PRESIDE: ALEJO VIDAL-QUADRAS
Vicepresidente

(Se abre la sesión a las 9.05 horas)

  El Presidente. − El primer punto del orden del día es el informe del señor Milan Cabrnoch, en nombre de la Comisión de Empleo y Asuntos Sociales, referente a la modificación del Reglamento (CE) nº 883/2004, sobre la coordinación de los sistemas de seguridad social, y del Reglamento (CE) nº 987/2009, por el que se adoptan las normas de aplicación del Reglamento (CE) nº 883/2004 (COM(2010)0794 - C7-0005/2011 - 2010/0380(COD)) (A7-0043/2012).

  Milan Cabrnoch, zpravodaj. − Pane předsedající, máme příležitost prodiskutovat návrh změny nařízení o koordinaci sociálních systémů v jednotlivých členských zemích. Nejprve bych chtěl poděkovat všem zpravodajům, stínovým zpravodajům a dalším spolupracovníkům, kteří se podíleli na tom, že dnes můžeme – a já věřím, že s velkou podporou – schválit tuto změnu nařízení.

Elementárním cílem nového nařízení je zajistit, aby pracovníci migrující v rámci Evropské unie, tedy občané kteréhokoliv členského státu, ale i osoby bez státního občanství nebo uprchlíci, zaměstnanci i osoby samostatně výdělečně činné byli za všech okolností pokryti systémem sociálního zabezpečení se všemi z toho vyplývajícími právy a povinnostmi a nebyli nuceni současně platit příspěvky ve dvou nebo více zemích zároveň. Potřeba modernizace tohoto nařízení souvisí jak se změnami ve vnitrostátních právních předpisech, tak s judikaturou Soudního dvora Evropské unie. Jde o nutnost zjednodušení, snazší interpretaci a omezení rozsahu sporných stanovisek. V zásadě se jedná především o tři hlavní okruhy, a to je definice a vyjasnění pojmu „podstatná část činnosti“ a specifikace kritérií pro možné situace v případě, kdy osoba nevykonává podstatnou část své činnosti ve státě, ve kterém má bydliště.

Druhým důležitým tématem je zavedení konceptu mateřského letiště, kterým se řeší problematika leteckých posádek, a přijalo se řešení, že za mateřské letiště se pokládá to letiště, ze kterého nejčastěji odlétají a kam nejčastěji přilétají, a podle toho se určuje, která legislativa, respektive legislativa kterého státu se na leteckou posádku bude v tomto případě aplikovat.

Posledním důležitým okruhem jsou dávky v nezaměstnanosti pro příhraniční pracovníky vykonávající samostatně výdělečnou činnost v případě, kdy tyto osoby byly nebo nebyly pojištěny pro nezaměstnanost. V některých členských státech existují systémy pojištění pro případ nezaměstnanosti i pro osoby samostatně výdělečně činné, v jiných státech neexistují. I tato problematika se v předloženém návrhu nařízení zohledňuje a řeší. Podle tohoto nařízení bude osoba samostatně výdělečně činná pojištěna pro případ nezaměstnanosti v tom členském státě, v němž vykonávala činnost naposledy, a to i v případě, že se vrátí do členského státu předchozího bydliště. Nejistota v otázce pokrytí leteckých posádek byla vyřešena vytvořením pojmu mateřské letiště, a je to takové místo, kde člen posádky obvykle vykonává svoji práci.

Nařízení, které dnes budeme projednávat a které, jak věřím, schválíme, je praktickým nástrojem pro hladké fungování společného trhu, protože zavádí větší ochranu a jistotu pro větší počet mobilních pracovníků. Také osoby vykonávající samostatně výdělečnou činnost mohou nyní pracovat v rámci celého společného trhu s vědomím, že i na ně se bude sociální zabezpečení v případě ztráty obživy vztahovat.

Dámy a pánové, já vám děkuji a těším se na diskusi k této zprávě a děkuji vám za podporu.

  Sari Essayah, PPE-ryhmän puolesta. – Arvoisa puhemies, harmillista, että komission jäsen ei ole vielä ehtinyt paikalle kuuntelemaan meidän puheenvuorojamme aiheesta, koska parlamentti on esittelijän johdolla seurannut hyvin jäsenvaltioiden kannanottoja sosiaaliturvan koordinointiin rajat ylittävissä tapauksissa.

Työvoiman vapaa liikkuvuus ja kansalaisen oikeus hakea töitä toisesta jäsenvaltiosta on lähtökohtaisesti positiivinen asia sisämarkkinoille. Mutta se asettaa myös haasteita jäsenvaltioille, kun varmistetaan yhtäältä, etteivät ihmiset tipu asuin- ja työntekomaiden sosiaaliturvajärjestelmien väliin, ja toisaalta ehkäistään sosiaali- ja työttömyysturvajärjestelmien väärinkäyttöä. Tällä asetuksella ei siis yhdenmukaisteta sosiaaliturvajärjestelmiä, vaan pääasiassa saatetaan ajan tasalle koordinaatiosääntöjä, jotta ne vastaisivat jäsenvaltioiden säädöksiin tehtyjä muutoksia.

Asetus selkeyttää sovellettavaa lainsäädäntöä tapauksissa, joissa henkilö työskentelee useille työnantajille eri jäsenvaltioissa. Sovellettava lainsäädäntö määräytyy pääasiallisen työskentelyn perusteella, sillä ei ole kenenkään edun mukaista, että muutetaan jatkuvasti sovellettavaa lainsäädäntöä työskentelyjaksojen vuoksi.

Muutosasetuksen ehkä kaikkein kiistanalaisin kysymys liittyy ammatinharjoittajien työttömyysturvan eksportointiin, eli siihen, että työtön yrittäjä voi saada työttömyysturvaa työntekomaasta, vaikka omassa asuinvaltiossa tällaista työttömyysturvaetuutta ei olisi olemassakaan. Onneksi tuo komission alkuperäinen esitys parani neuvoston ja parlamentin käsittelyssä siten, että työttömyysturva koskee vain aitoa rajatyöntekijää, joka palaa pääsääntöisesti päivittäin tai vähintään kerran viikossa työntekovaltiosta asuinvaltioon ja on työntekomaan työmarkkinoiden käytettävissä. Samoin myös työttömyysturvan ehdot ovat työntekovaltion määriteltävissä.

On tärkeää, että tähän asiaan palataan kahden vuoden kuluttua ja tarkastellaan uudelleen, aiheuttaako tämä ongelmia jäsenvaltioiden välillä.

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, the regulations that are the subject of today’s discussions lay down some specific measures for the coordination of national social security systems. They make practical arrangements to protect the social security benefits of EU citizens who move across borders.

These practical arrangements can only be effective if they reflect changes in the legal and social situation. Since the modernised social security coordination regulations were applied in 2010, we have discovered that changes in national legislation and in working practices create a need for clarification of the text and for some small gaps to be closed.

The proposal which the Parliament is discussing today takes account of recent developments and concepts which were not developed in detail in the regulations. Even though the proposal is technical in nature, it has a direct, practical impact on people who rely on the measures adopted at European level when they make use of the right to free movement.

As this House’s recent resolution on the 2010 European Citizens’ Report made clear, the right to freedom of movement and residence needs to be accompanied by specific measures to give substance to this fundamental freedom. This holds true in particular for the two most sensitive issues in the proposal: the introduction of the home base principle for air crew members, and the provision for unemployment benefits for unemployed self-employed persons who return to their state of residence in which no insurance system exists. I can assure you that the compromise reached on these technical issues is in line with the spirit of the regulation, which coordinates and seeks to protect workers’ rights. It clarifies the rights of citizens and it assists institutions when they apply these legal texts.

Mr Cabrnoch’s report makes the importance of adopting the file at first reading and approving the outcome of last year’s negotiations very clear, and I am grateful to him for keeping the compromise in mind when the amendments were drafted. The Commission fully supports the amendments and wishes to thank the rapporteur for helping to foster sound cooperation between our institutions on this matter.

  Alejandro Cercas, en nombre del Grupo S&D. – Señor Presidente, tengo que empezar forzosamente felicitando al Comisario, a los Servicios de la Comisión y al Consejo y a mi colega, el señor Cabrnoch, por el excelente trabajo que ha permitido encontrar una vía de solución al debate de esta actualización del Reglamento y que podamos hacerlo en primera lectura y que, por tanto, los beneficios estén ya inmediatamente disponibles.

Quiero recordar, como ya han dicho los colegas, que si éste es un ejercicio anual, en esta ocasión tiene dos importantes novedades: el nuevo artículo 65, que otorga el subsidio por desempleo a los trabajadores transfronterizos, cuando hasta el momento no lo tenían, y esto lo revisaremos dentro de dos años, incluso para mejorarlo; y, sobre todo también, la nueva mención que se hace en el artículo 11 del criterio de «base», que da seguridad jurídica a las tripulaciones aéreas y que señala con claridad la legislación aplicable, con el concepto de «base» («home base») como criterio, algo que ya existe en el Reglamento.

Quiero aprovechar los últimos segundos para decir y recordar a los colegas y a la opinión pública que, ahora que tantas veces se pone en el disparadero a Europa, hoy tenemos un claro ejemplo de cómo Europa puede beneficiar y mejorar la vida de millones de trabajadores que, gracias a estos sistemas de coordinación de la seguridad social, llegan a las edades de jubilación o llegan a situaciones de desempleo perfectamente cubiertos por la cooperación entre los Estados europeos, y porque existe la Unión Europea y porque existe el modelo social europeo, un modelo social europeo que, al contrario de lo que ha dicho alguien del Consejo, está vivo y cada día debe ser mejor, porque eso es lo que pide la gente y eso es lo que en este Parlamento hoy demostramos que es posible hacer.

  Siiri Oviir, fraktsiooni ALDE nimel. – Õigus elada ja töötada kõikjal Euroopa Liidus on iga Euroopa Liidu kodaniku põhiõigus. Arvestades, et tööjõu vaba liikumine on üks võtmetähtsusega Euroopa Liidu meetmetest toimiva tööturu saavutamiseks, on väga oluline omada täpseid ja üheselt tõlgendatavaid sotsiaalkindlustuse koordineerimise reegleid – reegleid, mis võimaldavad meie inimestel vabalt liikuda, muretsemata seejuures töötuse, pensionide, tervisekindlustuse ning teiste sotsiaalkindlustuse elementide pärast. Täna kehtiva määruse normid on läbi vaieldud 10 aastat tagasi. Vahepeal on meie tööturg läbinud tõsiseid muutusi. Lisandunud on uusi töötajate liikumise vorme. Muutused on toimunud ka liikmesriikide õigusaktides. Seetõttu saab ainult tervitada määruse ajakohastamise tahet.

Parlamendina on meie kohustus tagada sidusrühmadele õiguskindlus. Ilma sotsiaalkindlustust koordineerimata ei tagata Euroopa Liidu toimimise lepingu artikli 48 kohast vaba liikumise õigust. Määrusesse sisse viidavad uued reeglid, esiteks normid, mis käsitlevad füüsilisest isikust ettevõtjate sotsiaalkindlustusalaseid õigusi, või teiseks, kodubaasi definitsiooni lisamine lennundusettevõtteis töötavate inimeste jaoks, ei kohusta liikmesriike muutma juba olemasolevaid süsteeme. Nad garanteerivad kodanikele võrdse ligipääsu liikmesriigi sotsiaalkindlustussüsteemile ja seda juhul, kui nad on selle riigi kodanikud või antud riigis kindlustatud. Muutused määruses, seejuures ka need, mis lihtsustavad õigusnormide sõnastust, on meie 27 liikmesriigi kodanike huvides ja mitte ainult, nad on kehtivad ka Islandil, Liechtensteinis, Norras ja Šveitsis.

Koordineerides rahvuslikke süsteeme, asendades mitmeid bilateraalseid süsteeme ning kiirendades infovahetust, muutub sotsiaalkindlustushüvitiste väljamaksmine kindlasti korrektsemaks ja kiiremaks. ALDE fraktsioon toetab määruse muudatuste vastuvõtmist esimesel lugemisel. Variraportöörina tahan tänada Milan Cabrnochi ja teisi variraportööre väga hea, kiire ja mõistva koostöö eest.

  Jean Lambert, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Mr President, I too would like to thank the rapporteur for the work that has been done on this. As has been said, it is a highly technical document, but it is an extremely important one for individuals within the European Union.

As people have said, this is the latest update of what is – in many ways – one of the earliest pieces of legislation put in place by the European Union. It has been extensively revised – a job that we finished in 2009 – and this is now the update. Very soon we will be seeing how the new electronic system that underpins this is coming into effect, and hopefully it will be able to deal with citizens’ concerns more rapidly.

This concerns the maintenance of rights for people who move across borders for whatever reason or who work in border areas. It deals with the areas of core social security, health care, unemployment, pensions, family benefits, etc. It is extremely important that those rights are upheld. I think we have got quite a citizen-friendly outcome from this first reading agreement.

As we have been saying, it is designed to uphold the rights of individuals who are covered by social security systems. It was not put in place to provide an opportunity for businesses – particularly those with mobile workers – to cut costs by providing them with an opportunity to choose the cheapest place to register their workers for social security purposes. I am very pleased that we have actually managed to close that particular loophole within this revision, because to find yourself registered in a country where you feel you have no connection and to seek health care treatment, for example, in the country where you are resident, is bound to lead to confusion and a lot of difficulties for the individual. Even though the company concerned may feel that it is doing a good deal for itself and its shareholders, it is not playing fair by its workers.

So we are very pleased to have got the ‘home base’ definition in there, bringing it into line with other legislation to make it very clear to individuals exactly where it is that they are registered and therefore what rights they can expect. I think we have achieved a very good outcome, and we are very pleased to see it going through at first reading.

  Marina Yannakoudakis, on behalf of the ECR Group. – Mr President, in these difficult economic times the EU should make it easier for companies to do business. As a former businesswoman I know it is natural for companies and firms to want to cut their costs. However, it is also important that companies do not dodge their obligation to pay social security.

My constituency of London is the top destination for international investment in the European Union. Furthermore, foreign direct investment is a key driver to London’s success. When companies like Microsoft or Sony invest in London it stands to reason that these companies should pay into the British social security system. The same is true of their employees who live and work in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, a loophole has allowed airlines and their employees to avoid making social security payments in their country of operation. Some pilots and crew working in Belgium, France, Spain and other EU countries have actually been paying social security in Ireland, where the companies’ aircraft are registered.

This report puts an end to so-called ‘social dumping’ by obliging employers and employees to pay social security in their home base. I congratulate the rapporteur on this report and on closing a loophole which had been depriving Member States’ social security systems of much-needed revenue.

  Tadeusz Cymański, w imieniu grupy EFD. – Panie Przewodniczący! Omawiane przez nas sprawozdanie odnosi się do kwestii koordynacji systemów zabezpieczenia społecznego. Jesteśmy zwolennikami rozwiązań, które gwarantują równe traktowanie obywateli, również na rynku pracy. Dlatego też zmiany przepisów powinny iść w kierunku stworzenia szansy większej mobilności pracowników oraz osób bezrobotnych. Osoby te nie powinny być w sztuczny sposób wiązane z miejscem ostatniego zatrudnienia tylko i wyłącznie w celu otrzymywania świadczeń socjalnych. Dlatego rozwiązania proponowane w sprawozdaniu Milana Cabrnocha zasługują na poparcie. Dążenie do lepszej koordynacji systemów zabezpieczenia społecznego pozwoli również zastosować zasady adekwatności. Bardzo ważne jest, aby w tych działaniach i pracach zabezpieczyć równowagę między potrzebą konkurencyjności i ochroną pracowników.

Z tematem, który omawiamy łączy się również marcowa inicjatywa Komisji Europejskiej dotycząca zwiększonej ochrony pracowników tymczasowo delegowanych za granicę. Jest to temat zbliżony, który będziemy w przyszłości omawiać i dotyczy on, bagatela, około 1mln obywateli Unii Europejskiej, którzy pracują na zasadzie delegacji. Konkurencja i ochrona pracowników – równowaga między tymi tematami wydaje się najtrudniejsza, ale najbardziej potrzebna dzisiaj, w czasach kryzysu, kiedy Europa zmaga się z konkurencją w wymiarze globalnym. Dziękuję bardzo.

  Inês Cristina Zuber, em nome do Grupo GUE/NGL. – Senhor Presidente, este relatório defende que um trabalhador fronteiriço por conta própria que fique desempregado tem direito a receber as prestações de desemprego no Estado-Membro competente se estas não existirem no Estado-Membro de residência. Consideramos que esta medida tem aspetos positivos no intuito de aplicar a legislação que é mais avançada em termos de proteção social entre dois Estados-Membros. No entanto, esta medida não deve legitimar a existência dos ditos trabalhadores independentes falsos, ou seja, trabalhadores que ocupam um posto de trabalho permanente. Estas situações ilegais não devem de forma alguma ser legitimadas, mas antes erradicadas através da criação de contratos de trabalho com direitos e, para tal, as fiscalizações são muito importantes.

Com a segunda alteração, os trabalhadores das companhias aéreas de inscrevem-se na segurança social da sua base de afetação. Pensamos, no entanto, que deve existir um controlo no registo da sede das empresas, para que as companhias não se sediem nos países onde os encargos relacionados com a segurança social são menores, de forma a terem menos custos.

Caros colegas, permitam-me dizer-vos o seguinte: no momento em que assistimos a um ataque sem precedentes ao regime de segurança social no meu país, Portugal, queremos deixar assente que não pactuaremos com nenhuma tentativa de harmonização do regime de segurança social na União Europeia, nem com recomendações que a Comissão Europeia tem vindo a impor, como é o caso do Livro Branco das pensões, que defende o aumento da idade da reforma e abre caminho aos sistemas de seguros privados, de forma a acabar com o sistema público de segurança social.

No momento em que assistimos em Portugal ao congelamento do valor das reformas e pensões, aos cortes totais nos subsídios de férias e de Natal, à diminuição de apoios sociais, queremos reafirmar que não aceitaremos o caminho da privatização da segurança social e defenderemos um sistema público de segurança social baseado no princípio da solidariedade e da universalidade.

  Angelika Werthmann (NI). - Herr Präsident! Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Die neue Regulierung schafft Klarheit für alle stakeholder, also für Unternehmen, Versicherungsträger sowie vor allem für die betroffenen Bürgerinnen und Bürger. Besonders wichtig ist: Sie berücksichtigt die spezielle Situation mobiler und grenzüberschreitend arbeitender Menschen, die wir jetzt in Europa brauchen. Sie ist sozial gerechter, verursacht keine Mehrkosten, aber bringt dem Bürger ein Mehr an sozialer Sicherheit, Transparenz und Klarheit.

Besonders wichtig erscheinen mir zwei Aspekte. Erstens: Die nun klare Definition des Begriffes „substantieller Anteil“ in Artikel 13 Absatz 1. Zweitens: Die genaue Festlegung des Begriffes „home base“, also Heimatstandort. Dies ist zum Beispiel besonders für das fliegende Personal der Fluglinien wichtig. Hiermit sollte die angestrebte Rechtssicherheit für die betroffenen Unternehmen, Kalkulierbarkeit für Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter sowie Vorbeugung gegen Sozialdumping erreicht werden. Vielen Dank an den Berichterstatter.

  Csaba Őry (PPE). - Köszönöm a szót Elnök úr! Nagyon sok minden elhangzott már a vitában, ezeket nem feltétlenül szeretném megismételni. Mindenekelőtt megköszönném Milan Cabrnoch kollegámnak kiváló munkáját, és tulajdonképpen arra szeretném fölhívni a figyelmet, hogy mi, képviselők, gyakran kapunk olyan kérdéseket a polgároktól, hogy tulajdonképpen mivel is foglalkozunk itt a Parlamentben. Nos, ha létezik jó demonstrációja annak, hogy valami hasznosat tud tenni a Bizottság és a Parlament együtt, akkor ez a látszólag technikai probléma, amit most vitatunk, nagyon jó bizonyítéka annak, hogy értelmes, hasznos együttműködéssel képesek vagyunk arra, hogy segítsünk a kitágult Európában szabadon mozgó, szabadon vállalkozó polgártársainknak abban, hogy a jogosultágukat, amiket megszereztek, azokat meg is tarthassák, azoknak a hasznait élvezhessék.

Külön érdeme ennek a mostani vitának, mostani konzultációnak, a közös munkának, hogy a Bizottság szakértői bizottságának javaslataira épül, hogy figyelembe veszi a tagországok ez irányú tapasztalatait, és hogy a Parlament, a parlamenti képviselők is arra törekedtek, hogy első olvasatban ezekre a látszólag technikai problémákra megoldást találjunk. Úgy van, ahogy ez elhangzott többször. Új vállalkozási formák, új szerződésformák, új, sokkal mobilabb munkavégzési lehetőségek jelentek meg az Unióban. Küzdünk számos területen azzal, hogy jogi kereteket, jogi szabályokat alkossunk ezeknek a rendezésére, egyértelmű kezelésére. Én azt gondolom, hogy most egy igazi jó példa van előttünk abban a tekintetben, hogy ha akarunk, tudunk és képesek vagyunk jó megoldásokat találni.

Én kifejezetten pozitívnak találom az önfoglalkoztatókra, a repülőszemélyzetre vonatkozó új szabályokat. Magam is úgy gondolom, hogy a bázishelynek a megfogalmazása egy új és kreatív lehetőséget teremt. Még egyszer köszönöm mind a Bizottságnak, köszönöm Milan Kollegámnak a munkát, és remélem, hogy valóban hasznos lesz. Egy olyan ügyről van szó, a koordinációról, amit egyébként sokszor fogunk még vitatni, évről évre újra és újra elő kell venni.

  Jutta Steinruck (S&D). - Herr Präsident! Auch ich danke dem Berichterstatter, und wie meine Vorredner begrüße ich diese Verordnung, über die wir heute abstimmen werden.

Der europäische Binnenmarkt bringt auch für die Arbeitnehmerinnen und Arbeitnehmer viele Vorteile. Aber leider wurden bisher oft Gesetzeslücken in der grenzüberschreitenden Mobilität ausgenutzt. Ein Beispiel dafür – es wurde von einigen Vorrednern erwähnt – ist der Flugverkehr. Flugrouten wurden bewusst so angelegt, dass das Flugpersonal oft in dem Mitgliedstaat versichert war, in dem die Sozialversicherung für die Fluggesellschaft am billigsten war. Damit wurde der Wettbewerb verzerrt, und das ist Lohn- und Sozialdumping, das immer wieder auf dem Rücken der Beschäftigten erfolgt. Deswegen haben wir uns als europäische Sozialdemokraten dafür stark gemacht, dass auch das Flugpersonal dort sozialversichert ist und seine Steuern zahlen muss, wo es stationiert ist. Unternehmen, die einseitig die Vorteile des europäischen Binnenmarktes nutzen, sich aber auf der anderen Seite aus der sozialen Verantwortung stehlen, darf es in einem sozialen Europa nicht geben.

  Ryszard Czarnecki (ECR). - Panie Przewodniczący! Gdy sprawozdanie przedstawia kolega z tej samej frakcji politycznej, należy go z definicji chwalić, ale na szczęście tym razem są ku temu merytoryczne powody, a więc gratuluję mojemu koledze Cabrnochowi tego sprawozdania. Chciałem natomiast przypomnieć wszystkim na tej sali przysięgę Hipokratesa, łacińską maksymę Primum non nocere (po pierwsze nie szkodzić). Uważam, że powinniśmy w kontekście tej debaty mówić nie tylko o pracownikach, ale także o firmach, które zatrudniają tych pracowników. W czasach kryzysu należy tak postępować, aby nie wylewać dziecka z kąpielą, aby wszelkie zmiany były korzystne i dla firmy, i dla pracowników. Trzeba w tej kwestii znaleźć złoty środek. Inaczej, dbając o pracowników, będziemy zarzynać firmy, a przez to one będą zwalniać ludzi.

  Jaroslav Paška (EFD). - Jednou zo základných podmienok dobrého fungovania voľného pohybu pracovných síl v Únii bolo vytvorenie pravidiel vzájomnej koordinácie mechanizmov sociálneho zabezpečenia jednotlivých členských štátov. V súčasnosti platné pravidlá koordinácie vychádzajúce z nariadenia č. 833 z roku 2004 a nariadenia č. 987 z roku 2009 navrhuje správna komisia pre koordináciu systému sociálneho zabezpečenia aktualizovať s prihliadnutím na zmeny spoločenskej realite a právne zmeny predpisov v niektorých členských štátoch. Z navrhovaných zmien je pre našich občanov asi najvýznamnejším prínosom spresnenie aplikácie podmienky vykonávania podstatnej činnosti podľa článku 13 ods. 1 nariadenia 833 z roku 2004, ktoré bude uplatňované v prípadoch, ak občania pracujú v dvoch alebo viacerých členských štátoch, a bude sa vzťahovať aj na občanov pracujúcich pre rozdielnych zamestnávateľov. Rovnako doplnenie tohto nariadenia o nové ustanovenie zabezpečujúce ochranu samostatne zárobkovo činných osôb v prípade straty práce predstavuje vyšší stupeň ochrany pred turbulenciami na pracovnom trhu. Isté riziko z možného zneužívania tohto ustanovenia však bude potrebné pozorne monitorovať.

  Franz Obermayr (NI). - Herr Präsident! Im Zuge der Globalisierung entstehen neue Mobilitätsformen. Ich denke da an den Luftverkehr, wo Unternehmen ihre Dienste von so genannten Heimatbasen in unterschiedlichen EU-Ländern anbieten. Das Flugpersonal darf dabei nicht Gefahr laufen, im Ernstfall durch das soziale Netz zu fallen, nur weil es in verschiedenen Ländern operiert. Keinesfalls aber darf man die grundsätzliche Ausschüttung von beitragsunabhängigen Sozialleistungen, wie beispielsweise Notstandshilfe, an Ausländer vorschreiben. So wie bei einem Fall in Österreich, wo Österreich vom Europäischen Gerichtshof für Menschenrechte verpflichtet wurde, einem französischen Staatsbürger in Österreich Notstandshilfe zu zahlen. Der EGMR subsumierte den Anspruch auf Notstands- und Sozialhilfe für mich unverständlicherweise unter das Eigentumsrecht. Das ist eine Einladung zu einem neuen binneneuropäischen Sozialtourismus, dorthin zu gehen, wo man die höheren Sozialleistungen zu erwarten hat.

  Ole Christensen (S&D). - Hr. formand! Hvis vi skal have et velfungerende indre marked med den frie bevægelighed for varer, tjenesteydelser, kapital og arbejdskraft, skal vi også have et velfungerende marked for social sikring. Derfor er det godt, at reglerne løbende opdateres og koordineres. Det skal nemlig ikke være besværligt for arbejdskraften at arbejde og bevæge sig frem og tilbage mellem to lande. Med disse nye regler behøver man ikke at sige nej til et job, fordi man ikke er helt klar over, hvordan ens sociale rettigheder er.

Reglerne ændrer sig også for grænsearbejdere, således at man er socialt sikret der, hvor man har sin primære beskæftigelse, dog med den mulighed, at man, hvis man har en beskæftigelse på 25 % i landet, man bor i, kan vælge at være socialt sikret der.

Jeg synes også, at det er godt, at man har klarlagt reglerne for flybesætningsmedlemmer, således at det ikke er muligt at shoppe og vælge det land, hvor den sociale sikring er billigst.

Nu mangler vi så faktisk kun klarere regler for den udstationerede arbejdskraft, og dem får vi så senere på året.

Procedimiento de solicitud incidental de uso de la palabra («catch the eye»)

  Miroslav Mikolášik (PPE). - Chcem veľmi oceniť výbornú prácu doktora Cabrnocha, ktorý zjednotil všetky politické frakcie, a tak to má byť, na takýchto textoch, ktoré pomáhajú občanom žiť v ktorejkoľvek krajine Európskej únie, pracovať tam a byť sociálne zabezpečený. To je predsa naša úloha poslancov Európskeho parlamentu. To je niečo, čo konkrétne môžeme našim voličom, našim občanom predložiť. Som veľmi rád, že sa vyjasnili také otázky, ktoré hovoria o prihraničných pracovníkoch, ktorí v susednej krajine pracujú, ale aj celkom inej krajine, nemusí to byť prihraničný styk, môže to byť celkom iná pozícia pracovníka aj vo vzdialenej krajine. Vyjasnilo sa tiež to, ako sa budú platiť dávky sociálneho zabezpečenia pre letecké posádky a pre pilotov, kedy sa vyšpecifikovala tzv. základňa ich hlavné materské letisko, tam sa budú sociálne dávky platiť. A tiež toto prispeje ku zjednodušeniu a stransparentneniu spôsobov, ako zamestnávatelia majú platiť za svojich zamestnancov a ako sa zamestnanci môžu tešiť týmto sociálnym výhodám.

  Danuta Jazłowiecka, (PPE). - Dziękuję, Panie Przewodniczący. Jak słusznie zauważa Komisja, w ciągu minionych kilku lat ogromnym zmianom uległy nie tylko prawodawstwa państw członkowskich, ale przede wszystkim zachowania społeczne. Coraz częściej mamy do czynienia z migracją zarobkową do innych krajów, pracą transgraniczną, łączeniem etatów w kilku firmach działających na terenie całej Unii czy prowadzeniem działalności gospodarczej w dwóch lub więcej państwach członkowskich. Jednak, co warto podkreślić, zmiany te są nie tylko konsekwencją kryzysu ekonomicznego, lecz również przeobrażeń, które przechodzi rynek pracy. Dlatego konieczne jest uaktualnianie istniejących regulacji, tak aby uwzględniały one nowe okoliczności, ułatwiały naszym obywatelom mobilność i przedsiębiorczość. Trzeba jednak mieć świadomość, że sytuacja jest niezwykle dynamiczna. Nie jesteśmy w stanie obecnie przewidzieć ewolucji, jaka zajdzie na unijnym rynku pracy w ciągu następnych kilku lat. Zmiany w prawodawstwie państw członkowskich związane z kryzysem, przeobrażenia w przedsiębiorstwach, powstawanie nowych zawodów i coraz większa mobilność obywateli Unii z pewnością wymuszą w niedalekiej przyszłości kolejne zmiany. Dlatego też warto zastanowić się nad tym, jak uniwersalnie uregulować sferę koordynacji systemów zabezpieczenia społecznego, tak aby miała ona względnie stabilny charakter i nie wymagała zbyt częstych zmian.

  Vilija Blinkevičiūtė (S&D). - Dėkoju pranešėjai ir pritariu tai pranešimo daliai, kuria yra siekiama atlikti ES teisės aktų socialinės apsaugos srityje patikslinimus, nes jie yra neišvengiami keičiantys valstybių narių praktikai ir jų teisės aktams. Ir be abejo ypač pritariu reikalingiems Europos Sąjungos teisės aktų turinio pakeitimams, kurie yra būtini norint veiksmingai ir iki galo įgyvendinti laisvo darbuotojų judėjimo teisę mūsų piliečiams. Situacija, kuomet savarankiškai dirbantys darbuotojai dirba šalyje, kurioje jie turi teisę į nedarbo pašalpą, o tokią teisę praranda vien tik išvykę gyventi į kitą šalį, kurios teisės aktai nenumato tokios išmokos, yra nepriimtina laisvą darbuotojų judėjimą propaguojančioje Europos Sąjungoje. Europos Teisingumo Teismas savo praktikoje taip pat patvirtino, jog asmenys, tapę bedarbiais vienoje valstybėje narėje, turi teisę išvykę gyventi į kitą valstybę narę ir toliau ten ieškoti darbo, gauti nedarbo pašalpą, kuri jiems priklauso. Svarbiausia, kad teisė į socialines išmokas negali būti apribota, kai šias išmokas sudaro paties buvusios savarankiškai dirbusio darbuotojo mokėtos socialinio draudimo įmokos.

  Elena Băsescu (PPE). - Susţin şi eu modificarea regulamentelor privind coordonarea şi punerea în aplicare a sistemelor de securitate socială. Astfel, securitatea juridică va fi îmbunătăţită. Salut faptul că propunerea are în vedere schimbările din legislaţiile naţionale, precum şi cele mai recente evoluţii ale mobilităţii transfrontaliere. Este mai important decât oricând să se asigure libera circulaţie a forţei de muncă pentru toţi cetăţenii Uniunii. Lucrătorii români şi bulgari sunt mai afectaţi decât restul cetăţenilor ca urmare a unei cerinţe suplimentare care le este impusă pe o piaţă a muncii deja supracompetitivă. Simplificarea regulamentelor este necesară mai ales în ceea ce priveşte prestaţiile de şomaj aplicabile pentru a proteja drepturile cetăţenilor. În acest sens subliniez importanţa modificării articolului 65. Modificările propuse vor contribui la actualizarea şi îmbunătăţirea normelor existente în contextul schimbării realităţilor sociale.

  Gerard Batten (EFD). - Mr President, the harmonisation of EU social security systems does not of course mean the harmonisation of the benefit systems themselves – that would be unachievable – but rather the harmonisation of access to those systems by all EU citizens. What this means is that many social security claimants will gravitate to those states with the most generous systems.

In Britain nearly five million people are on the council house waiting list, with little prospect of getting a home, but in some London boroughs almost 50% of social housing is given to people not born in the UK. Many of these people will never have paid a penny in tax and will be living on state benefits. Of course there is no point in homeless Londoners emigrating to other EU Member States to seek homes and income on their social security systems because the benefits will not be as reciprocal. No one should gain public housing or benefits in Britain until they have paid tax for a considerable period of time.

  Petru Constantin Luhan (PPE). - Stimaţi colegi, apreciez în mod deosebit simplificarea pe care această propunere de regulament o vizează. După cum ştiţi, pledez încă de la începutul mandatului pentru o abordare cât mai suplă, flexibilă şi simplă a tuturor aspectelor vizate la nivelul european pentru a face ca lucrurile să funcţioneze cât mai bine în concordanţă cu nevoile cetăţenilor europeni.

Aşadar, consider că realizarea coordonării sistemelor de securitate socială nu poate fi decât un pas înainte, în contextul actual al nevoii de locuri de muncă şi, implicit, de încurajare a mobilităţii forţei de muncă. Regulamentele 883/2004 şi 987/2009 trebuie adaptate la noile situaţii. În plus, alături de aceste eforturi trebuie să fie şi statele membre, guvernele, care să asigure în continuare o bună funcţionare a sistemelor de securitate socială şi să colaboreze în sprijinul acelor regulamente la nivel european pentru cei care lucrează sau încetează a lucra în state diferite cu sisteme diferite.

  Monika Flašíková Beňová (S&D). - Cieľom návrhov týkajúcich sa koordinácie systémov sociálneho zabezpečenia je najmä zlepšenie a modernizácia acquis a vplývajú na to aj zmeny spoločenskej reality. A práve s cieľom reagovať na tieto zmeny sa navrhujú zlepšenia v oblasti určovania uplatniteľných právnych predpisov a dávok v nezamestnanosti. Chcem, aby bolo objasnené, že v prípade práce v dvoch lebo viacerých členských štátoch podmienka výkonu podstatnej časti činnosti sa vzťahuje aj na osoby pracujúce pre rôzne podniky alebo zamestnávateľov. Rôznorodosť a vývoj podmienok, za ktorých sa vykonávajú profesionálne činnosti, si vyžadujú zohľadňovať situáciu predovšetkým u vysoko mobilných pracovníkov. Za dôležité považujem tiež zabezpečiť, aby samostatne zárobkovo činné osoby poberali dávky v súlade s právnymi predpismi príslušného členského štátu a aby sa im pri návrate do členského štátu bydliska poskytli čo najlepšie vyhliadky na opätovné začlenenie sa na trhu práce. Som totiž názoru, že predkladané nariadenie by sa i pre uvedené skutočnosti malo zodpovedajúcim spôsobom zmeniť a doplniť.

  Andrew Henry William Brons (NI). - Mr President, in this European Parliament, whatever the matter being debated, all roads lead to the same place: further and deeper political and economic integration. In the early days of what was the EEC we were told that there was freedom of movement of labour: the right to work in other countries. If work could not be found, or if one’s job disappeared, people would come home.

We are now moving towards freedom of movement of claimants. This coordination is portrayed as a safety net for hard-working, enterprising, self-employed people who fall on hard times. In fact its motivation is to support not people but a political objective: the maximisation of the movement of people to undermine national identities. In the words of the rapporteur, without such coordination there would be a risk that freedom of movement would be inoperable. In this field, as in all others, the measures are not designed to satisfy an autonomous demand or the desire of self-employed people to work abroad. It is part of a long-term plan to create and empower that demand.

(Fin del procedimiento de solicitud incidental de uso de la palabra («catch the eye»))

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, I believe the proposal discussed today builds on the existing legislation with a view to guaranteeing EU citizens an entitlement to social security benefits when they move between Member States. Cross-border mobility indeed raises questions, and we have to find practical answers and solutions in a constructive atmosphere of this kind.

I believe the various references to other dossiers such as, for example, the posting of workers, were also relevant and very helpful, and I listened very carefully to what was said about the impact of social housing and homelessness, because this is also an important aspect of our work in the fight against poverty.

But the proposal that was discussed today makes provision for technical arrangements for effective social security coordination and does only what is necessary to make effective coordination a reality for citizens in their day-to-day lives. The Commission welcomes the agreement between the Council and Parliament and looks forward to the adoption of the proposal at first reading.

  Milan Cabrnoch, zpravodaj. − Já bych chtěl velmi rychle poděkovat za širokou podporu i za spolupráci pracovníkům jak Komise, tak i Rady. Velice si vážím toho, že v celé diskusi zazněla pouze souhlasná stanoviska. Chtěl bych říci, že projednávaná norma nemá pouze technický, ale naopak velmi silný politický obsah. Podporuje skutečné dokončení skutečně fungujícího společného trhu, podporuje základní svobody, pohyb zboží, služeb, pracovníků a kapitálu. Podporuje mobilitu pracovníků, a to nejen zaměstnanců, ale také osob samostatně výdělečně činných, a to tím, že zavádí jasnější, srozumitelnější a jednodušší pravidla.

Naším úkolem je vytvářet prostředí a legislativní rámec pro podnikání, a nikoliv zavalovat členské státy, podniky a pracovníky zbytečnou další a další legislativou. Chtěl bych zdůraznit, že projednávaná norma zachovává plnou suverenitu členských zemí ve věci sociální politiky, neklade žádné další nároky na již tak napjaté rozpočty členských zemí ani nevytváří falešná, nepřiměřená a nepodložená očekávání. Stejně tak nevytváří žádnou nerovnováhu mezi právy a povinnostmi pracovníků a jejich zaměstnavatelů. Tato norma je tedy veskrze podporou základních principů Evropské unie tak, jak si představujeme, že by měla fungovat.

  El Presidente. − Se cierra el debate.

La votación tendrá lugar hoy a las 11.30 horas.

Declaraciones por escrito (artículo 149 del Reglamento)

  Frédéric Daerden (S&D), par écrit. – L'euroscepticisme grandit parmi les salariés en Europe, et nous le savons, le risque de repli sur soi n'est jamais loin. Les exploitations de vides juridiques par certains employeurs, pour limiter au maximum leurs coûts salariaux, s'opèrent au détriment des employés qui se sentent soumis à une concurrence déloyale, avec des conséquences évidentes sur leurs prestations sociales. Certaines compagnies aériennes low-cost sont expertes de ces pratiques, et le texte qui sera adopté aujourd'hui avec une référence claire à la base d'affectation, couvre un de ces vides juridiques dans lequel elles s'engouffraient. Il faut davantage de signes positifs de cet ordre de l'Union vers les travailleurs européens, et notamment via ce Parlement. Relayer leurs revendications, pas uniquement pour ce dossier, mais dans tous ceux qui les concernent et pour lesquels ils craignent d'être dressés les uns contre les autres, doit être une priorité. Ce n'est pas avec du dumping social que l'Union pourra perdurer et que la relance pourra s'opérer.

  Thomas Mann (PPE), schriftlich. – Meinen Glückwunsch dem Kollegen Milan Cabrnoch für seinen exzellenten Bericht, der im federführenden Ausschuss für Beschäftigung und Soziales einstimmig angenommen wurde, bei einer Enthaltung. Milan beherrscht die Kunst des Zusammenführens; auch im Rat gibt es breite Unterstützung! Im EU-Binnenmarkt steigt die grenzüberschreitende Mobilität, mit der die nationalen Gesetzgebungen noch nicht Schritt halten. Die Systeme der sozialen Sicherheit müssen besser koordiniert werden! Im Bericht wurden bereits Klarstellungen im Entsenderecht und in der Arbeitslosenversicherung erreicht. Ein Durchbruch für Flugbegleiter ist gelungen, der mir als Frankfurter Abgeordneten besonders wichtig ist. Meine Änderungsanträge wurden angenommen, in denen die Heimatbasis zur Rechtsbasis wird und damit zum alleinigen Kriterium für die Anwendung des Sozialrechts. Eine Airline, deren Flugbegleiter in Deutschland stationiert sind, muss das hiesige Sozialrecht anwenden und darf weder Sozialabgaben verändern noch Bedingungen für die Gründung von Betriebsräten unterlaufen. So werden Schlupflöcher geschlossen, die dazu dienen könnten, höhere Sozialstandards zu umgehen. Die Praxis wird zeigen, ob dieser Warnschuss aus Straßburg verstanden wird. Zur sozialen Marktwirtschaft gehören angemessene Sozialstandards. Der Preiswettbewerb darf nicht auf dem Rücken der Besatzung ausgetragen werden, die hohe Verantwortung für Qualität und Sicherheit eines Fluges trägt. Der Cabrnoch-Bericht ist also auch im Interesse der Passagiere.

  Evelyn Regner (S&D), schriftlich. – Wer gewöhnlich in mehreren europäischen Mitgliedstaaten arbeitet, sollte dort sozialversichert sein wo er seinen Lebensmittelpunkt hat. Mit der neuen Verordnung zur Koordinierung der Sozialversicherungssysteme sollen bisher bestehende Lücken geschlossen und den Veränderungen in den nationalen Gesetzgebungen Rechnung getragen werden. Entscheidend ist die neue Regelung vor allem für FlugbegleiterInnen und selbstständige GrenzgängerInnen. Das Sozialversicherungssystem ist und bleibt selbstverständlich weiterhin Aufgabe der einzelnen Mitgliedstaaten. Wir sorgen aber dafür, dass diese Systeme auch für jene Menschen anwendbar und gerecht bleiben, die aufgrund der gestiegenen Mobilität in mehreren EU-Ländern arbeiten. Es sollte nicht entscheidend sein, wo der Satzungssitzes des Unternehmens ist, entscheidend für die Sozialversicherung ist die "Home Base", also der Lebensmittelpunkt von dem die Abreise gewöhnlich erfolgt. Bei Billigairlines ist es in der Vergangenheit zu Lohn- und Sozialdumping gekommen, da beispielsweise belgische Stewardessen nach dem schlechteren irischen Sozialsystem angemeldet wurden. Dem schieben wir jetzt einen Riegel vor. Dies ist eine neue Verordnung des europäischen Binnenmarktes der kein Dumping der Sozialversicherungssysteme zulässt und für ein erhöhtes Maß an Rechtssicherheit sorgt. Somit sind wir einem sozialeren Europa nähergekommen.

IN THE CHAIR: EDWARD McMILLAN-SCOTT
Vice-President

  President. − The next item is Question Time and the topic is employment rights in a Europe of open borders. I will interpret this as widely as possible, but I should warn you that if your question is completely off topic you will be cut off. I shall just remind you of the rules. Questions are taken exclusively on a catch-the-eye basis. Each Member has one minute to put his or her question and 30 seconds to put a supplementary. The Commission has two minutes to reply if only one Commissioner is to be responsible for answering. If more than one Commissioner is to reply, each Commissioner has one minute’s speaking time. Our experience, broadly speaking, is that we get through about 19 questions. We are, as you know, reviewing the new format of Question Time and I welcome any suggestions.

  Anne Delvaux (PPE). - Monsieur le Commissaire, six mois plus tôt, ici même, nous avons eu un débat sur la vague de licenciement en Europe sous l'effet de la crise économique, en particulier chez Arcelor, multinationale présente dans neuf États membres européens et qui restructure en Europe son outil de production face à une demande d'acier en berne.

Depuis l'arrêt de deux hauts-fourneaux en Belgique, au Luxembourg, et la mise en veille d'un haut-fourneau en France, on estime pour l'année 2012 que près de 6 000 emplois directs seraient menacés. Au-delà des pratiques inacceptables, comme le stop and go – pratique qu'il faudrait pouvoir mieux encadrer –, c'est les questions plus globales de la sidérurgie européenne et de l'adaptation au changement qui attendent des réponses extrêmement urgentes.

Il y a six mois, la Commission nous a annoncé la nécessité de mener, à la lumière de la crise économique, un nouvel exercice de consultation pour une gestion responsable des restructurations avec les partenaires sociaux et les autorités publiques.

Ma question est simple: six mois plus tard, où en sommes-nous?

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − In January the Commission launched a green paper on restructuring and I believe this is a very important debate. This discussion has a certain history, with strong involvement by the social partners – the trade unions and, on the other side, the employers having strong views – especially because in the crisis period there have been heavy implications as a result of corporate relocations inside Europe, but also from Europe to other continents. The example that was mentioned – Arcelor Mittal – has indeed experienced great job losses in the recent period, including in Belgium, as we discussed some months ago in this Chamber.

I think such examples provide lessons for how to develop this discussion. In this phase the Commission is summarising the answers. We received more than 100 answers in this two-month consultation period. There was a reference in the forthcoming employment package to the continuing work on restructuring and we will soon – after evaluating these summaries – decide on what the next follow-up should be.

We will, of course, coordinate with the social partners about this decision, but let me just finally mention that there is also an important financial implication because in such situations the governments can request the Globalisation Adjustment Fund if the conditions apply. I believe that has to be taken into account when the Parliament discusses the future of the Globalisation Adjustment Fund.

  Anne Delvaux (PPE). - Monsieur le Commissaire, j'insiste sur l'urgence de ce débat parce que plus de 250 000 travailleurs sont employés directement par les industries métallurgiques, 370 000 le sont par l'industrie sidérurgique et je pense aussi qu'il faut avoir une vision d'avenir pour un projet sidérurgique qui permette, non seulement de soutenir les investissements économiques mais aussi les travailleurs et leur droit à la sécurité de l'emploi.

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, the broader picture of the future of the steel industry and, more generally, of industrial manufacturing in Europe is, of course, primarily the responsibility of Vice-President Antonio Tajani. However, we do work together in view of the implications for jobs.

I think that it is with good reason that industrial policy is one of the flagship initiatives of the Europe 2020 strategy, and we have to take this very seriously. I fully agree with you.

  Evelyn Regner (S&D). - Herr Präsident! Ich beobachte die Rechtsprechung des Europäischen Gerichtshofes genau. Schon in der Vergangenheit hat der Gerichtshof einige nationale Kontrollmaßnahmen schrittweise ausgehöhlt und als mit der Dienstleistungsfreiheit unvereinbar erklärt.

Jetzt legt die neue Durchsetzungsrichtlinie Kontrollmaßnahmen fest, über die die Mitgliedstaaten nicht hinausgehen dürfen. Mindestanforderungen werden also maximale Anforderungen. Ich nenne nur zwei Beispiele: Die Übersetzung der Dokumente soll nur dann erfolgen, wenn sie nicht übermäßig lang sind, oder Mitgliedstaaten müssen sicherstellen, dass die Formalitäten von den Entsendungsunternehmen möglichst einfach zu erfüllen sind. Österreich hat ein sehr effizientes, sehr gutes Gesetz zur Bekämpfung von Lohn- und Sozialdumping eingeführt. Sind jetzt solche Maßnahmen, die tatsächlich geeignet sind, Lohn- und Sozialdumping zu bekämpfen, durch die neue Durchsetzungsrichtlinie, die zwar gut gemeint ist, aber unter Umständen eben nur gut gemeint und nicht tatsächlich gut ist, gefährdet?

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − The issue of social rights and social dumping has been mentioned in a question. I have been at the centre of discussions on the posting of workers, especially following a few famous Court rulings in this area. This is why the Commission wanted to address this problem through various proposals, but particularly as part of the posting of workers package amounting to a regulation. If adopted, it will help to address such situations in the future.

I should say again that we have discussed the structure and the content of this proposal with all the stakeholders over the past two years, and we have said on these occasions that the Commission will not reverse the jurisprudence of the European Court of Justice, but rather that it will do as much as possible to prevent similar conflicts from occurring in the future. In the event that such conflicts do occur, it will facilitate a much faster solution. We take a practical view of this problem as opposed to various ideological approaches, and I think that the document which we adopted in March delivers much to improve the situation in a very concrete way on the ground.

  Evelyn Regner (S&D). - Ich möchte noch eine praktische Frage an Sie richten und ein konkretes Beispiel ansprechen, wo die Kontrollbehörden an ihre Grenzen stoßen.

Es gibt Fälle, in denen der ausgewiesene Lohn zwar 40 Stunden Arbeitszeit entspricht. Tatsächlich arbeiten entsendete Arbeitnehmer 50-60 Stunden oder mehr. Das ist nicht unüblich, weil insbesondere entsendete Bauarbeiter relativ wenig Interesse an Freizeit während der Entsendungen haben und möglichst en bloc ihre Arbeitszeit abwickeln möchten. Das heißt, die tatsächliche Arbeitszeit ist schwer zu kontrollieren. Haben Sie diesbezüglich Vorschläge, wie man das verbessern kann?

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − There are two key points which I would like to make in response to this very concrete question.

One of them is that, of course, in the judgment on this specific matter we have to see how the Working Time Directive is applied in the country concerned. It varies greatly across Member States, and that is why it is very important that in the current period the social partners at European level are negotiating about the Working Time Directive and how to revise it.

But secondly and most importantly, in this document, which we adopted in March, there are many points about improving administrative cooperation, and such differences in national regulations will be sorted out and addressed more easily in the future through this improved administrative cooperation.

  Danuta Jazłowiecka (PPE). - Panie Przewodniczący! Ja pytanie moje kieruję do komisarza Andora. Nie ulega wątpliwości, iż korzystanie ze swobody przemieszczania się oraz podejmowanie pracy w Unii Europejskiej wiąże się z koniecznością zabezpieczenia i przestrzegania praw pracowniczych. Taki cel przyświecał też Komisji podczas prac nad dyrektywą dotyczącą delegowania pracowników w ramach świadczenia usług.

Wstępna analiza tej dyrektywy nasuwa mi pewne pytania. Czy Komisja nie obawia się, że propozycja wprowadzenia szeregu kryteriów oceny faktycznego związku pomiędzy pracodawcą a jego krajem pochodzenia oraz czasowego charakteru delegowania pracownika nie spowoduje jeszcze większych trudności z interpretacją i wdrożeniem dyrektywy niż obecnie? Wiele z kryteriów zaproponowanych przez Komisję nie uwzględnia różnorodności podmiotów gospodarczych i usług oraz może przyczynić się do nałożenia dodatkowych obciążeń biurokratycznych i finansowych, szczególnie na małe i średnie przedsiębiorstwa. Czy Komisja nie obawia się, że wprowadzenie instytucji odpowiedzialności solidarnej we wszystkich państwach członkowskich doprowadzi pośrednio do ograniczenia możliwości świadczenia usług w Unii Europejskiej w sektorze budownictwa, gdzie ta forma zatrudnienia jest najbardziej popularna? Obawy przed potencjalną odpowiedzialnością mogą spowodować rezygnację z delegowania pracowników.

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − Ms Jazłowiecka, the intention and in fact the objective of the Commission with this work is to continue to facilitate cross-border services while at the same time fighting social dumping and protecting the posted workers better. I believe we delivered this. The particular elements in this proposal concerning the construction industry will help clarify and improve the situation and build confidence around posting practices.

The number of posted workers will not depend on this. Companies will enjoy the same opportunities to provide cross-border services as in the past, but there will be a greater clarity about how to implement the existing regulation and how to avoid the problematic cases of the past. Whether there is a demand and indeed a practice of posting depends on a variety of factors. It depends on the situation in the given industry and the markets and the needs for labour, geographic proximity, and various other economic factors. The fact that we now propose new practices to ensure and guarantee rights and improve administrative cooperation will, I believe, not undermine cross-border services. They will actually clarify the situation, build confidence and thus perhaps even facilitate more than in the past.

  Danuta Jazłowiecka (PPE). - Panie Komisarzu! W Unii Europejskiej jest osiem krajów, które wprowadziły instytucję odpowiedzialności solidarnej. Czy może Pan podać kraj, w którym ta instytucja funkcjonuje modelowo i tak dobrze, że mogłaby ona zostać wdrożona w pozostałych państwach członkowskich? Czy rzeczywiście wprowadzenie tej instytucji zabezpieczy ochronę praw pracowniczych?

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − For me this is not an opportunity to name and shame as regards best practices or to state where there have been fewer cases because very often the conflicts round the posting of workers have emerged because of differences in regulations: the lack of proper ground for a uniform interpretation of the European rules. We are acting to help the proper interpretation and to respond to the diversity of the European industrial relation systems in a better way through improved European practice.

  Sergio Gaetano Cofferati (S&D). - Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, volevo porre la mia domanda al Commissario relativamente al regolamento Monti sull'esercizio del diritto di azione collettiva. Penso che la proposta che viene avanzata dalla Commissione sia inaccettabile, perché lesiva dei diritti fondamentali della persona e dei diritti collettivi dei soggetti di rappresentanza, perché quando si ipotizza il reciproco rispetto tra la libertà di stabilimento e quella dell'esercizio dei propri diritti, e quando si dice che lo sciopero va bilanciato con le libertà economiche, si interferisce in un'area che dovrebbe essere invece lasciata alle parti.

Credo che una formula di questa natura sia contraria agli interessi materiali che le persone che vengono rappresentate hanno, ma sia lesiva anche dei diritti che sono stati sanciti dalle organizzazioni internazionali e dalle leggi sui diritti delle persone che lavorano, quanto su quelli della cittadinanza. Credo che questa proposta debba essere per questa ragione profondamente cambiata, o addirittura, come sarebbe meglio, ritirata, per aprire una discussione che preveda un punto di bilanciamento, lasciato però alle parti di rappresentanza sociale.

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, this is indeed a sensitive point, but I believe that the correct interpretation will help to eliminate concerns and anxiety regarding Monti II.

To clarify: the draft regulation confirms that there is no primacy of the freedom to provide services or the establishment of the right to strike. It will not impose any additional obstacles on exercising the right to strike. In fact, the Monti II regulation aims – without reversing European Court of Justice case law – to clarify the extent to which trade unions may exercise the right to strike in cases of cross-border operations, and to put forward rules for dealing with obstacles to the free provision of services or to the freedom of establishment created by the exercise of fundamental social rights.

The Monti II regulation recognises that Member States have limited possibilities to intervene in strikes and that the EU is not competent to legislate on the right to strike, as you can read in Article 153 (5) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

I believe that the right interpretation of Monti II will help to eliminate misunderstandings on this issue, as was the case with Monti I.

  Sergio Gaetano Cofferati (S&D). - Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, Signor Commissario, in verità il regolamento del quale stiamo discutendo lede l'attuale giurisprudenza. In alcuni Stati membri vi sono forme di autoregolamentazione che sono state decise liberamente dalle organizzazioni di rappresentanza dei lavoratori e non sono imposte per legge, e guai se fosse così.

Penso che questa sia una sfera che va lasciata all'autonomia – ove sono necessarie forme di definizione del rapporto tra lo sciopero e gli effetti che determina sull'utenza – e non deve essere in alcun modo invasa dalla giurisprudenza, sia che si tratti di azioni che si svolgono dentro un singolo paese, sia che si tratti di azioni che possono riguardare attività transfrontaliere e dunque per questo vengano coinvolti anche paesi diversi tra di loro.

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − Again I can say that this regulation respects the diversity of the industrial relations system and, for example in the case of industrial conflict, highlights the role of the national courts, since they are the closest to the situation where the problems or disagreements might occur. I think it is very important to realise that this Monti II does not actually regulate on the right to strike and that the Member States are free to lay down the conditions for the existence and exercise of the social rights at issue.

However, when exercising their power the Member States must comply with Union law, in particular the provisions of the Treaty on the freedom of establishment and the freedom to provide services. The Court clearly stated that the right to strike does not fall outside the scope of the freedom of establishment and the freedom to provide services.

I can also add that the regulation lays down general principles with respect to the exercise of the right to strike within the context of the freedom of establishment and the freedom to provide services. It does not affect in any way the right to strike within the Member States.

  Renate Weber (ALDE). - Sunt o mare susţinătoare a construcţiei europene şi de aceea înţeleg inclusiv ideea de unitate în faţa crizei economice. Ce nu înţeleg însă este de ce solidaritatea înseamnă ca cetăţenilor români şi bulgari să li se ceară sprijin pentru planuri comune de ieşire din criză, dar în acelaşi timp să li se aplice restricţii care demonstrează că nu suntem cetăţeni europeni cu drepturi egale. Dacă am fi egali am avea cu toţii dreptul la muncă fără restricţii, indiferent de ţara în care am dori să ne stabilim şi am avea cu toţii dreptul la libera circulaţie, ceea ce încă nu e cazul, căci România şi Bulgaria nu au primit statutul de membre ale spaţiului Schengen, deşi criteriile tehnice sunt demult îndeplinite. Aşadar, concetăţenii mei români au în primul rând obligaţii europene şi mai puţine drepturi, un dezechilibru care contrazice însăşi esenţa ideii europene. Are Comisia un plan prin care să convingă Consiliul şi statele membre să schimbe aceste practici chiar în acest an?

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − Perhaps the previous Commissioner for Enlargement will supplement what I am saying, but this is exactly the point: since the freedom of movement from new Member States is regulated within the enlargement agreements, the same rules in fact apply to those countries that joined the Union in 2004 and in 2007, and to Croatia, which will join next year.

There is no discrimination because these three stages have been defined in an identical way vis-à-vis these countries. Nevertheless, we do emphasise the merits of free movement and we have been inviting the older Member States to open their labour markets faster than has been laid down, and quite a few of them have actually done that. Quite a few opened very early, and some –Italy and the Czech Republic – abandoned the restrictions from 1 January. So they will not apply the restrictions vis-à-vis Romania and Bulgaria for the next two years.

I have been calling on all others to reconsider their decisions. I sent a letter to these governments in order to encourage them to reconsider their decisions, and in the forthcoming employment package we also point to the importance of this.

  Renate Weber (ALDE). - Is the Commission satisfied with the explanation you received from the Member States which are still keeping the restrictions, claiming that our presence will distort the labour market?

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − No, the Commission was not fully satisfied with the argumentation and in my letter to the relevant ministers I also pointed to the insufficient analytical support for maintenance of the restrictions. These governments will have to send additional analyses in the coming period in order to justify their decisions, which have taken effect since 1 January.

  Elisabeth Schroedter (Verts/ALE). - Herr Präsident! Ich möchte eine Frage anhand eines konkreten Beispiels stellen: In der Großbaustelle in Berlin-Brandenburg, dem Flughafen, gilt eine Regelung, wonach jeder Arbeitnehmer die Baustelle nur mit einem individuellen Ausweis betreten darf, damit es möglich ist sicherzustellen, dass die Entsenderichtlinie und die entsprechende deutsche Gesetzgebung wirklich eingehalten werden. Der Betreiber hat es 300 von den 6 000 Arbeitnehmern ermöglicht, die Baustelle ohne diese Regeln zu betreten. Das Ergebnis ist, dass genau bei diesen 300 Arbeitnehmern Lohndumping gemacht worden ist. Das heißt, diese 300 haben ihren Lohn nicht bekommen. Sie haben für ihre Arbeit gar keinen Lohn bekommen!

Das Beispiel zeigt, dass die Regelung, die Kontrollen der Mitgliedstaaten einzuschränken, die Sie in Ihrem Vorschlag haben, genau zum Gegenteil führt, nämlich zum Sozialdumping. Meine Frage ist: Warum wollen Sie den Mitgliedstaaten nicht die Freiheit geben, die Kontrollen auf den Baustellen selbstständig und gründlich durchzuführen? Warum wollen Sie die limitieren?

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − Ms Schroedter, the Member States can build on the regulation which was proposed by the Commission and which would be established as a European standard. This was actually a very important point for Germany, as the principle of joint and several liability – a key element of the proposed legislation – has already been applied in that country. If there are still controversies – as in the one case in Berlin that you mentioned – then this is very unfortunate. If the problem remains unresolved, then I would be very happy to look into the case when I next go to Berlin on 5 June.

The point is that the construction industry has faced many adversities and problematic cases, and we have to establish greater accountability. There are various instruments for this. There are ‘avoid lists’, which help companies that want to use subcontractors, for example, to see which companies apply good practice and pay their taxes and social security. All of this is very important in creating a cleaner environment and better practices, and in improving confidence regarding cross-border services.

  Elisabeth Schroedter (Verts/ALE). - Herr Kommissar! Ihre Antwort hat mich nicht zufriedengestellt.

In Artikel 9 Ihres Vorschlags haben Sie aufgelistet, welche Maßnahmen die Mitgliedstaaten treffen dürfen. Das heißt, Sie gehen weiter als die ursprüngliche Verordnung. In der ursprünglichen Verordnung ist es die Freiheit der Mitgliedstaaten, die Kontrollen so gut und effizient wie möglich durchzuführen. In dem Moment, wo Sie sie auflisten, limitieren Sie die Kontrollen. Und dann passiert genau das, was ich über Berlin erzählt habe. Das bedeutet, dass viele Arbeitnehmerinnen und Arbeitnehmer in Europa um ihren Lohn gebracht werden. Das können Sie doch nicht verantworten! Für mich ist die Frage: Warum greifen Sie in Ihrem Artikel 9 in die Kontrollkompetenz der Mitgliedstaaten ein?

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − Just two points: first of all, while I know that the government in Berlin is comfortable with this element of the proposed legislation, may I just reiterate that they can maintain more regulation and more controls if they so wish. However, the intention of the proposed European legislation is to create a level playing field at a minimum level, as the regulation in certain countries was indeed insufficient. This is not about the level of the wages: it is about guaranteeing that workers actually receive the wages that they are entitled to, especially in the context of the posting. It would be too ambitious, of course, and probably also inappropriate, to try to regulate the level of the wages. The point is that there are more guarantees that the workers will actually receive what they are entitled to, and this is very good.

  Cornelis de Jong (GUE/NGL). - Ik denk dat loondumping het centrale thema van de vraag is en ik heb daar ook een vraag over. In het internationaal wegvervoer zijn er veel chauffeurs in Nederland die op dit moment dramatische brieven naar mij schrijven dat Nederlandse bedrijven een vestiging openen in bijvoorbeeld Roemenië, daar vervolgens het personeel vandaan halen - met dezelfde vrachtwagens die zij daarvoor in Nederland in hun bedrijf hadden - en dat zij dan vervolgens tegen hun Nederlandse chauffeurs zeggen dat er voor hen geen werk meer is, tenzij zij de arbeidsvoorwaarden aanvaarden die voor de Roemenen gelden.

Dat is volgens mij een directe vorm van loondumping. Door een eenvoudige beweging in Europa kun je met hetzelfde bedrijf opeens de arbeidsvoorwaarden omlaag krijgen. Ik zie niet in het voorstel van de Commissie over de detacheringsrichtlijn enige garantie dat dit soort schijnbewegingen van bedrijven wordt tegengegaan; ik zou graag van de Commissie weten hoe wij dat doen en of het de bedoeling van Europa is dat wij de lonen gaan drukken.

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − I would like to make two points in response to this question. One of them is that there is indeed an important focus in this proposal on the so-called letterbox companies that simply move their centre of establishment to another country without having a relevant part of their economic activities in that country. It contains important provisions seeking to diminish – or even eliminate – such practices in the future. This is indeed a form of social dumping, and it does not help in maintaining fairness and a level playing field in the European economy.

The second point I would like to make is that in Europe the reality is that there are wage differences between various countries and various regions. There should be broader consideration of many policies – not simply a matter of legislation on one particular working practice – in order to see how convergence might be facilitated and the various tensions which are connected to these wage differences reduced in the future.

  Cornelis de Jong (GUE/NGL). - Ik dank de commissaris. Ik had natuurlijk ook gezien dat er in het voorstel van de Commissie over brievenbusmaatschappijen wordt gesproken. Mijn vraag is dan wel: wat verstaat de Commissie onder een belangrijke of geen belangrijke economische activiteit? De tweede vraag die ik eraan wil koppelen: is de Commissie bereid om in de toekomst ook meer voorstellen te doen voor minimumafspraken over de sociale rechten in de verschillende landen, bijvoorbeeld een minimumloon gerelateerd aan het nationaal inkomen? Want dan lossen wij dit probleem ook structureel op.

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − What we judge to be a critical (minimum) level of economic activity should also depend on the sector and various other parameters which have to be looked at in the case of particular companies and countries.

The important thing is that within a sectoral context it is possible to define and draw conclusions, if necessary, about improving the situation. The Enforcement Directive will in fact clarify the elements of the notion of posting, which will help to combat the use of temporary posting by so-called letterbox companies as a subterfuge to circumvent the applicable law. The letterbox company, I may remind you, has no genuine economic activity in the Member State of establishment, and this is what we have to look at.

Concerning further proposals, yes, we will also be looking at the question of a minimum wage and other important issues in the labour market in the forthcoming employment package.

  Roberta Angelilli (PPE). - Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, la lotta alla disoccupazione giovanile è una priorità della Commissione europea e ci sono 82 miliardi di euro a disposizione, di cui 8 miliardi per l'Italia. Ovviamente non si tratta, come è noto, di risorse aggiuntive, ma di fondi strutturali non spesi, comunque sono risorse importanti.

La Commissione, insieme alle risorse, ha previsto degli action team a sostegno degli otto Stati membri dove c'è il più alto tasso di disoccupazione, tra cui l'Italia, che è arrivata al 31,9% secondo i dati di aprile. Due mesi fa, l'action team è arrivato in Italia, ma non c'è stata alcuna evidenza pubblica di questo incontro.

La domanda quindi è: cosa sta succedendo? Ci sono informazioni, la Commissione può fornire informazioni sulla riprogrammazione dei fondi, su azioni concrete messe in atto da parte del governo italiano?

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − Yes indeed, this is a very important initiative and a very practical initiative of the European Commission. The eight action teams have been in the Member States where the youth unemployment rate is the highest, including Italy. I had an opportunity less than two weeks ago to give personal feedback to the Italian public because I was in Tuscany and attended an event on youth employment, together with the President of Tuscany, Mr Rossi. I did that because Tuscany has an excellent example: a programme which is supported by the European Social Fund called Giovanisì, which could also be seen as a model for other parts of Italy to provide public support to help young people launch their careers, launch their individual existence and have a better life. It supports hundreds of young people in that particular region and I am very proud that the ESF is playing a strong role in this.

The action teams came back. They summed up their conclusions and next week in the formal EPSCO Council I will discuss with Ministers the actual proposals. There are very concrete proposals for all eight countries regarding various aspects of youth employment and training. We shall then return in order to see what needs to be done in practice, whether it requires reallocation or not. Reallocation is possible within the European Social Fund but also in the broader context of EU funds if justified.

  Roberta Angelilli (PPE). - Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, Signor Commissario, una domanda: perché non sono state consultate le parti sociali, in particolare le organizzazioni giovanili e i giovani, dal momento che la Commissione, anche nella comunicazione sull'iniziativa "Opportunità per i giovani", ha detto che è importante consultare e coinvolgere le parti sociali e quindi i giovani, proprio per richiedere il loro attivo e concreto coinvolgimento in tali iniziative?

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − The social partners have been consulted, and I have to say that President Barroso has been personally involved in a dialogue with the representatives of the EU-level social partners, both Business Europe and the ETUC. Business Europe is also developing its own action programme – particularly focusing on apprenticeships, although not exclusively – in this area, and the ETUC is also working hard on this.

This subject was actually dealt with during our discussions at the Tripartite Social Summit on 1 March at which – in addition to President Barroso – President Herman Von Rompuy was present. Youth employment, therefore, is indeed a key issue. Unfortunately, there are many problems in the area of the labour market: unemployment is at its peak at present and represents the greatest problem that Europe has faced at any time in the last 60 years. But we have to focus action where the situation is the most difficult, which is actually the employment of young people, especially in the so-called peripheral regions.

  Csaba Sándor Tabajdi (S&D). - Andor biztos úrhoz szeretnék föltenni egy kérdést. Nevezetesen, hogy ma a kiküldött munkavállalók száma egymillió, ami nem éri el az európai munkavállalók egy százalékát sem, pontosabban ez 0,7%-a. Hogyan látja biztos úr, hogy mennyiben vezethető vissza, hogy ilyen alacsony a kiküldött munkások aránya Európában az uniós szabályozás hiányosságaira, az eddigi irányelvre és az eddigi rendeletre? Készült-e hatástanulmány a Bizottság részéről? Hogy ha elfogadnák az irányelv módosítását és a Monti II. rendeletet, ez mennyiben teremtene új munkahelyeket, mennyiben segítené azt a gazdasági növekedést, amely ma Európa legnagyobb problémája, hogy nincs elég gazdasági növekedés. Ezzel kapcsolatosan mi a Bizottság hatásvizsgálatának az eredménye?

  László Andor, a Bizottság tagja. − Tisztelt Képviselő úr! Valóban volt egy nagyon alapos hatásvizsgálat mielőtt a Bizottság a maga javaslatát megtette, és ez abba az irányba mutatott, hogy a meghozandó új szabályozás segít növelni azoknak a dolgozóknak a számát, akik új munkalehetőséghez juthatnak az ilyen kiküldetések keretében. Ugyanakkor ez nyilvánvalóan nem öncél. Tehát nem cél önmagában az, hogy több dolgozó dolgozzon külföldön szemben a saját otthoni környezetével, de ezeket a lehetőségeket ki kell használni. Ha összehasonlítjuk az Európai Uniót például az Egyesült Államokkal, ami szintén egy egységes piac, a mobilitás jóval szerényebb.

De ennek sok oka van. Sok oka van a kiküldetések esetében is, meg sok oka van általában a munkavállalók szabad mozgása tekintetében. A nyelvi akadályok, adminisztratív akadályok, lakáshelyzet, lakáshoz jutásban fönnálló különbségek, és sok egyéb tényező létezik, amelyik hátráltatja a munkaerő nemzetközi mozgását, akár szabad munkavállalás, akár pedig a kiküldetések keretében. Mi azon vagyunk, hogy ezek az akadályok elháruljanak, minél kevesebb legyen belőlük, hiszen ez nem csak egy szabadságjog az európai polgárok számára, hanem egy nagyon fontos gazdasági lehetőség is, mind az üzleti szféra, mind pedig az egyének szempontjából.

  Csaba Sándor Tabajdi (S&D). - Köszönöm a választ Biztos Úr! A szociális dömping emlegetésekor gyakran képviselőtársaim részéről úgy érzem, hogy van egy bezárkózás a régi tagállamok részéről, és nagyon jó lenne, hogy ha nem termelődne újra a lengyel vízvezeték-szerelő vitája, nem jönne újra elő a régi és új tagállamok vitája, mert bizony, ha megnézem a kiküldött munkaerők arányát, amit az előbbiekben elmondtam, akkor azt hiszem, hogy itt el van túlozva ez a szociális dömping. Hogyan lehetne itt megoldani, hogy ne legyen egy újabb törésvonal a 2004 után fölvett új tagállamok és a régi tagállamok között?

  László Andor, a Bizottság tagja. − Képviselő Úr! Megjegyzésével, ami mint implikáció, sugárzik belőle, hogy tudniillik ez a kiküldött munkavállalók mennyiségén túlmutató vita, ha tetszik egyfajta szimbolikus vita, amelynek jelentőségét azonban meg lehet érteni, ha tekintetbe vesszük, hogy ezek a viták - különösen ami a bírósági döntéseket illeti - a szociális jogok lényegét érintették. Ebből a szempontból azt gondolom, hogy ez egy nagyon fontos vita, ez egy fontos, lényeges szabályozás, amit a Bizottság előterjesztett márciusban, de valóban bele kell helyezni egy sokkal tágabb kontextusba, ami a szociális különbségek leküzdését, a hátrányos helyzetek leküzdését, a felzárkózási lehetőségek biztosítását célozza. Vannak egyéni stratégiák, ami a munkavállalás szabadságában jelenhet meg, illetőleg vannak kollektív stratégiák, amelyek az egyes régiók, országok fölzárkóztatásával oldhatók meg. Tehát ezek a dolgok így valóban összefüggnek s a tágabb kontextus mindenképpen indokolt.

  Jaroslav Paška (EFD). - Moja krajina je najväčším výrobcom automobilov na svete v prepočte na obyvateľa. Pozornejším skúmaním mzdových podmienok zamestnancov sa nám však ukázalo, že výška miezd zamestnancov napríklad v bratislavskom závode predstavuje len 50 % mzdy vyplácanej automobilkou za takú istú prácu v jej fabrike v materskej krajine. Chcem sa opýtať, či takýmto správaním sa nezneužívajú niektoré významné európske nadnárodné koncerny svoje dominantné postavenie na diskriminačnú mzdovú politiku voči tým partnerským krajinám v Únii, v ktorých sú pre vysokú nezamestnanosť ľudia ochotní prijať prácu aj za podhodnotenú mzdu.

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − On this matter I speak under the guidance of the Vice-President but I think that, if it is true that the wages in the car manufacturing sector in Bratislava are just half of the wages in some more advanced industrial countries, then it is a good result because normally, in terms of the average wages, there are much bigger differences between the countries of Western and Northern Europe and the so-called new Member States in Central Europe and the Balkans.

I think this should be seen as a factor of industrial development. The wage level clearly plays a role in attracting foreign investment – FDI – to Slovakia and we can only congratulate Slovakia on its very successful industrial development in the last ten to fifteen years. However, what we should also note is not simply the wage differences between Bratislava and some Western European locations but also the differences between western and eastern Slovakia. We should also have the objective of ensuring that regional development helps catching up inside the country and that these differences become a bit more balanced in the future.

  Olli Rehn, Vice-President of the Commission. − Just to supplement what my colleague and friend László Andor has said, I think it is always difficult to define the right level of wages, if there is such a concept. Normally it is advisable for wage development to reflect productivity developments and to help optimise employment and job creation in any given society or Member State.

Without taking any precise position, for these reasons, on the exact level of wages in Slovakia or any other Member State, I think it is clearly a fact that this wage development reflects the level of economic development. I would join László Andor in commending Slovakia for its formidable industrial development over the past two decades. In fact the success of Slovakia – and many other countries of Central and Eastern Europe which are part of the overall production chains of Europe – are some of the success stories of the enlargement of the European Union. Despite the financial crisis and its aftermath and the social and economic consequences, it is a fact that the eastern enlargement of the European Union has been beneficial in economic terms for the whole of Europe in terms of competitiveness and the overall creation of jobs.

  Jaroslav Paška (EFD). - Podľa elementárnych ekonomických pravidiel by výška mzdy mala byť odrazom produktivity práce. Produktivita práce v bratislavskom závode je však vyššia ako v materskom závode v materskej krajine. Chcem sa opýtať, ako dlho budeme tolerovať takúto diskrimináciu pracovnej sily vo východnej Európe podľa elementárnych pravidiel.

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − There is definitely no discrimination as such in this. However, what I should highlight – which we did not mention in the answer to the previous question – is the importance of social dialogue in this. Of course there is an economic rationale which helps define wages in the labour market, but from an institutional point of view – and this should be underlined in the Central European context as well – the social partners play a role – I would say a dominant role – in defining wages. Perhaps that dimension should be looked at in Slovakia and strengthened in the coming period. When I have an opportunity to meet officials of the new government I will certainly raise this point.

  Ádám Kósa (PPE). - Az Európai Bizottság 2010 végén megjelent fogyatékosügyi stratégiájában, amiben szerepel egy szám, ami a foglalkoztatásról szól, ez a szám 50%. Ez a szám 50%-os foglalkoztatási szint. Közép-Kelet-Európáról beszélünk, akkor ennek a számnak a fele érvényes, tehát nagyon alacsony a foglalkoztatási szint. Sajnos nincs olyan szám, ami megmutatná, hogy a fogyatékossággal élő munkavállalók más EU-tagállamokban tudnak-e munkát vállalni. Nem hiszem, hogy meglepetést okozok vele, hogy ha azt mondom, hogy elenyésző számban vállalnak munkát. Hogy miért? Mert nem egységes az akadálymenetesítés és a szociális szolgáltatás egyes tagállamokban. Az a kérdésem, hogy az Európai Bizottság ennek a célnak az érdekében mit kíván tenni? Különös tekintettel arra, hogy ebben az évben szeretné a Bizottság beterjeszteni az úgynevezett Európai Akadálymentesítési Jogszabálycsomagot.

  László Andor, a Bizottság tagja. − Tisztelt Képviselő Úr! Mint tudja, sok eleme a kérdésnek, illetőleg ennek a témának Viviane Reding alelnök asszonyhoz tartozik, különösen, ami a diszkrimináció elleni küzdelmet jelenti. Ugyanakkor valóban nagyon fontosak a fogyatékosság munkaerőpiaci összefüggései, és pontosan ebből a megfontolásból vettem részt nemrégiben Bulgáriában azon a vásáron, illetőleg konferencián, amelyen a fogyatékosokat foglalkoztató vállalkozások és szövetkezetek vettek részt, és nagyon fontos, hogy ez az évtizedes múltú hagyomány Bulgáriában most kiterjed európai szintre. Ennek az eseménynek résztvevői voltak Olaszországból, Romániából, más európai országokból is, és egyfajta mintát szolgáltattak annak, hogy vállalkozásokon, szövetkezeteken, szociális gazdaság támogatásán keresztül hogyan lehet a fogyatékkal élők helyzetén javítani, számukra munkalehetőségeket biztosítani.

Mi azt tudjuk tenni, hogy segítünk elterjeszteni ezeket a jó példákat, ezeket a jó gyakorlatokat, illetőleg támogatjuk a Bizottság, illetőleg az Európai Unió anyagi eszközeivel. Elsőként ismét a Szociális Alapot kell említenem, ami Bulgáriában támogatja ezeket a programokat, és amikor a következő pénzügyi perspektíván dolgoztunk, erre külön odafigyeltem, köszönhetően az Önnel folytatott megbeszéléseknek is, hogy a Szociális Alap explicit módon garantálja, hogy a fogyatékkal élők munkaerőpiaci integrációjára és képzésére a Szociális Alap a jövőben még jobban használható legyen. A mobilitás egy külön kérdés, azt gondolom, hogy ennek a nemzetközi összehangolásáról elsősorban Reding asszonnyal kell majd beszélni.

  Ádám Kósa (PPE). - Köszönöm a válaszát! A második kiegészítő kérdésem éppen az Európai Szociális Alappal kapcsolatos. Az elmúlt években körülbelül az alapforrásnak a 4%-át fordították a fogyatékossággal élők helyzetének javítására. Közben pedig Európa állampolgárainak körülbelül 10 %-a fogyatékossággal él. Tehát jogos a felvetés azt mondani, hogy legalább az Alap 10%-át, a forrás 10%-át a fogyatékossággal élő emberekre kéne fordítani. Ezen az úton kíván haladni a Bizottság?

  László Andor, a Bizottság tagja. − Képviselő úr! Én mindenképpen annyiban egyetértek, hogy növelni volna jó azt a részarányt, amellyel a fogyatékosokat támogatjuk a munkaerőpiaci integráció terén, ugyanakkor itt konkrét célszámokat azért nehéz megfogalmazni, mert a tagállamok, a régiók, akik aktorai a fejlesztési politikáknak és a kohéziós politika végrehajtásának, mindenképpen rendelkeznek autonómiával, mozgástérrel, jogokkal, ők fejlesztik ki azokat a terveket, elképzeléseket, amelyek keretében a fogyatékkal élők helyzetén javítani kell. Ez számunkra azért is preferencia, mert nem csak a munkanélküliség vagy a munkaerőpiaci hátrányok sújthatják a fogyatékkal élőket, hanem a szegénység fenyegetettsége is lényegesen nagyobb különösen egy olyan időszakban, amikor nem csak a munkaerőpiacon vannak feszültségek, hanem a fiskális politikában is. Ugye a szociális szolgáltatások korlátozása vagy visszafejlődése esetleg gondot okozhat, tehát erre mindenképpen odafigyelünk, és azt gondolom, hogy emiatt a szociális innováció terén is egy fontos feladat kell, hogy legyen a jövőben.

  President. − We have about half an hour left and I have too many questions for that time. On the basis of people putting their hands up asking for the floor, and based on groups, I have the following people still on my list who are likely to get called, but I cannot guarantee it: Ms Ţicău, Mr Bennion, Ms Mazzoni, Ms Berès, Ms Turunen, Mr Papanikolaou, Mr Omarjee, Mr Obermayr and Mr Niculescu. I am sorry but it is unlikely that we will get to any other questions.

  Silvia-Adriana Ţicău (S&D). - Libertatea de circulaţie a persoanelor reprezintă una din libertăţile fundamentale garantate de tratat, acest lucru incluzând dreptul cetăţenilor Uniunii de a trăi şi de a lucra în alt stat membru.

Barierele existente în calea liberei circulaţii a lucrătorilor din România şi Bulgaria pot conduce la muncă nedeclarată şi la dumping social. Ridicarea acestor bariere va proteja în egală măsură atât pe lucrătorii migranţi, cât şi pe lucrătorii autohtoni. Solicităm Comisiei şi statelor membre să prevină exploatarea lucrătorilor români şi bulgari, să prevină recrutarea acestora în condiţii de muncă şi de protecţie socială precare şi să asigure accesul familiilor acestora la educaţie, la servicii de sănătate şi la locuinţe decente. Ce măsuri are în vedere Comisia pentru a evita situaţiile în care lucrătorilor din România şi Bulgaria nu le sunt respectate drepturile sociale fundamentale?

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − As I have already answered with regard to a previous case, we have to apply what has been laid down in the accession agreements, and that does not constitute discrimination. But – at the same time – we have been advocating a more rapid opening of the labour markets of the older Member States.

Last year, we had many opportunities to discuss these questions with Austria and Germany, who eventually opened up for the eight Member States who joined in 2004. The problem of undeclared work was in the spotlight, as it has been empirically proven that undeclared work is an unfortunate consequence of the restrictions that have been maintained for too long. This is one of the key arguments that we use in order to try to encourage Member States to open up faster. But – as I have already said – the majority of Member States still have the right to maintain restrictions with regard to Bulgaria and Romania until the end of next year.

We nevertheless call on them to reconsider their decisions, as – from an economic and also social point of view – there are many benefits to free movement.

  Silvia-Adriana Ţicău (S&D). - Eu m-am referit la situaţia în care lucrătorii din România şi Bulgaria sunt angajaţi, dar în condiţii de muncă precare. O a doua întrebare se referă la următorul lucru: prin propunerea din luna martie privind protecţia lucrătorilor detaşaţi, Comisia intenţionează să stimuleze locurile de muncă de calitate, garantând totodată drepturile lucrătorilor. Barierele existente în calea liberei circulaţii a lucrătorilor din România şi Bulgaria pot conduce la muncă nedeclarată şi la dumping social. România şi Bulgaria nu se află printre statele membre recunoscute ca expeditoare de lucrători detaşaţi, deşi aceştia nu intră pe piaţa forţei de muncă din ţara gazdă. Are Comisia date concrete care să dovedească faptul că lucrătorii din România şi Bulgaria au avut un impact negativ asupra pieţelor... ( preşedintele întrerupe oratorul)

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − Very briefly, of course it is very important to ensure, under the existing arrangements, the free movement of workers and to fight undeclared work and other forms of abuse. However – and I should also highlight this in my reply – it is also very important to make efforts to create jobs and fight poverty at home.

In Romania and Bulgaria it is also important to invest more in creating opportunities and more jobs, developing the economy, helping regional development and fighting against poverty in general. We have to see all the European aspects of this problem because only if we act on all fronts can we succeed.

  Alejandro Cercas (S&D). - Señor Presidente, muy brevemente: el Grupo Socialista tiene la percepción de que el número de intervinientes en este turno de preguntas a la Comisión no es proporcional al número de miembros de los diferentes grupos políticos.

Probablemente estemos equivocados, pero esa es una percepción que estamos teniendo, y hemos estado presentes desde el principio del turno de preguntas. Hay muchos miembros del Grupo socialista que no han tomado la palabra. Pero, sobre todo, señor Presidente, hay entre nuestros miembros personas que van a ser ponentes de determinados informes legislativos, y se está dando la palabra a personas que no forman parte de la Comisión de Empleo y Asuntos Sociales o que no están directamente relacionadas con los expedientes a los que se ha hecho referencia.

¿Es que esto no podría tenerse en cuenta también, a la hora de elegir entre los diputados, y elegir a aquellos que están más concernidos por los asuntos que los señores Comisarios están abordando?

  President. − We are not actually selecting on the basis of responsibilities or committees. It is basically a catch-the-eye procedure and it is based literally on that, plus the bias to allow for the groups. In fact there will probably be five Socialist questions and only four from the EPP this time. You are getting your fair share. We have already heard from Mr Tabajdi, Mr Cofferati, Ms Ţicău and Ms Regner and they are, I believe, in your group.

  Phil Bennion (ALDE). - My concern is with the liability transfer proposals within the Posted Workers Directive. I would like to ask the Commissioner whether he does not think it is going a little bit too far to take this to European level, considering that most Member States do not have these provisions in their whole legal framework. This applies particularly to those Member States that have developed economies based on large numbers of very specialised contractors. In fact, these contractors are largely thought of as suppliers.

Would it not be true to say that there is a possibility here that we are moving towards a situation where customers will be held responsible for their suppliers’ actions? This is something that – in many Member States – would be thought of as contravening natural justice. Indeed, in some Member States with highly competitive economies based on many small contractors, would it not in fact hinder a move towards a more competitive economy?

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − First of all, I believe that the proposal for joint and several liability in the construction industry is not excessive. It helps create a level playing field and focuses efforts where problems are the greatest.

I think it is also important to note that most of the famous – so-called controversial – cases in the history of the posting of workers in Europe come from countries or areas where this liability regime is not applied. In fact, where it is applied in various ways, there is already a better, cleaner, less ambiguous practice with regard to the posting of the workers. But I should also add that, under the proposal which we made, the joint and several liability will not be mandatory if there is a due diligence procedure. In the countries to which you refer – some of the so-called highly competitive countries, although some of them might currently be in recession or a very difficult situation – there are good due diligence practices. In such cases the principle of joint and several liability would not apply. Nevertheless, I still believe that it is a very important and helpful proposal. It simply requires a company to look at who the subcontractor is and at the background and history of that business partner.

  Phil Bennion (ALDE). - Very quickly: I am probably not going to agree with the Commissioner on this one, but instead of a supplementary, I just want to point out that Mrs Harkin actually thought she had been recognised from the panel by the Chair’s aides very early on in the debate – before I even arrived – and she has not been called.

I just wanted to point that out.

  President. − You are welcome to come and check the list I have in front of me, which will prove that we did it in this order.

  Erminia Mazzoni (PPE). - Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, Signor Commissario, i dati sulla disoccupazione sono in crescita e in maniera molto lucida la Commissione ha aggiornato la propria strategia sull'occupazione; in particolare la Commissione ha dato indicazioni agli Stati membri per cercare di bilanciare le misure dell'austerità e della riduzione del deficit con la necessità di aumentare l'occupazione e di promuovere la crescita.

Queste misure prevedono una maggiore flessibilità, che però non vuol dire instabilità del posto di lavoro, ma minori imposte sul lavoro, più aiuti alle nuove professioni nel settore dell'ecologia, della salute e dell'informatica, introduzione del salario minimo, più occupazione femminile – perché è una risorsa non sfruttata o sottoutilizzata – e più occupazione per i giovani perché la maggiore fascia di disoccupazione è proprio fra i 23 e i 26 anni.

L'Italia è un paese sotto osservazione, come ricordava anche l'onorevole Angelilli, diciamo più correttamente che è un paese commissariato. Signor Commissario, ritiene che la riforma che si sta promuovendo – al di là della spesa delle risorse che sono a disposizione – che vuol dire futuro, vuol dire accompagnare la strategia dell'Unione europea, la riforma che sta promuovendo il governo italiano sia rispettosa delle indicazioni della nuova strategia europea?

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − I do believe that this is a transformative time for Italy and that the labour market reforms are crucial in this effort.

Indeed, the objective is fully in line with the Commission’s belief that we have to create a dynamic and inclusive labour market. The point which was made by the honourable Member about the female employment rate is very striking. There are a few countries in Europe – and Italy is one of them – where the employment rate for women is below 50%.

At a time when we have to make some transformations for the sake of cohesion as well as for economic competitiveness – and when we have agreed at EU level to reach a 75% employment rate by 2020 – governments have to address these situations. They have to introduce reforms, and this is the focus of the Italian Government’s programme at this time.

  Erminia Mazzoni (PPE). - Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, Signor Commissario, non ho ascoltato, devo dire con rammarico, nella sua risposta un'indicazione, perché sono convinta che l'attuale condizione dell'Italia porti la Commissione ad avere una maggiore attenzione.

Abbiamo ricevuto nel luglio dello scorso anno una lettera nella quale avevamo indicazioni ben precise, non credo che quelle indicazioni, ma soprattutto l'aggiornamento della strategia dell'Unione europea che va verso una maggiore crescita, siano dentro la riforma del governo italiano. Ha poco senso mandare degli action team in Italia se poi quelle che sono le basi per raggiungere gli obiettivi europei, come l'occupazione al 75% nel 2020, non vengono monitorate nel tempo necessario.

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − I should briefly respond to the question regarding youth. If the Vice-President wants to comment on the broader questions of growth and the reforms, he should do so.

Of course the action team has to focus on a particular group, namely young people. This is a critical question, especially in the south of Italy. There are huge imbalances inside the country, as you probably know very well. I hope this will produce very practical, concrete results in the coming year.

I think the Vice-President wants to address the issue of growth and the reforms in a broader context.

  Olli Rehn, Vice-President of the Commission. − Indeed, in the past few months, the Italian Government has shown very strong determination and I must say an impressive commitment to take up the twin challenge of fiscal consolidation and job-boosting reforms.

As regards fiscal consolidation, the effort made, in fact since 2010, is significant and has helped restore confidence in financial markets, not least thanks to the recent packages of fiscal consolidation that have been adopted by the government and supported by the parliament in Italy. At the same time, the sustainability of Italy’s public finances and of course the development of its employment depends on its growth prospects, especially in the context of recession, as is the case today.

The policy response to tackling the long-standing structural weaknesses and boosting the growth potential in Italy has been determined so far, and it is very comprehensive and wide-ranging. The rigorous implementation of the measures that have been adopted so far, especially to open up competition in product and services markets, to improve the business environment and to make better use of Structural Funds for investment, will be crucial in delivering their full benefits.

The next crucial step is the adoption by parliament of the long-awaited reform of the labour market, which is necessary in the light of the important challenges of the Italian labour market. As recommended by the Council at its recent meeting, Italy should embrace reforms that tackle the segmentation of the labour market by reviewing its employment protection legislation and revising the unemployment benefits system, as well as enhancing the system of active labour market policies. These reforms are crucial, not least because of the unacceptable level of youth unemployment in Italy.

The reform recently adopted by the government following consultations with the social partners has the ambition to comprehensively address the rigidities and asymmetries of the labour market, while moving towards a more integrated unemployment benefit scheme. This should make it possible to find a better balance between flexibility of entry and exit from the labour market and should give rise to a more dynamic and cohesive labour market.

  Pervenche Berès (S&D). - Monsieur Rehn, Monsieur le Commissaire, si vous participez avec nous à ce débat sur le droit des travailleurs dans une Europe ouverte, c'est que, j'imagine, vous avez quelque chose à y dire, au-delà de l'écoute qui est la vôtre au cours de ces interventions.

Je dois vous dire, Monsieur le Commissaire, qu'il y a une grande différence entre vous et moi, à savoir que moi, je suis laïque, et j'ai parfois l'impression à vous écouter que vous faites partie d'une secte ou d'une église dont le dogme est celui de l'austérité. En tant que laïque, je m'appuie sur des preuves. Lorsque je regarde le résultat de l'Espagne aujourd'hui, un pays qui a été le bon élève du Pacte de stabilité, un pays où, y compris du temps du président Zapatero, toutes les recettes demandées par la Commission ont été mises en œuvre: ce pays compte aujourd'hui six millions de chômeurs.

Alors je vous demande, Monsieur le Commissaire, les droits des travailleurs dont nous parlons ne sont-ils que des droits pour les temps calmes et faut-il, qu'en temps de crise, la troïka aille en Grèce imposer un plan d'austérité qui ignore totalement la force de notre modèle social et l'importance du dialogue social pour pouvoir réussir cette sortie de crise.

  Olli Rehn, Vice-President of the Commission. − I will leave my philosophical and religious beliefs out of this debate, even though I have to say that in my studies of macroeconomics the books of John Maynard Keynes figured very strongly. They certainly have plenty of lessons for all of us about what went wrong in the 1930s and what we should avoid in the 21st century.

As regards Spain – which was the specific point you made – you are correct when you say that Spain faces formidable challenges, especially concerning youth unemployment following the end of the credit boom and the bursting of the real estate bubble. This adjustment started in the wake of the crisis with a rapid downsizing of the construction sector, a decrease in the external deficit and some improvement in cost competitiveness.

Unfortunately, I cannot agree with you when you say that last year in Spain everything was done perfectly, because there was a major fiscal slippage of over 2.5%, from 6 to 8.5%, which, in more numerical, concrete terms, is equivalent to a slippage of around EUR 25 billion. This slippage came mainly from the regional governments.

Therefore it is essential for Spain, as part of its reform efforts, to take concrete action to ensure better sustainability of the autonomous regions’ public finances. I have recommended to the Spanish Government that they start applying the new fiscal stability law on the autonomous regions without any delay, because that is clearly an area which creates uncertainty and reduces the credibility of public finances in Spain.

  Pervenche Berès (S&D). - Ce que je constate, c'est que, à l'époque, M. Sarkozy et Mme Merkel voulaient diviser les socialistes en utilisant l'exemple de M. Zapatero contre d'autres exemples socialistes. Manifestement, la question n'est pas là. La question est de savoir si oui ou non on peut rétablir les finances publiques d'un pays sans croissance. La question n'est pas de savoir si c'est au niveau des régions ou de l'État central, la question c'est celle de la croissance créatrice d'emplois.

Monsieur le Commissaire, comment pensez-vous réussir cette recette en Grèce alors même que, au fond, du point de vue des travailleurs – et du point de vue des Grecs eux-mêmes –, ce que vous proposez c'est que les plans d'investissement soient réalisés par de grandes entreprises allemandes et que les Grecs bénéficient de la mobilité, ce qui revient à organiser la fuite des cerveaux.

Pensez-vous que c'est la bonne voie et ne constatez-vous pas qu'au fond il y a peut-être un moment où il faut accepter qu'il y ait eu une erreur?

  Olli Rehn, Vice-President of the Commission. − Firstly, on the subject of Spain: it is indeed essential that the fiscal policy stance of Spain, as recommended by the Commission and the Eurogroup, strikes the right balance between the necessary consolidation of public finances and concerns about growth in the country.

We are currently reviewing the economic and fiscal policy figures and stance of the whole euro area. We will present our spring forecast on 11 May and on that basis will make proposals for the economic and fiscal policy stance of the whole euro area and individual countries. I can see that we need to have further differentiation among the countries, depending on the business cycle they are in and on the economic and growth conditions they are experiencing, but it is too early to say today because we do not yet have the figures from Eurostat upon which we will base the spring forecast that we will present in May.

As regards Greece, I would suggest that you attend the afternoon session at 3 p.m. when President Barroso will speak about Greece. We will adopt today, in our college meeting before 3 p.m., a communication on promoting growth and jobs in Greece, which is a very important document outlining ways and means in all policy areas and how we can enhance growth and job creation in Greece on the basis of the EU-IMF programme.

I would like to make one point concerning growth which is important because I know, Mrs Berès, that you are very concerned about this – as all of you and all of us are. I should like, if I may, to use my extra minute in this context because to my mind it is quite important. This point refers to the possibilities of reinforcing the capital base of the European Investment Bank.

With the EIB, the EU has a very powerful institution and instrument of its own for supporting growth and employment, not least in troubled times. The EIB, with a lending capacity several times the size of the World Bank, has been playing a key role in tackling the crisis since 2008, but it is reaching the limits of what it can do with its current capital base. To allow the EIB to do more for growth and jobs, its capital needs to be addressed and its capital base needs to be increased. In our view this should be done by its shareholders, in other words by the EU Member States. For instance, a capital increase of EUR 10 billion would allow the EIB to lend approximately EUR 60 billion, which in turn would attract other financing sources for a total investment of EUR 180 billion for new projects of infrastructure, innovation and so on.

In addition to this, the Commission and the EIB are currently looking at possible options for using the EU budget to leverage the EIB Group financing capacity through risk-sharing schemes, building on schemes already developed for research and innovation with project bonds for infrastructure as well as for small and medium-sized enterprises with the help of the Structural Funds.

So we are doing our part to look for innovative solutions to reinforce the lending capacity of the European Investment Bank. However, let me send a clear and constructive message to all EU Member States, which I trust Parliament can support. For the sake of sustainable growth and job creation we need more European cross-border and Community investment in infrastructure, energy and transport and in innovation, research and communications, and I therefore call on the EU Member States to provide, without any delay, additional capital to the European Investment Bank. I ask for your support for this very important objective.

  Emilie Turunen (Verts/ALE). - You will definitely have that support, I think.

Commissioner Andor, sometimes the devil is in the detail, so please allow me to return to something very important that was raised by Mrs Regner and Mrs Schroedter that I do not think you answered sufficiently.

In Article 9 of the new Enforcement Directive – not in the directive as a whole but in Article 9 – there is a list of control measures that national authorities can use. There is also a small word preceding that list: it states that they can only use these control measures. This is a maximum list, an exhaustive list and a clear limitation.

So my question is, why do you want to make it an exhaustive list, and why do you not change the logic of the ECB instead of aligning with it when it comes to control measures?

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − The Enforcement Directive recognises the importance of national control measures and inspections in guaranteeing applicable working conditions for posted workers. However, the freedom to provide services must also be respected.

The Court of Justice decided that certain national control measures were proportionate in view of companies’ freedom to provide services, while others were not. In order to provide for legal certainty, the Enforcement Directive indicates clearly which control measures are proportionate and justified. New European electronic tools will make cooperation between Member States’ enforcement bodies more rapid and efficient. This will facilitate and improve controls. I therefore believe that the provision to which you refer is in line with the agreed objective of this exercise, namely improving the interpretation and the implementation of the existing directive without reversing Court of Justice case law.

  Emilie Turunen (Verts/ALE). - Well I think that we disagree on that interpretation, but we can probably discuss that in the future in a follow-up.

Another ambiguity in this proposal arises in connection with the principle of joint and several liability, a principle that the Greens very much support. One question is: how do you foresee the implementation of that in countries that have collective agreements and where wages are not set by law?

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − I believe that the joint and several liability does not interfere with the question of collective agreements. This is about how various companies engage in cooperation by means of subcontracting. It is actually a way to guarantee that what is involved in various labour contracts will be delivered, even if the economic activity takes place in the form of posting in a Member State other than the home of the given company.

  Γεώργιος Παπανικολάου (PPE). - Κύριε Πρόεδρε, κύριε Επίτροπε σας άκουσα με πολύ προσοχή και πράγματι είναι πολύ σημαντικό να υποστηρίξουμε την κινητικότητα των εργαζομένων που σκοπό έχει και την ενίσχυση των δεξιοτήτων ειδικά των νέων ανθρώπων. Είναι άλλο πράγμα, όμως, αυτή η πραγματικότητα και άλλο πράγμα η πραγματικότητα εκείνη που αναγκάζει νέους, σε κάποιες χώρες με σημαντικά προβλήματα, να εγκαταλείπουν τη χώρα τους γιατί η χώρα τους δεν προσφέρει καμία ευκαιρία για να εργαστούν, για να αναπτύξουν τη ζωή τους.

Είπατε ότι το μεσημέρι ο κ. Barosso θα μας κάνει ανακοινώσεις. Ο Πρόεδρος της Επιτροπής, όμως, τον περασμένο Δεκέμβριο έκανε επίσης μια ανακοίνωση όσον αφορά τις ευκαιρίες για τους νέους. Ανακοινώσατε και ομάδες δράσης για τους νέους. Δεν βλέπουμε όμως κάποια προστιθέμενη αξία αυτή την περίοδο - τους τέσσερις, πέντε τελευταίους μήνες που έχουν γίνει αυτές οι ανακοινώσεις. Ποιά είναι η προστιθέμενη αξία, κύριοι Επίτροποι, ποια είναι η συμβουλή σας στους νέους που αναζητούν προοπτική και ελπίδα; Να μείνουν στον τόπο τους, για παράδειγμα στην Ελλάδα, ή να φύγουν γιατί αυτή η περίοδος δεν επιτρέπει δυστυχώς την παροχή νέων ευκαιριών και νέων προοπτικών για τη νέα γενιά σε όλη την Ευρώπη. Πεντέμισι εκατομμύρια είναι οι άνεργοι σε όλη την Ευρώπη. Το ξέρετε καλύτερα από εμένα.

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − Emigration from the countries which felt the impact of the financial crisis is of course a problem, especially if this migration leads to other continents, because we very often find – in the case of Greece, and also Ireland and Portugal – that people prefer to go other continents, despite the geographical proximity of many vacancies in the countries in the more dynamic part of Europe.

That is why our efforts, including in the forthcoming employment package, are to make the European labour market more transparent and the jobs and vacancies that exist in Europe more accessible. This would also be done by developing the EURES programme, which helps with finding and understanding what opportunities exist in the European labour market.

There are practical developments. The action teams went to Athens as well as to the other seven capitals. They came back with concrete findings. We had an opportunity in Brussels to hold discussions with Prime Minister Papademos. I also went to Athens at the end of March and held discussions with several members of the government. For example, there are very practical opportunities now to develop not just training and apprenticeships but also a new programme for start-ups, which I discussed with Minister Diamantopoulou, and also to develop the social economy, which I discussed with Minister Koutroumanis.

These are just examples of how refocusing the use of the Structural Funds – the ESF in particular but not only the ESF – can very directly, concretely and urgently help the young people who are now unemployed or who just want to find new opportunities inside Greece.

  Γεώργιος Παπανικολάου (PPE). - Κύριε Πρόεδρε, κύριε Επίτροπε, το μοναδικό σημείο που θα επιθυμούσα να κατανοήσω είναι το εξής, διότι ήταν πολύ συγκεκριμένα αυτά που αναφέρατε. Υπενθυμίζω, όμως, ότι στην Ελλάδα βρισκόμαστε σε προεκλογική περίοδο, έχουμε εκλογές σε είκοσι ημέρες, και όλοι έχουν την εξής απορία: γιατί αυτά τα εργαλεία που τώρα μας περιγράψατε δεν τα εφαρμόσαμε τα τελευταία δύο, δυόμισι χρόνια.

  László Andor, Member of the Commission. − Very serious work has been undertaken in the recent period. Greece has been lagging behind with the implementation of the Structural Funds, and a lot of progress has been made over the last year regarding the Social Fund, for example, not least because of the contribution of the task force which the Commission sent to Greece. I agree with you that this could have helped earlier. There was only about a 12% or 13% implementation rate up to next June and now it is about double that. So a lot of progress has been made, but of course we cannot change the situation overnight.

  President. − My thanks to the Commission and to colleagues. My apologies to those who were not called.

That concludes Question Time.

ΠΡΟΕΔΡΙΑ: ΑΝΝΥ ΠΟΔΗΜΑΤΑ
Αντιπρόεδρος

  Πρόεδρος. - H γραπτή δήλωση αριθ. 0047/2011σχετικά με τα ψάρια ως κοινό αγαθό

συγκέντρωσε τις υπογραφές μεγαλύτερου αριθμού βουλευτών από την απλή πλειοψηφία του Σώματος.

Κατόπιν τούτου θα διαβιβασθεί, σύμφωνα με το άρθρο 123 του Κανονισμού, στους αποδέκτες της και θα δημοσιευθεί στα κείμενα που εγκρίθηκαν κατά τη συνεδρίαση, ενώ τα ονόματα των υπογραφόντων θα δημοσιευθούν στα Συνοπτικά Πρακτικά.

  Guido Milana (S&D). - Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, ringrazio gli onorevoli Arsenis, Patrão Neves e Romeva i Rueda e i loro assistenti per aver contribuito in maniera sostanziale al successo di questa iniziativa. Il pesce è un bene comune, poiché fornisce il 15% delle proteine ad oltre 3 miliardi di persone e la vita di oltre 500 milioni di persone dipende dalla pesca e dall'acquacoltura. Ciò lo rende un vero e proprio bene pubblico globale.

L'approvazione di questa dichiarazione indica alla Commissione un percorso preciso sulla necessità di rendere diffusa una condotta responsabile, sia tra le comunità dei pescatori sia nei comportamenti dei consumatori. Il dibattito sulla politica comune della pesca ha da oggi una ragione in più per sostenere azioni che facciano uscire la politica europea dal ristretto angolo sulle modalità del prelievo delle risorse e su una politica di regole tutte volte all'interno.

Al contrario, si suggerisce una strategia sul mare come luogo privilegiato per aumentare la sua capacità di riproduzione, sia nelle acque interne sia attraverso modalità innovative degli accordi di pesca con i paesi terzi. Del resto, tutto ciò non è solo la salvaguardia dell'ambiente e il mantenimento della biodiversità, ma anche pesca responsabile, sostenibilità economica e sociale, interesse preciso dei pescatori e della nostra economia.

  Πρόεδρος. - Η γραπτή δήλωση αριθ. 0052/2011 σχετικά με τα παιδιά που πάσχουν από το σύνδρομο Ντάουν συγκέντρωσε τις υπογραφές μεγαλύτερου αριθμού βουλευτών από την απλή πλειοψηφία του Σώματος.

Κατόπιν τούτου θα διαβιβασθεί, σύμφωνα με το άρθρο 123 του Κανονισμού, στους αποδέκτες της και θα δημοσιευθεί στα κείμενα που εγκρίθηκαν κατά την παρούσα συνεδρίαση ενώ τα ονόματα των υπογραφόντων θα δημοσιευθούν στα Συνοπτικά Πρακτικά.

  George Sabin Cutaş (S&D). - În primul rând vreau să mulţumesc tuturor colegilor care ne-au susţinut, de asemenea vreau să mulţumesc celorlalţi autori, doamnei Dăncilă, doamnei Nicolai, domnului Tarabella şi domnului Ulmer, nu în ultimul rând vreau să mulţumesc tuturor asistentelor, asistenţilor care s-au implicat şi cred că prin mesajul pe care îl transmitem astăzi, atât de simplu şi, în acelaşi timp, încărcat de semnificaţie, Parlamentul European este solidar cu aceşti copii cu sindrom Down şi apără dreptul lor de a fi deplin integraţi într-o Uniune a diversităţii.

  Πρόεδρος. - Το επόμενο σημείο είναι οι ψηφοφορίες.

(Για τα αποτελέσματα και λοιπές πληροφορίες επί της ψηφοφορίας: βλ. Συνοπτικά Πρακτικά)

- μετά την ψηφοφορία επί της παραγράφου 101:

  Sergio Paolo Francesco Silvestris (PPE). - Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, dopo il paragrafo 101 chiedo che sia inserito il seguente paragrafo:

"Ritiene che tra i diritti della donna vi è anche quello alla maternità, e prende atto che spesso tale diritto è compromesso da condizioni socio-economiche che inducono la donna ad interrompere la gravidanza. Chiede dunque azioni di sostegno da parte degli Stati membri per supportare la maternità aiutando la donna a rimuovere le cause che la inducono ad interrompere la gravidanza, ove queste siano di natura socio-economica.

Auspica per il futuro una specifica attenzione da rivolgere anche ai diritti del nascituro."

(Η προφορική τροπολογία δεν κρατείται)

  Sergio Paolo Francesco Silvestris (PPE). - Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, nel rispetto dell'Aula, volevo solo osservare che anche chi si è alzato (per opporsi alla presa in cosiderazione dell'emendamento orale proposto) è stato un embrione.

  Πρόεδρος. - Δεν επανερχόμαστε στη συζήτηση.

- Πριν από την ψηφοφορία της παραγράφου 112:

  Rui Tavares (Verts/ALE). - Madam President, this is an addition to paragraph 112. I will read it in English:

‘Welcomes the fact that the EU has been very supportive of capacity-building activities for indigenous peoples at the UN; underlines that enhancing indigenous representatives’ efficiency during UN events is essential by supporting adequate logistics, documentation and information; calls on the EU to continue this support;’

(Η προφορική τροπολογία κρατείται)

VORSITZ: MARTIN SCHULZ
Präsident

  Der Präsident. − Majestät, im Namen aller Abgeordneten des Europäischen Parlaments heiße ich Sie herzlich hier in Straßburg willkommen. Es ist ganz sicher eine große Ehre für uns, dass Sie heute bereits zum dritten Mal das Europäische Parlament besuchen. Damit zeigen Sie uns Ihre Freundschaft und Ihr Vertrauen.

Majestät, vor etwas mehr als einem Jahr begann hoffnungsvoll der arabische Frühling. Der Wunsch nach Demokratie, sozialer Gerechtigkeit, Rechtsstaatlichkeit und Meinungsfreiheit hat sich einmal mehr als ein universeller Wunsch erwiesen. Sie, Majestät, haben sich im Gegensatz zu anderen weise dafür entschieden, dem Ruf des jordanischen Volkes Gehör zu schenken. Sie haben Ihr Land auf den Weg politischer und wirtschaftlicher Reformen gebracht. Wir europäischen Volksvertreter wollen dem jordanischen Volk in dieser Transformationsphase Freund und Partner sein. Wir wollen Ihnen sowohl bei tiefgreifenden wirtschaftlichen Reformen als auch bei einer echten politischen Öffnung zur Seite stehen.

In Ihrer Rede an das jordanische Volk am 12. Juni 2011 haben Sie sich für die Durchführung von Parlamentswahlen ausgesprochen, unter Beteiligung repräsentativer und aktiver Parteien, aus denen auf der Basis der parlamentarischen Mehrheitsverhältnisse eine Regierung hervorgehen soll. Wir begrüßen, dass Sie sich so klar zu den Prinzipien der parlamentarischen Demokratie und des Rechtsstaats bekannt haben. Das wird ein Bollwerk werden gegen Verzweiflung, gegen Enttäuschung, gegen Extremismus und gegen Gewalt.

Ihre Rede hat naturgemäß große Erwartungen bei den Bürgerinnen und Bürgern Ihres Landes geweckt. Als Freunde und Partner werden wir Sie darin unterstützen, den Worten Taten folgen zu lassen und das Reformversprechen zu erfüllen. Für Europa ist Jordanien ein Land, mit dem wir uns in tiefer Freundschaft verbunden fühlen. Ihr persönliches Engagement – gerade in den letzten Wochen –, zwischen Israelis und Palästinensern zu vermitteln, beide Seiten wieder an den Verhandlungstisch zurückzubringen, hat uns darin bestätigt, in Ihnen einen Verbündeten im Kampf für Diplomatie und Demokratie, für Frieden und Freiheit zu sehen.

Majestät, wir freuen uns auf Ihre Rede!

(Beifall)

  Abdullah II, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. − Mr President, distinguished Members of the European Parliament, thank you all for your warm welcome. The ties between Jordan and Europe are anchored in rock. It is more than our mutual interest in the prosperity and security of our multi-regional neighbourhood. It is our shared belief in the kind of neighbourhood it should be – the kind of neighbourhood our people deserve, rich in human dignity and freedom, powered by opportunity and progress, and secured by peace. It is to talk about our neighbourhood and future that I join you today.

My friends, a long spring is unfolding in the Arab world. It will not be over in a season, not even in a year. Our societies are facing the challenge of moving from protests to programmes, from criticism to national strategies. Different countries will take different paths. In some countries debate and consensus are in the air. Elsewhere, we are seeing the winds of division and reaction, bringing instability, violence and a region-wide cost. There are outside actors that seek to take advantage of discord. The risks and uncertainties are real.

But I speak for millions when I say the Arab world is awake, and positive challenge is on the move. The signs were already there for those who wanted to see them. For a decade or more, people across the region have been raising questions, nurturing aspirations, seeking meaningful reform and empowering civil society, especially women and our digitally-connected, globally-aware youth.

Events added to the urgency. Global crises in finance, food and energy seriously hurt our economies. Arab families who sacrificed to educate their children have seen their sons and daughters leave school, prepared for jobs that simply are not there. Today, my region faces the highest youth unemployment of any region. Some have called it a ‘generation in waiting’. It is 100 million strong, the largest youth cohort in our history. I know that youth concerns are important here in Europe as well. Our regions have different demographics, but in one statistic they are the same: today’s young people are 100% of our future and we cannot afford to let a single young citizen wait in vain.

This reality drives Jordan’s approach to the Arab Spring. We have embraced it as an opportunity to push past road blocks that have slowed reform in the past. And last year we took immediate steps to engage in a national dialogue to build consensus on concrete actions. An early focus has been the Constitution, the foundation of our political system. Last September, after recommendations by a national committee, one third of the entire document was amended: new constitutional provisions, wider representation, strengthened political parties, protection of civil rights and freedoms, an enhanced separation of powers.

Other milestones include new laws on political parties and municipal and national elections as well as legislation for the new constitutional court and independent elections commission, and our next tests will be municipal and parliamentary elections. As guarantor of the political reform process, I have urged both government and parliament to keep to the agreed timeline and finalise the remaining legislation as quickly as possible, without sacrificing the inclusive nature of our process.

Only we, all Jordanians, can build Jordan’s future, and we must do so in such a way that our country remains a secure, safe haven in spite of a region becoming more turbulent around us, in spite of economic threats, in spite of neighbouring crises. This path demands consensus-based reform, based on structural, comprehensive change – political, legal, economic and social – respecting the rights and freedoms of all our citizens. In the process Jordan can set a regional model of peaceful political evolution and democratisation.

I am confident that 2012 will be a year of key political reform in Jordan. Among the most important steps is building the robust political party life that parliamentary government requires. We know that it is not one election but the next and the next and all those that follow which show that a system is working.

We greatly value the EU’s recognition of our reform path. Just two months ago the new EU-Jordan Task Force met in Amman to discuss key programmes which will support our reform priorities: democratic institutions, civil society, job creation, local economic development, human assistance and more. Next month marks ten years since our Association Agreement went into force, opening markets and job opportunities on both sides. I hope these opportunities, now strengthened by our advanced status partnership, will further blossom in the years ahead.

Jordan has pursued its domestic goals despite regional conflict but, my friends, peace must come if our region is to thrive and be secure. We cannot afford one more generation in waiting for a Palestinian state.

(Applause)

Ten years ago the Arab states spoke in a united voice on behalf of a just peace. We made the decision to look forward, not back; to seek agreement and to offer acceptance. The Arab Peace Initiative has been recognised by every major friend of peace in the world, including the EU and other members of the Quartet. We need Israel to engage.

The Arab Peace Initiative is based on the only possible solution: two states, side by side, in dignity and self-determination – a sovereign, viable and independent Palestine on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital …

(Applause)

and collective peace and security guarantees for Israel …

(Applause)

and a final settlement in accordance with UN resolutions, and the agreed resolution of all final status issues. This initiative went even beyond offering Israel peace and normal relations with all its Arab neighbours. The entire Muslim world endorsed it. What has been on the table for the past ten years is a 57-state solution.

Some political elements point to the change in the Arab world and tell the Israeli people that negotiations can wait. There is no time to wait. The Arab Spring is rooted in a profound call for human respect. No affront is felt more deeply than the Israeli occupation. The longer Palestinian suffering endures, the longer settlement-building continues, the greater the frustrations, dangers and unknowns. If we cross the line where the two-state solution is no longer possible, Israel will be further than ever from real security and it would take decades, even generations, for peace to regain the initiative.

Jordan sees an effective peace process as a moral duty and a strategic interest, and we continue to pursue results. This year in Amman we succeeded in getting negotiators back to the table several times. We would not have been able to do so without the magnificent work of European diplomacy, energising contacts, mobilising support, keeping up the pressure for peace and, most important, keeping hope alive. Indeed over the past two years the European Union has been an invaluable friend to those on both sides working for peace in the Middle East.

The exploratory talks in Amman were baby steps, giving the parties an opportunity to resume bilateral contacts. Now the process needs a quantum leap forward – and EU partnership is vital. The EU has taken a principled stand for a just, two-state solution, and against the settlement-building that is obstructing progress. You understand the global risks of continued conflict and the global benefits of peace. You have tremendous credibility for your experience in building democratic institutions, security and trust. I hope you can bring all this to bear in the days ahead.

My friends, many peoples, one neighbourhood – and one future. This is the challenge for Europe and the Middle East, and it is our strength. Together we face immense issues – economic, political, peace. The solutions are complex and the path forward difficult. But together we have the will and the wisdom to reach the goals we seek. And together we can succeed.

(The House accorded the speaker a standing ovation)

  Der Präsident. − Majestät, vielen Dank für Ihre Rede, vielen Dank für Ihre Worte. Ich glaube, der Beifall der Kolleginnen und Kollegen im Hause hat gezeigt, dass es eine große Übereinstimmung zwischen dem gibt, was Sie uns als Ihre Linie vorgetragen haben, und dem, was das Europäische Parlament im Rahmen der Zusammenarbeit nicht nur zwischen Jordanien und dem Europäischen Parlament sieht, sondern auch in Bezug auf die Rolle, die Ihr Land in der gesamten Region spielen kann und von der wir glauben, dass sie entscheidend ist. Das ist auch in Ihren Worten zum Ausdruck gekommen, insbesondere, als Sie noch einmal auf Ihre Vermittlerrolle zwischen Israel und Palästina hingewiesen haben. Wir danken Ihnen für Ihre Anwesenheit. Wir danken Ihnen für Ihre Worte. Ich will nochmals zum Ausdruck bringen, was auch im Beifall sichtbar wurde: Wir setzen bei der Entwicklung einer friedlichen, wirtschaftlich nachhaltigen, demokratischen und sozial gerechten Entwicklung in der gesamten Region als Grundlage für die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Europa und dem Nahen Osten ganz stark auf Sie und Ihr Land. Herzlichen Dank!

(Beifall)

ΠΡΟΕΔΡΙΑ: ΑΝΝΥ ΠΟΔΗΜΑΤΑ
Αντιπρόεδρος

συνεχίζεται η ψηφοφορία

- πριν από την ψηφοφορία επί της τροπολογίας 1:

  Vytautas Landsbergis (PPE). - Madam President, to avoid any equivocal misunderstanding, I propose inserting one word in the sentence on the withdrawal of armed forces from around Nagorno-Karabakh. That is to insert after ‘surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh’ the clarifying point ‘at first’. Please do not refuse transparency.

  Anneli Jäätteenmäki, rapporteur. − Madam President, I do not agree with Mr Landsbergis. I think that the normal text is correct.

(Η προφορική τροπολογία κρατείται)

Η ώρα των ψηφοφοριών έληξε.

Προφορικές αιτιολογήσεις ψήφου

Έκθεση : Milan Cabrnoch (A7-0043/2012)

  Kay Swinburne (ECR). - Madam President, I have voted in favour of this report for the coordination of social security systems across the EU, as it introduces the necessary updates and amendments – ones that have already been introduced at national level – to the existing EU legislation. Whilst it is primarily a technical report, it clarifies the social security situation of those who pursue activities in different Member States. Similarly, it details how unemployment benefits would be distributed to self-employed individuals active in several Member States. These are both important measures that will facilitate the free movement of labour, which is an integral part of the single market.

  Adam Bielan (ECR). - Pani Przewodnicząca! Popieram sprawozdanie. Obecne realia społeczno-gospodarcze w Europie wymagają podjęcia zmian w ustawodawstwie państw członkowskich w zakresie zabezpieczenia społecznego. Szczególnie w obliczu coraz większej transgranicznej mobilności obywateli regulacje na poziomie krajowym powinny być skoordynowane. Ważnym zapisem jest zatem określenie tzw. „znacznej części pracy” w odniesieniu do osób zmieniających pracodawców w różnych państwach członkowskich. Sprawozdanie porusza również kwestię zasiłków dla bezrobotnych w odniesieniu do osób wykonujących pracę na własny rachunek. Uwzględnia także sprawy dotyczące świadczenia pracy przez członków załóg lotniczych. W kwestii proceduralnej pozytywnym rozwiązaniem było sporządzenie sprawozdania i poprawek równolegle z negocjacjami w Radzie, co umożliwia osiągnięcie porozumienia w pierwszym czytaniu.

  Marek Józef Gróbarczyk (ECR). - Pani Przewodnicząca! Poparłem to sprawozdanie, ponieważ ma ono ogromne znaczenie dla zabezpieczenia przyszłości mieszkańców Unii Europejskiej. Wielokrotnie zwracano uwagę na sytuację załóg samolotów, ale znacznie większy problem stanowią marynarze pracujący na morzu, którzy niejednokrotnie pozbawieni są całkowicie zabezpieczeń społecznych. Nagminnym przykładem jest zatrudnianie marynarzy przez armatorów unijnych w niedopuszczalny sposób, niejednokrotnie na warunkach rodem z krajów Trzeciego Świata. Brak wspólnotowych i obligatoryjnych rozwiązań doprowadził do patologicznych sytuacji, wykluczających marynarzy z systemu ubezpieczeń społecznych. Zawód marynarza ma – ze względu na swój niebezpieczny i niezwykle trudny charakter – szczególną rolę, którą powinny zabezpieczyć przede wszystkim poszczególne kraje, ale również Parlament Europejski. Brak takich rozwiązań to przykład nierównego traktowania obywateli Unii Europejskiej, który wymaga pilnej interwencji.

  Daniel Hannan (ECR). - Madam President, the current scheme against the sovereignty of the democratic nation state comes not from armed revolutionaries but from well-intentioned liberals. Its inspiration is drawn not from Lenin but from Lennon. Imagine there’s no countries, it isn’t hard to do.

Well, here is one consequence that would come from there being no countries: there would be no welfare states. The whole basis of social security is discrimination on the basis of nationality. There are many more needy people in the world than even the most needy citizens of EU Member States. The only moral justification for not giving the whole of our tax revenues to more desperate populations in poorer parts of the world is that we discriminate on the basis of nationality. In this report you have the basis of effacing that distinction and thereby doing away with the origin of national states in their recognised form.

  Csaba Sógor (PPE). - A tagállamok szociális biztonsági rendszerének koordinációja nagyban elősegíti a polgárok EU-n belüli szabad mozgását. A 70-es évektől kezdődően ez volt az az eszköz, amely egy másik tagállamban való munkavállalást vagy letelepedést a gyakorlatban is lehetővé tette. Az időszakok összesítésének elve például nem más, mint az egyesült Európa és a belső piac létének elismerése. A nemzeti jogszabályok azonban folyamatosan változnak, ezért elkerülhetetlen a szabályozás folyamatos hozzáigazítása a polgárok szükségleteihez, igényeihez. Nekünk, a polgárok által közvetlenül választott képviselőknek nagy figyelmet kell fordítanunk a Bizottság által javasolt módosításokra, adott esetben pedig nem szabad haboznunk a megfelelő kiegészítések megtételével. Most is ez történt, ezért üdvözlöm képviselő kollegám jelentését, amely jól rávilágít a Bizottság javaslatának néhány problémás pontjára.

  Charles Tannock (ECR). - Madam President, I voted in favour of this report on the coordination of social security. The report is a very technical one, but I believe that the outcome of the proposal put forward would be positive. I believe that the updates made to the Regulation are worthwhile, given the constant changes to Member States’ national social security legislation and the huge increases in the cross-border mobility of our citizens.

The report ultimately gives clarification of the rules to those working across various Member States, including legislation for aircrew members and rules on unemployment benefits for cross-border self-employed workers. Clarification of these rules can only be a good thing for the single market. However, social security provision must ultimately remain a matter for the individual Member States.

  Peter Jahr (PPE). - Frau Präsidentin! Auch ich habe für den Bericht gestimmt.

Gegenstand des Vorschlags ist die Aktualisierung der Verordnungen 882/2004 und 987/2009, die in regelmäßigen Abständen durchgeführt wird, um eine angemessene Koordinierung der nationalen Systeme der sozialen Sicherheit auf EU-Ebene zu gewährleisten. Hauptgrund dieser ständigen Aktualisierung ist auch die Annahme der EU-Bürgerschaft durch unsere Bürger. Ein Kennzeichen dafür ist die steigende Mobilität. Die Bürger der Europäischen Union nehmen diese als Arbeits- und Wohnort wahr, und es ist nicht mehr ungewöhnlich, dass man zwischen den Mitgliedstaaten seinen Wohn- und Arbeitsort wechselt. Ich denke, diese Probleme zu lösen, ist eine positive Herausforderung. Genau das will dieser Bericht tun. Und ich lege auch Wert darauf, dass dies nicht die letzte Aktualisierung des Berichts sein wird.

  David Campbell Bannerman (ECR). - Madam President, I voted against this report because I do not believe that the EU should be involved in social security matters. I think it is trespassing on international responsibilities, and it seems to be a world away from the trade agreement that the EU is meant to be about.

I am particularly concerned about one aspect. I was self-employed myself: I ran a consultancy. This report refers to paying unemployment benefits to the self-employed throughout the EU. This again is undermining our flexible economy. In Britain, when you are self-employed, you do things your own way and it gives people a lot of freedom. I think that is undermining this freedom.

This report may be about technical matters but I am totally against it on principle. The EU should keep out of social security, pension and benefit matters.

  Syed Kamall (ECR). - Madam President, I think that many people across the House will welcome the parts of the report that refer to cross-border coordination and mobility with a view to enabling workers to work throughout the single market. However, I think we all have to look at our social security systems. Unfortunately, they have got to a stage where they are no longer a safety net to help those who – through no fault of their own – cannot help themselves, but in some ways they are actually acting as a barrier to people getting back to work. This is because the salaries that they can command are sometimes actually less than what they can get on benefits. We have to make sure that social security systems return to a situation where they are really providing a hand up rather than a hand out.

I think that the other thing we have to be very careful about is to ensure that this is not a slippery slope for Member States to start funding deficits in other Member States and for workers who cannot get a job in one country to move to another country and simply claim benefits with no intention of ever working in that country. As long as we have those provisions, we can cautiously welcome this report.

  Gay Mitchell (PPE). - Madam President, in these times of austerity, I think we all have to be sensitive to the social security needs of citizens in many of our countries. For that reason I could not bring myself to vote against this report, so I abstained.

The reason I abstained is that there are issues of concern to Ireland contained in this report which have not yet been addressed and, while they are outstanding, I think it would make it difficult in the light of subsidiarity to fully support this report in its current format.

That in general was the reservation which I wished to express, not that there should not be solidarity with people who are in need – I strongly support that sort of approach.

  Antonello Antinoro (PPE). - Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, ho votato a favore della presente proposta poiché mira ad aggiornare i regolamenti del 2004 e del 2009 in modo da adattare le modifiche della legislazione nazionale degli Stati membri in materia di sicurezza sociale e restare al passo con i cambiamenti della realtà sociale che incidono sul coordinamento dei sistemi di sicurezza stessi.

La presenta proposta ingloba anche proposte della commissione amministrativa per il coordinamento dei sistemi di sicurezza sociale, la cui finalità è migliorare, modernizzare e acquisire tutto ciò, conformemente a quanto stabilito all'articolo 72, lettera f), del regolamento precedente.

Le modifiche contenute nella presente proposta intendono infatti garantire la certezza del diritto per i soggetti interessati e inoltre mirano ad assicurare un opportuno coordinamento a livello dell'Unione europea dei sistemi di sicurezza sociale e nazionale. Riflette inoltre le modifiche normative intervenute a livello nazionale, ed era necessario approvarla perché tiene conto dei recenti sviluppi in materia di mobilità transfrontaliera che incidono sul coordinamento dei sistemi di sicurezza sociale.

Σύσταση : Elmar Brok (A7-0139/2012)

  Ewald Stadler (NI). - Frau Präsidentin! Ich habe gegen diesen Bericht gestimmt, schlicht und einfach deswegen, weil ein Aspekt, den der Kollege Silvestris schon in die Debatte eingebracht hat, zu kurz kommt. Einerseits kommt nämlich der Aspekt des Schutzes des Grundrechts auf Leben – und zwar von der natürlichen Empfängnis bis zum natürlichen Tod – bei einem so grundlegenden Bericht über Menschenrechte so gut wie überhaupt nicht vor. Andererseits kommt die Frage des Grundrechts auf Freiheit der Religionsausübung insbesondere dort, wo sie für Christen bedroht ist, im Bericht ebenfalls zu kurz.

Das fundamentalste Recht, das Europa entwickelt hat, ist die Anerkennung des Rechts auf Leben. Und dieses Recht auf Leben beginnt mit der natürlichen Empfängnis und endet mit dem natürlichen Tod. Ein Mensch hat dazwischen das Recht, auf der Welt zu sein. Und dieses Grundrecht wird im Bericht nicht einmal angesprochen. Da hat der Kollege Silvestris gestern meiner Ansicht nach einen sehr wunden Punkt berührt. So sehr ich auch die anderen Ausführungen des Berichts grundsätzlich teile, auf diesen Mangel des Berichts muss hingewiesen werden. Deswegen habe ich gegen diesen Bericht gestimmt.

  Kay Swinburne (ECR). - Madam President, the report rightly recognises the important role that the EU could play in promoting respect for human rights across the world and through its various policies. Nevertheless, I have deep concerns about the references the report has made, particularly in accusing my Member State – the UK – of adopting an obstructionist attitude concerning the EU’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights.

The UK’s main point is that, whilst we support the Convention, we should make sure that we focus on real human rights abuses, as opposed to legal loopholes that many are exploiting.

Currently the UK is being prevented from dealing with suspected terrorists and those inciting racial hatred as a result of the disproportionate emphasis in the ECHR on the right to family life. It seems a little illogical to be holding ourselves up as the global standard when we have not got the detail right in our own institutions.

Post-9/11, we have had to look carefully at the processes and mechanisms that we are using. We are still not there. We need to ensure that they really are fit for purpose, then we can look to influence human rights policy in the rest of the world. In the meantime, I have abstained.

  Daniel Hannan (ECR). - Madam President, liberties, as Aldous Huxley wrote, are not given, they are taken. He was of course writing in the British political tradition where civic freedoms and political rights are seen as legal entitlements that come from specific moments and specific contracts – the Great Charter, the Bill of Rights, or whatever. They are not seen as imminent, inherent or universal.

The problem with that alternative vision is the lack of enforcement mechanisms. If rights are just assumed to be there for everybody rather than being enforced by elected representatives, they can be the finest and noblest principles in the world and, without the means to enforce them, they are meaningless. Look at the constitution of East Germany or the constitution of Czechoslovakia or the Soviet Union. There you see all these fine, high-minded freedoms and yet, as the peoples of those unhappy states realised, without democratic accountability, it is not worth the paper it is written on.

I will close by quoting Benjamin Disraeli, one of the few times the old adventurer got something spot on, when he said, ‘To the liberalism they profess, I prefer the liberties we enjoy, to the Rights of Man, the rights of Englishmen.’

  Iva Zanicchi (PPE). - Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, la credibilità dell'Unione europea a livello internazionale e l'efficacia delle sue politiche in materia di diritti dell'uomo passano sicuramente attraverso la condanna di violazioni e abusi commessi nel quadro e al di fuori dei conflitti armati, del mancato rispetto delle donne, dei minori, in generale dei più deboli, e delle persecuzioni basate sulle religioni o sul credo, ma è di assoluta importanza anche evitare la disparità dei criteri tra la politica dell'Unione europea in materia di diritti umani e le altre politiche esterne, favorendo così la democratizzazione e sostenendo la lotta alle disuguaglianze sociali, specie in tempi di crisi economica come quelli attuali.

  Paul Murphy (GUE/NGL). - Madam President, I think actions must now match the fine words of this Parliament if it is not to make a mockery of itself.

The report recommends that whenever a gross breach of human rights is committed by a partner country with which there is an international agreement, such as the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, the EU should take bolder steps, including possible temporary suspension of the agreement.

Surely this is the case with Kazakhstan, where 37 oil workers are currently facing show trials for their alleged responsibility in the tragic events in Zhanaozen last year. Members of the Zhanaozen-2011 Committee have said that several defendants in that trial had given false testimony under torture and under threats to their families, including Rosa Tuletaeva, who says that police hung her up by her hair and threatened her family, and Tanatar Kaliev, who claims he was beaten while in KNB detention and that his son was threatened.

Finally, Vadim Kuramshin is currently before the court as we speak. He is one of the country’s foremost human rights defenders; he has already spent more than 10 years in jail as a result of his courageous defence of prisoners’ rights and struggle for social justice. He was arrested on trumped-up charges at the moment that he was going to a press conference to reveal corruption in the general prosecutor’s office. He and the others should be released immediately.

  Mitro Repo (S&D). - Arvoisa puhemies, hristós anésti. Äänestin tämän tärkeän mietinnön puolesta. Demokratia, oikeusvaltio, oikeus ja vastuullisuus ovat ihmisoikeuksien, perusvapauksien, suvaitsevaisuuden ja tasa-arvon paras tae.

Euroopan unionin tulee pyrkiä entistä uskottavammaksi toimijaksi kolmansissa maissa. Tämä vaatii sisä- ja ulkopolitiikan välistä johdonmukaisuutta. Peräänkuulutan entistä tarkempaa kaksinaismoraalin välttämistä. Jokainen maa tulee nähdä omana kokonaisuutenaan, siksi Euroopan ulkosuhdepalvelun tulisi laatia ihmisoikeuksia koskevia maakohtaisia strategioita.

Peräänkuulutan myös EU:n ihmisoikeusulkopolitiikalta kokonaisvaltaisuutta. Vapaat ja rehelliset vaalit ovat vasta ensimmäinen askel demokratiaan siirtymisessä. Euroopan on oltava tukemassa demokratiakehitystä. Demokratiaan ei voida kuitenkaan pakottaa ulkoa käsin, vaan sen on synnyttävä aina kansan tahdosta. Euroopassa on ryhdyttävä toimiin, jotta kansalaisoikeudet ja perusvapaudet eivät vaarannu tai heikenny talouskriisin takia.

  Marina Yannakoudakis (ECR). - Madam President, promoting human rights is an essential part of British foreign policy. EU Member States must ensure that human rights and international law are respected throughout the world.

This report identifies a number of key challenges. It condemns prosecution on the basis of religion, nationality or membership of a minority, or sexual orientation, it raises crucial issues related to women, such as forced marriages and female genital mutilation, and it underlines the importance of supporting a free and fair media as well as standing up for human rights defenders.

Yet, in a report on some of the world’s worst human rights abuses, I am shocked at the two countries which the rapporteur has decided to name and shame. Does the report criticise Belarus, Burma, Cuba perhaps? No, it chooses instead to deplore the attitude of the UK and France on EU accession to the ECHR. Until the rapporteur gets his priorities straight on which countries are really obstacles to human rights, I cannot support this report.

  Miroslav Mikolášik (PPE). - Konštatujem, že presadzovanie doložiek o ľudských právach v rámci dohôd o partnerstve, ale aj dohodách o voľnom obchode sa využívajú zo strany EÚ len veľmi striedmo a nesystematicky. Za ďalší znepokojujúci trend vo svete, proti ktorému musí Európska únia jasne zakročiť, považujem porušovanie slobody náboženského vyznania a viery, čo úzko súvisí so šírením neznášanlivosti, potom násilia voči členom náboženských komunít a menšín. Netreba sa báť nahlas vysloviť, že medzi obete patria aj kresťania vo svete. A tiež by som chcel poukázať na nekonzistentnosť prístupu Európskej únie k ochrane ľudského života, ktorá sa prejavuje napríklad tým, že EÚ odsudzuje kruté, neľudské a ponižujúce zaobchádzanie, medzi ktoré patria vynútené potraty a vynútená sterilizácia, pričom EÚ zároveň finančne podporuje programy zamerané na tzv. sexuálne a reprodukčné zdravie, ktoré zahŕňajú aj vykonávanie prerušenia tehotenstva, čiže potratov. Je smutné, že práve takéto programy predstavujú značnú časť politiky EÚ, a preto som tento report nemohol podporiť.

  Ryszard Czarnecki (ECR). - Pani Przewodnicząca! Nie mogłem poprzeć tego sprawozdania, choć jest w nim szereg interesujących, ważnych i potrzebnych sformułowań. Wszyscy jesteśmy za prawami człowieka, ale diabeł siedzi w szczegółach i oczywiście mają rację ci z moich przedmówców, którzy wskazywali, że w sprawozdaniu tym są pewne dość niebezpieczne propozycje i pewne furtki, gdzie pod szyldem praw człowieka tak naprawdę zmierza się do ograniczania wręcz praw niektórych ludzi. Boję się też podwójnych standardów, które występują w tym sprawozdaniu, boję się sytuacji, w której Unia Europejska narzuca pewne działania, zupełnie abstrahując od kontekstu kulturowego i cywilizacyjnego. Przed tym przestrzegam. W kwestii ochrony życia, aborcji mam zdanie podobne do stanowiska posła Mikolášika.

  Alfredo Antoniozzi (PPE). - Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, a seguito dell'approvazione della relazione annuale dell'Unione europea sui diritti umani e la democrazia e della risoluzione sul sostegno dell'Unione europea alla Corte penale internazionale, il Parlamento europeo si è impegnato ad agire in maniera coerente e in conformità con gli obblighi comunitari in materia di tutela dei diritti umani. In questa direzione, un importante passo in avanti sarà fatto tramite l'implementazione delle strategie nazionali già predisposte nei mesi scorsi.

Concordo con la proposta dell'onorevole Howitt di invitare la Commissione a inserire nel regolamento del 2005 del Consiglio, relativo al commercio di determinate merci che potrebbero essere utilizzate per la pena di morte, per la tortura ecc., una clausola di uso finale "a scopo di tortura". Questa consentirebbe agli Stati membri di acquisire informazioni dettagliate e decidere se bloccare o meno l'esportazione delle merci e sostanze in oggetto.

  Diane Dodds (NI). - Madam President, the United Kingdom has a strong record on the protection of human rights, but I want to focus on one aspect of human rights which I think is increasingly coming under threat, and that is freedom of religious expression.

We hear of Christians being punished by employers for expressing their faith, or Christian businesses being fined for holding to their Christian principles in how they conduct their affairs. It is quite clear that what is happening is a relentless orchestrated campaign to remove or at least to silence the manifestation of the Christian message in today’s society.

Last week Lord Carey, a former Archbishop of Canterbury, said in a written submission to the European Court of Human Rights that Christians are being vilified by the British courts and driven underground. It is my hope that in September, when faced with the opportunity to stand up for Christian rights in landmark cases before the European Court, Europe’s judges will do just that.

Many judgments are based on the grounds of equality law, and equality seems to protect all minority groups except for Christians in what is sometimes a skewed and perverse interpretation of the term.

  Gay Mitchell (PPE). - Mr President, I wish to say that I voted against the second part of Amendment 93, although I normally vote for sexual and reproductive health and have already put an explanation on the record of this Parliament regarding where I draw the line between that and sexual and reproductive health and rights, including abortion. However, I abstained in this case because I did not think it was necessary to stress, in particular, the need to promote sexual and reproductive health, having already dealt in the first part with the need for adequate gynaecological and obstetric care, as defined by the WHO.

I did not understand why this was taken out in particular, but I would also have thought that anybody sensitive to human rights issues in this House would look at the genocidal destruction of women, one hundred million of whom are missing from the population as a result of gender-based abortion. Surely that is something we are all against. Are human rights only politically-correct human rights, or are we against women being destroyed because they are women? Where is the socialist and liberal voice in this House on this gendercide? Why are people so quiet about this? Why are women being destroyed because they are women, and where are the voices of those who say that they are interested in human rights?

  Hannu Takkula (ALDE). - Arvoisa puhemies, on erittäin tärkeätä, että Euroopan unioni selkeästi seisoo oman sitoumuksensa takana ja puolustaa ihmisoikeuksia kaikissa tilanteissa ja jokaisen ihmisen oikeutta elämään. Valitettavasti tällainen vahva pro life -näkemys ei tule tarpeeksi selvästi tästä mietinnöstä esille. Monissa kohdissa oli myös sellaisia elementtejä, jotka eivät vahvistaneet nimenomaan ihmisoikeusulottuvuutta.

Joka tapauksessa tämä mietintö on parempi kuin ei mitään. On hyvä, että aika ajoin me pysähdymme näitten meille tärkeiden asioiden ääreen ja yritämme löytää yhtenäisen sävelen ihmisoikeuksien viemiseksi eteenpäin niissä maissa, jotka eivät vielä ihmisoikeuksia tunne. Euroopan pitää myös omalta osaltaan olla uskottavampi omissa toimissaan. Meillä on edelleenkin Euroopan unionin sisällä monia ihmisiä, jotka elävät vailla ihmisoikeuksia. Romanit ovat yksi esimerkki tästä monelta osin. Niinpä meidän pitää olla selkeämmin ja vahvemmin toimimassa sen puolesta, että minkäänlaista ihmisoikeusloukkausta ei tapahtuisi myöskään Euroopan unionin sisällä.

Haluan vielä loppuun todeta, että myös uskonnolliset, erityisesti kristityt, vähemmistöt ovat jääneet huomioimatta. Monet niistä kokevat tällä hetkellä varsinkin Lähi-idässä, että heidän ihmisoikeuksiaan poljetaan. Esittelijä olisi voinut ottaa vahvemmin myös tämän ulottuvuuden huomioon.

  David Campbell Bannerman (ECR). - Madam President, I abstained on this report, not because I do not believe in human rights – I very much do – but because Conservative MEPs and I all feel that human rights are really about balance and getting the balance right. I have to say that my colleague who wrote this report, Richard Howitt, did not show much balance when he supported the rights of illegal travellers on illegal pitches at Dale Farm, whilst ignoring the rights of those local people who were so badly affected by them. That showed contempt for the rule of law.

I am concerned that there is also a lack of balance in this report over things such as the European Convention on Human Rights. Just yesterday, the British Government acted – quite rightly – to arrest Abu Qatada, who is an alleged terrorist and a man who has actually praised the hijackers of 9/11, after eight years. It took eight years to do that because of human rights legislation. This report supports that move towards the EU Convention on Human Rights and EU support for it.

So, let us get the balance right. Human rights are good, but if the balance is not correct, it weakens the whole case for them.

  Bruno Gollnisch (NI). - Madame la Présidente, il y a quelque chose de gênant dans le rapport de M. Howitt, ainsi qu'un certain nombre d'orateurs l'ont souligné. Indépendamment des questions de fond comme le droit à la vie, il y a le fait que l'on promeut les droits de l'homme un peu partout dans le monde au lieu, en quelque sorte, de balayer devant notre porte.

Dans mon pays par exemple, la France, la liberté d'expression dont le rapport se fait l'avocat se restreint singulièrement. Elle se restreint en histoire, au motif que l'on interdit la contestation de crimes contre l'humanité en vertu de décisions dans lesquelles un certain nombre de juges auraient dû figurer parmi les accusés. La liberté de recherche en histoire est pratiquement inexistante en ce qui concerne la deuxième guerre mondiale et un certain nombre d'autres drames de l'histoire contemporaine.

Il en va de même en politique. On n'a plus le droit de contester l'immigration et si l'on en parle pour autre chose que pour en dire du bien, on s'expose à être poursuivi, jugé ou, condamné plus ou moins sévèrement sous le prétexte d'incitation à la haine raciale, ce qui n'a évidemment rien à voir avec le fait de parler librement du problème de l'immigration.

Il en va de même aujourd'hui, enfin, en morale. Ceux qui préfèrent la famille composée d'un papa et d'une maman aux unions homosexuelles courent le risque – et ce risque, un député français, de la majorité actuelle, l'a subi – d'être traduit devant les tribunaux et d'être condamné lourdement aussi.

Je pense par conséquent que nous ferions mieux de balayer devant notre porte plutôt que de prétendre donner des leçons au monde entier.

Έκθεση : Anneli Jäätteenmäki (A7-0071/2012)

  Daniel Hannan (ECR). - Madam President, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is sometimes spoken of as a frozen war, but I am not sure that is the right metaphor. It implies a stability that is not there. It would be better to think of it as some kind of infection under the skin that festers and poisons the surrounding region. It does not just prejudice relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, it is also prejudicing relations between Armenia and Turkey – indeed also with Iran, with Russia and not least with the European Union. It is extraordinary that so many years have passed without this issue being resolved.

It is not for want of trying. Virtually every international organisation has tried to mediate some sort of settlement. I just wonder whether the reason that we have not been able to reach an equitable and lasting peace is because the international mediation, run as it is by international diplomats, is based around the idea of multinational states and existing territorial borders.

A while ago the former President of Armenia, Mr Ter-Petrosyan, said that if there has been a ceding of some of the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, there might have been peace in 1997.

800 000 Azeris and 400 000 Armenians have been displaced. Surely it is time to look at some alternative to the multi-national state, with some territorial readjustment if that is the way to bring lasting peace.

  Kay Swinburne (ECR). - Madam President, I support this report and the negotiations between the EU and Azerbaijan as I believe it gives a fair and balanced account of the current state of play in that country. It currently recognises the urgent need for this country to make further progress on its respect for human rights, the rule of law and freedom of expression, in particular in allowing political opponents to voice their opinions of the current government.

Despite these reservations, the report also recognises that the country has become a strategic partner for the EU in terms of energy supply and looks to build upon this mutually-beneficial relationship to enhance the development of relations between the EU and Azerbaijan.

  Adam Bielan (ECR). - Dziękuję bardzo Pani Przewodniczącej! Azerbejdżan jest ważnym partnerem krajów europejskich w zakresie bezpieczeństwa energetycznego. Projekt Nabucco, dotyczący alternatywnego gazociągu wobec źródeł rosyjskich dostaw gazu, odzwierciedla zapotrzebowanie na dywersyfikację dostaw, co leży w żywotnym interesie całej Unii. Rozwój współpracy gospodarczej w oparciu o energię jest niewątpliwie kluczowym elementem europejskiej strategii wobec wschodnich sąsiadów. Wysiłki władz Baku, nakierowane na propagowanie i realizację tego projektu, wymagają naszego całkowitego wsparcia.

Osobną dziedzinę stanowią działania zmierzające do poprawy polityki w zakresie ochrony praw człowieka, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem konfliktu w Górskim Karabachu. Zwiększone zaangażowanie Unii na rzecz rozwiązania tego konfliktu, także poprzez wezwanie Turcji do odegrania konstruktywnej roli w tym procesie, wydaje się pożądane. Kontynuacja działań w ramach Partnerstwa Wschodniego, nakierowanych na polityczne i gospodarcze zbliżenie oraz oddziaływanie w orbicie polityki europejskiej przysłuży się każdej ze stron. Dlatego popieram to sprawozdanie.

  Ryszard Czarnecki (ECR). - Pani Przewodnicząca! Azerbejdżan jest dla Europy, dla Unii Europejskiej, krajem ważnym nie tylko – choć także i to bardzo mocno – ze względu na politykę energetyczną, o czym mówił mój szacowny przedmówca, ale również jest to kraj ważny z punktu widzenia geostrategicznego. Mianowicie nie ma co ukrywać, że Rosja odbudowuje w tej chwili strefę swoich wpływów. Azerbejdżan to dawna część Związku Sowieckiego. Jeżeli nie chcemy swoistej odbudowy imperium rosyjskiego, my powinniśmy być aktywni w regionie Południowego Kaukazu. Oczywiście w tym regionie są również wpływy amerykańskie, również wpływy irańskie, tureckie, ale Europa nie może tu być bezczynna. Im bliższa współpraca polityczna – podkreślam polityczna – i gospodarcza tego regionu, w tym Azerbejdżanu, z Unią Europejska, tym lepiej. Azerbejdżan dokonał postępu, gdy chodzi o prawa człowieka, choć podkreślam: nie narzucajmy tak stuprocentowo standardów europejskich do tego regionu czy innych regionów świata, bo okaże się, że to tak naprawdę jest podnoszenie poprzeczki zbyt wysoko.

  Mitro Repo (S&D). - Arvoisa puhemies, kiitokseni kollega Jäätteenmäelle erinomaisesta mietinnöstä. EU:n ja Azerbaidžanin väliset assosiaatiosopimusneuvottelut ovat tärkeä keino saada aikaan muutosta, uudistusta ja nykyaikaistamista. Yhteistyö syventää pitkällä aikavälillä myös taloudellista yhdentymistä ja lainsäädännön lähentymistä EU:n kanssa. Samalla on tärkeää kehittää myös kulttuurisuhteita. Näin voidaan vaikuttaa demokratiakehitykseen kokonaisvaltaisemmin.

Azerbaidžanissa järjestettävä Eurovision-laulukilpailu tuo ainakin hetkellisesti median huomion maan tilanteeseen. Euroopan unionin tulisikin ottaa irti kaikki hyöty tuosta tilaisuudesta vaatimalla samalla parannuksia maan ihmisoikeustilanteeseen.

Azerbaidžan on jatkanut nuorisoaktivistien ja toimittajien perusteettomia vangitsemisia ja tekaistuja syytteitä. Tuhansia ihmisiä on myös ajettu pois kodeistaan, kun kokonaisia asuinalueita on ajettu maan tasalle valtion toimesta. Euroopan ulkosuhdehallinnon on seurattava Azerbaidžanin ihmisoikeustilannetta järjestelmällisesti, myös sen jälkeen kun televisiokamerat poistuvat sieltä Eurovision-kilpailun päätyttyä.

  Charles Tannock (ECR). - Madam President, I voted along with the ECR Group in favour of this report, as Azerbaijan is an important country and a major supplier of Caspian oil and gas to Europe.

I take a strong interest in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the fact that the wording, following the Landsbergis amendment, is no longer the same in both reports is, I think, rather regrettable.

I back the calls put forward for the de-escalation of tensions and the scaling back of military spending in the region as a whole. The recommendations put forward by the report in terms of improving the difficult human rights situation in Azerbaijan are also commendable.

It is particularly important that an improvement of relations through a DCFTA and an Association Agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan are dependent upon an improved human rights record in that country – which has a rather bad record in this respect – and especially on an improvement in the freedom of expression for political opponents of the government.

  Alfredo Antoniozzi (PPE). - Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, negli ultimi anni abbiamo assistito ad una veloce crescita economica da parte dell'Azerbaigian, le cui potenzialità economiche sono a tutti evidenti. Dobbiamo inoltre riconoscere che vi è stato un rafforzamento del ruolo strategico di questo paese come partner orientale, in particolare nel settore energetico.

Tuttavia dobbiamo qui ricordare che il divario in tema di democrazia e Stato di diritto, buon governo e rispetto dei diritti umani in relazione agli standard richiesti dall'Unione europea non è stato ancora del tutto colmato. Credo che anche questi principi debbano considerarsi essenziali per il buon andamento dei negoziati e la stipulazione di un accordo di associazione con l'Azerbaigian.

Auspico che il Consiglio e la Commissione esortino le autorità azere ad adottare una legislazione antidiscriminatoria che vieti la discriminazione basata sull'orientamento sessuale e sull'identità di genere. Vanno elogiate invece le riforme della magistratura varate dalle autorità azere nell'ultimo anno, che dovrebbero garantire una maggiore indipendenza dei giudici ed eliminare la corruzione in questo settore.

  Miroslav Mikolášik (PPE). - Hovoríme o asociačnej dohode s Azerbajdžanom. Myslím si, že niet pochýb, že túto krajinu, ktorá prekonala v poslednej dobe veľké demokratizačné zmeny, koniec koncov stala sa členom Bezpečnostnej rady OSN na roky 2012 – 2013, vo verejnej správe kráča k transparentnosti a boji proti korupcii a v neposlednom rade úsilie Európy o východné partnerstvo, dobré susedské partnerstvo zaraďuje Azerbajdžan medzi dobrých partnerov, ktorí môžu byť výhodní pre Európu aj napríklad z pohľadu energetickej sebestačnosti Európy. Vieme, že zdroje energetiky v Azerbajdžane sú a rozumná spolupráca s touto demokraticky sa rozvíjajúcou krajinou má pokračovať. Treba však citlivo ešte vyriešiť problém v Náhornom Karabachu, kedy Azerbajdžan a Arménsko majú nedokončený a nedoriešený konflikt, ale verím, že sa to podarí vyriešiť.

  Hannu Takkula (ALDE). - Arvoisa puhemies, äänestin tämän mietinnön puolesta. Siinä sattui pieni kömmähdys. Täällä oli yli 50 edustajaa pystyssä, mutta siitä huolimatta jatkettiin eteenpäin. Tähän varmaan tullaan vielä palaamaan. Ihmisiä me olemme ja tällaisia inhimillisiä erehdyksiä tapahtuu sitten.

Azerbaidžanin tilanteesta haluan sanoa, että tuin tätä mietintöä. Esittelijä Jäätteenmäki on tehnyt hyvää ja perusteellista työtä. On erittäin tärkeää nostaa ihmisoikeustilanne esille. Uskon itse, että tukemalla Azerbaidžanin ihmisoikeus- ja demokratiakehitystä me voimme vahvistaa myös Azerbaidžania ja sen asemaa kansainvälisenä toimijana.

Azerbaidžan on tunnettu öljyvaroistaan. Azerbaidžanin hallinnolla on ollut halua länsimaistua ja päästä irti siitä perinteestä, mikä heille on muodostunut pitkän kommunismin ajan myötä vanhana osana Neuvostoliittoa. Joka tapauksessa yhteistyötä tarvitaan ja voimakkaita pyrkimyksiä myös siihen, että Vuoristo-Karabahin tilanne saataisiin rauhanomaisesti ratkaistua.

  Graham Watson (ALDE). - Madam President, I wish to seek closer relations between the Azeri people and those of the European Union, but this is increasingly frustrated by their government. Journalists, bloggers, politicians and others who dissent from the government’s opinion are regularly – indeed, almost routinely – harassed, imprisoned and maltreated.

Azerbaijan is bound by the European Convention on Human Rights yet frequently violates its provisions. It participates in our Eastern Partnership programme, and yet its elections 18 months ago came nowhere near meeting our standards. In hosting the Eurovision Song Contest it wishes to be seen as a modern democracy yet fails to allow its own citizens the freedom to sing their own songs. Azerbaijan would score nul points for freedom. The imprisonment of members of the Liberal Musavat party, the fate of the Aliev brothers, the harassment of Leila Yunus: these are among thousands of cases of blatant injustice. That is why I supported the excellent report by Mrs Jäätteenmäki insisting on improvements in the respect of fundamental freedoms before any association agreement can be signed.

Έκθεση : Tomasz Piotr Poręba (A7-0079/2012)

  Daniel Hannan (ECR). - Madam President, there is always a danger of being fixated on some evil aspect of our past. History is important, but it should not be something that stands in the way of good relations with our friends in the present.

We are in danger, when we look at our relations with Armenia, of seeing everything through the prism of the unhappy events of the First World War. They were tangled and tragic happenings. No one – not even the most blinkered Turkish nationalist – denies that many guiltless Armenians, including many civilians, were killed. Similarly, no one – not even the most vengeful Armenian diaspora reparationist – denies that some Armenians died in Russian uniforms.

But by emphasising above all whether we define these events as genocide, it seems to me we not only prejudice our relations with Armenia, we also poison those between Armenia and Turkey – and we do no favours to the cause of the truth.

The past should be disinterred gently and reverently, with all the patience of an archaeological dig – instead of which we are taking the shovel and we are slamming it through. The dead, I think, deserve better. They have suffered enough.

  Ewald Stadler (NI). - Frau Präsidentin! Herr Kollege Hannan! Man kann vor lauter Interesse an der Energiesicherheit nicht die Moral opfern. Ich habe für diesen Bericht des Kollegen Poręba gestimmt, weil ich grundsätzlich für das Assoziierungsabkommen bin.

Aber ich habe Vorbehalte, insbesondere wenn man den Armeniern zumutet, sich einseitig aus Bergkarabach zurückziehen zu müssen. Damit würde man im Ergebnis die armenische Mehrheitsbevölkerung in Bergkarabach schutzlos zurücklassen. Und das vor dem Hintergrund der historischen Schuld, die Europa tatsächlich zu tragen hat. Europa hat im Jahr 1915 zugeschaut, wie der erste organisierte Genozid von einem Staat an einem Volk verübt wurde, nämlich am armenischen Volk. Und vor diesem Hintergrund muss dem Selbstbestimmungsprinzip, dem Grundrecht auf Selbstbestimmung, ein höherer Stellenwert eingeräumt werden als dem Interesse der Aserbaidschaner nach territorialer Integrität. Daher bin ich dafür, dass wir mit diesem Thema wesentlich sensibler umgehen und wesentlich stärker auch die Schuld Europas gegenüber dem armenischen Volk erkennen, das im Jahre 1915 von ganz Europa im Stich gelassen wurde. Daher appelliere ich an das Europäische Parlament, den Armeniern nicht Unzumutbares zuzumuten.

  Kay Swinburne (ECR). - Madam President, the report on the negotiations on the EU-Armenia agreement is timely given that parliamentary elections are due to be held in a couple of weeks’ time. The report highlights the significant progress that still needs to be made in a number of areas, particularly stressing the pressing need to continue to fight corruption. Moreover it emphasises the need for Armenia to resolve the conflict and the land disputes that it is involved in so that it can work towards ensuring regional stability.

I sincerely hope that Armenia fulfils its pledge to hold free and fair elections for the benefit of all its citizens and that EU-Armenian relations can develop on a positive path over the coming years.

  Adam Bielan (ECR). - Pani Przewodnicząca! Mające odbyć się niebawem wybory parlamentarne w Armenii są uznawane przez obserwatorów europejskich za kluczowe. Z tego też względu liczę na korzystny wpływ planowanej misji Parlamentu, czego efektem, mam nadzieję, będzie wzmocnienie wartości demokratycznych przy zastosowaniu międzynarodowych standardów wyborczych. Wiele zależy od samych Ormian, których świadomość i zaangażowanie może wyraźnie wpłynąć na zapobiegnięcie ewentualnym naruszeniom wyborczym. Tym bardziej istotne jest, aby byli oni przekonani o naszym pełnym poparciu.

Przychylam się do szeregu zaleceń, w tym szczególnie do wsparcia dla reform politycznych, sądowniczych i gospodarczych. Jednym z priorytetów są także działania ukierunkowane na walkę z korupcją. Proces negocjacji układu o stowarzyszeniu powinien uwzględniać istotne postulaty społeczeństwa i organizacji pozarządowych, wypracowane na drodze szerokich konsultacji.

Podobnie jak w przypadku Azerbejdżanu musimy realizować konstruktywną politykę w sprawie konfliktu o Górski Karabach. Dziękuję.

  Mitro Repo (S&D). - Arvoisa puhemies, Euroopan unionin tavoitteena tulee olla koko Etelä-Kaukasian alueen vakaus ja demokraattinen kehitys. EU:n tarjoamaa monenkeskistä kumppanuutta tulisi kehittää samanaikaisesti assosiaatiosopimuksista käytävien neuvottelujen kanssa. Itäinen kumppanuus vahvistaa monenkeskisiä suhteita ja tarjoaa erinomaisia välineitä demokratian, oikeusvaltion ja kansalaisyhteiskunnan kehittämiseen.

Armenia on sitoutunut Euroopan unionin arvoihin ja periaatteisiin. Näitä ovat demokratia, oikeusvaltio, hyvä hallintotapa sekä ihmisoikeuksien kunnioittaminen. Vuoristo-Karabahin ratkaisematon konflikti heikentää kuitenkin Armenian ja koko Etelä-Kaukasian alueen vakautta, turvallisuutta ja kehitystä.

EU:n uusi strategia muutostilassa olevia naapurimaita varten on tärkeä askel kohti ennakoivampaa konfliktien ratkaisemista. Uusien ratkaisumallien lisäksi toimia tulee tehostaa ja nykyisiä neuvottelumuotoja myös tukea. Euroopan unionin erityisedustaja Etelä-Kaukasiassa on ensisijaisessa asemassa alueen konfliktin rauhanomaisen ratkaisemisen edistämisessä.

  Ryszard Czarnecki (ECR). - Pani Przewodnicząca, Szanowni Państwo! Armenia to, przypomnę w tym szacownym Parlamencie, najstarszy chrześcijański kraj świata, starszy nawet od Gruzji. Kraj, który jednak, powiedzmy sobie wprost, w tej chwili, biorąc pod uwagę kraje Południowego Kaukazu, jest terenem największych wpływów rosyjskich w wymiarze militarnym, politycznym i gospodarczym. Tym niemniej należy trzymać kciuki za to państwo, które podąża trudną, niełatwą, wyboistą, czasem pod górę, drogą do demokracji. Oby najbliższe wybory parlamentarne stały się pewnym przełomem na tej drodze. Niech Unia Europejska wspiera te wysiłki. Armenia w sensie kulturowym i cywilizacyjnym jest częścią naszego europejskiego dziedzictwa. Tym bardziej więc powinniśmy wspierać ten kraj.

  Mario Pirillo (S&D). - Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, l'Armenia è fondamentale e strategica per rafforzare le relazioni bilaterali nell'area del Caucaso meridionale. Il rinnovo degli accordi di associazione con l'Unione europea sarà determinante per gettare le basi per rafforzare la cooperazione regionale. Ho avuto modo di visitare, con la delegazione EURONEST, l'Armenia e di rendermi conto dei progressi avviati nella costruzione democratica di uno Stato di diritto e dei diritti umani in base agli accordi di partenariato avviati nel 1999.

La partecipazione dell'Armenia alla cooperazione parlamentare con EURONEST è un ottimo segnale della volontà di aderire ai valori e ai principi europei, verso i quali si riscontra un ampio consenso nella società civile. Ho votato a favore dell'accordo di associazione e ritengo che l'Armenia debba impegnarsi per la risoluzione del conflitto nell'area meridionale per evitare di minare la stabilità del paese.

  Charles Tannock (ECR). - Madam President, stability in the south Caucasus is a major concern for the European Union, as it is a region that has had a series of armed conflicts in the past and is today a major energy corridor linking Europe to the Caspian Sea. These conflicts have involved outside parties such as Russia and Turkey, and any escalation or return to hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan would be catastrophic.

Therefore, improved bilateral relations, via an association agreement and a DCFTA between the EU and both Armenia and Azerbaijan, are much in the European Union’s interests. It is also to be hoped that this will give the EU more leverage with the Minsk group of the OSCE to find a lasting solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh question.

I am confident that the forthcoming Armenian parliamentary elections will be free and fair, and it is essential that all EU assistance be provided to this small, land-locked country. It is also to be hoped that Turkey will reopen its border with Armenia, which has now been unjustifiably shut by Turkey for more than 20 years.

  Elena Băsescu (PPE). - Am votat pentru acest raport deoarece negocierea Acordului de asociere oferă ocazia de a dezvolta relaţiile cu Armenia pe baza angajamentului faţă de valorile democratice. Subliniez şi eu necesitatea ca alegerile parlamentare din 6 mai să fie libere, corecte şi transparente. Am încredere că autorităţile de la Erevan vor depune toate eforturile necesare în acest scop. Conflictul din Nagorno - Karabah trebuie soluţionat pentru a asigura securitatea Armeniei şi a Azerbaidjanului, precum şi a întregii regiuni, iar Uniunea trebuie să se implice mai mult în rezolvarea conflictelor îngheţate.

Semnalez că în prezent are loc exerciţiul Black Sea Rotational Force cu participarea militarilor din mai multe ţări, printre care SUA, România, Armenia şi Azerbaidjan. El vizează sporirea nivelului de interoperabilitate, însă constituie şi o modalitate de creştere a încrederii între statele din Caucaz.

Γραπτές αιτιολογήσεις ψήφου

Έκθεση : Milan Cabrnoch (A7-0043/2012)

  Damien Abad (PPE), par écrit. – J'ai voté en faveur de nouvelles règles qui permettront une meilleure coordination des systèmes de sécurité sociale européens. Face à un marché intérieur de plus en plus intégré, la protection sociale des travailleurs, notamment des travailleurs mobiles, doit être garantie. Ainsi, en introduisant le concept de "base d'affectation" pour le personnel navigant (pilotes de ligne, stewards, hôtesses de l'air), on sécurise leurs droits aux prestations sociales. Ces nouvelles règles permettent également de clarifier la situation des travailleurs indépendants frontaliers.

  Luís Paulo Alves (S&D), por escrito. − Aprovo a presente proposta, tendo em conta a necessidade de o Regulamento (CE) n.º 883/2004 e de o Regulamento (CE) n.º 987/2009 serem adaptados para se manterem atualizados relativamente às alterações das legislações nacionais e à evolução da realidade social, que influenciam a coordenação dos sistemas de segurança social. Além disso, foram recebidas propostas relevantes da comissão competente com vista a melhorar o referido sistema de coordenação. As propostas citadas, em conjunto com outras adaptações técnicas do texto, estão incorporadas na presente proposta.

Outro aspeto positivo é o facto de a presente proposta atualizar e alterar igualmente as referências à legislação nacional em determinados anexos aos regulamentos. Apesar de a proposta se centrar nas questões transfronteiras no que diz respeito à segurança social dos trabalhadores por conta própria e da aviação comercial, ela é um passo essencial para a coordenação não só dos sistemas nacionais de segurança social, mas igualmente um primeiro passo para justiça única no que respeita aos trabalhadores de toda a União Europeia, que enfrentam atualmente graves diferenças entre Estados–Membros. Neste domínio, parece-me importante defender uma maior harmonização.

  Sophie Auconie (PPE), par écrit. – J'ai voté en faveur de ce rapport, qui vise à assurer une coordination adéquate, au niveau de l’Union européenne, des systèmes nationaux de sécurité sociale, et qui augmente ainsi la protection des travailleurs. Il s'agit, par exemple, de soutenir les dispositions relatives aux indemnités de chômage des travailleurs indépendants, et au personnel navigant. Le rapport de mon collègue Milan Cabrnoch élargit aussi le champ d'application de la coordination des systèmes de sécurité sociale aux chômeurs, à ceux qui ne travaillent pas encore ou qui ne travaillent plus. La proposition soutient, dans les États membres qui le souhaitent, l'introduction de nouvelles allocations, notamment de paternité et de retraite anticipée. Milan Cabrnoch, membre du Parti Populaire européen, a porté ce texte, et cela nous montre, une fois encore, que les socialistes n’ont pas le monopole des mesures sociales en faveur des citoyens.

  Zigmantas Balčytis (S&D), raštu. − Balsavau už šį pranešimą. Valstybės narės dažnai iš dalies keičia nacionalinius socialinės apsaugos teisės aktus, todėl nebeatitinka socialinės apsaugos sistemas koordinuojančių ES teisės aktų nuorodos ir suinteresuotoms šalims iškyla teisinis neaiškumas. Pritariau reglamentų (EB) Nr. 883/2004 ir (EB) Nr. 987/2009, kuriais užtikrinamas socialinės apsaugos sistemų koordinavimas, atnaujinimui, įtraukiant į juos nacionalinių teisės aktų pakeitimus bei naujausią Europos Sąjungos Teisingumo Teismo (ESTT) praktiką.

  Jean-Luc Bennahmias (ALDE), par écrit. – Parvenir à faire valoir ses droits lorsque l'on est un travailleur mobile au sein de l'Union européenne relève souvent du parcours du combattant, alors même que la libre circulation des personnes et le droit de travailler partout dans l'Union européenne ont été consacrés comme des droits fondamentaux pour tous les citoyens européens. Je considère donc l'adoption de nouvelles règles européennes relatives à la coordination des systèmes de sécurité sociale comme une bonne chose, à condition qu'elles permettent véritablement de garantir un égal accès aux systèmes de sécurité sociale aux ressortissants d'un pays et aux citoyens européens qui s'y déplacent pour travailler. Deux nouvelles dispositions semblent aller dans le bon sens. Le concept de "base d'affectation" a été introduit afin d'accorder des droits à la sécurité sociale au personnel navigant. Stewards et hôtesses de l'air relèveront désormais du système de sécurité sociale du pays où ils débutent et terminent leur service. Par ailleurs, alors que cela était exigé depuis longtemps, l'accès des travailleurs frontaliers indépendants aux prestations de chômage a enfin été clarifié. Ainsi, un indépendant pourra percevoir des indemnités de chômage du pays dans lequel il a travaillé si l'Etat frontalier dans lequel il réside n'en prévoit pas.

  Mara Bizzotto (EFD), per iscritto. − Ho scelto di astenermi dal voto su questa relazione.

Da un lato, in questo momento particolarmente difficile per la società europea è certamente necessario migliorare il funzionamento dei sistemi di tutela dei lavoratori, tuttavia d'altra parte, considerando come la situazione sociale e lavorativa sia profondamente diversa in ogni Stato membro, è opportuno che i vari sistemi di sicurezza sociale rimangano distinti, evitando di creare interferenze transnazionali come quelle suggerite dalla relazione in questione.

Una sovrapposizione dei sistemi europei, soprattutto su questioni particolari come le indennità di disoccupazione, non è consigliabile. Per tali ragioni ho preferito l'astensione.

  Sebastian Valentin Bodu (PPE), în scris. − O cooperare cât mai strânsă şi mai eficientă între instituţiile de securitate socială europene reprezintă factorul cheie. Cel mai rapid şi fiabil mod de a realiza schimbul de date între instituţiile statelor membre îl reprezintă comunicarea electronică. Toate aceste proceduri ar trebui să se accelereze în beneficiul tuturor celor implicaţi. În acelaşi timp, consider că cei vizaţi trebuie să beneficieze de toate garanţiile prevăzute de dispoziţiile comunitare referitoare la protecţia persoanelor fizice în ceea ce priveşte prelucrarea şi libera circulaţie a datelor cu caracter personal. Prin măsurile şi procedurile prevăzute în prezentul regulament, se urmăreşte de fapt să se asigure o transparenţă sporită privind criteriile pe care trebuie să le aplice instituţiile statelor membre în temeiul Regulamentului (CE) nr. 883/2004.

  John Bufton (EFD), in writing. − I voted against these proposals as I believe it is a matter for the airlines and nation states concerned rather than an issue that needs to be addressed by the EU. Despite the proposals making sense, I fear that the encroachment by EU legislation into the coordination of social security systems will establish a case-based incentive to homogenise social security systems in other fields of work throughout the EU. The legislation is also designed to cover cross-border self-employed workers. Social security systems are often idiomatic to the country in which they are drawn up and it is vital that this distinction is able to remain intact, especially concerning unemployment benefits. For example the welfare payments in one Member State may be significantly higher than in another EU country, enabling legal loopholes allowing welfare tourism to be exploited. For example, I am particularly concerned by the part of the proposal that states that, if a self-employed person who works in another EU country returns to his or her home country which does not have unemployment insurance for the self-employed, then the country where he or she last worked should pay the unemployment benefits.

  Carlos Coelho (PPE), por escrito. − Cabe aos Estados-Membros organizar e financiar os respetivos sistemas de segurança social. A coordenação da segurança social incide, assim, sobre situações transfronteiriças em que nenhum Estado-Membro pode atuar sozinho. De forma a simplificar essa coordenação, foi adotada legislação da UE, substituindo os vários acordos bilaterais que existiam. Porém, face à frequência com que os Estados-Membros tendem a introduzir alterações na respetiva legislação no domínio da segurança social, é natural que as referências feitas à legislação nacional na legislação da UE que coordena os sistemas de segurança social, nomeadamente os Regulamentos 883/2004 e 987/2009, possam ficar desatualizadas, gerando incerteza jurídica para as partes interessadas ao aplicarem os regulamentos. Apoio, assim, a presente iniciativa que visa proceder à atualização desses Regulamentos, de forma a ter em conta as alterações introduzidas ao nível das legislações nacionais e as transformações da realidade social que afetam a coordenação dos sistemas de segurança social, como é o caso da evolução recente da mobilidade transfronteiriça. Considero igualmente importantes as alterações propostas pela Comissão Administrativa de forma a atualizar, clarificar e completar o teor de determinadas disposições, pois só desta forma se pode garantir uma maior transparência e segurança às partes interessadas e proporcionar uma proteção mais completa aos cidadãos que optaram pela mobilidade.

  Lara Comi (PPE), per iscritto. − La libertà di circolazione delle persone all'interno dei confini dell'Unione europea è una delle quattro libertà fondamentali garantite ai cittadini. Al fine di rendere tale libertà effettiva, è necessario evitare, per quanto possibile, che la decisione di un lavoratore europeo di trasferirsi in un altro Stato membro comporti una perdita di diritti acquisiti nel Paese di origine. A questo fine fu votato nel 2004 dal Parlamento Europeo un Regolamento volto ad assicurare un maggior coordinamento dei sistemi di sicurezza sociale degli Stati membri. Per adeguare tale Regolamento alle mutate condizioni legislative e del mercato del lavoro, è necessario emendarlo. Ho perciò espresso il mio parere favorevole a questa proposta di emendamento, che tra l'altro chiarisce la posizione dei lavoratori autonomi che percepiscono un sussidio di disoccupazione, e dei lavoratori delle compagnie aeree che esercitano la professione in più Paesi, i quali, secondo quanto stabilito dalla nuova normativa, saranno soggetti alla legislazione dello Stato dove risiede la "casa madre" della compagnia aerea.

  Andrea Cozzolino (S&D), per iscritto. − L'aggiornamento dei regolamenti (CE) n. 883/2004 e (CE) n. 987/2009 che oggi approviamo in prima lettura, grazie all'accordo già raggiunto con la Presidenza danese - necessario per riflettere i cambiamenti nella legislazione degli Stati Membri in materia di sicurezza sociale e di coordinamento dei sistemi di sicurezza sociale - è un testo largamente condiviso da quest'Aula poiché ha saputo accogliere le esigenze positive dei sindacati di settore. I chiarimenti definiti su alcuni concetti fondamentali nel settore del trasporto aereo aiuteranno e garantiranno i dipendenti delle compagnie contro il rischio di cambiamenti frequenti della legislazione applicabile al loro contratto a causa dei modelli di lavoro del settore e delle richieste stagionali.

  Vasilica Viorica Dăncilă (S&D), în scris. − Consider că trebuie acordate dispoziții speciale pentru lucrătorii frontalieri care desfășoară o activitate independentă aflați în șomaj total, atunci când în statul membru de reședință nu există un sistem de prestații de șomaj care să acopere persoanele ce desfășoară o activitate independentă.

  Ioan Enciu (S&D), in writing. − I voted in favour of the draft European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems and Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EC) No 883/2004, because it adds important innovations to the regulation of work in the EU, with a focus on trans-border and frontier workers. It is clear that the changes in the current socio-economic realities and the new challenges deriving from the opening-up of borders and the globalised market of services requires an adaptation of the provision on social security and working conditions. This legislative resolution adjusts social security provisions for workers going abroad through the coordination of certain key measures. A timely act, given the importance transport services and cross-borders workers hold for the European economy and society.

  Diogo Feio (PPE), por escrito. − O objetivo desta proposta é o de garantir uma coordenação adequada dos sistemas nacionais de segurança social a nível da UE, pretendendo adaptar-se aos últimos desenvolvimentos em matéria de mobilidade transfronteiriça e livre circulação dos trabalhadores. Pretende garantir-se o direito à proteção no desemprego aos trabalhadores transfronteiriços por conta própria e os direitos das tripulações aéreas, às quais devem ser atribuídas as prestações devidas no local da sede ou da filial das respetivas companhias aéreas. Estas parecem-me medidas adequadas e proporcionais, especialmente no atual momento de crise que a Europa atravessa e que tem conduzido centenas de milhares de europeus para situações de desemprego e de dificuldades acrescidas.

  José Manuel Fernandes (PPE), por escrito. − O alargamento do espaço geográfico da União Europeia, sobretudo aos países de Leste, tem contribuído para uma maior circulação de pessoas e bens, consolidando assim a construção de um verdadeiro mercado único europeu. A circulação de pessoas, sobretudo de trabalhadores, tem levantado alguns problemas no que respeita ao reconhecimento dos seus direitos em termos de segurança social. Urge, pois, clarificar esta situação.

O relatório em apreço, elaborado por Milan Cabrnoch, versa sobre a proposta de regulamento do Parlamento Europeu (PE) e do Conselho que altera o Regulamento (CE) n.º 883/2004, relativo à coordenação dos sistemas de segurança social, e o Regulamento (CE) n.º 987/2009 que estabelece as modalidades de aplicação do Regulamento (CE) n.º 883/2004.

Congratulo-me com a aprovação deste relatório que vem reconhecer um dos direitos básicos da UE: o direito de viver e/ou trabalhar em qualquer Estado-Membro. Todos os trabalhadores transfronteiriços, nomeadamente dos serviços aéreos, serviços marítimos e trabalhadores por conta própria, veem os seus direitos sociais garantidos, mesmo que os não tivessem no seu país de origem. Fica, assim, consagrado o tratamento igual em caso de trabalho igual, independentemente do Estado-Membro.

  João Ferreira (GUE/NGL), por escrito. − Este relatório legislativo tem por objetivo alterar os Regulamentos 883/2004 e 987/2009, para que eles incorporem as mudanças recentes realizadas em alguns Estados-Membros no que se refere ao domínio da segurança social nacional. Um outro objetivo prende-se com a consideração de algumas disposições do regulamento que foram alteradas, nomeadamente a transportabilidade do subsídio de desemprego de trabalhadores por conta própria e a introdução de uma disposição especial para os trabalhadores de transporte aéreo. O relatório defende que um trabalhador fronteiriço por conta própria que fique desempregado tem direito a receber as prestações de desemprego no Estado-Membro competente, se estas não existirem no Estado-Membro de residência. Esta medida é importante e sensata. Importa, todavia, não ignorar o problema dos falsos trabalhadores independentes, que mantém, de facto, relações de trabalho subordinado encapotadas. Em alguns Estados-Membros, este problema atinge proporções bastante elevadas. Relativamente aos trabalhadores do transporte aéreo, estes inscrevem-se na segurança social da área da sua base de afetação". Consideramos imperiosa a existência de um controlo do registo da sede, de modo a que as companhias não se sediem nos países onde os custos relacionados com a segurança social são menores.

  Monika Flašíková Beňová (S&D), písomne. − Správna komisia pre koordináciu systémov sociálneho zabezpečenia predložila príslušné návrhy týkajúce sa koordinácie systémov sociálneho zabezpečenia, ktorých cieľom je zlepšiť a modernizovať acquis. Odsúhlasené návrhy boli začlenené do textu predkladaného nariadenia. Na koordináciu systémov sociálneho zabezpečenia môžu mať vplyv zmeny spoločenskej reality. S cieľom reagovať na tieto zmeny sa navrhujú zmeny v oblasti určovania uplatniteľných právnych predpisov a dávok v nezamestnanosti. Rôznorodosť a vývoj podmienok, za ktorých sa vykonávajú profesionálne činnosti, si vyžadujú zohľadňovať situáciu vysoko mobilných pracovníkov. Nové štruktúry ponuky práce je možné pozorovať okrem iného v odvetví leteckej dopravy. Vytvárať prepojenie medzi právnymi predpismi uplatniteľnými na členov leteckej posádky a členským štátom, v ktorom sa nachádza registrované sídlo alebo miesto podnikania podniku alebo zamestnávateľa, u ktorých sú zamestnaní, je účinné len vtedy, ak existuje dostatočne blízke spojenie s registrovaným sídlom alebo miestom podnikania. Rovnako sa domnievam, že treba zabezpečiť, aby samostatne zárobkovo činné osoby poberali dávky v súlade s právnymi predpismi príslušného členského štátu a aby sa im pri návrate do členského štátu bydliska poskytli najlepšie vyhliadky na opätovné začlenenie do jeho trhu práce. Nariadenie (ES) č. 883/2004 a nariadenie (ES) č. 987/2009 by sa preto mali zodpovedajúcim spôsobom zmeniť a doplniť.

  Lorenzo Fontana (EFD), per iscritto. − Se, da un lato, la tutela contro la disoccupazione ai lavoratori autonomi transfrontalieri appare un obiettivo più che condivisibile, dall’altro lato la proposta in esame solleva una questione di particolare delicatezza, concernente il sistema di sicurezza sociale di ciascuno Stato membro. Per tutelare i lavoratori transfrontalieri, si propone infatti di armonizzare e coordinare i sistemi di sicurezza sociale degli Stati membri, dimenticando però che le politiche sociali comprendono anche la spinosa questione delle indennità di disoccupazione e del reddito minimo, sulla quale le legislazioni divergono significativamente e che sono oggetto di accesi dibattiti soprattutto nella attuale congiuntura economica. Per questi motivi, ho ritenuto opportuno astenermi.

  Nathalie Griesbeck (ALDE), par écrit. – J'ai voté en faveur de ce texte, qui apporte deux améliorations notables en matière de coordination des systèmes de sécurité sociale au sein de l'Union européenne. Premièrement, une clarification concernant l'accès aux allocations de chômage, afin que les travailleurs indépendants transfrontaliers puissent percevoir des indemnités chômage dans le pays dans lequel ils ont travaillé, s'ils résident dans un autre Etat membre où aucune prestation de chômage n'existe. Deuxièmement, l'introduction du concept de "base d'affectation" pour les membres du personnel navigant (pilotes, hôtesses de l'air etc.), qui permettra de mettre fin au dumping social pratiqué par les compagnies low cost sur leur personnel et garantissant ainsi la sécurité sociale équitable pour tout le personnel navigant. Originaire d'une région très "transfrontalière", je soutiens pleinement toute initiative qui permettra de renforcer la mobilité des citoyens européens au sein de l'Union européenne, afin que ceux-ci puissent se déplacer, voyager ou travailler dans toute l'Union européenne sans obstacles administratifs.

  Mathieu Grosch (PPE), schriftlich. − Diesen Bericht begrüße ich sehr, da er die jüngsten Entwicklungen in der grenzüberschreitenden Mobilität, die sich auf die Koordinierung der Systeme der sozialen Sicherheit auswirken, berücksichtigt. Er bezieht sich auf die Aktualisierung von bestehenden Verordnungen aufgrund von Änderungen von einzelstaatlichen Rechtsvorschriften und veränderten Mobilitätsmustern.

Unter anderem wird dabei klargestellt, dass entsandte Arbeitnehmer nicht durch andere entsandte Personen ersetzt werden können, nachdem die Entsendung des ersten Arbeitnehmers abgelaufen ist.

Zudem werden selbständige erwerbstätige Personen, die grenzüberschreitend arbeiten, im Falle von Arbeitslosigkeit besser geschützt. Wenn sie im Mitgliedstaat der letzten Erwerbstätigkeit arbeitslosenversichert waren und in ihren Wohnmitgliedstaat zurückkehren, in dem es keine Arbeitslosenversicherung gibt, dann können sie dennoch Leistungen beantragen, und zwar bei dem Mitgliedstaat, in dem sie zuletzt ihre selbständige Erwerbstätigkeit ausgeübt haben. Diese Stärkung der Rechte von selbständig tätigen Grenzgängern begrüße ich ausdrücklich. Sie wird den EU-Bürgern vor allem in Grenzgebieten zugute kommen.