
institutional post of High Official on foreign energy policy, after the new Treaty enters into force,
which would allow for the coordination of all policies related to external aspects of energy security.
Working under the authority of a High Representative on Foreign Policy, who would be also VicePresident of the European Commission, would reinforce the synergies inside the EU. In order to
move consequently towards the new policy, the report proposes to elaborate a precise «road map»,
leading to the formation of a common foreign policy on energy, indicating short, medium and
long term objectives, targets and steps with a specific time-frame for implementing them. To be
successful we need to engage the internal dynamic and secure the necessary public support.
The EU roaming regulation is a real step forward in Europe’s internal market. European consumers
will be able to profit from lower charges when using their mobile from abroad. This regulation
foresee a price cap ensuring that mobile roaming voice charges are not higher than charges at
home. With this regulation using mobile phone abroad will become substantially cheaper thanks
EU intervention.
Common threats to secure energy to Europe necessitate a common response. It might be that in
this endeavour we will achieve something more: the new EU common foreign policy on energy can
become a trigger for European integration, giving new impetus and new strength to the EU as a
global actor. The reality of present challenges calls for an ambitious and courageous approach. Our
Group has demonstrated its willingness to adopt such an approach.
Joanna Jarecka-Gomez,
Adviser
EPP-ED played a key role in this piece of legislation of internal market. This became binding law in
all 27 Members States. This process started long time ago when Members of our Group addressed
the Commission several times asking for taking measures against excessive roaming charges that
consumers travellers had to pay while abroad. The Commission presented its proposal on 12 July
2006.
The proposal provided for the establishment, on the basis of the ‘European Home Market
Approach’, of common, Community-wide maximum price limits on the charges that mobile
network operators may levy for the wholesale provision of mobile roaming services for mobile
voice telephony calls made from a visited network in the Community and terminating on a public
telephone network also located within the Community.
It suggested maximum price limits for the provision of roaming services for voice calls between
Member States at retail and wholesale level.
A long discussions and negotiations took place with the Council and the Commission but
Thanks to the good work carried out by President Mrs. Angelika Niebler, our Co-ordinator Mr.Giles
Chichester and in particular by our rapporteur Mr.Paul Rübig (AT) we succeeded in creating a good
piece of legislation, which is very useful for our citizens and long overdue.
The EU Regulation, since this summer, enables consumers to benefit from a ‘Eurotariff’ that sets
a maximum limit for calls made (€0.49 excl. VAT) and received (€0.24 excl. VAT) when abroad.
Operators are expected to compete below this consumer cap. The price caps will be further
reduced in 2008 and 2009.
As a result:
Home providers are obliged to make available and actively offer to all roaming customers a
Euro-tariff. All existing roaming customer must be given the opportunity, by 30 July 2007, to opt
deliberately for this tariff or any other roaming tariff and make their choice within two months.
The requested tariff must be activated no later than one month after the request is made. Those
customers who do not make a choice with in that period shall automatically be provided a Eurotariff from 30 September 2007.
However, roaming customers who, before the entry into force of this regulation, had already made
a deliberate choice of a specific roaming tariff or package, other than the roaming tariff which they
would be placed in the absence of such choice, and who, having been informed/reminded of their
contract, fail to express a choice shall remain on their previously chosen tariff or package.
The EU Roaming Regulation also forces operators to keep all customers informed about roaming
prices through a push-SMS plus a free telephone number where it is possible to have information
on data prices. This regulation will expire three years after the entry into force as strongly requested
by our Group, considering that during this time all efforts have to be made in order to build an
European telecommunications internal market. During this period the Commission, together with
national regulators, will monitor the Regulation’s implementation closely. The Commission will
assess the regulation within 18 months to determine whether or not to prolong the regulation and
whether it needs to intervene again to also include SMS and data roaming.
2007
This will only happen if such a policy is equipped with adequate instruments.
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Portability of pension rights
The EPP-ED Group insisted as well on having an assessment of the situation of people living
in cross-border regions that on many occasions have their phone on roaming networks without
having any option. Our Group was also keen on having an assessment of situation of smaller and
independent companies.
An increasing number of people recognise that the State alone can no longer shoulder responsibility
for their financial future in their old age. Part of the shortfall, which has arisen as a result of
declining state contributions, can be made up by private provision, but that is not enough.
Mario Schwetz,
Adviser
That is why occupational pension schemes are becoming increasingly important as a second pillar
supplementing private and state provision. This represents a responsibility for employers but also
a major opportunity that forward-looking companies should seize. In the past, many companies
aimed to offer employees a supplementary occupational pension scheme, tie them to the firm for
a long period and thereby ensure that the pension fund paid its way.
Occupational pension schemes are now seen as an increasingly prominent part of the
remuneration system. For that reason, a distinction is drawn between work pensions in terms
of whether the employee funds the pension payments from his or her salary or whether they are
covered by the employer.
Contributions can also be split between the employer and the employee. This arrangement is
particularly to be found in employment situations governed by collective agreements, so that in the
Netherlands, for instance, 90% of all employees are entitled to an occupational pension scheme. In
Germany, however, where it is mainly only employers who pay the contributions, 10% of employees
can draw an occupational pension.
It is necessary to ensure that the rules governing the operation of these schemes do not hamper
the mobility of workers and reduce the opportunities for mobile workers to build up sufficient
pension rights by the end of their careers; otherwise the flexibility and effectiveness of the labour
market would be reduced. Even if there are many factors which can determine the choice of any
person to change jobs, it is clear that the fact that any such person could stand to lose a substantial
part of his supplementary pension rights may make that person seriously think again about
wanting to change jobs. Accordingly, it is not only a matter of securing mobility between Member
States but also within them.
The Commission therefore made the portability of pension rights the focus of its proposal.
Nevertheless, the diversity and heterogeneity of business models in the Member States has not
made it possible thus far to guarantee portability. The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
has attempted, therefore, to allow workers’ mobility by ensuring that the vested pension rights of
outgoing employees remain within the company, and therefore within the same supplementary
pension scheme, but that these pension rights are kept in line with economic growth and protected
from insolvency. In order to ensure that the conditions for acquiring supplementary pension rights
do not undermine the exercise of the right of workers to freedom of movement within the European
Union, limits must be established concerning the conditions governing the acquisition of such
rights so that workers, when they exercise their right to freedom of movement or move within a
Member State, can receive a satisfactory pension at the end of their career.
In order to accommodate employers’ desire for a longer period of employment, a five-year vesting
period for pension rights has been established for employees under 25. The setting of a higher
minimum age would, however, penalise young workers if a change of job before the minimum age
resulted in the loss of pension rights for the period prior to reaching this age.
It was a controversial point within the committee as to whether the directive should also apply to
pre-existing commitments. The rapporteur felt that it would be financially unviable to tamper with
existing schemes, as they would not be able to adapt to the new circumstances and rules, and
called for the directive to apply from the date of entry into force and not, therefore, to pre-existing
commitments. She was, however, unable to enforce this point of view. As the Council had also been
unable to agree on the date of entry into force, the Commission’s proposal for a directive fell in
Council, meaning that it is now a question of waiting to see to what extent the Presidency-in-Office
2007
The wholesale caps for the prices that operators can charge each other for roaming for the first
year will not exceed 0.30€ per minutes, for the second year 0.28€ per minutes and for the third
year 0.26€ per minutes.
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The proposal adopted by Parliament can therefore only be seen as a first, albeit significant, step
towards achieving freedom of movement and mobility, as the portability of supplementary pension
rights has been removed from the Commission proposal, not being financially viable at the present
time. At a later date, portability should be guaranteed so that workers can enjoy unrestricted
mobility. Parliament has therefore called on the Commission to present a proposal on this matter
in five years’ time that includes rules freeing companies from their responsibility for acquired
pension rights by providing for the potential transfer of these rights to another pension scheme.
Klaus Kellersmann,
Adviser
Sport in general
The EPP-ED Group has always considered the role of sport in promoting social and cultural
integration as a political priority. During this year, EPP-ED Members have largely contributed
through initiative reports as well as hearing to raise the problematic of sport in the EU.
Ivo Belet (EPP-ED, BE) drafted a resolution on the «future of professional football in Europe» and
stressed its attachment to the European football model, with its relationship between amateur and
professional football.
As a reminder, Ivo Belet organised in May 2006 a public hearing on «Professional football - market
or society?» where football experts and MEPs exchanged ideas on the future of football and how
the popularity of football can be used as a force for good in European society.
This own-initiative report aims to get an insight of current challenges facing professional football in
order to see if EU action is required, taking into account the need to safeguard the balance between
the socio-cultural and the economic dimension of football.
Football in Europe is facing multiple challenges that can not be tackled by football governing
bodies alone. It’s important that a constructive and structured dialogue between EU institution and
football governing bodies takes place, in view of the impact of European law.
The EP resolution contains a set of political priorities in the field of governance, fight against
criminal activities, social, cultural and educational role of football, employment and social issues,
fight against racism, competition law and the internal market, selling of television rights and
competition law, doping and asks:
> The establishment of an action plan for European sport in general and football in particular which
sets out the issues for the Commission to deal with and the legal instruments to be used;
> For a collaboration between UEFA, together with the clubs, players’ representatives and the
Commission, to develop a cost-control system, to be operated on a self-regulatory basis, that
would be compatible with the European Football Model and Community law.
> The Commission to tackle the problem of child trafficking, and pointed out that young players
must be given the opportunity for a general education and vocational training in parallel with
their club and training activity, so that they do not depend entirely on the clubs. Parliament
made some recommendations on the fight against human trafficking, including the notion
that clubs should subscribe and the creation of a Solidarity Fund that would finance prevention
programmes in countries most affected by human trafficking.
> Parliament asked the Commission to draw up clear guidelines on the application of the State
aid rules, indicating what kind of public support is acceptable and legitimate in order to fulfil the
social, cultural and educational role played by football, such as financial or other support granted
by public authorities for the provision or updating of football stadiums or facilities. Parliament
also asked the Commission to reflect on the consequences of a possible liberalisation of the
betting market and on mechanisms to secure the financing of sport in general and football in
particular.
> The fight against doping which should constitute an important concern. Parliament stressed the
need to fight irregularities through checks, research, testing, monitoring by independent doctors
and through education. Professional clubs were asked to adopt a pledge to combat doping and
to monitor compliance through internal checks.
> The introduction of greater transparency in the ownership structures of clubs and asked the
Council to adopt measures for the fight against the criminal activities that haunt professional
football. These include money laundering, illegal betting, doping and match fixing, and enforced
prostitution on the sidelines of major football events.
2007
2007
of the Council will submit new compromise proposals so that the right to freedom of movement
– one of the Community’s basic freedoms – is enforced and the operation of the internal market
improved.
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The rapporteur stresses recommendations in the field of reforming school physical education,
improving teacher education and training, political initiatives at EU level. The political orientations
adopted include the following: deeply changing the general orientation of physical education
in order to be more effective in combating excess weight in children; taking measures against
increasing marginalisation of physical education within the school day; solving the problem
of general under-funding of sports facilities; supporting and developing the quality of teacher
education; strengthening the link between school and out-of school activities; promoting the
inclusion of minorities and disabled young people; and finally encouraging research in order to
compile relevant empirical data concerning sport and physical education. These measures are to
be taken by responsible bodies, at the European level or within Member states in order to improve
the role of sport in education.
Manolis Mavrommatis (EPP-ED /GR) is appointed as rapporteur for the «White paper on sport»
which is actually the first comprehensive initiative on sport by the Commission.
The White paper has two main aims:
> To mainstream sport into the various relevant EU policies in order to improve its use as a tool
for EU policy
> To increase legal certainty regarding the application of the acquis to sport, as a contribution to
improved governance in European sport.
The White paper develops the concept of specificity of sport within the limits of existing EU
competences. It also proposes concrete actions in a detailed Action Plan called after Pierre de
Coubertin. The Action Plan addresses in particular societal and economic aspects of sport, such
as public health, education, social inclusion, volunteering, external relations and the financing of
sport.
Véronique Donck,
Adviser
European Union’s Budget for 2008:
Aims of the EPP-ED Group
Introduction
Each year, the European Union’s budget is decided jointly by Council and Parliament, which form
together the European Union’s budgetary authority. The two institutions have to decide on the
on-going financing of the EU policies. In several cases the budgetary authority is also called to find
ways to respond swiftly and effectively to new budgetary challenges that occur either within the
EU or worldwide. Faced with a demand for sustained budgetary rigour to finance a wider range of
policies, the two institutions have sometimes controversial negotiations.
Every day practice proves that EU budget is not only a pure technical enquiry of how much the EU
will spend, how the money will be spent and who will benefit from the funds. For EPP-ED Group,
the EU budget is a tool which should support its political beliefs and which allows to focus on the
priorities EPP-ED has established with the aim of achieving a more competitive EU respectful of
the environment, a Europe which replies to the citizens’ concerns and that enables the EU to have
the position it deserves worldwide.
Aims of the EPP-ED Group
Within the existing multi-annual financial framework (MFF) for 2007 - 2013 as established by
the Inter-institutional agreement (IIA) of 17 May 2006, the EPP-ED Group, for the 2008 budget
procedure, has taken a leading role in order to introduce the priorities it esteems the EU budget
should reflect and submitted concrete proposals in every step of the budgetary procedure. These
priorities are:
1. Reinforcing the quality and control of spending and applying budgetary transparency
EPP-ED Group took action with the aim of ensuring proper budget implementation and optimising
the use of the available resources. It invited the European Commission to take further measures to
identify and to overcome the difficulties in executing budgetary decisions.
Concerning the assistance to candidate countries and in view of enhancing transparency in the EU
Budget, the breakdown by country and by programme was introduced. EPP-ED Group also attaches
great importance to a sound financial management and therefore requested information on the
progress achieved by the Member States in producing an assessment concerning the compliance
of management and control systems with the regulations of the Community.
The constant creation of decentralised agencies over the past years was addressed: three existed
in 1990, seven in 2000 and now there are twenty-five. EPP-ED Group wishes to take a prudent
approach and ensure that the setting-up of decentralised agencies is only decided after an
assessment by the Commission on the budgetary implications and agreement of the budgetary
authority on their financing as foreseen by the Interinstitutional agreement on budgetary discipline
and sound financial management (Article 47).
2. Taking action to reply to EU citizens’ concerns
In the wake of the disastrous forest fires and floods that hit some Member States, EPP-ED Group
reacted by the concrete suggestion to provide, under the existing Civil Protection Financial
Instrument, a supplementary stand-by force, based on a pooling of existing resources or by
accessing additional resources and equipment. This force will further enhance solidarity in the EU
and prove EU’s added value.
2007
2007
Pál Schmitt (EPP-ED/HU) organised a public hearing on the «Role of sport in education» as well
as drew up a report dealing with school sport and «physical education».
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3. Safeguarding the projects of a European added-value: Galileo and EIT
EPP-ED wished to give a clear message that EIT (European Institute of Technology) and Galileo
(European satellite navigation system) should be properly financed. For EIT, it proposed to clarify
the method and nature of expenditure by creating two EIT budget lines therefore separating
the financing of the EIT «governing body» from the financing of the Knowledge Innovation
Communities (KICs). The EIT was moved from Heading 1a «Competitiveness for Growth and
Employment» to Heading 5 «Administrative expenditure».
Concerning Galileo, the Group proposed to increase the appropriations to ensure the development
of this project based only on Community funding. Therefore it calls upon the Council for a revision
of the MFF 2007 - 2013.
4. Addressing immigration problems
EPP-ED Group successfully argued for an increase of the operational budget of Frontex (European
Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders), which meant
almost doubling of this Agency’s budget. Additionally, it required detailed information on Frontex’s
plans and a schedule of undertakings given to Frontex by the Member States.
At this stage, EPP-ED’s ideas are included in the adopted 1st Reading position for the 2008 Budget
which will now be the subject of several negotiations with the Council and the Commission in order
to reach an agreement between the Parliament and the Council for the following’s year budget.
EPP-ED Members will seek that these positions remain in the final agreement so that the financing
of the EU policies meets and reflects the aspirations and priorities of our political family.
Marianna Pari,
Adviser
Sidonia Jedrzejewska,
Adviser
2007
With a special attention to young people, it has put forward three proposals: first, by means of
setting-up of AMICUS, a common framework for national civic services across the European
Union, it provides to young people the opportunity to carry-out part of their civic service in another
EU country that is taking part in the AMICUS (Association of Member States Implementing a
Community Universal Service) project. This is leading to a truly universal European civic service,
enhancing in this way, the European citizenship feeling of young people. The second proposal
offers the possibility for scholarships to graduate students from the European Neighbourhood
Policy countries to follow courses in high-level Universities in the EU, leading to a degree of
Master in European Studies. Finally, a new Community aid is introduced allowing the free
distribution of fruit and vegetables in primary schools. It aims at improving the nutrition habits
and combating obesity among children.
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This set of amendments expresses EPP-ED support for Frontex, but also underlines a necessity of
improved transparency and of involvement of Member States into Frontex missions.
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5. Enhancing EU’s role worldwide
EPP-ED Group, in order to secure adequate financing for Kosovo and Palestine followed the
position adopted by AFET (Foreign Affairs) committee. Consequently extra EUR 30 million for
Palestine and extra EUR 20 million for Kosovo were added. To this aim the use of the flexibility
instrument is requested, which means demanding «fresh money» without endangering other
programmes.
Moreover, the CFSP (Common Foreign and Security Policy) expenditure was cut by 20% and its
reinstatement can be provided if an agreement is reached with the Council.
For the external policy instruments, the Group insisted that a true political dialogue should be put
in place with the Commission.
6. Acknowledging actions in the field of environment
The EPP-ED Group proposed creating a new line for Action in the Field of Renewable Energy which
was adopted in the Plenary. Moreover, the Group initiated pilot projects aimed at protection of the
endangered environment of the Baltic Sea.
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Careful Management of Expenditures,
Providing Value for Money
208
The objective of the EPP-ED members of the Budgetary Control Committee, Co-Coordinated by
Ingeborg GRÄSSLE (EPP-ED, Germany) is to assure the citizens of the European Union that EU
funds are raised and spent effectively, and that they are correctly allocated to the tasks which the
Union has been asked to perform. To accomplish this aim, the EPP-ED members strive to develop a
transparent and effective EU system of public accounts which ensure sound implementation of the
budget, better governance and clear accountability with zero tolerance for cases of mismanagement
and fraud. We intend to increase public understanding of how EU funds are actually used, while at
the same time improving the possibilities for evaluating the effectiveness of EU spending.
Early in the year, Ingeborg GRÄSSLE was the Parliament’s Rapporteur on implementing rules for
the Financial Regulation, which lays down the rules for the establishment and implementation of
the general budget. It sets the budgetary principles, the procedures for the establishment of the
budget and the methods for its implementation, defines the duties of the financial actors and sets
the rules for the financial operations. It is complemented by the Implementing Rules, where further
details and explanations are provided for its application. Mrs Grässle’s report brought together a
number of amendments to the implementing rules, mainly to improve transparency, certainty and
clarity in the management of the relationship with beneficiaries.
The Committee on Budgetary Control is one of the few committees where most of the work is
focused on a cyclical programme. One of the main tools in the hands of the EPP-ED MEPs is the
discharge procedure: the annual review of past expenditure, based on an assessment prepared by
the European Court of Auditors, culminating in a report adopted by the Parliament.
This year, the Rapporteur for the discharge budget for the Commission was Salvador GARRIGA
POLLEDO (EPP-ED; Spain). On his recommendation, discharge was given to the Commission in
respect of the implementation of the 2005 budget. With the discharge also came a resolution which
drew attention to the urgent need to introduce national declarations at an appropriate political
level, covering all Community funds coming under the shared management arrangement, building
on positions taken by Parliament in its 2003 and 2004 discharge resolutions.
In order to acknowledge the federal and decentralised political systems in existence in some
Member States, the resolution also took the view, based on an EPP-ED initiative in 2006, that
national management declarations could take the form of several declarations within a national
framework, rather than one on its own. This would improve the quality of the relevant national
supervisory and control systems, without detracting from the independence of the court of
Auditors. Moreover, it could facilitate a positive statement of assurance, since it forms a vital
element in achieving an EU integrated internal control framework.
The Rapporteur for the discharge to the Other Institutions was Daniel CASPARY (EPP-ED;
Germany). He had a fruitful dialogue with the Council regarding its non administrative expenditure
- always a delicate matter as the Council does not consider we have the right to grant it discharge,
citing the ‘gentlemen’s’ agreement of 1970. Amongst other things, his report called for the
agreement to be revised and for the dialogue to be widened to include representatives from other
political groups.
2007
As the Community budget is financed by taxpayers, the European Institutions have an obligation
to guarantee the best use of their money and specifically, to fight as effectively as possible against
fraud and corruption.
2007
Protecting European taxpayers’ money
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Another important tool to achieve good value for taxpayer’s money is the Annual Report on the
Protection of the Union’s Financial Interests and the Fight against Fraud. In 2007 the EPP-ED
Group secured this highly important report. Francesco MUSOTTO (EPP-ED; Italy) is the rapporteur
for both 2005 and 2006.
The work of CONT is closely watched by the Commission and by the press. In undertaking our work,
we aim to contribute to improving the financial management of European Union funds at all levels,
so as to ensure maximum value for money for the citizens of the Union. The EPP-ED members will
continue their constructive moderate line in trying to fulfil the expectations of European citizens
and the taxpayers whilst demonstrating our comprehension of the difficulties due to the diversity
and the heterogeneity of the European Union, thus providing value for money.
Jonas Kraft,
Adviser
Natural disasters in the European Union:
the EPP-ED Group takes the lead in calling
for more effective community action
Natural disasters affect every year millions of people worldwide. They encompass an endless list
of natural or manmade phenomena, like forest fires, droughts, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes,
tsunamis, but also biological, chemical, environmental, radiological & technological disasters.
According to UN figures, natural disasters in the EU alone have caused the deaths of more than 65
000 people since 1980 and have cost more than EUR 125 000 million. What is even more alarming
is that this kind of disasters now seems to be on the increase for a number of reasons, including
climate change.
The need of coordinated EU action in the prevention, preparedness and response level to such
disasters is greater now than ever in the past. Clearly, the national responsibility for dealing
directly with disasters remains unchallenged, and efforts need predominantly to be increased on
a regional and national level. However, it has been acknowledged that very often the dimensions
of these phenomena and their consequences go beyond the regional and national scale, exceed
national capacities, and call for an effective European commitment. In other words, the effective
management of natural and manmade disasters is a clear example of the value of action at
Community level, and the most tangible demonstration of European solidarity.
At present, the main tool at Community level to respond to natural disasters inside or outside
the EU is the European Civil Protection Mechanism. This Mechanism coordinates 30 European
countries’ assistance to disaster-stricken countries. At the heart of the Mechanism lies the MIC
(Monitoring and Information Centre), which is operated by the European Commission in Brussels
on a 24/7 basis. Any country affected by a major disaster – inside or outside the Union - can request
assistance through the MIC. The MIC immediately forwards the request to a network of national
contact points in the 30 participating states and then coordinates the available assistance. In other
words, the role of the EU is merely limited to an effective coordination of the assistance, which is
made available by the Member States on any given time that a natural disaster occurs.
The EPP-ED Group has taken over the past year a number of important initiatives, in order to
ensure a more effective common action to combat and respond to natural disasters in the EU.
European Parliament resolution on this summer’s
natural disasters
This summer’s natural disasters were dominated by the devastating forest fires in Greece, one of
the most lethal fires to have occurred in the world since 1871. Indeed, these forest fires resulted
alone in the loss of more than 60 human lives and injuries to many people, as well as the burning
of more than 250 000 hectares. The EPP-ED Group was the first to ask for a plenary debate on this
issue in September 2007, and to table its resolution on the matter. The resolution was prepared
and negotiated on behalf of the EPP-ED Group by the Chairman of the Regional Development
Committee, Gerardo Galeote (EPP-ED, ES), who was also the Parliament’s rapporteur of an own
initiative report on natural disasters in 2006.
Several considerations were made in this resolution, both for the specific case of Greece, but also
for additional measures to enhance the response-capacity of the EU. Most of these points were
subsequently carried in the joint resolution, which was negotiated and agreed upon with other
political groups in the European Parliament.
2007
Rodi KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU (EPP-ED; Greece) was Rapporteur for an initiative report
in response to the Court of Auditor’s Special Report on MEDA, which was supportive of the
management of MEDA II funds, finding the management and implementation of the programme
reasonable overall and clearly improving. Her report emphasised the importance of non-economic
objectives of MEDA such as health, gender equality, institution building, human rights &
democracy, as part of the Barcelona Process. It also underlined that economic aid must promote
social cohesion and sustainable development. In addition, it called on the Euro-Med Parliamentary
Assembly to play a greater role in giving the programme a political orientation and evaluating
its implementation. It also addressed the particularly sensitive question of how the Palestinian
Authority makes use of MEDA funds.
2007
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As a result, the EPP-ED supported the possibility for the European Commission to be able to
provide complementary community resources in the case of natural disasters. This means the
creation of a stand-by force for the precarious summer months, mainly in the form of community
fire-fighting aircrafts. These aircrafts would not be owned by the Community or based in Brussels.
What is proposed is that this stand-by force would be available during the fire season through
renting, or better, leasing arrangements, which the European Commission could conclude with the
commercial market and the private sector in general. Alternatively, such complementary aerial fire
fighting capacities could also be provided through international agreement with third countries,
which dispose of such aircrafts, and whose summer season does not coincide with the European
one (e.g. Australia or Canada). These aircrafts, or other capacities, could be pre-positioned in some
strategic locations in the EU, so as to ensure a timely response to any disaster. The costs of such
a temporary stand-by force could be covered by the recently established Civil Protection Financial
Instrument. For that purpose, the EPP-ED also tabled this year an amendment for the Budget 2008,
which was adopted at first reading, with the aim of earmarking an amount of this Instrument for
this kind of action.
Moreover, the EPP-ED asked for a serious follow-up to be made to the report of former
Commissioner Michel Barnier, which proposed the creation of a “European civil protection
force” that could immediately react to emergencies. This report was requested in January 2006
by Wolfgang Schüssel and José Manuel Barosso, Presidents of the Council and the Commission
respectively, and presented to the European Council in June 2006. Mr Barnier suggested that at
least 10 fire-fighting aircrafts at stand-by are required to ensure a credible European response.
Following this year’s forest fires in Greece, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Greek Prime
Minister Kostas Karamanlis made a joint call for closer cooperation in this field, going beyond
the traditional voluntary pooling of resources. The European Commission should proceed with a
concrete proposal to that effect.
Special emphasis should be placed on the regulation for the new EU Solidarity Fund, which the EP
considers to be a vital instrument to give a rapid response for major emergencies. The Parliament
adopted already in May 2006 by an overwhelming majority the report of the Vice Chairman of
the Committee on Regional Development, Rolf Berend (EPP-ED, DE), on the adoption of the
EUSF regulation. This new regulation aims –among other things- at revising the definition of
“major disasters” in order to lower the thresholds and allow for a wider eligibility of disasters
under this fund. Thus, it is expected to be able to address damage in a more effective, flexible and
timely manner. However, the Council of the EU has not adopted its position ever since, and the
A report on earthquakes: The “forgotten” natural disaster
The Committee on Regional Development decided to adopt in 2007 at the request of the EPP-ED
Group an own-initiative report dedicated to earthquakes and their regional impact. The reason
behind this initiative was that the three reports on Natural Disasters adopted by Parliament in May
2006 made no reference to earthquakes, and focused exclusively on forest fires, floods and droughts.
The rapporteur Nikolaos Vakalis (EPP-ED, GR) considered this omission to be unjustified, given
that earthquakes are one of the most lethal and destructive natural disasters world-wide, causing
huge losses of life and enormous damage to property. It is estimated that, in the twentieth century
earthquakes have killed 1.5 million people worldwide and have cost EUR 75 billion over the last 25
years alone. They also occur frequently in the EU, and many countries and regions, particularly in
southern Europe and the Mediterranean, are at high risk from earthquakes.
This report focuses on the adverse consequences of earthquakes on the economic and social
cohesion of the regions, and calls on the EU and individual Member States to take action especially
targeted on this phenomenon at prevention, response and damage-repair level. Among the
concrete proposals for complementary EU action made in this report, the European Commission is
asked to draw up immediately a communication evaluating the hazards posed by earthquakes and
proposing the measures necessary to address them. It stresses the need for adequate measures
to be taken at a prevention level (e.g. campaigns to educate and inform the public throughout the
EU, training of the competent technical bodies in the Member States, a new European strategic
research agenda for earthquakes with the involvement of seismic areas as ‘open-air laboratories’,
and finally seismic risk evaluation in all geographical zones), while stressing the importance of
coordination, cooperation and flexibility of the bodies involved at Community, national, regional
and local levels (fire services, emergency medical units, the police, mountain rescue teams and sea
rescue and mine rescue services). All the proposals of the rapporteur were accepted by the other
political groups in the European Parliament.
Fani Zarifopoulou,
Adviser
2007
In the summer of 2007, the European Civil Protection Mechanism was activated twelve times
for the same kind of emergency (forest fires) and in a time period of two months. Seven of the
emergencies were simultaneous. In practical terms, this resulted in an unequal distribution of
Europe’s resources, with some Member States in need of assistance, notably Bulgaria, having
to rely solely on bilateral agreements with non-EU states for assistance. This is due to the fact
that when it comes to aerial fire-fighting means, these are limited in number and Member States
cannot always offer support either because these fire-fighting aircrafts are needed nationally, or
because the threat for a forest fire in their respective territories is imminent. As a result, the EU
failed in some cases to display sufficient solidarity. These points were strongly made in the EPPED resolution, which stated that the system needs to be further strengthened, and that additional
measures needed to be explored immediately.
codecision procedure for the adoption of this regulation seems to be temporarily blocked. In this
year’s resolution, the EPP-ED strongly urged the Council to reach a decision without further delay
on the new EUSF regulation. Our Group called on the Portuguese Presidency-in-Office, as well as
the EU Ministers for Finance, Environment, Agriculture and Regional Development, to take swift
and firm action immediately, and for an extraordinary Council meeting to be called to that effect.
It should also be noted that, in the past 12 months, Gerardo Galeote (EPP-ED, ES) in his capacity
as Chairman of the Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development has written to all the
Presidencies of the Council to urge them to reach a decision on the new regulation.
2007
In terms of financial compensation for the purpose of relieving the suffering and satisfying the
needs of victims of these natural disasters and their immediate families, the EPP-ED asked the
Commission to mobilise the current EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) in the most flexible manner
possible and without delay, and for all the necessary resources to be made available immediately
by means not only of the EUSF and but also any other Community Instrument. The EPP-ED also
deplored the fact that so many of these forest fires appeared to have been started by acts of arson,
and is particularly concerned that criminal acts of arson are increasingly to blame for forest fires
in Europe.
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Played out over a period lasting more than one year, the dramatic struggle between the Parliament
and the Council over the voluntary modulation dossier illustrates graphically the power that MEPs
have to shape the EU’s agricultural policy. From start to finish, the EPP-ED Group steered the
Parliament through the difficult negotiations that resulted in an impossible victory. Lutz Goepel
(D), the Group’s Agriculture Co-ordinator, was Parliament’s voluntary modulation Rapporteur
and he was aided in turn by Joseph Daul (F), Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture before
becoming EPP-ED Chairman, and Neil Parish (UK), his successor. Reimer Böge (D), who had been
Parliament’s Rapporteur for the Financial Perspectives, provided support that would prove critical
from his new position as Budgets Committee Chairman.
The European Council, in point 62 of its December 2005 conclusions on the Financial Framework
for 2007-13, proposed that Member States should be able to «modulate» (in other words reduce),
on an entirely optional basis, market expenditure and direct payments under the first pillar of the
CAP up to a maximum of 20% and to use the amounts thus generated for their rural development
programmes. The UK’s Labour Government was the main driving force behind the proposal,
viewing it as a means to make up shortfalls required for its rural development schemes.
It was widely known that the Commission had serious reservations over the feasibility of this
mechanism but was nevertheless forced to submit a legislative proposal based on the European
Council’s conclusions. The Commission’s proposal:
> was based on Article 37 meaning that the EP is only consulted;
> omitted market expenditure meaning that it is the direct payments received by farmers that are
eligible for the 20% reduction and this is in addition to the compulsory modulation agreed in the
2003 CAP Reform (which has reached 5%);
> did not require the Member States to co-finance the voluntary modulation;
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Voluntary Modulation: an historic victory
for the European Parliament
2007
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> omitted the first €5000 received by farmers (as is the case with compulsory modulation);
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> obliged the Member States to comply with the rules of the new Rural Development Regulation
on minimum expenditure per axis;
> obliged the Member States to decide the rate of reduction for the whole financing period within
two months;
> made it clear that the Member States could not take a «regionalised» approach to voluntary
modulation (which posed constitutional problems for a Member State such as the UK, where
responsibility for agricultural policy is devolved).
It is worth recalling that, amid the negotiations on the new Financial Framework, the strong
reservations of both the Commission and Parliament concerning the European Council decision
were formalised in Declarations No 9 and 10 of the Interinstitutional Agreement (IIA). Through its
Declaration, the EP clearly reserved its position on the outcome of the legislative procedure and
favoured assessing the issue of co-financing in the context of the 2008-09 review.
In his report, Lutz Goepel, the EPP-ED’s Rapporteur, proposed an outright rejection of the
Commission proposal, a position that was supported overwhelmingly in the Committee vote
with only three votes against. The Opinion adopted by the Budgets Committee also called on the
Agriculture Committee to reject the proposal. Mr Goepel argued that the proposal jeopardised
the survival of many farms, would distort competition and would discriminates against farmers
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Reform of the wine sector (CMO wine)
The Rapporteur also pointed out that the proposal was not preceded by an impact assessment,
as required by the IIA of 16 December 2003 on Better Lawmaking, to determine possible unequal
treatment and / or discrimination. This fact assumed even greater significance in the light of the
ECJ’s subsequent annulment of the EU’s reform of the cotton regime on the grounds that, in failing
to provide an adequate impact assessment, the Commission and Council acted arbitrarily and had
failed to respect the principle of proportionality.
The EPP-ED Group and its members on the Committee on Agriculture have been very active in the
reform of the wine sector. They are aware that wine is an agricultural product that is part of the
culture of the European Union, as well as being a wonderful drink which deserves to be savoured
– in moderation, of course, given that it is also an alcoholic drink.
The proposal also entailed major risks for the EP’s budgetary prerogatives. Modulation implies a
transfer within Heading II of the Financial Framework 2007-13 and thus affects the classification of
expenditure. However, the Commission’s proposal did not contain detailed provisions on how the
amounts were to be moved within the budget from Chapter 05 03 (Direct Payments) to Chapter 05
04 (Rural Development programmes). Furthermore, in a clear violation of the spirit and letter of
the Interinstitutional Agreement, the proposal allowed the Member States unilaterally and without
the involvement of the EP, to dramatically increase non-compulsory expenditure.
On 14 November 2006, the Rapporteur’s position to reject the Commission’s proposal on voluntary
modulation was supported in Plenary by an overwhelming 559 Members. Only 64 voted in support
of the Commission proposal and 16 abstained. The Parliament had sent an unambiguous
message to the Commission and Council. Yet the Commission refused to withdraw the proposal,
therefore, the matter was referred back to the Committee on Agriculture. In the absence of any
meaningful reaction from the Commission or the Council, the Rapporteur maintained his stance
that rejection was the only option. He argued that that the Commission should, as part of the
CAP «Health Check», submit fresh proposals on the financing of the Second Pillar, on the basis
of comprehensive impact assessments and intensive dialogue with Parliament. In this context, the
question of further compulsory modulation could be examined. On 14 February 2007, Parliament
confirmed the outright rejection of the proposal by an even larger majority than that achieved in
the November Plenary.
In theory, the Council was free, at this point, to adopt the voluntary modulation proposal anyway,
given that Parliament, under the Treaty, only had the right to be consulted on this dossier. But
Parliament had taken a vital «hostage». It had blocked a symbolic 20% of all Rural Development
funding pending a satisfactory resolution of the voluntary modulation impasse. And by early March
2007, the frozen funds were starting to give the Commission and national administrations major
headaches. Seeking a compromise became more and more imperative and in the middle of March,
the German Presidency, after meeting with the EPP-ED Members involved, brokered a deal.
The Commission’s proposal was never formally withdrawn but it was stripped of the main
elements that had provoked such a strong political reaction by the MEPs. Voluntary modulation
would only be possible in the UK and Portugal - not in all Member States - and the UK agreed to
sign a Declaration that its level would be less than the 20% originally foreseen. The UK was the
only country that had been applying voluntary modulation up until 2006 and Portugal had a special
derogation exempting it from the requirement to co-finance rural development spending. The UK
and the Commission would both have to submit reports on the impact of the implementation of
the system. The Council and the Commission also declared that the issue of modulation should
be examined in the framework of the CAP Health Check. Parliament went on to free up the
Rural Development funds. It was the first time in living memory that the European Parliament
successfully overturned a European Council decision.
Alwyn Strange,
Adviser
Vineyards are an integral part of the landscape in many European regions, which it is important
to protect. EPP-ED Group members are particularly sensitive to the environmental impact of wine
production, particularly with regard to soil erosion and contamination.
European wines are, without a doubt, the best known, oldest and best-quality wines in the world.
However, European wine growers are losing their competitiveness to the advantage of other wine
growers from the New World (in particular Australia, Argentina, the United States and Chile), which
have more dynamic oenological practices but which, in some cases, do not fulfil the same quality
criteria as European wines. Accordingly, the EU-15 vineyard area has been continually shrinking
– from 4.5 million hectares in 1976 to 3.2 million hectares in 2006, rising to 3.65 million hectares
since the accession of Romania and Bulgaria. The European Union has more than 2.4 million wine
holdings over an area which represents 2% of the total agricultural area, accounting for 5% in value
of all EU agricultural production in 2006. The consumption of EU wine is constantly decreasing,
although the sales of quality wines are on the increase.
In spite of everything, the European Union is a leader on the international wine market; it has
40% of the world’s wine-growing areas, accounting for 65% of production. The EU is also the No 1
consumer, accounting for 57% of world consumption, as well as being the leading world exporter.
As far as international trade is concerned, in the period 1999-2006, exports of Community wine
rose from 10.8 million hectolitres to 17.8 million hectolitres in 2006 – a growth rate of 65%. Over
the same period, however, imports grew even more, from 5.2 million hectolitres in 1999 to 11.7
million hectolitres in 2006 – a 125% increase. Nevertheless, the growth rate appears to have slowed
down since 2004, as confirmed by the fact that in 2006 EU-27 imports rose by less than 0.3 million
hectolitres in comparison with 2005.
It was against this background that on 4 July 2007 the Commission adopted the proposal to
reform the common organisation of the market (CMO) in wine. The most significant innovation
is that of making all vine-growing areas, per holding, eligible for the Single Payment Scheme, to
offer producers a high degree of flexibility and ensure that they are on an equal footing with other
farmers.
The rapporteur for the European Parliament on the legislative reform proposal was Mr Giuseppe
Castiglione (an Italian member of the EPP-ED Group). In his report, he took account of Parliament’s
previous opinion on the reform of the wine sector, in which the shadow rapporteur for the EPP-ED
Group, Mrs Elisabeth Jeggle (Germany), had done the lion’s share of the work.
In Giuseppe Castiglione’s view: ‘We need a reform that looks beyond national and local issues.
We are overproducing and consumption is falling, but export figures are encouraging. We must
invest in the sector and boost competitiveness.’ Moreover, the new labelling rules ‘must not sow
confusion in consumers’ minds’.
Mr Castiglione considers it essential that the current budget for the CMO in wine be assigned
entirely to the wine sector. If we wished to remain world leaders we needed a CMO in wine to keep
up with market developments, allowing European companies and wines to be more competitive
both on the internal market and on the external markets. The specific characteristics of the wine
sector mean that long-term investments are called for (the average life span of a vine being 40
years), with the aim of protecting the economic vitality of certain regions.
2007
in individual Member States, thereby violating the Treaty. He viewed the proposal as unbalanced
and incoherent and a step towards the renationalisation of the CAP. He was also appalled by the
implicit marginalisation of the Parliament in the legislative procedure.
2007
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Report on the implementation of sustainable
fishing in the EU on the basis of maximum
sustainable yield (MSY)
It is very important to give consumers the information they need. The quality of the wine must
be indicated on the labels of designation of origin and geographical indication wines. Our Group
members were in favour of setting aside a specific budget for responsible information campaigns
to promote European wines, in order to open up genuine economic prospects for the wine sector,
and not merely to focus its promotion policy on external markets. Our Group is aware that the
foremost wish of the European consumer is for the best wine-making traditions to last, whilst
taking advantage of the technological progress which enables us to improve the product’s quality,
traceability and value for money.
By adopting the own-initiative report by Carmen FRAGA ESTÉVEZ (doc. A6-0298/2007) by a very
large majority, the European Parliament, and in particular the EPP-ED Group, have responded to
the Commission communication ‘Implementing sustainability in EU fisheries through maximum
sustainable yield’. The report welcomes the Commission’s recognition that the existing fisheries
management policy has failed and its objective of creating a new management model making it
possible to ensure stock recovery, adapt the fishing effort to fisheries’ real circumstances, and
improve the reliability and stability of the fishing fleet
The designation of origin system is the flagship of the European wine-making tradition.
Geographical indications and designations of origin must therefore be defended, in Europe and in
non-member states, by establishing a multilateral register for wines and spirits in the context of the
negotiations in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the TRIPS agreements (WTO agreements
on trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights).
The great debate concerns production surpluses. According to the Commission, if current trends
continue, surplus production will reach the level of 15% of annual production by 2010. At present,
the wine CMO accounts for a total of €1 230 million, of which some €500 million are currently
destined for the distillation of wine which no longer has a market outlet. Most European wine
production is intended for direct human consumption. While the latter has slowed down in the key
wine-producing Member States, the other Member States have, on the contrary, seen a growth in
demand. It should be stressed, however, that the reduction in demand has mostly concerned socalled table wines, while over the same period the demand for quality wines has increased.
Our Group is convinced that wine-growers who are in economic difficulty should be able to receive
financial assistance should they choose (voluntarily) to grub up their vines definitively before
converting to other kinds of production. The Member States should, naturally, be allowed to limit,
where necessary, grubbing-up in mountain areas and areas subject to specific environmental
constraints, in order to prevent any negative impact on the environment.
Given the European wine sector’s diversity, an agreement to find local solutions should be reached,
in order to meet local needs to promote wines on export markets and to establish a safety net
for times of crisis. It is for that reason that the rapporteur, Mr Castiglione, and most members
of the EPP-ED Group advocated the granting of ‘national budget envelopes’, so that each wineproducing EU Member State could be allocated funds enabling them to finance measures tailored
to local needs, in accordance with the subsidiarity principle; these measures could include vineyard
restructuring, vine conversion, promotion measures in third countries and crisis management
measures.
As far as environmental protection is concerned, since all wine-producing regions are to become
eligible for the Single Payment Scheme, the environmental rules covered by the principle of
cross-compliance will be more extensively applied. Furthermore, cross-compliance will apply to all
grubbing-up areas.
Jorge Soutullo,
Adviser
Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) is a reference point
whose objective is to maximise the economic yield of a
fishery in relation to the biological capacity of the stock.
The report notes the Commission’s intention to achieve those objectives by making MSY the
yardstick for fisheries management, but warns that, for a large majority of scientists and also
for the FAO, the traditional MSY model has been superseded by new cutting-edge approaches
which conceive the ecosystem as a whole and incorporate aspects relating to the environment,
species interrelation and economic and social factors. In this context, the EPP-ED Group regretted
the deficient analysis and inadequate solutions offered by the Commission, with regard to the
above aspects in particular, and, in general terms, the absence of an in-depth evaluation of what
applying an MSY model would actually mean, in terms of its shortcomings and the particularities
of its application. In particular, an analysis of the evolution of the MSY concept and the potential
advantages of the different approaches is lacking
MEPs consider, therefore, that the time is not ripe to propose the introduction of an MSY system,
and that a deeper and more rigorous analysis is needed of the problems, shortcomings and
objectives of the Community’s conservation and management policy as such, with a view to
deciding, with all ‘political courage’, the most suitable measures for introducing the changes that
are most needed to the present CFP.
In the resolution, the EPP-ED Group emphasised that Parliament:
> is concerned that, in the context of the ambitious objective of changing the approach of
the conservation and management system for the CFP, advantage is not being taken of the
opportunity to provide a clear definition of the system of access to resources, and that the TAC/
quota system and the fishing effort system are continuing to overlap; Parliament believes that
the Commission must seize this opportunity to devise a system of access to resources that puts
the accent on sustainability, discourages discards, simplifies the technical measures, eliminates
discrimination and excessive competition for stocks, introduces the necessary flexibility, and
boosts the sector’s competitiveness;
> stresses that any change to the management system must necessarily include suitable and
financially acceptable compensation mechanisms, and that this will require an assessment of the
social and economic impact of the final proposal, and calls on the Commission to devise these
measures simultaneously with the new management system and if possible integrate the two;
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The rapporteur agrees with the need to reform the sector with a view to boosting the dynamism
and competitiveness of Community wines. While European producers may well be experiencing
fierce competition from new producers, this is due not so much to the tailing-off in internal
consumption as to exaggerated production costs, to over-rigid and complex regulations, which
often limit the possibility of adjusting production to suit changes in demand, and to over-timid (or
insufficiently aggressive) promotion and marketing policies.
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2007
> insists that the poor state of both the fish stocks in European waters, and the difficulties faced
by the EU fishing industry, mean that action must be taken as soon as possible, and that further
delays can only lead to further hardship to the industry and delays to its return to profitability;
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> stresses the need for all future measures altering the current Community system of conservation
and management to be taken with the full involvement of fishermen and to be based on scientific
fisheries research;
> highlights the need to increase the appropriations earmarked for scientific fisheries research
in the seventh framework programme for research and technological development as a
means of contributing to improving the Community fisheries conservation system through
the development of theoretical fisheries management models and their application, through
improved analysis of the state of stocks, natural effects and other inter-species relationships,
and through improved fishing gear.
The report calls, all in all, for the phasing-in of a system which can finally produce a fisheries
policy that is ever more in line with the biological capacity of stocks that are in recovery, so that
the sustainability of the Community’s fisheries evolves towards becoming a given rather than an
anxiety, and that such is the perception wherever Community fisheries products are to be found
in the world; which can equip the fleet with the necessary stability, on the basis of sound and ever
more long-term-oriented planning; and which can, ultimately, introduce a stable system of access
to resources in which TACs and quotas need only be modified in specific circumstances and using
semi-automatic mechanisms, instead of being altered every year on grounds that are not purely
scientific.
Mauro Belardinelli,
Adviser
Return Directive
In its Communication of 15 November 2001 on a Common Policy on Illegal Immigration the
Commission pointed out that the return policy is an integral and crucial part of the fight against
illegal immigration. The Green Paper on a Community Return Policy was published in April 2002.
Finally “The Hague Programme”, adopted in November 2004 by the European Council, resumed
the issue and expressly asked for the establishment of common standards for persons to be
returned in a human manner and with full respect for their human rights and dignity. It called for
the submission of a Commission proposal in early 2005.
The proposal (2005) 0391 is the Commission’s response to this call and tries to provide for
clear, transparent and fair common rules concerning return, removal, use of coercive measures,
temporary custody and re-entry, and takes fully into account the respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms of the persons concerned. The proposal seeks to achieve these aims as
follows:
1. Establishing a rule that illegal stay should be ended through a fair and transparent procedure.
2. Promoting the principle of voluntary return.
3. Establishing a harmonised two-step procedure: involving a return decision as a first step and – if
necessary – the issuing of a removal order as a second step.
4. Addressing the situation of persons who are staying illegally but who cannot (as yet) be
removed.
5. Providing for a minimum set of procedural safeguards.
6. Limiting the use of coercive measures, binding it to the principle of proportionality and
establishing minimum safeguards for the conduct of forced return.
7. Giving a European dimension to the effects of national return measures by establishing a re-entry
ban valid throughout the EU.
2007
> warns that it will be difficult to apply the MSY model to multispecies fisheries (i.e. the majority
of those in the EU), since if the MSY applied were that of the main species the others could
be overfished, while if, as would seem logical, one applied that of the most vulnerable species
it would be necessary to stop catching those species that were in a good biological state, with
adverse effects in economic, employment and competitiveness terms, a situation which would
be in total contradiction with the notion of MSY as such;
V
8. Rewarding good compliance (including an option to withdraw any re-entry ban) and penalising
non-compliance (including an option to extend any re-entry ban).
9. Protecting the interests of the state in cases of serious threat to national and public security
(including an option to extend any re-entry ban).
10. Limiting the use of temporary custody and binding it to the principle of proportionality.
11. Establishing minimum safeguards for the conduct of temporary custody.
12. Addressing situations where a third-country national who is the subject of a removal order or
return decision issued by a Member State is apprehended in the territory of another Member
State
Key questions:
> Art. 2, Scope of the directive: EPP-ED wants to exclude transit zones and cases dealt with under
the EU Border Code.
> Art. 6, Return decision: According to the principle of subsidiarity EPP-ED claims for adjusting
the principle of a harmonised two-step procedure, taking into account the existing systems in
Member States.
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> Art. 14, Temporary Custody: EPP-ED expanded the scope of this article to include cases of «threat
to public order and/or public security».
2007
The left side of the EP came forward with extremely left-wing amendments which - under
German Presidency - put the whole directive at risk, as the positions seemed to be absolutely
incompatible.
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In tough and numerous Shadow Rapporteur meetings, the Rapporteur Manfred Weber finally
managed in the LIBE voting to put through the above mentioned points by giving to the left side
some more safeguards on issues like:
> Art. 5 Family relationships
> Art. 13 Safeguards pending return
> Art. 15 Conditions of temporary custody
The progress of this dossier was constantly referred back to the EPP-ED LIBE Working Group and
to Working Group D. Members agreed on the above mentioned key points, the strategy to seek
a first reading and the negotiations in detail, done by Mr. Weber. Points of discussion within the
Group were:
> Scope
> Harmonised two-step procedure
Framework decision on data protection
Processing and protection of personal data in the framework
of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters
(third pillar)
Since the creation of the third pillar the Group of the European People’s Party in the European
Parliament has called for the establishment at European level of data protection standards in the
area of judicial and police cooperation similar to the standards in force in Community law (first
pillar). These standards should replace the principles currently embodied in Convention No 108
and Recommendation No 87 of the Council of Europe1.
The establishment of a European area of freedom, security and justice has led to the exchange
of a growing quantity of personal data. This increased exchange must be subject to the EU’s
requirements as regards protection of fundamental rights and must comply with Articles 7 and 8 of
the Charter of Fundamental Rights (respect for private life and protection of personal data).
As this issue affects our citizens’ rights as well as their security, the EPP-ED Group believes that
better data protection would reinforce the principle of mutual confidence between competent
authorities and thus contribute to more effective European cooperation on police and judicial
matters. Our Group therefore welcomed the proposal for a framework decision presented by the
Commission.
> Length of detention period.
Back in 2005, in the context of the adoption of the proposal for a directive on the retention of data
processed in connection with the provision of public electronic communication services2, the
European Parliament added to the final text an explicit request for this framework decision:
Positions in Council:
‘Considers that, concerning access to data, the present directive constitutes just a necessary first
step and calls on the Council for loyal cooperation for the swift adoption of appropriate guarantees
in the context of the framework decision on data protection and data treatment in judicial and
police cooperation in criminal matters’.
Especially under the German Presidency the dossier was blocked. Germany - even though more
or less isolated - is still the strongest opponent to a directive as such. Under the Portuguese
Presidency the dossier has become a priority. Until today all articles have been dealt with once
in the corresponding Council working group. On the 22nd/23rd of October 2007 the dossier has
been on the SCIFA agenda. After that, a decision will be taken if there was ground to begin informal
Trilogues. The main points of discussion in Council (08/10/2007) were:
> Art. 2, Scope: Further to the proposals from Parliament, the Council majority would like to divide
the «illegally staying third country nationals» into different groups. Thereafter the directive
should only be applicable to those who once stayed legally in the EU.
> Art. 6, Return decision: According to the Council, the time limit for the voluntary return shall be
up to 4 weeks (Parliament: «at least 4 weeks»).
> Art. 14, Temporary Custody: Council would like to extend the reasons for taking «illegally staying
third country nationals» into temporary custody. EP already amended Art. 14.
In November 2007 Trilogues begin with the aim to conclude the dossier in first reading.
Mercedes Alvargonzález Figaredo,
Michael Alexander Speiser,
Advisers
This initiative is also closely linked to other proposals currently being examined in Parliament,
namely those on the Visa Information System (VIS), SIS II, the principle of availability and the
interoperability of European databases in the area of JHA.
In our Group Mr Eurlings (NL) and Mr Weber (AL) were in turn responsible for this issue. The
negotiations with the other political groups did not present as many problems as the discussions
with the Council. Adequate progress was made under the German Presidency in spite of the
different positions held by the Member States. Eventually the Council amended the initial proposal
substantially, resulting in a second reading in Parliament.
The final text approved by Parliament, with the support of our Group, seeks to ensure that there is
coherence and uniformity in the principles governing data protection in the European Union. As
requested by the EPP-ED Group, it highlights the importance of safeguards designed specifically
for the police sector. In other words, the objective is to ensure that the data protection principles
established by the Community Directives (Directive 95/46/EC) are as far as possible incorporated
in the third pillar with a view to guaranteeing the same level of protection, while taking account of
the special nature of police and judicial work.
1. Proposal for a Council framework decision on the protection of personal data processed in the framework of
police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters. {SEC(2005)1241} COM(2005)0475 - 2005/0202(CNS).
2. See the text approved by the European Parliament on 14/12/2005 (Doc. P6_TA-PROV(2005)0512).
2007
> Art. 9, Re-entry ban: EPP-ED sees in this tool the main European added value of this directive.
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Although Europol, Eurojust and the customs information system were excluded from the proposal
for a framework decision because they have their own data protection rules, a series of provisions
aim to ensure that this text is consistent with all the data protection rules that apply to the
agencies and bodies set up by the Union. A key aspect in Parliament’s eyes was data collection,
which should be limited to specific purposes and be carried out in accordance with the principles
of proportionality and necessity. Precise rules are also required for the subsequent processing of
data and in order to limit possible transfer for purposes other than those for which the data was
collected.
It was proposed that the different categories of data (relating to suspects, convicted people,
victims, witnesses, etc.) should be treated differently, with specific safeguards.
Parliament also added additional safeguards to cover DNA and biometric data in order to
guarantee the safety and quality of the data and compliance with fundamental rights in using them.
The text defined access to data by the competent authorities and access to data kept by private
parties. Strict conditions were proposed in relation to the role of private parties in the management
and processing of data for security purposes within a public service.
For the EPP-ED Group one of the most important topics was the transfer of data to third-country
authorities: it cannot be completely excluded in the context of international cooperation on fighting
large-scale organised crime and terrorism, but it must be strictly supervised. Emphasis was also
placed on the questions of access and automated decisions. The growing number of European
databases means that authorities in one Member State can automatically access data collected by
those in another. However, this automatic access must not jeopardise fundamental rights.
The Portuguese Presidency is making every effort to conclude this matter before the end of its
term.
Mercedes Alvargonzález Figaredo,
Advisers
Better lawmaking and simplification of EC law
The main economic challenge facing the European Union today is how best to maintain and
improve international competitiveness whilst the patterns in trade and production shift. Better
regulation is a key element in encouraging entrepreneurship, stimulating investment, and freeing
up new employment opportunities.
More flexibility, clear cuts in bureaucracy and significant reductions in red tape would all help to
restore trust in the European integration process.
Recognising the need for simplification, the European Parliament and the Council have signed an
Inter-Institutional Agreement on Better Law-Making and are taking steps to apply better regulation
into practice.
For all the reasons mentioned above, better regulation is not solely a bureaucratic exercise, but is a
fundamental precept of efficient and effective government. The EPP-ED Group in 2006 led the way
in upholding quality legislation to serve the interests of Europe’s citizens.
The European Parliament on its September plenary session 2007 adopted the so-called «Better
lawmaking package» containing Lambert Doorn’s (EPP-ED) report on better lawmaking in
2005, Giuseppe Gargani’s (EPP-ED report on the strategy for the simplification of the regulatory
environment, Katalin Lévai’s (PSE) report on better regulation in the European Union», and
Manuel Medina Ortega’s (PSE) report on soft law - it has thus backed the European Commission’s
action plan to reduce unnecessary and disproportionate administrative burdens by 25% in 2012.
Parliament also decided that it should not take into consideration any legislative proposals from
the Commission that are not accompanied by an independently scrutinised impact assessment
that includes an evaluation of the existence of any unnecessary administrative burdens via the
so-called Standard Cost Method. The Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee, Giuseppe Gargani
emphasised that the consistency of the simplification procedure should be maintained.
The principal aim of the EPP-ED Group is to guarantee better law-making and simplification
of the EU law. The Group has taken a critical stand with regard to the regulatory increase and
unnecessarily complex and unclear laws. These result in excessive administrative burdens and
implementation difficulties. The Group will continue using further pressure so that the laws are
drafted in a clearer way and are able to achieve agreed policy goals efficiently.
As a result of constant pressure from Parliament, the European Commission has become
more and more concerned about the quality of Community legislation, both in terms of clarity,
accessibility, and effectiveness.
Bólya Boglárka,
Adviser
2007
2007
Throughout this process, Parliament has stressed the importance of extending the scope of the
proposal to include all data in the police and judicial areas (within one country) and not just
cross-border exchanges between Member States. This was one of the most contentious points in
the Council.
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Rome II Regulations
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With the rapporteurship of the ALDE MEP Ms. Diana Wallis (EPP-ED shadow rapporteur: Mr.
Rainer WIELAND), the first reading of the proposal took place at the 2006 July plenary session. The
Parliament adopted 54 amendments intended to rationalise and simplify the original proposal. The
common position was announced in the 2006 September II plenary session, Parliament completed
second reading by the January 2007 plenary session.
The rapporteur produced a draft recommendation for the second reading in which she re-presented
a number of amendments adopted by Parliament in the first reading. These amendments were
particularly important for the EPP-ED Group and concerned mainly provisions on road traffic
accidents, violations of privacy and review clauses.
The Council informed the Parliament that it could not accept all of Parliament’s amendments and
that conciliation was necessary. Conciliation was then formally opened.
The Conciliation Committee in May 2007 was able to reach a final agreement after the delegation
of the European Parliament had accepted unanimously the proposed compromise package.
The final text can be regarded as a very satisfactory and well-balanced compromise. Given that
many of those amendments of the European Parliament in second reading which have been
emphasised by our shadow rapporteur Mr. Wieland and by our coordinator Mr. Lehne, have been
accepted and satisfactory compromises were reached on the others, the outcome of Rome II is in
total conformity with the goals of our Group.
Our MEPs contributed in an active way to the position adopted by the EP delegation. The strong
presence of the EPP-ED MEPs clearly demonstrated the commitment of our Group in a successful
outcome of the Rome II.
Upon the recommendation of the Parliament’s Delegation to the Conciliation Committee, the joint
text was approved at third reading by a large majority at the plenary session on 10 July 2007.
Bólya Boglárka,
Török-Illyés Botond,
Advisors
2007
The «Rome II» Regulation determines the applicable law on cross-border non-contractual
obligations (for instance, in relation with road traffic accidents, product liability, unfair competition,
environmental damage, etc). As an instrument of private international law, the Regulation does
not harmonise the Member States’ substantive laws, but their conflict of law rules. This technique
is particularly advantageous as it secures application of the same national law in similar cases,
irrespective of which national court has to deal with the specific case, thus avoiding «forum
shopping», while preserving the autonomy of national law.
2007
Cross-border non-contractual obligations - Rome II
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V
The Constitutional Process
The year 2006 was marked by the reflection on the constitutional future of the European Union that
took place in the wake of the June 2005 meeting of the European Council.
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> the future financing of the Union,
> towards a European energy policy, and
> the role of the European Union in conflict prevention.
The meeting was also part of the preparation process for the German presidency.
In fact, during its presidency, which began in January 2007, Germany sought to inject fresh impetus
into the constitutional process by trying to find ways out of the impasse. After three months of
bilateral negotiations, the Heads of State or Government of the 27 Member States, at their informal
meeting in Berlin on 24 and 25 March, signed a declaration on the occasion of the 50th anniversary
of the Treaty of Rome. It was a powerful statement, highlighting the issues that would have to be
the focus of efforts to overcome the non-ratification of the Constitutional Treaty. The declaration
states that ‘For centuries Europe has been an idea, holding out hope of peace and understanding.
That hope has been fulfilled. European unification has made peace and prosperity possible. It
has brought about a sense of community and overcome differences. […] We will fight terrorism,
organised crime and illegal immigration together. We stand up for liberties and civil rights also in
the struggle against those who oppose them. […] We are committed to the peaceful resolution of
conflicts in the world and to ensuring that people do not become victims of war, terrorism and
violence. The European Union wants to promote freedom and development in the world. We want
to drive back poverty, hunger and disease. […] We intend jointly to lead the way in energy policy
and climate protection […]. For that reason we must always renew the political shape of Europe
in keeping with the times. That is why today […] we are united in our aim of placing the European
Union on a renewed common basis before the European Parliament elections in 2009.’
In a parallel move, the European Parliament produced a report on the road map for the European
Union’s constitutional process, its co-authors being Elmar Brok (EPP-ED) and Enrique Barón
Crespo (PSE). The report, while endorsing the substance of the Constitutional Treaty, the aim of
which had been to endow the EU formally with the political dimension that befits it by increasing
the effectiveness of its actions and strengthening democratic scrutiny of its decision-making
procedures and by making it more transparent and strengthening citizens’ rights, outlined a
compromise that met the needs of the EU.
At that point, two thirds of the Member States had ratified the Constitutional Treaty, and four others
had already come out clearly in favour of it.
Parliament noted the concerns expressed by France and the Netherlands and was also aware of the
concerns raised by some other Member States but noted that the governments in question had
expressed their support for the effort to find a satisfactory solution that preserved the key reforms
contained in the Constitutional Treaty. Parliament supported the efforts of the German Presidency
to obtain from the European Council, in June 2007, a commitment to calling an Intergovernmental
Conference (IGC) and defining a road map setting out a procedure and a clear mandate for the
achievement of an agreement by the end of the current year.
2007
Accordingly, on 4 and 5 December 2006, the European Parliament and the Parliament of Finland
held the second joint parliamentary meeting on the future of Europe, entitled From reflection to
action. The meeting focused primarily on three topics:
2007
By the end of 2006 it was time to move on to the next stage, namely the transition from reflection
to action.
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The resolution contained in the report stated that the European Parliament would reject any
outcome of the negotiations which resulted in a lower level of protection of citizens’ rights than
that afforded by the Constitutional Treaty. It was particularly insistent on the need to uphold the
Charter of Fundamental Rights and would reject any deal that fell short of the Constitutional Treaty
in promoting the democratic, transparent and efficient functioning of the Union.
In that context the European Parliament recognised the need to take account of major issues
raised during the reflection period and to clarify others that had already been addressed in the
Constitutional Treaty, such as:
> sustainable development, in particular the struggle against climate change,
> European solidarity in the field of energy,
> a coherent migration policy,
> the European Social Model in the context of demographic change and globalisation,
> terrorism,
> the dialogue between civilisations,
> effective common mechanisms for the coordination of economic policies in the eurozone, and
> the Union’s criteria and procedures for enlargement;
In view of the success of the Convention method in the preparation of the draft treaty, the European
Parliament emphasised the need to adhere to the basic principles of parliamentary participation
and the involvement of civil society in the quest for a solution.
Parliament called for full involvement of its representatives in the IGC, which should be inspired
by the model adopted for the drafting of the Maastricht Treaty, so that its Members would be kept
informed and could contribute significantly to the IGC.
The report underlined the importance of the dialogue between national parliaments and their
respective governments and expressed the willingness of the European Parliament to maintain
close contact with the national parliaments during the forthcoming negotiations.
On 11 and 12 June 2007 the European Parliament and the Bundestag organised the third joint
parliamentary meeting on the future of Europe. Besides a contribution from guest speaker
Giuliano Amato who, along with Íñigo Méndez de Vigo and Jean-Luc Dehaene, had been part of a
small working group which had prepared the draft of a new, simplified treaty, the participants were
divided into three working groups, each of which examined one of the following topics:
> new challenges for the European Union, especially in the areas of climate change
and energy security,
> architecture and substance of a future treaty, and
> the role of parliaments in the reform process.
On 11 July in a resolution tabled by Jo Leinen (PSE), the European Parliament gave its assent to
the convening of the IGC and called for the work of the Conference to be completed by the end of
2007. In the resolution Parliament expressed its regret that some important elements on which
agreement had been reached at the IGC in 2004 had now been abandoned, such as the concept of
a single constitutional treaty, the symbols of the Union, the new denomination of legal acts and the
affirmation of the primacy of EU law. It also expressed concern at the fact that, under the mandate,
certain Member States would be allowed to opt out of the implementation of major provisions of
the envisaged treaties. Parliament did, however, welcome the fact that the mandate safeguarded
much of the substance of the Constitutional Treaty, particularly the single legal personality of
the Union, the abolition of the pillar structure, the extension of qualified majority voting in the
Council and of codecision by Parliament and the Council, the legally binding status of the Charter
of Fundamental Rights and the provisions enhancing the coherence of the external action of the
Union. The introduction of new elements in the treaties, such as the explicit references to climate
change and solidarity in the field of energy, was very favourably received.
Another major issue that commanded the attention of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs
after the June meeting of the European Council was the composition of the European Parliament.
In the Presidency Conclusions for the June meeting, the European Council invited the European
Parliament to present proposals on the future composition of Parliament by October 2007. The
task of drawing up a report on that matter was entrusted to two co-rapporteurs, Alain Lamassoure
(EPP-ED) and Adrian Severin (PSE).
Their motion for a resolution stated that the European Parliament shared the desire of the
European Council to reach a political agreement adjusting the composition of the European
Parliament in accordance with the spirit of the new treaty and considered that defining a new
composition for the European Parliament which corresponded more closely to demographic
realities and better reflected European citizenship would increase the democratic legitimacy of the
European Parliament.
Parliament, taking as its basis Article 9a of the Treaty on European Union, as inserted by the draft
Reform Treaty, sets a framework comprising a maximum of 750 members, with no Member State
having more than 96 representatives and none having fewer than six. These figures are based
on the principle of degressive proportionality, which means that the ratio of MEPs to population
varies in such a way that MEPs in a more populous Member State represent more of their
country’s citizens than those in a less populous Member State. In the present situation, in which
a sufficiently harmonised concept of citizenship does not yet exist among the Member States,
the relevant population figures for each Member State must be based on the figures provided
by Eurostat, which are used by the Council of the EU in determining, in the context of qualified
majority voting, whether a majority of Member States represents a sufficient percentage of the
total EU population.
Taking as its starting point the distribution of seats laid down in the Act of Accession to the EU of
Bulgaria and Romania, the European Parliament did not propose any reduction in the number of
seats and expressed the view that, in the event of future enlargements, the ceiling of 750 members
could be temporarily exceeded. Parliament also put forward its draft for a decision of the European
Council establishing the composition of the European Parliament, including the number of seats
per Member State.
2007
2007
The Constitutional Treaty also provided for other major improvements, such as the consolidation
of the existing Treaties, the merging of the three pillars of the Union, explicit acknowledgement of
the values on which the European Union is based and the legally binding force of the Charter of
Fundamental Rights.
Shortly afterwards, the European Council, which met on 21 and 22 June 2007, adopted the mandate
for the new IGC, the intention being that its negotiations would culminate in a new treaty before
the end of the year.
Parliament emphasised the need to preserve all the fundamental principles contained in Part I of
the Constitutional Treaty, including the twofold nature of the European Union as a union of states
and of citizens, the primacy of European law, the new taxonomy of instruments and procedures,
the hierarchy of norms and the legal personality of the Union.
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Finally, Parliament proposed that the possibility of electing some Members of the European
Parliament on supranational lists be examined, since such a move would help to impart a genuine
European dimension to the electoral debate.
This last parliamentary proposal was closely linked to the entry into force of the amending treaty;
if the ratification of the latter could not be completed before the European elections in 2009, the
distribution of parliamentary seats prescribed by the existing Treaties would remain in force. That
distribution covers the legislative term from 2009 to 2014.
The report also calls on the Intergovernmental Conference to incorporate the annexed draft
decision of the European Council establishing the composition of the European Parliament into a
declaration on the proposed Article 9a(2) of the amended Treaty on European Union with a view to
defining more clearly the concept of ‘citizens’ within the meaning of that paragraph in time for the
2009-2014 parliamentary term. This proposal was made when Italy and the Italian MEPs pointed
out the difference in the distribution of seats based on total numbers of citizens from that based
on numbers of inhabitants.
TDIP Committee
Following allegations, in the Washington Post and other mass media, that the CIA was using
European countries for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners, on 15 December 2005
the European Parliament adopted a resolution and on 18 January 2006 it decided, in accordance
with Rule 175 of its Rules of Procedure, to set up a temporary committee.
After 11 months of activity the committee presented a final report, containing a comprehensive
assessment of all its work and setting out the prospects for the future.
The conclusions of the report are based on the results of – and the knowledge gained from
– hearings involving the following:
> representatives of European and international institutions,
> representatives of Member States,
> representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs),
> journalists,
> alleged victims,
> legal representatives of alleged victims, and
> legal experts.
The IGC, which began on 23 July 2007, completed its work on 18 October in the framework of the
informal summit of Heads of State or Government in Lisbon. A new treaty, known as the Reform
Treaty, was adopted on the basis of the July mandate. The new treaty will be signed in Lisbon on
13 December 2007, and the ratification procedure can then begin with a view to entry into force by
1 January 2009. Elmar Brok was one of the three representatives of the European Parliament who
took part with dedication and determination in the work of the IGC.
Other findings emerged as a result of visits by delegations to the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia (FYROM), the United States, Germany, Great Britain, Romania, Poland and Portugal.
During the past year, all the EPP-ED members of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, led by
the Group coordinator, Íñigo Méndez de Vigo, were committed and enthusiastic participants in
discussions on the topics considered by the Committee as well as vigorous advocates of EPP-ED
positions.
The majority of the EPP-ED Group criticised both the resolution of December 2005 and the setting
up of the Temporary Committee in January 2006, on the grounds that the legitimate desire to shed
light on possible violations of human rights threatened to harm transatlantic relations and in any
case the European Parliament had no specific legal grounds for action.
Beatrice Scarascia Mugnozza,
Adviser
Compared with the Interim Report of July 2006, the original draft of Mr Fava’s Final Report showed
considerable improvement as regards form, structure and balance, so that initially it was received
favourably by most of the EPP-ED members of the TDIP Committee.
In theory, the final report is based on the Interim Report of July 2006, though it differs considerably
from the latter in its form, structure and scope.
The rapporteur, Giovanni Claudio Fava, submitted his final report on 24 November 2006.
The draft report received 474 amendments and 9 compromise amendments.
With one or two exceptions, all the amendments tabled by EPP-ED members were rejected. They
succeeded only in ensuring that those parts of the report relating to Austria and Poland were
redrafted in a more balanced fashion (in its amended form, the report now states that no illegal
detention took place in Austria in the Behari and Menshawi cases, and that it is not possible, on the
basis of the evidence available, to confirm the existence of secret detention facilities in Poland).
The compromise amendments were adopted with the aid of the EPP-ED Group’s votes, though
from our Group’s point of view these were more concerned with less important and less
contentious points. Of these points, the most important was that those parts of the report relating
to Javier Solana and Gijs de Vries should be worded more precisely and more diplomatically.
The EPP-ED members of the TDIP Committee supported the proposal of the coordinator, Jas
Gawronski, that a list of positive and negative key points should be drawn up. This list was to
be regarded as the minimum requirement which would enable the EPP-ED Group to support the
report when it came to the final vote in committee.
2007
2007
The resolution drew attention to the political connection between the proposed new distribution of
seats in accordance with the principle of degressive proportionality and the overall reform package
for the institutions of the Union, particularly the ‘double majority’ principle for defining a majority
in the Council and the composition of the Commission. This reform package, it stressed, had to
be coherent while at the same time recognising the specific legal nature of each institution. It was
aware that the composition of the European Parliament proposed in this way was an objective
application of the provisions of the draft amending treaty but would require future adjustment in
order to meet new challenges.
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2007
This is essentially because, even now, the report:
> contains points which do not fall within its terms of reference,
> is completely lacking in balance from the point of view of individual Member States,
> provides no evidence on some of the priority issues which have been the subject of the
investigations of the last 12 months (e.g. evidence of the existence of secret detention facilities
within EU territory),
> still contains unsubstantiated allegations, generalisations and politically tendentious
insinuations,
> calls for disproportionate reactions (measures and legal consequences under Articles 6 and 7
of the EU Treaty),
> criminalises secret-service activity and cooperation in general.
The EPP-ED Group therefore retabled, for the plenary session, those amendments which narrowly
failed to be adopted at the committee stage; however, it was defeated on all but a few of them. This
led to the final recommendation that the report be rejected, or at least not supported.
In plenary, the report was adopted with 382 votes in favour, 256 against and 74 abstentions.
The subsequent analysis of the EPP-ED voting behaviour showed that 185 (71 %) of its members
had voted against the report, 37 (14.5 %) had abstained and 37 (14.5 %) had voted in favour. 85.5
% of the Group’s members, therefore, followed the Group line.
In roll-call votes the Group presented an even more united front in most cases. The average
number of abstentions was 21 (best result: 2 abstentions, worst result: 46).
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Luigi Mazza,
Advisers
Equitable Life
The Temporary Committee of Inquiry into the crisis
of the Equitable Life Assurance Society
In the year 2000, as a result of mismanagement and failure to comply with Community law, the
Equitable Life Mutual Society was ordered by the UK House of Lords to pay 1, 5 billion pounds to
more than one million UK policyholders and to about 15000 policy holders in other EU states. Since
Equitable Life was found unable to pay this amount, its policy holders could not do otherwise than
to accept tremendous losses and cuts to their savings and retirement pensions.
During the year 2004, the European Parliament received a number of petitions from Equitable
Life policyholders in the UK, Ireland and Germany. As a result, the Petitions Committee made
the request to the Parliament’s Conference of Presidents to set up a committee of inquiry under
Article 193 of the EC Treaty and of Rule 176 of the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure. The request
was initiated by the EPP-ED Group and it became the support of 213 Members of the European
Parliament.
By its resolution, adopted on 18 January 2006 in Strasbourg, a Committee of Inquiry into the crisis
of the Equitable Life Assurance Society was established
The mandate of the committee of inquiry, within the limitations formulated in Article 193 of the EC
Treaty and Rule 176, is to
> investigate alleged contraventions or maladministration by the UK authorities in the application
of Life Insurance Directive 92/96/EEC, now codified by Directive 2002/83/EC
> assess the undertakings of the European Commission whether it has properly fulfilled its
obligation to monitor the transposition by the UK authorities of the Life Insurance Directives
> examine the allegations against the UK that the United Kingdom has failed to protect policy
holders
> examine the status of claims by non-UK European citizens in view of possible remedies under
UK and EU law for policyholders from other Member States.
> possibly forward proposals to meet the claims of the Equitable Life policy holders.
The EQUI Committee of Inquiry was constituted at its meeting on 2 February 2006 with EPPED Member Mme Mc GUINNESS in the chair. The rapporteur for Parliament’s Plenary is Mme
WALLIS (Liberal Group). The Committee is composed of 22 Members; Sir Robert ATKINS is the
coordinator on behalf of the EPP-ED Group.
In February 2007, Parliament has granted a prolongation of the Committee’s period of mandate
until June 2007.
On 19 June 2007, Parliament adopted with a large majority the Report and the Recommendations
of the Committee of Inquiry as drafted by the rapporteur Mme WALLIS.
Regarding the Conclusions of the WALLIS report, the Committee of Inquiry resumed that the
piecemeal manner of implementing Assurance Directive 92/96/EEC by the UK lacked clarity and
did not meet the purposes of the Directive, whereas the implementation process as a whole was
found to be «flawed».
The UK regulatory regime was considered as much too weak, which led to long periods of
insufficiently controlled operations. A conflict of interest was identified when it was found out the
Equitable Life Assurance’s «Appointed Actuary» was simultaneously its Chief Executive.
2007
Mainly as a result of amendments from the Communist and Liberal groups, the majority of
committee members, consisting of Liberals, Socialists, Communists and Greens, made the
original draft report more critical, to such an extent that the overwhelming majority of EPP-ED
members voted against the report in committee (at least 12 out of 18). Within the Group, the
two-thirds majority who are against the report – in contrast to June 2006 – agreed more strongly
with the view of the EPP-ED members of the TDIP Committee, i.e. that the Final Report, even in its
current version, was not sufficiently balanced (many allegations but few new facts).
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2007
The final conclusion of the Report was that the Third Life Assurance Directive lacks clarity in
defining the powers and responsibilities of both the home and host Member States ‘ authorities,
not only with a view to the actual victims of Equitable Life, but also with a view to consumer
protection of policy holders in general within the EU single market.
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In its Recommendations, the Committee of Inquiry stressed the fact that by no means Parliament
itself can force any financial compensation for the victims. However, the UK Government was
considered being under the obligation to consider responsibility and thus to implement an
appropriate compensation scheme for Equitable Life policy holders within the UK and other EU
Member States.
In addition, the European Commission was found not to have properly monitored the application
of the Third Life Assurance Directive and was urged to act more «proactive» with a view to
implement Directive 92/96/EEC more effectively.
The Parliament endorsed the Committee of Inquiry’s final recommendation that the powers of
the EP’s committees of inquiry should be strengthened, seen the fact that on several occasions
important witnesses had refused to cooperate.
Boglarka Bólya,
Adviser
Leo Cox
Green Paper: Mental Health
A strategy to promote mental health for the European Union
Improving the wellbeing of the European citizens has always been a priority of the EPP-ED, which
has had a leading role in promoting initiatives and in developing strategies in EU Public Health
policy. One sensitive issue which has been tackled recently relates to the mental health of the
population and how to find an appropriate strategy to improve it, taking into account the Green
Paper presented by the European Commission intended to launch a debate about the relevance of
mental health and the need for a strategy at EU level.
Mental illness does not only affect individuals, preventing them fulfilling their role in life, but
it also has an effect on families and on society, imposing costs, losses and burdens. In the EU
every fourth citizen in the EU is or will be affected by some form of mental illness during his
or her lifetime. 58.000 people in Europe commit suicide every year, with ten times that number
making the attempt and depression is expected to be the leading disease in the developed world
by 2020. Anxiety disorders and depression are the most common forms of mental disorders, but
mental illness can also have other forms and levels of strains (schizophrenia, phobia, mania and
others) which often lead to isolation, stigmatization, and discrimination and even to the loss of
fundamental rights.
In September 2006 the European Parliament adopted unanimously a resolution based on the owninitiative Report by John Bowis, Coordinator of the EPP-ED Group. He gathered together a broad
consensus concerning the need to make a commitment to mental health promotion and calling for
greater priority for this in European health, employment and research policies. One of the major
calls in the Parliament’s resolution is that the Green Paper of the Commission should be followed
by a proposal for a directive on mental health in Europe and the defence of and the respect for the
civil and fundamental rights of persons suffering from mental disorders.
As the Rapporteur underlines, the first step for a future strategy which aims to improve mental
health is to harmonize current national and international mental health indicators, with a view to
ensuring comparable data at EU level. It is essential that Member States work together to find
strategies to improve mental health in the Union. Furthermore, the European Parliament asks the
Commission to establish a “Mental Health Coordinating and Monitoring Group” to collect pool
and disseminate information on mental health practice and promotion in the EU and to look for
good practice among professionals and infrastructures.
One main concern and a priority expressed in the resolution, which is the basis of the EPP-ED
Group’s philosophy, is the protection of weaker and more vulnerable individuals. Therefore, in
the report it has been stressed that a European strategy to improve mental health should refer
to children, employees, older people and disadvantaged members, but it should also include in
the key targets people with learning disabilities, people with severe mental illness, long- term and
terminal illnesses, people with other disabilities, prisoners, ethnic and other minority groups,
persons in precarious job and other people in need. Furthermore, John Bowis highlights that as
women and men have different mental health needs, it is fundamental to take into account in an
appropriate way the gender dimension, as in the measures proposed to promote mental health, in
preventive measures and in research this aspect has not been considered sufficiently up to now.
In his report, the EPP-ED Rapporteur evokes also the necessity to differentiate the actions
needed to achieve the three main objectives which are mental health promotion, mental health
improvement and mental disorders prevention. It is fundamental to obtain the relevant knowledge
through appropriate information in order to develop the correct skills, whereby early screening,
detection and diagnostic, integrated and tailor-made treatment are crucial factors for combating
the different form of mental illnesses.
2007
With a view to the policy holders, complaining and making redress happened to lead to inequality
of treatment, whereas for non-UK policyholders, it was not clear which regulatory bodies were to be
considered responsible: those of the UK or those of the countries where the policies were sold.
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In his resolution, the Rapporteur John Bowis put the accent on how people with mental illness
should be cared for. Mental and physical aspects should be looked at with a holistic approach and
with an integrated support of specialists. The respect of the individual as a person should always
be assured. According to the ethical principles of the European People Party, human beings who
suffer have to be cared for with humanity and dignity, guaranteeing personal freedom and avoiding
the use of force or compulsory medication, which should be employed only as a last resort.
The future EU strategy should also consider how to fight ignorance, discrimination and stigma
towards those with mental illness and therefore the European Parliament calls the Commission
to organise annual campaigns on mental health issues to avoid rejection by society and to use a
vocabulary and terminology which will help to combat humiliation.
Mental health disorders are not always acute or lifelong and with appropriate therapies and
treatments they can often be cured. But it is not only a matter of medicines and therapies: Ill people
need an appropriate social and work environment, the support of family and of community, and
the help of all those who have the privilege to be healthy and strong they need the help of all of us.
That is the most important message that the EPP-ED wants to give together with its commitment
to always be in the front line to protect European citizens’ health and to assure their best possible
quality of life.
Amarylli Gersony,
Adviser
LIFE + (2007 - 2013)
LIFE +, the new Financial Instrument for the Environment, came into force with the publication of
the Regulation in the Official Journal L149 of 9 June 2007.
This Regulation is the outcome of a long legislative battle between the Commission, the Council
and the European Parliament. It is the result of the EPP-ED Group Shadow rapporteur, Mrs
Gutierrez Cortines’s perseverance against a «re-nationalisation» of LIFE +.
The Group was indeed very critical concerning the reinforcement of the management delegation
to the Member States and the criteria defined for the allocation of the amounts amongst the
Member States, as proposed by the Commission and consolidated by the Council in their Common
Position.
After three readings under the co-decision procedure, the EPP-ED Group can express its
satisfaction. The new LIFE + is in line with two key principles: LIFE + will work in accordance with
the European added value principle and the excellence of the projects.
LIFE + is a limited but focused funding instrument for the period from the 01.01.2007 to 31.12.2013.
It will provide support for implementing, updating and developing Community environmental
policy and legislation, and especially for the 6th Environment Action Programme.
LIFE + comprises three components:
> Nature and Biodiversity
> Environment Policy and Governance
> Information and Communication
The LIFE + budget for the whole period is 2,143 billion Euros (with 78% of LIFE + for co-financing
of project action grants and at least 50% of this amount is for Nature and Biodiversity projects, up
to 22% for operational expenses of DG ENVI).
According to article 9, LIFE + shall not finance measures which fall within eligibility criteria and
main scope of, or receive assistance from, other Community financial instruments. It will work on
the basis of multi-annual strategic programmes (Annex II).
LIFE + Nature and Biodiversity
Both of these will focus on concrete conservation actions. The Nature component aims at
supporting the demonstration of best practice projects for implementing the objectives of the
Birds’ and Habitats’ directives, including the NATURA 2000 network of sites. This part of the
Programme focuses on demonstration of best practices, conservation actions for some species,
sustainable and long-term investments in NATURA 2000 sites. In this context only land purchase
is possible.
The Biodiversity aspect aims at supporting demonstration and innovative projects for implementing
the objectives of the Communication by the Commission ‘Halting Loss of Biodiversity’. This part
of LIFE + focuses on demonstrating innovation measures in terrestrial and thanks to the EPP-ED
Group’s action also in marine areas.
2007
2007
An effective strategy requires investment in a full range of services able to respond to the different
forms of mental illnesses, such as health services (day care, trained staff), housing (home care,
community services instead of institution care, sheltered accommodations), social services
(counselling, training) and transports. A valuable approach to improve mental health should
also create the correct synergies amongst medical and paramedical personnel, family and carers’
associations and NGOs.
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LIFE + Environmental Policy and Governance covers the following priority objectives: climate
change, water, air, soil, urban environment, noise, chemicals, environment, health, waste, natural
resources, forests, innovation and strategic approaches.
Health Action Programme 2008-2013
This component contributes to develop innovative policy approaches, to improve the knowledge
base as regards environment policy and legislation, to implement the Community environmental
policy and to monitor the environmental pressures.
Good health is a fundamental resource for social and economic development. Higher levels of
human development mean that people live longer and enjoy more healthy years of life.
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This part of the Programme is aimed at implementing communication and awareness (raising
campaigns on environment, nature and biodiversity protection and conservation). According to
the EPP-ED Shadow rapporteur’s amendments, Mrs Gutierrez-Cortines, forest fire prevention,
including special training for agents involved, has also been incorporated into LIFE +.
How LIFE + works?
According to the European Parliament’s amendments the Commission manages LIFE +, and
selects the projects. The Commission organises annual calls for proposals, selects, revises and
monitors projects and is responsible for making payments (first annual call for proposals to be
launched in Autumn 2007). Member States forward all projects proposals, set national annual
priorities and objectives (from 2008 onwards). They can also prepare and send to the Commission
comments on proposals especially in relation to the national annual priorities as selected from
Annex II.
The selection procedure is based on technical and financial quality. The EU added value and
consistency with the regulation will be taken into account: 15% of the budget is for transnational
projects. This was one of the aspects which the EPP-ED Group did not give up during the whole
legislative procedure against the Council and the Commission. Moreover the short list of selected
projects must take into account the 50% threshold for LIFE + Nature and Biodiversity as well as
the indicative national allocation per Member States.
The EPP-ED Group determination on several key issues of the new LIFE + regulation will work
towards financing high quality projects all around the European Union.
Already today the amount of data about the financial and human cost of ill health and premature
death is alarming. Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases represent a loss of more than 200
billion Euros every year for the European economy. The burden of mental illness reaches 4% of
Europe’s GDP. Alcohol and tobacco consumption, poor nutrition and the lack of physical activity
contributes to the growing levels of chronic illness in Europe. The positive news is that much of
this ill health is preventable and every year that is added to average life expectancy delivers up to
4% increase in GDP. So, there are sound economic reasons for the EU and its Members States to
invest in promoting good health for its citizens.
One key area the EPP-ED in the European Parliament and its rapporteur, Mr Antonios
TRAKATELLIS, is monitoring very closely is the coordination of national Health Action Plans and
research into health determinants, both addressed on the European level in form of a multi-annual
HAP 2008-2013.
Healthcare systems are a matter for national governments but action on some areas of public
health is often best carried out at European level. Epidemics, rules on exposure to chemicals,
prevention of injuries and accidents at the workplace: these are the kinds of problems the EU
can tackle, by laying down Europe-wide rules, boosting cooperation between national authorities
promoting best practice and data-swapping on illnesses and medicines, and promoting healthy
lifestyles (see Article 152 EU-Treaty).
Therefore in April 2005 the Commission proposed a wide-ranging and ambitious health and
consumer protection programme for the period 2007 - 2013 based on the assumption of a EUR
1 203 million budget (out of which EUR 969 million was for health). This proposal foresaw a
significant increase in existing Community health action from three to six action strands in order
to address cross-border health challenges and to meet stakeholders’ expectations.
For the EPP-ED Group Biodiversity (NATURA 2000 network, marine environment, forests...)
and Environmental innovation (management of natural resources, climate change, sustainable
development...) are a priority which is now translated into LIFE +. For the 2007 - 2013 period, LIFE
+ will support the best European projects and exchange the best experiences in these fields.
However, following the inter-institutional agreement on the Community Financial Framework 2007
- 2013, the final budget for health action was settled at EUR 365.6 million, i.e. approximately one
third of the budget initially foreseen in the Commission proposal.
Géraldine Philibert,
Adviser
The HAP’s main focus is now on three broad objectives:
Objective 1: Improve citizens’ health security
1.1: Protect citizens against health threats: the Community Strategic objectives stress the importance
of countering threats to citizens’ health and safety at EU level (including bioterrorism).
1.2: Improve citizens’ safety: Treat serious cross-border health threats as a matter of priority, coordinate closely work under the programme with work by the ECDC (European Centre for Disease
Control), and actions to be taken on injury prevention and on organs.
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2007
LIFE + Information and Communication
While the health of millions of people in the EU has in general improved over time, inequalities
between the 27 Member States and between groups within the countries have widened. We still
have an east-west gap in health and socioeconomic gradients in health have increased in many
countries. Reducing inequality is increasingly vital.
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2007
2.1: Foster healthy, active ageing and help bridge inequalities: Encourage Member States to invest in
health in co-operation with other policies. It will take forward action to identify the causes of health
inequalities within and between Member States with a particular emphasis on the situation in the
new Member States; and will encourage exchange of best practice to address such inequalities.
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2.2: Promote healthier ways of life by tackling health determinants: Promote good health requires
tackling the life-style factors (e.g. nutrition, physical activity and sexual health), and addictions
(e.g. tobacco, alcohol, drugs) that undermine health, as well as broader socio-economic and
environmental health determinants.
Objective 3: Generate and disseminate health knowledge
3.1: Exchange knowledge and best practice added value and focus on cross-border issues: Exchange
of best practice will target issues where the Community can provide genuine added-value in
bringing together expertise from different countries, as is the case with rare diseases, or crossborder issues related with co-operation between health systems.
3.2: Collect, analyse and disseminate health information: Support efforts to develop indicators and
other tools, and collect data and information as a basis for policymaking. It will increasingly focus
on providing analysis and disseminating information to citizens in a user-friendly manner, such
as the Health portal.
«Communicable diseases don’t stop at national border»
Markos KYPRIANOU, Commissioner for health
In the following key areas the EPP-ED rapporteur, Mr TRAKATELLIS, with the full support of all
other political groups in the European Parliament achieved changes to the Commission and
Council proposals:
> serious cross-border health threats have to be seen as a matter of priority
> the frequency of appearance, morbidity and mortality of major diseases (e.g. cancer,
cardiovascular and neuropsychological diseases) and injuries has to be reduced
Maritime safety: ERIKA III Package
Further to the sinking of the oil tankers Erika in 1999 and Prestige in 2002, the EU adopted a
range of legislative measures – the Erika I and II packages – with a view to strengthening maritime
security. In submitting a new package of measures – Erika III – the EU has not waited for another
accident and another oil spill to happen in order to further increase safety at sea.
This new package of seven legislative measures meets the expectations of the European Parliament.
In its resolution of 21 April 2004 – the outcome of six months’ work by the Temporary Committee
on improving safety at sea (MARE), chaired by Mr Georg Jarzembowski (member of the EPP-ED
Group and current coordinator in the Transport Committee) – Parliament had called for a number
of practical measures to be taken to make the key economic stakeholders in the maritime transport
sector more aware of their responsibilities and to close the gaps identified in the implementation
of the legislative measures already adopted.
These new measures, adopted by Parliament at first reading in 2007, seek to restore conditions for
healthy competition among operators who comply with international rules; the measures are also
more binding on substandard vessels.
They concern:
1. The quality of European flags
The aim of this proposal is to incorporate into Community law (making it mandatory), the
International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Code relating to the conformity of flag States. This will
eliminate quality differences between European flags.
2. Classification societies
This second proposal seeks to consolidate and simplify existing legislation by reforming the
criteria relating to the approval and penalty system and to the tightening of controls in respect of
inspections and certification of ship safety.
> a Europe-wide register on major diseases has to be established
3. Port State control
> special importance has to be attributed to the collection of data, as far as the resistance of germs
to antibiotics is concerned
According to the current inspection regime each Member State must control 25% of all ships
calling at its ports.
> information to health professionals and to the public has to be improved to increase their ability
to make decisions which cater best for their interests
The new proposal for a directive aims to ensure that 100% of ships in the EU are inspected in
accordance with the risk they genuinely pose. In other words, there will be more controls for ships
at risk and fewer controls for quality ships.
> collection of data on patient mobility and exchange of best practice has to be extended.
«Still much work is needed, but today’s effort is tomorrow’s success»
Antonios TRAKATELLIS, EPP-ED Rapporteur
For Mr TRAKATELLIS public health authorities must not only look at the known risk factors and
interventions but also look beyond them to the underlying environmental behavioural and social
factors that influence health outcomes in different ways in different circumstances. Understanding
and applying this knowledge comprise part of the art and science of public health.
Harald Kandolf,
Adviser
4. Traffic monitoring
This measure clarifies and strengthens the provisions of the 2002 directive by laying down a clear
and precise legal framework with regard to places of refuge and the authorities entitled to decide
whether to accommodate a ship in distress. The directive also stipulates that the Community
maritime safety information exchange system (SafeSeaNet) should be developed and that fishing
vessels with a length of more than 15 metres should be equipped with an Automatic Identification
System (AIS).
2007
Objective 2: Promote health for prosperity and solidarity
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The aim of this proposal is to harmonise the European framework for the conduct of investigations
by permanent, independent bodies. It will thus be possible in future to determine the cause
of disasters and encourage the implementation of preventive measures to prevent this type of
accident from happening again.
2007
6. Compensation for passengers in case of accident
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This proposal for a regulation seeks to incorporate into Community law the provisions laid down
by the 2002 Athens Convention on compensation for damages to passengers involved in accidents
at sea.
7. Liability of shipowners
This final proposal aims to make shipowners more responsible, in particular by imposing on
them an insurance policy or other financial guarantee to cover damages to third parties, especially
environmental damage caused by hydrocarbons and chemical spills.
For the EPP-ED Group these measures further strengthen an already solid body of Community
legislation on maritime safety.
As in the past, the EPP-ED Group made a decisive contribution to the development of Community
standards by appointing two rapporteurs from amongst its members (Mrs Vlasto for the proposal
for a directive on ‘Port State control’ and Mr de Grandes Pascual on the proposal for a directive on
‘ship inspection and survey organisations and the relevant activities of maritime administrations’);
it also participated actively in the drafting of the 600 or so amendments tabled at first reading,
with a view to enhancing the texts submitted by the Commission which, incidentally, has been very
proactive in this area.
It is now up to the Council to adopt a common position on the seven legislative proposals in this
package – legislative proposals which are closely interlinked and which thus need to be considered
jointly.
Maritime transport plays a dominant role in the EU economy, since 90% of the EU’s external trade
and 40% of its internal trade are by sea.
To further increase safety at sea, to preserve the marine environment and that of our coasts and to
guarantee good working conditions on ships and the protection of passengers are key objectives
for the members of the EPP-ED Group.
Stefano Guccione,
Adviser
Enlargement of the Eurozone
2007 has been a good year for the euro. On 1 January Slovenia became part of the eurozone; in the
middle of the year it was decided to introduce the common currency in Cyprus and Malta from the
start of 2008, and the first steps were also taken to enable Slovakia to follow suit as early as 2009.
From an institutional perspective it is important to note that a consensus has emerged among the
Ministers for the Economy and Finance on the need to respect the independence of the European
Central Bank (ECB) and its paramount aim of monetary stability, to consolidate public finances and
abide by the rules of the Stability and Growth Pact, to keep euro exchange rates flexible against
other key currencies such as the US dollar and the yen, and to step up the drive for structural
reforms within Member States.
At Maastricht the European Union decided to adopt a single currency. Under the Treaty all its
Member States undertook to exchange their national currencies for the euro, Denmark and the UK
being the only countries with an opt-out right. For technical reasons, however, it is not possible to
bring every Member State into the eurozone immediately. Institutional and economic harmony is
essential within the eurozone, otherwise the uniform monetary policy of the ECB could not have the
same impact in every country, and indeed the Bank’s policy might have undesirable consequences
in some countries, possibly even endangering growth and employment. This explains why such
a long time elapsed between the 1992 decision at Maastricht and the formal inauguration of
monetary union on 1 January 1999, when the ECB assumed responsibility for the common
monetary policy. Even then, membership of the eurozone was limited to 11 of the 15 Member States
of the EU. Before the euro notes and coins could be introduced in 2002, another period was needed
to deal with technical aspects of the conversion, such as the adjustment of accounting practices
and the minting and printing of coins and banknotes.
Convergence is measured against the Maastricht criteria, namely a high degree of price stability,
sustainable public finances, two years’ membership of the new exchange-rate mechanism (EMS
II) without competitive devaluation and, lastly, sustained convergence of the national economy,
which can best be assessed by reference to interest rates. There are also extensive institutional
requirements, such as making national central banks independent of the political authorities and
reorientating monetary policy to focus on the overriding goal of price stability.
The United Kingdom sprang quite a surprise in 1998. Prime Minister Tony Blair and many business
figures had been voicing strong support for the adoption of the euro. Although the population was
not enthusiastic, it would have accepted the change, and the general international expectation was
therefore that Britain would be in the first wave of countries switching to the euro. British industry,
especially the service sector, had recognised the benefits and saw the euro as an important building
block in the completion of the single market – the aspect of the European unification process that
traditionally interested it most. Banks and insurers in particular were already looking forward to
the freedom to pursue their activities unhindered in a huge and financially powerful economic
area. Enormous sums were apparently paid to Brussels-based consultancy firms in a bid to tip
the scales in favour of London as the future seat of the ECB. The head ruled the heart as the idea
of adopting the euro was systematically nurtured. Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer,
who has since succeeded Mr Blair as Prime Minister, then shocked the world by scuppering those
plans. There followed such a profound change of mood in the country that the introduction of the
euro has become impossible for the foreseeable future and the memory of what went before even
seems to have been repressed.
Only the aim of introducing the euro in all Member States, apart from Britain and Denmark, is
enshrined in the Treaties, not the time of introduction. It is up to the Member States how quickly
they take the measures required to meet the criteria. All they are firmly pledged to do is work
towards that aim. Once they fulfil the Maastricht criteria, however, membership of the eurozone
and the switchover to the single currency are automatic. Every two years, a review is automatically
2007
5. Accident investigations
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The case of Denmark is interesting. Although it fulfils the criteria, Denmark continues to exercise
its opt-out right, and yet it no longer pursues its own independent monetary policy but complies
with the ECB’s policy decisions and has pegged its national currency to the euro. Denmark is
thus de facto part of the eurozone, though without enjoying a number of advantages offered by
the euro. Adopting the euro would be the next logical step. The Government was planning to
hold a referendum in 2005 but feared that the results of the French and Dutch referendums on
the Constitutional Treaty might swing the national mood and therefore took the precaution of
postponing the referendum indefinitely. It is expected that Denmark will ultimately introduce the
euro.
The Maastricht criteria have become the subject of lively discussion following the unfavourable
verdict of the two review bodies on progress in Lithuania, which had applied at the same time
as Slovenia to become part of the eurozone. Lithuania failed on the inflation criterion in 2006,
not because the ceiling was exceeded by barely a tenth of a percentage point during the reference
period but because of doubts as to the sustainability of Lithuanian compliance with the criterion.
In connection with the assessment of convergence, Article 116 of the EC Treaty speaks of ‘the
lasting convergence necessary for the achievement of economic and monetary union’. The inflation
rate actually did soar far above the ceiling shortly after the end of the reference period, rising
exponentially to 4.5% in December 2006 and then 5.6% in August 2007 (source: Eurostat). The
Commission had seen that coming and since 2004 had repeatedly warned the Government to take
remedial action.
Shortly after the decision had been taken to reject the Lithuanian application and before the
inflationary trend in Lithuania became common knowledge, heated discussions took place as
widespread indignation greeted the rejection. On the one hand it was alleged that discrimination
was being practised against the new Member States and that the eurozone was a closed shop.
This argument does not hold water as Slovenia, which had applied at the same time, was able to
introduce the euro, and only a year later a favourable verdict was passed on Cyprus and Malta. On
the other hand the criteria themselves came under fire, particularly from those Member States that
strongly favoured the euro and wished to adopt it as soon as possible but currently fell short of
the Maastricht criteria. Critics cited the difference between the inflation ceiling defined by the ECB
(close to but below 2%) and the inflation criterion in the EC Treaty, which is the average of the three
lowest national inflation rates of the Member States plus one and a half percentage points. This
line of argument overlooks the fact that the ECB figure is a target; as such, it relates to the future
and cannot always be achieved, whereas the Maastricht definition refers to rates that have actually
been recorded in the past. Apart from the fact that it would be illogical and contrary to the Treaties
to use the ECB target as a convergence criterion, such a switch would make it harder rather than
easier for applicant countries to become part of the eurozone. Another proposal is the replacement
of the nominal convergence criteria with an assessment of real convergence. Once again, there is
There is no question that the unsuccessful application has left scars, especially in Lithuania,
where strenuous efforts did not reap the desired reward. It is therefore particularly important that
Member States do not apply for an unscheduled review unless they are sufficiently certain of their
ability to meet the criteria. The Commission, the ECB and the Council have subsequently reaffirmed
that the criteria will be strictly applied as it is feared that a tendency within the EU to interpret all
sorts of criteria more and more loosely may lead to a general credibility crisis.
Another factor that erodes credibility is the quality of statistics, which is not always sufficiently
high. The Commission, to which Eurostat is subordinated, has already done a great deal to
improve quality assurance, but the European Parliament is not yet fully convinced, and one of its
recommendations is that Eurostat’s quarterly European System of Accounts (ESA) data should be
used to cross-check the data transmitted by the national central banks.
The role of the European Parliament in the enlargement process has raised an interinstitutional
dispute. The time allocated to Parliament to assess the convergence criteria is too short for
a thorough examination. Adherence to the usual timetables for the production of reports is
impossible. To date the European Parliament has only been able to approve preliminary decisions.
The rapporteurs who have been dealing with these matters, M Werner Langen and M David Casa
of the EPP-ED Group, are therefore campaigning vigorously for an extension of Parliament’s rights.
In particular, they are pressing for the Member States to give the earliest possible notice of their
desire to be assessed for fulfilment of the convergence criteria, for the European Parliament to be
informed in good time by the applicant countries of their economic situation and the likelihood of
their fulfilling the criteria and for institutional arrangements that enable the European Parliament
to produce its reports in accordance with the proper procedures.
The introduction of the euro brings many benefits. The elimination of exchange-rate fluctuations
within the eurozone has made for comparability of prices within the internal market; the single
currency has also put an end to conversion charges, thereby lowering transaction costs, and has
laid the foundations for a more joined-up financial system, for example by making it easier and
cheaper to make money transfers in the eurozone. It is turning the internal market into a domestic
market.
The main advantages of the euro lie in a new-found culture of stability, both within the eurozone,
where inflation and interests rates have been reduced to an all-time low and are therefore fuelling
growth, and in the wider world, where a stable euro helps to curb exchange-rate fluctuations in the
wake of crises. This proved extremely useful in the days after September 11. The big three global
currencies – the dollar, yen and euro – each represent such a concentration of economic power that
currency speculation has become impossible. This stability culture also has an impact on those
Member States that are not yet part of the eurozone.
Among the disadvantages of a rapid switch to the euro in countries that have only recently
embraced market economics is a possible slowdown in economic growth. In the catch-up phase,
economic growth is inevitably accompanied by a certain degree of inflation, which is not the case
in mature national economies. The ECB’s stability policy, which is tailored to the needs of mature
economies, could prove to be a temporary obstacle to growth in some countries.
In principle, only Member States are allowed to adopt the euro, and there is an interesting test
case in this respect. Following the break-up of Yugoslavia, Montenegro abandoned its old currency
and adopted the deutschmark. Shortly afterwards, the Federal Republic of Germany replaced the
deutschmark with the euro, whereupon Montenegro exchanged its deutschmark holdings for
euros. Since the euro is not a parallel currency in Montenegro but the only legal tender, that country
is, de facto, part of the eurozone. How this will affect negotiations on accession to the EU remains
to be seen. It seems likely to give rise to major strategic problems.
2007
In countries other than Denmark and the United Kingdom, governments would run a considerable
political risk if they were to hold a referendum on the adoption of the euro since it could ensnare
them in a conflict between the will of the people and their obligations under the Treaty. Calls for
a referendum overlook the fact that the older Member States took a fundamental decision on the
euro back in the days when they ratified the Maastricht Treaty and that the newer Member States did
likewise when they ratified the Acts of Accession. Sweden has got itself into this very predicament.
Although it has long since met the economic criteria, the Swedish Government cannot fulfil its
treaty obligations following the rejection of the euro in a referendum. The diplomatic solution is
that the convergence reports always cite some obstacle to membership of the eurozone, such as
the Riksbank not having adopted the proper legal status and organisational form yet. Since the EU
is first and foremost a legal community whose reputation depends on its observance of treaties,
this state of affairs cannot persist indefinitely without a loss of credibility.
no basis for this approach in the Treaties, and it would likewise make for more stringent conditions
of access. The only valid criticism relates to the fact that the reference inflation rate is still
calculated on the basis of figures for the EU as a whole instead of figures for the eurozone alone.
Putting that right, however, would mean amending the EC Treaty.
2007
conducted to assess the level of compliance with the Maastricht criteria of ‘Member States with a
derogation’ – technical jargon for the countries where the euro has not yet been introduced. At the
request of a Member State the review can also be conducted during the intervening period.
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Introducing the euro is not simply a matter of joining an exclusive club, certainly not the sort
of club in which membership applicants have to rely on the goodwill of those who are already
members. It is a technical process with far-reaching consequences and potential risks. The first
entrants had to be patient too. The Treaty laid down that economic and monetary union would start
in 1997 at the earliest and 1999 at the latest. As a precaution the decision was taken to wait until
the final year, 1999, in order to guarantee the steadiest possible start.
Progress made on Financial Services Integration
Christian Scheinert,
Adviser
European financial market integration has been driven forward by the Financial Services Action
Plan 1999-2005 (FSAP). Its central philosophy has proved sound: financial industry’s performance
has improved; there is higher liquidity, increased competition, sound profitability and stronger
financial stability despite much external turbulence. With progressive implementation of FSAP
measures in the coming years, these benefits will only increase.
But efforts have to continue. The EU financial services industry has strong untapped economic
and employment growth potential. A further boost in the efficiency of pan-European markets for
long-term savings products is needed urgently. The EU’s major structural economic challenge
– its huge pension’s deficit – needs to be financed. The retail internal market is a long way from
completion. A better functioning risk capital market is needed to promote new and innovative firms
and to raise economic growth.
So, consolidating progress; completing unfinished business; enhancing supervisory cooperation
and convergence; and removing the remaining economically significant barriers are the key axes of
EPP-Ed policy for the next years.
On July 2007 the EPP-ED Group, after difficult negotiations with all political groups, voted in favor
of the van den Burg report (A6-0248/2007) on financial services policy up to 2010.
The objectives of the EPP-ED Group for the period going till 2010 can be summarized as follows:
> To consolidate an integrated, open, inclusive, competitive, and economically efficient EU
financial market;
> To remove any of the remaining significant barriers so financial services can be provided and
capital can circulate freely throughout the EU at the lowest possible cost – with effective levels
of prudential and conduct of business regulation, resulting in high levels of financial stability,
consumer benefits and consumer protection;
> To implement, enforce and continuously evaluate the existing legislation and to apply rigorously
the better regulation agenda to future initiatives; enhance supervisory cooperation and
convergence in the EU, deepen relations with other global financial marketplaces and strengthen
European influence globally.
One of the major achievements of 2007 in this field has been the adoption of the Directive on
payment services in the internal market. Gauzés report (A6-298/06).
Currently, the payment services markets of the Members States are organised separately and the
legal framework for payment services is fragmented into 25 national legal systems. The proposed
Directive aims to establish a modern and harmonised legal framework for a single integrated
payments market in the EU.
This Directive will complement the banking sector’s initiative for establishing a Single Euro
Payments Area (SEPA) with the objective of consolidating national infrastructures and products
in the Euro area.
The declared objectives of the Directive are to enhance competition between national markets and
ensure a level playing field, to increase market transparency for both providers and users, and to
clarify the rights and obligations of users and providers.
2007
Financial markets are pivotal for the functioning of modern economies. The more they are
integrated, the more efficient the allocation of economic resources and long-run economic
performance will be. Completing the single market in financial services is thus a crucial part of the
Lisbon economic reform process; and essential for the EU’s global competitiveness.
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On March the Parliament adopted with the EPP-ED support an important Directive regarding
procedural rules and evaluation criteria for the prudential assessment of acquisitions and increase
of shareholding in the financial sector (Klinz report. A6-0027/2007). The purpose of this Directive
is to improve the legal certainty, clarity and transparency of the supervisory approval process with
regard to acquisitions and increase of shareholdings in the banking, insurance and securities
sectors.
Consumer confidence in the Digital Environment
This modification of 5 directives changes the existing framework with regard to the procedure as
well as the criteria to be examined by the competent authorities when assessing the suitability of a
proposed acquirer. This modification involves an approach that significantly reduces the discretion
for competent authorities in making a prudential assessment. This was deemed crucial in order to
achieve legal certainty, clarity and predictability for market participants.
This own-initiative report would be a first step in addressing the important issue in question, which
is broadly defined as «confidence when using information and communication technologies for
e-commerce, information services, digital communication and entertainment». E-commerce, in
particular, would have great potential to improve consumer welfare, by making a greater range of
products available, boosting price competition and developing new markets. It could also open-up
new markets and ease cross-border trade, instead of the current situation of retail markets largely
fragmented along national lines. Consumer confidence is therefore a key in taking advantage of
these opportunities.
It introduces clear deadlines for each step of the assessment procedure. The deadlines have been
considerably tightened. The directive lays down a closed list of criteria against which the competent
authority has to asses a potential acquirer. These criteria are: reputation of acquirer, reputation of
persons who direct the acquirer, financial soundness of the potential acquirer, compliance with
sectorial rules and compliance with Community legislation, suspicions of money laundering and
terrorist financing.
The directive clarifies the situation when two or more Member States are involved in a merger
or acquisition. It clarifies that the burden of proof lies, in the case of a negative decision in the
assessment process, on the supervisory authority of the target.
One of the major concerns in the EPP-ED policy on this area refers to the supervision of financial
markets in the EU. One way forward would be to create a single EU supervisor for all, or at least
for the cross border groups. Probably it is still politically too early for such a move, and it would
create other practical problems of transition. Therefore, the EPP-ED Group support initiatives to
improve the current situation in a pragmatic way, without creating a revolution. If this however
does not deliver the expected results, more dramatic political changes will be inevitable in the
future. Integrated financial markets with integrated cross border operators require an integrated
approach of supervision. Supervisors in Member States should be able to “act as one”.
On November the EPP-ED Group hold a seminar on the future of supervision of financial markets
in the EU. The debate on supervision will continue in the following years, the EPP-ED Group
advocates for exploiting fully the current system, this position are shared by the ECB and the
European Commission.
Jose Botella,
Adviser
Attention is drawn to the low level of cross-border online shopping, as well as to the existing legal
fragmentation and possible barriers to the development of the Internal Market, which result in
market fragmentation (cf. paragraphs 29 to 33). The report calls on the European Commission to
act on the various issues identified, especially on:
> simplification of the legal framework, via means such as creation of standard contracts and
general conditions for e-commerce (paragraphs 2 and 15 to 17),
> clarification of applicable laws (in particular for e-Commerce transactions, copyrighted material,
information society services, privacy and data protection),
> enhancement of legal protection of consumers in the digital environment (paragraphs 36 to 44,
an in particular 39 to 41, 43 and 44), especially through consumer redress mechanisms, ADR
opportunities for consumers (paragraph 45), extension of Consumer Protection Cooperation
Regulation (CPC) to third countries and the creation of a European early-warning system,
including a database as well as an impact study on all legislative proposals relating to the
internal market (paragraphs 8 and 10); improvement of general security of online transactions
and security on the Internet is also mentioned (paragraphs 10 and 46),
> establishment of a European charter of users’ rights, that would clarify the rights and obligations
of information society actors (paragraphs 25 to 28),
> assessment of possibilities for creation of a European trustmark scheme (paragraphs 19 to 24),
possibly based on the ‘Euro-label’, already used for electronic shopping in some member states,
as a very future-oriented initiative, although differing views exist (especially among SMEs) as to
its practical applications, while consumers would still need to be convinced of its added value,
> implementation of the e-inclusion initiative (paragraph 4)
In terms of possible practical application of its conclusions, the report could be put broadly within
the Commission focus on its Citizens’ Agenda, as well as the Single Market Review, which aim at
establishing a clearer link between EU policies and specific benefits for EU citizens. It is also very
supportive of several Commission initiatives and contains numerous other requests calling on it
to develop specific initiatives.
Pawel Kaleta
2007
Rapporteur: Zuzana Roithová (EPP-ED/CZ)
EP reference number: A6-0191/2007 / P6-TA-(2007)0287
Date of adoption: 21 June 2007
2007
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VI. EPP-ED Reports on the Plenary Sessions
of the European Parliament,
by the Press Service
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2007
EP Presidency: A great moment for our political group
By Yannis Zografos
Hans-Gert Poettering (D), Chairman of the EPP-ED Group for the last seven and a half years, has
been elected the 12th President of the European Parliament with an absolute majority of 450 votes
in the first round of voting in Strasbourg. The EPP-ED Group succeeded in electing four VicePresidents of Parliament in the first five places, as well as three Quaestors.
VI > Session Reports
Hans-Gert Poettering thanked the Members of the House for the confidence they have invested
in him in his new functions and promised to act together with them in defending the values and
interests of the European Union.
The new Chairman pointed out that he will do his utmost to properly serve the interests of the
peoples of Europe, democracy and the strengthening of the Union.
Hans-Gert Poettering has been a Member of the European Parliament since the first direct
elections in 1979 and was elected Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in July 1999.
Joseph Daul (F), his successor in the leadership of the Group, congratulated Hans-Gert Poettering
by saying «this is a great moment for our political Group.»
Daul continued: «In the name of the EPP-ED Group and its 277 Members, I am delighted to
warmly congratulate you on your election to the office of President of our institution. The European
Parliament is the voice of the European citizens, from this day on that voice will be yours.
«For our political group, your election is a great moment. You have been Chairman of the main
political force of the Parliament for seven and a half years, and we know that you have all the
necessary qualities to carry out these new duties with great courage, determination, conviction,
and particularly, humanity.
«I wish to thank all colleagues who were willing to place their trust in you, I am sure that they will
not regret it.
«Europe is already grateful to you for your political and personal engagement towards the
reunification of the continent. Mr President, we know you as a European statesman, but we also
know how much you are concerned with the human being, with respect for his dignity and his
liberty. The European Parliament and the European Institutions in general, have already benefited
from your work of strengthening their competences.»
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January 2007
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The EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament has strongly welcomed German Chancellor Angela
Merkel’s presentation of the Council Presidency’s work programme: «The Presidency’s programme
is ambitious but it sets the right priorities», said Joseph Daul (F), the newly-elected Chairman of
the EPP-ED Group, in Strasbourg.
He mainly welcomed the Presidency’s goal of finding common ground in order to get the EU
Constitution back on track: «We need to adopt tools that will allow us to perform even better in
a European Union of 27 Member States which is seen by the majority of our citizens as the best
and most adequate response to a variety of shared, everyday problems that cannot be solved on
a national or local level.»
The work programme of the Presidency is also strongly supported by the German Delegation of the
EPP-ED Group. Werner Langen (D) and Markus Ferber (D), leaders of the CDU/CSU parliamentary
Group in the European Parliament, also referred to the Constitutional Treaty as the «right answer»
to growing criticism against further centralisation of legislation in the Union. However, the
German MEPs pointed out that an increasing number of legislative initiatives is going back to the
Council and not to the Commission or the European Parliament. The aim of the EU Constitution
to strengthen national Parliaments’ participation in the legislative process is therefore seen as the
best way to solve this problem.
There is also a broad consent in the EPP-ED Group about the Presidency’s other political aims,
namely to strengthen the Union’s external relations with regard to good neighbourhood, secure
energy supply and better relations with the United States. Mrs Merkel’s stance to fight for better
legislation, less bureaucracy and more subsidiarity was also deemed to be of specific importance.
The introduction of the discontinuity principle would be a crucial step in this direction even
though the long time schedules of EU legislation are often due to the Council. With regard to
growing demands for a stronger European social model, there should be a clear delimitation of
competences between the European and the national level which has the prime responsibility for
this political field.
New start for Bulgarian and Romanian Members in the European Parliament
By Mina Dermendjieva and Delia Vlase
Fifty-three Members of the European Parliament from Bulgaria and Romania took their seats for the
first time at the EP’s January Plenary Session in Strasbourg. EPP-ED Group Chairman Joseph Daul
(F) warmly welcomed them and promised to continue the «excellent level of co-operation» with
them. Both countries have had observers in the European Parliament since September 2005.
Daul described the new accessions as an event of great importance. He drew attention to the
challenges facing a Europe of 27 Member States. «We need, and the sooner, the better, a new
institutional ‘rules of the game’. Without this, Europe will never be able to decide on the big issues
of our continent.»
New Romanian Vice-Chairman of the Group, Marian-Jean Marinescu, declared after the ceremony:
«We are thankful for the EPP-ED Group’s continual support for Romania’s accession to the
European Union and for helping us integrate into the most important group in the European
Parliament. The Romanian Delegation will prove that this will have a positive contribution to the
activity of the EPP-ED Group.»
Head of the Bulgarian Delegation of the EPP-ED Group, Philip Dimitrov, said: «This is a great
historical moment for Bulgaria. The democratic forces have come a long way over the last 16
years to bring our country into the European Union. Being part of the biggest political family, the
European People’s Party, means a strong commitment to democratic Christian and human values
and the well-being of our citizens.»
Renewed appeals to save Bulgarian nurses sentenced to death in Libya
By Melanie Warman
Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi has again been urged to use his powers to release five Bulgarian
nurses and a Palestinian doctor sentenced to death for the second time last month.
The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of a resolution condemning their
imprisonment and calling on the Libyan authorities to review and annul the death sentences.
It also sends a strong message to the Commission and the Council to consider a revision of the
common policy engagement with Libya in case of further negative developments.
Accused of intentionally infecting more than 400 children with the HIV virus while working at a
Libyan hospital, the medics were detained eight years ago next month (February).
Appeals from the international community, including the European Parliament, resulted in Libya’s
Supreme Court setting aside the death penalty and ordering a retrial in December 2005.
Fresh evidence from experts last summer reconfirmed there was no connection between the
medics’ work and the spread of HIV at the Benghazi children’s hospital.
But it fell on deaf ears when last month the Libyan court again sentenced the nurses and doctor
to death.
Geoffrey Van Orden (UK), the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Bulgaria, said: «This case is a
three-fold tragedy affecting the nurses, Libyan children and the relationship between Libya and the
international community. Diplomats can play a key role in remedying the current situation.
«It is appalling that this tragic case has been dragged on in this way. We were all deeply shocked
and disappointed by the decision of the Libyan court in December, but we will not give up and are
reiterating the call on Colonel Gaddafi to act.»
Philip Dimitrov, Head of the EPP-ED Bulgarian Delegation, added: «This case concerns the human
rights of European citizens. Hence, it is time that the EU uses all its influence and authority to
achieve the release of these innocent people.»
2007
German Presidency’s work programme sets the right priorities
By Knut Goelz
Nine MEPs from Romania and four from Bulgaria will sit in the EPP-ED Group, bringing the total
number to 277 Members. The EPP-ED Group will thus remain, by far, the largest political group in
the European Parliament and the only group with Members from all 27 Member States.
2007
The four elected Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament from the EPP-ED Group are Rodi
Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (GR), Alejo Vidal-Quadras (ES), Edward McMillan-Scott (UK) and Mario
Mauro (I). The three EPP-ED Quaestors of the European Parliament are James Nicholson (UK),
Astrid Lulling (L) and Ingo Friedrich (D). Mrs Kratsa and Mr Vidal-Quadras were ranked first and
second Vice-Presidents after the vote, while Mr McMillan-Scott and Mr Mauro occupy the fourth
and fifth rankings respectively.
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Renewing the ACP-EU framework for co-operation
By Miguel Seabra
European railway passengers will soon benefit from EU-wide competition in cross-border traffic.
Along with the market opening comes a compensation scheme for late trains. If the delay exceeds
one hour, passengers will be entitled to a refund of 25 percent of the ticket price. If a train is more
than two hours behind schedule, passengers will be entitled to a refund of half the fare. «This
is going to ensure that trains will run on time. Railways will become a more popular means of
transport», said EP Rapporteur Georg Jarzembowski MEP, Transport Spokesman of the EPP-ED
Group.
The European Parliament approved the conclusion of an accord amending the Partnership
Agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States and the
European Union and its Member States, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000.
The railway package also includes common EU standards for national train driver licences. This is
expected to facilitate the smooth operation of cross-border trains and to increase railway safety. As
Council is opposed to refunds for domestic train journeys as well, a conciliation procedure is now
necessary. The German Presidency has announced that it will quickly finalise the dossier. «It would
be great if we had a final package before the summer break», said the EP Rapporteur.
Gender equality in EP committee work
By Attila Agárdi
The European Parliament has adopted a report tabled by Anna Záborská (SK) on an integrated
approach to equality between men and women in its committee work.
The report has the merit of being the first Parliament document devoted to a specific assessment
of gender mainstreaming in the political work of Parliament’s committees. It underlines the
important role of political groups in encouraging the participation of women in public life.
The rapporteur, Anna Záborská, stressed in the report that the demand for gender equality must
take the form of a practical approach which does not set women against men.
Záborská pointed out that «the report undertakes to adopt and apply within its administration
a gender mainstreaming strategy with specific targets in Community policies and assigns the
committee responsible with the task of developing that strategy by the end of the current legislative
term at the latest and calls on the High Level Group on Gender Equality of the Bureau to continue
encouraging and promoting this process.»
«Each committee secretariat in the directorates of the DGs for internal and external policies shall
be asked to incorporate an official who is specially trained in gender mainstreaming and stresses
the need in parliamentary committees to use appropriate tools for a sound knowledge of gender
mainstreaming», continued Anna Záborská.
The rapporteur called for assessments to be held every two years under the auspices of the
Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality on the basis of the questionnaire given to
the Presidents and Vice-Presidents responsible for gender mainstreaming in the 22 parliamentary
committees.
Political dialogue, the role attributed to Parliaments, as well as regional co-operation are among
the main points of the first revision. José Ribeiro e Castro (PT) underlined that «the fight against
terrorism, due to its actuality and crying need to be solved, also deserves its place in this
Agreement as well as reference to the Millennium Development Goals, stressing the EU-ACP
common compromise in the fight against poverty and improving education and health levels, on
which true development depends.»
The Cotonou Agreement aims at creating a framework for cooperation between the ACP members
and the EU Member States. This framework is an ACP-EU common answer to globalisation, the
aim being to promote and accelerate the economic, social and cultural development of the ACP
States, to contribute to peace and safety and also to promote a democratic and stable political
environment.
José Ribeiro e Castro recalled: «Almost 800 million people are ruled today under the Cotonou
Agreement which, in the wake of the founding Lomé Agreement, has been guiding relations
between the EU and the ACP countries since 2000. I hope that these relations will get closer and
closer and mutually advantageous.»
2007
Refunds for railways passengers
By Thomas Bickl
2007
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February 2007
‘No’ to illegal activities and ‘no’ to a biased and inaccurate report on CIA activities in Europe
By Peter Adler
Promoting values, reform and the Constitution are the EP President’s priorities
By Yannis Zografos
The EPP-ED Group – whilst opposed to all illegal activities and especially the rendition of people
for torture purposes – voted against the final report of the temporary committee investigating
activities of the CIA in Member States of the European Union because of the lack of tangible
evidence regarding allegations of wrongdoing by Member States.
In a solemn session of the European Parliament in the presence of German Chancellor and
President-in-Office of the European Council Angela Merkel, Commission President José Manuel
Barroso and ten former Presidents of the House, Poettering underlined that «Europeans should be
proud of their heritage» as the Union achieved a miracle by overcoming the divisions of Europe.
He reaffirmed his commitment to the European Constitution and to implementing it before the
European elections pointing out that «we have to preserve its core.» He also said that in close
co-operation with the political group Chairmen, he will undertake a reform of the functioning of
the EP.
Calling for tolerance, he told MEPs that «dialogue between cultures and religions is the hallmark
of Europe». While referring to the promotion of jobs and the protection of social benefits, he
said: «Europe must construct a cushion by strengthening our competitiveness and retaining the
European social model.»
Angela Merkel told MEPs that the EU represented half a billion citizens and should therefore not
«lose sight of the big picture». This is important as Europe faces big issues such as peace, security,
social protection and competition.
«We must stop all the disheartening declarations about Europe», said Joseph Daul (F), Chairman
of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, in response to the address by Hans-Gert
Poettering.
«My Group fully agrees to the vision of a Europe which is both strong and open to the world and
at the same time close to the citizens and at their service», stressed Daul, who also recalled past
successes of European integration. «Not only has Europe provided increased prosperity for our
countries and our people, it has also guaranteed peace on our Continent. Europe has changed the
course of history.»
The Chairman of the EPP-ED Group emphasised citizens’ expectations from Europe in terms of
providing more freedom, security and protection, employment prospects and enjoying the fruits
of their labour, and the will to stand up for common values and our culture. He also stressed that
a common European approach is necessary in order to face up to the challenges in the fields of
energy, climate change, research and development, agriculture and food.
Another priority for the European Parliament is the dialogue between cultures and religions. In
Mr Daul’s view, this dialogue is the positive way to approach the fight against racism, intolerance,
exclusion and xenophobia. It is not sufficient to just condemn these evils. We must show the
advantages of mutual recognition and exchange between different cultures: «We cannot expect
Europeans to be faithful to their values without offering them the guarantee of security and
protection.»
The Chairman of the European Parliament’s largest group believes that the EU must define a clear
strategy on globalisation. «This strategy cannot be based on the strongest defeating the weakest.
It must be a mixture of free competition, high employment rates and full social protection. What
we need is a reasoned globalisation.»
The Parliament’s non-binding resolution was adopted by a vote of 382 to 256, with 74
abstentions.
According to Jas Gawronski (I), who was responsible for coordinating the EPP-ED Group’s
response to the report, the temporary committee on the alleged use of European Countries by the
CIA for the transport and illegal detention of prisoners had failed its aims ever since it began to
gather evidence one year ago.
«On our first mission to Washington DC, we behaved like a tribunal in our meetings with
representatives of the State Department, thus impeding a constructive dialogue, which would have
been useful», said Gawronski during the debate, regretting the counterproductive atmosphere
which led to a biased and flawed result filled with assumptions and unfounded allegations.
The EPP-ED Group insists that EU Member States must abide by international conventions and
principles governing human rights. Illegal activities or the rendition of people for torture purposes
cannot be tolerated. The Group therefore supported the aims of the one-year investigation.
However, after reading the final report concluded that the investigation had failed.
«The temporary committee has found precious little evidence to support the long list of allegations
and suppositions of wrongdoing by Member States which have been adopted as hard facts in the
report. However, the wording of the report strongly implies that countries in Europe were massively
involved in extraordinary rendition activities and illegal detention. This is not a true interpretation
of the facts. It is disheartening to see that speculation and assumptions have been allowed to fill
the void where the facts should have been stated. Amendments by the EPP-ED Group to balance
the wording of the resolution were rejected. We therefore had no alternative but to vote against the
report», concluded Gawronski.
2007
Hans-Gert Poettering (D), the newly-elected President of the European Parliament, has set out his
priorities for the rest of the parliamentary term: the defence of common values, the initiation of
reforms in the House, and the implementation of the essence of the Constitution before the next
European elections in June 2009.
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Lisbon Strategy to face global challenges
By Gunnar Larsson
«We owe it to the next generation to respond to today’s challenge - the challenge of globalisation»,
said Marianne Thyssen (B), EPP-ED Group Vice-Chairwoman and spokesperson on the Lisbon
Strategy, speaking in a debate on the Spring Summit. The summit, due to be held in Brussels on
8-9 March, will focus on better regulation, energy and climate protection.
«To be able to face global competition with an ageing population and a changing climate, we need
to make sure Europe remains competitive. Economic growth and jobs are crucial to guarantee the
survival of our social model. On top of that, we need to make progress in the fight against climate
change and develop a new European energy policy», Thyssen said.
On energy, Thyssen did not hesitate to mention nuclear power: «We are ever more dependent on
imported energy and yet still wasteful with the energy that is available. To guarantee a continuous
and affordable energy supply, we need a common European energy policy towards suppliers
from outside the EU. Our energy efficiency also needs to be increased and we need to use more
renewable energy sources. Nuclear energy can be part of the energy mix, but we will leave it up to
the Member States to make that choice.»
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Election of EPP-ED Group Committee Spokespersons
By Thomas Bickl
During the February plenary session, the EPP-ED Group elected its committee spokespersons for
the rest of the parliamentary term which goes through to the next European elections in June 2009.
The co-ordinator represents the Group when decisions on the management and functioning of the
committees are taken, and allocates the reports.
Tackling climate change has become a common European effort. The European Parliament is
calling for a reduction of 30% of greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2020. Members endorsed
a resolution backing the target set by the German Presidency and the Commission. «We favour
an ambitious strategy on climate change beyond the Kyoto Agreement and the EU must strike an
international deal», said Peter Liese (D), EPP-ED Group shadow rapporteur.
However, MEPs have criticised a tentative additional European target of 20% that the Commission
proposed. «The impression was that Europe would back down. But the ultimate goal is a worldwide
agreement. Countries around the globe have become more sensitive to climate change, even the
United States. If we really go for it, an international agreement is feasible. This is why everybody in
Europe should fight for the 30% target», Liese said.
MEPs also see climate protection as an indispensable component of foreign and trade policy.
They are calling for a revision of the current EU emission trading system. «There must be uniform
criteria for the maximum emissions of individual plants so that we can avoid the recent fingerwagging over national allocation plans.»
EPP-ED Group Members also support the Commission and the German Presidency on their
objective to promote renewable energies. «The target of covering the 20% of energy supplied
from renewable energies is ambitious, but feasible. Nuclear energy can, in the medium-term, also
contribute to a substantial reduction of CO2 emissions», said John Bowis (UK), the Group’s coordinator on the issue.
The European Parliament has approved two reports by Maria Assunção Esteves (PT) on Agreements
between the European Community and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of the issuance
of short-stay visas and re-admission of illegal immigrants. These agreements intend to represent a
step forward in completing the common space of freedom, security and justice within the strategic
partnership between the EU and Russia.
Assunção Esteves criticised the Commission and the Council for having consulted the European
Parliament only after the actual content of the agreements could no longer be changed.
The purpose of the first agreement is to facilitate the issuance of visas for certain categories of
citizens of the European Union and the Russian Federation (close relatives, business people,
members of official delegations, students, participants in scientific, cultural and sporting events,
journalists, persons visiting military and civil burial grounds and drivers conducting international
cargo and passenger transportation services). Assunção Esteves is calling for the respect of
genuine conditions of reciprocity, warning of the complex compulsory registration procedures of
Russian visas and the excessive conditions to which visas are subject for certain regions, such as
the Chechen Republic or some parts of Eastern Russia and Siberia.
The EU-Russia Agreement on re-admission of illegal immigrants settles the re-admission
obligations in a fully reciprocal way, comprising own nationals as well as third nationals and
stateless persons. With this report, Assunção Esteves worked with a view to guaranteeing
reasonable levels of protection of human rights, confronting both the security and humanitarian
aspects.
In a common declaration, the Commission and the Council confirmed their resolve to assure
reciprocity and the protection of human rights, strengthening the commitment to respond,
through their intervention in the implementation of the agreements, to the concerns raised by the
European Parliament.
Agriculture: Parliament rejects voluntary modulation
By Knut Goelz
The European Parliament has clearly rejected Council and Commission demands for a so-called
‘voluntary modulation’ of direct payments for agriculture. According to EPP-ED rapporteur Lutz
Goepel (D), such a cut of direct payments by 20% without national co-funding is unacceptable.
It would also mean a breach of existing legal obligations within the framework of the financial
perspective until 2013. Parliament has therefore repeatedly voted against this proposal to protect
planning security for farmers.
Parliament’s firm stance has obviously shown a positive effect on the Council and the Commission
signalling their will to reconsider their plans for a voluntary modulation of agricultural expenditures.
This growing willingness to compromise was apparently boosted by the fact that Parliament has
put 20% of funds for the Common Agricultural Policy into the budget reserve because voluntary
modulation would also mean a violation of the inter-institutional agreement. As such, nonobligatory expenditures cannot be released without Parliament’s assent. The Council and the
Commission must now revise their proposal.
2007
«It is a challenge which is double-sided. We need to reduce greenhouse gases but at the same
time secure a stable and prosperous economy which makes us able to meet future challenges»,
Hökmark concluded.
EU-Russia agreement on short-stay visas and re-admission agreements raise questions
By Miguel Seabra
2007
Gunnar Hökmark (SV), EPP-ED Group Vice-Chairman, also took part in the debate. «The European
economy gives us opportunities to contribute to globalisation», he said. «We are, from an
economic point of view and also from an environmental point of view, one of the leading global
actors. We can contribute to the discussion on reducing the greenhouse effect more than anyone
else and that is why we need to do it. But, we need to do it wisely, securing the opportunities for
growth and investment and technologies, otherwise we will not be able to meet the challenges of
climate change.»
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The European Parliament has approved a report tabled by Frieda Brepoels (B) on the Infrastructure
for Spatial Information in Europe (INSPIRE) which is a European database allowing the Europeanwide exchange and consultation of geographical data (such as satellite images, temperatures,
precipitation forecasts).
INSPIRE is the key to a more efficient European environmental policy and opens the door for more
cooperation in the fields of transport, agriculture and energy. Frieda Brepoels said: «Thanks to the
effortless exchange of data between governments and public access to the database, we will be able
to develop a sustainable environmental policy that is genuinely European.»
INSPIRE uses existing data structures and makes them compatible and available to the whole of
the European Union. The target users of INSPIRE include policy-makers, planners and managers at
European, national and local level and citizens and their organisations. INSPIRE not only intends to
boost the gathering of new environmental information, it also aims at giving citizens more insight
into environmental policy, thereby making them more involved.
During the consultation procedure, Parliament managed to come to an agreement with the Council
on two controversial points: financial compensation for the consultation of data, and intellectual
property rights. Brepoels commented: «Parliament managed to ensure that, provided there is no
security risk, INSPIRE can be consulted free of charge by all European citizens. Intellectual property
rights were another difficult point during consultation talks. Whereas the Council wanted to give
national governments quite a lot of leeway in limiting access to data, we managed to secure that
the Treaty of Aarhus regarding access to environmental data is strictly applied.»
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Spatial information for a more efficient environmental policy
By Greet Gysen
Simultaneously, European viticulture regions should be examined for illegal vineyards before new
cultivation rights can be distributed. “For the future development of the European wine sector, we
must think about its present financing structure. The actual share of €600m for distillation out of
a global wine budget of €1.4bn is surely not an option for the future”, said Elisabeth Jeggle. It is,
however, a positive signal that the different viticulture traditions in the individual Member States
shall be further respected according to the report. “The European wine sector goes beyond purely
economic aspects. It has a great importance for culture, tourism and environmental protection
in the European Union and belongs to our common heritage. This can be best guaranteed by
boosting competitiveness of the EU wine sector”, the German MEP concluded.
2007
Lutz Goepel continued that modulation combined with obligatory co-funding by Member States
could be gradually extended until 2013 in order to provide additional means for rural development.
This could be done within the framework of the financial perspective’s mid-term review 2008/2009.
A precondition for this must however be obligatory co-funding by Member States, particularly
since this would finally pave the way for general co-funding in the agricultural sector. Substantial
movement is still necessary on this issue both in the Council and in the Commission.
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EU Wine Market Reform: Parliament wants more innovation and competitiveness
By Knut Goelz
The European Parliament voted by a large majority in favour of an own-initiative report on the
reform of the wine market regulations. Elisabeth Jeggle (D) welcomed the outcome of the vote on
behalf of the EPP-ED Group. «Parliament has given clear guidance to the European Commission
for its legislative proposals, due before this summer. Innovation and the competitiveness of the
industry must be the priorities of the reform programme, we must strengthen the industry», stated
Jeggle.
Elizabeth Jeggle said in this context that it would be «indispensable” that the entire financing of the
EU wine sector remains in the first column, because thus the necessary margin for the individual
wine regions and cultivation areas could be best guaranteed. This means that the implementation
of the necessary reforms has to be done according to the «subsidiarity principle» in national
programmes which must be notified to the EU Commission. «A part of the reform can also be
the clearing (uprooting) of vines as originally suggested by the Commission”, said the EPP-EDrapporteur.
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Representatives of the Commission and the Council presented the agreements reached at the
European Council on 8 & 9 March to the Members of the European Parliament. Speaking on behalf
of the EPP-ED Group, Marianne Thyssen (B), Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP-ED Group, welcomed
the results of the Spring Council: «For the first time in a very long time, we can say that a summit
was truly successful.»
«Thanks to the hard work of the President of the European Council, Angela Merkel, the President
of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, and Commissioner Stavros Dimas, we have
been able to set binding objectives that are ambitious and politically courageous, yet achievable
and realistic», Thyssen said.
She welcomed the fact that the European Union is taking on global leadership in the fight against
climate change: «With the Spring Council, we have given an important political signal and
successfully taken on our role of setting the example for the rest of the world. The EU has set a
clear agenda for the G8 and the UN negotiations for the post-Kyoto era.»
Regarding the second part of the Summit, the socio-economic reforms, Marianne Thyssen
acknowledged that the Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs is starting to yield results, but she
warned against complacency: «Member States need to continue to make efforts. Now that the
European economy is doing well, they shouldn’t slow down on reforms, but on the contrary,
make extra efforts. We encourage the Commission to show leadership in this regard and keep the
pressure on.»
The EPP-ED Group spokeswoman concluded by calling for continued efforts to involve Europeans:
«Only through effective communication can we ensure that citizens understand and support the
measures needed for socio-economic reform and the fight against climate change. The Parliament,
Council and Commission need to join forces in reaching out to Europeans and jointly explain that
it is exactly the decisions that were taken last week that will ensure that their children will enjoy a
good quality of life, have decent jobs and live in a clean environment.»
The most pro-European political Group in the European Parliament, the EPP-ED Group, considers
that the celebration of the Treaty of Rome’s 50th anniversary is the occasion to reiterate our
attachment to the values which made the unification of Europe possible. «What has always united
us is the defence of values, the promotion of liberties - especially those of entrepreneurship, labour
and benefiting from the fruits of our labour - as well as the guarantee of security», said Joseph Daul
(F), Chairman of the EPP-ED Group.
Speaking in the European Parliament in a debate with the European Council and the European
Commission, Mr Daul recalled the leading role of the EPP political family in the shaping of a
politically integrated, and now reunified Europe.
The Chairman of the largest political group in the European Parliament also recalled that the
Treaty of Rome is the cornerstone of the European adventure, «which has made war between
us impossible and unthinkable.» He added, however that «we have not all been equal in this
successful adventure. Whereas we have all striven to acquire freedom, peace and prosperity, a
number of our countries were subject to restriction, censorship and uncertainty, oppressed as they
were by communist dictatorships.»
Joseph Daul recalled that 2007 also marks the 60th anniversary of the Marshall Plan. «Without
the help from our American friends and without their decisive commitment to Europe, neither the
Schuman Declaration nor the Treaty of Rome would have seen the light of day.»
In his appraisal of the European Union success story, the EPP-ED Chairman also pointed out
the challenges lying ahead: demography, globalisation, polarisation, energy supplies and climate
change, and also the fight against international terrorism.
«One of the prerequisites to success in an unstable and increasingly borderless world is the ability
to adapt, without delay or hesitation, to the rapidly changing reality. Adapting, however, does not
imply resignation and giving up one’s identity.»
«The EPP-ED Group believes that future generations can only develop successfully and
prosperously in this new world if they are confident in their own capacity to create and adapt. We
have a modest but demanding role to play: avoid dead-ends, choose the right path and build strong
and sound foundations. That requires clarity and political courage», concluded Joseph Daul.
Climate Change: EPP-ED Group welcomes realistic goals
Parliament wants reform process in Bosnia-Herzegovina to be fully concluded
By Knut Goelz
A Temporary Committee to examine all aspects of climate change will be established in the
European Parliament following the decision on 15 March by the leaders of all political groups
(Conference of Presidents).
The European Parliament has adopted Doris Pack’s (D) report on the future development of
Bosnia-Herzegovina with a large majority, thus fully supporting the rapporteur’s demands for a
conclusion of the country’s reform process reforms by its political representatives.
The EPP-ED Group Chairman Joseph Daul (F) said: «I am delighted that our proposal to set up a
Temporary Committee on climate change has been accepted by the European Parliament. We need
to make an urgent response to the economic and social consequences of climate change. Our
proposal is that the Committee reports back to Parliament in the next 12 months.»
The Chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Delegation for South-Eastern Europe acknowledged
that there has been substantial progress made through the introduction of a functioning
government and an operable Parliament since the beginning of the year. «Nevertheless, we still
have to tackle the remaining problems in Bosnia-Herzegovina. This is particularly true for the
police and the constitutional reform as a means to strengthen the central powers of the Federation:
«The previous division of the country into two entities was the only way to peace. But today, this is
only justified if both entities carry the Federation instead of obstructing its functional character»,
said Doris Pack.
2007
2007
Climate change: EPP-ED Group welcomes ambitious but realistic goals
By Greet Gysen
Defending our values on the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome
By Yannis Zografos
March 2007
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New impetus for Euro-Mediterranean relations
By Eduard Slootweg
In a debate with the Council and Commission on the future of Euro-Mediterranean relations, Vito
Bonsignore (I) EPP-ED Vice-Chairman and responsible for the EPP-ED EuroMed Policy, said: «The
EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament wants a fresh impetus to the partnership process,
particularly by breathing new life into the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, as the
democratic framework for parliamentary action.»
The next meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (16-17 March in Tunis) must
address the major problems regarding the environment and energy. It should also give an impetus
to the establishment of a free trade zone and focus on the strengthening of north-south and
south-south economical development. The future of the Mediterranean countries and the EU are
interlinked. Cooperation and integration must be a new priority for the EU.
The EPP-ED Group called upon the EU Member States and their Mediterranean partners to start
the transformation of the existing Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership
(FEMIP) into a Euro-Mediterranean Development Bank. This kind of budget facility is vital for
strengthening the private sector and developing investment.
Mr Bonsignore also stressed that social and economical development is only possible in a stable
environment. The Middle East conflict can only be resolved by negotiating a firm and final peace
agreement, as provided for in the Road Map, without preconditions, based on the existence of two
democratic, sovereign and viable states living in peace side by side within secure and recognised
international borders. No terrorist act is justifiable, no matter what the circumstances, and the
fight against terrorism cannot legitimise the stigmatisation of any particular culture, civilisation
or religion.
Mr Bonsignore said: «To resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict we need the collaboration of all
parties involved: from Israel to Palestine, from Syria to Iran. The EU should be less timid, but
more daring.»
The Employment and Social Affairs Committee suggested a substantial increase in the uptake of
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices among EU companies, the development of new
models of best practice by genuine leaders among companies and trade union bodies of companies
in different aspects of CSR, the identification and promotion of specific EU action and regulation
to support CSR and the assessment of the impact of such initiatives on the environment and on
human and social rights.
It also suggested that a deadline of two years be set for completion of the work of the ‘laboratories’
set up under its umbrella as suggested by CSR Europe.
The own-initiative CSR report was drafted by a socialist Member, and initially reflected his political
beliefs. The EPP-ED Group however persuaded the European Parliament to accept a voluntary, not
compulsory, code.
In the key vote on Wednesday, the EPP-ED Group guaranteed that EU corporate social responsibility
will be voluntary.
British Conservative MEP and EPP-ED Group coordinator of the Employment and Social Affairs
Committee, Philip Bushill-Matthews, said: «This socialist report has been completely turned
around. It had called for yet more EU legislation rather than inspiring companies to choose to
adopt the concept themselves.
«The voluntary nature, as proposed by the Commission, has been endorsed. Extra regulation is
off the table. Businesses should be reassured and those who care about social and environmental
issues should also be pleased.»
‘Open skies’ agreement for better services to passengers
By Thomas Bickl
Market access for European airlines in the USA could soon be improved. The European Parliament
has backed the recent agreement reached between the European Commission and the USA. «The
agreement creates a transatlantic market for air services to the benefit of European companies and
passengers alike», said Georg Jarzembowski (D) EPP-ED Group Spokesman on Transport.
The agreement enables European airlines to offer flight connections to the US from any EU airport.
National restrictions at Heathrow airport will be lifted. «I am confident that the ‘Open Skies’ above
the Atlantic will lead to better services for flight passengers», the German MEP said.
The European Commission has also succeeded in securing market access for European airlines in
the United States through new provisions on ownership rights. EU companies are supposed to be
able to take a stake in US companies, a right which has been denied so far. «I warmly congratulate
Commissioner Barrot on this outcome and should like to encourage Council to approve the
agreement», Jarzembowski said.
EU Transport Ministers are going to debate the agreement at their next meeting on 22 March. «The
EPP-ED Group encourages the German Presidency to reach a timely adoption of the agreement in
Council.» The agreement is subject to a final approval by Parliament before entering into force.
2007
To create a peaceful future, reconciliation remains the most important guarantee to bring up the
young generation without hatred. The transfer of war criminal Karadzic to the Hague tribunal is a
central necessity for achieving this aim. Furthermore, the Bosnian Government should establish
the administrative infrastructure for Bosnia-Herzegovina’s youth to eventually participate in EU
programmes such as COMENIUS, ERASMUS and LEONARDO. «The more quickly the necessary
national agency is established in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the more quickly young Bosnians can
experience European reality», the rapporteur concluded.
Corporate Social Responsibility: EPP-ED Group positive influence
By Peter Wilding
2007
Constitutional reform is also the basic precondition to lead Bosnia-Herzegovina into the European
Union. Elected politicians from all three nationalities must therefore take their responsibilities
seriously and the newly-elected Parliament must be the necessary platform for this process. The
European Parliament will support the development of Bosnia-Herzegovina so that the country
becomes a functioning state providing its citizens, and especially young people, with a stable legal
and economic basis.
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April 2007
More protection for women and children, equal salaries for equal work, a flexible programme for
fathers for sharing family responsibilities, protection against trafficking in human beings. These
are the main objectives of the own-initiative report of Amalia Sartori (I) on a ‘Roadmap for equality
between women and men (2006-2010)’.
EPP-ED Group supports a single market area with the USA for 2015
By Pedro López de Pablo
Sartori’s report stresses that women make up 52% of the European population and that policies
to balance family and working life must be addressed to men as well as women. According to the
report, the cost of maternity leave should be borne by the community to help boost populations.
Therefore it recommends establishing care services and assistance for those who are not selfsufficient, such as the disabled and the elderly. National measures have to be taken to help women
enter the labour market «on a footing of equal dignity and equal pay for equal work» and at the
same time to strengthen measures to protect women and children against all forms of violence,
including slavery and honour crimes.
The USA and the EU represent some 40% of world trade, they are allies and share common values
of freedom, democracy and the rule of law, so for the EPP-ED Group, the next summit should be a
unique chance to work on a real partnership between the two sides of the Atlantic.
Close bonds with the USA need further developing and German Chancellor and President-in-Office
of the European Council Angela Merkel’s proposals to reach a transatlantic market by 2015 is an
ambitious objective that the EPP-ED fully supports. «This should be one of our main priorities»,
said EPP-ED Chairman, Joseph Daul MEP (F) during the debate in plenary on Wednesday.
«We must try to put forward external policies with the view that all kinds of accession,
neighbourhood, external and development policies cannot be diverted from those for women’s
rights. Last but not least, all the problems concerning immigration, slavery and female genital
mutilation must be met with zero tolerance», said Amanda Sartori in her speech.
«To achieve this, we have to reduce bureaucracy, stimulate competition and harmonise technical
standards on both sides», he said, but he also pointed out that «between friends, relations must
also be based on a frank and open dialogue on issues of concern». This is why in his view the
summit should address subjects like increasing US customs controls «that are developing into
a dangerous impediment to trade and economic exchange» as well as US legislation on data
protection, which should provide «sufficient safeguards on the privacy of individuals».
Sartori’s report calls on the Commission to draw up an overall framework for gender equality
policies and programmes and to analyse the implementation of gender equality directives. It
recommends that Member States appoint someone responsible for overseeing gender equality for
the purposes of implementing the Lisbon Agenda.
The EPP-ED Group also proposed for the summit to take more vigorous action in some of the
international conflicts in which both partners would find a better solution together, such as the
genocide in Darfur or the tyranny in Zimbabwe, as cooperation in this field has had positive results
in the Ukraine, Kosovo or Belarus.
The report also calls on the Commission to work towards the adoption of a Charter of Women’s
Rights which would set out in one document the various points from existing EU legislation and
international agreements concluded by Member States. It furthermore calls on those Member
States who have not yet ratified the Palermo Protocol to fight organised trans-national crime and
trafficking in human beings.
During the debate, different speakers from the Group expressed the same opinions, stressing the
need for the EU and the USA to get rid of ideological trash that has dominated relations in the
last few years. There are healthy long-term economic prospects if both sides work together as the
transatlantic relations are inscribed in the genetic code of the European Union and for Europeans,
there is no alternative in the field of security. This does not mean that the EU must sign a blank
cheque. It should continue to address its principles against the death penalty, the effects of US
extraterritorial laws and stand in favour of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.
Cheaper and easier cashless payments
By Per Heister
French MEP Jean-Paul Gauzès has been the driving force in the European Parliament to promote
a single European Payment area clarifying the rules and regulations for cashless payments which
will enable companies to provide cheap methods of payments and easier access to cross-border
bargains for customers.
The new common European rules of how to handle payments include regulations on how
companies should inform customers and how fast the payments have to be executed so as to make
payments efficient and safe.
«We are looking at a harmonisation of payments that are today strictly national. The new regulation
is directed not only at cross-border transactions which are only 5% of all transactions, but all
payments made within the European Union», underlined Jean-Paul Gauzès.
Reliability for customers is important for new and better methods of cashless payments to
expand.
2007
Equality of rights, the key for more protection for women and children and sustainable development
of the labour market
By Delia Vlase
2007
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By approving the Gauzès report and his successful negotiations with the Council, the European
Parliament has opened the door to future development. Now there is a level playing field. Let the
competition for the best and most efficient cashless payments begin!
Maritime safety: Parliament adopts tough measures
By Thomas Bickl
In the aftermath of the oil tanker accidents ‘Erika’ in 1999 and the ‘Prestige’ in 2002, safety at sea
has become a priority for all European citizens. To improve maritime safety, current EU legislation
is being enhanced and enforced. This week, the European Parliament debated and endorsed a
package of new measures.
Oil tanker accidents often cause pollution of the waters and the coastline. Sea animals are killed
and sections of landscape are destroyed for decades. Passenger ships risk causing catastrophes
and many casualties if they do not meet up-to-date safety standards.
A report by EPP-ED Member Dominique Vlasto (F) tightens the surveillance of ships. This is
done in two ways. Firstly, all EU countries with ports have to carry out on-board inspections of
ships. Secondly, higher risk ships should be particularly targeted. These are identified through
risk-profiles.
Speaking in the plenary, Mrs Vlasto said: «This directive, on which we have worked since 2001, has
allowed us to impose on the Member States the obligation to inspect a quarter of ships in stopover
at their ports. We have to ensure that these inspections target the most dangerous vessels. I would
like us to be clear: we want shipping companies to respect European regulations, because today
some of them are too negligent.»
Three key principles will underlay the next budgetary procedure: result-driven, efficient use of
human resources and better quality and comparability of financial programming. «An appropriate
funding should be secured for addressing the challenges such as climate change and energy
needs», said Richard Ashworth (UK) EPP-ED Spokesman for the EU Budget 2008.
The report adopted on Tuesday blueprints the Parliament’s views on the political priorities required
when elaborating the EU Budget 2008. Firstly, the EU budget should be result-driven with clear
objectives and accurate implementation. Secondly, human resources should be used efficiently.
Thirdly, the Parliament calls for a better quality and comparability of financial programming with
special concern for the limited margins and the method of ‘back-loading’ of certain programmes.
The EPP-ED Group proposed to keep the focus on the Lisbon Agenda and specifically on growth,
jobs and competitiveness.
Given the limited funds available, it is crucial that all the money is spent efficiently. To that end, the
EPP-ED Group aims at reinforcing the value for money approach from last year. The same principle
should apply to the allocation of the administrative resources. This is why the Group welcomes the
Commission’s screening exercise of its personnel needs, due on 30 April.
On specific issues, the EPP-ED Group called for the Commission to assure the total financial
envelope agreed for the Trans-European Networks. The Parliament expressed a firm view that the
increase in funding for the four transport-related EU agencies, should avoid any reduction in TENs
financial programmes.
Last, but not least, the Group is extremely concerned about the expansion in the number of the
EU executive agencies. Any further growth in these bodies may increase the administrative costs
and reduce the operational funds available for EU programmes. For this reason, our members will
assure a close monitoring of this issue.
Counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property to be penalised
By Gunnar Larsson
Tough new measures to fight counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property have been adopted
by the European Parliament, a move encouraged by EPP-ED Spokesman Hans-Peter Mayer (DE),
Member of the Committee on Legal Affairs.
The actual bodies that carry out inspections, checking and certifying ships, are covered by the report
of EPP-ED Member Luis de Grandes Pascual (ES). His report strengthens the control systems of
these ‘recognised organisations’. The common EU standards for recognition are streamlined and
simplified. This will end the current confusing system of different levels of recognition.
This growing illegal industry is a cause of concern to European businesses as well as consumers.
Counterfeiting and pirating can be a very lucrative business, but there are losers; those honest
producers of the original products being copied. To the European economy, the effects of the trade
are devastating, with loss of jobs and economic growth.
He said: «An evaluation carried out by the Commission for over the past 6 months has detected
that serious deficiencies continue in the inspection process and certification of the safety of
the world fleet. To cope with this problem, it is our duty to enhance the performance of the
certifications companies».
To the consumer, a counterfeited product may be cheaper than the original, but there are obvious
health and safety risks. Not to mention the lack of guarantees regarding quality in general. It is
quite impossible for the consumer to know what a simple bar of soap or a bottle of shampoo really
contains and there is no way of telling whether electronic equipment is safe to use. And there is
nowhere to turn with complaints.
Counterfeiting and pirating is booming with the possibilities supplied to the trade by the Internet.
Organised crime has not been slow in taking advantage of the situation and with limited risk of
legal penalties. New measures, including criminal penalties, will hopefully deliver a blow to the
counterfeiters and enforce intellectual property rights.
2007
Governments have been slow in finding a compromise but as the Ecofin Council in March reached
an agreement, the EP and the Council have now been able to finalise the directive at first reading.
The directive will enter into force soon but as national laws have to be adjusted, it may take a
couple of years until consumers reap the full benefits of the new regulation.
Budget 2008 to focus on growth, jobs, climate change and energy
By Zaneta Vegnere
2007
Notes and coins will still be around but new methods of payments will handle more of everyday
business. Credit cards and payment cards are in common use. Nowadays you can even use
your telephone for much more than calling friends. Payment of parking fees and bus tickets by
sms already exists. The use of mobile phones will expand making mobile operators more like
financial institutions over time. The directive sets out requirements and authorisation for such
institutions.
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«I would like to stress that our intention is not to criminalise the citizens of the European Union.
We want to penalise organised crime and professional counterfeiters», Mayer said. He also said
Member States are free to tighten the new European guidelines.
Coveney holds EU to account in his Human Rights report
By Majella O Doherty
The annual report on human rights in the world is the most important political statement that the
European Parliament makes on the issue, Irish MEP Simon Coveney said in Strasbourg.
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Parliament has approved the current progress report on Croatia with a clear majority during the
European Parliament’s April plenary session. Bernd Posselt warmly welcomed the outcome of the
vote: “Zagreb already fulfils all entry criteria without any restrictions. In addition, a brisk entry of
Croatia to the European Union is a question of historical justice». The EPP-ED Group therefore
strongly supports Croatia’s efforts to do its utmost to carry out the necessary reforms so that the
negotiations can be concluded in time for the European Parliament to give its assent before the
next European elections in June 2009.
Furthermore, Posselt pointed out that Croatia has always formed an historical-cultural bond with
EU members such as Hungary and Slovenia: “Unfortunately, Croatia’s entry was already prevented
in 2004 by the fact that only years before, a third of its territory was occupied by a neighbouring
state. But today Croatia is on the way to the European Union and may therefore not be stopped
anymore by artificial obstacles, which were not applicable to other candidate countries before».
The rapporteur stressed that critical points may not be neglected either. However, Croatia must not
be subject to a general uneasiness over enlargement as such. Nevertheless, the European Union
must also do its homework and provide for sufficient EU absorption capacities, in particular as
far as the Constitutional Treaty is concerned. Besides, it is a fact that Croatia, with its 4.5 million
inhabitants will not exceed the integration capacities of the European Union.
Galileo: Europe’s navigation system
By György Hölvényi
More and more often, it will become necessary to ascertain one’s precise position in space and
time in a reliable manner. This will be possible with the Galileo satellite radio navigation system, an
initiative launched by the European Union and the European Space Agency. This worldwide system
will ensure complementarity with the current GPS system.
Etelka Barsi-Pataky (HU) reported on the debate regarding the Commission Statement on Galileo.
She pointed out that just like the Airbus, Galileo is not European enough and rather it is managed
by the interest of Member States. However the Commission, the Council and the Parliament are
all agreed that these mistakes could still be corrected.
Parliament brought the attention of both the Commission and the Council to the unsolved
problems. Barsi-Pataky emphasised that the European Parliament will definitely support even the
most difficult issues, if these are transparent and also respect deadlines. She also mentioned that
the schedule and financial plan need to be elaborated urgently. «We are expecting better public
governance, clear political statements and responsibility. We want to have a clear reply on financial
commitment.»
«The European Parliament voted for a budget of €1bn for the programme, spread over 7 years.
This amount will be available from January, however it is important to know how we will spend it»,
concluded Barsi-Pataky.
«This year’s report focuses on the EU’s role in the new UN body dealing with human rights the
UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). It is strongly critical of the politicisation of the UNHRC, its
performance in general, and the capacity of EU countries to build alliances and consensus on key
issues such as the Middle East, Darfur and Burma», he said.
The report expresses its disappointment at the weakness of the UNHRC Resolution on Darfur. The
cessation of the spread of violence and the protection of the people of Darfur must now be the
highest priority for the UNHRC.
The key area of the report deals with how the EU is performing in relation to the human rights
guidelines that it has set for itself; there are five EU policy guidelines that Europe must promote.
The guidelines deal with the issues of: the death penalty; torture; children and armed conflict;
human rights defenders and dialogues with third countries.
The report also emphasises the need to strengthen and improve the EU-China human rights
dialogue considerably. It welcomes resolutions passed by Parliament calling for the closure of the
Guantanamo Bay detention centre, and the contributions that Parliament has made to raising the
profile of human rights concerns with that centre.
Tough EPP-ED Group Resolution on Zimbabwe adopted
By Peter Wilding
A tough resolution on Zimbabwe was adopted by the European Parliament, prompted by EPPED Group MEP Geoffrey Van Orden (UK), who leads the Parliament’s opposition to the Mugabe
regime. The action follows the brutal suppression of public meetings in Zimbabwe last month and
the arrest and brutal treatment of many opposition leaders and activists.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), which includes 14 governments in
southern Africa, has finally recognised that a crisis exists in Zimbabwe. This is a very significant
development. It is further evidence that opinion across Africa is shifting. Mugabe is now seen by
his peers as a dictator who has selfishly abused his own people and whose actions threaten wider
economic development across the continent.
«Mugabe went into the recent SADC Summit expecting endorsement of his policies but instead
left with a flea in his ear and the appointment of South African President Mbeki as ‘facilitator’ of
dialogue between the ruling ZANU-PF and the opposition.
«President Mbeki’s task will be to create conditions for the Zimbabwean people, without fear, to
elect a President and government of their choice next year. For a start this means ending political
oppression, empowering the Electoral Commission and ensuring that the electoral mechanics are
wholly transparent - for example, with proper control of ballot papers.»
All EU countries should rigorously apply the travel ban and other restrictive measures and the
sanctions targeted against the regime should be widened and tightened. Zimbabwe should be put
on the agenda of the UN Security Council and excluded from international sporting events such as
the run-up to the 2010 football World Cup in South Africa.
2007
«Croatia already fulfils all the criteria for EU accession», said Bernd Posselt (D), EPP-ED Group
Spokesman on the issue, speaking in the European Parliament’s plenary session.
Coveney, who is author of the Parliament’s report on human rights for the second time in three
years, described the report as a constructive, critical analysis of the performance of the Council,
Commission and Parliament in promoting and defending human rights across the globe.
2007
EP in favour of Croatia’s quick accession to the Union
By Knut Goelz and Lada Jurica
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Member States are entitled to limit the increase of tonnage of their ships in order to improve
the working conditions and hygiene on the ship and also the quality of the products and most
importantly to preserve the sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources.
2007
The majority of the European Parliament adopted the report of Ioannis Gklavakis MEP (GR) on
the proposal for a Council Regulation amending the basic Regulation on the conservation and
sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy.
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The MEPs accepted Mr Gklavakis’ proposal on reusing the 10% of the tonnage that has been
withdrawn with public aid in order to cover the modernisation of the fishing vessels. This
percentage will be given to small-scale coastal fishing vessels with an overall length of less than
12 metres, since this sector has been badly affected by the change in fishing conditions and its
viability is uncertain. The initial Council proposal foresaw the possibility of reusing 4% of the
tonnage withdrawn.
Another topic under discussion was the replacement of the machines of ships of 12 metres in
length with public aid. Mr Gklavakis expressed his concern for the Commission’s proposal for
vessels longer than 12 metres to reduce their power to 20%. The rapporteur believes that this
reduction in power jeopardises the safety for vessels and crew, for example in case of extreme
weather conditions.
May 2007
Roam when in Rome - as roaming prices tumble
By Philipp Schulmeister
Most of us have experienced the nasty shock of getting one’s mobile phone bill after the holidays.
This summer, things could be different. Costs of mobile phone calls made abroad will drop by as
much as sixty percent - thanks to EPP-ED Member Paul Rübig (A).
The European Parliament adopted, with a large majority, the compromise package on the Roaming
Regulation. As Parliament’s chief negotiator, the Austrian MEP pushed through the best possible
deal for European consumers: «Prices are falling, better information on costs is secured and all
consumers can decide for themselves which tariff they want. Now millions of consumers are
waiting for these improvements to become a reality very soon.»
After difficult negotiations, Parliament and Council both agreed to lowering roaming costs over the
next three years. Consumer prices for active roaming calls shall not exceed €0.49 per minute in the
first year, €0.46 in the second and €0.43 in the third year. The price caps for passive, i.e. received,
roaming calls shall be set at €0.24 in the first year, €0.22 in the second and €0.19 in the third year.
During the first two months, mobile phone consumers can choose freely if they wish to change to
the new roaming tariffs their operators have to offer them. Consumers will also be better informed
on roaming costs every time they switch to a cross-border network.
Of high importance for Rübig are the new rules ensuring more transparency and better consumer
information: when crossing the border or switching to a foreign network, consumers will
automatically receive an SMS with all the necessary information on the roaming prices in this
network. Consumers will also get access to a free-phone number where they can obtain more
detailed additional information. «All in all, the EPP-ED Group has successfully pushed for and
secured the best possible deals for mobile phone consumers all over the EU. Now worry-free calls
home truly have become a reality», concluded Rübig.
Growing consensus on future of the European Union
By Eduard Slootweg
The European Parliament opened a series of debates on the future of Europe, starting with the
Italian Prime Minister, Romano Prodi, and the Dutch Prime Minister, Jan Peter Balkenende.
The debates were held to overcome the current deadlock in the ratification process of the new
Treaty governing the EU. After the French and Dutch rejection, all 27 Member States must
compromise swiftly on a new text in order to have a new Treaty up and running before the next
European elections in 2009.
Joseph Daul (F), Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, said institutional reforms have to be achieved
rapidly and in a constructive spirit: «The EU will only be successful in fulfilling the need for
institutional reform if everyone stops stalling the whole process because of wording and language
problems. We now need to focus on the essential points. They are: double majority voting,
extended majority voting, the subsidiarity principle and the sharing of competences between
the EU and Member States, a stable Presidency for the EU, a common representative on the
international scene and also the Charter of Fundamental Rights.»
According to Daul, the draft Treaty, which was adopted in 18 EU Member States, did largely contain
the right answers to many of the problems and issues of discontent among European citizens. He
said that Europe should take onboard the best parts of this Treaty, the essential elements of parts
2007
The EP approves sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources
By Theo Georgitsopoulos
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Double budget for fight against violence
By Delia Vlase
The Italian Prime Minister said in his speech that to overcome the constitutional impasse is the
EU’s top priority. The Dutch Prime Minister said that 75% of the Dutch people continue to support
EU membership despite the negative outcome of the referendum on the Treaty. People voted
against the Treaty out of fear of creating a European super state. This is why he wants more robust
subsidiarity in a new Treaty, with an important role for national parliaments.
The report on the Daphne III Programme was approved on Tuesday by the vast majority of the
European Parliament. The programme’s aim is to combat and prevent violence against women,
children and young persons and also to protect the victims who belong to these sensitive social
groups.
Trans-European networks can finally get going
By Zaneta Vegnere
The European Parliament gave the green light to a regulation laying down general rules for the
access to Community funds assigned for trans-European transport and energy networks. The vote
was in line with the compromise forged by Mario Mauro (I), Vice-President of the EP and the TENs
rapporteur, who led difficult negotiations with the Council. The approval of the legal base is the key
condition for releasing a reserve of €8.17bn on this budget line.
«The European Parliament has taken a crucial step towards a truly united Europe. With the TENs
Regulation adopted, the funding of €8.17bn could be shortly released from the reserve and invested
in development of the transport and energy infrastructure all over the European Union», Mario
Mauro said.
The EPP-ED Group fought hard for higher European co-financing levels. The Regulation foresees
a 20% co-financing for transport projects, 30% for cross-border projects and the 30 EU priority
projects, 10% for energy development proposals and 50% for studies.
The Regulation opens an opportunity for public-private partnership. The European Investment
Bank will offer new instruments to facilitate the development of investment projects. For example,
the Bank will be proposing loan guarantees and so-called availability payment schemes which will
offer financing to infrastructure projects built and operated by private investors.
The Parliament also achieved that the delayed projects be cancelled after four years instead of two
years as initially proposed. This gives more time and security to the investors.
Common Foreign and Security Policy report approved
By Knut Goelz
Parliament has approved the report of Elmar Brok (D) on the Common Foreign and Security Policy
(CFSP) in 2005 with a clear majority. The annual report stressed the largely positive cooperation
with the Commission and the Council in this field: «Today, the European Union fulfils a growing
number of tasks that could not be foreseen only a few years ago.»
The rapporteur also emphasised the fact that the European Union is now able, for the first time
ever, to convince countries such as the US of its specific strategy to combine prevention, civil
crisis management and military abilities. However, at the same time the question arises whether
the European Union is actually able to comply with increasing challenges: «Full implementation of
the Constitutional Treaty would therefore be of the utmost importance especially in the field of the
Common Foreign and Security Policy to make it more efficient and coherent than before.»
Europe should succeed in activating its potential to remain on an equal footing with the United
States. However, it may remain successful only if it acts together at Community level with each
European state being free to make its own decisions, no matter how large its neighbour may be.
The financing of this new programme is spectacularly higher than the previous programmes
(€116.85m compared to €50m). The aim is to consolidate freedom, safety and justice within the
European space and to confront phenomena, like violence and white slavery, which after the
enlargement of the EU are more common.
«The wide financing will add value to the action of previous successful DAPHNE Programmes, but
also in other initiatives of Member States for the prevention of violent behaviour and the support
of the victims», said the shadow rapporteur, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou (GR).
The DAPHNE III Programme is the continuation of the successful DAPHNE I and DAPHNE II
Programmes which began in 1997 and 2000 respectively. Most of its programmes contributed
to the modification of national legislation, encouraged the role of NGOs and the collaboration
between all the interested parties such as the citizens and the national and local authorities.
MEPs want DAPHNE to support a «European Year against Violence against Women». They are
also calling for a help desk service for NGOs and other organisations to be continued, and for the
establishment of a think-tank to provide guidelines for the European Commission on the social,
cultural and political context for the selection of projects.
Development co-operation
By Lada Jurica
«Economic Partnership Agreements have an essential role to play as instruments for development
and, appropriately designed, they represent an opportunity to revitalise ACP-EU relations, promote
economic diversification and regional integration, and reduce poverty in ACP countries», said
Robert Sturdy (UK), EPP-ED Group spokesperson on the International Trade Committee, ahead of
Wednesday’s adoption in the plenary of his report on Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).
The existing trade relationship between the EU and the ACP (African, Pacific and Caribbean)
countries, based on the Cotonou Agreement (in force since 2002), gives the ACP countries
preferential access to EU markets. As these rules no longer comply with those of the WTO, they
must be replaced by the end of 2007. The establishment of EPAs has been proposed which regard
trade as an instrument for development that contributes to increased economic growth.
The report resonates the crucial importance of EPAs and the advantages of opening up to trade for
the economic and sustainable development of the ACP countries. «A number of recommendations
have been made - simplified, liberalised and more flexible rules of origin; full duty free, quota free
market access for the ACP countries; workable safeguards, dispute settlements and monitoring
mechanisms with transparent provisions and a real power to act in the event of changes caused by
EPAs having a harmful effect on sectors of ACP economies.»
A genuine regional market represents an essential basis for the success of EPAs. The pacing,
timing and scope of liberalisation should be gradual, with an increased reciprocity of market
opening between the EU and the ACP countries. Improved facilities for trade, technical assistance
and to help ACP producers must offset losses from tariff revenues and help ACP countries take
advantage of market access. The EU must ensure that more support is given to projects which will
boost ACP competitiveness and growth, simplify the bureaucratic burden and improve training in
the ACP countries, in order to maximise the use of the existing resources.
2007
I and II. At the same time, he recalled that Europe must learn the lesson from the referenda in the
Netherlands and France, because they conveyed a message of genuine distress. This could be the
solution to overcome the current deadlock.
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The plenary session of the European Parliament approved, with a large majority, the report of Greek
MEP Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou on promoting decent work for all.
The main objective of the report is to express the opinion of the European Parliament on the
Commission Communication on ‘Promoting decent work for all - the EU contribution to the
implementation of the decent work agenda in the world’. Apart from the core labour standards, the
agenda includes the promotion of creating new jobs, guaranteeing social rights at work, including
the conditions of health and safety at work, extending social protection, promoting social dialogue
and conflict resolution on the basis of information and consultation.
Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou pointed out that «human dignity is a basic value which every
economic and development policy should promote at national, European and global level». The
productive and full employment under conditions of guaranteeing equal pay and social protection
as well as the promotion of social dialogue under conditions of good governance where there is
no corruption, should be an integral part of the internal policies of the Member States and the
trade and development policies of the EU. The achievement of the above objectives will depend
on a roadmap engraved by all European Institutions and the social partners taking into account
the need to ensure fair competition for all to establish a social dimension of globalisation and
contribute to its transformation into an opportunity of a global well-being.
EU solidarity to Estonia
By Kaja Sorg
On the debate on the situation in Estonia in the Strasbourg plenary, the European Commission
condemned the siege of the Estonian Embassy in Moscow and the cyber attacks on Estonia by
Russia.
The debate was opened by Tunne Kelam (ET). Kelam welcomed the Commission’s position on
making clear that Poland and Estonia are as important as Germany and Portugal. «It is clear that
we have to make Russia understand what solidarity and common values mean. Estonia is a test
case for the solidarity of the EU», Kelam said.
EPP-ED Member Christopher Beazley (UK) said that the decision by the Estonian Government to
relocate the Soviet war memorial was without any doubt Estonia’s internal matter, but the dispute
is now not between Estonia and Russia, but between the EU and Russia.
Condemning the cyber attacks on Estonia, Beazley said that it is not possible to continue
negotiations concerning Russia’s membership question in the WTO with a country that is involved
in cyber attacks.
Charles Tannock (UK) said Russia does not acknowledge the new geopolitical reality and does not
respect the sovereignty of the Baltic States.
The Resolution on Estonia, initiated by the EPP-ED Group, was adopted on 24 May in the
Strasbourg plenary.
«The loss of biodiversity is on a par with climate change as a major environmental threat to our
world», said EPP-ED shadow rapporteur Avril Doyle (IE), welcoming the European Parliament’s
adoption of a report, including all her amendments, on ‘Halting the Loss of Biodiversity by 2010’.
This report emphasises that biodiversity is important not just for the environment in itself, but
also for the valuable ‘ecosystem services’ which natural systems provide, such as production of
food, fuel, fibre and medicines, and regulation of water, air and climate. Estimates suggest that the
monetary value of these services is in the order of hundreds of billions of Euros per year.
A host of factors have contributed to the rapid decline of biodiversity across Europe in recent years,
including land use change and development, climate change, the spread of invasive alien species,
and over-exploitation of land and resources.
Europe’s ecosystems have suffered more damage than those of any other continent. For example,
only 1-3% of Western Europe’s forests can be classed as ‘undisturbed by humans’; since the 1950s,
Europe has lost more than half of its wetlands and most high-nature-value farmland; and many of
the EU’s marine ecosystems are degraded. At the species level, 42% of Europe’s native mammals,
43% of birds and 52% of freshwater fish are threatened with extinction while most major marine
fish stocks are below safe biological limits.
Mrs Doyle pointed out that political will in implementing the proposed Action Plan, and active
participation and commitment from all stakeholders, especially the industrial and agriculture
sectors, and the Member States themselves, will be essential to reverse the current trend.
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Decent work for all promoted by the EP
Preserving biodiversity: 42% of Europe’s mammals face extinction
By Majella O Doherty
The report also calls for the creation of a Parliamentary Oversight Committee on EPAs within the
EU-ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly to publicly monitor and review the trade and development
impact of EPA implementation.
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Broadband gives unique opportunity
By Gunnar Larsson
Minimum standards for supplementary pension rights
By Eduard Slootweg
‘Europe at the forefront in the development of e-health, e-learning, e-government, e-trade and emedicine’. This was the objective of Gunnar Hökmark (SE), Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
and Member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, in his report on building a
European policy on broadband.
The European Parliament has adopted with a large majority draft legislation concerning
supplementary pension rights. There are huge inconsistencies across the EU as regards pension
legislation, a situation which can create injustices as well as deterring workers from moving to
new jobs, especially in other countries. This is why EU legislation is needed to tackle the problem.
Rapporteur Ria Oomen-Ruijten MEP is very pleased with the result of the vote.
Hökmark’s proposals will give the EU a modern strategy for the deployment of broadband,
rewarding innovation, new technology and the supply of e-services available to European citizens.
With hundreds of millions of Europeans having access to broadband, Europe will have a globally
unique critical mass of broadband users.
Oomen-Ruijten commented: «Many people nowadays do not wish to rely on the basic state
pension but contribute to supplementary or occupational pension schemes as well. Today, one out
of ten workers has a supplementary pension. But people do change jobs more frequently than in
the past but nobody will apply for a job in another Member State as it endangers their pension. It
is vitally important to make good arrangements for voluntary supplementary pension schemes if
you want to stimulate the cross-border mobility of workers.»
On the problem of dormant pensions, Oomen-Ruijten said: «Dormant pensions are pensions
where workers have left a job, and hence the pension scheme, but leave their contributions in, and
then later claim a pension. We want Member States to make their own arrangements, but in the
end they must guarantee that the rights of those ‘sleepers’ do not disappear and that they keep
growing until the moment of payment. Furthermore, the participants in those pension schemes
should be better informed about their rights and the development of their portfolio.»
Oomen-Ruijten concluded: «We will start negotiations with the Council as soon as possible. The
aim is to reach an agreement in the very near future.»
Parliament approves admission of Malta and Cyprus to the Eurozone
By Knut Goelz
The plenary of the European Parliament has overwhelmingly welcomed the accession of Malta and
Cyprus to the Eurozone by 1 January 2008. At the same time, it also voted in favour of a Resolution
demanding a better and more timely participation of the European Parliament in future admission
procedures to the Eurozone. This should be guaranteed by the conclusion of an Inter-Institutional
agreement with the Commission and the Council by the end of 2007. «Parliament has clearly
expressed that Cyprus and Malta are converging in all the relevant areas to the Eurozone. Thus it
is guaranteed that the success story of the Euro as a stable world currency, besides the US Dollar,
will continue», explained the EP rapporteur Werner Langen MEP (D).
However, Langen sharply criticised EU Commissioner Almunia’s plenary speech stating that the
Commission has correctly applied all the necessary procedures. According to the EU Treaty, Parliament
must be consulted in a timely and appropriate manner: «This has not been the case, neither with Cyprus
nor with Malta. Parliament will therefore stop future admission procedures for at least two months if the
Commission does not improve its procedures. The Commission must also ensure that the statistical
data provided by applicant States are correct and that they fulfil all formal criteria», stressed Langen.
In the two reports, Parliament also noted that neither Malta nor Cyprus had completely fulfilled
their statistical duties to supply sufficient information and data. Furthermore, it was considered
to be inappropriate that the Commission had already given a positive recommendation for the
inclusion of Malta into the Eurozone, despite the fact that a deficit procedure against Malta
was still open at the time. The plenary therefore demanded that such deficits be excluded in the
upcoming application procedure by the conclusion of the Inter-Institutional Agreement.
«I think that the development of broadband is a unique opportunity above all for the European
Union, because it combines growth, and opportunities for growth, with the cohesion of different
regions. It binds people and regions together at the same time as giving new opportunities for
growth and new jobs», Gunnar Hökmark said.
«There are some important points of departure that must be based on the fact that the value of
broadband depends on the number of users. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance for us to get
people all over the Union connected as soon as possible», he continued.
To speed up the development and deployment of broadband in Europe, it is important to create
stable rules and institutions, allowing for new entrepreneurs, new ideas and new technologies. The
more competition there is, the faster the markets act. «It is important not to distort competition
but to open up more competition in this area», Hökmark said.
For the use of EU funding, Hökmark has set two preconditions; there should be a level playing field
where EU funds come into play and funding should only be used in such a way that it will increase
technology, not only deployment. «We need to have neutrality between different technologies,
different operators, different content providers and different services. If we do that, we can make
full use of this technology,» Hökmark concluded.
Remove barriers to online shopping
By Marek Hannibal
The increase in the use of the internet in cross-border transactions, consumer confidence in
using online shopping, preventing the artificial fragmentation of the internal market in the digital
environment - these are the main points of the report by Zuzana Roithová MEP (CZ), ViceChairwoman of the Committee for the Internal Market and Consumer Protection. According to
the survey carried out by Eurobarometer, only one quarter of citizens use online services and only
6 percent of citizens have made cross-border purchases through the internet. These figures show
that there is a big potential to increase the use of the internet. The current legal framework is not
providing the necessary protection of consumers, partly due to the lack of information on the
consumer’s side.
EU legislation, as well as Member States’ legislation, does not reflect the rapid development of new
technologies and the challenges impacting the services. The European Parliament proposes the
creation of the European Trustmark which would guarantee the high level of quality of consumer
rights in cross-border co-operations. The European Parliament aims to encourage consumers
not to be afraid of online shopping. The report proposes several tools which might help increase
confidence in the digital sphere, i.e. the European warning system. Customers should have the
option of reporting any fraudulent activities so as to warn others.
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The European Parliament has called for the strengthening of trade relations between the EU
and Russia. MEPs would like to see Russia included in the multilateral trade negotiations and to
improve on the rule of law and democracy. «These standards have to develop. I feel that change
through inclusion in an international trade scheme is the right way forward», said European
Parliament Rapporteur Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl (D).
MEPs are calling for Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). They see potential
benefits for the European Union. «A multilateral inclusion secures the enforcement of technical
and trade standards and provides for a stable export market», said the German MEP.
The ratification of the International Energy Charter is of great importance to the European
Parliament. The Resolution considers the security of energy supply to be the main aspect. If Russia
was not inclined to sign the Charter in the immediate future, the fundamental principles of the
Charter should be implemented in the new EU-Russia agreement. «Negotiations should start
soon. Russia should be aware that stable trade relations are subject to the mutual respect for and
implementation of democracy and the rule of law», the Quisthoudt-Rowohl said.
Better quality for common asylum system: Greater solidarity needed
By Philipp Schulmeister
A broad majority of all political groups endorsed the report of Austrian EPP-ED Member Hubert
Pirker on the Common European Asylum System, dealing with practical cooperation and decisionmaking in the common European Asylum system.
Pirker stressed the need to develop a proactive common EU asylum policy, thus providing for better
quality decisions in asylum proceedings. Among his concrete proposals adopted by the plenary,
Pirker calls especially for a single procedure in all EU states to ensure that refugee status can be
granted as quickly as possible to all those who are entitled to it.
Other proposals entail the setting-up of a list of secure third countries as well as the establishment
of a database containing up-to-date information on the political situation in the countries of origin.
The report also calls for decent living conditions for persons who have been granted refugee status
or humanitarian protection to foster effective integration into the social and political life of the host
community. Of high importance for the rapporteur is the need for information campaigns to be
carried out in countries of origin, with a view to making clear to potential migrants both the risks
inherent in illegal immigration and the consequences of denial of refugee status.
In terms of sharing the burden, Mr Pirker said that this should only involve «contributions to a fully
functional observation of borders, by distributing resources such as ships, helicopters, night vision
devices or financial aid. Distributing illegal immigrants to different EU countries will not solve the
problem. On the contrary, such measures will only incite further human trafficking.»
The plenary of the European Parliament has followed a recommendation by the Budgets
Committee and adopted a Resolution on the further financing of the EU satellite navigation system
Galileo. Reimer Böge MEP (D), Chairman of the EP Budgets Committee, welcomed Parliament’s
demand to publicly finance Galileo from European funds: «National financing would have excluded
Parliament from the further decision process. However, as the originally-intended public-private
mixed financing of Galileo has already failed, we cannot afford additional time losses.»
Böge conceded that this decision would require a revision of the current financial perspective.
This revision will be limited strictly to Galileo as an exceptional and important project of European
added value. The German MEP pointed out that funds already foreseen for Galileo in the financial
perspective cannot be released at the moment because the Council has not finished its mandatory
first reading on the budget planning for Galileo. This affects €100m for 2007 and €150m for 2008.
Consequently, funds amounting to €1 billion for Galileo are presently blocked.
The plenary therefore intended to send a positive signal both to the Commission and the Council
to come forward with concrete proposals on how the current deadlock of the Galileo project can be
broken. Parliament therefore expects the Commission to continue with Galileo as soon as possible.
«The European Parliament has done its homework with regard to financing Galileo. Now the
Council and the Commission have to deliver their share of the work», Böge concluded.
Better conciliation of family life and a period of studies or training.
A large majority of the European Parliament approved the report of Marie PanayotopoulosCassiotou MEP (GR) entitled «Towards a regulatory framework for measures to reconcile family
life and a period of studies for young women in the EU».
The report contains several recommendations which aim to enable young people to conciliate their
period of studies or training with family responsibilities, either maternity or paternity leave or in
situations of care for dependent persons such as disabled or elderly people. It also stresses the fact
that the later achievement of the different stages of life (studies, work and family) is responsible,
amongst others, for Europe’s demographic decline.
Mrs Panayotopoulos’ report encourages the Commission and the Member States to promote
policies for the conciliation of a period of studies or training and family life and to provide
interested young people with the resources that correspond to their needs. It invites Member
States to propose low cost social security schemes for students and trainees which could be
extended to their dependents as well as to facilitate the provision of bank loans for students and
to reduce or suppress the taxation of young people who take up family responsibilities in parallel
with their studies, training or professional activity.
The report also invites Member States and social partners to facilitate lifelong learning and its
conciliation with family and professional life. It calls for the suppression of all restrictions to
complementary paid work activities for students as long as the amounts received do not exceed the
threshold set by each Member State. Finally, it calls on Member States to examine whether family
responsibilities are a factor of abandonment of studies, especially for young women.
2007
EU-Russia trade relations
By Thomas Bickl
European Parliament demands public financing of Galileo
By Knut Gölz
2007
Rapporteur Zuzana Roithová opposes the artificial break-up of the market. It is not possible to
provide online services only in certain countries using IP addresses. The Internet has no borders
therefore acts like this should not be tolerated. Consumers should be familiar with the European
Charter of User’s Rights in the Information Society which will define their rights in a concise
manner. Similarly important is a call to the European Commission to ensure a real interoperability
of devices, services and content at least at the consumer (end-user) level. The European Parliament
calls upon the European Commission to take this into account and to present new draft legislation
- SMEs, consumers and the Internal Market will certainly benefit.
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The own-initiative report on MEDA and financial support to Palestine - evaluation, implementation
and control - has been adopted by the plenary of the European Parliament.
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Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (GR), EPP-ED author of the report, said after the vote: «The MEDA
Programme is a major financial instrument of the EU for the implementation of the EuroMediterranean partnership, supporting measures to accompany the reform of economic and
social structures in the Mediterranean partner countries. The management and implementation of
MEDA II (2000-2006) was clearly improving and funds (€5.35 billion) were disbursed faster then
under MEDA I.»
The report emphasises the importance of non-economic objectives of MEDA such as health,
gender equality, institution-building, human rights and democracy, underlining that economic aid
must promote social cohesion and sustainable development.
The report also focuses on MEDA assistance to Palestine and specifically to the Temporary
International Mechanism (TIM) for offering support directly to the Palestinian people thus
avoiding the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority.
«The already-complicated political, social and economic circumstances in the region have seriously
deteriorated because of the ongoing political crisis. Unfortunately, the generous financial support
from the EU through the TIM - though it is very welcomed by the Palestinian people - didn’t
compensate the tragic situation in Palestine. TIM however cannot continue for ever. We need to
work on strategies which cover not only urgent problems but will gradually reduce the reliance of
the Palestinian Authority on international aid», Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou said.
Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou also supported the immediate humanitarian aid directed at the Palestinians
in Gaza, as well as the newly-formed government, as announced by the European Commission.
July 2007
Intergovernmental Conference should stick to the agreement on the Reform Treaty
By Pedro López
The Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), starting at the end of July to clarify the contents of the
new Reform Treaty, should stick to the agreement reached at the last European Summit. Any step
back will mean that the EU has not turned the page of the institutional crisis.
The EPP-ED Group supports the IGC but warned that if any of the commitments agreed is not
respected, the new house will collapse. «What we are saying to the Intergovernmental Conference
is go ahead, but we will judge it by the results», said Iñigo Méndez de Vigo (E) on behalf of the
EPP-ED Group during the plenary debate to approve the launch of the IGC.
The Group, which will be represented at the IGC by Elmar Brok (D), will defend the essence of the
European Constitution project which was also reflected in the agreement of the European Council
on 22 June. «We want those contents to be present at the final agreement», Méndez de Vigo
underlined. The future Reform Treaty, due to be signed in Lisbon, should confirm that the European
Parliament will have the power to decide in 90% of EU legislation, a real increase in transparency
and democracy.
But the road to the final deal is still far away if the representatives of the IGC reproduce the mistrust
raised at the last European Summit. This is why the EPP-ED Group has called on all the Member
States to go in the same direction to get Europe out of the impasse. This also goes for those
political parties asking for new referenda to ratify the new Treaty. «Do not trust them, as they want
a referendum to vote no because what they really want is not only to destroy the government in
place but also to destroy Europe», Méndez de Vigo warned.
Joseph Daul urges Europe to keep its word
By Gunnar Larsson
«I welcome the determination of the new EU Presidency to follow in the footsteps of the German
Presidency. By capitalising on the dynamism created by Mrs Merkel, you will show, Mr Sócrates,
that the success of a presidency can only be created in an atmosphere of political will and a strategy
of ambitions, but also realistic converging priorities.»
This recommendation was given to the new Council Presidency by Joseph Daul (F), Chairman of
the EPP-ED Group, in a debate in plenary on the Portuguese priorities. He urged Member States
not to damage the compromise achieved by the successful German Presidency: «The political
agreement reached on 21-22 June integrates the essential parts of the previous text. To go back on
any of the commitments made would be like considering Europe as a house of cards, you remove
one and the whole house collapses.»
The launch of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) is of course one of the Portuguese
Presidency’s priorities. The decision has been made and the timeframe defined. In the debate, the
Portuguese Prime Minister revealed to MEPs that the Parliament will have three, instead of two,
representatives at the IGC.
Strengthening the area of freedom, security and justice is another of the Presidency’s priorities.
This includes combating terrorism. Joseph Daul underlined the necessity of closer co-operation in
this area, recalling terror attacks in London and elsewhere in Europe, and the recent end to the
ceasefire proclaimed by the Basque separatist movement ETA.
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MEDA and financial support to Palestine
By Eva Mitsopoulou
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Liberalisation of postal services
By Thomas Bickl
The market for postal services in Europe will soon be fully opened up. This week, the European
Parliament decided to do away with state monopolies for standard letters up to 50 grams. Plenary
endorsed a package negotiated by EP rapporteur Markus Ferber (DE).
National monopolies are to expire at the end of 2010. After that date, service providers can apply
for a licence for a regional or a national market. A number of service providers will then compete
for customers. To ensure fair competition up until the final opening date, Parliament insisted on
a provision that a postal company operating in a monopoly market should not receive a licence
elsewhere.
«Does liberalisation mean that post offices or post boxes in the country are going to disappear?
No, because the collection and delivery of letters even in remote areas can be guaranteed by every
Member State», said Markus Ferber.
Operators providing the so-called universal service can receive compensation for the additional
costs. Such compensation can be funded in two ways. The first option is a fund to which all service
providers in a respective area make a contribution. The second option is a state-fund. Whatever
model is chosen, it has to be signalled to the European Commission to ensure that the funding is
comparable and appropriate.
Parliament has expressed its concerns about social standards for the workforce and calls for service
providers to meet national labour law provisions. «I expect better and innovative services and new
market opportunities. Our package is a good basis for a timely agreement with Council in the
autumn», said the EPP-ED MEP.
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Common rules on enzymes and food additives
By Lasse Boehm
The European Parliament wants to introduce new Europe-wide rules on food additives and
enzymes. It voted for four new Regulations, thereby creating common EU rules for the use of
enzymes. Enzymes are normally used as additives in baking, brewing and cheese production as
well as in the production of alcohol and other beverages. According to EPP-ED Rapporteur Avril
Doyle (IE), the lack of existing EU legislation on enzymes has created a barrier to trade and has
led to a lack of legal certainty. It also contributed to differing standards for health and consumer
protection, since only three out of 27 EU Member States have their own risk assessment procedure
so far: the United Kingdom, France and Denmark. «A Regulation on food enzymes will therefore
improve the operation of the single market in this area and thus promote European innovation
and competitiveness while ensuring a high level of consumer and environmental protection»,
Doyle said.
In addition to food enzymes, the plenary approved a new system for the authorisation of food
additives. In the future, enzymes and colourings - as well as other additives - will have to be
authorised following an assessment of the European Food Safety Agency. The Europe-wide
authorisation will improve transparency as well as food safety for consumers. At the same time,
it brings together and simplifies a number of different Regulations, thus making it easier for
businesses to cope with the new rules. EPP-ED Shadow Rapporteur Horst Schnellhardt (DE)
emphasised the need for a quick authorisation procedure in order for businesses to have increased
planning certainty. At the same time, a common authorisation will add to better health standards
for consumers. Schnellhardt said: «Common health and consumer standards are a top priority. In
addition, producers benefit from more legal certainty and better marketing possibilities. If the new
system proves it is working, it could be an example for other markets worldwide».
Over €350m for health (2008-2013)
During its plenary session in Strasbourg, the European Parliament adopted the report by Antonios
Trakatellis (GR) on the second Programme for Community Action in the Field of Health 20082013, with a budget of €365.5m. The programme, which promises a lot in the sensitive field of the
prevention of major diseases, will come into force in January 2008, immediately after the end of the
first programme - for which Antonios Trakatellis was also the rapporteur - and will be completed
by the end of 2013.
The main objectives of the programme are the following:
> The contribution to reducing the frequency of appearance, morbidity and mortality of major
diseases (e.g. cancer, cardiovascular and neuropsychological diseases) and injuries.
> The protection of citizens against health threats like a flu pandemic and the epidemic of avian
influenza.
> The promotion of decisive health factors such as the right dietary habits and a smoke-free
environment, with the right socio-economic conditions that limit stress and promote a healthier
way of life.
> The improvement of efficiency and effectiveness of health systems and the promotion of better
medical practices.
> At the same time, special importance is attributed to the collection of data, as far as the
resistance of germs to antibiotics is concerned, to the effect of environmental factors on health
and to the increase of strategies for patient mobility.
> The programme gives the capacity to Member States to increase their own effectiveness on
health issues, while contributing to the convening and integration of the EU, not only in terms of
economics or external policy but also in the fields of education and health.
Solution for Kosovo may not be deferred eternally
By Knut Goelz
The European Parliament has held a joint debate with the Council and the Commission on the
future status of Kosovo. Doris Pack (D), Chairwoman of the EP’s Delegation to South-Eastern
Europe, and Bernd Posselt (D), Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, have criticised the slow
progress and demanded any further delaying of a solution for Kosovo.
It is still particularly worrying that nationalism has substantially poisoned ongoing discussions
about the future of Kosovo in Serbia. «If Serbia’s real concern was the quality of life for Serbs in
Kosovo and not the loss of a part of its territory, then Belgrade would have to agree to the Ahtisaari
Plan, because it allows Serbs in Kosovo a degree of self-determination about which other minorities
«I know how reluctant Member States are when it comes to co-operation in this area. But the
principle of every country for itself must be eliminated. Security of Europeans must remain
sovereign. In this context, the vacancy of the European Union’s anti-terrorism co-ordinator is
intolerable», said Daul.
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in the Balkans can only dream», said Doris Pack. «It is a fact that the US, nearly all EU Member
States and 75 percent of the European Parliament advocated an independent Kosovo according
to the standards set by the Ahtisaari Plan which must not be blocked any longer by Serb-Russian
nationalism», Bernd Posselt added.
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Renate Sommer (D) emphasised that despite the growing traffic jams and congestion, transport is
a key economic player. She argued for the constant review of European transport policy Regulations
and avoiding overregulation.
The Eurozone is doing well
By Eimear O’Mahony
«Economic recovery in the Eurozone has become a self-sustaining process, with domestic demand
acting as the main driver», said Gay Mitchell (IE) in Parliament, during the debate on his report,
which annually assesses the European Central Bank’s activity.
He noted that in 2006, two million jobs were created and unemployment dropped from 8.4%
to 7.6%. The inflation rate remained unchanged compared with 2005. Wage increases remained
moderate, despite increased energy prices beginning in 2005.
Interest rates in the Eurozone have been raised eight times since December 2005: «Against the
background of the recent recovery, any further rising of interest rates should be undertaken with
caution in order not to endanger economic growth», stressed Mitchell. He added: «Perhaps it
is time to develop an ECB Formula to help forecast the likely effect of interest rate increases on
house prices.»
Mr Mitchell emphasised that it was crucial that wages increase in line with developments in
productivity in order to preserve competitiveness in Member States, and also to allow for job
creation in a non-inflationary environment.
To improve the ECB’s transparency and accountability, Mr Mitchell proposed several measures,
including subjecting candidates for members of the ECB’s Executive Board to a vote of approval
by the European Parliament, and the publication of the minutes of the ECB’s Governing Council
meetings, with clear statements on why decisions are taken and whether or not they are adopted
unanimously.
Transport policy on the spot
The European Parliament has adopted Etelka Barsy-Pataky’s (HU) sustainable mobility report.
The report is a reaction to the midterm review of the European Commission’s White Paper on
transport policy.
In a debate preceding the vote, Barsy-Pataky stressed that transport as a service plays a crucial
role both in the economy and society and must not be separated from them. The adequate
infrastructure should be exploited and further aligned development and financing is necessary.
And finally, an expansive network development should be created, so that the increasing demand
for transportation is met. Following the midterm review, a constant renewal of European transport
policy which corresponds to new challenges is needed. Otherwise, congestion, environmental
issues and problems concerning social sustainability will cause a great barrier for the economic
growth and welfare of Europe.
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Furthermore, the two MEPs warned that the planned retreat of UNMIK without a clear Resolution
of the UN Security Council on Kosovo could lead to a hopeless situation. However, the Russian
demand for a solution «on good terms» between Serbs and Kosovo-Albanians was also deemed to
be unrealistic. «It is therefore indispensable to get a clear mandate from the UN Security Council
and to convince the Russian side of this necessity», Pack and Posselt concluded.
Dieter-Lebrecht Koch (D) commented on the need for a common Regulation on state and privatelyowned public transportation. The Commission’s report indicates a lot of work ahead in the areas
of security, environmental impact, investments and logistics.
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In a debate with the Portuguese Council Presidency in Strasbourg this week, the Chairman of
the EPP-ED Group, Joseph Daul MEP (F), was particularly critical of the fact that the EU Council
of Ministers was not able to replace Gijs de Vrijs, the man who was in charge of bringing these
measures together, since he resigned from his post several months ago.
Forest fires in Greece and other natural disasters
«We must make sure that our Member States work together more closely in the fight against
international terrorism. The resignation in March this year of the EU Anti-terrorism Co-ordinator,
Gijs de Vries, and the failure to appoint a successor shows just how much work remains to be
accomplished.»
An overwhelming majority of the European Parliament adopted all the EPP-ED Group’s proposals
in the common Resolution on natural disasters for the immediate compensation of the victims
of the recent forest fires in Greece. The EPP-ED Group was the first group to table proposals and
initiated the discussion on the forest fires in Greece.
According to the Resolution, the European Parliament asks the Commission to mobilise without
delay and in the most flexible manner the EU Solidarity Fund, avoiding time-consuming procedures
and administrative obstacles. The necessary resources for relieving and satisfying the needs of
victims and their relatives need to be made available not only by means of the EU Solidarity Fund
but also by any other Community Instrument or other financial means.
The EP also adopted the EPP-ED amendment which acknowledges that the scale and impact of
these phenomena frequently go beyond the regional and national level and call for an effective
European commitment as a matter of urgency. In this framework, the Parliament requests the
creation of a European Force that could immediately react in emergencies. It also invites the
Commission to look into the possibility of having pre-arranged access to a complementary capacity
to ensure a rapid response to major emergencies, which may be available from other sources,
including the commercial market.
Ioannis Varvitsiotis (GR), speaking on behalf of the EPP-ED Group, said in the plenary: «We also
propose the establishment of a special rapid reaction taskforce to cope with large-scale natural
disasters, and as I understood from the Commissioner’s speech, the European executive has
already conducted a study to this end. We propose that this force be complementarily composed
of fire fighting airplanes and be based in the countries with a high risk of forest fires. This taskforce
can be operational by 2008.»
It also deplores the fact that so many of these forest fires appear to have been started by acts of
arson, and is particularly concerned that criminal acts of arson are increasingly to blame for forest
fires in Europe. It therefore calls on Member States to strengthen penal sanctions for criminal
acts that damage the environment. The Resolution also predicts measures on reforestation policy,
prevention of natural disasters and the improvement of fire-fighting methods.
The fight against international terrorism
By Peter Adler
The EPP-ED Group took the initiative to organise a debate during the plenary session on a global
response that Europe and the United States have to bring to international terrorism. Its intention is
to remedy the lack of proper implementation measures taken by the Union since the 9/11 terrorist
attacks.
The threat of terrorism in Europe has been high on the agenda since the tragic attacks in Madrid
and London in 2004 and 2005. Fighting terrorists across the borders, however, is a difficult task,
where EU Member States need to collaborate closely in order to repel potential bomb plots and
attacks.
«We ask you, Mr President-in-Office, but also the EU Foreign Affairs Representative Solana and
Commission President Barroso to rapidly appoint a new European Mr or Mrs Anti-Terrorism with
adequate resources to do the job.»
In his speech, Mr Daul also stressed that the combat against international terrorism cannot be
won with a conventional army, since terrorists operate in decentralised, scattered units using highly
sophisticated technologies.
«Only if we are ready to pool strong intelligence and huge financial and human resources do we
have a hope against these networks. If we stand firm on our own values in guaranteeing the rule of
law and the concept of human and social life, can we cut short a terrorism which uses the methods
of the 21st century but is based on ideas from the darkest ages of humankind.»
After Parliament’s adoption of the Resolution, tabled on the initiative of the EPP-ED Group, it will
be up to the Member States, meeting in the Council, to appoint a new Anti-terrorism Co-ordinator
and to allocate the funds necessary to make progress in the combat against the threat from
international terrorism groups in Europe.
Are liquids in hand luggage on airplanes really dangerous?
By Thomas Bickl
The Regulation on Liquids in Hand Luggage is to be fully justified or abolished. The European
Parliament this week supported a demand of the EPP-ED Group.
«The Regulation has not produced any increase in security in the fight against terrorism. We want
to put an end to the delays at airports and the inconvenience to flight passengers», said Georg
Jarzembowski (D), EPP-ED Group Spokesperson for Transport.
The current hand luggage controls lead to considerable disruptions in air travel. Apart from the
delays and the inconvenience, passengers have to leave behind enormous amounts of liquids.
«Often it is precious goods passengers have to leave behind, such as perfume or whisky. At
airports in Germany, for example, goods worth €2m are confiscated every week», said the EPP-ED
Group Member.
The x-raying of the liquids provides no extra security. «The current x-ray devices are not able to
identify dangerous liquids or detect explosives», Jarzembowski said.
He made it clear that Parliament supports any security measures to prevent terrorist attacks. «We
call on the Member States and the Commission to increase their efforts. We need effective devices
to detect explosives in liquids», concluded Jarzembowski.
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Toubon said joining the fundamental strength of the Single Market with the commitment of
producers and consumers will form a decisive force for growth and employment, and a major
continental player to take the European social model into economic globalisation.
The European Parliament has backed the European Commission’s action plan to reduce unnecessary
and disproportionate administrative burdens by 25% in 2012.
The Report was applauded as a fresh boost for the continued campaign on a European Single
Market by Malcolm Harbour (UK), EPP-ED Coordinator, and Marianne Thyssen (B), Chairwoman
of the EPP-ED Working Group on the Single Market. «We will continue our campaign to ensure
that the forthcoming Commission Review comes up with practical measures that will deliver real
benefits to Europe’s citizens», they said in a joint statement.
2007
Parliament also decided that it should not take into consideration any legislative proposals from
the Commission that are not accompanied by an independently scrutinised impact assessment
that includes an evaluation of the existence of any unnecessary administrative burdens via the
so-called Standard Cost Method.
Rapporteur Bert Doorn MEP (NL) said: «The Commission estimates an annual total figure of €375
bn to be spent on administrative burdens. By cutting more red tape, we must be able to reduce
the unnecessary administrative burdens by a net 25% in 2012 saving a little more than €90 bn on
a yearly basis.
The Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee, Giuseppe Gargani MEP (I), said: «The consistency
of the simplification procedure should be maintained. The principal aim of the EPP-ED Group is
to guarantee better law-making and simplification of the EU law process. The Group has taken a
critical stand with regard to the regulatory inflation and unnecessarily complex and unclear laws.
These result in excessive administrative burdens and difficult implementation. We will continue
exerting further pressure so that the laws are drafted in a clearer way and are able to achieve agreed
policy goals efficiently.»
Bert Doorn MEP said: «Many administrative burdens are generated by information obligations.
The trick is to make a clear distinction between cases of obsolete, redundant or over-prescriptive
information obligations and cases where, for reasons relating to the protection of public health,
health, safety, quality of work and workers’ rights, the environment or the EU financial interests,
information obligation remains necessary.»
As a result of constant pressure from Parliament, the European Commission has become more
and more concerned about the quality of Community legislation, both in terms of clarity and
accessibility and of effectiveness and positive impact. Recognising the need for simplification, the
European Parliament and the Council have signed an Inter-Institutional Agreement on Better LawMaking and are taking steps to apply better regulation into practice.
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How to strengthen public trust in the Single Market
By Gunnar Larsson
Whilst awaiting a Commission Communication on the Review of the Single Market (due in
November), which will be submitted to next year’s Spring Summit, Parliament has adopted an
own-initiative report by Jacques Toubon (F), Member of the Committee on the Internal Market and
Consumer Protection.
The Toubon Report contributes with proposals to the Commission document and aims at
identifying some main obstacles to the full realisation of the Internal Market.
«We have to adopt a political approach during this period of European turbulence. The deepening
of the Single Market clashes with the scepticism and the hostile European public opinion which
often considers the Single Market and competition to be at the origin of social problems,» Toubon
said.
This scepticism, common in some parts of Europe, could be countered with a number of measures,
among them an analysis of the impact of different policies on markets, promotion of a consistent
combination of social cohesion, encouragement of the free movement of workers, promoting the
competitiveness of businesses, and a reduction in red tape and administrative burdens.
Draft budget 2008: Parliament’s political priorities must remain
By Knut Goelz
In the first debate on the draft budget 2008, Reimer Böge (D), Chairman of the European
Parliament’s Budget Committee, pointed out that Parliament will insist on substantive changes,
as both the preliminary drafts from the Commission and the Council are below the upper limits of
the financial perspective.
In particular, the Council had made extensive cuts in programmes important for growth and
employment under the scope of the Lisbon Strategy. Böge insisted that these cuts would not meet
the approval of the European Parliament.
At the same time, it was clear, the German MEP continued, that other fields such as the Common
Foreign Policy remain totally under-financed in the present draft. «The Council has not found
an adequate answer to the budgetary challenges regarding financing of EU engagements in
Afghanistan, Palestine and Kosovo», criticised Böge. He added that the future of important
projects with added European value - among these Galileo and the European Technology Institute
(EIT) - has not been clarified so far.
He welcomed, however, the agreement on the future financing of agencies considering more
transparency and comprehensive cost-effect analyses indispensable. This should also account for
the Commission’s staff planning as well as the decentralised agencies. Böge called the respective
agreements reached so far a «big success». Nevertheless, he finally reminded Member States
to keep up with their obligations to produce annual reports on the spending of EU means: «Any
disregard of these agreements will otherwise force the European Parliament as co-deciding budget
authority to draw budgetary consequences».
European Parliament demands reasonable changes for EU fisheries management
By Pedro Lopez de Pablo
The Parliament approved this week a report tabled by Carmen Fraga (E) on fisheries management
which demands that any changes to the current model should take into account the special
characteristics of the EU fleet and the social and economic impact as well as the preservation of
the stocks.
The European Commission has proposed a longer-term management system based on the
designation of a maximum sustainable yield for each fish stock. But the Fraga Report states that
this model, created sixty years ago, is designed for single species fishing and not for multi-species
fishing, which would be more suitable for the EU fleet. The model is also based on scientific data
that does not take account of any substantial change in the structure of the fish stock.
EP backs better law-making
By Eduard Slootweg
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According to Carmen Fraga, the Parliament’s political message is that changes in the EU fisheries
management system are needed but these should be reasonable and done in agreement with
the fisheries sector. The European Commission should, in fact, take some more time to think
about a new system, as a single approach based on the maximum sustainable yield will not
tackle the problems of the EU fleet nor the preservation of the living marine resources for future
generations.
Fighting alcohol abuse
By Lasse Boehm
The European Parliament is committed to fighting alcohol abuse in Europe. «We demand a
comprehensive strategy to contain the excessive consumption of alcohol. This has to include
information and education for children from a very early age on. It is a task for politicians,
authorities in the Member States, alcohol and retail industries, bars and pubs, doctors, schools
and parents», said Renate Sommer MEP (D), the EPP-ED Shadow Rapporteur.
«We have agreed on an approach which does justice to the principle of subsidiarity as well as
different consumption patterns in Member States. We do not want to add new legislative measures
at EU level. Instead, we call on Member States to better implement existing legislation. There is no
point in demonising alcohol. On the contrary, we recognise it as part of European cultural heritage,
consumed by a majority of Europeans in responsible doses. However, excessive consumption has
to be reduced, be it binge drinking amongst young people, consumption by pregnant women, or
drink driving», the CDU MEP said.
Parliament rejected a proposal to include warning labels on all alcoholic products. «We believe that
this measure is useless. Alcoholic products are not the same as cigarettes», Sommer said.
September II 2007
EPP-ED wants to close loopholes in toy safety legislation
By Greet Gysen
On Tuesday, MEPs debated with the European Commissioners for Enterprise & Industry and
for Consumer Protection on what measures should be taken to increase toy safety and product
safety in general. A joint parliamentary Resolution was voted on Wednesday calling for the strict
enforcement of product and toy safety laws in the Member States, increased effectiveness of the
rapid detection system RAPEX, adequate sanctions in the case that the CE marking is misused, a
speedy revision of the Toys Directive and better cooperation with China and other third countries.
Marianne Thyssen (B), Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP-ED Group, said that the recent large-scale
recalls involving unsafe toys from China show that producers and policy-makers cannot let their
guard down. Marianne Thyssen commented: «The recent incidents show that even though the
EU has one of the best consumer legislations worldwide, we can never allow ourselves to become
compliant. We need to remain attentive and close any loopholes that might exist in our legislation
and surveillance system.»
Malcolm Harbour (UK), EPP-ED Internal Market Spokesman, asked toy manufacturers and
Member States for extra efforts: «A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Unsafe toys must
be stopped wherever they enter the single market. It is irresponsible makers and importers whose
products have not been properly tested that present the biggest problem.»
Andreas Schwab (D), EPP-ED Vice-Coordinator on the Internal Market Committee, emphasised
the importance of an accurate use of the CE marking: «The Commission needs to put in place
adequate sanctions for the misuse of the CE marking. In addition, it needs to be assessed - in the
framework of the revision of the Toys Directive - whether an obligatory third party certification is
suitable.»
Corien Wortmann-Kool (NL), Vice-Chairwoman of the International Trade Committee, called on
the Commission to put product safety higher on the agenda of trade negotiations: «To make
sure countries such as China implement our health and safety standards to the letter when they
manufacture goods destined for the European market, we should give them technical assistance
and improve inspection and custom operations.»
Rail passengers to benefit from improved rights
By Thomas Bickl
The European Parliament has adopted a final agreement with Council on improved rights for rail
passengers.
EPP-ED Group Spokesperson, Georg Jarzembowski (D), who played a leading role in the
negotiation, said: «The good news is that national railway tracks will be opened up to cross-border
passenger services of companies from all Member States on the 1st of January 2010, whether they
are private or state-owned companies. This means that, at last, we will see the common market for
cross-border passenger services in place with better services and more choice for the customers.
We expect that railway companies take the chance and provide competitive services so that rail
travel becomes a real alternative to flying.»
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The report concludes that the application of this restrictive management model will have a very
large impact on the fleet, something the European Commission has not evaluated, so therefore,
before any legislative proposal, Brussels should provide mechanisms to compensate the industry.
This will prove very difficult to obtain due to the limited European Fisheries Fund resources for
the period 2007-2013.
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Strict measures to combat illegal immigration
The fight against illegal immigration should be at the top of the European political agenda. This
was the main political message launched by EPP-ED Group Chairman, Joseph Daul (F), during the
debate on the issue at the Strasbourg plenary session.
«When we speak of illegal immigration, we support strict measures. Europe should shoulder its
responsibilities and fight against the scourge of mafias who exploit human misery», Daul said.
The EPP-ED admits that progress has been made since the creation of the Frontex agency, with
rapid intervention teams at the borders and the increase of funds for external borders management.
More than 1,200 illegal immigrants were rescued by EU teams in the Mediterranean and Canary
Islands waters only during last summer.
«But this is still not enough. We lack human, material and financial resources», Daul pointed out.
The Chairman of the EPP-ED Group demanded a genuine protocol for the protection of external
borders, welcomed the proposal to penalise employers who employ illegal immigrants and
warned against mass regularisation of illegal immigrants. «Far from providing a solution, it gives
the illusion to illegal immigrants and those hoping to emigrate that they will all be regularised,
sooner or later. These massive regularisations contribute to perpetuating illegal immigration mafia
networks and the trafficking of human beings», he said.
On behalf of the most important political group of the European Parliament, Joseph Daul
also called on the Member States to act with «effectiveness and coherence» to organise legal
immigration flows in cooperation with third countries.
The proposal of a European ‘blue card’ could be a possible solution to deal with the entry and
residence conditions of highly-skilled and seasonal workers that the European labour market
needs. The lack of employees has already appeared in sectors like agriculture or healthcare, and
that will affect most of the EU countries in 20 years time, when more than a third of the population
will be of retirement age. For Daul, the EU should not close its doors to migrants but it should
assure that those who want to come to work legally will be hosted and integrated with dignity into
European society.
Internet has become one of the principal means of access to knowledge and learning. Setting up
a digital library in the European Union would enable researchers, students, teachers, and people
with physical disabilities to benefit from this system.
Marie-Hélène Descamps (F), rapporteur of ‘i2010 Towards a Digital Library’, set out these
proposals in Strasbourg. She emphasised that this European project would reinforce the
expression of real European identity. It would also show our cultural and linguistic diversity towards
other countries.
«An EU digital library should be set up in order to offer reliable and quality material to our citizens.
It is indispensable to maintain and safeguard European creativity», said Mrs Descamps. Through
a unique, direct and multilingual way, this system would firstly ensure free access to texts, currently
kept in libraries, and later to other cultural materials.
Piia-Noora Kauppi (FI) welcomed the Descamps Report however she drew attention to one aspect:
«Public-private cooperation and private sponsorship for the digitalisation of Europe’s cultural
heritage is an important element of the system as it stands now. We need to make sure that the
new Regulation in this field will not threaten the benefits of the current system.»
Zdzisław Chmielewski (PL) also believes that Mrs Descamps’ report is very persuasive. He
emphasised however, that the crucial issue is the protection of digital sources. He suggested
setting up common and coherent requirements in order to keep digital materials safe.
The rapporteur also stressed the importance of creating a secure, electronic environment, where
the protection of authors’ and creators’ rights is ensured.
«We should constitute a so-called Director’s Committee where cultural institutions have an
important role. Other institutions and sectors, like archives, museums, cinemas and universities
should be involved in the long term too», Descamps concluded.
EP calls for energy diplomacy
By Katarzyna Klaus
An overwhelming majority of the Parliament adopted a report by Jacek Saryusz-Wolski (PL) calling
for a Common Foreign Policy on Energy. «Europe today faces the challenge of energy security,
therefore a genuine European foreign policy on energy would bring substantial added value to
efforts made at national level», said Mr Saryusz-Wolski, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee
in the European Parliament.
The underlying principles of the report are diversification - prioritising strategic projects such
as the Nabucco pipeline, unity in defending the Union’s interests by speaking with ‘one voice’
and solidarity in crisis situations. Mr Saryusz-Wolski is calling for a pro-active and broad energy
diplomacy aimed at strengthening the Union’s cooperation with all major producer, transit and
consumer countries and for the creation of an energy market based on the principle of reciprocity.
In this respect, the report recommends the inclusion of an ‘energy security clause’ in all EU
agreements with producer and transit countries.
«Today we have an institutional and decisional gap, therefore I propose setting up a new post of
High Official for Foreign Energy Policy, after the new Treaty enters into force», said Mr SaryuszWolski. This office would allow for the coordination of all the policies related to external aspects
of energy security.
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It is expected, however, that in most countries, both cross-border and domestic trains will be
subject to the new refund system at the same starting date. This is going to ensure that delays
throughout the EU will be reduced to a minimum, and railways will become a more popular means
of transport.
EU Digital Library: Safeguarding European creativity
Better news still for passengers is that as from the autumn of 2009, a compensation scheme
for delayed trains will be put in place. If the delay exceeds one hour, passengers will be entitled
to a refund of 25 per-cent of the ticket price. If a train is more than two hours behind schedule,
passengers will get back half of the fare. Parliament secured that not only cross-border trains, but
also domestic trains will be included after a transitional period.
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The report also calls for the application of the Energy Charter Treaty, including the Transit Protocol
by the Union’s major energy partners. The report appeals to Russia to ratify the Charter, while
recognising that the EU should also negotiate a formal framework document in the context of the
new EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
In the adopted report, the Parliament urges the Member States to mutualise the costs of maternity
leave allowance to ensure that women no longer represent a more costly source of labour than
men. The report also calls on the Commission to develop gender analysis on the impact of pension
reforms on women’s lives in the EU with the objective of individualising pension rights as well
as social security and tax systems. An increase in female entrepreneurship as well as women’s
participation in politics is encouraged.
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Parliament has therefore set a clear signal for the sugar market sector, as the European sugar
production of the European Union must be cut by 6 million tons until 2010 due to WTO
commitments. Consequently, the plenary strongly urges the Council to follow its proposals for a
balanced, substantive and reliable reform. This should also include improvements with regard to
the restructuring funds.
In detail, these measures shall also contain the possibility to receive full compensation for
voluntary return of quotas as well as a higher share of restructuring aid for farmers. Furthermore, a
special focus shall be put on regions that are affected by the closing-down of factories. Promotional
measures for the income protection of former employees and their redeployment on the labour
market are also envisaged.
According to the rapporteur, this package of measures must be particularly focused on lessdeveloped regions affected by cuts of production and the closing of factories so that they can invest
in economic alternatives. The rapporteur underlined the importance of a reliable and functioning
EU sugar market. Taking into account rising prices and a growing shortage of agricultural products,
the European Union must not rely only on supplies from abroad.
Gender equality: Key priority for the EPP-ED Group
By Antti Timonen
Equality between women and men in employment issues, such as gender pay gap, insecurity in
the job market and reconciliation of professional and family lives, deserved the full attention of
the EPP-ED Group when the Parliament voted on Piia-Noora Kauppi’s (FI) report on Equality
between Women and Men in the EU in Strasbourg on Thursday.
In the report, the Parliament urges Member States to adopt reconciliation policies of professional
and family life for both women and men. It has been shown that those Member States having
adopted such policies have higher birth rates, a higher percentage of women in the labour market
and higher employment rates. Education has been the key for female advancement - the rise in
educational standards has gone hand in hand with increased female employment.
The gender pay gap - on average 15% across the EU and up to 30% in some European countries
- has not decreased. The Directives on the principle of equal pay for men and women have been
there for more than 30 years, and the problem still exists. The Group’s view is that this is totally
unacceptable.
Effective education systems ensure cohesion
By Marek Hannibal
The European Parliament has approved a report by Tomáš Zatloukal (CZ) on the Efficiency and
Equity in European Education and Training Systems. In various Member States, the efficiency of
education systems is more dependent on the social and economic situation of families rather than
on financial investments. Member States should prioritise public investment towards education at
an earlier stage as it has been proven that it has the highest effect on the high quality pre-primary
provision on children’s intellectual and social behavioural development.
Equitable systems ensure that the results of education and training are unrelated to socioeconomic background and to other factors which disadvantage individuals. The main task is to
support individual education systems by involving pupils, students and adults from all social
groups. The current situation is unsatisfactory. If significant changes are not made in bringing
children from disadvantaged social groups into pre-school education, the number of children who
drop out of school prematurely will not improve. An increased number of people will be vulnerable
to the risk of social exclusion and unemployment.
Education impacts on economic growth by increasing its human capital, its innovative power
and facilitating the diffusion of technology. Each additional year of average school attainment
raises productivity in the average EU country by 6.2% on impact and by a further 3.1% in the long
run through its contribution to faster technological progress. Education makes a strong positive
contribution to employment prospects; the EU unemployment rate ranges from 12.6% for people
with less than upper-secondary education to 5% for people with tertiary education.
2007
The European Parliament has adopted a proposal for a reform of the EU sugar market sector. Albert
Deß (D), EPP-ED rapporteur, welcomed the outcome of the vote while at the same time asking for
fair conditions both for producers and the industry: «Competitive facilities need fair conditions to
maintain sugar production in the European Union», the German MEP said.
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Parliament adopts EU sugar market reform
By Knut Goelz
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Spraying from the air will only be allowed in specially designated areas, such as remote vineyards,
where no other forms of treatment are possible. «Wine-growing is largely dependent on plant
protection products. We need them if we want to keep sustainable high-quality wine production in
Europe», said Christa Klass.
Turkey must refrain from disproportionate military operations in Iraq
By Eduard Slootweg
The new legislation will now to be debated in Council. A final agreement between the European
Parliament and the Member States could be reached in the course of next year.
The European Parliament is calling on Turkey to refrain from any disproportionate military
operations violating Iraq’s territory. At the same time, it is urging Turkey and Iraq to step up
military and police cooperation to effectively prevent terrorist activities from northern Iraq in order
to de-escalate the tense situation at the Turkish-Iraqi border. The Council must press for concrete
cooperation between Turkey and the Kurdish Regional Government of Iraq, which should shoulder
its responsibility to prevent terrorist attacks from northern Iraq. This was stated this week by the
European Parliament in a Resolution which was adopted with a large majority.
The Resolution addresses issues which the Commission should focus on while examining Turkey’s
progress. It aims to widen the scope of the Commission’s progress report which will be presented
in November. It calls also on the newly-elected Turkish Government, which benefits from a strong
mandate and popular trust, to accelerate reforms in order to remove shortcomings regarding
fundamental rights, including the rights of religious minorities, and the functioning of the judiciary
in order to fulfil the commitments defined in the Accession Partnership.
Ria Oomen-Ruijten (NL) said: «I am happy with the broad support for this Resolution. It gives
a strong signal to Turkey, but also to the European Commission which is currently finalising its
progress report. We want to widen the scope of the Commission’s report. We want for example, to
strengthen social cohesion, the energy cooperation between the EU and Turkey, more information
on the EU-Turkey Civil Society Dialogue and an effective involvement of the Commission in
supporting the new Turkish Government with the social-economic development of South East
Turkey.»
Food price increase intolerable
Yannis Zografos
Consumers face price hikes of 30 to 40 per cent in their weekly shopping bills despite just a 10 per
cent rise in wheat prices. The situation is becoming intolerable and the EPP-ED Group took the
initiative to ask the Commission to investigate supermarket food price increases. EPP-ED Group
spokesperson and Chairman of the Agriculture Committee, Neil Parish (UK), underlined in the
plenary:
«We also have to look at the situation regarding supermarkets, because - do not forget - not only
are we concerned about the price that the farmer receives for his or her products, but we are also
interested in what the consumer has to pay. There is no doubt that we are seeing, for instance, that
only 10% of a loaf of bread is actually made from the raw material of wheat and yet there are huge
increases in the price of the loaf because the supermarkets say they are having to pay so much
more for wheat. So we need to put pressure on the supermarkets to make sure that consumers
are paying the right price.
It is great that it puts European agriculture in a very strong position to face up to the brave new
world, because we will need food production, we will need farmers and we need the countryside,
and all these things work very well.
But, as I say, we now have to get the balance right between the cereal and livestock sectors, and
that is why we have tabled this question.»
Plant protection products
By Thomas Bickl
The use of plant protection products in the EU will be subject to new rules after the European
Parliament this week adopted a new piece of legislation at first reading.
Hazardous substances causing cancer, for example, will be ruled out altogether. This approach
is risk-based and substitutes a more general line previously adopted by the Committee on
Environment and Health. «If plant protection products have fulfilled the strict criteria of
authorisation, then there is no need for a percentage reduction of their use. Besides, nobody has
been able to explain how a percentage reduction could be measured and handled in practice»,
said EPP-ED MEP Christa Klass (D), the European Parliament Rapporteur on the use of plant
protection products.
Member States will be allowed the required flexibility to adjust the use of plant protection products
according to the situation on the ground. An important issue in that context is the so-called buffer
zones. These are areas along waterways or lakes, for instance, where the use of plant protection
products is prohibited. The German EPP-ED Member underlined why this is necessary: «Fixed
buffer zones do not make sense. We need to continue a flexible approach. Buffer zones ought to
depend on the geographical situation, the soil and the plants in question. This is why the Member
States ought to be in charge of defining them.»
Autumn as chilly as spring?
By Gunnar Larsson
The strained ties with the EU’s big eastern neighbour were the subject of a parliamentary debate
held in Strasbourg ahead of the EU-Russia Summit in Mafra, Portugal, on 26 October. EU leaders
and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to discuss a wide range of issues causing
tensions between the EU and Russia.
«I hope the Portuguese autumn will be warmer than the rather chilly spring in Samara», José
Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra (E), Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, said in the
debate, referring to the previous Summit in Russia on 18 May this year.
Salafranca commented on Russia’s far too often threatening behaviour towards its neighbours in
the European Union. «We have to look at decisions and acts. Any decision or act against a Member
State must be seen as a decision or act against the whole of the EU», he said.
The Summit will most likely focus on energy issues and European security concerns. Commission
proposals aiming at blocking Russian energy giant Gazprom from buying European energy
infrastructure have been criticised by Russian authorities. Among measures proposed by the
Commission is the unbundling of power supply, generation and transmission, a move supported
by the EPP-ED Group, with a blocking clause to prevent foreign firms from buying pipelines and
power grids if their home countries do not allow free competition.
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On Tuesday, Parliament debated the Reform Treaty, which was agreed on by Europe’s Heads of
State and Government last week in Lisbon. The Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Joseph Daul (F),
welcomed the agreement, saying that the new Treaty gives the European Union the necessary tools
to face up to its challenges.
«With this Treaty, Europe finally gives itself the means to meet the challenges of the 21st century,
because we have the institutional tools essential to its operation. We have supported this text
since the beginning of its preparation, even if most of us would have preferred a more ambitious
text», said Daul.
Mr Daul also welcomed the prospect of a process of rapid ratification by the EU-27, but recalled
that Member States and the European institutions should together engage in a lively dialogue with
citizens to explain the content of the new Treaty:
«This means giving life to Treaty provisions that affect the democratic life of the Union, such as
the citizen initiative and the association of national parliaments. This means informing people of
the content of the Charter of Fundamental Rights which enshrines the essential rights of European
citizens. It also means better explaining to our citizens: Who is elected to this Parliament, who
will number 751 in 2009, and what will they spend their time working on? It means explaining how
qualified majority voting will allow Europe to act more efficiently in areas such as the judicial and
police cooperation, the protection of the environment, economic policy or immigration», declared
Mr Daul.
Elmar Brok MEP, who represented the EPP-ED Group in the Intergovernmental Conference which
has drafted the new Treaty, said in his speech that it is important not to lose sight of the enhanced
influence of the European Parliament, both in terms of legislation and budgetary powers.
«Because of the last days’ discussion on minor issues, it has perhaps been overlooked just how
much this Treaty is a breakthrough for democracy and efficiency: The European Parliament will
now have co-decision on 95% of all legislation and the distinction between obligatory and nonobligatory spending has been scrapped, which entails full budgetary powers also in the field of
agriculture», said Mr Brok.
Cleaner cars: European Parliament opts for ambitious emission cap and realistic target date
By Greet Gysen
On Wednesday, the European Parliament adopted a report calling for EU legislation to reduce CO2
emissions from new cars and vans to 115g CO2/ km by 2015. Improved motor technology must
reduce emissions to 125g CO2/km or less while complementary measures should lead to a further
emission cut of 10g CO2/km. Such measures include more efficient tyres and air conditioning
systems, a gradual reduction in the carbon content of fuels and a greater use of biofuels.
Martin Callanan (UK), Shadow Rapporteur on the report, welcomed the fact that the European
Parliament opted for an even stricter emission cap than the European Commission, and a longer
timescale for the industry to implement changes.
«At the same time, we opted for a lower emission cap than the Commission proposed. Emissions
can be no higher than 115g CO2/km (instead of 120g CO2/ km). This is by far the most ambitious
emission cap in the world.»
«It is also important to stress that we need to make the cleaner cars affordable. If consumers do
not buy new vehicles, that simply results in older, more polluting vehicles remaining on Europe’s
roads for longer, which is in nobody’s interest.»
Also on Wednesday, MEPs adopted an own-initiative report by the Parliament’s Industry Committee
on conventional energy sources. The report underlines the need to produce and use energy more
safely, efficiently and sustainably across the Union. MEPs sent a clear message in favour of nuclear
energy, acknowledging that it is a key component of power supply in most EU Member States,
providing one-third of the EU’s electricity supply, and that it contributes substantially to climate
protection.
Rapporteur Herbert Reul (D) said: «We should not have any taboos when it comes to energy policy:
every Member State should be allowed to decide for itself which type of energy supply is as cost
efficient, reliable and climate-friendly as possible.»
Budget 2008: Council Presidency needs a clear negotiation mandate for open questions
By Knut Goelz
The EPP-ED Group has expressed its satisfaction with the outcome of the first reading of the EU
budget 2008: «With €129.6 billion in commitments and €124.2 billion in payments, we have clearly
remained below the upper limits of the financial perspective», said Reimer Böge (D), Chairman
of the European Parliament’s Budget Committee, in the plenary debate. The EPP-ED Rapporteurs
for the Commission budget, Richard Ashworth (UK), and for the EP budget, Ville Itälä (FI), as
well as EPP-ED Coordinator Salvador Garriga Polledo (E), agreed with this view and also called
for a constructive solution to the still pending questions such as the financing of Galileo and
the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). The MEPs also urged the political groups to be
involved earlier in the budget procedure to avoid unnecessary conflicts and delays.
They furthermore criticised national demands for a mixed financing of the future satellite
navigation system Galileo as well as the insufficient financial means for the CFSP. It must therefore
be clear that Galileo is subject to the community method in accordance with the Reform Treaty. It is
also up the European Parliament to successfully remedy the «chronic under-financing» of the CFSP
as decided by EU Heads of State and Government in December 2005. Nevertheless, constantly
new obligations would make the use of the flexibility instrument necessary, they said. The EPP-ED
Members therefore called upon the Presidency-in-Office to obtain a sufficient mandate for ongoing
negotiations between Parliament and Council «so that we can solve all open financing matters
including Galileo and the CFSP».
Recognition and supervision of suspended sentences and alternative sanctions
Miguel Seabra
The purpose of the Framework Decision is to facilitate a sentenced person’s reintegration into
society, to provide better protection for victims and society as a whole and to facilitate the
enforcement of appropriate suspended sentences, alternative sanctions and conditional sentences
in the case where offenders who are not resident in the State in which they were sentenced.
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The Lisbon Treaty
By Peter Adler
Mr Callanan said: «Legislation is unlikely to be finalised before 2009 at the earliest and it is therefore
unrealistic, given long industry lead times, to expect radical reductions to be implemented by 2012,
as the Commission originally proposed. 2015 is a more realistic date.
The EU-Russia Summit takes place with only a few months remaining until both parliamentary and
presidential elections in Russia. Time will tell if Mafra will be Vladimir Putin’s last appearance in
such surroundings.
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The effectiveness of mutual recognition is restricted by the fact that the Member States’ criminal
laws are still in the early stages of harmonisation. Maria da Assunção Esteves underlines that
«The procedure for cooperation in the supervision and execution of alternative sanctions would be
much simpler and more efficient if the Member States adopted the same types of sentence or had
similar judicial structures or even substantive and procedural criminal laws with a greater degree
of equivalence».
Taking into account the importance of this file, the Portuguese Presidency is planning to have a
general agreement in December this year.
Better rehabilitation for prisoners, through simplification of their transfer
An overwhelming majority of the European Parliament approved a report by Ioannis Varvitsiotis
(EL) on the draft Council Framework Decision on the application of the principle of mutual
recognition to judgments in criminal matters imposing custodial sentences or measures involving
deprivation of liberty for the purpose of their enforcement in the European Union.
The basic objective of this report is to simplify the process of transfer of sentenced persons to the
state of origin or to the state where they permanently live. With the adoption of this report, the
process becomes more flexible and less bureaucratic.
The report was produced in the framework of the renewed consultation procedure, following the
Varvitsiotis Report of June 2006 on the Council framework decision on the European enforcement
order and the transfer of sentenced persons between Member States of the European Union.
The renewed Council proposal emphasises the importance of the mutual recognition of sentences,
within the respect of the fundamental rights of the persons concerned. It also supports the purpose
of the social rehabilitation of the sentenced.
November 2007
European Parliament adopts First Framework Directive
The European Parliament has adopted, with 501 votes in favour and 160 against, the First
Framework Directive for the Protection of Soil, aimed at preventing soil degradation and promoting
its sustainable use.
The report, tabled by EPP-ED Member Cristina Gutiérrez-Cortines (E), has completely redrafted
the original proposal of the European Commission to conciliate the views of those who think this
rule is necessary and those who think the existing rules in the Member States to protect soils
are enough. «We have approved a completely new document to take into account the enormous
differences existing among soils and to leave the national authorities the choice of the forms and
methods to protect them», she said.
The proposal now fixes minimum objectives to stop degradation and requires Member States to
put in place public inventories of soils and draw up national strategies to protect them against
erosion, organic matter decline, biodiversity loss, salinisation or desertification, as well as a plan to
remedy the problems of contaminated soils. This will facilitate the establishment of a single market
for purchases, enabling any European citizen buying land to access the information concerning
its characteristics, such as whether it was ever classified as industrial ground or considered as
polluted.
Mrs Gutiérrez-Cortines explained that European citizens’ health and transparency of the market
are two very good reasons to approve this new legislation. Only nine of the 27 Member States have
legislation to protect soil and the new Directive will allow Europe to follow the example of those
who have already done the best work «because some countries have a PhD on this matter and
others are still in their secondary studies», she said.
Soil is a non-renewable resource with a very important economic value and its protection is crucial
for many reasons - food production, preservation of nature and valuable landscapes, cultural
heritage. But soil is also an important factor to fight against some of the effects of climate change
such as scarcity, drought and floods.
Some general rules are the requirement of the consent of the sentenced person to his transfer to
the executing state, and that the dual criminality shall not be verified in relation to listed offences.
The issues raised by the European Parliament were largely taken into consideration. The Rapporteur
therefore recommended its approval as amended by the Council.
«I am glad that an agreement was finally reached, after the long resistance of a Member State,
which finally succeeded in obtaining a derogation for some years», declared the Rapporteur.
Aviation CO2 emissions into trading scheme
By Thomas Bickl
The EU will be the first economic area in the world to introduce emission trading for air travel. This
week, the European Parliament adopted a modified proposal at first reading. The scheme is likely
to start in 2011 and will include both domestic EU flights and international flights with take-off or
landing in the EU. «We have improved the Commission proposal and made it more ambitious in
environmental and competition terms», said Peter Liese MEP (D) who is the European Parliament
Rapporteur.
Two thirds of all emissions are caused by intercontinental flights. The single starting date is an
important signal to third countries. «We want a worldwide system as soon as possible. If other
countries have better proposals, we are ready to change our system. But aviation must no longer
be excluded from reducing greenhouse gas emissions altogether», Liese said.
MEPs voted in favour of a higher percentage of auctioning. Instead of a five percent share as
proposed by the Commission, Parliament is now calling for a 25 percent share of the allocation of
emission rights. Auctioning is important in order to give new market participants a chance and to
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Maria da Assunção Esteves (P) welcomes the Franco-German initiative, considering that it
encourages the Member States’ judicial authorities to incorporate sanctions other than custodial
sentences into their criminal law. In her amendments, the Rapporteur covers a lot of technical legal
aspects of this issue like the distributions of powers and responsibilities between the issuing State
and the executing State.
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Globalisation must provide Europeans with prosperity and security
By Lada Jurica
Ambitious Commission work programme for 2008
By Lasse Boehm
The European Parliament held a debate on the effects of globalisation and the steps the EU must
undertake in order to answer to its challenges. Speaking on behalf of the EPP-ED Group was
Chairman Joseph Daul (F) who warned that Europe must not shy away from the responsibilities of
ensuring not only security, but also prosperity for its citizens.
A new culture of subsidiarity: EPP-ED Vice-Chairman Hartmut Nassauer (D) opened the debate
on the European Commission’s legislative and work programme for 2008 with this demand. Next
year, the Commission will be presenting more than 70 legislative proposals, and about the same
number of non-legislative initiatives. «In view of attempts to cut back on bureaucracy, I am not sure
that these will serve this aim», Nassauer said. Of those legislative acts that the Commission wants
to delete, many have already expired anyway. He added: «Cutting red tape remains the subject of
Sunday speeches rather than being an effective aim.»
Speaking for the EPP-ED Group, Nassauer emphasised his support for the priorities of the
Commission, from growth and jobs to dealing with migration and research issues. In order to
improve the legislative process, he proposed for the Commission to set up a two-year legislative
programme rather than an annual one.
In the debate, Commission President José Manuel Barroso called the year 2008 a «crucial year
for Europe». It will be, he said, «of vital importance to Europe for our future effectiveness, for our
place in the world, for the confidence of our citizens in our ability to meet their expectations». In
its 2008 work programme, the Commission centred its initiatives in five areas: economic issues,
sustainable Europe, managing migration, putting the citizens first and Europe as a world partner.
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Enlargement of the Schengen Area to nine new members
By Miguel Seabra
On Thursday 15 November, Parliament adopted Carlos Coelho’s report on the proposal for a
Council Decision on the full application of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in the Czech
Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia.
This means that conditions are met so that, as from December 2007, checks at internal and sea
borders (and air borders by March 2008) can be abolished in nine of the new EU Member States.
The Schengen area is presently composed of 13 EU Member States (France, Germany, Belgium,
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Austria, Finland, Sweden and
Denmark) together with Norway and Iceland. Ireland and the United Kingdom are only partial
participants, since their border controls have been maintained. Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania and
Switzerland are expected to play a full part in the Schengen acquis in the years to come.
Rapporteur Carlos Coelho (PT) pointed out that «the removal of controls at the internal borders
requires the existence of mutual trust as regards effective controls at the external borders. In fact,
the security of the Schengen area depends on the rigour and efficiency that each Member State
«If globalisation is to be a factor of prosperity, it must also be fair. It must be accompanied by
ethical rules which forbid, for example, the exploitation of children. Globalisation cannot be carried
out on the backs of the underprivileged. Globalisation must be a tool to combat inequalities within
a country but also between countries. Globalisation must seek to increase the purchasing power of
the poorest people. We have always voted for free trade, but a trade based on strict rules.»
The EU, as a key player in global international trade, has to face up to competition to ensure
growth and job creation in a continuously modernising global economy. Globalisation offers
new opportunities, but they have to be met by an integrated internal and external policy, which
is indispensable for the success of the Lisbon Agenda. Unlocking the EU’s Research and
Development potential will boost the EU’s competitiveness, but it must go hand in hand with the
respect of Intellectual Property Rights as an element of external policy.
Europe must strengthen its internal market, invest efforts in reinforcing the Lisbon fundaments of
more growth and jobs, and work towards a common energy policy. With oil at almost 100 dollars a
barrel, there is an urgent need for a European energy policy which would ensure security of supply
and sustainable growth in the energy sector. Chairman Daul called for a substantive discussion on
renewable energy and on the possibilities offered by civil nuclear power in the supply of energy.
He concluded: «At the end of this research we all want a Europe whose energy is cleaner, safer,
and more efficient.’’
Earthquakes: MEPs submit concrete proposals to Member States and the Commission
By Theo Gerorgitsopoulos
The report by Nikoalos Vakalis (GR) on the Regional Impact of Earthquakes, which was adopted
unanimously by the plenary of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, is the first text adopted by a
European Institution which is exclusively dedicated to the phenomenon of earthquakes. «Although
earthquakes are one of the most lethal and destructive natural disasters worldwide, causing huge
losses of life and enormous damages to property - 1.5 million people killed worldwide in the 20th
century and damages of €75 billion over the last 25 years -, the phenomenon is so far dealt with at
EU level accessorily within the general framework for natural disasters», stressed Mr Vakalis.
Both the Committee on Regional Development and the plenary endorsed the rapporteur’s position
in favour of a series of regulatory and financial measures which aim to promote actions preventing,
addressing and repairing damages caused by earthquakes:
The immediate drawing-up by the Commission of a Communication evaluating the hazards posed
by earthquakes.
2007
Schengen is a Luxembourgish village where the Agreement was signed in 1985.
Parliament wants to reduce the overall emissions, the so-called cap, from 100 percent to 90
percent. MEPs voted against excluding government flights from the emission trading scheme.
«Governments have to set an example and must not have privileges», the CDU MEP said. Council
is expected to debate the dossier at its meeting on 20 December.
2007
applies to controls at its external borders, and, also, on the quality and rapidity of the exchange
of information via the SIS. Any weakness or incorrect working of any of these elements is liable to
jeopardise the security of the Union and the effectiveness of the Schengen area.»
minimise so-called windfall profits. Under the current EU emission trading scheme, consumers in
the electricity sector have seen price increases despite the free-of-charge allocation of certificates
in the first place. Members propose that the revenue generated from the auctioning be used to
lower the tax burden and support environmentally-friendly modes of transport, such as buses and
trains.
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The formulation of a European strategic research agenda for earthquakes, with the involvement
of seismic areas which, like ‘open-air laboratories’, may also have the opportunity to benefit from
their natural handicap.
The seismic upgrading of buildings and infrastructures of strategic importance, including
monuments of historical or cultural importance.
A technical protocol for EU-wide action in case of a disastrous earthquake.
The adjustment of the Solidarity Fund so as to ensure its effectiveness, flexibility and swiftness.
And most importantly, the creation of a European civil protection force, as proposed by former
Commissioner Barnier in 2006 and Heads of State and Government, Messrs Sarkozy and
Karamanlis.
European Neighbourhood Policy
By Melanie Warman
The European Parliament this week voted through a report on strengthening the European
Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). Ultimately, the aim of the ENP is to establish a circle of friends
around the European Union to promote prosperity, stability and security. This report seeks to
develop close ties with and between neighbouring states and to commit them to pursuing reforms
towards democracy based on respect for human rights, the rule of law, better governance and
economic and social development.
Co-Rapporteur for the EPP-ED Group, Charles Tannock (UK) said it is self-evident that everybody
needs good neighbours. In an uncertain and ever-changing world, the EU needs to develop
relations with countries on its periphery. So far, the ENP is proving to be a valuable tool in the
process aimed at improved trade, travel and political co-operation particularly against international
terrorism and people trafficking. We need enhanced exchanges of criminal intelligence between
national agencies in the fight against terrorism and organised crime, as well as renewed efforts for
the peaceful resolution of outstanding territorial disputes, including the frozen conflicts.
The ENP also helps Eastern European ENP countries’ wishes to anchor themselves to European
institutions. The report recognises the right for Moldova and Ukraine to eventually apply for EU
membership. Mr Tannock said: «Certainly matters in terms of visa facilitation and readmission
and, post Ukraine’s WTO accession, a deep EU free trade agreement, are progressing well with
Ukraine and will be extended to other South Caucasus countries in due course.» The report also
proposes the development of a Joint Parliamentary Assembly for the European Parliament and
Eastern ENP countries dubbed EURONEST, drawing on the success of similar structures such
as the Euromed Parliamentary Assembly and ACP Assembly. «I am convinced that EURONEST
would strengthen democratic institutions in ENP countries, hasten an end to the isolation of
Belarus and enable Azerbaijani and Armenian parliamentarians to discuss the potentially explosive
Nagorno-Karabakh frozen conflict», added Tannock. The report argues for stronger relations with
ENP eastern neighbours in Central Asia, most notably Kazakhstan with its vast natural resources
and secular polity.
From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, the European Union helps hundreds of thousands of vulnerable
people on a daily basis. The need is great and growing, but it gets harder and harder to get the aid
delivered. It is for this reason that the EPP-ED Group welcomes the adoption of a Joint Declaration
on the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid by the Council, the European Commission and
the European Parliament.
EPP-ED Spokesman Filip Kaczmarek (PL) said in plenary during the debate: «We must remember
that the EU collectively is the biggest donor worldwide of official humanitarian aid, contributing
over €2 billion of aid for humanitarian response. That is over 40% of officially-reported overall
international humanitarian assistance. The aid is given by the EU and individual EU Member
States. If Member States and the EU develop a common strategy and coordinate better and
act in a concerted way, the EU and its Member States can strengthen and optimise the overall
humanitarian effort.»
The nature of humanitarian aid has changed significantly due to the changing character of conflicts.
Nowadays, these are more often fought inside countries by irregular forces. The number of
internally displaced people continues to increase, international humanitarian law is often neglected
by the fighting parties and there are more attacks on relief workers. Natural disasters also tend
to occur more frequently and are more devastating in their effects - partly as a result of climate
change. In parallel to this, there are more and new actors engaged in providing humanitarian
assistance, with different agendas, further increasing the need for coordination.
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The launch of campaigns in order to educate and inform the public, all specialists dealing with
earthquakes, as well as the competent technical bodies in Member States, both at regional and
local level.
Consensus on humanitarian aid
By Eduard Slootweg
The future funding of infrastructure projects through the cohesion policy should be predicated
upon compliance with all the necessary and internationally-recognised anti-seismic protection
rules.
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Priorities were set at the Lisbon Summit until the next EU-Africa summit in 2009. Those priorities
include peace and security, democracy, human rights, trade, regional integration, development,
energy, climate change, migration, employment, science and the information society.
At the request of the EPP-ED Group, the European Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, Meglena
Kuneva, reported to the European Parliament on the Commission’s efforts to clamp down on
unsafe toys entering the market.
The future of Montenegro lies in the European Union
By Lada Jurica
Speaking in the hemicycle, Mrs Kuneva said there could be no compromises on product safety. She
called for closer working relations between Europe, China and the USA. Mrs Kuneva also told EU
member governments that they needed to step up their product scrutiny and testing capabilities.
Malcolm Harbour MEP (UK) said: «We support the Commission’s work with the toy industry to
ensure consistently high standards in product design and manufacture. European children will
benefit from a thriving market in well designed, good quality and safe toys. We must encourage
the good producers, wherever the toys are made.»
Mr Harbour addressed the issue of watertight toy production chains: «Producers of toys, and
importers, must have full information about sites of production and the identity of key parts
suppliers. Product defects cannot be dealt with without this crucial information.»
Marianne Thyssen MEP (B), Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP-ED Group, was glad to observe that
the European Commission opts for a very proactive approach in the field of consumer protection:
«When Commissioner Meglena Kuneva was first appointed, there was a lot of scepticism as
regards the usefulness of a Commissioner exclusively dedicated to consumer affairs. A year later,
we can conclude that European consumer protection has got a new flair. Never before have I seen
such an energetic and all-inclusive approach.»
«It is important that the Commission pays a great deal of attention to the application of the
existing legislation. Good legislation is only one side of the coin; if not all the Member States make
the same efforts to observe the existing legislation, we will never be able to close the gaps in the
consumer protection system as a whole.»
EPP-ED Group welcomes EU-Africa political partnership
By Eduard Slootweg
On Tuesday, the European Parliament debated the outcome of the EU-Africa Summit of 8 and 9
December. EPP-ED Spokesperson on relations with Africa, Maria Martens MEP (NL), welcomed
the joint EU-Africa political partnership and the agreement on a concrete action plan leading to a
true political partnership.
Martens underlined the importance of the parliamentary dimension of the EU-Africa Strategy in
order to make it a genuine political partnership. Not only the EP, but also the African Union’s Pan
African Parliament (PAP) and African national parliaments must be involved in the preparation
and the implementation of the strategy. This view was shared by the Pan African Parliament. The
two parliaments have agreed on a Joint Declaration calling for them to have a stronger role in
the new Joint EU-Africa Strategy. They called for greater focus on the eradication of poverty and
development, particularly through investing in people’s health and education.
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Toy safety: Best producers must be encouraged in toy quality and safety drive
By Greet Gysen
Many feared the summit would be hijacked by the presence of Robert Mugabe. This did not
happen. «The situation in Zimbabwe is unacceptable and rightly participants of the Summit stood
up and addressed the issue. But there is more at stake than Zimbabwe. Africa is still the poorest
continent in the world. There is enough food, water, technical know-how, and enough money to
give all people a decent life. It is a matter of political will. Let this summit be a real new start of the
process», Maria Martens said.
The European Parliament has supported the recommendation of Rapporteur Marcello Vernola
MEP (IT) and gave its assent to the signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA)
between the EU and Montenegro. The Agreement is in fact the beginning of contractual relations
between the two parties.
«The future of Montenegro is in the European Union, this is no longer an item of discussion. The
country is in pole position on the road to European accession. After independence from its union
with Serbia in 2006, which was democratically declared through a referendum, the negotiations
were started for the SAA which concluded in just over two months. The progress obtained by the
country over the last year, the commitments that were taken over by the international community,
the unceasing reform work, even over the last few days, all of these points mean that we can adopt
without hesitation the favourable opinion to conclude this Agreement», said Vernola in the debate
in the plenary of the European Parliament on Wednesday.
He warned however that this is just a starting point. «Montenegro now needs to apply itself to adopt
all the necessary measures so as to be able to conclude the reform process already started.» The
Montenegrin authorities need to continue to fully cooperate with the ICTY, remove weaknesses in the
judiciary, develop an efficient and accountable public administration and firmly fight organised crime.
Doris Pack MEP (D), Chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with
the countries of South-East Europe, also insisted on the continuation of reforms. «What has
been signed has to be implemented. There should be no sitting on laurels now.» There must be
transparency in the market and in the development of the economy of Montenegro.
Montenegro’s Constitution declares the country to be the world’s first «ecological Republic».
Such a declaration of intent must be backed up by practical measures such as implementing the
very basic environmental legislative framework and establishing independent bodies for ensuring
the delicate ecological balance in the coastal areas. «Montenegro is a unique place and we must
ensure there are special measures to protect it. We must protect the coast, we must prevent
gigantic investments, and ancient cities must be preserved so they do not lose their uniqueness»,
said Doris Pack calling for a stop to speculation in development.
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, much more than a declaration
The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the text which brings together for the first time all the civil,
political, economic and social rights of citizens living in the European Union, now has the same
legally-binding status as the Treaties themselves, after its formal proclamation during this month’s
plenary session in Strasbourg.
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«This is why we have proposed to enlarge the list of eligible measures. For instance, we want to
include restructuring measures for productions, but also research and innovation and means
of improving quality. These are all actions which will boost entrepreneurial creativity, which is
absolutely necessary. For the same reasons, it is essential to enhance promotion campaigns, not
only on the international markets but also on our home markets.»
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European Parliament President, Hans-Gert Poettering (D), Portuguese Prime Minister and
President-in-Office of the European Council, José Socrates, and Commission President, José
Manuel Durão Barroso, signed the Charter in a ceremony which showed that the European
reunification process started fifty years ago is «more than economic calculations of cost and
benefits, first and foremost we are a community of values», the EP President said.
314
Free market in textiles
By Lada Jurica
In a debate in the European Parliament, a representative of the European Commission was asked
to comment on the likely impact of the termination of the quota system in the textile trade for both
the community industry and the developing countries concerned.
The EU is the world’s second largest exporter of textiles and clothing. Considering this fact, we
have a responsibility for ensuring the competitiveness of our textile sector in a new quota-free
trading environment. Better market access conditions in third countries are vital for the future of
the European-based textile and clothing industry, especially for SMEs.
Tokia Saïfi MEP (F) led the debate on behalf of the EPP-ED Group. The EPP-ED is strongly in favour
of lifting barriers to trade, but it insists on fair trade compliant with WTO rules. The European
textile sector has to be defended from unfair trade and counterfeiting and from a dramatic surge
of goods which will be an undoubted effect of the newly-opened market.
To ensure fair trade, a system of joint importation surveillance is being put in place which will carry
out double checking of Chinese exports to the EU. The EPP-ED Group called for clarifications as to
how the system will be set up and insisted on rigorous application of the double checking.
The WTO Agreement on textiles and clothing came to an end in 2005, lapsing the last restrictions
on textile trade inherited from the Multifiber Agreement. In order to manage the transition
to free trade in textiles, the European Commission and China concluded a «Memorandum
of Understanding». This Memorandum will expire on 1 January 2008 and as a follow-up, the
European and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign trade decided on a system of joint importation
surveillance for the year 2008.
2007
EPP-ED Chairman Joseph Daul MEP (F), pointed out during the debate for the preparation of the
Lisbon Council that the Charter is the most significant innovation of the new Treaty because it «is
the answer to two fundamental questions: who are we and what we are doing together?». And it
is also «the result of a consensus: unity in diversity, meaning that if we neglect one of these two
terms we will only face the opposition of the people.»
2007
The new Article 6 of the new Reform Treaty states that «the Union recognises the rights, freedoms
and principles set out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union of 7 December
2000 as adopted at Strasbourg on 12th December 2007, which shall have the same legal value as
the Treaties».
315
VII
VII. EPP-ED Publications in 2007
316
> To provide Members with books, booklets, brochures and leaflets concerning the current
situation of the European Union and on the Group’s activities within the European Parliament.
All external Publications are produced in several languages.
> To document the Group as a key player in the life of the European Parliament and the European
Union. Therefore the Study Days, the meetings of the Bureau of the Group outside the usual
places of work, and prospective discussion seminars, as well as commemorative events, are the
subject of specific publications.
VII > EPP-ED Publications in 2007
All our publications are available on the Group’s web site at:
http://www.epp-ed.eu/Activities/en/publica.asp
Pascal FONTAINE
2007
The publications produced by the Documentation - Publications - Research Service of the EPP-ED
Group respond to a twofold need:
2007
1. By the Documentation - Publications - Research
Service
317
VII
External publications in the year 2007
External publications
E-mail: [email protected]
318
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2007
2007
> CD-ROM 2007: EPP-ED activities and external publications
> Hans-Gert Poettering - Debates in Plenary sessions
of the European Parliament
1999-2006 (DE)
> 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome Berlin Declaration (EN, FR, DE, IT, EL)
> Charter of Fundamental Rights
(EN, FR, DE, IT, ES, NL, PL, HU, CZ, EL, PT, LT, LV, SV, SK, ET)
> Personalised versions of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in English
for the Irish MEPs of the Group
> Personalised version of the Charter of Fundamental Rights
for the Greek MEPs of the Group
> Presentaton leaflet of the Group in 18 languages plus Arabic
> Brochure on the EPP-ED Group and the 11 Greek MEPs (EL)
> Brochure on Robert Schuman Medal (EN, FR, DE)
> European Ideas Network (Lyon, 2006) (EN, FR, DE)
> Dialogues between the Orthodox Church and the EPP-ED Group
(EN, FR, DE, EL)
U A = N > K K G K B P D A A L L A @ C N K Q L
2007
319
The above mentioned publications are available from the:
European Parliament
EPP-ED Group
ASP 4 G 351
60, rue Wiertz
1047 Brussels - Belgium
(EN, FR, DE, IT, EL)
VII
320
2007
(DE)
(EN, FR, DE)
EUROPEAN IDEAS NETWORK
(EN, FR, DE, IT, ES, NL,
PT, EL, PL, CZ, HU, BG,
RO, SL, SK, LT, LV, ET)
(Arabic)
2006 SUMMER UNIVERSITY
& EUROPEAN IDEAS FAIR
321
LYO N • 21-23 S E PT E Mb E R 2006
<GDJE D; I=: :JGDE:6C E:DEA:H E6GIN 8=G>HI>6C 9:BD8G6IH 6C9 :JGDE:6C 9:BD8G6IH >C I=: :JGDE:6C E6GA>6B:CI
(EN, FR, DE)
2007
(EN, FR, DE, EL)
(EL)
(EN, FR, DE, IT, ES, NL, EL, PL, HU,
CZ, PT, SL, SK, LT, LV, ET, BG, RO)
VII
Internal publications in the year 2007
Internal publications
2007
> 7th Summit of Chairmen of EPP-ED Parliamentary Groups in the EU
> What does the future hold for the Constitutional Treaty: How can the
deadlock be broken ?
> EPP-ED Group Study Day on Belarus
> EU-Syria relations: What future for the association agreement?
> The future of the Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation
> EEP-ED Group Bureau meeting in Azores
> EEP-ED Group Bureau meeting in Granada
> 50 years of European Integration
> EIN, 2007 (The World in 2025)
> Conclusions of the EPP-ED Horizontal Working Groups 2007
2007
322
323
(EN, FR, DE)
VII
324
2007
(EN, FR, DE, IT, ES, NL, EL,
POL, CZ, HU, LV, SLV, SLK)
2007
Internal publications
325
VII
report also proposes the appointment
of a special energy representative, a
High Official for foreign energy policy.
The debate in plenary will take place
on Tuesday 25 September and will be
voted on the next day.
24-27 sept ‘07
renewable
energy
> Promotional material
> Videos
> Web TV
On Monday the European
Parliament will debate ‘A
Roadmap for Renewable
Energy in Europe’. The
European Spring Council (March 2007)
adopted an overall binding target for the
EU to generate 20% of its total energy
consumption from renewable sources by
2020. The report calls on the Commission to present a proposal for a legislative
framework regarding renewable energy
by the end of the year and urges Commission and Member States to agree as
soon as possible on the assignment of
the 20% renewables target.
Pilar Ayuso MEP
tel.: +33-3-8817-5398
Greet Gysen, tel.: +32-497-028054
railway
passenger
rights
Rail passengers in Europe
will soon benefit from
improved passenger rights. On Tuesday,
Parliament will adopt a final agreement
with Council. As from autumn 2009, a
compensation scheme for delayed trains
will be in place. If the delay exceeds one
hour, passengers will be entitled to a refund of 25 % of the ticket price. If a train
is more than two hours behind schedule,
passengers will be reimbursed half the
fare. The scheme will apply right from
the start to cross-border trains. Parliament secured that domestic trains will be
included after a transitional period.
Georg Jarzembowski MEP
tel.:+33-3-8817-7306
Thomas Bickl, tel.:+32-478-215372
press conferences
immigration
EPP-ED Group Chairman
Joseph Daul MEP will
lead the debate on legal
migration and the fight
against illegal migration.
Joseph Daul MEP
tel.: + 33-3-8817-5525
Antoine Ripoll, tel. +32-475-856290
sugar reform
Albert Dess MEP will
lead the debate on
Tuesday 25 September
on the restructuring of
the sugar industry. The
EPP-ED Group accepts the need to
strengthen the restructuring and withdrawal mechanisms. These reforms
must however be balanced enough
for EU sugar farmers and the industry.
They should also take into account
worldwide competition.
Albert Dess MEP
tel. +33-3-8817-5231
Knut Goelz, tel.: +32-479-972144
dangerous toys
On Tuesday, the European Parliament will
question Consumer
Commissioner Meglena
Kuneva on the measures
the Commission has
planned to improve the
safety of goods imported
from China. The EPP-ED
Group has tabled a Resolution regarding product
and toy safety, asking the Commission
to take the necessary steps to prevent
abuse of the CE marking, to accelerate
the review
of the Toy
Safety Directive and
to ensure
enforcement of the
EU regulations regarding product
safety. Moreover, it requests the Commission to clarify the procedure of
import bans when imported goods do
not meet EU safety standards
Malcolm Harbour MEP
tel.: +33-3-8817-5132
Marianne Thyssen MEP
tel.: +33-3-8817-5918
Corien Wortmann-Kool
tel.: +33-3-8817-5570
Andreas Schwab MEP
tel.: : +33-3-8817-5938
Greet Gysen, tel.: + 32-497-028054
common
foreign policy
on energy
Rapporteur Jacek Saryusz-Wolski is calling for
the development of a
common European foreign policy on
energy, which would ensure the security of supply for the EU and bring
added value to the efforts made at
national level. According to SaryuszWolski, the underlying principles of
the report are diversification - prioritising projects such as Nabucco, unity
in defending the Union’s interest and
solidarity in crisis situations. The rapporteur calls on the Commission to set
up a road map for the implementation
of a foreign policy on energy, supported by annual progress reports. The
EPP-ED press service: Robert Fitzhenry (Head of Service), Tel.: +32475-493356; Eduard Slootweg (Editor), Tel.: +32-475-721280
Tuesday @ 11.00: EPP-ED Chairman Joseph Daul MEP will give his usual briefing about the plenary session
Tuesday @ 15.00 hours: Andreas Schwab MEP will give a briefing on “dangerous toys manufactured in China”
Wednesday @ 11.30 hours: EPP-ED Group Chairman Joseph Daul MEP and others will give a briefing on “Made
in: Don’t you want to know?”
Wednesday @ 13.30 hours: Jacek Saryusz-Wolski MEP will give a briefing on a common foreign policy on energy
Wednesday @ 15.00 hours: Piia-Noora Kauppi MEP and others will give a briefing on the launch of the book on the
United Nations Parliamentary Assembly
326
Jacek Saryusz-Wolski MEP
tel.: +33-3-8817-5371
Katarzyna Klaus
tel.: +32-484-138359
setting-aside
of farmland
The EPP-ED Group will
vote to abolish the setting-aside of farmland
on Wednesday 26 September. Cereal and other farm produce prices
are currently increasing
rapidly and are being
reflected in increases in
food costs to consumers. Keeping land out of production
cannot therefore be justified.
Neil Parish MEP
tel.: +33-3-8817-5392
Lutz Goepel MEP
tel.: +33-3-8817-5760
Peter Wilding, tel.:+32-473-861762
european
education
On Tuesday 25 September, Parliament will
debate on the European
education and training
systems. Tomáš Zatloukal’s view is
that education and training systems
are critical factors to develop the EU’s
long-term potential for competitiveness
as well as for social cohesion.
Tomáš Zatloukal MEP
tel.: + 33-3-8817-5534
Marek Hannibal, tel.: + 32-475-753048
secret
detentions
On Wednesday 26 September, Jas Gawronski
MEP will lead the debate
on secret detentions and
lawful inter-state transfers. This debate
is the follow up of the EP report on the
transportation and illegal detention of
prisoners adopted in February 2007
and the report by Dick Marty for the
Council of Europe.
Jas Gawronski MEP
tel.: + 33-3-8817-5292
Peter Adler, tel. +32-474-203005
eu mission in
chad
Karl von Wogau MEP will
lead the debate on the
European Security and
Defence Policy EU missions to Eastern Chad and the north
of the Central African Republic. Von
Wogau is extremely worried about the
worsening of the humanitarian situation in Chad where about 400,000
refugees and internally displaced
persons are hosted in 12 camps along
Chad’s eastern border with Sudan. The
EPP-ED Group supports the launch of
an EU operation in the eastern part of
Chad and the northern part of Central
African Republic for the duration of
one year. The European force has to
be clearly and exclusively of a humanitarian nature.
Karl von Wogau MEP
tel.: +33-3-8817-5301
Eduard Slootweg, tel.: 32-475-721280
european
digital library
On Wednesday 26 September, Parliament will
debate a report by Marie-Hélène Descamps
MEP on setting up a European digital
library, which could be the face of
Europe that is unified in diversity. According to the rapporteur, for a large
number of people, particularly young
people, the internet has become one
of the principal means of access to
knowledge and learning. Descamps
therefore stresses the importance of a
European digital library in the form of
a single, direct and multilingual access
point to European cultural heritage.
Marie-Hélène Descamps MEP
tel.: +33-3-8817-5730
György Hölvényi, tel.: +32-475-752623
against
“dys”crimination of children
On Wednesday, the European Parliament will
discuss the oral question to the Commission
tabled by MEPs Anna
Záborská, Amalia Sartori and Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou asking
for a Strategy against
“dys-criminations” of children affected
by dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysphasia
and dyscalculia and the
exclusion of the “dys”
people from the work
place. More than 10% of
children are affected by
these learning difficulties which badly impair
communication from a very early age.
These problems still go unidentified in
many Member States. The MEPs also
ask how the Commission can ensure
that the Directive on Equal Treatment in Employment is implemented
effectively to ensure that there is no
discrimination against “dys” workers.
Anna Záborská MEP
tel.: +33-3-8817-5923
Amalia Sartori MEP
tel.: +33-3-8817-5556
Marie Panayotopoulos MEP
tel.:+33-3-8817-5447
Anne Vahl, tel.: +32-475-493354
equality 2007
Rapporteur Piia-Noora
Kauppi MEP stresses
in her report on gender equality in the EU
in 2007, that there is
a clear gender dimension in the demographic challenge facing Europe
and that gender equality policies are
a fundamental means to meet this
challenge. Issues such as gender pay
gap, reconciliation of professional and
family life and discrimination in the labour market need to be addressed and
taken seriously by all relevant actors.
Kauppi’s report urges Member States
to mutualise the costs of maternity
leave allowance in order to ensure that
women no longer represent a more
costly source of labour than men.
Piia-Noora Kauppi MEP
tel. +33-3-8817-45894
Antti Timonen, tel. +32-474-851831
ukraine
elections
Marian-Jean Marinescu
MEP, Vice-Chairman of
the EPP-ED Group, will
lead an EPP-ED mission
to the Ukraine from 27 September to
1 October. The Members will closely
monitor the respect of international
democratic standards for free, fair
and transparent elections on 30 September.
Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP
tel.: +33-3-8817-5416
Delia Vlase, tel.: +32-476-331038
EPP-ED Report
Issue 9 / September I 2007
Forest fires in Greece and other natural disasters
An overwhelming majority of the European Parliament adopted all the EPPED Group's proposals in the common Resolution on natural disasters for
the immediate compensation of the victims of the recent forest fires in
Greece. The EPP-ED Group was the first group to table proposals and
initiated the discussion on the forest fires in Greece.
According to the Resolution, the European Parliament asks the Commission to
mobilise without delay and in the most flexible manner the EU Solidarity Fund,
avoiding time-consuming procedures and administrative obstacles. The
necessary resources for relieving and satisfying the needs of victims and their
relatives need to be made available not only by means of the EU Solidarity Fund
but also by any other Community Instrument or other financial means.
The EP also adopted the EPP-ED amendment which acknowledges that the
scale and impact of these phenomena frequently go beyond the regional and
national level and call for an effective European commitment as a matter of
urgency. In this framework, the Parliament requests the creation of a European
Force that could immediately react in emergencies. It also invites the
Commission to look into the possibility of having pre-arranged access to a
complementary capacity to ensure a rapid response to major emergencies, which
may be available from other sources, including the commercial market.
Ioannis Varvitsiotis (GR), speaking on behalf of the EPP-ED Group, said in the
plenary: "We also propose the establishment of a special rapid reaction taskforce
to cope with large-scale natural disasters, and as I understood from the
Commissioner's speech, the European executive has already conducted a study
to this end. We propose that this force be complementarily composed of fire
fighting airplanes and be based in the countries with a high risk of forest fires.
This taskforce can be operational by 2008."
It also deplores the fact that so many of these forest fires appear to have been
started by acts of arson, and is particularly concerned that criminal acts of arson
are increasingly to blame for forest fires in Europe. It therefore calls on Member
States to strengthen penal sanctions for criminal acts that damage the
environment. The Resolution also predicts measures on reforestation policy,
prevention of natural disasters and the improvement of fire-fighting methods.
2007
> Highlights
> Session Reports
> Newsletter
> Calendar 2008
> Vademecum of the EPP-ED MEPs
2007
2. Publications by the EPP-ED Press Service
327
The above mentioned publications are available from the:
European Parliament
EPP-ED Group
Press Service
60, rue Wiertz
1047 Brussels - Belgium
VIII
VIII. The European People’s Party (EPP)
The European People’s Party is organized according to strict democratic principles.
The Congress, the main EPP democratic forum, holds its statutory meeting every three years in
order to elect the Party leadership and to review and establish its policies. 328
The President, Secretary General and Presidency are responsible for the coordination and
implementation of EPP policies. Ultimately, the overriding direction of EPP policy-making is
established by the Summit, held on the eve of every European Council meeting.
PRESIDENCY
VIII > The European People’s Party
The Presidency, headed by President and former Prime Minister of Belgium Wifried Martens, is
responsible for the coordination and implementation of all major EPP policies. It is elected by the
EPP statutory Congress every three years and includes, apart from the President, 10 Vice Presidents
and the Treasurer. It also includes the Secretary General and the Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in
the European Parliament as ex officio members.
POLITICAL BUREAU
The EPP Political Bureau is the Party’s Executive office, composed of delegates from EPP
member parties and associations, and decides on all key strategic party decisions (policy papers,
resolutions, admission of new member-parties, budget etc.). The Political Bureau meets at regural
intervals during the year.
WORKING GROUPS
High-profile representatives from EPP member parties develop common positions and strategies
on major policy areas and submit specific recommendations to the Political Bureau for
final approval. Working Groups are also responsible for organizing Conferences, Roundtable
discussions, and other important events.
WG1. European Policy
Chairmen: Wilfried Martens, EPP President & Peter HINTZE, EPP Vice President
Responsible for the development and organization of European election campaigns. This also
includes the drafting of election campaign programmes and the co-ordination of campaigning at
the national level.
WG2. Economic & Social Policy
Chairpersons: Ria OOMEN-RUIJTEN & Peter JUNGEN
Focuses on the fundamental developments regarding Economic and Social policy at the European
level. Particular emphasis is placed on the Lisbon Process, demographic issues, and research and
development.
2007
The Working Groups are mandated by the Party in order to develop and promote all major EPP
policies.
2007
The Political Bureau, together with the Council, is the main decision-making body of the EPP and
convienes regularly. 329
EUCDW (European Union of Christian Democratic Workers)
Chairman: Camiel EURLINGS, EPP Vice President
The EUCDW is the workers’ organisation of the EPP with 23 member organisations from 16
countries. As the officially recognised representative EPP association of the wage-earners, the
EUCDW promotes all related work of the EPP and its affiliated democratic trade union forces.
This Working Group mandated to promote, facilitate and incorporate new EPP members,
associate members, and observers throughout the continent. When a party is accepted in the EPP,
its elected representatives automatically join the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, and
all other EPP Groups and organizations.
2007
WG. Campaign Management (ad hoc) 330
Chairman: Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ, EPP Secretary General
The meetings of this working group is particularly important for the exchange of ideas, practices
and methodologies on how to conduct successful election campaigns and to learn for campaign
failures.
THE EPP CONGRESS
The EPP Congress meets every three years and establishes - similarly to national party Congresses all major policies and programmes. As the main democratic forum of the EPP, it also elects the
Presidency. Moreover, the EPP holds its election campaign Convention 6 months prior to the
scheduled European Parliament elections.
CONGRESS MEETINGS
The most recent Statutory Congress took take place in Rome on the 30th and 31st of March 2006,
which coincided with the 30th Anniversary celebrations of the EPP. The next Congress will take
place in 2009.
SUMMIT
As a prelude to European Council Summits, EPP heads of government, party leaders in coalition
governments, the EPP Presidency, and EPP Presidents of the Commission and Parliament, meet
to prepare the impending EU Council. These important sessions offer an informal, personal, and
confidential atmosphere, in which differences can be aired and consensus seeked, in an effort to
develop common positions.
ASSOCIATIONS
The EUCDW, led by its President Mr Elmar BROK, MEP, has the following aims: to unite Christiansocial workers and to press for the political unification of a democratic Europe; to promote the
theoretical and organisational development of the EPP on the basis of Christian-social teaching;
to represent and defend worker interests in the EPP, the European Parliament and at all political
and trade union levels in Europe; to work for the achievement of Christian-social principles and
policies in the European workers’ movements; to step up co-operation with the workers and their
organisations, particularly those, in Europe and elsewhere, with a Christian outlook; to spread
Christian-social ideas through, inter alia, its own publications; to promote the establishment of
national and regional associations of Christian-social workers.
EPP WOMEN
EPP WOMEN is recognised by the EPP as the official association of women from all like-minded
political parties of Europe. EPP WOMEN have over 20 member organisations from countries of
the European Union as well as outside of it. All member organisations are women’s organisations
from political parties which are members of the EPP.
EPP WOMEN, led by its President, Ms Doris PACK, MEP, is dedicated to the advancement of
women’s political emancipation throughout Europe and the promotion of important womenrelated issues such as equal opportunities between men and women, «harmful traditional
practices», human trafficking, the fight against prostitution, etc.
ESU (European Seniors Citizens Union)
The ESU is the largest political senior citizens’ organisation in Europe. The ESU is dedicated to the
advancement of the rights of European senior citizens and the promotion of issues such as the
role of the elderly in ageing European societies, discrimination of the elderly, European pension
systems, seniors and volunteering, etc. The work of the ESU is based on three firm principles: 1. the
Christian conception of man, 2. the call of mankind to freedom and solidarity, 3. ethical, economic
and social demands are not in conflict, but in accord with each other.
The ESU, led by its President, Dr Bernhard WORMS, believes in the active participation of senior
citizens in the work, the decisions and the responsibility in European societies. Thus, the ESU is in
favor of subsidiary structures, based on voluntarily agreed rules, and the re-orientation of values,
which are in-line with the Christian conception of man and are linked to the value order.
SME UNION (Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Union)
The SME UNION of the EPP is the network of pro-business Christian-Democrat, Conservative and
Liberal politicians and political organizations. Its main objective is to help in shaping EU policy in
a more SME friendly way. The importance of the work of the SME UNION can be seen in the fact
that SMEs are considered as the key for sustainable jobs, growth and prosperity.
Its top priority is to reform the legal framework for SMEs all over Europe and to promote and
support the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises which - due to their willingness to
take risks and responsibility - are the engine of the European economy.
In June 2005, President of Eurochambres and President of the Austrian Federal Economic
Chamber, Christoph LEITL, was elected President of the SME UNION.
EDS (European Democrat Students)
European Democrat Students was established by students from various European countries in
the early sixties. The aim was to promote the exchange among students from different countries,
with different political and cultural backgrounds. Quite early, the founders of EDS realized that it
often makes more sense to cooperate across borders and countries in order to fight for common
aims, which were at that time primary the fight for human rights and against the antidemocratic
attitudes of the socialistic regimes in big parts of Europe. These first steps led to the biggest
political student organisation in Europe, nowadays representing about 400.000 students from
more than 30 countries.
WG3. EPP Membership
2007
VIII
331
332
Today EDS is officially associated with the European Peoples Party which makes it an important
political player on European level. But not only there: Due to its long lasting history EDS has also
an excellent standing in many of the national centre-right parties which contributes to the aim of
being a lobbyist for students and youth interests.
EPP Presidency
A primary focus is presently given to the Bologna Process. However EDS is also aware of its history
connected to the fight for human rights and democracy.
Wilfried MARTENS (B)
EDS is represented in more than 30 countries, including countries like Belarus and Georgia. EDS
is not a centralized organisation. As an “organisation of organisations” EDS describes itself as
a networking structure. The general aim is to bundle the power of the various organisations in
order to give young people and students a strong voice. If necessary the resources of the network
are used to help out single members, as it was done when undertaking several actions in Belarus
during the last years. Additionally, since the European level has become more and more important
throughout the years, EDS acts as an interface between the political structures in Brussels and its
national member organisations.
YEPP (Youth of the European People’s Party)
YEPP, EPP’s official youth organisation, has very clear ambitions throughout all its activities. YEPP
aspires to influence common European policy-making, to have stronger youth participation in
party-politics and transparent democracy in all parts of Europe. YEPP is comprised of young partypolitical activists that want to take part in the shaping of Europe. This is the reason behind having
an all- European youth organisation.
YEPP, led by its President, Yannis SMYRLIS, has more than 50 national, political party youth
organisations from 35 different European states. In each of these countries, national member
organisations pursue YEPP’s goals. Thus, YEPP brings together more than 1 million youngsters
with ambition to take part in shaping their societies.
EPP Secretary General
Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ MEP (SP)
Vice-Presidents:
Michel BARNIER, (F)
Mario DAVID MP (PT)
Peter HINTZE MP (D)
Jyrki KATAINEN MP (FIN)
Enda KENNY MP (IRL)
Corien WORTMANN-KOOL, MEP (NL)
Viktor ORBAN (HUN)
Alojz PETERLE MEP (SLV)
Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI MEP, MEP (POL)
Antonio TAJANI MEP (IT)
2007
EDS is led by its chairwoman Ana Filipa Janine. Furthermore, the bureau consists of eight ViceChairman from different countries / member organisations and six working group chairmen.
The day-to-day business is organised by the Secretary General, Elisabeth Torkildsen and an
administrator.
President
2007
VIII
Treasurer
Ingo FRIEDRICH MEP (D),
Leadership of EPP Groups
European Parliament
Joseph DAUL, MEP
Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament (F)
Committee of the Regions
Isidoro GOTTARDO, President of the EPP Group (IT)
Council of Europe
Luc VAN DE BRANDE, Chairman of the EPP/CD Group of the Parliamentary Assembly (B)
333
VIII
EPP Government leaders
The European People’s Party, as the leading political force of Europe, is represented by a number
of Heads of Governments (EU and other), Members of the European Commission, the EPP-ED
Group in the European Parliament, its Group in the Committee of the Regions, as well as its
Groups and representatives in the Parliamentary Assemblies of the Council of Europe, the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and
the Western European Union.
EPP General Secretariat
Secretary General
Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ MEP (SP)
334
Christian KREMER (D)
Luc VANDEPUTTE (B)
CZECH REPUBLIK: Mirek TOPOLANEK, Prime Minister
FRANCE: Nicolas SARKOZY, President
External Relations
GERMANY: Angela MERKEL, Chancellor
Kostas SASMATZOGLOU (GR)
GREECE: Kostas KARAMANLIS, Prime Minister
LATVIA: Aigars KALVITIS, Prime Minister
Press Officer
LUXEMBOURG: Jean-Claude JUNCKER, Prime Minister
Javier JIMÉNEZ (SP)
MALTA: Lawrence GONZI, Prime Minister
POLAND: Donald TUSK, Prime Minister
ROMANIA: Train BĂSESCU, President
SLOVENIA: Janez JANSA, Prime Minister
SWEDEN: Fredrik REINFELDT, Prime Minister
THE NETHERLANDS: Jan-Peter BALKENENDE, Prime Minister
335
Other Heads of Government
CROATIA: Ivo SANADER, Prime Minister
UKRAINE: Viktor YUSHCHENKO, President
TURKEY: Recep Tayip ERDOGAN, Prime Minister
ALBANIA: Sali BERISHA, Prime Minister
SERBIA: Vojislav KOSTUNICA, Prime Minister
Address:
EPP
Rue du Commerce 10
1000 Bruxelles
Tel.: + 32 285 4140
17.12.2007
2007
EU Heads of Government
2007
Deputy Secretaries General
08/03/2007:
Summit in Meise, Belgium
2007
2007
VIII
336
Michel Barnier, Vice-President of the EPP, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
in the European Parliament, Wilfried Martens, EPP President
and Antonio López-Istúriz MEP, Secretary-General of the EPP
337
VIII
21/06/2007:
338
F R O M T H E R I G H T:
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament,
Antonio López-Istúriz MEP, Secretary-General of the EPP, Wilfried Martens, President
of the EPP, Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of Germany and President-in-Office of
the European Council, José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission,
Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, President of the European Parliament,
and Corien Wortmann-Kool MEP, Vice-President of the EPP
2007
2007
24/03/2007:
Extraordinary Summit in Berlin, Germany
339
Traian Băsescu, President of Romania, Franco Frattini, Vice-President of the European
Commission, Wilfried Martens, EPP President, Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of
Germany and President-in-Office of the European Council,
Hans-Gert Poettering MEP (EPP-ED, Germany), President of the European Parliament,
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament,
Jan-Peter Balkenende, Prime Minister of The Netherlands,
and Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg
François Fillon, Prime Minister of France, Jan Peter Balkenende, Prime Minister
of the Netherlands, Lawrence Gonzi,Prime Ministre of Malta,
Kostas Karamanlis, Prime Minister of Greece (standing)
VIII
18/10/2007:
EPP Summit in Meise, Belgium
13/12/2007:
340
The EPP heads of State and Government, along with other party leaders, underlined the necessity
for reaching a deal on the pending points in order to conclude the agreement on the Treaty reached
last June under the German presidency of the EU.
“Europe needs a Treaty that can correspond to the needs and realities of today. We need a Treaty
that will make the EU more efficient, more transparent and more flexible in order to meet current
and future challenges. The Reform Treaty provides the instruments that we need in order for
Europe to move forward”, the EPP President, Wilfried MARTENS, pointed out.
“Indeed, such an agreement would end the political crisis of the EU and give a new impetus to the
European institutions”, Martens added.
In the EPP Summit a number of prominent EU Heads of State and Government participated,
including Angela MERKEL (Germany), Jan-Peter BALKENENDE (The Netherlands), Kostas
KARAMANLIS (Greece), Jean-Claude JUNCKER (Luxembourg), Lawrence GONZI (Malta), Janez
JANSA (Slovenia), Aigars KALVITIS (Latvia) and Traian BASESCU (Romania), along with Austrian
Deputy Federal Chancellor Wilhelm MOLTERER and Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Per Stig
MOLLER.
The President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel BARROSO and the President of the
European Parliament, Hans-Gert POETTERING, also attended the meeting.
In addition, today’s EPP Summit in Lisbon registered for the first time the participation of the
President of Georgia, Mikheil SAAKASHVILI. The leader of the opposition in Belarus and winner of
the Sajarov Prize of the European Parliament, Aleksander MILINKEVICH, also participated in the
meeting, along with President Victor YUSHCHENKO (Ukraine), Chairwoman of BYuT of Ukraine,
Yulia TYMOSHENKO, Prime Minister Ivo SANADER (Croatia), Prime Minister Sali BERISHA
(Albania) and Prime Minister Nikola GRUEVSKI (FYROM).
“The presence of Mr. SAAKASHVILI and Mr. MILINKEVICH shows the commitment of the EPP for
promoting democracy and freedom beyond EU’s borders”, President Martens said.
Finally, the EPP Presidency adopted a resolution that underlines the respect for the victims
of Vukovar (Croatia) and the need for historical truth and justice in the service of peace and
reconciliation in Southeast Europe.
2007
The EPP leaders called today EU Governments to finalize an agreement on the new Treaty of the
EU during a Summit held in Lisbon.
2007
EPP Leaders call for a final agreement
on the new EU Treaty
341
IX
Chronology 2007
342
IX. Chronology 2007
-E
U: Accession of Bulgaria and Romania.
- The EPP-ED Group has 277 members, including 9 Romanians
and 4 Bulgarians MEPs.
- The EU Council appoints Mrs Meglena Kuneva (Bulgaria)
and Mr Leonard Orban (Romania) members of the European Commission
for the period from 12 January 2007 to 31 October 2009.
- With the addition of Bulgarian, Irish and Romanian,
the European Union now has 23 official languages.
- Slovenia joins the euro zone.
- Start of the German Presidency of the European Union
9-10
- Joseph Daul MEP is elected Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
- New EPP-ED Group Presidency
11
- Hearing on ‘EU-Syria relations: what future for the Association Agreement?’
16
- Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, former Chairman of the EPP-ED Group,
is elected President of the European Parliament
30
- Launch of the European Year for Equal Opportunities in Berlin
February
5-6
- Third Joint Parliamentary Meeting on the Lisbon Strategy
7
- The EPP and the EIN (European Ideas Network) hold a seminar
on ‘Europe’s energy challenge’.
8
- Public Hearing on plant protection products
8
- EPP-ED Group Study Day on Belarus
March
8
- EPP-ED Group Hearing on ‘What does the future hold
for the Constitutional Treaty: how can the deadlock be broken?’
8
- EPP Summit in Meise (Belgium)
8
- EPP-ED Group Hearing on the Constitution
8
- EPP-ED Group Hearing on the Regulation on Roaming
8-9
- European Council meeting in Brussels (Belgium) - climate protection,
energy policy and the Lisbon Strategy.
13
- The EPP-ED Group proposes setting up a temporary committee on climate
change (decision taken by the European Parliament on 25 April 2007).
16-17
- Third session of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly in Tunis
2007
1
2007
January
343
IX
24-25
- At a formal meeting in Berlin, the Heads of State and Government
adopt a Declaration on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the signing
of the Treaties of Rome.
27
-E
PP-ED Group: Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany,
is awarded the Schuman Medal and Hans-Gert Poettering, President
of the European Parliament, becomes first ‘EPP-ED Honorary Chairman’
24
- EPP extraordinary Summit in Berlin (Germany)
28
- Public Hearing: Does Europe need an anti-missile defence shield?
29-30
- EPP-ED Group Hearing on «The balance between local and regional
authorities - need for self administration and the development
of the internal market»
July
3 Public Hearing: Nuclear Waste: A Real Risk?
16
-S
eventh Summit of Chairmen of EPP-ED parliamentary groups
in the European Union, Brussels (Belgium)
3 Public Hearing: Sea Disasters
4-6
-E
PP-ED Group Study Days in Malta
19-20
- Meeting of the EPP-ED Group Bureau in Granada (Spain)
9
25
- Celebration of the 60th birthday of Joseph Daul,
Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament
- Inauguration of the Pierre Pflimlin Building in Strasbourg on the occasion
of the hundredth anniversary of his birth.
16
- Public Hearing: The Reform of the Community Trade Defence Instruments
17-20
- EPP-ED Group Presidency visit to Washington-DC
23
- Representatives of the Member States meet in Brussels for official opening
of an Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on a draft treaty amending the EU
Treaties.
May
1
- European Parliament Open Day in Strasbourg
5
- European Parliament Open Day in Brussels
14 - EPP-ED Group Hearing on Pharmaceuticals - Putting an End to Drug
Counterfeiting
20
- First European elections in Bulgaria; 5 new Members,
join the EPP-ED Group, which now has 278 members.
28-29
1
-M
artin Kamp, new Secretary-General of the EPP-ED Group
16
- Early parliamentary election in Greece - Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis
(Nea Demokratia Party) wins the elections
17
- Public Hearing on Sharia in Europe
18
- Euromed - Islam Working Group
- EIN Summer University and European Ideas Fair in Warsaw (Poland)
- Eighth Europe-Asia Summit (ASEM) in Hamburg (Germany)
June
344
September
14-15
-M
eeting of the EPP-ED Group Bureau in the Azores (Portugal)
20-22
21-22
- European Council meeting in Brussels - the 27 Heads of State
and Government reach agreement on the broad lines of a simplified
institutional treaty to replace the constitutional treaty
October
21
23-28
- 13th Session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly
in Wiesbaden (Germany)
26
- Public Hearing on Women in prison
27
- Public Hearing on including aviation in the emissions trading scheme
3-4
- Public Hearing on Governance in the European Commission
9
- Public Hearing on Sustainable European transport policy
15
- Public Hearing on EU-Budget implementation - The Role of NGOs
18
-E
PP-ED Study Day on EU-China relations «Opportunities and Challenges»
(European Parliament, Brussels)
18
18-19
- European Council in Lisbon, Portugal
2007
April
- Start of the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union
2007
1
345
346
7
- EPP-ED Public Hearing on Financial Market Supervision
8
- EPP-ED Hearing:
A New Regional Policy - Innovative Ideas for the Post - 2013 Reform
8
- Conference on Student Mobility in Europe
8
- Conference on Tibet
17-22
- 14th Session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Kigali (Rwanda)
25
- European elections in Romania
27
- Public Hearing: Health Check of the CAP
28
- Celebration of the approval of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU
December
6-7
-E
PP-ED Group Bureau meeting in Sarajevo (Bosnia-Herzegovina)
12
- Signature of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU
13
- EPP Summit in Meise, Belgium
14
- European Council in Brussels
14
- The EPP-ED Group launches new Policy websites
18
- The EPP-ED Group has now 288 MEPs
2007
November
2007
IX
347
X
X. Contents of the CD-ROM
O-=NPU DNEOPE=J!AIK?N=PO
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2007
: & " 3 # 0 0 ,
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/5"*/&%FQVUZ4FDSFUBSZ(FOFSBM
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3/01/08 11:13:54
348
> 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome - The Berlin Declaration
(EN, FR, DE, IT, EL)
> Dialogues between the Orthodox Church and the EPP-ED Group (EN, FR, DE, EL)
> Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
(EN, FR, DE, IT, ES, NL, PL, HU, CZ, PT, EL, LV, SL, SK, ET, LT, RO, BG)
> Brochure on the Robert Schuman Medal (EN, FR, DE)
yearbook of the epp-ed group
2007
Responsible:
ascal FONTAINE, Deputy Secretary-General,
P
Coordinator: Angela KALADJIS
[email protected]
Internet:
©:
2007
YEARBOOK
OF THE EPP-ED GROUP
IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

2007 - EPP Group

Transcription

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