Пълен протокол на разискванията

Четвъртък, 17 януари 2008 г. - Страсбург

1. Откриване на заседанието

PRESIDE: MIGUEL ANGEL MARTÍNEZ MARTÍNEZ
Vicepresidente

(Se abre la sesión a las 10.00 horas)

2. Внасяне на документи: вж. протоколи

3. Ролята на жените в промишлеността (разискване)

  El Presidente. − El primer punto del orden del día de esta mañana es el informe de Ilda Figueiredo, en nombre de la Comisión de Derechos de la Mujer e Igualdad de Género, sobre el papel de la mujer en la industria (2007/2197(INI) (A6-0519/2007).

Es un informe que yo entiendo que tiene una notable importancia y también debiera tener un significativo impacto mediático.

  Ilda Figueiredo, relatora. − Gostaria de começar por agradecer às deputadas, deputados e funcionários da Comissão dos Direitos da Mulher e da Igualdade dos Géneros e ao relator de parecer da Comissão da Indústria, da Investigação e da Energia o apoio e os importantes contributos que deram, designadamente através das propostas que apresentaram para este relatório e que tornaram possível a sua votação por unanimidade. Foi um trabalho que se desenvolveu ao longo de vários meses, que incluiu também uma audição parlamentar com importantes contributos de membros das duas comissões parlamentares e de convidados externos, com destaque para as organizações sociais.

Com este relatório procuramos dar maior visibilidade ao papel das mulheres na indústria, onde, em média, trabalham mais de 14% das mulheres empregadas da União Europeia. Nalguns países essa percentagem ultrapassa os 25%, como na Bulgária e na República Checa, e noutros ronda os 20%, como em Portugal, na Grécia e na Hungria.

Sabemos que em alguns sectores industriais as mulheres são a maioria dos trabalhadores, como acontece no têxtil, vestuário e calçado, em áreas da indústria alimentar, da cortiça, das cablagens, material eléctrico e electrónico, enquanto ainda escassa a sua participação nas áreas da tecnologia de ponta, o que exige algumas abordagens diferenciadas, mas com um objectivo comum de promoção das mulheres que ali trabalham, de garantia de práticas não discriminatórias no acesso ao emprego e na contratação, no respeito da igualdade de salários, na criação de oportunidades de carreira, de formação profissional, de boas condições de trabalho, de melhores remunerações e de valorização da maternidade e da paternidade como valores sociais fundamentais.

A necessidade de garantir o emprego com direitos às mulheres que trabalham na indústria e de continuar a facilitar o seu acesso ao trabalho neste importante sector da produção implica também uma maior atenção à situação das várias indústrias na União Europeia, aos desafios que enfrentam e às respostas adequadas que é preciso encontrar, incluindo no comércio internacional e no acompanhamento da situação de importações de produtos mais sensíveis como no sector têxtil.

Chama-se também especial atenção para as reestruturações e deslocalizações de multinacionais que afectam particularmente o emprego das mulheres e aumentam o seu desemprego, sobretudo em regiões onde não há alternativas de emprego. O combate às discriminações salariais que persistem e afectam as mulheres trabalhadoras, designadamente discriminações indirectas, implica aprofundar a criação de uma metodologia de análise de funções capaz de garantir os direitos em matéria de remuneração entre mulheres e homens, que valorize as pessoas e as profissões e, simultaneamente, dignifique o trabalho como elemento estruturante para o aumento da produtividade, da competitividade e da qualidade das empresas e para a melhoria da vida dos trabalhadores e das trabalhadoras.

Por isso importa incentivar iniciativas que contribuam para desenvolver nas empresas acções positivas e políticas de recursos humanos que promovam a igualdade entre homens e mulheres valorizando também práticas de sensibilização e formação que permitam a promoção, a transferência e a incorporação de práticas bem sucedidas. Destaco aqui alguns projectos promovidos com o apoio do Programa Equal, como tive oportunidade de conhecer em Portugal, o que também deveria merecer toda a atenção da Comissão Europeia para assegurar a sua continuidade e expansão.

Como se sublinha no relatório, é de fundamental importância a negociação e a contratação colectiva para combater a discriminação das mulheres, nomeadamente nas áreas de acesso ao emprego, nos salários, nas condições de saúde e segurança no trabalho, de progressão na carreira e de formação profissional. Mas os Estados-Membros e a Comissão têm especiais responsabilidades e um importante papel a desempenhar na promoção da igualdade e no combate a todas as discriminações, na garantia do emprego com direitos e no combate à precariedade do trabalho que afecta sobretudo as mulheres.

Por isso apela-se a que actuem, seja através da definição de normas elevadas para a protecção da saúde no trabalho que tenham em conta a dimensão do género e, em especial, da maternidade, seja da organização e do tempo de trabalho, que respeitem a vida familiar, seja através da criação de mecanismos de fiscalização eficaz, do cumprimento dos direitos laborais e da liberdade sindical, seja também da garantia de acesso universal a uma boa segurança social pública e a serviços sociais a preços acessíveis, designadamente creches, infantários e apoios a idosos.

  Meglena Kuneva, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, the Commission warmly welcomes the motion for a resolution on the role of women in industry. I congratulate the rapporteur, Ms Figueiredo, on addressing this issue of the situation and role of women in industry, which is complex. One of the several reasons is that, as shown in the report, the gender equality challenges in industry are even more acute than in other sectors.

In industry, the problems of working conditions, the pay gap and the reconciliation of work and private life tend to be even more pronounced.

It is also a complex issue because it goes beyond equality policy to relate to the general situation in industry in Europe and the way Community policies can support industry and workers – both men and women – in the difficult context of globalisation. As you know, the adoption of the Roadmap for Gender Equality in 2006 underlined the Union’s full commitment to do its utmost to make progress towards a situation of real equality between men and women.

The six priorities of the roadmap are linked to improving the situation of women on the labour market. The first is economic independence for women and men, the second is reconciliation of private and professional life, the third is equal representation in decision-making and the fourth is the elimination of stereotypes. The Commission welcomes the fact that Parliament’s motion for a resolution highlights precisely these areas. Whilst the progress made in the area of gender equality is unquestionable, major challenges remain. The Commission shares the rapporteur’s view that we must continue our efforts and consolidate what has been achieved.

As far as women’s participation in industry is concerned, two issues should be tackled. Firstly, there are still very few women in industry compared to the services sector. Secondly, those women who work in industry tend to be in typically female sectors which are very labour-intensive and characterised by poor working conditions and low wages. The Commission is conducting various policies to meet these challenges. Combating stereotypes in education will, in the long term, lead to there being more highly skilled women in technical and scientific occupations and will also help to meet the needs of certain industrial sectors for manpower or womanpower. It is also important to support the careers of female engineers via networking, mentoring and measures to balance work and private life.

In order to diversify women’s employment in industry, it is vital to provide every opportunity for training and retraining. The European Social Fund provides essential support in this area. It is also vital to improve the current situation of women working in industry. For example, there is still an unjustifiably large gap between women and men. In industry, this gap is as much as 30%.

For this reason, in July 2007 the Commission adopted a communication on tackling the pay gap between women and men. The communication examined all the resources that must be mobilised to achieve this aim. The involvement of enterprises is an important way of making progress in the areas of equality between men and women at work, the gender pay gap, training, work-life balance and career development. In addition to the laws on equal treatment, which all enterprises must obey, it is important to encourage them to adopt voluntary measures to promote equality, in particular in the context of corporate social responsibility.

Finally, the Commission will shortly relaunch an awareness-raising campaign for enterprises about gender stereotypes. The report on women in industry underlines the vital role of work-life balance in order to achieve real gender equality and the Commission shares this analysis. This point was mentioned during the adoption by Parliament of the Kauppi report in September 2007.

The Commission will report in 2008 on progress towards the Barcelona objectives in the area of childcare. The second phase of the consultation of social partners on work-life balance concluded in July. The Commission takes the view that this issue should be tackled using a combination of different instruments, including the amendment of current Community legislation in order to better take account of new challenges.

As I stressed, the issue of women in industry also reflects the general situation of industry in Europe. The Commission will continue to pursue all the necessary policies to face up to globalisation, ensure a future for industry in the Member States and help workers of both sexes when the companies for which they work are restructured.

European laws on employee information and consultation, social dialogue and the European Social Fund are all instruments designed to achieve this. The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, launched in 2007, will provide assistance of up to EUR 500 million per year and its rules provide specifically for gender equality to be taken into account. The Commission is, therefore, responding to all the challenges identified by the report on the role of women in industry by taking measures of various kinds: improving equality, working conditions and the role of women in industry, combating stereotypes, creating better conditions for reconciling work and family life and providing general support for companies and workers in industrial sectors in difficulty.

I should like to make a personal statement: I sincerely support this way of tackling the difficulties in this specific area.

  Den Dover, Draftsman of the opinion of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. − Mr President, I warmly welcome this report, which I fully support. The British Conservatives support it, as does the PPE-DE Group. If Europe is to play a leading part in a very competitive, a fiercely competitive, global world, we need all the resources available at the highest possible level.

Whilst I disagree that there should be quotas saying how many ladies there should be at various levels in companies – and I particularly disagree with any compulsion in that regard – what I do want to see is as many ladies as possible rise to the highest possible levels based on their ability. It often depends on what we define as ‘industry’, and industry is changing; everything is much more flexible nowadays, and I am delighted that ladies are playing their role in industry in their various positions.

I do not agree that there needs to be any handicap or under-representation in the new technologies, because ladies have the brains, the intelligence and the know-how to more than make their worth felt.

Firstly, I would endorse the view that we should always go for equal pay wherever possible. Regarding this report, I was extremely pleased that the rapporteur embraced the views of people from the various groups and that we reached unanimity. I wanted to see better facilities for pensions for ladies – for portability within pensions from one employer to another to make sure they get higher pensions as they get through their working lives, and more flexibility in terms of facilities so that ladies can balance their family lives with their working lives.

As I say, I fully support this report. It is a step forward. We need ladies at all levels and I wish them well. I welcome in particular our new Commissioner, who is very capable indeed.

  Edit Bauer, za skupinu PPE-DE. – Chcela by som sa poďakovať za prácu vykonanú na tejto správe pani Figueiredo, ktorá svojím spôsobom inventarizuje problémy, s ktorými zápasia ženy zamestnávané v rôznych odvetviach priemyslu.

Z nich sa niektoré zdajú byť tzv. evergreenmi, ako napr. gender pay gap, alebo nedostatočné zastúpenie žien v rozhodovacích orgánoch či nedostatočné zosúlaďovanie pracovného a rodinného života. Správa poukazuje i na menej diskutované problémy, ako je nedostatočná pozornosť venovaná špecifickým požiadavkám ochrany žien pri práci, alebo aj sociálnym problémom vyplývajúcim z premiestňovania výrob do oblastí s nižšími výrobnými nákladmi.

Správa v niektorých bodoch obsahuje návrhy, ktoré narušujú princíp subsidiarity alebo formulujú požiadavky, ktoré zasahujú do kompetencií sociálnych partnerov a do procesu kolektívneho vyjednávania. Tieto návrhy EPP-ED nebude podporovať.

Napriek tomu, že správa je viac-menej súhrnom pomerne známych problémov, poukazuje na skutočnosť, že zmeny v tejto oblasti sú pomalé, ako to ukazuje napríklad aj vývoj rozdielov medzi platmi mužov a žien. Výskumy jasne ukazujú, že zlom nastáva po príchode detí, kariéra mužov a žien od tohto zlomového bodu naberá odlišný smer. Najťažšie sa lámu kritické stereotypy, a to i v tom prípade, keď sa s nimi už verbálne nestotožňujeme. Správa otvára i problém prenosnosti a flexibility riešenia dôchodkových práv, ktorý sa stáva stále citlivejším s postupujúcim zjednocovaním pracovného trhu a požiadavkou vyššej mobility pracovných síl. Myslím si, že je to problém, ktorému je potrebné venovať primeranú pozornosť.

  Christa Prets, im Namen der PSE-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident, Frau Kommissarin! Ich möchte zunächst auch der Berichterstatterin für die gute Zusammenarbeit danken. Wir hatten sehr gute Kooperationsmöglichkeiten über alle Fraktionsgrenzen hinweg. Herzlichen Dank!

Zunächst möchte ich anmerken, dass wir schon sehr viele Berichte zum Thema vorgelegt haben. Die Forderung nach gleichem Lohn für gleiche Arbeit ist eine über 30 Jahre alte Forderung, doch wir haben sie bis jetzt noch nicht umsetzen können. Stück für Stück gehen wir zwar kleine Schritte, und wir produzieren Papiere über Papiere, aber der Erfolg der Frauen bleibt eigentlich immer noch sehr weit hinter dem zurück, was wir alles schon aufgearbeitet haben.

So sind z. B. in der verarbeitenden Industrie 85% der Beschäftigten Frauen, im IKT-Bereich 15%, während in der Hochtechnologie Frauen kaum zu finden sind. Das heißt aber nicht, dass die Frauen einen schlechteren Ausbildungsstand haben, sondern dass – speziell in ländlichen Gebieten – einfach keine Möglichkeiten gegeben sind, andere Berufe zu ergreifen.

Frauen arbeiten auch immer im Niedriglohnsegment, und selbst in diesem Bereich gibt es noch Unterschiede zwischen Männern und Frauen. Die Ungleichheit und die Diskriminierung, was die Löhne, aber auch den Arbeitsbereich anbelangt, sind immer noch vorhanden. Wir fordern also auch die Gewerkschaften auf, sich bei Lohnverhandlungen stärker gegen diese Art von Lohndiskriminierung einzusetzen.

Die Unterstützung der beruflichen Fortbildungsmaßnahmen fehlt großteils oder sie ist sehr mangelhaft. Aus- und Weiterbildungsmaßnahmen sind notwendig, um Frauen auch in weniger qualifizierten Bereichen Karriereaussichten zu ermöglichen. Auch die Unternehmen sind gefordert, eine familien- und frauenfreundliche Personalplanung zu betreiben, die allen zum Vorteil gereicht. Denn wenn alle sich wohlfühlen, dann geht es auch der Wirtschaft gut und ganz besonders unseren Frauen, die dort arbeiten.

  Anneli Jäätteenmäki, ALDE-ryhmän puolesta. – Arvoisa puhemies, haluan kiittää esittelijää hyvästä yhteistyöstä ja hyvästä mietinnöstä ja erityisesti siitä, että hän pitää esillä miesten ja naisten erilaista kohtelua siitä huolimatta, että emme saa juurikaan vastakaikua.

Komission edustaja on varmasti henkilökohtaisesti todella sitoutunut asiaan, mutta kun kuuntelin virallista vastaustanne, jossa sanoitte, että on hyväksytty tiekartta, johon on sitouduttu, sen jälkeen voisi luonnollisesti odottaa selvitystä siitä, mitä on tapahtunut. Valitettavasti meidän on todettava, että tämän komission aikana tasa-arvoasioissa ei ole tapahtunut juuri mitään. Se on valitettavaa. Se ei ehkä ole sellainen tärkeä asia, joka toisi pisteitä komissaareille tai joillekin muille, mutta siitä huolimatta, hyvät ystävät, minä haluaisin rohkaista meitä kaikkia, koska me olemme vastuussa eurooppalaisen naisen asemasta.

Kerron teille yhden esimerkin. Suomessa naiset saivat äänioikeuden osana vanhoillista Venäjää 1905. Se oli ihme. Kun nyt katsomme eteenpäin, minusta tuntuu, että ei ole mahdollista, että osana Eurooppaa, Euroopan eri jäsenvaltioissa naiset saisivat saman palkan ja samanlaisen kohtelun EU:ssa, vaikka EU puhuu ihmisoikeuksista ja on edistyksellinen. Minusta EU voisi katsoa tsaarinaikaisia päätöksiä ja tehdä yhtä rohkeita päätöksiä palkkatasa-arvoa ja työelämän tasa-arvoa koskevissa asioissa. Tsaari uskalsi antaa äänioikeuden naisille, mutta EU ei uskalla tehdä mitään sen eteen, että palkkatasa-arvo EU-jäsenmaissa toteutuisi.

  Wiesław Stefan Kuc, w imieniu grupy UEN. – Panie Przewodniczący! Pamiętam lata 50. w Polsce – ogromne plakaty z uśmiechniętą dziewczyną kierującą traktorem, dziewczyny z organizacji „Służba Polsce” niosące na ramionach kilofy i łopaty, z radością maszerujące do pracy, kobiety przy maszynach włókienniczych i tokarkach. Ale i na nowsze czasy – kobiety w biurach projektowych, przy komputerach czy obsługujące nowoczesne linie produkujące urządzenia elektroniczne, telefony komórkowe, telewizory, a także zmęczone twarze kobiet po wielogodzinnej, męczącej pracy spieszące się do domów, aby wykonywać inne codzienne prace. Takie obrazy przesuwały mi się przed oczyma, gdy czytałem sprawozdanie pani poseł Ildy Figueiredo w sprawie roli kobiet w przemyśle.

Przez lata starano się chronić, zmniejszać obciążenie pracą i dążyć do równego traktowania kobiet. Niestety do dziś różnice pozostały. Bardzo słuszna, choć może niepełna jest lista oczekiwań. Nadal pozostały różnice w traktowaniu kobiet i mężczyzn w miejscu pracy, zarówno w wynagradzaniu, karierze zawodowej, jak i ocenie pracy i kwalifikacji. Najgorsze jest jednak to, że nie udało się stworzyć warunków do realizacji dążeń i oczekiwań kobiet, które zapewnią im możliwość rozwoju i stabilizacji zawodowej.

  Raül Romeva i Rueda, en nombre del Grupo Verts/ALE. – Señor Presidente, el papel de las mujeres en la industria se encuentra claramente condicionado —se ha dicho y lo recuerdo—, como en muchos otros casos, por una serie de estereotipos, alguno de ellos claramente perniciosos.

Precisamente para irlos superando es por lo que creo que este informe, el informe Figueiredo, es fundamental, importante, y por lo que cuenta también con el apoyo de nuestro Grupo.

Son muchas las evidencias que justifican el haber hecho este trabajo y el plantear ciertas propuestas que esperamos sean bien recibidas no solamente por las instituciones comunitarias, sino también por las propias empresas, que son, en definitiva, quienes deben llevarlas a cabo y quienes deben implementarlas.

Una de estas evidencias es el hecho de que la media de la Unión Europea, en cuanto a las mujeres ocupadas en la industria, es sólo del 14 %. Pero, además, hay que tener en cuenta que, de éstas, el 21 % son mujeres ocupadas a tiempo parcial y que las mujeres representan el 65 % de las personas que trabajan a tiempo parcial en el sector industrial. Éste es para mí uno de los aspectos clave, un elemento no menor, nada menor, en este debate.

El segundo es el hecho de que son precisamente las mujeres con trabajo precario, a tiempo parcial, temporal y atípico, las que se ven más afectadas por discriminaciones de tipo salarial, o cuando quieren asumir la baja por maternidad y que, asimismo, sus posibilidades de formación básica, permanente y profesional son por lo general inferiores.

Por ello, las propuestas de este informe incluyen, entre otras, las siguientes: que se adopten medidas urgentes para la aplicación integral y efectiva de la Directiva 75/117/CEE relativa al principio de igualdad de retribución entre trabajadores y trabajadoras con objeto de luchar contra las discriminaciones salariales, aspecto que hace tiempo reclamamos y que esperamos ver cumplido cuanto antes.

Segundo, que se incentiven iniciativas, acciones positivas y políticas de recursos humanos, que promuevan la igualdad; que los Estados y la Comisión fiscalicen más y mejor a las empresas en cuanto a la observancia de códigos de conducta y criterios de responsabilidad social corporativa en su trabajo cotidiano; que se garanticen mejores condiciones de trabajo, prestando atención a los horarios, al cumplimiento del derecho de maternidad y paternidad —la responsabilidad aquí es de ambas partes de la pareja o de la familia— asegurando al trabajador y a la trabajadora la posibilidad de reincorporarse a su puesto tras el mismo; a la conciliación entre el trabajo y la vida familiar. Y para que todo ello se cumpla, este informe hace un llamamiento para que se fijen estos derechos de forma legislativa en toda la Unión Europea.

Y, finalmente, tengo que discrepar con el señor Dover en cuanto a la cuestión de las cuotas. Son para algunas y algunos de nosotros un instrumento, un instrumento necesario, y por ello entendemos que es necesario hacer hincapié en que, desde la Unión Europea, se siga el ejemplo noruego de aplicar, precisamente, medidas destinadas a aumentar el número de mujeres en los consejos de administración de las empresas públicas, hasta un total del 40 % como mínimo, y de imponer por vía reglamentaria una cuota del 40 % de representación femenina en los consejos de administración de las sociedades por acciones.

Es evidente que no es la solución, pero, insisto, es un camino, es un medio, que se está demostrando útil en otros aspectos y que nos gustaría ver copiado también en la Unión Europea.

  Věra Flasarová, za skupinu GUE/NGL. – Pane předsedo, paní komisařko, dámy a pánové, moje kolegyně z výboru Ilda Figueiredo, odvedla jako pokaždé výbornou práci. Dokumentuje fakta, která považuji za zásadní. Zejména skutečnost, že existuje dominantní podíl zaměstnaných žen ve zpracovatelském průmyslu, ve kterém převažuje méně kvalifikovaná, manuální a špatně placená práce. Stereotyp, že ženě je souzená pomocná práce, bývá převážně zde dobře ilustrován. Měla jsem možnost např. navštívit několik provozů v potravinářském průmyslu a to v různých zemích. Nehledě na geografickou různost jsou si tyto provozy podobné. Muži zastávají vedoucí pozice a nekvalifikovanou práci u běžících pásů odvádějí ženy. Vydělají si málo, pracují mechanicky v ohlupujícím rytmu, bez motivace k profesnímu růstu a v nepřívětivých podmínkách. To je ale přece špatně.

V odstraňování genderové nerovnosti nás tedy čeká ještě spousta práce. Musíme si uvědomit, že tato oblast stále ještě není dostatečně statisticky podchycená a že genderové hledisko je ve statistice poměrně mladým fenoménem. Takže ve skutečnosti bude znevýhodnění žen v průmyslu oproti mužům ještě výraznější. Je však třeba se zaměřit na to, co paní zpravodajkyně právem označuje za priority, tedy na znevýhodnění v odměňování žen a na to, že je málo žen v technických oborech, které jsou na rozdíl od významné části zpracovatelského průmyslu technologicky náročnější a lépe odměňované. S tím souvisí i nutnost usnadnit ženám přístup k vyššímu vzdělání a k odborné kvalifikaci. Právě tak jako je nezbytné zajistit, aby ženy měly možnost návratu z mateřské dovolené do pracovního procesu, ale také i k dalšímu studiu. Tohle právo se také pochopitelně týká také mužů, kteří pečují o děti.

Některé regiony Evropské unie, zejména na východě, prodělávají změny ve struktuře průmyslu. Ty nutí ke zvýšené mobilitě pracovní síly a k rekvalifikacím. Znám tyto pohyby z vlastní zkušenosti, neboť sama pocházím z průmyslové oblasti České republiky, která prošla restrukturalizací, a znám její dopady především na zaměstnané ženy.

Dalším souvisejícím problémem jsou přesuny továren do zemí mimo Evropskou unii, ve kterých je levnější pracovní síla. Zaměstnanost žen ohrožuje i příliv levného zboží z asijských zemí, ale i dalších států vyrábějící množství spotřebního zboží pro cizí trhy, aniž by sytili trh vlastní, který nedisponuje kupní silou. Všechny tyto faktory zasahují zaměstnanost žen v průmyslu velmi citelně a jejich negativní důsledky je třeba postupně napravovat.

  Urszula Krupa, w imieniu grupy IND/DEM. – Panie Przewodniczący! Wiadomo ze statystyk, że w Unii Europejskiej w każdym przedziale wiekowym pracuje więcej mężczyzn niż kobiet, co wynika z osobistego wyboru lub tradycji, ale często jest powodowane dyskryminacją w miejscu pracy. Ponadto we wszystkich krajach Unii kobiety przeciętnie zarabiają mniej niż mężczyźni, dlatego ważnym jest przypominanie także na drodze prawnej i ustawodawczej przedsiębiorstwom, pracodawcom obowiązku przestrzegania zasady równości, nie tylko w odniesieniu do zarobków.

Jednak nierówny udział kobiet w przemyśle należy rozpatrywać racjonalnie, gdyż określane jako „kobiece” gałęzie przemysłu mogą być związane z mniejszym obciążeniem fizycznym, psychicznym, co z kolei powinno być polecane kobietom i co nie musi być związane także z niskimi zarobkami. Trudno oczekiwać, aby w przemyśle hafciarskim pracowało więcej mężczyzn, a w przemyśle hutniczym więcej kobiet. Ponadto np. ten przykładowy przemysł hafciarski może oferować większe zarobki ze względu na związaną z nim specyfikę artystyczną niż np. przemysł spożywczy.

Należy zapewnić w poszczególnych dziedzinach równe zarobki mężczyzn i kobiet, wraz ze zwalczaniem wyzysku w miejscu pracy czy innych patologii i nieprawidłowości. Możliwość pracy w niepełnym wymiarze godzin, zwłaszcza dotycząca kobiet, powinna być propagowana, podobnie jak innego rodzaju elastyczność umożliwiająca zmianę kwalifikacji czy uczenie się.

Wielokrotnie w swoich wystąpieniach, zgłaszanych poprawkach proponowałam nie tylko zagwarantowanie powrotu na miejsce pracy po urlopie wychowawczym czy macierzyńskim, ale zaliczenie okresu urlopu macierzyńskiego lub wychowawczego do czasu pracy, z ewentualną wypłatą odpowiedniego świadczenia pieniężnego, co zapobiegałoby nie tylko niskim świadczeniom emerytalnym, ale także prowadziłoby do zmniejszenia bezrobocia, a przede wszystkim byłoby gwarantem prawidłowego wychowania i rozwoju dzieci, które są przyszłością każdej rodziny, narodu, a także Unii Europejskiej.

  Lydia Schenardi (NI). – Monsieur le Président, à la lecture de ce rapport, on aurait envie de dire: "À l'Ouest, rien de nouveau".

Toujours le même constat: la persistance de stéréotypes dans le choix de l'orientation éducative et professionnelle, la surreprésentation des femmes dans certains secteurs comme celui du textile, l'inégalité des salaires, des conditions de travail et des perspectives de carrière, mais aussi toujours les mêmes recommandations: favoriser l'égalité entre les hommes et les femmes dans le domaine professionnel, pour leur rémunération, leur présence au sein des conseils d'administration des entreprises ou encore développer les structures d'accueil des enfants et la flexibilité du travail.

Très bien, mais après? Concrètement, qu'est-ce que ce énième rapport relatif aux droits des femmes, qu'elles soient dans le secteur de l'industrie ou non, va changer? Malgré les politiques coercitives basées sur la politique dite des actions positives – formulation d'ailleurs trompeuse, car il s'agit en réalité de quotas obligatoires – les mentalités liées au genre ont du mal à évoluer.

Ce n'est pas en imposant des schémas parfois contre nature, au nom des principes d'égalité et de non-discrimination, que les femmes trouveront plus naturellement leur place au sein des entreprises, quelles qu'elles soient. Les femmes n'ont pas de handicap si important qu'elles doivent être systématiquement imposées pour pouvoir être acceptées. Les mesures d'encouragement ne doivent pas être des mesures de coercition.

À l'heure de l'application de la charte des droits fondamentaux, n'oublions pas non plus de laisser aussi la liberté à tout entrepreneur de recruter qui il veut, dans la mesure où chaque employé est traité de la même façon, indifféremment de son sexe.

  Zita Pleštinská (PPE-DE). – Pre niektoré európske regióny, ku ktorým patrí aj prešovský región na severovýchode Slovenska, je typická vyššia koncentrácia podnikov textilného a odevného priemyslu, od ktorého závisí zamestnanosť žien v regióne.

Keď chceme zachovať pracovné miesta pre ženy práve v týchto znevýhodnených regiónoch, v ktorých má textilný a odevný priemysel svoju tradíciu, musíme vhodnými prostriedkami podporovať textilný a odevný priemysel ako produktívne priemyselné odvetvie vytvorením nových programov, zameraných napríklad na prezentáciu a propagáciu výrobkov na odborných a medzinárodných veľtrhoch. Za prínosné pokladám širšie uplatnenie strategického výskumného plánu Európskej technologickej platformy pre budúcnosť textilného a odevného priemyslu a nutnosť zavedenia inovačných technológií a nových obchodných modelov.

Je známe, že napriek zvýšeniu počtu dievčat v technických a vedeckých študijných smeroch prekážky, s ktorými sa stretávajú v pracovnom zaradení, spôsobujú, že ženy zanechávajú v rámci priemyslu vedeckú kariéru. Vedecká práca vzhľadom na nutnosť udržania si istého vzdelanostného a vedomostného štandardu musí byť nepretržitá. Na niektorých vedeckých ústavoch sa neumožňuje, aby žena mohla pracovať časť pracovnej doby aj doma, pokiaľ nevyhnutne nemusí byť na pracovisku. Mentalita nadpráce môže byť jednou zo špecifických bariér, a preto zaznamenávame podpriemerné zastúpenia žien v odvetviach s najnovšími technológiami.

Hlavná zodpovednosť je na členských štátoch, preto apelujem na zodpovedné inštitúcie členských štátov, aby vypracovali a zaviedli politiky, ktorých cieľom je zladiť pracovný a súkromný život, umožniť väčšiu flexibilitu pracovného času a všeobecný prístup k službám starostlivosti o deti. Zároveň je potrebné účinnými technickými opatreniami a v prípade možnosti aj finančnou podporou povzbudzovať zamestnávateľov, predovšetkým malé a stredné podniky, aby tieto politiky a postupy uplatňovali aj v praxi.

Na záver by som chcela poďakovať pani spravodajkyni Ilde Figueiredo za jej prácu a našej tieňovej spravodajkyni Edit Bauer, prostredníctvom ktorej sme mohli správu obohatiť o naše postoje. Taktiež vysoko hodnotím aj stanovisko kolegu Dovera z Výboru ITRE.

Pán predseda, na záver by som Vás chcela poprosiť o jednu technickú požiadavku. V tejto zasadacej miestnosti je počas diskusií vrátane dnešnej rozpravy veľmi zima, chlad tejto miestnosti nevytvára dobré pracovné podmienky pre našu poslaneckú prácu a má veľké následky na naše zdravie. Prosím Vás o zabezpečenie nápravy tohto nepriaznivého stavu.

  Zita Gurmai (PSE). – Kedves elnök úr, tisztelt biztos asszony, képviselőtársaim! Az ipari ágazatok és a fejlesztésre irányuló iparpolitikák révén az európai gazdaság a versenyképesség, tudás és fenntarthatóság élvonalába kerülhet a lisszaboni stratégia célkitűzéseinek megfelelően.

Lisszabon a foglalkoztatási arányszámok emelését, a nők foglalkoztatottságának jelentős bővítését, a nemek közötti egyenlőség széles körű biztosítását, a női munkavállalók alkalmazásához szükséges megfelelő körülmények és kedvező feltételek biztosításának igényét és követelményeit jelenti a nők gazdaságban elfoglalt pozitív szerepén túl.

Az ipar minden területén egyenlő esélyeket kell biztosítani a foglalkoztatás, az előmenetel, a bérezés, a szakmai és magánélet összehangolása, a képzések és továbbképzések biztosítása, a rugalmas munkavégzés különböző formáinak megvizsgálása és alkalmazása területén.

Összefoglalva, tisztességes munkakörülményeket kell biztosítani a nőknek az iparban és megfelelő képviseletet az érdekvédelmi szervezetekben. Ezek a területek sem képezhetnek kivételt a nemek közötti egyenlőség biztosításának követelményei alól, azaz a „gender mainstreaming” elveit és gyakorlatát itt is következetesen alkalmazni kell.

Fontos, hogy megfelelő adatok álljanak rendelkezésre a jelentős számú, és egymástól lényegesen eltérő ipari ágazatokban uralkodó tényleges viszonyokról, az ágazatok közötti eltérésekről. Stratégiák, konkrét ajánlások megfogalmazásához széles körű statisztikai adatokra van szükség. Számtalan nemzetközi managementkutatás szerint a nők speciális vezetői képességei nagyban hozzájárulhatnak a vállalatok sikeréhez. Erről az esélyről Európának sem szabad lemondania. Köszönöm szépen.

  Lena Ek (ALDE). – Mr President, I congratulate the rapporteurs and those who have been working on this report on the excellent mapping of the current statistics and the current situation in Europe when it comes to women in industry. Still, one cannot avoid being disappointed, because documents like this have been produced since the 1950s and we still have very little change. This applies to women in industry, the health situation and health care for women, and to career opportunities, learning opportunities and opportunities to improve their skills, not to mention the situation of the work and family combination.

I would like, therefore, to spend half of my speaking time on questions to the Commission. Firstly, it is appalling that, after decades, we still have such a bad statistics situation. This is something where the Commission can really ask for an improvement when it comes to European statistics. I see that responsibility for this lies mainly with the Commission.

When I was a university teacher 25 years ago, I taught my students about the rules on equal pay deriving from Brussels and from the European Member States at the time. The cases from the Court (Danfoss I and II) happened more than 25 years ago. Is it not time for a new regulation with more teeth? This is also the responsibility of the Commission.

I would also like a mid-term health check when it comes to the roadmap for gender equality, which contains a lot of nice words, but no regulation so far on the horizon.

Fourthly, the Spring Summit will work with the Lisbon resolution. These issues should be mentioned in March. And fifthly, when the Commission – and Parliament – arrange seminars with high-level groups, we should apply the same rules as Norway for industrial boards, i.e. the 40:60 percentage.

  Ewa Tomaszewska (UEN). – Panie Przewodniczący! Rola kobiet w gospodarce będzie wzrastać choćby ze względu na problemy demograficzne. Warto więc skupić uwagę na tej kwestii.

Jako Polka, kobieta i z zawodu fizyk mogę powiedzieć, że w moim kraju przeciętny poziom wykształcenia kobiet jest wyższy niż przeciętny poziom wykształcenia mężczyzn. Większa jest też przedsiębiorczość kobiet w sektorze małych i średnich przedsiębiorstw. W sferze nauki nie dostrzegam dyskryminacji ze względu na płeć. Mimo to płace kobiet są nadal o 15-20% niższe niż płace mężczyzn, a udział kobiet w gremiach kierowniczych przedsiębiorstw jest zdecydowanie niższy. Wyższy jest też udział kobiet w nietrwałych formach zatrudnienia. Tak więc choć szkolenia i wszelkie formy podwyższania kwalifikacji są ważne, nie są warunkiem wystarczającym dla ograniczenia dyskryminacji.

Ubóstwo kobiet generowane jest nie tylko poprzez niskie płace, ale i przez konstrukcję systemów emerytalnych. Reforma emerytalna w Polsce wprowadziła opłacanie składki emerytalnej za osoby korzystające z urlopów macierzyńskich i wychowawczych przez budżet państwa. Jest to istotne złagodzenie karania kobiet za macierzyństwo przez systemy emerytalne. Konieczność rozwiązania tej kwestii została także dostrzeżona w sprawozdaniu.

Dużą wagę przywiązuję też do specyficznego ze względu na płeć spojrzenia na zachowanie bezpieczeństwa i higieny pracy. W szczególności na wyższe obciążenie kobiet pracami wywołującymi zaburzenia mięśniowo-szkieletowe. Te kwestie także zostały ujęte w sprawozdaniu.

  Kathy Sinnott (IND/DEM). – Mr President, in 1996 an underwear company closed its factory in my constituency. It left 160 unemployed – almost all women – of middle age, with little or no skills outside the factory. Only 100 of these women managed ever to work again. The women who found work needed, after 30 years of service in this plant, to begin again at minimum wage, as they had not been given any continuous training and their previous experience went unrecognised. This factory moved to a less expensive area of the EU and has since moved to Asia.

Companies will continue to relocate for cheaper labour forces, and we need to protect women – particularly in areas like textiles – by offering the opportunity to upskill and by giving continuous education.

I also want to talk briefly about apprenticeships: in Ireland only 5% of women are in apprenticeships. It is a double problem. Are they encouraged to become plumbers and carpenters? Is there not also the problem that, in most areas, apprenticeships have now disappeared?

Apprenticeships themselves were a very good way to pass on information and skills and be recognised for them, and with the loss of apprenticeships we are denying many people – both men and women – the ability to pass on skills and be recognised.

  Anna Záborská (PPE-DE). – Chcela by som zdôrazniť tri kľúčové body, ktoré sa týkajú tejto témy.

Šéfovia organizácií sa musia naučiť nezaraďovať ženy do nevhodnej práce alebo do takej práce, kde nie sú dostatočne ohodnotené ich schopnosti. Inštitúcie Európskej únie musia bdieť nad organizáciami, ktoré využívajú ich pomoc, aby rešpektovali acquis communautaire. Aj keď existujú iné názory, spoločnosť by mala rešpektovať fakt, že muž a žena sa líšia, ale zároveň dopĺňajú. Je to základný princíp života a mal by to byť aj zásadný princíp politiky rovnosti príležitostí medzi ženami a mužmi.

Rozdielnosť a komplementárnosť na trhu práce a v spoločnosti sú podstatné. Správa pani Figueiredo vysvetľuje našu zodpovednosť pri prieniku lisabonskej stratégie a európskej „demografickej zimy“. Rezolúcia správne podčiarkuje zdravotné riziká a rôzne druhy chorôb z povolania, ktoré môžu byť odlišné u mužov a žien.

Plne podporujem našu pani spravodajkyňu v jej žiadosti o podrobnú analýzu existujúcich situácií a ich dôsledkov. Tieto analýzy musia rovnako obsahovať špecifické dôsledky na materstvo. Nič nemôže ospravedlniť, aby sme z dôvodu profesionálnej kariéry vystavili budúce matky zdravotným rizikám, ktoré majú negatívny vplyv na materstvo. Rovnako je aj oblasť priemyslu zodpovedná za to, aby netrestala ženy, ak chcú mať deti, a mala by im umožniť po materskej dovolenke návrat na pôvodné miesto.

  Edite Estrela (PSE). – Senhor Presidente, na plataforma de acção de Pequim é afirmado que, sem a participação activa das mulheres e a incorporação das suas perspectivas a todos os níveis da tomada de decisão, os objectivos da igualdade, do desenvolvimento e da paz, não poderão ser alcançados. Por outro lado, para se alcançarem os objectivos da Estratégia de Lisboa, é necessária uma maior participação das mulheres no mercado de trabalho. Representando as mulheres 59% dos licenciados não se compreende que a maioria dos novos empregos para mulheres sejam empregos a tempo parcial, por vezes inseguros e precários, mal remunerados e com poucas perspectivas de progressão na carreira.

Este relatório da Sra. Figueiredo, que eu felicito, contém duas propostas que eu gostaria de sublinhar: a primeira é a promoção do empreendorismo das mulheres, mas considerando que 61% das mulheres têm em consideração as circunstâncias familiares quando ponderam montar um negócio, comparativamente com os homens, que apenas 49% se preocupa com isso, são necessárias medidas que facilitem a conciliação entre a vida profissional e a vida familiar e pessoal.

A outra proposta diz respeito aos longos horários de trabalho. É importante que a Comissão promova um estudo sobre as consequências negativas das longas permanências no local de trabalho, consequências a nível familiar, a nível pessoal e a nível social, como por exemplo, os filhos que ficam sozinhos muitas horas, o que leva muitas vezes ao insucesso escolar e à criminalidade. Também deve ser recomendado aos Estados-Membros uma maior fiscalização das empresas que obrigam os seus trabalhadores a trabalhar para além do horário de trabalho fixado na lei e devem ter penalizações muito pesadas.

  Петя Ставрева (PPE-DE). – Г-жо Комисар, уважаеми г-н Председател, скъпи колеги, равнопоставеното участие на жените и мъжете на пазара на труда е предпоставка за устойчив икономически растеж и хармонично социално развитие.

През последните десетилетия Европа постигна значителен напредък в отстояването на равенството между половете. Докладът относно ролята на жените в промишлеността обобщава част от тези постижения, като в същото време настоява за по-стриктно прилагане на принципа на равнопоставеност.

За съжаление, може да се отбележи, че въпреки съществуващата необходима законова рамка, редица европейски директиви и резолюции остават неприложени. Ролята на жените в промишлеността следва да се основава на принципите за равно заплащане и равно участие в процеса на вземане на решения.

Ситуацията на пазара на труда в държавите-членки показва, че в зависимост от секторите жените имат променливо представителство. Те формират голям процент от заетостта в областта на услугите и не са достатъчно представени при високите технологии, например.

Насърчаването на достойни форми на работа е неделима част от ценностите на Европейския съюз и държавите-членки трябва да вземат ефективни мерки с оглед спазването на стандартите и гарантирането на достойна работа в различните сектори на промишлеността.

Считам, че сериозно предизвикателство пред всички нас е прилагането на комплекс от политики насочени към съвместяването на професионалния, личния и семейния живот. Европейските граждани, и жените, и мъжете, заслужават да имат равни възможности и да са равнопоставени не просто на книга, но и реално. Благодаря.

  Britta Thomsen (PSE). – Hr. formand! Jeg vil meget gerne sige tak til ordføreren for en meget relevant betænkning, som sætter fokus på den voksende kønsulighed på arbejdsmarkedet i en tid, hvor vi ellers alle sammen lover hinanden at bekæmpe lønforskelle og arbejde for reel ligestilling. Kvinder besidder i dag de lavest lønnede ufaglærte job i industrien, og de risikerer, at deres vilkår forringes yderligere, hvis vi ikke straks sætter ind med målrettet efteruddannelse. Vi er nødt til at kræve kønsopdelte statistikker, både om lønniveau og om kønsfordeling i de enkelte brancher. Det er fuldstændigt uacceptabelt, at vi stadig har et så dårligt vidensniveau om disse områder. Hvordan skal vi kunne ændre på tingene, hvis vi ikke kan få et klart overblik over, hvordan situationen rent faktisk er?

Vi har også brug for at udvikle en industripolitik, som tager hensyn til kønsaspektet og de særlige udfordringer, som kvinder står over for i forhold til løn, barsel, usikre ansættelsesforhold og et ensformigt, gentaget arbejde. Det skal ske i samarbejde med arbejdsmarkedets parter, og de må også sikre, at kvinderne er tilstrækkeligt repræsenteret i deres organisationer.

  Avril Doyle (PPE-DE). – Mr President, the proposal before us deals with a very important issue, one that continues to spark debate globally. The role of women in industry affects all facets of society and has wide-ranging implications for employment and welfare policy, family and child policy, not to mention economic policy. Yes, equality legislation ensures women get maternity leave, but all the evidence shows that they expose themselves to promotional and financial discrimination, albeit subtly (to comply with the law) but nonetheless pervasively in an inflexible business culture.

There was an outcry in Ireland in recent weeks when a media accountant made this very point and he was roundly handbagged. There is no point denying the blindly obvious. Perhaps this report before us should be subtitled, ‘Motherhood and misogyny’, as an editorial in the Sunday Tribune at home screamed last week.

We in the European Parliament must endorse the proposal before us – with which I largely agree – because, on the one hand, industry needs women at all levels and, on the other hand, society needs children. We all – including employers and industrialists – must respect maternity and paternity leave as fundamental social values. While I still baulk at compulsory quotas for women’s participation, albeit in politics or business, my faith in a meritocracy is being sorely tested the older and, hopefully, the wiser I get.

I would like to congratulate the rapporteur. There might be one or two paragraphs that I have to think about, but I will be supporting her report, and I think it behoves all of us in the House to support a very good report on which an awful lot of work has been done.

  Teresa Riera Madurell (PSE). – Señor Presidente, yo también quiero felicitar a la ponente por su trabajo y por su talante abierto, que ha permitido que entre todas hayamos sido capaces de traducir en medidas concretas lo que es el deber general de las empresas de respetar el principio de igualdad entre mujeres y hombres en el ámbito laboral.

Su informe incorpora medidas para garantizar la igualdad de oportunidades en el acceso al empleo, a la formación y a la promoción profesional; medidas para respetar los derechos laborales de los trabajadores y trabajadoras, incluyendo —y es importante destacarlo— la protección frente al acoso sexual, y también medidas para favorecer la conciliación de la vida personal, familiar y laboral.

Pero quizá las aportaciones más novedosas, más interesantes sean, por un lado, la inclusión de medidas para compartir el poder, que podrían asegurar, por ejemplo, una presencia equilibrada de mujeres y hombres en los consejos de administración de las empresas y en todos los puestos de decisión en la línea de la nueva ley aprobada en mi país, España.

Y, por otro lado, la recomendación de que cada empresa implante su propio plan de igualdad negociado. Es, pues, un informe importante para un sector que es estratégico para la Unión Europea.

  Roselyne Lefrançois (PSE). – Monsieur le Président, je me félicite que le Parlement ait pris l'initiative de produire ce rapport car, si le rôle des femmes dans le secteur de l'industrie est tout à fait crucial, leur situation professionnelle demeure globalement beaucoup plus précaire que celle des hommes.

Ce rapport met ainsi en évidence toute une série de discriminations dont les femmes font l'objet et auxquelles il est urgent de s'attaquer, en particulier leur cantonnement dans certaines branches et certains types d'emplois caractérisés par des salaires faibles et des perspectives de carrière limitées, leur surreprésentation parmi les travailleurs atypiques et notamment les travailleurs en situation de temps partiel subi, ou encore leurs difficultés à se réinsérer dans de bonnes conditions dans la vie professionnelle suite à un congé de maternité.

Parmi les pistes évoquées pour remédier à ce regrettable état de fait, l'idée d'accorder une distinction aux entreprises favorisant la conciliation entre vie professionnelle et vie familiale me paraît intéressante et l'amélioration des perspectives de carrière des femmes devrait effectivement être encouragée par un renforcement de la formation tout au long de la vie.

J'ai cependant quelques regrets à formuler quant à la forme de ce rapport. Ce texte me semble en effet trop long et insuffisamment structuré, ce qui nuit à sa lisibilité et à son efficacité.

  Gabriela Creţu (PSE). – Raportul poate da impresia că vorbim despre absenţa femeilor în industrie. Este vorba şi despre acest lucru. Totuşi, el atrage atenţia mai ales asupra prezenţei lor. Ele sunt prezente în locurile de muncă şi ramurile cu salarii mici, sunt majoritare unde nu există sindicate şi, drept urmare, garanţiile oferite de contractele colective de muncă; se regăsesc în ramurile vulnerabile, la delocalizările masive şi rapide. Ele sunt prezente la locul de muncă, dar nu şi în funcţiile de conducere. Ele muncesc, dar nu decid.

Vorbim despre ceea ce lipseşte în acest raport, dar vorbim şi despre ceea ce ele au. Au studii, dar n-au calificări; au boli profesionale, dar ele nu le sunt recunoscute ca atare; au voinţa să înveţe după 40 de ani, dar nu au unde să o facă. Ele devin mame şi nu au creşe. Şi bărbaţii devin taţi şi nu au creşe. Dar ei, în schimb, au soţii.

Ce-i de făcut? Reglementările existente, rapoartele elaborate de noi, foaia de parcurs pentru egalitatea de gen a Comisiei Europene arată că ştim ce este de făcut. Ceea ce trebuie să ne amintim noi şi Comisia, dar, în special, trebuie să amintim statelor membre, este că cetăţenii, în special femeile, nu ne măsoară eficienţa prin numărul hotărârilor adoptate, ci prin capacitatea şi voinţa de a le pune în practică. Iar aceasta din urmă lipseşte.

VORSITZ: MECHTILD ROTHE
Vizepräsidentin

  Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg (PSE). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Zaledwie 14-25% kobiet zatrudnionych w Unii Europejskiej pracuje w przemyśle, przy czym ich udział w różnych sektorach przemysłu jest nierównomierny z powodu wciąż istniejących stereotypów przy wyborze kierunku kształcenia i kariery zawodowej.

Kobiety są zatrudniane głównie w przemysłach takich, jak włókienniczy, odzieżowy, obuwniczy, spożywczy czy przetwórczy, w których przeważają niskie płace. W sektorach zaawansowanych technologii, gdzie prace są wyższe, kobiety są zdecydowanie niedoreprezentowane. Państwa członkowskie powinny rozwijać i wspierać finansowo programy na rzecz edukacji i przedsiębiorczości kobiet, a także tworzyć zachęty dla kobiet pracujących w przemyśle do stałego podnoszenia swoich kwalifikacji.

Każde państwo członkowskie ma obowiązek przestrzegania zasady równych płac, zapewnienia godnych warunków pracy oraz perspektyw kariery zawodowej, przy jednoczesnym poszanowaniu wartości społecznych, jakimi są macierzyństwo i ojcostwo. Respektowanie norm społecznych, takich jak prawo do bezpieczeństwa, ochrony socjalnej oraz wolności zrzeszania się, przyczyni się do zlikwidowania wszelkich form dyskryminacji kobiet w miejscu pracy.

Na zakończenie pragnę pogratulować pani Figueiredo bardzo dobrze przygotowanego sprawozdania.

  Ljudmila Novak (PPE-DE). – Prav tako kot govorimo o ženskah v industriji, bi lahko govorili o ženskah v trgovskem poklicu ali v zdravstvu. Po naravi imamo moški in ženske različne fizične sposobnosti, zato je določeno delo bolj primerno za ženske in določeno za moške. V primerih, kjer pa kvaliteta dela in učinkovitost nista odvisni od fizične moči, pa je nedopustno, da so ženske nižje plačane od moških kolegov. In prav ženski poklici so že avtomatično nižje plačani, čeprav ti poklici sploh niso lahki in zahtevajo tudi veliko napora.

Slišali smo kolegico, ki je povedala, da smo že pred 30 leti sprejemali podobna poročila o neenakosti žensk. Zakaj se potem nič ne spremeni? Ali pa se zelo počasi spreminja? Ali so za to kriva podjetja? Menim, da moramo jasno identificirati krivce in odgovorne in se bolj odločno zavzeti zato, da se stanje na tem področju končno obrne v bolj pozitivno smer za ženske.

  Silvia-Adriana Ţicău (PSE). – Atunci când vorbim despre rolul femeilor în industrie, trebuie să vorbim şi despre educaţie, cercetare şi antreprenoriat. Am făcut o prezentare în cadrul Comisiei pentru drepturile femeii din partea Comisiei pentru industrie, cercetare şi energie privind rolul femeilor în industrie.

15% din persoanele cu studii superioare sunt femei. În 2006, femeile reprezentau 33% din totalul cercetătorilor europeni şi doar 18% din cercetătorii din sectorul privat. Trebuie subliniat, însă, că doar 28% din femeile cercetător au copii. În industrie, veniturile salariale sunt mai mari, în special în industria petrolieră, chimică, în transport, electricitate, în industria de maşini.

Există însă la nivel european o diferenţă de salarizare între bărbaţi şi femei (aproximativ 20% la nivel de manageri de corporaţii şi 19% în domeniul ştiinţelor inginereşti). 34% din femeile care lucrează în industrie au copii şi trebuie subliniat faptul că doar 20% din antreprenorii din industrie sunt femei. De aceea, trebuie să ne preocupăm de educaţie, instruire şi, mai ales, de facilităţile de îngrijire a copiilor.

  Meglena Kuneva, Member of the Commission. − Madam President, I wish to thank Members of for a very interesting discussion, and will take this opportunity to answer some of their questions.

In reply to Ms Figueiredo, it is true that the Equal programme finishes in 2008, but the European Social Fund Regulation for 2007-2013 incorporates gender equality as a horizontal priority.

In reply to Ms Bauer, we had the first reading of the important legislation issue you mentioned – the transferability of pension rights – in June 2007, and the EPSCO Council dealt with it in December 2007. We hope to make quick progress during 2008.

In reply to Ms Jäätteenmäki – I realise that she is not in the Chamber, but her question was very important, so I would like to answer it – the Commission adopted, in July 2007, the communication on ‘Tackling the pay gap between men and women’. In that communication, the Commission announced that in 2008 it would examine the relevance of current legislation from the point of view of the relevance of legal instruments with regard to the causes of the pay gap and, where necessary, propose amendments to the Community legal framework. Following this examination the Commission could propose any necessary changes to the current legal framework.

In reply to Ms Romeva i Rueda, anti-discrimination and gender equality legislation does not preclude Member States from developing and implementing positive actions. The Commission supports there being a higher proportion of women in decision-making. We will create a network of women in decision-making posts, probably during 2008.

In reply to Ms Flasarová, we cannot prevent companies from delocalising, but we have instruments to tackle that issue. In 2007, the European Globalisation Fund was quite promptly set up for this purpose.

In reply to Ms Ek, concerning statistics, the Commission continues to cooperate with Eurostat to develop specific statistics on equality. The Dublin Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions takes into account gender equality in its regular reports. In 2009, there will be a regular publication on the research statistics on women.

In reply to Mrs Doyle, concerning maternity leave, the Commission is to prepare an impact evaluation on possible legislative measures introducing new forms of leave – adoption leave, and leave to care for family members other than children.

  Ilda Figueiredo, relatora. − Senhora Presidente, eu queria, em primeiro lugar, agradecer às Senhoras e Senhores Deputados, e também à Senhora Comissária, as intervenções que aqui fizeram e os contributos que também desta forma deram para que este debate pudesse ter um alcance maior.

Mas, naturalmente, que também aqui faço o apelo - que alguns também já fizeram - para que haja maiores intervenções práticas, ou seja, para que se sinta no terreno, na vida das empresas, na vida das mulheres trabalhadoras, na vida das famílias, esta alteração das propostas que fazemos, porque não é aceitável - e vários aqui o disseram - que ao fim de 30 anos de uma directiva que prevê a igualdade de direitos na área salarial tenhamos ainda esta diferença brutal nas médias salariais entre homens e mulheres que trabalham na indústria de 30% que é o dobro da média geral da diferença salarial na União Europeia.

Portanto, não podemos deixar que se continue por mais 30 anos com esta situação e aqui fica este apelo à Comissão, mas também aos Estados-Membros, para que se tomem medidas concretas, medidas concretas que poderão ser legislativas, medidas concretas que poderão ser uma maior fiscalização, mas medidas concretas também que sejam uma maior promoção da igualdade de direitos e de oportunidades, uma maior promoção desta realidade que importa pôr em prática, na educação, na formação, mas também um maior combate aos estereótipos - o que aqui foi aliás salientado -, mas igualmente se impõe que o problema da organização dos horários e do tempo de trabalho e dos empregos efectivos respondam melhor a estes direitos das mulheres, mas igualmente ao direito à maternidade e à paternidade como valores sociais fundamentais da União Europeia.

  Die Präsidentin: – Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.

Die Abstimmung findet heute, Donnerstag, 17. Januar 2008, statt.

Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 142)

  Gyula Hegyi (PSE), írásban. – Üdvözlöm ezt a fontos riportot, mellyel kapcsolatban kiemelném, hogy a nők kiemelten érintettek az ipari munkahelyeken történt megbetegedésekben. Egy friss tanulmány szerint az EU-ban három és fél percenként egy ember, azaz évente 140 ezer ember hal meg munkahelyi megbetegedés következtében. Az okok között kiemelt szerepe van a vegyi anyagoknak. A munkahelyi rákos megbetegedések 86%-ának a hátterében a vegyi anyagok állnak.

Fontos tudni, hogy a nők – bár egyébként tovább élnek, mint a férfiak – a vegyi anyagok szempontjából érzékenyebb, sérülékenyebb csoportnak számítanak, hiszen természetes zsírszöveteikben fokozottan felhalmozódnak a vegyi anyagok, melyeket átadnak az utódaiknak is. Ezért van szükség egy átgondolt európai stratégiára, mely minimalizálja a munkahelyi megbetegedések, illetve a halálesetek számát, és megadja a maximális védelmet a nőknek.

  Véronique Mathieu (PPE-DE), par écrit. – Si le rapport sur le rôle des femmes dans l'industrie souligne à juste titre les nombreuses difficultés auxquelles sont confrontées les femmes dans le monde du travail et dans certains secteurs économiques, les propositions du texte soulèvent deux interrogations.

D'une part, le rapport semble oublier les limites de l'intervention du législateur. L'arsenal juridique européen est actuellement l'un des plus foisonnants au monde concernant les droits des femmes et l'égalité entre les genres. C'est donc maintenant aux élus et aux citoyens de se mobiliser pour faire respecter les droits des femmes de l'Union européenne. En conséquence, l'utilité d'une énième déclaration d'intentions est assez limitée.

D'autre part, le rapport émet une proposition pour le moins curieuse: suggérer qu'un quota de femmes dans les conseils d'administration des sociétés anonymes soit établi par la loi relève d'une grave atteinte à la liberté individuelle et ne rend guère service aux femmes. Réserver à ces dernières un traitement relevant plus de la charité que de l'équité tend à les exclure un peu plus de certains secteurs de la société.

Nos concitoyens attendent maintenant que nous les soutenions concrètement en joignant les actes à la parole.

  Marianne Mikko (PSE), in writing. – The Lisbon targets set in 2000 will certainly not be achieved by 2010 as originally intended.

The current gender structures and attitudes play an important role in this failure. Europe is not adequately using the potential of the half of its population. Women do not have equal opportunities for achievement in the high-value-added industry.

Moreover, women are not adequately represented in social dialogue. Neither employers’ organisations nor the trade unions and the public sector have enough women in high-level positions.

It is remarkable and alarming that the future of work and the future of society are decided by the half of the population which does not take equal responsibility for raising the children and maintaining the household.

Increasingly, antisocial measures such as increasing unreported overtime and uncompensated flexibility of workers are used to increase productivity. The price we pay for this illusory increase is too high.

The Member States should significantly increase the emphasis on gender equality in social dialogue. Simultaneously, many Member States should strengthen the role which social dialogue has in setting the policy.

Women have the highest potential to accelerate the development of our high-tech industry. Europe must use it.

4. Резултати от форума за управлението на интернет (Рио де Жанейро, 12 и 15 ноември 2007 г.) (разискване)

  Die Präsidentin. − Als nächster Punkt folgt die Erklärung der Kommission über die Ergebnisse des Internet Governance Forums vom November letzten Jahres in Rio de Janeiro.

  Meglena Kuneva, Member of the Commission. − Madam President, the idea of an Internet Governance Forum (IGF) was born at the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis in November 2005 and defined as a non-binding forum for multi-stakeholder policy discussion.

The Commission supports the Forum in this form. Two meetings have been held so far: in 2006 in Athens and 2007 in Rio. The Commission welcomes the forum in each form. The Commission also welcomes the participation of Parliament at the forum and is grateful for the excellent cooperation on both meetings.

As in the previous year, the meeting in Rio provided an excellent framework for enriching exchanges which allowed the gathering of a range of views on the relevant issues.

Therefore, the Commission sees value in upholding the main characteristics of the forum, notably the participation of the various stakeholders and its non-binding nature.

I would like also to thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to say something more concrete on the IGF (we have adopted this abbreviation) which took place in November in Rio de Janeiro.

Firstly I would like to thank very much Ms Trautmann, Mr Harbour, Mr Badia i Cutchet and Mr Hökmark, who represented Parliament at this meeting, for their active participation and for the continuation of their excellent cooperation. This allowed us – this year again – together to highlight a number of European priorities such as freedom of speech, bridging the digital divide, security and child protection on-line.

It is important for Europe to bring such issues to the forefront of the international agenda on a constant basis. The Commission supports the IGF. This concept, elaborated during the World Summit on the Information Society, is still very valuable, and all the issues which have been mentioned are very much in favour of what we are trying to step up as actions in this particular field.

In fact, on a broad range of internet-relevant subjects, the number of participants – around 3 100 – clearly demonstrates that there is indeed interest in having such a place for discussions.

The fact that there is no negotiated text as an outcome of the Forum should be seen as a strength rather than as a weakness of the process. The Forum allows for open exchange, without the pressure of defending a particular outcome in a binding document.

This can serve as a basis for improving understanding of each other’s concerns and can pave the way for finding common solutions. Dynamic coalitions stemming from the Forum are, in fact, one example that the IGF can work as a platform where people who share common interests can further cooperate.

Thus, the Rio Internet Governance Forum meeting again provided an excellent framework for enriching exchanges, which allowed a range of views on relevant issues to be gathered.

I would also like to thank once again Members and hope we will continue our excellent cooperation, because this is one of the most promising areas for our future work.

  Gunnar Hökmark, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group. – Madam President, it is important to underline the rapid change that use of the internet and ICT has brought about, not only for individual societies, but also for the world. In all sectors of societies, the impact of the internet has changed patterns and opportunities. This is important in order to keep a perspective for the future, because the strength of the internet has been its independent nature, its opportunities and its ability to adapt to different opportunities and demands in societies, based on a number of different actors and operators.

It is important because, when we look to the future, we must ensure that it can be used in order to bridge rifts between countries and people, and help to fight poverty and support development – it is of crucial importance for the Millennium Goals, for example. The emergence of new technology should also be used to ensure that it is easier for more people to use the internet, in more societies.

We in the European Union have three important things to focus on. First of all, we should ensure we are committed to, and support, the IGF process and its independent and non-binding character. That is of deep importance, because it is a good process which is much more dynamic when it is independent and non-binding.

Secondly, we should contribute to the preparations for the next IGF in New Delhi, and ensure that we hold discussions with parliamentarians and civil society in order to underline its independence, but also the opportunities. Thirdly, we should ensure that the internet is guaranteed freedom and freedom of expression.

  Catherine Trautmann, au nom du groupe PSE. – Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, chers collègues, le deuxième forum sur la gouvernance de l'Internet s'est déroulée à Rio du 12 au 15 novembre dernier et a attiré 2 100 participants de tous les continents qui ont représenté les parties prenantes à l'Internet de tous les milieux publics et privés.

Le forum fournit un contexte favorable à la recherche de solutions sur les problématiques futures des TIC. Par une culture commune et un partenariat, il facilite les décisions à prendre lors des prochains sommets mondiaux sur la société de l'information et aussi par nos États.

Il permet également de mener une réflexion ouverte, à la hauteur de la complexité d'Internet, voire d'anticiper ses limites tant techniques qu'éthiques et juridiques car les enjeux sont grands outre les sujets chers à l'Union: réduction de la fracture numérique, liberté d'expression sur la toile, diversité culturelle, protection des enfants – j'en citerai quelques autres – l'identification par fréquence radio, l'IRFID, c'est-à-dire in fine la constitution d'un Internet des objets, les risques de saturation des réseaux à l'horizon 2010-2012, la numérisation, en particulier des biens culturels, les conséquences engendrées pour la protection de la propriété intellectuelle et surtout le développement de l'accès aux TIC des pays moins développés.

L'Europe est en pointe pour ce qui est de l'appareil législatif. Pour nous, Européens, c'est encourageant, mais ne nous endormons pas. Nombre de ces questions juridiques ou réglementaires sont d'ailleurs remises sur le métier avec la révision du paquet Telecom.

J'en appelle ici à une nouvelle phase de travail politique et prospectif concret, en particulier au travers de la création d'un IGF européen via les parlements nationaux et les pouvoirs locaux. Forum européen mis en œuvre d'ici 2009, peut-être forum mondial en Europe grâce à la Lituanie candidate pour 2010.

En tant que chef de délégation, je veux remercier tous les membres, collègues et fonctionnaires pour leur travail et leur disponibilité. La résolution que nous allons voter constitue une feuille de route. Je suis heureuse qu'elle bénéficie du soutien de l'ensemble des groupes de ce Parlement. Davantage de commissions parlementaires sont invitées à contribuer au renforcement de cette action, et je voudrais remercier la Commission ainsi que la solliciter pour engager la collégialité de son instance en soutien de Mme Reding. Enfin, je voudrais m'adresser au Conseil afin qu'il inscrive dans son ordre du jour des relations avec l'Inde, la préparation du forum à New Dehli et que tous les États puissent également s'engager dans la coopération renforcée.

  Toomas Savi, on behalf of the ALDE Group. – Madam President, among other items, the public service value of the internet was discussed in Rio de Janeiro on 13 November 2007. Nowadays, the most limited asset of European citizens is time, and it is vital for the governments of the Member States to introduce public services on the internet.

My home country, Estonia, has done much in this field: e-voting, e-tax declarations, e-government and e-registry office are only a few examples of successful ‘e’-projects that could be implemented across Europe.

I know that it is much easier to reform a small country, where approximately 66% of the inhabitants use the internet. However, moving public services to the internet is worth the effort.

One of the prerequisites for the functioning of democracy is participation. ‘E’-solutions provide the possibility of participation with minimal effort: there are no queues or officials exercising the right of discretion. The internet gives citizens more independence and ensures impartial administration of their affairs.

However, it is essential to start such education from an early stage in schools. On the other hand, computer literacy has succeeded where Esperanto failed – it has become the most universal language – and efforts should be made not only to bridge the digital gap at regional and global levels, but bearing in mind the different age groups and social strata.

Last but not least, the European Parliament often seems to occupy itself with producing immense volumes of paper. Why not upgrade our tools of democracy and implement paperless administration?

  Ryszard Czarnecki, w imieniu grupy UEN. – Pani Przewodnicząca! Internet jest jak nóż. Nóż może kroić chleb, który codziennie jemy, ale nóż może też zabijać. Trudno sobie wyobrazić dzisiejszy świat bez Internetu i naszą dzisiejszą pracę bez Internetu, ale też Internet jest instrumentem wykorzystywanym, na przykład przez pedofilów.

Dlatego też bardzo dobrze, że Unia Europejska, jako jeden z priorytetów na ostatnie forum zarządzania Internetem, które odbyło się w Brazylii dwa miesiące temu, uznała, że tym priorytetem będzie ochrona dzieci w Internecie. Powinniśmy starać się łączyć maksymalną dostępność sieci i otwartość z zapewnieniem bezpieczeństwa nie tylko dzieciom, ale tym wszystkim, którzy mogą być zagrożeni przez instrumentalne wykorzystywanie Internetu.

To znaczące, że następne forum zarządzania Internetem odbędzie się w stolicy Indii, w New Delhi, a więc w kraju, który stał się potęgą informatyczną, mimo, że jest krajem relatywnie biednym, obsługującą światowe koncerny, a jednocześnie pozwalającą na polepszenie statusu materialnego setkom tysięcy ludzi.

Godne poparcia wydają się dwie propozycje. Pierwsza to idea zorganizowania forum zarządzania Internetem za dwa lata w jednym z krajów nowej Unii, np. w Polsce, czy na Litwie. Druga to rozwiązanie naszego, nie światowego, ale naszego, europejskiego forum zarządzania Internetem. Tutaj rola Parlamentu Europejskiego jest absolutnie podstawowa. Oczywiście w ramach Unii to nasycenie Internetem w ramach państw członkowskich jest zróżnicowane, także w moim kraju, w Polsce, jest ono zbyt słabe, poniekąd ze względów ekonomicznych. Unia Europejska powinna działać na to, aby to nasycenie było w miarę podobne, zwłaszcza na obszarach wiejskich.

  Malcolm Harbour (PPE-DE). – Madam President, I would like to join with Ms Trautmann – and I think I am speaking for all my other colleagues as well – in expressing my gratitude to the Parliament Presidency for having enabled us to go as an official delegation.

This was a fact well noted by the many participants. We were the most active of all the political delegations there, and there were more European parliamentarians than any others. However, we are now seeing signs that other parliaments are looking at the Internet Governance Forum and realising they need to engage with it, because it addresses crucial public policy matters on which they need to be involved.

The speeches given by my colleagues have covered a number of the issues. I would just like to make some broad observations about how I see the process evolving, particularly because I am the only Member of this Parliament to have attended both the world summits on the information society, and have also been through the process from the very beginning. There is a feeling that the forum in Rio is now starting to come up with much more practical ideas, and people are beginning to realise the value of exchanging information and best practice from around the globe.

That is based on an understanding that it is not actually going to be formal, international, legal structures that are going to deliver many of the benefits we are looking for. In fact, we are going to have to deal with many of these matters through intergovernmental cooperation, and in many cases through cooperation between voluntary or non-governmental organisations.

In the case, for example, of child protection, which the previous speaker referred to, the most successful initiatives have been those carried out by voluntary-based organisations – such as, in my country – the Internet Watch Foundation. It was very important to actually talk to people about such organisations.

I will close by giving you a clear example, at a broader level, of the value of such interchanges. I participated in a workshop on consumer protection data breach notification, which is about to be discussed in Parliament as part of European legislation. I have a whole dossier on what has been done in other counties, and would say to the Commission that their proposal is currently extremely weak and would benefit greatly from its looking at that information. This is the sort of practical benefit we can derive from such forums, and I am sure we in this Parliament will be able to contribute to the development of the agenda for the next forum, to make it even more effective.

  Francisca Pleguezuelos Aguilar (PSE). – Señora Presidenta, creo que la señora Comisaria y todos los que hoy hablamos coincidimos en la importancia y en el impacto político y social que están teniendo estos foros, a los que cada vez asisten más personas.

Por eso, creo que tenemos que felicitarnos por el compromiso que desde Europa estamos haciendo. Pero creo que, simultáneamente, tendríamos que aprovechar la oportunidad política que se nos ofrece en este momento, como decía la señora Trautmann, para reflexionar sobre el nuevo paquete de telecomunicaciones. Y en esa línea creo que, tanto la Comisión como el Parlamento, tenemos que trabajar para ofrecer no sólo a los ciudadanos europeos el acceso a los mejores servicios digitales, sino que tenemos que liderar, creo, la extensión de esa sociedad de la información como un bien social para esos países que también necesitan de la cooperación y del liderazgo europeo.

En esa línea, creo que es muy importante lo que se señalaba aquí, trabajar por problemas comunes como la sensibilidad, la libertad de expresión en la red y la protección, que creo que son prioritarias.

En este momento creo que es fundamental, y termino, Señoría, que hagamos compatible lo global con lo local, creo que es una prioridad, y en esa línea es relevante la apuesta que se refleja en la resolución que hoy aprobaremos y que espero que sea el acicate para que la Comisión siga incluyendo en su agenda política estas prioridades.

  Lambert van Nistelrooij (PPE-DE). – Voorzitter, ik was er niet bij in Rio, maar ik was wel bij de eerste conferentie in Athene, en heb toen gezien hoe belangrijk deze formule van het forum is; stakeholders verkennen in dit kader met elkaar de grenzen die erg belangrijk zijn en die wellicht later in de wereldverhoudingen en ook in onze EU in regelgeving worden vertaald.

Achter deze dialoog gaan nog best heel moeilijke onderwerpen schuil. Ik denk bijvoorbeeld aan de domeinnamen, het icon en de invloed van de Amerikanen daarop. De achterliggende idee is dat we het toch uitermate belangrijk vinden dat het world wide web ook een echte wereldomvattende, eenduidige aanpak blijft kennen. Daarom is het belangrijk te zien dat je juist ook signalen uit dit debat terugvindt in de nieuwe aanpak van het icon en dat de ideeën van partners mee aan boord worden genomen.

Voorzitter, ik wil vandaag met name één aspect belichten. Ik ben nadrukkelijk voorstander van een Europess forum, een Europese vertaling van het forum voor internetbeheer in de komende jaren, het liefst vóór de verkiezingen van 2009. Wat we moeten doen, is ervoor zorgen dat we in de debatten toch ook onze nationale parlementen aan boord brengen. Je ziet aan initiatieven in een aantal landen, zoals in het Verenigd Koninkrijk, dat die onderwerpen leven; gezien het belang naar de toekomst, zowel voor werkgelegenheid en welzijn, als voor vrijheid van informatie en participatie, is het essentieel dat we de nationale parlementen in een Europese aanpak met de andere stakeholders aan boord brengen.

Ik doe een beroep op de Europese Commissie. Ik lees in de stukken dat ze onvoldoende instrumenten en centen hebben om een en ander te ondersteunen, om een andere insteek te kiezen; er is geld genoeg. Kijk in i2010, kijk in de programma's voor onderzoek, enz. Ik zou graag voor een heel ruimhartige opstelling kiezen om dat gezicht van Europa in deze problematiek vóór de verkiezingen van 2009 nog eens extra duidelijk neer te zetten.

  Zita Pleštinská (PPE-DE). – Ďakujem, pani predsedníčka, že ste mi dali možnosť vystúpiť k tejto zaujímavej debate.

Oceňujem myšlienky na zvolávanie fór o regulovaní internetu a účasť poslancov Európskeho parlamentu na nich. Internet je v dnešnej dobe nevyhnutnou súčasťou života európskych občanov každého veku. Práve v znevýhodnených regiónoch je možnosť získať rýchle internetové pripojenie priam nemožné. Veľmi často so závisťou sledujem reklamy v našich slovenských verejnoprávnych a súkromných médiách o štvornásobnej rýchlosti internetu a o jeho výhodách. V mojom bydlisku nemáme takúto výhodu a naše skutočné možnosti sú obmedzené iba na lokálne zdroje s nedostačujúcou rýchlosťou.

Pani komisárka Kuneva, čo môže Komisia urobiť, aby sa nezabudlo aj na znevýhodnené regióny a na ľudí, ktorí v nich žijú, aby aj títo ľudia mali rovnaké príležitosti zapojiť sa do digitálneho sveta?

  Gunnar Hökmark (PPE-DE). – Madam President, I just wanted to say one thing. I would like to thank Ms Trautmann, who led the delegation to Rio and did it in a very good way. I did not mention that in my first intervention, but I think it is important to state. We all found her to be a very good leader. I would just like that to be noted.

  Meglena Kuneva, Member of the Commission. − Madam President, let me start with the next steps, which are more concrete. Following the Rio meeting, consultations will be held in Geneva next month to collect views on the outcome of Rio and the preparation for the next meeting in New Delhi. The Commission participates in the advisory group which assists the UN Secretary-General in the preparation of the IGF. As has been our practice since the World Summit on the Information Society, we will of course inform Members of the outcome of this meeting. I would now like to answer some of the specific questions raised by MEPs, starting with Ms Trautmann.

We welcome the fact that Ms Trautmann addressed, in her speech at the opening session, the issue of the ‘Internet of Things’ and the possibility of bringing this up at the IGF next year. With regard to the second part of Ms Trautmann’s speech, regional IGFs have emerged in a number of places, and this appears to be a useful way to focus on questions of internet governance that are of particular importance for a specific region. The Commission strongly supports this idea.

Moving on to Mr Savi, we could not agree more with his statement, and this is why the Commission is committed to the development of the e-application with the broad programmes and legislation.

To Mr Czarnecki, the Commission is committed to all the initiatives on child protection. We promoted the item on the IGF agenda and we are about to propose a renewed programme on child protection on the internet.

  Die Präsidentin. − Zum Abschluss dieser Aussprache wurde gemäß Artikel 103 Absatz 2 ein von sechs Fraktionen unterzeichneter Entschließungsantrag eingereicht⁽¹⁾, über den heute um 12.00 Uhr abgestimmt wird.

Die Aussprache ist damit geschlossen.

(Die Sitzung wird um 11.40 Uhr unterbrochen und um 12.00 Uhr wieder aufgenommen.)

VORSITZ: HANS-GERT PÖTTERING
Präsident

(1) Siehe Protokoll

5. График на месечните сесии: вж. протокола

6. Време за гласуване

  Der Präsident. − Als nächster Punkt folgt die Abstimmungsstunde.

(Abstimmungsergebnisse und sonstige Einzelheiten der Abstimmung: siehe Protokoll)

6.1. (A6-0514/2007, Michael Cashman) Многогодишна рамка за Агенцията на Европейския съюз за основните права за периода 2007-2012 г. (вот)

6.2. (A6-0447/2007, Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra) ЕВРОПОЛ (вот)

- Nach der Abstimmung über Ziffer 62

  Alexander Alvaro (ALDE). – Herr Präsident! Nachdem das Parlament in seiner unendlichen Weisheit den Kompromissänderungsantrag 62 angenommen hat, ist Änderungsantrag 61 der ALDE-Fraktion überflüssig und wird damit zurückgezogen.

6.3. (A6-0516/2007, Lydie Polfer) По-ефективна политика на ЕС за Южен Кавказ: от обещания към действия (вот)

– Vor der Abstimmung über Änderungsantrag 3

  Lydie Polfer, rapporteur. − Monsieur le Président, je voulais simplement demander à M. Tannock si l'ajout qu'il propose est à considérer comme ajout ou s'il veut, par là, enlever les violations et mauvais traitements commis en garde à vue et dans les établissements pénitentiaires. S'il considère son amendement comme ajout, je ne peux que le soutenir. Si, par contre, il veut enlever une partie du texte existant, je ne peux que recommander de voter contre.

  Charles Tannock (PPE-DE). – Ajout, ça va. Merci beaucoup.

– Vor der Abstimmung über Änderungsantrag 7

  Lydie Polfer, rapporteur. − Monsieur le Président, au paragraphe 32, nous répétons les deux conditions, à savoir l'intégralité territoriale et l'autodétermination, bien que nous l'ayons déjà fait au paragraphe 30. Mais l'auteur de l'amendement a ajouté "l'autodétermination des populations qui y vivent". Or, je recommande fortement d'enlever "les populations qui y vivent" car cela laisserait de côté les réfugiés et les personnes déplacées à l'intérieur de leur pays. Donc, si l'auteur de l'amendement est d'accord pour enlever ces quelques mots, je pourrai soutenir l'amendement, sinon je recommande de le rejeter.

  Charles Tannock (PPE-DE). – Mr President, I have agreed to that change to the oral amendment.

(Der mündliche Änderungsantrag wird übernommen.)

– Vor der Abstimmung über Änderungsantrag 8/rev

  Charles Tannock (PPE-DE). – Mr President, as we agreed at the beginning of the session, it will be an addition now. In the actual text it says to replace the words ‘in the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline’ with the words ‘in the trans-Caspian energy corridor projects’. But by negotiation at the beginning of the voting session, I have already agreed this should be an addition rather than a replacement, so can we include the words ‘in the trans-Caspian energy corridor projects’.

(Der mündliche Änderungsantrag wird übernommen.)

6.4. (A6-0510/2007, Roberta Alma Anastase) Нов регионалнополитически подход за Черно море (вот)

6.5. Кения (вот)

- Vor der Abstimmung

  Jan Mulder (ALDE). – Mr President, since we formulated this resolution, some important changes have taken place in Kenya. Yesterday, the newly-elected Parliament – and according to all observers the elections to the Parliament were pretty honest – elected a new speaker. The speaker is from the opposition.

We view that as an encouraging sign, and I would therefore like to propose an oral amendment, in the form of a new paragraph reading as follows: ‘Welcomes the fact that the newly-elected Parliament showed its independence by the election of Mr Kenneth Marende as its speaker, and underlines the decisive role to be played by that Parliament in restoring civil liberties in Kenya’.

(Der mündliche Änderungsantrag wird übernommen.)

6.6. (A6-0519/2007, Ilda Figueiredo) Ролята на жените в промишлеността (вот)

– Vor der Abstimmung über Ziffer 39

  Ilda Figueiredo, relatora. − Senhor Presidente, esta alteração oral é subscrita por deputadas de cinco grupos políticos e também por um deputado e pretende alterar a primeira parte no seguinte sentido: "Sublinha a necessidade de reciclagem profissional das mulheres que interromperam a sua carreira de forma a melhorar a sua empregabilidade" e depois continua "exorta os Estados-Membros a aumentarem as oportunidades de formação ao longo da vida". Esta é a proposta que propomos à votação.

(Der mündliche Änderungsantrag wird übernommen.)

6.7. Втори форум за управление на интернет (Рио де Жанейро, 12 и 15 ноември 2007 г.) (вот)

7. График на месечните сесии: вж. протокола

8. Обяснения на вот

  Der Präsident. − Ich mache Ihnen folgenden Vorschlag zur Abstimmung: Wir beginnen mit den Stimmerklärungen, unterbrechen die Sitzung um 13.00 Uhr, und die dann nicht behandelten Stimmerklärungen werden heute Nachmittag, am Ende der gesamten Debatte nach allen Abstimmungen abgegeben.

(Lebhafter Beifall)

(Der Vorschlag wird angenommen.)

PRÉSIDENCE DE M. GÉRARD ONESTA
Vice-président

Explications de vote orales

- Rapport: Michael Cashman (A6-0514/2007)

  Roger Helmer (NI). – Mr President, I have to say that on this particular measure, I voted against. While Mr Cashman is a very charming gentleman, I must say that whenever I see anything with his name on it, I do look on it with some degree of scepticism.

The issue here is that we have a European Fundamental Rights Agency as if there were no such protection for human rights in the Member States. I question whether there is any need for this institution at European level. Is it not just a case of extending bureaucracy and creating new quangos, as we call them in Britain? This is a burden on the taxpayer which, in the view of many others, will not actually contribute to human rights.

Furthermore, in the absence of the constitution which we were promised, which you are now proposing to drive through without a referendum, there is no basis for it.

  Derek Roland Clark (IND/DEM). – Mr President, I voted against this report because the United Kingdom already respects human rights. It is a signatory to many international agreements; it does not need to be told how to behave by an EU that has overridden the results of the French and the Dutch referendums, which were perfectly constitutional.

They rejected the Constitution. It has been replaced by an equivalent Treaty that has now been approved even before it has been seen in full by those who signed it.

The EU clearly has no respect for democratic rights and cannot therefore be considered a safe or reliable custodian of human rights.

  Thomas Wise (IND/DEM). – Mr President, thank you for this opportunity to explain my vote. This is the first time I have done such a thing. I voted against this proposal because, whilst the committee in question may be called the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, it does not offer liberties to civilians, it does not offer justice, and it interferes in home affairs. We in Britain were promised a referendum. We are not going to get one. What is the European Union going to do about that?

  Syed Kamall (PPE-DE). – Mr President, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to explain my vote on this important issue.

You may not be aware of this, but I represent the constituency of London, the greatest city in the world, capital of the greatest country in the world.

What one needs to understand is that London is actually a pretty diverse city. Let me explain: we already have 300 languages and 14 religions and, on the whole, we get along very well. So, the EU could actually learn a lot from London and how it has ensured human rights and that people’s dignity is respected.

We do not need those issues to be resolved at EU level. What could London, the most diverse city in Europe – and perhaps even in the world – learn from this institution? What could it learn about human rights? What could it learn about fundamental rights? Absolutely nothing!

Let me add the following. The forthcoming ratification of the European Constitution, despite its rejection in two referendums, is undemocratic, cowardly…

(The President cut off the speaker)

  Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE). – Mr President, on what legal basis are we constructing this agency? The Fundamental Rights Agency would have been given authority by the European Constitution. It would be given authority by the Lisbon Treaty. But the only legal base it has at the moment is a flimsy cat’s cradle of communiqués, of press releases, of resolutions in Council.

The European Union does not have a problem with the systematic violation of human rights. It does have a problem with the systematic violation of democratic rights. The problem we have is that a human rights charter written down on paper is meaningless unless there are also mechanisms to hold leaders to account.

If you look at the constitutions of the former East Germany and of the Soviet Union, they were full of these wonderful promises of liberty. But, as the peoples of those unhappy countries found, it meant nothing without democracy.

That is why, if you want to impose this human rights charter, you should consult the people first in a referendum. Pactio Olisipio censenda est!

  Jim Allister (NI). – Mr President, I too voted against this ludicrous proposal of an agency in respect of human rights in the EU.

We in the United Kingdom, like many other countries, are long-term signatories of the European Convention on Human Rights. Such rights as require external supervision are found there, and any court which is required is found in this city under that aegis, not under any aegis required by the EU.

So this is totally unnecessary, an utter waste of public money. Its primary intent is to provide another layer of apparatus of statehood to the EU so that it can parade itself as some sort of a superstate within a Europe that gives rights to its citizens, rights they already have.

If it wants to give rights, then let it recognise the fundamental right to vote on matters such as this: to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a constitution.

- Rapport: Agustin Diaz de Mera Garcia Consuegra (A6-0447/2007)

  Miroslav Mikolášik (PPE-DE). – Vážený pán predseda, pretože sa trestná činnosť stále vyvíja a hrozba terorizmu rastie, Europol potrebuje zväčšiť svoju flexibilitu.

Tri protokoly na zmenu a doplnenie Dohovoru Európy OĽPR z rokov 2000 – 2003 ešte stále nenadobudli platnosť. Organizácia presadzujúca právo predsa nemôže byť efektívna, ak zmeny jej základného právneho nástroja vstúpia do platnosti až niekoľko rokov po rozhodnutí o ich prijatí. Návrh rozhodnutia Rady túto situáciu rieši, preto som zaň hlasoval.

Významnou zmenou oproti súčasnosti je financovanie Europolu z rozpočtu Spoločenstva a uplatňovanie služobného poriadku Európskej únie. To zvýši účasť Európskeho parlamentu na riadení Europolu a zjednoduší spravovanie rozpočtu aj riadenie zamestnancov. Zároveň sa posilní aj postavenie Európskeho parlamentu pri zlepšení demokratického dozoru nad Europolom. Pritom finančné náklady Spoločenstva sú porovnateľné s tými, ktoré teraz znášajú členské štáty.

  Oldřich Vlasák (PPE-DE). – Vážený pane předsedo, dovolte, abych vysvětlil, proč jsem se zdržel hlasování u této zprávy. Za prvé si myslím, že EUROPOL na bázi bilaterálních dohod a bilaterální spolupráce funguje dobře. Za druhé jako Česká republika spolu s dalšími státy jsme vstoupili do schengenského prostoru a je potřeba si nejprve na tuto spolupráci zvyknout, analyzovat ji a potom vylepšit. Za další pro jakýkoliv integrující krok k přeměně EUROPOLU na Evropský policejní úřad potřebujeme navíc ratifikaci Lisabonské smlouvy. Teprve potom můžeme jednat o případné změně právního základu EUROPOLU.

  Roger Helmer (NI). – Mr President, I was interested to note that you cut off the microphone of my colleague, Mr Kamall, on the instant of 60 seconds, whereas you are much more generous when people are saying things you find more palatable.

One of the errors we make in the European Union is to confuse ‘cooperation’ with ‘supranationalism’. I am all in favour of police cooperation – any sensible person would be in this day and age. However, I am absolutely opposed to the creation of supranational authorities – such as EUROPOL is intended to be – which, as one of my colleagues said of the Fundamental Rights Agency, is one of the attributes of statehood that the European Union is claiming.

The trouble is that these organisations lack democratic legitimacy, and that is very dangerous. Both EUROPOL and the European Union will lack democratic legitimacy until you put the Lisbon Treaty to a referendum.

  Derek Roland Clark (IND/DEM). – Mr President, I could not disagree more with this report. I voted against. Cooperation between police forces, yes; forced cooperation and obligation, no; especially when this police force will have within its ranks armed police that can be sent anywhere in the European Union.

We do not have armed police as a rule in the United Kingdom. We will not suffer armed police coming in at the behest of EUROPOL. We do not believe in it. We run our country in a different way!

I am particularly disappointed to see that Amendments 56 and 57 were voted down, because, if passed, they would have removed immunity from that police force. In the United Kingdom, we are used to a police force which, if it causes damage to property or violates the individual or arrests without good reason, can be charged with offences afterwards. But then, I would not be surprised, because, after all, you are prepared to ram through a constitution without asking anybody either.

  Thomas Wise (IND/DEM). – Mr President, for the second time I rise to declare my vote opposing this motion.

In Britain, there is a simple philosophy: no man is above the law; not even the Queen, the monarch of England, is above the law. It will take due process. We have in this legislation created a situation where there are people outside the law, incapable of being pursued legitimately.

I have said in this House before: if the European Union is the answer, it must have been a bloody stupid question, and never was this so true as now.

I give you Kennedy’s comments: ‘Those who make peaceful protest impossible, make violent protest inevitable’.

  Nirj Deva (PPE-DE). – Mr President, it is vital to cooperate across transnational boundaries on international crime, terrorism, drugs and so on. EUROPOL is doing that job right now with other police forces.

However, creating a European police office which increases central powers will not solve the problems that have arisen in local communities around Britain. My country, my party, has voted against this resolution today as loyal Conservatives.

My party has also requested that we have a referendum on the EU Constitutional Treaty. I have no place other than this House to protest at what Mr Brown is doing in reneging on a pledge he gave to hold such a referendum.

I would therefore ask that we request Mr Brown to give the British people that referendum.

  Syed Kamall (PPE-DE). – Mr President, I understand that this proposal for a Council decision, as outlined in the report, provides for the conversion of EUROPOL into an EU agency.

We must recognise that this will have two consequences. First of all, funding will have to be provided from the Community budget, and EUROPOL staff will acquire the status of Community officials. The report also contains provisions for coordination, which we all welcome, and organisation and implementation of investigations and operational activities carried out in conjunction with the Member States’ relevant authorities or by joint investigation teams.

The Conservatives favour open cooperation between police forces across the EU and beyond in the fight against crime. But we really do not accept that the EU has any role in centralising such cooperation. Thus, EUROPOL is an agency which is not necessary since other organisations already exist to fulfil this function at a global level.

It is for this reason that I would like to add that the coming ratification of the European Constitution, despite its rejection in two referendums, is undemocratic, cowardly and illegitimate.

  Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE). – Mr President, I am glad to have this opportunity to make an explanation of vote. I put in for speaking time in the debate on this issue, but one of the consequences of my party’s unhappy mésalliance with the European People’s Party is that British Conservatives are systematically denied speaking time in important debates.

What I wanted to say was that this report is based on a conceptual misunderstanding. People say that, because we have cross-border crimes, and because crime is international, we need cross-border policing.

We already have it. The police forces of the nation states have for decades been collaborating to great effect. We have Interpol, we have the Hague Convention, we have extradition treaties, we recognise the time spent in another country’s prison as constituting part of a sentence, and so on.

The difference is that these things are based on democratic decisions between independent states, whereas what is being proposed with EUROPOL is the federalisation of what ought to be a sensitive national issue – namely the policing of criminal law.

If we want to do that, we should first ask people in a referendum, which is why we need a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

  Jim Allister (NI). – Mr President, some of the reasons propagated for this proposal on EUROPOL are quite bogus. It is suggested that we need to change the legal base; that we need to provide it with EU funding; that we need those it employs to be EU officials; that we need to expand its remit; and that we need an agency so that we can fight organised crime and terrorism. What utter nonsense! We have been fighting organised crime and terrorism quite effectively, through proper long-standing cooperation between police forces.

This is all about creating another aspect of the apparatus of EU statehood, so that it has an effective EU police force. That is what those officials will be, meddling in the internal affairs of Member States and – as has been pointed out – with immunity for their actions, beyond the reach even of judicial review in nation states. It is a preposterous proposal and utterly unnecessary.

- Rapport: Lydie Polfer (A6-0516/2007)

  Nirj Deva (PPE-DE). – Mr President, regarding the Polfer report, the Conservatives did vote with the rapporteur on the issue of the South Caucasus.

But it is again rather curious, is it not, that, while we are so anxious to protect the democratic freedoms and the rights of the people of the South Caucasus, and to ensure that they have a legitimacy and that they can express their self-determination, when it comes to the serious issue of the Constitutional Treaty of the European Union, Mr Brown of the Labour Party, who promised to give us a referendum, has now reneged on a referendum.

My party, the Conservative Party, is incensed that a promise has been reneged on and that is why I am standing here asking the Labour Government to give us a referendum on this important constitutional issue, just as we are concerned about what is happening in the South Caucasus.

  Syed Kamall (PPE-DE). – Mr President, I understand that this report welcomes the inclusion of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia into the European neighbourhood policy and the endorsement of bilateral European Neighbourhood Policy action plans.

I also understand that the rapporteur calls on the EU to develop a regional policy for the South Caucasus to be implemented jointly with the countries of the region. Of course, one of the watchwords that will appear in many of these reports is the word ‘democracy’. I represent London – you may not be aware of this. I represent London, the greatest city in the world, capital of the greatest country in the world, and we happen to have a very diverse community in London, including many people from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

One of the things that they welcome about living in London is democracy and the right to have their say on vital issues. They ask me all the time, ‘Why is it that you are preaching to us about democracy, yet you deny that very right to your citizens in Britain when it comes to a referendum on the Constitution?’. So the Constitution, despite its rejection in two referendums, is undemocratic, cowardly and illegitimate.

  Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE). – Mr President, may I thank you for the patience and good humour you are exhibiting in this session. May I also, as yesterday, extend my thanks to the services and the interpreters for humouring us.

The big issue in the South Caucasus region at the moment is the dispute over election results. The West more or less connived at the Saddam-like election victory of the current Georgian Government the first time around with its vote of well over 90%, and now, when it claims re-election, we are arguing about whether that vote was free and fair.

What kind of example do we in the European Union hold up to these struggling democracies when we show such contempt for our own democratic process here in the European Union? It seems periodically necessary to remind this House that 55% of French voters and 62% of Dutch voters voted ‘no’ to the European Constitution, and yet we have the document coming back – this time without any referendums – as the Lisbon Treaty.

I say it again: it is necessary to give the people a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. Pactio Olisipio censenda est!

  Le Président. – Monsieur Hannan, mon humour n'a d'égal que le vôtre. Je me demande toujours comment vous arriverez à replacer le mot "référendum". Vous y arrivez parfaitement, sur chaque sujet.

- Rapport: Roberta Alma Anastase (A6-0510/2007)

  Roger Helmer (NI). – Mr President, I voted in favour of this measure not because it was my considered wish to do so, but because, as a loyal Conservative, I was following the whip.

Left to myself I would probably have abstained or perhaps voted against. I have to say that issues concerning the Black Sea are not the top priority for my electors in the East Midlands of the United Kingdom, and I suspect not the second or third priority either. Therefore, you could in a sense say that this was not a matter of the very greatest importance.

However, I do not believe that the European Union should have a common foreign and security policy. I believe that nation states should have their own foreign policies, and am perfectly happy for them to work together in cooperation when that is in their interests – be this with states in the European Union or with states outside it.

In any case, the common foreign and security policy can have no democratic legitimacy if there is to be no referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

  Derek Roland Clark (IND/DEM). – Mr President, without doubt this new policy is aimed at facilitating, amongst other things, the supply of oil and gas through that region to Western Europe.

That would be Russian gas and Russian oil, and you are now allowing yourselves to be possibly taken hostage. We all know that Russia cut off the supply of gas to Ukraine two Christmases ago; once they get an even bigger share of Western Europe gas supplies, perhaps they might do it to all of us at some time.

At least here in France they have got the right idea, generating at least 70% of their electricity by nuclear power, and it is about time the EU formulated a policy to promote that right across the Union.

But instead, of course, you go dabbling in the south Caucasus, around the Black Sea, with regimes that are not terribly stable; with regimes that may not want us there. But of course, you would rather do that than promote a referendum on the new constitution amongst your own people.

  Syed Kamall (PPE-DE). – Mr President, I am pleased to say that I am still here, even if you and others may not share my pleasure at being here. I would like to thank you all for your patience.

I understand that this own-initiative report actually welcomes the Commission’s communication ‘Black Sea Synergy – a New Regional Cooperation Initiative’, which aims to enhance cooperation with and within the Black Sea region by supplementing existing bilateral policies with a new regional approach. It considers that, in order to adopt such an approach, the communication has to be followed by further consistent steps on the part of the EU to encourage a genuine regional dimension tailored to this era.

What region are we talking about? Let me just clarify – the Black Sea region comprises the EU Member States Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, as well as Turkey and ENP partners Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, as well as the Russian Federation. The great philosopher Brook Benton – followed and copied by the great philosopher Randy Crawford – once said, ‘It’s a rainy night in Georgia’. Indeed, when the people of Europe are denied their vote and the people of Britain are denied their vote in a referendum on the Constitution, it is a rainy night in the EU for democracy.

  Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE). – Mr President, I appreciate your courtesy. I am glad to be able to speak on this report because it seems to me that the European Union, in its treatment of Turkey, is making a generational, a possibly epical mistake.

It now seems very clear that we are never going to admit Turkey to full membership. It is clear from the majorities in this House; it is clear from the promises of referendums in Austria and France, where there are majorities of 70% and 80% respectively against membership.

Had we said initially to Ankara that this was the case and we were going to work out some kind of alternative, we might have been able to go ahead in amity and partnership. Instead we are stringing the Turks along, imposing tens of thousands of pages of the acquis communautaire on them, making them grovel about Armenia, about Cyprus, about the treatment of their minorities and then, possibly 10 or even 15 years from now, after all of this, we will flick two fingers at them. In so doing, we risk creating the very thing we purport to fear: an Islamist state.

Turkey is more of a democracy than the European Union. It changed its government peaceably. I wish we would have the courage to consult our own people. Pactio Olisipio censenda est!

  Miroslav Mikolášik (PPE-DE). – Čiernomorský región má ako produkčná a tranzitná oblasť strategický význam pre diverzifikáciu a bezpečnosť dodávok energie do Európskej únie. Som presvedčený, že regionálna spolupráca by popri Turecku a Rusku mala ako rovnocenných partnerov zahŕňať aj krajiny Európskej únie, preto som hlasoval za.

Konflikty, ktoré stále pretrvávajú v tomto regióne a predstavujú ohrozenie stability a rozvoja oblasti, ma znepokojujú. Preto povzbudzujem Európsku úniu, aby sa aktívnejšie zapájala do úsilia o vyriešenie konfliktov v tejto strategickej oblasti najmä v mierových operáciách a užšie spolupracovala s vládami Ruska a Ukrajiny. Rezervy vidím aj v nerovnomernom rozvoji súkromného sektora v mnohých krajinách ležiacich pri Čiernom mori. V regióne je potrebné zlepšiť investičné prostredie pre miestne aj medzinárodné spoločnosti, a to zintenzívnením boja proti korupcii a podvodom a presadzovaním reforiem trhového hospodárstva.

  Le Président. – Conformément à la décision de la plénière, la suite des explications de vote aura lieu après les votes de cet après-midi.

Explications de vote écrites

- Rapport: Michael Cashman (A6-0514/2007)

  Alessandro Battilocchio (PSE), per iscritto. − Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, vorrei esprimere il mio totale sostegno a questa relazione, frutto di un lungo e di un ottimo lavoro svolto dall'onorevole collega Michael Cashman.

A seguito, infatti, della trasformazione dell'Osservatorio europeo dei fenomeni di razzismo e xenofobia in un'Agenzia incaricata della difesa e della promozione dei diritti umani e dopo che quest'ultima è stata ufficialmente istituita il primo marzo 2007, ad oggi non possiamo che riscontrare la totale non operatività della stessa dovuta alla mancanza di un direttore e di un quadro pluriennale.

In risposta a tale lentezza e inefficacia burocratica, il relatore propone di emendare il quadro pluriennale in un numero minimo di punti ed esorta la Commissione e il Consiglio ad accelerare il processo di selezione di candidati per il posto da direttore, al fine di facilitare il raggiungimento di un accordo tra le istituzioni UE, riconsegnando in tal modo questo strumento fondamentale per la difesa dei diritti umani ai cittadini.

Esorto dunque tutti gli onorevoli colleghi a sostenere questa relazione che rappresenta un primo passo verso l'operatività dell'Agenzia.

Il sostegno alle politiche UE per la difesa dei diritti umani ed al loro sviluppo non può e non deve dipendere da considerazioni e ritardi di derivazione politico-economica.

  Carlos Coelho (PPE-DE), por escrito. − Apoiei, claramente, a criação (em Fevereiro de 2007) da Agência dos Direitos Fundamentais por acreditar que esta Agência poderá contribuir significativamente para aumentar a coerência e a coesão da política da UE em matéria de direitos fundamentais.

Foi oficialmente instituída em 1 de Março de 2007, mas continua a aguardar que lhe sejam atribuídos os elementos básicos para se tornar operacional, ou seja, a nomeação do seu Director e a aprovação de um quadro plurianual.

Esta iniciativa pretende fixar esse quadro plurianual que deverá orientar o funcionamento da Agência nos próximos 5 anos, definindo os domínios temáticos onde ela deverá actuar.

Apoio, assim, o enorme esforço que o relator - o Senhor Cashman - fez no sentido de facilitar as negociações e espero, tal como ele, que isso incentive a Comissão e o Conselho a concluírem com a maior brevidade a discussão sobre este quadro plurianual, e em paralelo o processo de selecção de candidatos para o cargo de director.

Os cidadãos europeus não compreenderão mais atrasos que impeçam que esta Agência dos Direitos Fundamentais se torne inteiramente operacional.

  Sylwester Chruszcz (NI), na piśmie. − Jestem przeciwko utworzeniu Europejskiej Agencji Praw Podstawowych, dlatego nie poparłem wieloletnich ram prac agencji na lata 2007-2012.

Uważam, że projekt jej powołania i kompetencji jest nie tylko stratą pieniędzy, ale również groźną inicjatywą polityczną, której długoterminowe skutki będą szkodliwe dla państw członkowskich Unii. Program stałych działań unijnej agencji jest ewidentną ingerencją w suwerenność państw członkowskich i nie ma ona w ogóle racji bytu. Mamy w każdym kraju i Europie instytucje, które stoją na straży demokracji i przestrzegania praw człowieka.

Jest dla mnie oczywiste, że agencja będzie w swoich działaniach wykraczać poza dziedziny tematyczne dla których została powołana. Już w dzisiejszym głosowaniu, w poprawce 6 do preambuły dokumentu, mieliśmy przykład zdefiniowania, kto jest istotą ludzką i w którym momencie nabywa prawa człowieka.

Tego typu działania uważam za skandaliczną próbę ukrytego forsowania niebezpiecznych pomysłów ideologicznych w ramach Unii Europejskiej.

  Glyn Ford (PSE), in writing. − I support this report, despite my opposition and disappointment that the former European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia, set up following the recommendations of the Council of Ministers’ Consultative Committee on Racism and Xenophobia, where I represented the European Parliament, has now been dissolved into a wider European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.

The Monitoring Centre in Vienna did extremely valuable work on promoting best practice in combating racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism and preventing their rise, as well as reporting on the current state of play across the Union and in applicant countries. The danger is that this will be lost, or at least diluted, in this new Agency. I will watch developments with care.

  Patrick Gaubert (PPE-DE), par écrit. – La délégation française du groupe PPE-DE se réjouit de l'adoption du rapport Cashman portant sur l'adoption d'un cadre pluriannuel de l'Agence des droits fondamentaux de l'Union européenne pour la période 2007-2012.

Ce texte définit entre autres les domaines thématiques précis de son activité afin de lui permettre de s'acquitter au mieux de sa mission et de ses objectifs.

La majorité de la délégation française, suivant son groupe, a rejeté les amendements du groupe libéral visant à étendre ses missions d'une part à l'homophobie et aux

violences homophobes et d'autre part au racisme à l'encontre des Roms, non pas pour exprimer son opposition à l'égard de ce combat légitime et justifié mais parce que ces missions sont déjà couvertes par la proposition de décision qui prévoit précisément parmi les domaines thématiques d'action de l'Agence le racisme, la xénophobie et l'intolérance qui y est associée ainsi que les discriminations fondées sur le sexe, la race ou l'origine ethnique, la religion ou les convictions, le handicap, l'âge, l'orientation sexuelle ou l'appartenance à une minorité.

Nous nous félicitons de l'adoption de ce rapport qui permettra à l'Agence de devenir pleinement opérationnelle afin d'accomplir sa tâche et garantir les droits des citoyens de l'Union.

  Ambroise Guellec (PPE-DE), par écrit. – La délégation française du groupe PPE-DE se réjouit de l'adoption du rapport Cashman portant sur l'adoption d'un cadre pluriannuel de l'Agence des droits fondamentaux de l'Union européenne pour la période 2007-2012.

Ce texte définit entre autres les domaines thématiques précis de son activité afin de lui permettre de s'acquitter au mieux de sa mission et de ses objectifs.

La délégation française, à l'instar de son groupe a rejeté les amendements du groupe libéral visant à étendre ses missions d'une part à l'homophobie et aux violences homophobes et d'autre part au racisme à l'encontre des Roms, non pas pour exprimer son opposition à l'égard de ce combat qui est légitime et justifié mais parce que ces missions sont déjà couvertes par la proposition de décision qui prévoit précisément parmi les domaines thématiques d'action de l'Agence le racisme, la xénophobie et l'intolérance qui y est associée ainsi que les discriminations fondées sur le sexe, la race ou l'origine ethnique, la religion ou les convictions, le handicap, l'âge, l'orientation sexuelle ou l'appartenance à une minorité.

Nous nous félicitons tous de l'adoption de ce rapport qui permettra à l'Agence de devenir pleinement opérationnelle afin d'accomplir sa tâche et garantir les droits des citoyens de l'Union.

  Pedro Guerreiro (GUE/NGL), por escrito. − Para além de aspectos que criticamos e que já tivemos oportunidade de sublinhar, à medida que é operacionalizada a Agência dos Direitos Fundamentais da UE, e com o tempo, vai sendo clarificado o que efectivamente se pretende com esta.

No quadro do debate em torno da definição dos objectivos e prioridades para o seu "quadro plurianual" 2007-2012 ficou patente a restrição dos seus domínios temáticos: ao racismo, xenofobia e intolerância; à discriminação com base no sexo, na origem racial ou étnica, na religião ou crença, na deficiência ou na orientação sexual ou de pessoas pertencentes a minorias; à compensação de vítimas, prevenção do crime e aspectos conexos relevantes para a segurança dos cidadãos; à protecção das crianças, incluindo os direitos da criança; à imigração e integração de migrantes; ao asilo; aos vistos e controlo de fronteiras; à participação no funcionamento democrático da União; às questões de direitos humanos relacionados com a sociedade da informação; e ao acesso a uma justiça eficiente e independente.

O PE acrescentou a pobreza extrema e a exclusão social, no entanto, por exemplo, não foram considerados prioritários os direitos sociais, incluindo os dos trabalhadores, num momento em que direitos sociais fundamentais estão a ser colocados em causa pelas políticas promovidas pela UE.

  Elisabeth Morin (PPE-DE), par écrit. – Comme la délégation française au groupe PPE-DE, je me réjouis de l'adoption du rapport Cashman portant sur l'adoption d'un cadre pluriannuel de l'Agence des droits fondamentaux de l'Union européenne pour la période 2007-2012.

Ce texte définit, entre autres, les domaines thématiques précis de l'activité afin de lui permettre de s'acquitter au mieux de sa mission et de ses objectifs.

Comme la délégation française et le groupe PPE-DE, j'ai rejeté les amendements du groupe libéral visant à étendre les missions de l'Agence, d'une part, à l'homophobie et aux violences homophobes et, d'autre part au racisme à l'encontre des Roms. En effet, ces missions sont déjà couvertes par la proposition de décision qui prévoit précisément, parmi les domaines thématiques d'action de l'Agence, le racisme, la xénophobie et l'intolérance qui y est associée, les discriminations fondées sur le sexe, la race ou l'origine ethnique, la religion ou les convictions, le handicap, l'âge, l'orientation sexuelle ou l'appartenance à une minorité.

Je me réjouis de l'adoption de ce rapport, qui permettra à l'Agence de devenir pleinement opérationnelle et de garantir les droits des citoyens de l'Union européenne.

- Rapport: Agustin Diaz de Mera Garcia Consuegra (A6-0447/2007)

  Bairbre de Brún and Eva-Britt Svensson (GUE/NGL), in writing. − I voted in favour of the amended proposal because it contains improvements in data protection.

However, I do not agree with the increasing move of justice and home affairs issues from the Member States to the EU. For this reason, I voted against the legislative resolution.

  Gérard Deprez (ALDE), par écrit. – C'est avec conviction que je soutiens le rapport de notre excellent collègue Díaz de Mera.

La transformation d'Europol en Agence communautaire est une revendication du Parlement européen que j'ai toujours appuyée.

Elle signifie en effet que, dorénavant, le financement d'Europol sera assuré par le budget communautaire et que le statut des fonctionnaires s'appliquera au personnel d'Europol. Dans les deux cas, les pouvoirs de notre Parlement en sortent considérablement renforcés.

Par ailleurs, la décision du Conseil élargit sensiblement le champ et les capacités d'intervention d'Europol, ce qui correspond également à mes convictions.

Bref, rendre Europol plus opérationnel et le soumettre à un vrai contrôle démocratique est un choix que je soutiens sans réserve.

  Bruno Gollnisch (NI), par écrit. – Le tour de passe-passe que nous propose le Conseil est parfaitement réussi: faire passer l'Office européen de police, Europol, du statut d'agence de nature intergouvernementale, financée par les budgets des États membres, en Agence de l'Union européenne financée par le budget de l'Union et appliquant le statut des fonctionnaires des Communautés, le tout en argüant d'impératifs non politiques mais techniques.

En effet, les missions d'Europol s'étant considérablement étendues à des domaines autres que la seule criminalité organisée, le Conseil estime que ces nouveaux objectifs seront mieux assurés au niveau de l'Union que des États membres. Et c'est ainsi, au nom du très contestable principe de subsidiarité, que la logique européiste du dessaisissement systématique des compétences des États et de l'approfondissement du modèle supranational s'applique.

Telle est exactement la philosophie et le sens des réformes contenues dans le traité de Lisbonne, que l'ensemble des dirigeants européens et nationaux veulent imposer aux peuples et nations contre leur volonté.

L'Europe n'est plus à l'écoute de ses peuples. Pire, elle les méprise et leur ment. Alors que 26 pays européens ont déjà annoncé qu'ils ne ratifieraient pas ce traité par la voie du référendum, espérons que le salut des nations et peuples européens passera par le rejet de ce texte d'abandon par les Irlandais, seuls autorisés à s'exprimer.

  Genowefa Grabowska (PSE), na piśmie. − Państwa członkowskie UE nadały walce z przestępczością zorganizowaną zinstytucjonalizowaną formułę Europolu. Dzisiaj - po 12 latach od jego utworzenia - debatujemy nad poszerzeniem kompetencji i uproszczeniem funkcjonowania tej instytucji.

Sprawozdawca trafnie ocenił aktualną sytuację prawną i faktyczną Europolu. Słusznie krytykuje zbyt skomplikowaną i długą procedurę przewidzianą dla zmiany jego statusu oraz usytuowania w unijnej strukturze organizacyjnej. Także środki naprawcze, które proponuje w swym sprawozdaniu, zasługują na uwagę i poparcie.

Podejmowane wcześniej próby zmiany kompetencji Europolu pokazują, jak trudno osiągnąć porozumienie państw, gdy obowiązuje zasada jednomyślności. Dlatego wierzę, że dopiero ratyfikacja i wprowadzenie w życie, we wszystkich 27 państwach członkowskich traktatu lizbońskiego, który reformuje także sposób podejmowania decyzji w UE, pozwoli na zmiany proceduralne i doprowadzi do uzdrowienia tej sytuacji.

Także nadanie Europolowi statusu agencji unijnej, ze wszystkimi,- włącznie z finansowymi, konsekwencjami, pozwoli na skuteczniejszą walkę całej Unii Europejskiej z przestępczością zorganizowaną.

  Pedro Guerreiro (GUE/NGL), por escrito. − Ainda a proposta de Tratado não foi ratificada, nem a proposta, aí inscrita, de adoptar por maioria qualificada as decisões quanto aos regulamentos sobre a estrutura, operações, campo de acção e tarefas da EUROPOL, já as instituições da UE se afadigam a transformar o Serviço Europeu de Polícia numa agência europeia.

Para além da nossa crítica de fundo a este processo, é com preocupação que somos confrontados com:

- A possibilidade de não vir a ser excluído o "tratamento de categorias especiais de dados relativos à origem étnica ou racial, opiniões políticas, convicções religiosas ou filosóficas, filiação num partido ou num sindicato, orientação sexual ou saúde";

- A não adopção de salvaguardas relativas à protecção dos dados pessoais tratados no âmbito da cooperação policial e judicial ao nível da UE e na relação com países terceiros, nomeadamente com os EUA (por exemplo, quanto aos dados sobre passageiros aéreos);

- A não garantia do acesso por parte de um cidadão aos dados que lhe digam respeito ou sequer tomar conhecimento se os seus dados pessoais são objecto de tratamento pela Europol;

- A não clarificação quanto ao controlo por parte dos parlamentos nacionais;

O que representaria uma flagrante violação dos direitos, liberdades e garantias dos cidadãos.

  Antonio Masip Hidalgo (PSE), por escrito. − He votado el informe consensuado con las aportaciones de los grupos. Es materia que incide en la cooperación inexcusable contra el crimen. Sin embargo, señalo, como hicieron mis colegas Fava y Moreno, que los altos fines de la resolución no se compadecen con la actitud recalcitrante del ponente, Díaz de Mera, Director de la policía española el 11 - Marzo - 2.004, que se negó a colaborar con el Tribunal que ejemplarmente juzgó el mayor atentado que tuvo lugar en Europa.

Es más, el ponente es uno de los principales propagadores o cooperadores necesarios de la vergonzosa teoría de que no fueron células islamistas sino el terrorismo de Eta el responsable de aquella matanza. Díaz de Mera y otros autodenominados “peones negros” quisieron confundir a la opinión pública internacional y, aunque, su actitud no se ha perseguido finalmente como delito ( solo fue objeto de sanción y seria advertencia por el Tribunal) merece que todo se sepa en este Parlamento. Sus descalificaciones personales revelan su ausencia de argumentos. Y, por último, lamentar que Díaz de Mera no haya tenido ni la dignidad de su colega Jaime Mayor que ha suprimido su nombre de la ponencia de terrorismo.

  Luca Romagnoli (NI), per iscritto. − Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, esprimo il mio voto favorevole sulla relazione Díaz de Mera García Consuegra sull'istituzione dell'Ufficio europeo di polizia (Europol). Il mutare delle circostanze in seno all'Unione europea, le nuove forme di criminalità e le nuove minacce terroristiche impongono una rimodulazione dell'esistente organismo. Ritengo tuttavia doverose alcune precisazioni.

La trasformazione di Europol in agenzia dell'Unione Europea non deve comportare un ulteriore aggravio per le finanze degli Stati membri e soprattutto una sottrazione dei fondi statali, già insufficienti, riservati alle forze dell'ordine nazionali. Al contrario, gli organi investigativi e di difesa dell'ordine pubblico vanno maggiormente tutelati e rafforzati. L'azione di Europol, infatti, deve essere di supporto e coordinamento a quella fondamentale e insostituibile delle forze dell'ordine dei vari Stati membri. In tal senso, mi compiaccio che la proposta preveda disposizioni riguardanti il coordinamento, l'organizzazione e lo svolgimento di indagini e azioni operative congiuntamente con le autorità competenti degli Stati membri o nel quadro di squadre investigative comuni.

- Rapport: Lydie Polfer (A6-0516/2007)

  Pedro Guerreiro (GUE/NGL), por escrito. − Este relatório de iniciativa do PE espelha as reais ambições da denominada "política europeia de vizinhança" da UE, designadamente para o Sul do Cáucaso.

Trata-se da explanação da agenda geo-estratégica nas suas vertentes política, económica e militar, isto é, do plano de intervenção da UE nesta zona nevrálgica, acentuando a pressão sobre a China e a Rússia.

Tal traduz-se em mais ingerência e manipulação dos conflitos que surgiram em resultado do desmantelamento da URSS, com o intuito de procurar assegurar o domínio das grandes potências e grupos financeiros-económicos da UE sobre esta região, evidenciando igualmente as rivalidades inter-capitalistas.

Basta ver as "recomendações", como o incentivo à celebração de acordos de livre comércio e à prossecução de mais liberalizações ou o claro apelo à ingerência através do "apoio" à acção da "sociedade civil", garantindo que "os fundos (comunitários!) sejam distribuídos... sem interferências do Estado".

É particularmente significativa a abordagem da questão energética, salientando a importância de corredores energéticos que contornem a Rússia e o domínio de infra-estruturas e fontes de energia.

Por fim, uma nota sobre a incoerência entre "o seu apoio incondicional à integridade territorial e à inviolabilidade das fronteiras internacionalmente reconhecidas da Geórgia" e o apelo aos princípios da Carta das Nações Unidas, quando não o faz para a Sérvia.

- Rapport: Roberta Alma Anastase (A6-0510/2007)

  Pedro Guerreiro (GUE/NGL), por escrito. − Trata-se de mais um relatório de iniciativa do PE que se inscreve na lógica do relatório sobre o Sul do Cáucaso e da denominada "política de vizinhança europeia": ingerência; pressão para garantir o acesso (e dominar) os mercados (nomeadamente energético) e para mais liberalizações.

O PE pugna pela promoção de "reformas da economia de mercado", incentivando "a harmonização e mais medidas de liberalização" e apoiando "a criação de uma zona de comércio livre em conformidade". Processo em que a UE teria "um destacado papel a desempenhar" no "incentivo à tomada das medidas necessárias para a região".

O PE ao mesmo tempo que "sublinha a importância fundamental de estabelecer e desenvolver boas relações de vizinhança entre os países da região do Mar Negro e também com os seus vizinhos, assentes no respeito mútuo, na integridade territorial, na não ingerência nos assuntos internos uns dos outros e na proibição do uso da força ou da ameaça do uso da força, enquanto princípios fundamentais do fomento da cooperação regional", pugna pela promoção dos ditos "valores europeus", "independentemente do grau de vontade demonstrado pelos governos associados". Uma contradição/incoerência entre o que afirma (para os outros) e o que faz. A UE exige que outros respeitem aquilo que ela própria desrespeita. Que cinismo.

- Proposition de résolution: Situation au Kenya (B6-0024/2008)

  Karin Scheele (PSE), schriftlich. − Kenia war für viele Menschen bis vor kurzem ein Urlaubsparadies. Die große Mehrheit der Bevölkerung, die in absoluter Armut lebt, massive Korruption konnten gut ausgeblendet werden. Seit den Wahlen Ende Dezember, den Fälschungen bei der Präsidentenwahl sind Kenia und seine politischen Probleme plötzlich in aller Munde.

Die Parlamentswahlen wurden von den Wahlbeobachtern als weitgehend erfolgreich angesehen, jedoch wurden Zweifel an den Ergebnissen der Präsidentschaftswahl angemeldet. Mit der heutigen Entschließung zu Kenia bedauern wir einmal mehr die weit verbreiteten Unregelmäßigkeiten und die Haltung des Amtsinhabers Kibaki, der das Angebot von Präsident John Kufuor zur Beilegung der Krise zurückgewiesen hat, womit die Vermittlungsbemühungen ernsthaft untergraben wurden. Die politischen Führer Kenias sind aufgerufen, alles in ihrer Macht Stehende zu tun, um weitere Gewalt im Lande zu verhindern und die Einhaltung der Menschenrechte zu gewährleisten. Bei der Aussprache zu diesem Thema wurde einmal mehr die Frage der Wirksamkeit direkter Budgethilfe diskutiert und hinterfragt. Ein Thema, das uns wie Kenia auch weiterhin beschäftigen wird.

  Pedro Guerreiro (GUE/NGL), por escrito. − Serve a presente declaração de voto para salientar que, valorizando os esforços de mediação encetados pelos países vizinhos, pela Comunidade para o Desenvolvimento da África Austral e pela União Africana, consideramos que caberá ao povo queniano a procura e a definição do seu caminho. Está nas mãos do povo queniano encontrar as soluções para ultrapassar a actual situação que se vive no seu país.

Neste sentido consideramos negativa qualquer tentativa de intromissão da UE, como indiciada e proposta na resolução, nomeadamente tendo em conta os objectivos proclamados pela UE na sua "estratégia para África" e o quadro de concertação/rivalidade inter-imperialistas relativamente a este continente, que esta igualmente evidencia e que tanto se fazem sentir nesta região.

Por fim, apenas uma nota sobre a omissão na resolução quanto à degradação e grave situação socio-económica neste país - que está na raiz da expressão do descontentamento popular manifestado nas eleições -, e às profundas responsabilidades das políticas neoliberais promovidas, nomeadamente pelas instituições financeiras internacionais, pelas grandes potências capitalistas e suas transnacionais, por esta.

  Zuzana Roithová (PPE-DE), v písemné formě. − Plně se ztotožňuji s naším usnesením o situaci v Keni, které vychází z aktuálního šetření pozorovatelské mise EU v Keni na začátku roku.

Musíme přimět orgány v Keni, aby vyšetřily bez odkladu okolnosti voleb a zabránily dalším násilnostem, musíme trvat na obnovení živého vysílání a na dodržování základních lidských práv a práv zakotvených v Africké chartě. Ale toto usnesení nezbavuje Evropskou komisi odpovědnosti vyřešit poukázání oněch 40 milionů eur konžské vládě a tak věřím, že se brzy k problému vrátíme.

- Rapport: Ida Figueiredo (A6-0519/2007)

  Edite Estrela (PSE), por escrito. − Votei favoravelmente o parágrafo 20 do Relatório sobre o papel das mulheres na indústria porque é importante que a Comissão promova um estudo sobre as consequências negativas das longas permanências no local de trabalho, a nível pessoal, familiar e social: os filhos ficam muito tempo sozinhos, entregues a si próprios, o que está, muitas vezes, na origem do insucesso escolar e da criminalidade... Os Estados-Membros devem exercer uma maior fiscalização sobre as empresas que obrigam os trabalhadores a permanecer no local de trabalho para além do horário estabelecido na lei e a aplicarem pesadas penas.

  Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL), por escrito. − Foi hoje aprovado em plenário do Parlamento Europeu o meu relatório sobre o papel das mulheres na indústria, o que é muito positivo, apesar de lamentar pequenas alterações.

Mas valoriza o importante papel das mulheres na indústria, apela à Comissão e aos Estados-Membros para que tomem as medidas necessárias, incluindo uma fiscalização eficaz, para combater os estereótipos e as discriminações, designadamente salariais, situação tanto mais grave quanto se sabe que ainda rondam os 30% na indústria, quando a média nos restantes sectores é de 15%, apesar da directiva sobre a igualdade de remunerações ter mais de 30 anos.

Sublinha a importância da negociação colectiva no combate à discriminação das mulheres, nomeadamente em matéria de acesso ao emprego, salários, condições de trabalho, progressão na carreira e formação profissional.

Sublinha a importância de programas comunitários que incentivem a criação de marcas, a defesa da indicação de origem da produção e a promoção externa dos produtos comunitários dos sectores onde predominem mulheres.

Por último, é muito importante que se tenha reconhecido o direito dos trabalhadores e trabalhadoras a intervir nos processos de reestruturação de empresas, reconhecendo às suas estruturas, designadamente aos Comités Europeus de Empresa, todo o direito à informação e à intervenção decisiva, incluindo o direito de veto.

  Hélène Goudin och Nils Lundgren (IND/DEM), skriftlig. − Detta betänkande går in på en rad aspekter som i sig är betydelsefulla, men där medlemsstaterna har kompetensen och ansvaret att utveckla och förbättra sina respektive lagstiftningar. Könsfördelningen i bolagsstyrelser, utvecklingen av jämställdhetsplaner på storföretag och andelen kvinnliga ledamöter i bolagsstyrelser är inte frågor som bäst och effektivast regleras på EU-nivå. Vi har således röstat nej till det aktuella betänkandet.

 

  Genowefa Grabowska (PSE), na piśmie. − Jest oczywiste, że przemysł w Europie ulega systematycznym przemianom. Trudno zatem nie docenić jego strategicznego znaczenia dla rozwoju wszystkich państw członkowskich Unii Europejskiej, a także ich obywateli, i to bez względu na płeć.

Rola i perspektywy kobiet pracujących w europejskim przemyśle zależą nie tylko od poziomu ekonomicznego rozwoju państwa, ale także od tradycji w zakresie krzewienia równouprawnienia i respektowania standardów ochrony praw człowieka. Kobiety mają ogromny udział i wnoszą niebagatelny wkład niemal we wszystkie branże, ale należy się zgodzić ze sprawozdawcą, że ich udział w przemyśle związanym z najnowszymi technologiami, takimi jak: aeronautyka, czy przemysł chemiczny jest dalece niewystarczający.

Dlatego dobrze się stało, że sprawozdanie mocno akcentuje ten wymiar i kładzie należyty nacisk na problemy płci. Stara się przy tym podkreślić, że udział kobiet w przemyśle nie może się ograniczać do pracy w sektorach niewymagających kwalifikacji, w których kobiety są pierwszymi ofiarami w razie restrukturyzacji.

Należy w pełni podzielić sugestię sprawozdawcy, gdy wzywa do udzielania wsparcia, zwłaszcza małym i średnim przedsiębiorstwom po to, aby utrzymać w nich możliwie wysoki poziom zatrudnienia pracujących tam kobiet, zwłaszcza tych, które znalazły się w niesprzyjającej sytuacji zawodowej. Chociażby z tych powodów sprawozdanie zasługuje na poparcie.

  Marian Harkin (ALDE), in writing. − I support paragraph 33 because such proactive measures need to be taken - at least on an interim basis to ensure participation of women in the decision-making process at all levels. In addition to this I strongly support paragraph 20 as there is a real need for a full investigation into the impact that long working hours have on health, both physical and mental, as well as on family life. If we are to promote a work life balance and family friendly policies then we need such a study.

  Mieczysław Edmund Janowski (UEN), na piśmie. − Prawa człowieka stanowią fundament demokracji. Pośród nich niezmiernie ważna jest zasada równości praw kobiet i mężczyzn, oczywiście przy uwzględnieniu uwarunkowań wynikających z różnic biologicznych. Problem ten ma także swój wymiar dotyczący zatrudnienia i roli kobiet w przemyśle. Nie można tu w żadnym wypadku stosować arytmetycznego podziału typu: pół na pół.

Chodzi nade wszystko o równość szans, która uwarunkowana jest dostępem do edukacji i kształcenia zawodowego w dyscyplinach technicznych oraz ekonomicznych. Niezmiernie ważna jest także kwestia pomocy dla matek wychowujących dzieci i niedyskryminowania ich w miejscu pracy. Koniecznością jest wprowadzenie elastycznych przepisów dotyczących emerytury dla kobiet wychowujących dzieci z pełnokwotowym zaliczeniem okresu tzw. urlopu wychowawczego, do czasu zaliczanego jako praca zawodowa w przepisach emerytalnych.

Dziś ciągle jeszcze w wielu naszych krajach za tę samą, co do ilości i jakości pracę, kobiety wynagradzane są znacznie gorzej. Nie ma także żadnego uzasadnienia stwarzanie jakichkolwiek barier w pełnieniu przez kobiety funkcji kierowniczych w zarządach czy radach nadzorczych spółek. W tej materii potrzebne są działania przełamujące stereotypy. Przedstawione sprawozdanie idzie w tym kierunku, dlatego głosowałem za jego przyjęciem.

  Astrid Lulling (PPE-DE), par écrit. – Dans de nombreux considérants et paragraphes de cette très longue résolution, on enfonce des portes ouvertes. On revendique des mesures qui ont été prises, heureusement, depuis longtemps. Il est vrai que certaines directives en matière d'égalité de traitement et des chances des femmes et des hommes sont mal appliquées. Mais s'il persiste des discriminations dans les domaines couverts par cette panoplie de directives adoptées depuis 1975, à qui la faute? Toutes ces directives contiennent des dispositions de recours. Les discriminées n'ont qu'à aller devant les tribunaux où elles gagneront, ce qui a été largement prouvé dans beaucoup de cas dans mon pays, heureusement.

Il y a malheureusement, dans ce rapport, certaines revendications incongrues qui n'ont rien à voir avec le rôle des femmes dans l'industrie.

Demander un quota de 40% de représentation féminine dans les conseils d'administration des sociétés est une ingérence contraire au principe de subsidiarité de matières réservées aux États membres.

Il ne nous appartient pas de demander le "contrôle" des délocalisations d'entreprises. Il est utopique de demander "un plus grand choix sur le lieu de travail". Si mon entreprise est située à Luxembourg-Ville sans succursale, je ne peux pas demander de travailler à Schifflange où j'habite.

C'est sous le bénéfice de ces observations que j'ai voté ce rapport.

  Zuzana Roithová (PPE-DE), v písemné formě. − S řadou myšlenek ve zprávě o ženách v průmyslu souhlasím, ale vadí mi, že se nevěnovala specifická pozornost regionální nezaměstnanosti žen, které ztratily zaměstnání v evropských textilkách, v době, kdy to bylo aktuální. Myslím si dále, že žádné kvóty pro ženy v radách pracujících situaci nevyřeší.

Moje druhá poznámka se týká vyváženého rozdělení času mezi práci a rodinu. To se týká jak žen tak mužů a myslím si, že řešení není v resolucích, ale naplnění evropské koncepce flexikurity – příkladem je Holandsko, které vytvořilo výborný právní rámec pro zaměstnávání na kratší úvazky a snížilo jak nezaměstnanost, tak ušetřilo čas mužů i ženám pro rodinný život. Efektivní využití kratší pracovní doby navíc ukazuje, že nemusí vést ke snížení příjmů.

  Olle Schmidt (ALDE), skriftlig. − Som liberal och folkpartist är parlamentets betänkanden som berör jämställdhet alltid lite vanskliga. Folkpartiet har under alla år menat att frivillighet är den väg som helst bör beträdas, men också att detta inte alltid räcker. För Sveriges del har det aktiva arbetet gjort oss kända som ett av världens mest jämställda länder. Vill vi då inte sprida våra framgångar över EU?

Självklart vill vi det! Frågan är bara med vilka metoder. I det berörda betänkandet har jag tvingats rösta nej till ett antal punkter, vars andemening jag stödjer men vars omfång och infallsvinkel kändes tvivelaktiga. Jag tror att både jämställdhetsplaner och mätbara mål kan vara viktiga verktyg för företagen. Däremot tror jag inte att det är något som EU centralt i första hand ska syssla med. Samma sak gäller upprättandet av en EU-sponsrad “metod” som i ”detalj” ska ”analysera arbetsuppgifter” för att ”garantera” lika lön. Globaliseringsfonden, som jag från början varit mycket tveksam till, kan inte heller ta särskild hänsyn till kön – det vore att göra en orättvisa dubbel.

Man kan inte begära att varje betänkande ska vara skrivet som hade man gjort det själv, men här finns en del att anmärka på. Ändå är ämnet så viktigt att jag slutligen röstade ja till helheten.

  Andrzej Jan Szejna (PSE), na piśmie. − Głosuję za przyjęciem sprawozdania pani poseł Ildy Figueiredo w sprawie roli kobiet w przemyśle. Chciałbym pogratulować pani poseł bardzo dobrego i rzetelnego sprawozdania.

Problem równouprawnienia kobiet i mężczyzn jest bardzo ważny i musimy wciąż poświęcać mu jak najwięcej uwagi, gdyż Unia Europejska opiera się na zasadzie niedyskryminacji. Zwalczanie wszelkich przesłanek świadczących o nieposzanowaniu tej zasady powinno być naszym priorytetem. Szczególnie, że dążąc do idei gospodarki opartej na wiedzy zmienia się charakter przemysłu. Sektory tradycyjne zatrudniające kobiety skupiają się wokół przemysłu przetwórczego, natomiast najnowsze sektory przemysłu opierają się na rozwoju najnowszych technologii, jak np. technologie informacji i komunikacji. Musimy dołożyć wszelkich starań, aby także w tych nowo powstałych sektorach przemysłu zachowane były zasady równouprawnienia.

- Proposition de résolution: Résultats du forum sur la gouvernace de l'Internet

  Cristiana Muscardini (UEN), per iscritto. − La risoluzione che ci apprestiamo a votare non può non trovare il consenso e il voto favorevole del gruppo UEN. Ci auguriamo che presto si arrivi ad una maggiore regolamentazione di Internet mirata alla salvaguardia dei minori e ad una lotta più incisiva verso quei provider che danno ospitalità a siti pedopornografici. È necessario che misure rivolte alla chiusura immediata dei siti illegali siano prese da tutti gli Stati membri dell'Unione attraverso un più efficace coordinamento delle forze di polizia competenti.

Speriamo altresì che possa essere affrontato il delicato tema delle informazioni che, tramite Internet, le organizzazioni terroristiche continuano a scambiarsi e che esso possa formare oggetto dei Forum che verranno organizzati in futuro. Non può esserci libertà senza regole e soprattutto Internet non può e non deve essere il terreno delle libertà di chi compie azioni criminali e predica l'odio e l'intolleranza. Una situazione di emergenza va affrontata con misure decise e urgenti e non improvvisate. La lotta al terrorismo e all'odio tra i popoli deve essere regola e obiettivo dell'Unione europea e di tutti i Paesi democratici e liberi.

9. Поправки и намерения за гласуване: вж. протоколи

(La séance, suspendue à 13 h 05, est reprise à 15 h 00)

ΠΡΟΕΔΡΙΑ: ΡΟΔΗ ΚΡΑΤΣΑ-ΤΣΑΓΚΑΡΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ
Αντιπρόεδρος

10. Одобряване на протокола от предишното заседание: вж протоколите

11. Разисквания относно случаи на нарушаване на правата на човека, на демокрацията и на правовата държава

11.1. Арестът на китайския дисидент Ху Джия (разискване)

  Πρόεδρος. – Η ημερήσια διάταξη προβλέπει τη συζήτηση πέντε προτάσεων ψηφίσματος σχετικά με τη σύλληψη του Κινέζου αντιφρονούντος Hu Jia⁽¹⁾.

  Milan Horáček, Verfasser. − Frau Präsidentin! Unsere Fraktion hat Herrn Hu Jia und seine Frau, Zeng Jinyan, für den Sacharow-Preis nominiert. Weil das Paar unter Hausarrest stand, nahmen sie per Webcam an einer Anhörung des Europäischen Parlaments zur Lage der Menschenrechte in China Teil. Durch die erneute Verhaftung Hu Jias wird nun an ihm demonstriert, wovor er selbst gewarnt hat. Will China damit zeigen, dass es die Meinung des Europäischen Parlaments verachtet?

Die Menschenrechte müssen als Querschnittsthema in allen Beziehungen zwischen der EU und China verankert werden. Auch wir müssen kohärent und konsequent auftreten und dürfen unsere Werte nicht einfach auf dem Altar der guten Wirtschaftsbeziehungen opfern.

Daher fordern wir den Rat und die Kommission auf, bei der chinesischen Regierung nicht nur für Hu Jia Position zu beziehen, sondern die Menschenrechte auch beim nächsten Gipfel EU-China einzufordern.

China muss die systematische Einschüchterung von Menschenrechtsaktivisten beenden. Ändert China seine Haltung nicht, muss die Frage neu gestellt werden, unter welchen Bedingungen die Teilnahme an den Olympischen Spielen stattfindet. Denn Russland ist einer der nächsten Gastgeber der Winterspiele, und die Menschenrechte werden dort auch nicht beachtet.

(Beifall)

  Erik Meijer, Auteur. − Voorzitter, het probleem van de mensenrechten in China keert steeds terug in deze urgentiedebatten. Daarvoor bestaat voortdurend reden. De economische groei en het toegenomen internationaal aanzien van China hebben nog steeds niet geleid tot een wezenlijk andere benadering van burgerlijke vrijheden, bestuurlijk machtsmisbruik, ruimte voor oppositie en onafhankelijkheid van de rechterlijke macht.

Nog steeds worden er strenge straffen opgelegd, waaronder de veelvuldig toegepaste doodstraf. China is niet het enige land dat doodstraffen uitspreekt en voltrekt, maar het is wel kampioen daarin. De enige vooruitgang die we nu zien is dat er voorafgaand aan de uitvoering van doodstraffen meer aandacht wordt besteed aan de zekerheid van de schuld van de dader, zodat er minder personen worden gedood van wie achteraf blijkt dat zij onschuldig waren.

De internationale aandacht voor de drie grote drama's in China is inmiddels in sterke mate verdwenen. Het bloedbad op het Tien An Men-plein in 1989, de vervolging van de aanhangers van de Falungong-beweging en het veranderen van de bevolkingssamenstelling van Tibet en Oost-Turkestan trekken steeds minder aandacht.

Alle aandacht gaat nu uit naar economische groei, exportmogelijkheden naar China, goedkope importmogelijkheden uit China, de groeiende rol van China in Afrika en de komende Olympische Spelen in China. Onder die omstandigheden neemt de druk af om de mensenrechtensituatie binnen China te verbeteren. De Olympische Spelen zijn een argument geworden om woonwijken af te breken en de bewoners weg te jagen. De Chinese ambassadeurs zeggen dat hun volk in zijn nationale eer wordt aangetast, als daarop vanuit het buitenland kritiek wordt uitgeoefend.

De komende Olympische Spelen hadden een moment van verbetering kunnen worden. Zoals het er nu naar uitziet, zijn ze goed voor het toerisme en goed voor de uitvoering van grote openbare werken, maar niet goed voor de verbetering van de mensenrechten. In Nederland is inmiddels een discussie ontstaan over de mogelijkheid om deze Olympische Spelen te boycotten.

Een resolutie over één gearresteerde mensenrechtenactivist Hu Jia is nodig, maar niet genoeg. In de betrekkingen tussen Europa en China moet niet het economisch eigenbelang voorop staan, maar onze zorg om de mensenrechten in China.

  Marcin Libicki, autor. − Zgadzam się z panem Meyerem, który powiedział przed chwilą, że powinniśmy zbojkotować igrzyska olimpijskie z powodu prześladowań, nieustannych prześladowań, jakie cierpią Chińczycy w Chinach. Zresztą nie tylko Chińczycy, bo tak samo wielokrotnie mówiliśmy tutaj o prześladowanych Tybetańczykach i innych mniejszościach narodowych. Mówimy dzisiaj o tym, o bezprawnym aresztowaniu, o prześladowaniu działacza wolności, człowieka, który walczy o wolność w Chinach, polityka Hu Jia i jego rodziny i jego żony.

Proszę państwa! Przypomnę, że przed kilkudziesięciu laty zostały zbojkotowane igrzyska w Związku Sowieckim i okazało się to być pewnym wkładem w upadek reżimu komunistycznego. My nie możemy dzisiaj, zachwyceni sukcesami ekonomicznymi Chin, które uznajemy, i z powodu których gratulujemy Chinom, nie możemy przymykać oczu na prześladowanie ludzi w ich podstawowych prawach, i to jak powiedziałem zarówno Chińczyków, jak i innych mieszkańców tzw. Chin, bo Tybet, o którym wielokrotnie mówiliśmy to nie są Chiny. Apeluję żeby zbojkotować igrzyska olimpijskie.

  Thomas Mann, Verfasser. − Frau Präsidentin! Sieben Monate vor Beginn der Olympischen Spiele demonstriert China, wie wenig es von der Achtung der Menschenrechte hält. Die Hoffnung, dass sich durch die IOC-Entscheidung im Reich der Mitte Wesentliches verbessern würde, hat getrogen.

Im Oktober und November 2007 verschleppte und misshandelte der Staatssicherheitsdienst die Anwälte Gao Zhisheng und Li Heping. Ende Dezember inhaftierte er den Menschenrechtsaktivisten und Cyber-Dissidenten Hu Jia mit dem Vorwurf, er habe über das Internet dazu aufgerufen, die Staatsgewalt zu untergraben.

Am 10. Oktober hatte er an einer Pressekonferenz im Europäischen Parlament in Brüssel zum Thema Menschenrechte teilgenommen. Er war uns live über das Telefon aus China zugeschaltet. Für diesen mutigen Einsatz haben wir ihm zu danken. Im vergangenen Jahr wurden er und seine Frau Zeng Jinyan für den Sacharow-Preis des Europäischen Parlaments nominiert. In seinem Internetblog berichtet er über politische Häftlinge und die Opfer von Olympia-bedingten Landenteignungen.

In einem Brief bedankt er sich bei Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel für ihren Empfang des Dalai Lama. Dies war dem offiziellen China offenbar zu viel. In einem offenen Brief forderten 57 chinesische Intellektuelle die Freilassung von Hu Jia. Unser Präsident Hans-Gert Pöttering schloss sich dem an. Es ist ein Schlag ins Gesicht, wenn Menschenrechtler nicht zuletzt wegen des Kontaktes zum Europäischen Parlament inhaftiert werden. Wir müssen alle diplomatischen Möglichkeiten nutzen, damit er umgehend aus dem Gefängnis freigelassen wird.

China verspricht der Welt die besten Olympischen Spiele aller Zeiten. Der Preis dafür dürfen weder Zensur noch die Missachtung von rechtsstaatlichen Prinzipien sein.

  Filip Kaczmarek, w imieniu grupy PPE-DE. – Pani Przewodnicząca! W roku 2001, kiedy ogłoszono decyzję o przyznaniu organizacji igrzysk olimpijskich Pekinowi, wielu z nas wierzyło, że decyzja ta, chociaż kontrowersyjna, przyczyni się do zmiany polityki komunistycznych Chin, że skłoni organizatorów igrzysk do zaprzestania nagminnego łamania praw człowieka i przyczyni się do rozszerzenia zakresu swobód obywatelskich w tym kraju. Zgadzam się z panem posłem Mannem, że na siedem miesięcy przed igrzyskami wiemy, że te nadzieje okazały się płonne. Stało się wręcz odwrotnie – obserwujemy nasilenie terroru w Chinach.

Obrońcy praw człowieka, tak jak Hu Jia i jego żona, są więzieni i nielegalnie przetrzymywani bez procesu w nieznanych miejscach, szykanowani, zastraszani czy pozbawiani prawa do obrony. Władze chińskie dają światu inny sygnał: żadnej demokracji, żadnego otwarcia. W tym samym czasie Chiński Komitet Olimpijski ustala, iż głównym hasłem igrzysk będzie zawołanie „jeden świat, jedno marzenie”, stwierdzając, że tym marzeniem jest wspólne dążenie do rozkwitu i pokoju. Rodzi się pytanie: o jakim pokoju mówią Chiny i czy naprawdę rozumieją ideę igrzysk olimpijskich?

  Józef Pinior, on behalf of the PSE Group. – Madam President, the Chinese activist Mr Hu Jia was arrested two days after Christmas during the afternoon at his home. It is very sad news, particularly because China, a great country, a great global player in the contemporary world, is the organiser of the Olympic Games this year.

The European Parliament and all the European Union must stress that China must challenge six issues relating to human rights: China’s failure to fully implement new regulations allowing greater press freedom; China’s superficial commitments to upholding the rule of law; limited Chinese support for international efforts to promote civilian protection in Darfur, Sudan; limited Chinese support for international efforts to promote human rights in Burma; the absence of transparency in Chinese aid to abusive governments; and, in particular, the release from prison of all political prisoners in China.

  Ewa Tomaszewska, w imieniu grupy UEN. – Pani Przewodnicząca! Małżeństwo Hu Jia i Zeng Jinyan stało się dla nas symbolem walki o wolność słowa, walki o prawa człowieka w Chinach. Nominowani przez nasz Parlament za swą działalność do nagrody im. Andrieja Sacharowa, są zarazem za tę działalność represjonowani we własnym kraju. 2 stycznia Hu Jia został aresztowany.

W latach 80. ubiegłego wieku, w czasie stanu wojennego w Polsce, o ochronie przed najbardziej drastycznymi represjami decydowała jawność. To wymienienie nazwiska osoby uwięzionej przez prasę czy radiostację zza żelaznej kurtyny dawało nam nadzieję na bezpieczeństwo. Tej pomocy ludzi nieobojętnych zza granicy doświadczyłam osobiście. Dlatego dziś tak ważne jest dla mnie, by nasz głos, głos Parlamentu Europejskiego, głos setek parlamentarzystów z różnych krajów europejskich był w Chinach słyszany, by usłyszały go władze Chin, by powstrzymał represje wobec Hu Jia i innych prześladowanych.

  Raül Romeva i Rueda, en nombre del Grupo Verts/ALE. – Señor Presidente, los Juegos Olímpicos deberían ser percibidos, tanto por parte de las autoridades chinas como por parte del resto del mundo, como una oportunidad para que China cambie su imagen ante el mundo, una imagen especialmente afectada por las continuas vulneraciones de los derechos humanos, de las que son víctimas grupos muy distintos y, también, por motivos muy distintos.

La detección de Hu Jia, entre otras muchas, pone de manifiesto que China no está aprovechando como debería esta oportunidad. Y supone, una vez más, un recordatorio para quienes vieron en China un país preparado y suficientemente abierto como para organizar un evento de carácter internacional y supuestamente solidario, como deberían ser unos Juegos Olímpicos.

China aún está a tiempo de cambiar dicha imagen, pero para ello es preciso que se tome más en serio cuestiones como el respeto de la libertad de expresión y de asociación, y que abandone su obsesión por detener, castigar y condenar a sus ciudadanos y ciudadanas a quienes acusa de un crimen ciertamente difícil de argumentar como es el de incitar a la subversión del poder del Estado.

  Kathy Sinnott, on behalf of the IND/DEM Group . – Madam President, every Olympics draws our attention to the preservation of human dignity as stated in the Olympic Charter. The 2008 Beijing Olympics will specifically draw our attention to that preservation – or otherwise – in China. Hopefully, this will bring pressure on the Chinese Government to rethink actions like the arrest of Hu Jia. It is an opportunity for the country to improve its poor record in this area.

Instead, the Chinese Government seems determined to sweep human rights abuses under the rug, by arresting activists and protestors. Of concern is the purchase of Western high-tech security equipment by the Chinese authorities, obviously intended to step up security during the games. My concern is twofold. I fear that such security equipment will be used against the Chinese people this summer, and that it will remain in misuse after the summer. We must either use the Olympics to promote human rights in China, or boycott them, and one thing we cannot do is have a big celebration of China if human rights continue to be so flagrantly disregarded.

  Десислав Чуколов (NI). – Колеги, през 20-и век милиони хора от целия свят станаха жертви на комунизма. За съжаление, тази изключително вредна, човеконенавистна и предимно антихристиянска идеология продължава да взема своите жертви и днес и да има своите представители. Дори в тази зала тук. Ще ви дам пример, който да онагледи нещата малко по-ясно.

Ху Джия се намира в момента под домашен арест в Китай, защото има достатъчно хора там, които смятат, че той е изразител на техните идеи. Точно това го прави опасен за китайския режим. Тук, в Европарламента, Слава Богу, има достатъчно депутати, избрани от милиони граждани, за да представляват вижданията им, но ръководните фактори в този Евросъюз, които мнозина оприличават на "пирамида", си имат свои приоритети и референдум за Лисабонския договор не е един от тези приоритети.

Това прави нас, тези депутати, точно толкова опасни, колкото и Ху Джия за китайския режим. Нас не ни слагат под домашен арест, но г-н Пьотеринг, ако е достатъчно честен и откровен, би си признал, че и до там би стигнал. Но аз го уверявам, че достойното представляване на нашите гласоподаватели е по-важно от тази перспектива. Благодаря ви.

  Tunne Kelam (PPE-DE). – Madam President, the case of Mr Hu Jia and his wife, unfortunately, is not an isolated one.

In order to have the privilege to host this year’s Olympic Games in Beijing, the Chinese Government undertook additional commitments to meet internationally recognised human rights standards. Contrary to these expectations, Beijing sees the Olympic Games as a justification for increasing repression against human rights activists. So, by systematically violating its own commitments, the Chinese Government has demonstrated that it does not intend to respect the core values of the Olympic tradition. In fact, it is about to lose its credibility.

Therefore, the democratic states cannot limit their reaction to mere complaints. If the Chinese authorities do not make credible changes to the situation, then the democratic participants in the Games risk their own credibility with regard to the values they advocate.

  Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg (PSE). – Pani Przewodnicząca! W 2001 roku Liu Jingmin, wiceprezydent Pekińskiego Komitetu Organizacyjnego Olimpiady w 2008 roku oświadczył: „Pozwalając Pekinowi na organizowanie igrzysk, pomożecie rozwojowi praw człowieka”. Tymczasem w ostatnich miesiącach chińskie władze częściej niż zwykle dopuszczają się łamania wolności słowa i represji dziennikarzy i aktywistów. Zatrzymanie Hu Jia – czołowego działacza na rzecz praw człowieka, nominowanego do nagrody im. Sacharowa w 2007 r., wstrząsnęło głęboko opinią publiczną. Zatrzymanemu pod pretekstem namawiania do obalenia władzy państwowej odmawia się nadal prawa do adwokata oraz opieki medycznej.

Należy zmusić Chiny do przestrzegania międzynarodowych standardów z zakresu praw człowieka i poszanowania prawa oraz zakazać wykorzystywania igrzysk jako pretekstu do bezprawnego więzienia dziennikarzy i dysydentów. Powinniśmy przypomnieć chińskim władzom o idei przyświecającej ruchowi olimpijskiemu, jaką jest połączenie sportu z wizją promocji pokojowego społeczeństwa i zachowania godności ludzkiej. Jednocześnie należy postulować natychmiastowe uwolnienie Hu Jia oraz wszystkich przetrzymywanych bez procesu działaczy, umożliwiając im powrót do rodzin oraz dostęp do niezbędnej pomocy medycznej.

  Zbigniew Zaleski (PPE-DE). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Ja chciałem po prostu zapytać, czy strategia catch the eye też funkcjonuje tutaj i jeżeli tak jest, to chciałem krótko powiedzieć, iż będąc w Chinach nie widzi się jak system kontroli funkcjonuje, ale on mocno funkcjonuje, czyli obywatele czują się związani tym, co system oferuje, a więc opresją. Naszym zadaniem jest nic innego, jak tu ktoś z kolegów czy z koleżanek powiedział, jak pokazanie to światu. Innej broni nie mamy. Także z szacunkiem dla rozwoju ekonomicznego, ale to, jak ludzie zostali przeniknięci autocenzurą i lękiem, to mało gdzie tak na świecie jest. A więc jestem pełen podziwu dla tych Chińczyków, którzy są odważni, mają odwagę żeby ryzykując wolność, życie, swoją karierę żeby się o to upominać, i naszym moralnym obowiązkiem jest, żeby stać po ich stronie. Nie ma innego rozwiązania, nie ma innej alternatywy.

  Ryszard Czarnecki (UEN). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Ja, idąc śladem wystąpienia mojej koleżanki z Polski, chciałbym zwrócić się z pytaniem do pani komisarz Kunevej. Mianowicie chodzi mi o to, czy rzeczywiście na przestrzeni ostatnich paru lat możemy mówić o realnym, większym przestrzeganiu praw człowieka w Chińskiej Republice Ludowej? Czy te igrzyska, które mają odbyć się już w lipcu w stolicy Chin, rzeczywiście spowodowały to, że dysydenci w Chinach mogą czuć się bardziej bezpieczni, że relacje z Tajwanem są bardziej cywilizowane? Czy swoboda korzystania z Internetu jest większa w porównaniu z sytuacja sprzed dwóch, trzech lat? Będę wdzięczny pani komisarz, jeśli przy okazji odpowie na to pytanie. Kto pyta, nie błądzi.

  Meglena Kuneva, Member of the Commission. − Madam President, only a month ago my colleague, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner, expressed in this Chamber the Commission’s deep concern at the continuous and systematic repression of human rights’ defenders in China. The Commission was, therefore, all the more concerned to learn about Mr Hu Jia’s arbitrary detention and recalls that he has been subjected to repeated acts of harassment in the past due to human rights activities.

We also express our concern for Mr Hu Jia’s health. He suffers from hepatitis B and must take daily medication. It is not clear whether daily access to the medical treatment he needs is guaranteed and whether he can count on doctors’ assistance during his detention in the Beijing Municipal Detention Centre in Dougezhuang.

In the Commission’s view, the detention of Mr Hu Jia places an obligation on the EU to act in a firm manner because of the clear inference that he was arrested as a consequence of speaking freely and honestly about the repression of human rights defenders via a telephone link to a meeting of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights in November 2007.

As such, it has echoes of the case of Cao Dong, a Falun Gong petitioner, who was arrested and is still in prison after meeting the Vice-President of the European Parliament in Beijing in May 2006. The detention of Mr Hu Jia also calls for a reaction from the EU as an international actor for the protection of human rights defenders. Yesterday the EU troika carried out a firm démarche to the Chinese authorities asking for his immediate release. We sincerely hope that the Chinese authorities will understand that the issue of human rights defenders has an important impact on China’s standing with the European public and will act accordingly.

I would like to reassure this Chamber that the EU will monitor very closely the evolution of Mr Hu Jia’s case.

The Commission would like to use this opportunity to urge again the Chinese Government to permit expressions of all forms of opinion. This is an important factor in how the international public views China, especially this year, when the eyes of the world will be on China in the build-up to the Olympic Games. We are convinced that a far more stable society can be achieved by allowing freedom of expression.

Let me close by saying that the Commission will intensify its efforts to seek an improvement of the overall human rights situation in China. In this respect, we will continue to play an instrumental role within the troika in preparing the EU-China human rights dialogue and seminar so that discussions continue to become more target-focussed.

Despite the slow progress in the human rights situation in China, we firmly believe that the EU-China human rights dialogue remains one of the most effective ways of engaging China in frank and detailed discussions with a view to achieving human rights reforms on the ground.

  Πρόεδρος. – H συζήτηση επί του θέματος αυτού έληξε.

Η ψηφοφορία θα διεξαχθεί μετά το πέρας των συζητήσεων.

(1) βλ. Συνοπτικά Πρακτικά

11.2. Положението в Демократична република Конго и изнасилването като военно престъпление (разискване)

  Πρόεδρος. – Η ημερήσια διάταξη προβλέπει τη συζήτηση έξι προτάσεων ψηφίσματος σχετικά με την κατάσταση στη Λαϊκή Δημοκρατία του Κονγκό και το βιασμό ως έγκλημα πολέμου⁽¹⁾.

  Raül Romeva i Rueda, Autor. − Señora Presidenta, la violencia sexual, y la violación en particular, como arma de guerra no es, lamentablemente, un asunto nuevo.

No resulta menor el hecho de que el Estatuto de Roma que establece la Corte Penal Internacional de 1998 establezca, en sus artículos 7 y 8, que la violación, la esclavitud sexual, la prostitución forzada, el embarazo forzado, la esterilización forzada o cualquier otra forma de violencia sexual se traten como crímenes contra la humanidad y crímenes de guerra, y que se igualen, en cuanto a tratamiento y persecución, a la tortura o a los crímenes de guerra graves, sean o no estos crímenes cometidos durante un conflicto armado.

La guerra en la República Democrática del Congo muestra hasta qué punto éste es un tema que merece una atención mucho mayor de la que se le ha concedido hasta la fecha. Se cuentan por decenas de miles las denuncias por violación o asalto sexual reportadas anualmente en esa región. Muchas de ellas, además, tienen lugar en campos de personas desplazadas o refugiadas y, a menudo, son actos cometidos por fuerzas gubernamentales, grupos rebeldes u otras fuerzas.

En este sentido, considero de gran importancia que este Parlamento no sólo condene dichas prácticas, sino que inste a las autoridades de la República Democrática del Congo a que ataje, investigue, juzgue y condene dichas prácticas de inmediato, como también a que garantice la protección de víctimas, testigos y familiares.

Asimismo, debemos recordar a nuestras propias instituciones que la Resolución 1325 del Consejo de Seguridad de ls Naciones Unidas enfatiza la responsabilidad de los Estados miembros de poner fin a la impunidad y perseguir a quienes sean responsables de crímenes contra la humanidad y crímenes de guerra, incluidos aquellos relativos a la violencia sexual u otro tipo de violencia específica contra las mujeres.

  Erik Meijer, Auteur. − Voorzitter, Europese staten hebben in Afrika volkeren die geen goede betrekkingen met elkaar hadden, ondergebracht in één kolonie en andere volkeren verdeeld door het trekken van grenzen midden door hun woongebied. De Democratische Republiek Congo, een enorm gebied met een veelheid van volkeren, is tijdens de Belgische kolonisatie vóór 1960 niet geleidelijk door middel van een jarenlang opgebouwd zelfbestuur naar onafhankelijkheid toegegroeid. De dekolonisatie werd niet voorbereid, maar werd ineens onvermijdelijk, nadat Engeland en Frankrijk hun aangrenzende, kleinere koloniën aan het eind van de jaren '50 onafhankelijkheid hadden toegestaan, mede als resultaat van de bevrijdingsoorlogen in Marokko, Tunesië, Algerije en Kenia.

Sindsdien is Congo een permanent strijdterrein geweest. De beginjaren werden beheerst door de strijd tussen Kasavubu uit het westen, Lumumba uit het noordoosten en Chombe in het zuidoosten. Zij vertegenwoordigden elk verschillende ideologieën en belangen, maar zij waren bovenal geliefd bij een beperkt deel van de Congolese bevolking.

De harde militaire dictatuur van de profiteur Mobutu heeft het land jarenlang verenigd in een schijnbare rust, maar de verschillen zijn nooit overbrugd. Ook de jongste verkiezingen hebben geen eenheid of goede samenwerking opgeleverd. Het land blijft een strijdterrein met flexibele grenzen waarbij het net als in de jaren '60 gaat om de afbakening van etnische gebieden en om het beheersen van mijnbouwgebieden. Buitenlandse ondernemingen hebben daarvan voordeel. Het lijkt er nu om te gaan welk volk binnen deze veelheid van volkeren de anderen overheerst. In deze vorm is de toekomst van Congo perspectiefloos.

De gruwelen waarnaar de resolutie verwijst, waaronder de algemene rechteloosheid en veelvuldig voorkomende verkrachtingen van vrouwen, hebben alles te maken met die chaos. De wet van 2006 tegen seksueel geweld lost dat probleem niet op, zolang de strijd doorgaat en veel mensen geen vaste woonplek meer hebben.

Terecht verwijst de resolutie naar de rol van overheidsvertegenwoordigers, vredesmachten, hulporganisaties; hun mensen moeten alles doen om zulke gruwelen te voorkomen zonder er zelf bij betrokken te raken. Erkenning van verkrachting, zwangerschap onder dwang, seksuele uitbuiting en andere vormen van seksueel geweld als oorlogsmisdaden door de Europese Unie en de Verenigde Naties is een eerste vereiste, maar het wegnemen van de voedingsbodem voor dit geweld zal ter plekke moeten gebeuren.

  Ryszard Czarnecki, autor. − Pani Przewodnicząca! Ja byłem w Demokratycznej Republice Konga nie dalej jak kilka tygodni temu, a więc mogę mówić tutaj jako osoba, która tę sytuację zna nie tylko z dokumentów, choć są one bardzo istotne.

To rzeczywiście nieszczęsny kraj, który tak często jak zmieniał nazwę, bo był Kongiem, potem Zairem, teraz Demokratyczną Republiką Konga, jeszcze częściej jest teatrem niebywałego exodusu ludności. W dokumentach, które zostały nam przedstawione, mowa jest o 400 tysiącach mieszkańców, którzy zostali zmuszeni do opuszczenia domów tylko w roku ubiegłym, ale w sumie w ciągu ostatnich kilku lat możemy mówić o liczbie czterokrotnie większej - 1,5 miliona.

To wreszcie gwałt na kobietach jako instrument, celowy instrument swoistej polityki, zarówno ze strony partyzantki, ze strony rebeliantów, jak również ze strony oficjalnej armii czy wręcz policji. To rzecz niebywała. Dzieje się to przy całkowitej bezradności Unii Afrykańskiej.

  Tadeusz Zwiefka, autor. − Pani Przewodnicząca! Mam nieodparte wrażenie, że słowa „demokratyczna republika” umieszczone w nazwie Konga brzmią dzisiaj dosyć ironicznie, bowiem właśnie w tym kraju na naszych oczach dochodzi do jednego z najgorszych kryzysów humanitarnych ostatnich lat.

Ponad 650 tysięcy osób przemieszcza się ciągle po kraju, 80% rodzin z jednej tylko prowincji Kiwu w ciągu ostatnich pięciu lat było wysiedlanych, około tysiąca kobiet miesięcznie staje się ofiarami gwałtów, a dziesiątki tysięcy dzieci to po prostu żołnierze. Przemarszom wojsk towarzyszą w Kongu wszelkie możliwe zbrodnie na ludności cywilnej: gwałty, grabieże, zabójstwa. Przemoc seksualna ma terroryzować i karać mieszkańców Konga popierających tę niewłaściwą stronę konfliktu. Jest ona tak rozpowszechniona, że Lekarze bez Granic twierdzą, iż 75% wszystkich przypadków gwałtu na całym świecie zdarza się tylko we wschodnim Kongu. Towarzyszą im barbarzyńskie tortury: bicie pałkami, kaleczenie nożami. Wiele młodych kobiet zostało zmuszonych do seksualnego niewolnictwa.

Warto przypomnieć, że w Kongu stacjonują dzisiaj największe na świecie siły pokojowe ONZ, liczące ponad 17 tysięcy żołnierzy. Jaka jest główna forma zniechęcania do seksualnej przemocy? To są napisy pojawiające się na ścianach, że gwałt jest nieludzki. Ale to, co przeraża najbardziej, to fakt, iż sami żołnierze ONZ stawali się bohaterami skandali. Niejednokrotnie prowadzący dochodzenia urzędnicy ONZ wykrywali, że żołnierze błękitnych hełmów zmuszali kongijskie dziewczęta do prostytucji. Jednak ich ukaranie było wręcz niemożliwe, ponieważ dowódcy oddziałów utrudniali śledztwo, jak tylko mogli. Niejednokrotnie – i staje się to coraz częściej – ci żołnierze zamiast być obrońcami, stają się sprawcami. Trudno to określić inaczej jak skandal.

Chciałbym zaapelować do społeczności międzynarodowej o poparcie natychmiastowych, zdecydowanych kroków w celu zniesienia i ukarania winnych zbrodni na tle seksualnym. Również chciałbym podkreślić odpowiedzialność państw wysyłających oddziały wojskowe w ramach ONZ za przeprowadzenie rzetelnego śledztwa w przypadku podejrzeń o przestępstwo personelu uczestniczącego w misji pokojowej.

Zdaję sobie sprawę, że możliwości Unii Europejskiej w rozwiązywaniu tego typu konfliktów są ograniczone. Jednak zwracam się z apelem o udostępnienie środków finansowych w celu zorganizowania konferencji pokojowej w Kiwu. Pomoc Unii Europejskiej powinna również zostać skierowana w celu udzielenia pomocy medycznej, prawnej i społecznej wszystkim ofiarom przestępstw seksualnych.

Mam nadzieję, że Unia Europejska i ONZ formalnie uznają wszelkie formy przestępstw na tle seksualnym za zbrodnię przeciwko ludzkości.

  Josep Borrell Fontelles, Autor. − Señora Presidenta, la descripción de la violencia sexual en Kivu, en Congo, nos produce un inevitable sentimiento de repugnancia. Los colegas han descrito ya lo que ocurre allí y no voy a repetirlo. No debemos quedarnos solamente en condenarlo porque podemos ser la voz que clama en el desierto: tenemos que hacer algo para impedirlo. Y lo que podemos hacer es hacer presión sobre el Gobierno del Congo porque no son sólo los rebeldes, son también sus fuerzas armadas las que hacen esta clase de atrocidades destinadas a humillar a la mujer y socavar las bases morales de la sociedad en la que vive.

Tenemos que hacer que las Naciones Unidas y la Unión Europea declaren la violencia sexual como crimen contra la humanidad. Tenemos que pedir a la Comisión que destine los fondos de ayuda al desarrollo al Congo, fundamentalmente y prioritariamente a la ayuda a estas víctimas: ayuda legal, social y médica.

Tenemos que hacer que el personal de las Naciones Unidas allí destacado se tome como prioridad la defensa de estas víctimas y la búsqueda de sus responsables, y para eso tenemos que ampliar el mandato de la MONUC para que esté más directamente vinculado a la lucha contra esta clase de acontecimientos.

Y, finalmente, tenemos que exigir a los que participan en la Conferencia de Kivu que saquen de allí resultados concretos que permitan exigir justicia y exigir responsabilidad, porque si después de todo lo que ha ocurrido resulta que los violadores acaban impunes vestidos de uniforme del ejército oficial de la República del Congo, las víctimas serán humilladas dos veces, la primera cuando sufrieron la violación y la segunda cuando vieron que quedaba impune.

Eso es lo que podemos y debemos hacer. Espero que la Comisión tome buena nota y reoriente los fondos de ayuda al desarrollo que dedicamos al Congo, tal como he pedido, hacia la ayuda a las víctimas y para prevenir que esta carnicería salvaje contra la dignidad de la mujer continúe.

  Urszula Gacek, w imieniu grupy PPE-DE. – Pani Przewodnicząca! Tekst przedstawionej nam rezolucji zawiera wstrząsające dane. Pamiętajmy jednak, że za tymi statystykami są tragedie indywidualnych kobiet.

Pozwólcie Szanowni Państwo, że przedstawię wam historię Lumo, która stała się ofiarą zbiorowego gwałtu w 1994 r. Brutalność ataku była tak wielka, że ta młoda kobieta doznała trwałych obrażeń wewnętrznych. Po czterech operacjach i latach leczenia jeszcze nie wróciła do zdrowia. Na pewno w pełni nigdy go nie odzyska. Narzeczony, większość rodziny i społeczeństwo ją odrzucili. Jedyne wsparcie znalazła w matce i afrykańskiej organizacji charytatywnej Heal Africa. Heal Africa prowadzi szpital w miejscowości Goma, w samych epicentrum gwałtów w Kongo. Szpital specjalizuje się w leczeniu ofiar brutalnych aktów przemocy seksualnej. Chirurdzy odnoszą spore sukcesy, a tzw. mamy wspierają ofiary psychologicznie.

Należy im się uznanie tej Izby za pracę. Ale samo uznanie to za mało. Pomyślmy jak im dać praktyczną pomoc. Jesteśmy to winni Lumo i tysiącom jej sióstr w Kongo. (oklaski)

  Karin Scheele, im Namen der PSE-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin! Mit der heutigen Entschließung zur Lage in der Demokratischen Republik Kongo und Vergewaltigungen als Kriegsverbrechen fordern wir die Europäische Union und die Vereinten Nationen auf, Vergewaltigungen, erzwungene Schwangerschaft, sexuelle Sklaverei und andere Formen der sexuellen Gewalt als Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit und als Form der Folter formell anzuerkennen. Und wir fordern, dass Druck auf die kongolesische Regierung ausgeübt wird, um die Situation der Straflosigkeit zu beenden. Diese Schritte sind notwendig, um die schreckliche Situation von Hunderttausenden von Frauen zu verbessern.

Die Gewalt, die Frauen in der Demokratischen Republik Kongo erleiden, ist unvorstellbar. In der Provinz Kivu werden mehr als ein Drittel aller Frauen vergewaltigt, viele mehrfach über längere Zeit. Das dauert seit vielen Jahren an. Überwiegend sind die Täter Soldaten aller Fraktionen, Mitglieder der kongolesischen Sicherheitskräfte und der Polizei. Die UN-Sonderberichterstatterin für Gewalt gegen Frauen berichtete letzten September.

Die Gräueltaten, die von den bewaffneten Truppen verübt werden, sind von unvorstellbarer Brutalität und zielen auf die vollständige physische und psychische Zerstörung der Frauen ab. Zum Trauma der Vergewaltigung kommt, dass viele der Opfer unter sozialer Diskriminierung und Ächtung durch ihre Familien und Gemeinschaften leiden. Das ist mit ein Grund dafür, dass nur ein Bruchteil der tatsächlich stattgefundenen Vergewaltigungen gemeldet wird.

Wir fordern daher – Kollege Borrell Fontelles hat das bereits gesagt – die Ausdehnung des UNO-Mandats auf den Schutz von Zivilisten vor sexueller Gewalt. Hinweisen auf sexuellen Missbrauch durch das Personal der Mission zur Friedenssicherung muss verstärkt nachgegangen werden, die Verantwortlichen müssen vor ein Gericht gebracht werden.

Vor einigen Tagen wurde die Konferenz über Frieden, Sicherheit und Entwicklung in Goma eröffnet. Wir fordern die Teilnehmer eindringlich auf, das Problem der sexuellen Gewalt gegen Frauen und Mädchen anzugehen und sich zu verpflichten, die Täter vor Gericht zu bringen und die Situation der Straflosigkeit zu beenden.

  Marcin Libicki, w imieniu grupy UEN. – Pani Przewodnicząca! Omawiamy dzisiaj gwałt jako zbrodnię wojenną w Kongu. Jak na ironię Kongo, które nazywa się Republiką Demokratyczną Konga, wygląda na to, że w dzisiejszych czasach im więcej demokracji w przemówieniach i w nazwach, tym mniej fundamentalnych praw dla zwykłych ludzi.

Powtórzę jeszcze raz, jedyną metodą na to, żeby ograniczyć afrykańskich kacyków, wyniesionych na urzędy prezydentów, są sankcje ekonomiczne z jednej strony i interwencje zbrojne z drugiej strony. Póki Unia Europejska nie stworzy policyjnych sił, które będą interweniować nie w każdą wojnę domową, ale przynajmniej po to, żeby pilnować obozów, tak zwanych obozów dla uchodźców, gdzie właśnie w Kongu dochodzi do największych przestępstw, tak długo będziemy tylko o tym debatować, debatować i debatować, debatom nie będzie końca, a ludzi będą nadal spotykać krzywdy i zbrodnie.

  Hiltrud Breyer, im Namen der Verts/ALE-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin! Die abscheulichen Massenvergewaltigungen im Kongo werden systematisch betrieben, und von daher werden sie auch als militärische Strategie eingesetzt, und das ist nicht nur Krieg, das ist sexueller Terror gegen Frauen. Die brutalen Vergewaltigungen dienen inzwischen jeder Kriegspartei im Ostkongo, ob lokale Stammesmiliz oder nationale Armee, als Zeichen der Macht und als Mittel der Einschüchterung.

Gerade die Schwächsten der Gesellschaft, Frauen, Kinder und sogar Babys, werden barbarisch missbraucht, vorsätzlich verwundet, verstümmelt, mit HIV oder anderen Infektionskrankheiten angesteckt oder getötet. Wir wissen, wir haben es gehört, diese Brutalität übersteigt jegliche menschliche Vorstellungskraft, und wir brauchen ganz dringend den Fakt, dass Vergewaltigung endlich als Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit, als Kriegsverbrechen und auch als Folter verurteilt wird. Wenn aber die Vergewaltigungsopfer nach schweren Operationen — den Frauen fehlen oft sämtliche weiblichen Geschlechtsorgane — traumatisiert und allein zurück in ihre Dörfer kommen, finden sie dort keinen Schutz.

Von daher kann ich nur unterstützen, was Herr Borrell und Frau Scheele eben gesagt haben: Die europäischen Gelder müssen wir auch nutzen für Frauenhäuser, die für die Frauen nach ihren Krankenhausaufenthalten eine Art Zufluchtsort sind, wo sie dann versuchen können, ein neues Leben aufzubauen. Denn neben der physischen Gewalt ist die psychische Gewalt, die den Opfern angetan wird, unermesslich grausam.

Wir wissen, dass die meisten Übergriffe von Rebellen verantwortet werden, aber fast ein Fünftel der registrierten Fälle geht auf das Konto von Regierungstruppen und Polizisten zurück, und es ist in der Tat beschämend, dass bislang kein einziger Täter festgenommen oder gar beschuldigt worden ist. Und von daher: Lippenbekenntnisse reichen nicht. Wir brauchen politische Taten der UN und der Europäischen Union, wenn wir uns ....

(Die Präsidentin entzieht der Rednerin das Wort.)

  Urszula Krupa, w imieniu grupy IND/DEM. – Pani Przewodnicząca! Zabierając niedawno głos w debacie na temat seksualnego niewolnictwa w Japonii podczas drugiej wojny światowej sprzeciwiałam się także współczesnej barbarzyńskiej przemocy wobec kobiet w Kongo, gdzie według organizacji Lekarze bez Granic ma miejsce 75% wszystkich gwałtów, do jakich dochodzi na świecie. To jest tym bardziej dramatyczne, że przemoc jest połączona ze szczególnym okrucieństwem, które dotyczy nawet trzyletnich dziewczynek.

Ugrupowania zbrojne traktują gwałty jako element taktyki zmierzającej do złamania oporu i karania grup etnicznych, co dotyczy nie tylko uzbrojonych rebeliantów, ale niestety także rządowej armii Konga. Niespotykana agresja i przemoc seksualna dopełnia istniejącego tam piekła na ziemi związanego z brakiem żywności i chorobami. Warto przy tym przypomnieć, że podłożem rywalizacji plemiennej było faworyzowanie w czasach kolonialnych jednego z plemion.

  Leopold Józef Rutowicz (UEN). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Kongo, największy kraj afrykański posiadający bardzo bogate zasoby surowców naturalnych: wodę, lasy tropikalne, tereny uprawne, jest od wielu lat w zapaści cywilizacyjnej. 2 wojny domowe, walki plemienne, bandy i partyzanci spowodowały śmierć ponad 4 milionów ludzi. Masowa deportacja ludności z terenów przez nią zamieszkałych, korupcja i niesprawność władz, plaga AIDS, dodatkowo obecnie epidemia wirusa ebola dopełniają tragedii mieszkańców.

Jak pomóc tym ludziom? Jednym z istotnych działań, oprócz pomocy humanitarnej i wsparcia technicznego, powinno być wykluczenie przywódców i organizatorów winnych tych barbarzyńskich działań, którzy byli i są bezkarni, ze społeczności kongijskiej. Przestępcy winni ludobójstwa powinni być ścigani przez międzynarodowe siły specjalne celem doprowadzenia do sądu i osądzenia.

  Zbigniew Zaleski (PPE-DE). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Żeby nie powtarzać, powiem, że pomoc z naszej strony dla ofiar jest bezdyskusyjna i oby była ona jak najszersza i poważna.

Rzecz druga, która mi się rzuciła w oczy, kiedy byłem w Kongo w czasie wyborów, czego się dowiedziałem, to tego, iż 13-letni chłopcy – bo tyle mają lat, a czasem nawet mniej – są uczeni w dwóch kwestiach: jak zabijać i jak gwałcić młodsze od siebie dziewczynki. Taki jest image żołnierzy, tak zwanych żołnierzy z frakcji kontrkandydata na prezydenta – pana Bemby – ale nie tylko. W każdej frakcji jest sytuacja podobna, a więc nawiązałbym do wypowiedzi naszego kolegi Borrella, że nasze fundusze i nasze siły, którymi dysponujemy, powinny być skierowane m.in. na jakąś reedukację tych młodych ludzi, którzy jak się tego nauczą, to przed sobą mają tylko życie w bandach i dokonywanie gwałtów albo zabijania. Coś z nimi trzeba zrobić. I to może jest jakieś wyzwanie przed nami, iżby pomóc tej populacji zmienić nastawienie w stosunku do płci przeciwnej, do swojego funkcjonowania.

  Meglena Kuneva, Member of the Commission. − Madam President, the Commission remains extremely worried about the deteriorating human rights situation – especially about the widespread sexual violence – in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and strongly condemns all acts of violence against women.

In the prevailing climate of violence and insecurity all the armed groups present in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, including elements of the national armed forces, are to some extent involved in the dramatic rise of these types of acts. In this context, it is important to promote the fight against impunity, but also to address the root causes of the problem. It ought to be noted that sexual violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo is embedded within the context of persistent conflict and violence in the region.

Peace is needed for sustained security and stability, the two key elements linked to the prevalence of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is why the Commission, together with the EU Member States, has been continuously promoting a political solution for the crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The ongoing conference on peace, security and development in the Kivus, coupled with the recent agreement reached between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda in Nairobi in November 2007, could indeed represent a significant step forward in the process, while acknowledging that there are still many challenges ahead before a sustainable peace in the Kivus can be reached.

However, these efforts are not enough and have to be complemented with active support to strengthen the capacity of the state in providing protection to its people. In this regard, the Commission works together with the Member States in strengthening the rule of law and the fight against impunity by supporting the security sector reform comprising the army, the police and the justice sector.

I would like to reflect on some of the questions from Members and try to answer them. The Commission addresses, in particular, the problem of sexual violence and criminality through a multi-donor justice and rehabilitation project in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing inter alia on building the capacity of judicial actors and reinforcing the provision of legal assistance to the victims of sexual violence.

In addition, the Commission provides significant humanitarian assistance – roughly EUR 40 million per year – to the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially to Uturi and the Kivus. Our humanitarian and health programmes take into consideration the gender violence they mentioned, both from a creative and awareness-raising perspective.

  Πρόεδρος. – Η συζήτηση επί του θέματος αυτού έληξε.

Η ψηφοφορία θα διεξαχθεί μετά το πέρας των συζητήσεων.

(1) βλ. Συνοπτικά Πρακτικά

11.3. Египет (разискване)

  Πρόεδρος. – Η ημερήσια διάταξης προβλέπει τη συζήτηση επί έξι προτάσεων ψηφίσματος σχετικά με την Αίγυπτο⁽¹⁾.

  Raül Romeva i Rueda, Autor. − Señora Presidenta, quisiera empezar por decir que este Parlamento cometería un gravísimo error si sucumbiera ante las presiones de quienes prefieren que no hablemos de temas que pueden suscitar incomodidad en algunos países, especialmente, cuando se trata de denunciar violaciones de derechos humanos.

Hay países con los que tenemos ciertas relaciones privilegiadas, como es el caso de aquellos que se enmarcan en la Política Europea de Vecindad, con quienes debemos ser especialmente claros y recordarles también que los negocios no pueden ni deben ir nunca disociados del respeto de los derechos humanos, aquí y allí.

La situación en Egipto merecía una reflexión y las relaciones entre ese país y la Unión Europea obligan, además, a ello. Así pues, resulta más que legítimo denunciar, como hacemos en esta Resolución, la persecución de ciertas organizaciones no gubernamentales, especialmente de derechos humanos, que está teniendo lugar en Egipto en estos momentos, así como apoyar la campaña en favor de la libertad de asociación que varios movimientos sociales impulsan en ese país.

  Paulo Casaca, Autor. − Senhora Presidente, também eu gostaria de dizer que não há naturalmente fronteiras nem lugares sagrados onde os direitos humanos não sejam uma preocupação fundamental, mas também não podemos deixar de ter em consideração que tivemos oportunidade de ver a disponibilidade do Sr. Ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros do Egipto, que veio de propósito ao Parlamento Europeu, à Comissão dos Negócios Estrangeiros, e que se disponibilizou para responder a todas as questões relativas a violações de direitos humanos que lhe foram colocadas, e eu que lá estive presente, e eu coloquei essas questões e obtive algumas respostas por parte do Sr. Ministro.

Esta resolução acentua também, para além de factores negativos, alguns factores positivos que me parecem importante realçar, como por exemplo, o compromisso para pôr fim ao estado de emergência a partir já deste ano, daqui a alguns meses, como também a cooperação para terminar com o contrabando de armamento em Gaza e, acima de tudo, o que me parece essencial, é aproveitar a disponibilidade das autoridades egípcias para que elas efectivamente sejam levadas a corrigir situações de violações efectivamente graves das quais eu gostaria de salientar a permanência na prisão do anterior candidato à Presidência da República do Egipto e para a qual gostaria de renovar um apelo para que fosse terminada essa situação que, de forma alguma é coerente com os princípios básicos de um Estado que defende os direitos humanos e pelos quais o Egipto se pronunciou e se comprometeu sucessivamente.

  Erik Meijer, Auteur. − Voorzitter, Egypte heeft geen democratische traditie. De jonge militairen Nasser en Najib, die meer dan een halve eeuw geleden het slecht functionerende regime van koning Faroek omverwierpen, brachten hoop op verandering en vooruitgang. Nasser gaf zijn volk trots en inspiratie voor de toekomst, die een eind zouden maken aan een achtergebleven en vernederd land. Zijn opvolger Sadat gaf hoop op duurzame vrede met buurland Israël, na een reeks verschrikkelijke oorlogen.

De huidige president Mubarak biedt geen enkele hoop. Hij is het symbool van de stilstand geworden. Zijn enige verdienste is het met harde hand organiseren van stabiliteit, waardoor hij in de buitenwereld kan worden gezien als bondgenoot tegen terrorisme en islamitisch fundamentalisme. Hij heeft echter geen vooruitgang en geen democratisering te bieden. Opposities zijn selectief toegestaan, maar ze hebben niet de normale speelruimte die in een parlementaire democratie gebruikelijk is. Daarmee kweekt hij een voedingsbodem voor interne strijd, zowel van fundamentalisten als van democraten.

Ook ontstaat een toenemende intolerantie tegen religieuze minderheden, waaronder de vanouds in Egypte sterk aanwezige christelijke kopten. Op deze grondslag, waarbij problemen niet worden opgelost, maar met geweld worden toegedekt, ontstaat geen duurzame stabiliteit. Daarom is er alle reden voor deze kritische resolutie.

Tegenwerking van niet-gouvernementele organisaties, intimidatie van opposanten, discriminatie van minderheden, arrestaties en martelingen en alle andere geconstateerde tekortkomingen doen ons het ergste vrezen voor wat er na het bewind van Mubarak zal volgen. Egypte lijkt voor een groot deel weer terug in de achterlijkheid uit de tijd van koning Faroek, zestig jaar geleden. De Europese betrekkingen met Egypte behoren ertoe bij te dragen dat aan die situatie zoveel mogelijk een eind komt.

  Ewa Tomaszewska, autorka. − Pani Przewodnicząca! Postępujące pogarszanie się sytuacji w zakresie respektowania praw człowieka w Egipcie wywołuje coraz większe zaniepokojenie.

Zmiany zapisów konstytucyjnych ułatwiają naruszanie praw człowieka. Pod pretekstem ochrony przed atakami terrorystycznymi i w związku z domniemanym problemem przemytu broni do Strefy Gazy uzbraja się służby specjalne w prawa ułatwiające uchylanie się od odpowiedzialności za stosowanie tortur. Coraz częściej następują represje ze względu na przekonania religijne, aresztowania i długie przetrzymywanie więźniów bez uczciwego procesu.

Organizacje zajmujące się śledzeniem przestrzegania praw człowieka, jak choćby Amnesty International, zwracają uwagę na szczególną obojętność społeczności międzynarodowej wobec tego zjawiska. Zwracam się do Komisji Europejskiej o rozważenie skutecznych form wpływania na władzę Egiptu w celu zablokowania tego procesu.

  Jana Hybášková, Autorka. − Vážená paní komisařko, kolegové, Egypt je bezpochyby nejvýznamnější arabskou zemí, je kolébkou starobylé civilizace, nejdůležitějším arabským státem. Nikdo v Evropské unii a v tomto Parlamentu nepochybuje o tom, že Egypt je nejen klíčovým partnerem Evropské unie, ale partnerem dynamickým, připraveným a silným, a právě proto považujeme dialog s touto zemí za velmi důležitý a významný. Příští týden začínají nová jednání o akčním plánu mezi Evropskou unií a Egyptskou arabskou republikou. Je dobře, že náš Parlament jednomyslně a jasně vyjádří k těmto jednáním podporu a stává se hráčem v zahraniční politice. Jasně říkáme: partnerem Evropské unie nemůže být stát, který dovoluje tvrdé zásahy do nezávislosti starobylého demokratického institutu soudců, který dovolí týrání ve vězení, zabíjení imigrantů, který ruší svobodu projevu, blokuje internet a posílá členy parlamentu, jako synovce prezidenta Sadáta, před vojenský soud. Egypt je naším klíčovým spojencem v boji proti terorizmu, musí proto být klíčovým spojencem hlavně v potírání příčin terorizmu a radikalizace islámu. A právě proto nesmí takovým způsobem postupovat proti registraci nevládních organizací, nesmí ničit svobodu projevu a zejména musí hájit starobylou vládu práva, která vždy v Egyptu existovala. Věříme, že to Egypt dokáže a zejména věříme, že naše rezoluce přispěje Evropské komisi proto, aby sjednaný akční plán s touto zemí byl kvalitní. Děkuji za podporu.

  Bernd Posselt, im Namen der PPE-DE-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin! Ich gehöre zu den wenigen hier im Raum, die noch die große Rede von Präsident Sadat im Europäischen Parlament gehört haben. Diese Rede könnte man zum Grundsatzdokument des Jahres des interkulturellen Dialogs nehmen, das wir gerade begonnen haben. Es ist eine der größten Reden gewesen, die jemals hier im Haus gehalten worden sind.

Auch Präsident Mubarak war durch Jahrzehnte hindurch ein wichtiger und vertrauenswürdiger Partner für die Europäische Union, trotz vieler Fehler und Mängel, die es natürlich in Ägypten gegeben hat. Deshalb kann ich die Sprache überhaupt nicht verstehen, mit der der Präsident des ägyptischen Parlaments auf diese Entschließung reagiert hat. Wir sagen in einer vernünftigen und maßvollen Weise, dass wir Ägypten für einen der wichtigsten Partner im Mittelmeerraum halten, aber wir kritisieren an konkreten Punkten und anhand von klaren Tatsachen, dass es eben auch einiges auf dem Wege hin zu Demokratie und Rechtsstaatlichkeit zu ändern gibt.

Dies ist unsere Verpflichtung gegenüber unseren Völkern und gegenüber dem ägyptischen Volk. Ich glaube in der Tat, dass der Abbruch von Beziehungen, der da angedroht wird, genau der falsche Weg wäre. Wir müssen miteinander sprechen, und deshalb bejahe ich diese Entschließung, die in einer vernünftigen Sprache abgefasst ist, und appelliere an die Ägypter, das nicht als einen Abbruch des Dialogs zu verstehen, sondern als klares Signal für den Beginn eines intensiveren Dialogs, den wir mit Ägypten anhand dieser Entschließung führen wollen.

  Bogusław Sonik (PPE-DE). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Ja w tej debacie na temat Egiptu chciałbym zwrócić uwagę na dwa aspekty, z których jeden tutaj na pewno już był podnoszony.

Mianowicie, należy w tych stosunkach – które uważam, że powinny być podtrzymywane i rozwijane z Egiptem, który rzeczywiście powinien być naszym głównym partnerem w tamtej części świata – zwrócić uwagę, że chrześcijanie wyznania koptyjskiego są tam obywatelami drugiej kategorii. I to zarówno ci, którzy są obrządku prawosławnego, jak i katolickiego, i na to w tych kontaktach należy zwracać uwagę. Podobnie zresztą, jak już apelowałem tu wielokrotnie, że w ogóle powinniśmy się przyglądnąć i opracować specjalny raport na temat sytuacji mniejszości religijnej w tamtym obszarze geograficznym.

I drugi aspekt: nie będzie można mówić o trwałym pokoju, trwałej demokracji i przestrzeganiu praw człowieka w tamtej części świata, póki nie zostanie rozwiązany konflikt palestyńsko-izraelski na Bliskim Wschodzie. To on jest zarzewiem wszelkiej przemocy, gwałtu i rodzenia się terroryzmu i fanatyzmu, który zagraża również i Europie.

  Marcin Libicki (UEN). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Chciałem wyrazić pewną satysfakcję, że dzisiaj debatujemy o sprawie Egiptu, gdzie nie musimy mówić o regularnych zbrodniach. Zwykle w czwartki o tej porze, w debatach na temat praw obywatelskich, w których ja z reguły uczestniczę, mówimy o sprawach bardzo, bardzo poważnych i niebezpiecznych, gdzie prawa obywatelskie są łamane, ludzie mordowani, kobiety gwałcone. Natomiast tutaj rzeczywiście mamy pewną satysfakcję, że na tle tych innych spraw, w Egipcie interweniujemy w porę, kiedy naruszane są swobody obywatelskie, ale nie ma jeszcze zbrodni. Dlatego być może nasza, ta w porę podjęta interwencja, będzie dzięki temu skuteczniejsza i zapobiegnie gorszym konsekwencjom, bo jak zwykle zaczyna się od ograniczania mediów - tutaj mówimy o aresztowaniach dziennikarzy, o ograniczeniach praw stowarzyszania, mówimy tutaj o związkach zawodowych, o prześladowaniach mniejszości religijnych - a potem dochodzi do zbrodni. Tu jeszcze na szczęście zbrodni nie ma.

  Meglena Kuneva, Member of the Commission. − Madam President, the Commission is paying close attention to the democratic and human rights situation in Egypt, which is one of our partners in the European neighbourhood policy. It is following developments very closely through our delegation in Cairo, and in partnership with the Member States. It is also in regular contact with local and international NGOs dealing with human rights and democracy.

The Commission shares your concern at the apparent deterioration of the human rights situation in Egypt, and at the number of reported cases of human rights violations, particularly in relation to freedom of expression, torture and ill treatment, as well as respect for religious minorities.

It has called for greater political reform, and respect for human rights is an intrinsic part of the EU partnership with Egypt. The Commission is, therefore, using all the means at its disposal to encourage the Egyptian authorities to progress in this area.

As a member of the UN Human Rights Council, Egypt has committed itself to upholding ‘the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights’. The EU consistently raises the importance of respecting human rights – notably on the basis of Article 2 of the Association Agreement – in its bilateral contacts with Egypt, including those at the highest level.

With the adoption of the joint EU-Egypt action plan, under the European neighbourhood policy, in March 2007, we now have another political tool to foster respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Egypt, based on what we understand to be shared values. The action plan provides for the establishment of a formal and regular dialogue on human rights and democracy in the context of the Subcommittee on Political Matters: Human Rights and Democracy, International and Regional Issues. That subcommittee aims to facilitate dialogue within a context of mutual understanding, and respect for the positions of both parties, on all aspects of human rights and democracy, international and regional issues, in a comprehensive and non-exclusive way. It will convene for the first time next week – 23 and 24 January 2007 – in Cairo, and will be a constructive way for Egypt to demonstrate commitment to shared values.

The Commission firmly believes that the dialogue with Egypt within the framework of the political arrangements set out in the Association Agreement and in the ENP action plan is the most effective way to impress upon the Egyptian Government the EU’s concerns regarding respect for human rights and international law.

The Commission remains committed to contributing to Egypt’s reform process through financial and technical assistance, and support for political reform, human rights and democracy remains a priority in the national indicative programme 2007-2010, and under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights.

I am sure the European Parliament will be a strong ally in support of these efforts.

  Πρόεδρος. – Η συζήτηση έληξε.

Η ψηφοφορία θα διεξαχθεί αμέσως τώρα.

(1) βλ. Συνοπτικά Πρακτικά

12. Време за гласуване

  Πρόεδρος. – Η ημερήσια διάταξη προβλέπει την Ώρα των Ψηφοφοριών.

(Για τα αποτελέσματα και λοιπές πληροφορίες επί των ψηφοφοριών: βλ. Συνοπτικά Πρακτικά)

12.1. Арестът на китайския дисидент Ху Джиа (вот)

- Μετά την ψηφοφορία:

  Bernd Posselt (PPE-DE). – Frau Präsidentin! Kann es sein, dass die Leute, die in den letzten Tagen ständig nach namentlichen Abstimmungen gefragt haben, das heute Nachmittag nicht getan haben, weil sie fast alle nicht da sind?

(Beifall)

  Πρόεδρος. – Οι παραλήπτες του μηνύματος το πήραν κ. Posselt.

12.2. Положението в Демократична република Конго и изнасилването като военно престъпление (вот)

12.3. Египет (вот)

13. Обяснения на вот (продължение)

  Πρόεδρος. – Θα προχωρήσουμε τώρα στη συνέχεια των αιτιολογήσεων ψήφου που απέμειναν από το μεσημέρι.

Είχαν εγγραφεί για αιτιολόγηση ψήφου επί των εκθέσεων που απομένουν από το μεσημέρι οι συνάδελφοι Roithová, Helmer, Whittaker, Clark, Nattrass, Wise, Deva, Hannan και Kamall.

Διαπιστώνω ότι οι συνάδελφοι δεν είναι παρόντες, μπορούν όμως να υποβάλουν, εάν το επιθυμούν, γραπτές αιτιολογήσεις ψήφου.

14. Състав на комисиите и делегациите: вж. протоколи

⁂

  Paul Rübig (PPE-DE). – Frau Präsidentin! Ich wollte mich ausdrücklich bedanken, dass Sie die Namen jener vorgelesen haben, die am Vormittag behaupteten, in diesem Haus gäbe es keine Demokratie, weil sie nicht zu Wort kommen. Schaut man jetzt auf die Bänke jener, die sich hier lautstark demonstrierend präsentiert und erklärt haben, dass es keine Demokratie gibt, so sieht man, dass sie nicht einmal die Zeit wahrnehmen, bis zum Ende der Sitzung zu bleiben. Sie sind selbst kein gutes Vorbild für Europa! Ich würde bitten, dass das im Protokoll ausdrücklich vermerkt wird.

  Πρόεδρος. - Κύριε Rübig, η παρατήρησή σας θα καταγραφεί.

15. Решения относно някои документи: вж. протоколи

16. Писмени декларации, вписани в регистъра (член 116 от правилника): вж. протоколи

17. Предаване на текстове, приети на настоящото заседание: вж. протоколи

18. График на следващите заседания: вж. протокола

19. Прекъсване на сесията

  Πρόεδρος. – Κηρύσσω τη διακοπή της συνόδου του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου.

(Η συνεδρίαση λήγει στις 4.20 μ.μ.)

En relación a mi pregunta oral H-0806/07 de 11 de octubre de 2007, y su respuesta escrita de 14 de noviembre de 2007, quisiera señalar que según lo aprobado por el Parlamento Europeo en su Resolución de 15 de noviembre de 2007 sobre el interés europeo: Triunfar en la era de la mundialización (P6_TA(2007)0533), la apreciación de los tipos de cambio del euro es el resultado no sólo de desequilibrios crecientes en terceros países sino también de una insuficiente demanda en la zona del euro.

En este sentido, ¿cuál es, según el Consejo, el papel que debe jugar la Unión Europea en la corrección de esa demanda insuficiente que se traduce en una falta de demanda del consumidor y en una falta de inversión por parte de las empresas?

Odgovor, ki ga je pripravilo predsedstvo in ne zavezuje ne Sveta ne držav članic, ni bil dan ustno v času za vprašanja, odmerjenem Svetu na delnem zasedanju Evropskega parlamenta januarja 2008 v Strasbourgu.

Kot je bilo povedano že v odgovoru na poslansko vprašanje H-0806/07 z dne 14. 11. 2007, EU izvaja ekonomske politike, določene z Lizbonsko strategijo, z namenom pospeševanja rasti in števila delovnih mest v EU ter s tem krepitve gospodarske učinkovitosti.

V preteklih mesecih se je pokazalo, da domače povpraševanje v EU, ki naj bi kompenziralo počasno rast na nekaterih drugih pomembnih gospodarskih področjih, dejansko narašča. K temu so pripomogli znatni uspehi na področju zaposlovanja, to pa naj bi omogočilo močno domače povpraševanje tudi v prihodnje.

Svet bo spomladi v okviru svežnja integriranih smernic posodobil Širše smernice ekonomskih politik (BEPG) za Skupnost in države članice in v skladu s členom 99(2) Pogodbe obvestil Evropski parlament o svojem priporočilu v zvezi z BEPG. V tem priporočilu bodo zelo jasno opredeljeni ukrepi za podporo uresničevanju ciljev Lizbonske strategije, tako na ravni držav članic kot na ravni EU, vključno z ukrepi za spodbujanje povpraševanja potrošnikov in pospeševanje naložb.

Europos Sąjunga, siekdama sumažinti priklausomybę nuo monopolinio dujų tiekimo iš Rusijos, inicijavo „Nabuko" projektą. Pagal šį projektą planuojama sujungti Kaspijos regioną, Artimuosius Rytus ir Europą. Vamzdynas iš Irano per Turkiją pasiektų Bulgariją, Rumuniją, Vengriją. Viena atšaka būtų skirta Austrijai, o kita – per Slovakiją į Lenkiją. Lenkijos sujungimas su ES dujų tinklais padėtų spręsti ES dujų „salos"– Lietuvos, Latvijos, Estijos ir Suomijos – sujungimo su ES tinklais problemą.

Kaip Taryba "Nabuko" projekto kontekste vertina Italijos bendrovės „Eni" ir rusų „Gazprom" susitarimą steigti dujų eksporto operatoriaus bendrovę „Pietų srovė", kuri valdytų dujų srautą į Pietų Europą ir turėtų atšaką Vidurio Europai? Kada numatomas „Nabuko" įgyvendinimas?

Odgovor, ki ga je pripravilo predsedstvo in ne zavezuje ne Sveta ne držav članic, ni bil dan ustno v času za vprašanja, odmerjenem Svetu na delnem zasedanju Evropskega parlamenta januarja 2008 v Strasbourgu.

Spoštovana poslanka, naj na začetku povem, da je projekt plinovoda Nabucco v smernicah vseevropskih energetskih omrežij dobil status projekta v evropskem interesu. To odraža pomen, ki ga Svet in Parlament pripisujeta projektu Nabucco, samega dogovora med Enijem in Gazpromom pa Svet ne more komentirati, saj je zasebne narave. Bi pa lahko projekt South Stream, kot je razvidno iz javno dostopnih informacij in, v kolikor bo uresničen v skladu z načrti, prispeval k zagotavljanju raznovrstnosti energetskih prometnih poti v Evropski uniji. V tem smislu Svet opozarja, da akcijski načrt Energetska politika za Evropo, ki ga je Evropski svet sprejel na zasedanju spomladi 2007 "poudarja potrebo po povečanju zanesljivosti oskrbe za celo EU in za vsako posamezno državo članico: z učinkovitim zagotavljanjem raznovrstnih energetskih virov in različnih prenosnih poti, ki bodo prav tako prispevali k bolj konkurenčnemu notranjemu energetskemu trgu".

Na podlagi informacij investitorjev in koordinatorja Komisije za projekt Nabucco, se bo gradnja plinovoda Nabucco pričela leta 2009. Plinovod pa naj bi začel delovati leta 2012.

Ο υπουργός Ευρωπαϊκών Υποθέσεων της Γαλλίας, παρουσίασε στην πολιτική επιτροπή της Ευρωμεσογειακής Κοινοβουλευτικής Συνέλευσης (26.11.2007) το σχέδιο για την δημιουργία μιας «Μεσογειακής Ένωσης», που είχε εξαγγείλει ο γάλλος Πρόεδρος. Στην παρέμβασή του, ο κ. Jean-Pierre Jouyet επεσήμανε ότι «όλες οι προσπάθειες αναζωογόνησης της «διαδικασίας της Βαρκελώνης» (Barcelona process) απέτυχαν. … Η προσέγγιση είναι πλήρως αντιληπτή από την Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή και τις συνεργαζόμενες χώρες, οι αντιδράσεις των οποίων ήταν θετικές.»

Ποια μέτρα προτίθεται να λάβει για την αναζωογόνηση της «διαδικασίας της Βαρκελώνης»; Πώς κρίνει την πρόταση για τη δημιουργία «Μεσογειακής Ένωσης»;

Odgovor, ki ga je pripravilo predsedstvo in ne zavezuje ne Sveta ne držav članic, ni bil dan ustno v času za vprašanja, odmerjenem Svetu na delnem zasedanju Evropskega parlamenta januarja 2008 v Strasbourgu.

V novembru 2007 je bilo v Lizboni zelo uspešno srečanje zunanjih ministrov, ki so med drugim odobrili obsežen delovni program za leto 2008 in pozdravili pridružitev dveh novih držav k Barcelonskemu procesu (Albanije in Mavretanije). Podobno je v Albufeiri potekalo zgodovinsko ministrsko srečanje na temo migracij.

Barcelonski proces je osrednji element v odnosih med EU in sredozemskimi državami in to bo to tudi ostal.

Pozdravljamo vse pobude, ki lahko pripomorejo k izboljšanju profila regije in življenjskih pogojev njenih prebivalcev. Tudi v prihodnje bo Evropska unija delovala v smeri iskanja načinov, kako najučinkoviteje uskladiti prizadevanja za izboljšanje razmer v regiji.

Svet še ni razpravljal o francoski pobudi o ustanovitvi "Unije za Sredozemlje", zato glede tega vprašanja ne more podati mnenja.

Following the outcome of the latest court case in the UK, how soon will the Council formally decide to implement the ruling of the ECJ that the EU’s proscribing of the People’s Mujehadeen of Iran (PMOI) as a terrorist organisation was unlawful?

Odgovor, ki ga je pripravilo predsedstvo in ne zavezuje ne Sveta ne držav članic, ni bil dan ustno v času za vprašanja, odmerjenem Svetu na delnem zasedanju Evropskega parlamenta januarja 2008 v Strasbourgu.

Kar zadeva javno odločbo komisije Združenega kraljestva za pritožbe v zvezi s prepovedanimi organizacijami (UK Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission – POAC), je Svet seznanjen, da želi ministrica za notranje zadeve Združenega kraljestva vložiti pritožbo, ne more pa komentirati nacionalnih postopkov.

In 2001, the EU ruled that motorised scooters (used by disabled people for transport) should be classified as a ‘vehicle for transport’ rather than a ‘carriage for disabled persons’. This classification means that for the three Members States who import these vehicles, a 10% import tax would have to be applied. The decision to impose an import tax was based on a World Customs Organisation opinion which suggested that these motorised vehicles may be used for transport on a golf course. The US, on the other hand, dismissed the same opinion.

Would the Council be sympathetic to the elimination of import duty for motorised vehicles?

Odgovor, ki ga je pripravilo predsedstvo in ne zavezuje ne Sveta ne držav članic, ni bil dan ustno v času za vprašanja, odmerjenem Svetu na delnem zasedanju Evropskega parlamenta januarja 2008 v Strasbourgu.

Drži, da so"električni skuterji" pod tarifno številko EU 8703 10 18 uvrščeni med "motorna vozila za prevoz ljudi", za katere velja 10-odstotna stopnja dajatve.

Ta uvrstitev temelji na pravilih za razlago carinske nomenklature, dogovorjenih na mednarodni ravni in povzetih v zakonodaji Skupnosti. Stopnje dajatev tarifne ureditve EU so rezultat mednarodnih pogajanj v okviru Svetovne trgovinske organizacije in kompromis med vsemi zainteresiranimi, vključno z varstvom dobaviteljev EU.

Spoštovani poslanec David Martin se nedvomno zaveda, da so stopnje dajatev določene v uredbi Komisije o tarifni in statistični nomenklaturi ter skupni carinski tarifi⁽¹⁾ (sprejeti v skladu z Uredbo Sveta (EGS) št. 2658/87 z dne 23. julija 1987).

Svet bi o odpravi avtonomnih dajatev skupne carinske nomenklature na zadevne izdelke lahko razpravljal le na podlagi predloga Komisije.

Daugėja pranešimų, liudijančių, kad Kosovas netrukus ketina skelbti nepriklausomybę, neatmesdamas galimybės daryti tai ir vienašališkai. Vieninga ES pozicija šiuo klausimu yra esminė. Be vieningo balso ES nebus pasiruošusi atremti didžiausio ES užsienio politikos iššūkio − sėkmingai įgyvendinti nepriklausomo Kosovo administracijos misiją.

Kokių priemonių imasi ar ketina imtis Taryba, kad ES valstybės parodytų vienybę Kosovo klausimu? Kaip Taryba vertina ES pasiruošimo administruoti Kosovą laipsnį? Kaip konkrečiai planuojama įgyvendinti šią misiją?

Odgovor, ki ga je pripravilo predsedstvo in ne zavezuje ne Sveta ne držav članic, ni bil dan ustno v času za vprašanja, odmerjenem Svetu na delnem zasedanju Evropskega parlamenta januarja 2008 v Strasbourgu.

Voditelji držav ali vlad držav članic EU so na zasedanju Evropskega sveta 14. decembra 2007 soglašali z generalnim sekretarjem ZN, ki meni, da je sedanje stanje na Kosovu nesprejemljivo in poudarili, da je treba doseči dogovor, ki je bistvenega pomena za stabilnost regije.

Evropski svet je poudaril tudi pripravljenost EU:

da prevzame vodilno vlogo pri krepitvi stabilnosti v regiji in izvajanju dogovora o prihodnjem statusu Kosova;

da pomaga Kosovu do trajne stabilnosti, tudi z misijo v sklopu EVOP (v okviru tega je pozval Svet za splošne zadeve in zunanje odnose naj določi načine in datum začetka delovanja misije);

da pomaga pri vzpostavitvi mednarodnega civilnega urada v okviru mednarodnega posredovanja.

EU je zato v lanskem letu razporedila dve pripravljalni enoti na terenu, katerih namen je priprava na morebitno sodelovanje pri reševanju kosovskega vprašanja. Priprave potekajo dobro.

Enota za pripravo Mednarodnega civilnega urada (ICO/EUSR PT) je začela z delom oktobra 2006. Njena naloga je načrtovanje prihodnjega Mednarodnega civilnega urada (ICO), vključno z uradom PPEU, in priprava na izvajanje morebitnega dogovora o statusu tega območja.

Enota za načrtovanje morebitne misije na področju pravne države (EUPT Kosovo) deluje na Kosovu od maja 2006. Predvidena misija v sklopu EVOP naj bi zagotavljala mentorstvo, nadzor in svetovanje na širšem področju pravne države. Imela naj bi tudi izvršilne pristojnosti na nekaterih področjih policijskega dela, vključno z zagotavljanjem javnega reda in miru, pravosodja in carine. V okviru misije naj bi bilo zaposlenih približno 1800 članov mednarodnega osebja.

In het gemeenschappelijk Standpunt 2007/120/GBVB⁽¹⁾ van de Raad van 19 februari 2007 worden de sancties tegen Zimbabwe, met onder meer een inreisverbod voor Mugabe en zijn naaste medewerkers, verlengd tot en met 20 februari 2008. De sancties werden ingesteld in 2002 omdat de regering van Zimbabwe zich schuldig maakt aan ernstige schendingen van de mensenrechten.

In het begin van december 2007 kondigden de Verenigde Staten een verscherping aan van de sancties tegen Zimbabwe. Met name zou het inreisverbod uitgebreid worden naar 38 personen. Een vijftal kinderen van hooggeplaatste leden van het regime zouden het verbod krijgen om in de Verenigde Staten te studeren. Ook zouden financiële sancties uitgebreid worden naar bepaalde personen.

Is de Raad ook van plan om de sancties tegen Zimbabwe te verscherpen? Zo ja, op welke manier? Zo neen, wat zijn de redenen om dit niet te doen?

Odgovor, ki ga je pripravilo predsedstvo in ne zavezuje ne Sveta ne držav članic, ni bil dan ustno v času za vprašanja, odmerjenem Svetu na delnem zasedanju Evropskega parlamenta januarja 2008 v Strasbourgu.

Svet še ni razpravljal o vprašanju, ki ga je izpostavil spoštovani poslanec. Vendar je razprava o tem vprašanju predvidena v kratkem. Ob tem EU dogajanje v Zimbabveju pozorno spremlja, še posebej v luči prihodnjih predsedniških volitev, ki so napovedane za marec 2008. EU podpira prizadevanja Južnoafriške skupnosti za razvoj (SADC) za rešitev razmer v državi ter pričakuje njeno poročilo, na podlagi katerega bo lažje sprejeti nadaljnje odločitve.

Can the Council clarify the situation regarding international travel bans on individual politicians and organisations? Who decides on the content of this list, who is currently on it and when is it reviewed? How effective does the Council consider the relevant bans to have been?

Odgovor, ki ga je pripravilo predsedstvo in ne zavezuje ne Sveta ne držav članic, ni bil dan ustno v času za vprašanja, odmerjenem Svetu na delnem zasedanju Evropskega parlamenta januarja 2008 v Strasbourgu.

Omejitve vstopa so del omejevalnih ukrepov, ki jih Svet lahko uporablja v okviru skupne zunanje in varnostne politike. Ti ukrepi morajo biti skladni s cilji SZVP, določenimi v členu 11 Pogodbe o Evropski uniji (PEU).

Omejitve vstopa vedno določi Svet s skupnim stališčem, ki med drugim uvaja sankcijo, pojasnjuje razloge za sprejetje ukrepa in navaja uporabljena merila. Vsa skupna stališča se objavijo v Uradnem listu Evropske unije.

Skupna stališča se običajno uporabljajo eno leto, najmanj vsakih 12 mesecev pa se opravi pregled, tudi glede njihove učinkovitosti.

Opozoriti je treba, da skupna stališča vsebujejo tudi določbe o ustreznih izjemah pri omejitvah vstopa, ki upoštevajo mednarodne obveznosti držav gostiteljic in humanitarne potrebe zadevnih oseb.

Can the Council outline what specific measures it intends to pursue so as to promote a greater level of political and economic cooperation between Europe and America in the coming months?

Odgovor, ki ga je pripravilo predsedstvo in ne zavezuje ne Sveta ne držav članic, ni bil dan ustno v času za vprašanja, odmerjenem Svetu na delnem zasedanju Evropskega parlamenta januarja 2008 v Strasbourgu.

1. EU in ZDA medsebojno sodelujeta pri vseh najpomembnejših zunanjepolitičnih izzivih. Trenutna vprašanja vključujejo:

tesno sodelovanje pri vprašanjih v zvezi z Balkanom, zlasti Kosovom;

sodelovanje na terenu v Afganistanu, zlasti pri usposabljanju policije, pri katerem sodeluje EUPOL;

sodelovanje pri vprašanjih v zvezi z Iranom – dvojni pristop;

sodelovanje v mirovnem procesu na Bližnjem vzhodu, zlasti v okviru četverice;

delovni načrt EU in ZDA za krizno upravljanje, ki ga je Svet sprejel decembra 2007;

v načrtu je odobreno poglobljeno sodelovanje in posvetovanje med EU in ZDA na področju preprečevanja sporov, stabilizacije ter obnove in kriznega upravljanja.

2. Gospodarsko sodelovanje je bilo poglobljeno na zadnjem Vrhu EU - ZDA, kjer je bila sprejeta odločitev o vzpostavitvi okvira za krepitev čezatlantskega gospodarskega partnerstva in Čezatlantskega ekonomskega Sveta (TEC). Prvo zasedanje tega sveta je že za nami, naslednje pa bo predvidoma spomladi letos, pred vrhom EU - ZDA.

Na zadnjem srečanju vrha EU-ZDA je bil sprejet tudi dogovor o posebnem sodelovanju na drugih področjih novega okvira za krepitev čezatlantskega gospodarskega partnerstva.

3. Podnebne spremembe in energetika: podnebne spremembe so prednostna naloga EU, med drugim tudi v okviru njenih odnosov z ZDA. Obe strani sta bili ključni udeleženki konference o podnebnih spremembah, ki je potekala meseca decembra na Baliju v okviru Okvirne konvencije Združenih narodov o podnebnih spremembah (UNFCCC), in sodelujeta v dvostranskih pobudah o podnebnih spremembah in energetiki.

Na Vrhu leta 2007 je bil sklenjen dogovor o poglobljenem sodelovanju med EU in ZDA na treh glavnih področjih: politične in varnostne zadeve, gospodarsko partnerstvo ter podnebne spremembe in energetika.

Can the Council state what initiatives it is pursuing or intends to pursue in the future so as to help bring about a peaceful agreement based on mutual respect and co-existence between the Palestinian and Israeli peoples?

Odgovor, ki ga je pripravilo predsedstvo in ne zavezuje ne Sveta ne držav članic, ni bil dan ustno v času za vprašanja, odmerjenem Svetu na delnem zasedanju Evropskega parlamenta januarja 2008 v Strasbourgu.

Lansko poletje je bil vzpostavljen politični dialog med Izraelom in Palestinci, kraterega vrhunec so bila srečanja ministrskega predsednika Olmerta in predsednika Abasa. Svet ¸EU je pohvalil prizadevanja obeh strani, ki so privedla do konference v Annapolisu 26. in 27. novembra 2007. Evropski svet je na zasedanju 14. decembra 2007 izjavil, da v celoti podpira pogajanja med Palestinci in Izraelci, ki so se začela na konferenci v Annapolisu in nadaljevala na pariški donatorski konferenci. EU pozdravlja številčno udeležbo arabskih partnerjev na teh dveh konferencah in jih poziva, naj še naprej konstruktivno sodelujejo.

V zvezi z vlogo EU, zlasti pa vlogo Sveta, v zadevi, ki jo v svojem vprašanju omenja spoštovani poslanec Seán Ó Neachtain, je generalni sekretar/visoki predstavnik v tesni povezavi s Komisijo pripravil "Akcijsko strategijo EU" in sicer z namenom, da se preučijo vse dejavnosti EU za dodatno podporo obema stranema v sedanjih pogajanjih in obdobju izvajanja, ki bo sledilo. EU je na pariški donatorski konferenci 17. decembra 2007 izjavila, da podpira palestinski načrt reform in razvoja, ki ga je predstavil ministrski predsednik Fajad, in se zavezala, da bo palestinskim oblastem še naprej nudila znatno pomoč v podporo mirovnemu procesu, ki se je začel s konferenco v Annapolisu. Na sestanku voditeljev Kvarteta 17. decembra 2007 je EU ponovno potrdila svojo zavezo, da bo še naprej tesno sodelovala in podpirala prizadevanja obeh strani za sklenitev mirovnega sporazuma pred koncem leta 2008. Kvartet je sklenil, da se bo v letu 2008 redno sestajal, da bi pregledal dosežen napredek in podprl prizadevanja obeh strani. Voditelji Kvarteta so se 17. decembra 2007 sestali tudi z arabskimi zunanjimi ministri in razpravljali o nadaljnji poti. EU namerava, v tesnem sodelovanju s predstavnikom Kvarteta Tonyjem Blairom, dodatno okrepiti svoje programe v podporo oblikovanju institucij, dobrega upravljanja, prispevkov civilne družbe ter razvoja palestinskega gospodarstva.

Το Γραφείο Συντονισμού Ανθρωπιστικής Βοήθειας του ΟΗΕ έκρουσε πρόσφατα τον κώδωνα του κινδύνου για τις δραματικές επιπτώσεις του πολύμηνου ισραηλινού αποκλεισμού στη Λωρίδα της Γάζας και τις τακτικές στρατιωτικές επιδρομές. Ο αποκλεισμός, όπως αναφέρει εκπρόσωπος του ΟΗΕ, "τείνει" να προκαλέσει "ανήκεστες βλάβες" στην οικονομία της περιοχής και καθιστά τον πληθυσμό ακόμη πιο εξαρτημένο από την ξένη "βοήθεια". Ταυτόχρονα, παραδέχεται ότι ήδη "τα λιγοστά αποθέματα τροφίμων, η αύξηση των τιμών, η αύξηση του ποσοστού ανεργίας και η απώλεια εισοδημάτων έχουν καταστροφικά αποτελέσματα. Παρόμοιες καταγγελίες για τις αρχές του Ισραήλ για τους αποκλεισμούς Παλαιστινίων γίνονται από τη Διεθνή Επιτροπή Ερυθρού Σταυρού και μεγάλο αριθμό άλλων διεθνών οργανώσεων.

Σκοπεύει το Συμβούλιο να αναλάβει συγκεκριμένες πρωτοβουλίες προς τις αρχές του Ισραήλ, ώστε να άρουν τα "μέτρα αντιποίνων" που παραλύουν τη ζωή στη Λωρίδα της Γάζας και τη Δυτική Όχθη, με καταστροφικά αποτελέσματα για το σύνολο του παλαιστινιακού πληθυσμού που κατοικεί σε αυτές τις περιοχές;

Odgovor, ki ga je pripravilo predsedstvo in ne zavezuje ne Sveta ne držav članic, ni bil dan ustno v času za vprašanja, odmerjenem Svetu na delnem zasedanju Evropskega parlamenta januarja 2008 v Strasbourgu.

Svet EU je že večkrat poudaril globoko zaskrbljenost zaradi humanitarnih razmer v Gazi in pozval k nadaljnjem zagotavljanju osnovnih storitev. Vse sprte strani je pozval, naj si iz humanitarnih razlogov, pa tudi zaradi gospodarskih tokov, nujno prizadevajo za odprtje prehodov z Gazo. EU je pozdravila prvi korak; nedavno odprtje prehoda za izvoz kmetijskih izdelkov. Taki ukrepi bodo v podporo napredku na političnem področju. Evropski Svet je 14. decembra 2007 izrazil svojo polno podporo pogajanjem med Palestinci in Izraelci, ki so se začela na konferenci v Annapolisu ter nadaljevala na pariški donatorski konferenci.

Visoki predstavnik je, ob upoštevanju vloge EU in zlasti Sveta v tej zadevi, ki jo v svojem vprašanju omenja spoštovani poslanec, ter v polnem sodelovanju s Komisijo, pripravil Akcijsko strategijo EU "Oblikovanje države za mir na Bližnjem vzhodu"("State-building for Peace in the Middle East"). V skladu s to strategijo se bodo preučile vse dejavnosti EU, da bi tako zagotovili podporo obema stranema pri trenutnih pogajanjih ter v obdobju izvajanja, ki bo sledilo.

Can the Council state how many economic partnership agreements have been put in place by the European Union and African countries for the period commencing January 2008 and outline what are the clear benefits of these EPAs for African states?

Odgovor, ki ga je pripravilo predsedstvo in ne zavezuje ne Sveta ne držav članic, ni bil dan ustno v času za vprašanja, odmerjenem Svetu na delnem zasedanju Evropskega parlamenta januarja 2008 v Strasbourgu.

Zaradi večje jasnosti na tem področju je dobro razlikovati med celovitimi sporazumi o gospodarskem partnerstvu (SGP) in začasnimi sporazumi, ki jim sledi sklenitev SGP.

Sporazumi o gospodarskem partnerstvu, ki ostajajo cilj pogajanj, bodo imeli obsežno regionalno in sektorsko pokritje. Glede na dogovore med podpisnicami naj bi ti sporazumi poleg določil o trgovini z blagom in določil o razvojnem sodelovanju vključevali tudi storitve in s trgovino povezane določbe. Po mnenju EU naj bi bili takšni celoviti sporazumi najučinkovitejše sredstvo za uresničevanje ciljev Sporazuma iz Cotonouja in bi zagotovili maksimalni razvojni učinek SGP-jev. Na zadnjem zasedanju Sveta AKP–ES maja 2007 sta obe strani potrdili svojo zavezanost SGP-jem. Konec leta 2007 je že bil parafiran celovit SGP z regijo CARIFORUM, druge regije pa bodo potrebovale nekaj več časa, da bodo v celoti in uspešno zaključile ta zapleten proces.

Po 31. decembru 2007 je bilo potrebno poiskati rešitev, ki je združljiva s pravili Svetovne trgovinske organizacije (STO), da ne bi prišlo do motenj v trgovini s tistimi AKP državami, ki ne spadajo v skupino najmanj razvitih držav. Po tem datumu je namreč prenehal veljati preferencialni trgovinski režim sporazuma iz Cotonouja, ki je bil odobren s strani STO, v skladu z oprostitvijo (»waiver«). Začasni sporazumi so takšna rešitev, saj so združljivi s pravili STO. Ti sporazumi vključujejo trgovanje z blagom in vse druge vidike, o katerih so se dogovorile podpisnice in predstavljajo vmesno fazo, kateri bo sledila sklenitev celovitih SGP. Začasne sporazume, ki jim bo sledila sklenitev SGP, so parafirale vse zainteresirane partnerice AKP, vključujoč večina afriških držav, ki ne spadajo med najmanj razvite države, in številne afriške države iz skupine najmanj razvitih držav. Tovrstni sporazumi oziroma njihov učinek na predpise o trgovanju z blagom med EU in AKP državami, so implementirani v EU zakonodajo z uredbo o dostopu do trga.

Začasni sporazumi, ki sicer še nimajo celotnega razvojnega potenciala celovitih SGP, že pomenijo izboljšanje Cotonoujskega sistema in prinašajo neposredne koristi našim partnericam AKP. Prvič, vsem AKP državam podpisnicam zagotavljajo popoln dostop brez carin in kvot na trg EU (za trg sladkorja in riža so predvidena prehodna obdobja), kar je trenutno po uredbi "vse razen orožja" omogočeno le najmanj razvitim državam. Drugič pa začasni sporazumi vključujejo tudi ugodnejša pravila o poreklu, ki bodo državam AKP omogočila, da v celoti izkoristijo ugodnosti za dostop na EU trg. Ta nova pravila o poreklu so ugodnejša kot tista, ki jih omogoča sistem "vse razen orožja", zato so začasni sporazumi zanimivi tudi za najmanj razvite države.

In mei 2007 verzocht het Europees Parlement de Raad en de Commissie het verzoek van Somaliland om onafhankelijkheid te worden, te onderzoeken. Dit noordelijke deel van Somalië verklaarde zich al zelfstandig in 1991. Somaliland spant zich in voor good governance en stabiliteit. De verkiezingen van het parlement in 2005 verliepen relatief ordelijk en transparant en de regio profileert zich als jonge en actieve democratie. Maar op vlak van de mensenrechten zijn er nog een aantal pijnpunten en liet de regering van Somaliland onlangs nog steken vallen wat betreft de bescherming voor vluchtelingen uit Somalië.

Heeft de Raad zich reeds over deze kwestie gebogen ?

In de pers stond recent te lezen dat er in de regering Bush steeds meer stemmen opgaan voor de erkenning van de onafhankelijkheid van Somaliland. Vooral in militaire kringen zou men van mening zijn dat steun aan de Somalische overgangsregering ontoereikend is en dat men voor Somalië beter een strategie van containment zou toepassen. Daarvoor is de erkenning van een onafhankelijk Somaliland essentieel.

Zal de EU blijven wachten op de erkenning door landen in de regio en/of door de Somalische overgangsregering, alvorens tot erkenning over te gaan, of zou een gewijzigd Amerikaans standpunt een herziening van het Europese standpunt kunnen teweeg brengen?

Odgovor, ki ga je pripravilo predsedstvo in ne zavezuje ne Sveta ne držav članic, ni bil dan ustno v času za vprašanja, odmerjenem Svetu na delnem zasedanju Evropskega parlamenta januarja 2008 v Strasbourgu.

Svet je že večkrat izjavil, da podpira prehodno zvezno vlado Somalije in dosledno izvajanje ukrepov, ki jih predvideva Prehodna zvezna ustanovna listina. Kakor je izjavil v sklepih z dne 10. 12. 2007, Svet pripisuje velik pomen spoštovanju človekovih pravic na celotnem področju Somalije.

EU je članica mednarodne kontaktne skupine za Somalijo. Svet se bo o dogajanjih v Somaliji še naprej posvetoval z drugimi mednarodnimi partnerji v tej skupini, vključno z ZDA.

Όπως έγινε γνωστό, το σύνολο των 16 «μυστικών υπηρεσιών των ΗΠΑ» έχουν διαπιστώσει σε πρόσφατη έκθεση τους σχετικά με το πυρηνικό πρόγραμμα του Ιράν ότι «τουλάχιστον από το 2003 το Ιράν δεν ασχολείται με την κατασκευή πυρηνικών οπλών και δεν αποτελεί απειλή». Η διαπίστωση αυτή έρχεται να συμπληρώσει πρόσφατη προηγούμενη δήλωση του Προέδρου της αρμόδιας για την περίπτωση Διεθνούς Επιτροπής Ατομικής Ενέργειας, κ. Μπαραντέι, ότι το Ιράν είχε πλήρως ανταποκριθεί στους ελέγχους της επιτροπής αυτής. Όμως, είναι γνωστό ότι οι ΗΠΑ και ορισμένες άλλες χώρες, αγνοώντας επιδεικτικά τα στοιχεία αυτά, επιμένουν στην επιβολή κυρώσεων από το Συμβούλιο Ασφαλείας του ΟΗΕ κατά του Ιράν.

Εν συνεχεία της ερώτησής μας με αριθμό Η-0937/07⁽¹⁾, θεωρεί το Συμβούλιο νόμιμο το δικαίωμα του Ιράν να αξιοποιεί την πυρηνική ενέργεια για ειρηνικούς σκοπούς; Προτίθεται να σταματήσει τις προσπάθειες επιβολής κυρώσεων σε βάρος του Ιράν με πρόσχημα την δήθεν μη τήρηση των δεσμεύσεων της χώρας αυτής έναντι της Διεθνούς Επιτροπής Ατομικής Ενέργειας; Έχει αναλογιστεί τις συνέπειες από μια ενδεχόμενη απόσυρση του Ιράν από τη διεθνή σύμβαση για τη μη διάδοση των πυρηνικών οπλών, ως συνέπεια τις άδικης και απαράδεκτης πολιτικής επεμβάσεων των ΗΠΑ και των συμμάχων τους;

Odgovor, ki ga je pripravilo predsedstvo in ne zavezuje ne Sveta ne držav članic, ni bil dan ustno v času za vprašanja, odmerjenem Svetu na delnem zasedanju Evropskega parlamenta januarja 2008 v Strasbourgu.

Najnovejša ocena obveščevalnih služb ZDA vsebinsko ne spreminja ocene razmer, ki jo je pripravila EU. Poročilo navaja, da so v Iranu do leta 2003 potekale oborožitvene dejavnosti. To je samo po sebi kršitev Pogodbe o neširjenju jedrskega orožja (NPT). Če bi se Iran odločil opustiti in ne le začasno prekiniti ta prizadevanja, bi moral razkriti vse dejavnosti ne tem področju in pozvati Mednarodno agencijo za jedrsko energijo (IAEA), da potrdi, da je razvoj programa v celoti ustavljen.. Druga dva vzroka za skrb, bogatitev urana in program balističnih izstrelkov, sta še vedno prisotna, Iran pa ne spoštuje zahtev odbora IAEA in VS ZN.

Evropski svet je zato 14. decembra 2007 ponovno izrazil veliko zaskrbljenost zaradi iranskega jedrskega programa in poudaril, da bi bilo nesprejemljivo, če bi Iran pridobil jedrske vojaške zmogljivosti. V zvezi s tem je obžaloval, da Iran še ni izpolnil mednarodnih obveznosti iz resolucij Varnostnega sveta Združenih narodov št. 1696, 1737 in 1747 za prekinitev vseh dejavnosti, povezanih z bogatenjem in predelavo urana, kar je pogoj za ponovno vzpostavitev zaupanja, da je razvoj programa samo za miroljubne namene. Evropski svet je zato Iran pozval, naj celovito, jasno in prepričljivo odgovori na vsa vprašanja IAEA v zvezi s preteklimi in sedanjimi jedrskimi dejavnostmi. V celoti je podprl delo VS ZN pri sprejemanju nadaljnjih ukrepov v okviru 41. člena, 7. poglavja Ustanovne listine ZN.

EU je vedno poudarjala, da ima Iran pravico do uporabe jedrske energije za miroljubne namene. Iran mora prekiniti občutljive dejavnosti jedrskega gorivnega cikla, dokler si ne povrne mednarodno zaupanje. Naj opozorim, da še vedno velja ponudba Visokega predstavnika EU za skupno zunanjo in varnostno politiko iz junija 2006, ki bi omogočila Iranu , da razvije civilni jedrski program v skladu z njegovimi potrebami.

Όλα τα στοιχεία που είδαν το φως της δημοσιότητας δείχνουν ότι για μια ακόμη φορά οι ΗΠΑ, με τη συμμετοχή και άλλων αντιδραστικών ευρωπαϊκών δυνάμεων, πρωτοστατούν στην εκστρατεία για την ανατροπή του Προέδρου Έβο Μοράλες, προκειμένου να μην περάσει το νέο Σύνταγμα της Βολιβίας και οι προοδευτικές αλλαγές που προωθεί η εκλεγμένη - με μεγάλη πλειοψηφία από τις εκλογές του 2005 - κυβέρνηση της χώρας. Αιματηρά γεγονότα είχαν λάβει χώρα στη πόλη Sucre και σε άλλες περιοχές, με πρωταγωνιστές αντιδραστικές δυνάμεις που δεν δίστασαν να κάνουν ακόμα και χρήση ένοπλων ομάδων ενάντια στους πολίτες. Το ΚΚ Βολιβίας, το Κίνημα για το Σοσιαλισμό [ΜΑS] και άλλες προοδευτικές δυνάμεις, με τεκμηριωμένα στοιχεία, κατήγγειλαν τις αντιδραστικές ενέργειες των ΗΠΑ και των συμμάχων τους στη Βολιβία.

Καταδικάζει το Συμβούλιο τις υπονομευτικές αντιδραστικές ενέργειες των ΗΠΑ και των συμμάχων τους ενάντια στον Πρόεδρο Έβο Μοράλες και στην δημοκρατικά εκλεγμένη βολιβιανή κυβέρνηση; Προτίθεται να σεβαστεί τη θέληση του λαού της Βολιβίας να προωθήσει προοδευτικές αλλαγές που ικανοποιούν σύγχρονες ανάγκες των εργαζομένων;

Odgovor, ki ga je pripravilo predsedstvo in ne zavezuje ne Sveta ne držav članic, ni bil dan ustno v času za vprašanja, odmerjenem Svetu na delnem zasedanju Evropskega parlamenta januarja 2008 v Strasbourgu.

Svet bi želel opozoriti spoštovanega poslanca Toussasa na dejstvo, da vsi, še posebej pa predsednik Morales (kar je izpostavil na nedavnih srečanjih in pogovorih s predstavniki EU), izredno cenijo proaktivno vlogo EU, predvsem vodij misij EU, pri vzdrževanju in spodbujanju dialoga z vsemi partnerji v Boliviji. Tudi bolivijski minister za zunanje zadeve, David Chuquehuanca, je pozdravil mediacijo EU, ko je pred kratkim obiskal nekatere evropske prestolnice.

Dobrodošli so tudi pogovori predsednika Moralesa s prefekti, ki so pred nedavnim potekali v duhu sodelovanja in z namenom ponovne vzpostavitve nacionalnega dialoga.

EU bo še naprej izpolnjevala svojo pospeševalno vlogo, če bodo to želeli vsi bolivijski partnerji.

Sovereign wealth funds (SWF) are a new type of investment vehicle, with the very significant difference that they are owned by states, and often by undemocratic ones. New, more active investment strategies have caused concern in some Member States, especially when investing in companies seen as being of national strategic importance.

Examples of recent investments by SWF are the investment in Citigroup by Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, but also the bid on OMX by the Bourse Dubai, and of course the Russian interest in energy infrastructure in Europe.

In Brazil the Government is planning to set up an SWF to offset the appreciation of the real, thus directly intervening in the financial market.

I urge the Council to defend the openness of the financial system, but at the same time demand transparency from state-controlled funds, to ensure that any investment strategies are carried out with economic and not strategic goals in mind.

How does the Council plan to act on the issue of SWF? There have been a number of proposals from the Commission concerning SWFs, such as European golden shares, guidelines, and transparency initiatives. Which route would the Council like to see?

And finally, does the Council have any plans to monitor the development of the sovereign wealth funds on the European markets?

Odgovor, ki ga je pripravilo predsedstvo in ne zavezuje ne Sveta ne držav članic, ni bil dan ustno v času za vprašanja, odmerjenem Svetu na delnem zasedanju Evropskega parlamenta januarja 2008 v Strasbourgu.

Svet o zadevi ni razpravljal in zato nima stališča.

As was announced, one of the key priorities for the Slovenian Presidency's six-month term of office will be energy policy.

How does the Presidency plan to boost further the liberalisation of the energy market? How does the Presidency intend to balance the liberalisation of the energy market and implementation of the EU common energy policy? What challenges and obstacles does the Council foresee in this field and how does it plan to overcome them?

Odgovor, ki ga je pripravilo predsedstvo in ne zavezuje ne Sveta ne držav članic, ni bil dan ustno v času za vprašanja, odmerjenem Svetu na delnem zasedanju Evropskega parlamenta januarja 2008 v Strasbourgu.

Evropski svet se je v sklepih iz marca 2007 dogovoril, da je ena izmed prednostnih nalog energetske politike »notranji trg z elektriko in zemeljskim plinom". Za to področje je Evropski svet sprejel vrsto usmeritvenih politik s ciljem povečati konkurenco, zagotoviti učinkovito pravno ureditev in spodbujati naložbe, ki koristijo potrošnikom.

Komisija je septembra 2007, kot odziv na sklepe Evropskega sveta, predstavila pet predlogov aktov. Temeljite razprave o teh predlogih so vodile do poročila o napredku, ki ga je 3. decembra 2007 podprl Svet PTE. V okviru razprave so se pregledala načela in določbe, ki uživajo široko podporo, pa tudi vprašanja, področja in možnosti, za katere je nadaljnji napredek, po mnenju več držav članic, potrebna dodatna razprava in dodatne usmeritve na ravni "načel".

Svet PTE načrtuje dve zasedanji v prvi polovici leta 2008, katerih cilj je doseči politično soglasje glede celotnega svežnja ali dela tega svežnja. V ta namen bo za EP bistveno, da predloži svoja mnenja k svežnju v doglednem času pred zasedanjem Sveta PTE v juniju.

El pasado 30 de octubre de 2007 presenté a la Comisión una pregunta sobre las anomalías y la publicidad engañosa en los sitios web de venta electrónica de billetes aéreos (E-5538/07), donde solicitaba a su Señoría si emprendería alguna acción concreta para evitar el fraude publicitario en el ámbito electrónico con el fin de proteger los derechos de los consumidores europeos.

Una semana más tarde, leía en la prensa que la Comisión procedería a dar a conocer los nombres de aquellas aerolíneas que engañaran por Internet, y cerrarías sus webs si en 4 meses no resolvían sus irregularidades, básicamente relativas a la no inclusión de tasas aeroportuarias y de cargos por pago con tarjeta de crédito, y a la publicidad de ofertas no disponibles o de condiciones del contrato injustas -como el que no estén disponibles las cláusulas en el idioma del usuario.

En este sentido, ¿puede la Comisión informar del procedimiento que tiene previsto emprender si estas compañías no cumplen con la ley en el plazo mencionado, además de hacer público el nombre de las aerolíneas y de cerrar sus sitios web? Teniendo en cuenta que son los gobiernos estatales ―o autonómicos, en el caso de España― los que tienen la competencia de sancionar, ¿está la Comisión en disposición de exigir que se indemnice a los posibles consumidores afectados?

Por otro lado, considerando que existe una red de cooperación europea para los casos transfronterizos, ¿cuál es el margen de actuación de la Comisión en este ámbito?

As the Honourable Member is aware, the Commission is using all available instruments to make sure that consumer rights are effectively implemented across the Union.

The Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation provides a framework for a wide cooperation enabling national authorities to combine efforts, for instance in joint market surveillance and enforcement exercises and to share experience as well as best practices.

The Commission promotes these cooperative actions by providing EU-funding and through the coordination of joint market surveillance and enforcement activities.

Concerning the specific follow up of the 'sweep' on air ticket on-line sales of September 2007, the competent authorities of the Member States are at present investigating the sites and in cases of confirmed irregularities, taking appropriate follow-up actions. These may vary according to the legal framework of each Member State. The Commission's role was to coordinate Member States' 'sweep' actions and the monitoring of the follow-up.

Once the ongoing proceedings have been completed, the Commission will present the results of the follow-up given by the Member States to the 'sweep'. This is expected in early 2008.

Referring to the Commission's plans on collective redress, will the Commission state how this ties in with the Commission's forthcoming White Paper on Damages Actions? Will the Commission also state how it will defend against US style class actions that are financially stifling companies in the US?

Regarding the question on the Commission's plans on collective redress:

The Commission's forthcoming White Paper on Damages actions for infringements of EC competition law will contain a section related to collective redress for the harm suffered due to infringements of competition law.

The Commission is currently also examining whether and if so what type of wider collective redress initiative is necessary at EU level for the harm suffered by consumers.

The Commission services dealing with consumer policy and competition are working very closely together in order to ensure that their work on collective redress produces synergies.

Regarding the question on United States (US)-style class actions:

The Commission does not believe that a class action system such as currently exists in the US should be introduced in the EU.

The Commission cannot interfere with the judicial system of a third country.

Welche Möglichkeit sieht die Kommission, Verbraucher vor der diskriminierenden Praxis zu schützen, dass von Einheimischen und von Touristen unterschiedliche Preise verlangt werden – in der Gastronomie, bei Eintrittsgeldern für Kulturdenkmäler und Museen sowie bei Einkäufen?

The EC Treaty prohibits any discrimination by Member States based on nationality grounds (e.g. Articles 12, 43 and 49). Accordingly, the Member States may not introduce or maintain unjustified restrictions to intra-Community economic activities.

The practice of double pricing by traders may sometimes have valid economic justifications: e.g. in order to enter new markets or establish their position where they are already present.

However, unjustified double pricing such as charging tourists and locals different prices can deprive consumers of the benefits of the internal market and as such cannot be accepted.

In that respect, discrimination based on nationality applying to access to cultural monuments has been explicitly recognised by the Court as being prohibited under Articles 12 and 49 of the EC Treaty⁽¹⁾. The freedom to provide services set out in Article 49 of the EC Treaty also covers the freedom for recipients of services, including tourists, to go to another Member State in order to enjoy those services under the same conditions as nationals of that Member State. The Court has confirmed that, since visiting museums is one of the determining reasons for which tourists, as recipients of services, decide to go to another Member State, there is a close link between the freedom of movement which they enjoy under the EC Treaty and museum admission conditions. The discrimination with regard to admission to museums may have an effect on the conditions under which services are provided, including the price thereof, and may therefore influence the decision of some persons to visit the country.

However, in the absence of any specific indication of constant practices contrary to these principles in Member States, the Commission has not had the necessity to go further into this question.

In the future, it will be possible to tackle discrimination against recipients of services also on the basis of the Services Directive⁽²⁾ and, in particular of its Article 20 which prohibits discrimination based on the nationality or the place of residence of recipients of services. The Services Directive will have to be implemented by Member States by end of 2009 at the latest.

Unjustified price discrimination may be also assessed under the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, which must be applicable in the Member States by 12 December 2007.

This Directive contains a general clause prohibiting unfair commercial practices. It can not be excluded that , at a certain moment, national courts, and ultimately the European Court of Justice, will have to evaluate whether charging higher prices from tourists in restaurants and shops on nationality grounds is in conformity with professional diligence. For the moment, the Commission would be tempted to think that this is the case.

Can the Commission give an up-to-date assessment outlining all the key measures that it has implemented in recent times and that it intends to implement in the near future so as to ensure that the highest safety standards apply to all toys sold within the European Union?

After the "summer of recalls" many people in Europe are asking this simple question: "what measures are in place or will be in place to ensure the highest safety standards for toys"?

Most of the answers can be found in the stocktaking exercise on product safety, whose results were released in November 2007.

The stocktaking exercise highlights the 3 key "E's" to toys and product safety in general: "Engagement", "Enforcement" and "Engineering":

- Engagement: Economic operators must take the full responsibilities for the products they produce and make available to consumers. Reputable businesses are making significant efforts to ensure the safety of their products. But all the actors involved must raise their game, because there is still a significant stream of unsafe toys circulating in Europe. Industry has agreed to work with the Commission over the next months on a number of measures to rebuild the confidence of consumers, including a "Safety Pact" and a thorough evaluation of measures adopted by business in the toys supply chain. This evaluation will be completed in the first quarter of 2008.

- Enforcement: Market surveillance authorities in the Member States have dug deep over the last months, but the stocktaking exercise has identified that there is still scope for improvement. The Commission is assisting the Member States' market surveillance authorities to identify and share best practices towards more targeted and risk-based controls. Traceability of products will be reinforced: the Commission has already included in the proposed Package on the Internal Market for Goods a provision requiring economic operators to have available the identity of their supplier and thus ensure the transparency and continuity of the supply chain. Peer pressure will be put on the national authorities, since the Commission intends to publish comparative enforcement capacity data in the Consumer Scoreboard in 2008. The market surveillance capacity of the Member States will be also strengthened, since the Commission will continue financing well-designed joint market surveillance projects (in 2007, €1,3 million Community funding). In addition to these actions to improve protection within the EU, various actions are underway to strengthen protection at borders. Recent major changes to the EU Customs legislation will assist in identifying high risk consignments for controls. Secure Customs exchange mechanisms will also enable rapid action to be taken when information becomes available on new types of dangerous products. These mechanisms are used to distribute relevant information available in the Rapid Exchange System for dangerous goods (RAPEX) system in order to alert the competent Customs authorities of specific, potentially dangerous cargo. On the international scene, co-operation with our major trading partners, the US and China, will be deepened and expanded. With China, in particular, the existing co-operation has already yielded tangible results in terms of controls and measures taken against unsafe products of Chinese origin found in Europe. Next to this, the Commission is assisting the Chinese authorities in setting up a domestic alarm system, similar to the European RAPEX, to better track substandard and dangerous products, especially toys.

- Engineering: Toys must be born safe. Safety is not an "add-on" or an optional, but should be built in the toy, since the very early stages of its production process. For this we need clear rules of law that set stringent safety requirements. In this respect, the forthcoming Commission's proposal for revising the Toys Directive contains reinforced safety prescriptions to address physical, mechanical and chemical risks in toys. The Commission is also preparing a temporary measure to require warnings on magnetic toys, pending the revision of the relevant standard to address the risks that these toys could pose.

Το άρθρο 50§3 της οδηγίας 2005/36/ΕΚ⁽¹⁾ για την αναγνώριση των επαγγελματικών προσόντων, που βασίζεται στην ελεύθερη κυκλοφορία προσώπων και υπηρεσιών, ορίζει ότι: «εφόσον έχουν εκδοθεί τίτλοι εκπαίδευσης,…, και περιλαμβάνουν την εκπαίδευση που έχει αποκτηθεί εν μέρει ή εξολοκλήρου σε εκπαιδευτικό ίδρυμα που εδρεύει νόμιμα στην επικράτεια άλλου κράτους μέλους, το κράτος μέλος υποδοχής έχει το δικαίωμα να επαληθεύει με τον αρμόδιο φορέα στο κράτος μέλος καταγωγής του τίτλου: α) κατά πόσον η εκπαίδευση στο ίδρυμα που παρέσχε την κατάρτιση έχει πιστοποιηθεί επισήμως από το εκπαιδευτικό ίδρυμα που βρίσκεται στο κράτος μέλος καταγωγής του τίτλου».

Σε ποια κράτη μέλη υπάρχουν εκπαιδευτικά ιδρύματα μεταδευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης (κέντρα ελευθέρων σπουδών) τα οποία παρέχουν κατάρτιση που έχει πιστοποιηθεί επισήμως από το εκπαιδευτικό ίδρυμα που βρίσκεται στο κράτος μέλος καταγωγής του τίτλου; Τα κράτη μέλη έχουν το δικαίωμα (άρθρο 149 της συνθήκης ΕΚ) να απαγορεύσουν τη λειτουργία εκπαιδευτικών ιδρυμάτων τα οποία λειτουργούν με τη μέθοδο της πιστοποίησης από εκπαιδευτικά ιδρύματα που εδρεύουν σε άλλο κράτος μέλος;

The Commission is aware of the existence of educational establishments giving training which has been formally certified by the educational establishment based in the Member State of origin of the award in the following Member States: Greece, Italy, Germany and Spain. However, it is not excluded that educational institutions of the same kind also exist in other Member States.

Under Article 149 of the EC Treaty, Member States are fully responsible for the content and organisation of their education system and vocational training. However, education delivered through agreements described under Article 50.3 of Directive 2005/36/EC is not part of the education system of the Member State where the institution which gives the training is located. This kind of education is part of the education system of the Member State in which the university certifying the education and delivering the diploma is established. Therefore, Member States may not, on the basis of Article 149 of the EC Treaty, prohibit in their territory the operation of institutions which deliver training on the basis of an agreement concluded with a university established in another Member State.

EY:n tuomioistuin on antanut päätöksensä ns. Viking Line- ja Laval-jutuissa. Komission jäsen McCreevy tuki voimakkaasti työnantajapuolen näkemystä varsinkin Viking Line -jutussa.

Mikä on komission kanta ammattiyhdistysten tukilakko-oikeuteen em. oikeudellisten päätösten jälkeen?

In the Viking Line case, a British Court referred several questions to the European Court of Justice about the impact of Article 43 of the EC Treaty, on freedom of establishment, on trade union actions while the Laval case was about the interpretation of the Posting of Workers' Directive and also Article 49 of the EC Treaty on the freedom to provide services.

Although the cases are different, the European Court of Justice has provided, in both cases, some clarifications on the issue referred to by the Honourable Member. Most importantly, the Court has ruled that the right to take industrial action must be recognised as a fundamental right which forms an integral part of the general principles of Community law.

At the same time, the Court has clearly stated that this does not mean that this right to take industrial action falls outside the scope of Community law, or in other words, that it renders Community law inapplicable. The exercise of this right may be subject to certain limitations. This very much reflects the situation in national legal orders: both in Finland and in Sweden, as in other Member States, where this right enjoys constitutional protection, it may not be exercised without any limitation.

Taking into account the Court's rulings, workers and employers will continue to have the right to take action to defend their interests, including sympathetic strike actions on the workers' side. However, when taking action against undertakings established in another Member State which post workers on their territory, or against an undertaking wanting to establish in another Member State, they will have to respect Community law.

In other words, when collective action restricts the freedom of establishment or the free movement of services, it needs to be justified by a legitimate aim, compatible with the Treaty; furthermore it has to be appropriate to attain such an aim and be proportionate. The Court has provided useful guidance and the Commission is convinced that the social partners will continue to be able to defend their rights and will do so in a fully responsible manner.

I asked the Commission for an explanation regarding its decision to delay copyright levy reform and its intention of returning to the matter (H-0147/07). In its written answer of 13 March 2007, the Commission replied that it would ‘closely monitor future developments’ and ‘continue to evaluate how levies interact with digital services and the information technology sector in general’.

Eight months have passed and, to my disappointment, I have not seen any movement on the issue of copyright levy reform by the Commission. I am concerned that the Commission is not giving copyright levy reform the priority it deserves.

I would therefore like to know what the tangible results of the Commission’s monitoring and evaluation efforts announced in its reply of March 2007 have been to date. What will the next concrete steps be and when can we expect the Commission to take specific action to address this very pressing issue of copyright levy reform?

The Commission would like to thank the Parliament for the interest it takes in the ongoing efforts at reforming private copying levies.

The current levy systems are, as we all know, both complex and controversial. Not alone are there huge differences in rates applying to the same or similar equipment used for private copying – there is no uniformity among Member States in setting levies for identical digital equipment. The result is a huge array of different levies imposed on the same products across Europe – with differences in levies of up to 1500% applied to identical products.

Against this background, the Commission is studying how private copying levies affect both the Internal Market and the livelihood of authors and performers. Culture and cultural diversity are, as you know, the core objectives behind all initiatives the Commission pursues in the field of copyright. The policy follows the double objective of making sure that levy-based schemes have little or no negative effect on the Internal Market for digital equipment and blank media carriers while ensuring that creators suffer no economic harm from the widespread practice of private home copying.

Consumers do not like restrictions on how and when they consume copyright-protected material. As a poll published by the Spanish newspaper El País on 20 December 2007 indicates 94% of the respondents support the elimination of private copying levies.

A reasonable compromise between consumers liberty and artists compensation for private copying has to be found. Any reform of this sensitive issue has to be approached with diligence and the utmost care.

Until we see the issues clearer, it is not productive to speculate as to the form of future action.

Chciałbym zwrócić uwagę na problem związany z przyjęciem dyrektywy 2005/36/WE⁽¹⁾. W dyrektywie tej ustawodawcy nie rozróżnili pracy pilota turystycznego (tour lider) opiekującego się grupą turystów w podróży od przewodnika (guide). Obowiązkiem przewodnika jest nie tylko skuteczne organizowanie czasu wycieczce, ale przekazanie merytorycznej wiedzy z zakresu historii, tradycji, wartości dzieł sztuki bądź obiektu historycznego. Stąd też do tego zajęcia przewodnicy (guide) przygotowywani są na specjalnych kursach, które kończą się egzaminem. Dzięki wysokiemu poziomowi kursów i egzaminów gwarantowana jest wysoka jakość usług. Należy zauważyć, że w wielu krajach Unii Europejskiej, w tym w Polsce, zawód przewodnika (guide) jest zawodem regulowanym. Aby uzyskać wszelkie kwalifikacje, wymagane są dokumenty poświadczające odbyte kursy i szkolenia. Nadanie pilotom wycieczek takich samych kompetencji jak przewodnikom obniży jakość usług świadczonych turystom. Aby do tego nie doprowadzić, należy wprowadzić system egzaminów w całej Europie, który potwierdzałby kompetencje przewodników.

Czy Komisja widzi możliwość opracowania systemu kursów i egzaminów dla przewodników w całej Europie, które dopasowane będą pod względem merytorycznym do egzaminów i kursów organizowanych przez poszczególne państwa?

The Commission does not envisage developing an EU wide system of courses and examinations for tourist guides.

Within the limits set by the EC Treaty, Member States are free to regulate the access to and the exercise of professions, therefore also for the tourist guide and the tour escort profession. Any proposal for a legislative instrument at EU level by which education and training requirements for either of the professions would be harmonised requires under the current Treaty a vote of unanimity by all EU Member States. Until today the Commission has not received convincing evidence of problems in relation to the cross-border provision of tourist guide services which would justify the adoption of a proposal for a Directive harmonising this profession.

The Commission is informed and in favour of non-legislative initiatives at European level such as the works for a CEN⁽²⁾ standard introducing basic requirements on qualification schemes for tourist guides (EN 15565) which was carried out by the European committee for standardization and has been approved on 1st January 2008. Although not legally binding, such self-regulatory instruments are a most effective starting point for marking a level of knowledge and skills which qualified professionals should have obtained for the exercise of a profession.

Sovereign wealth funds (SWF) are a new type of investment vehicle, with the very significant difference that they are owned by states, and often by undemocratic ones. New, more active investment strategies have caused concern in some Member States, especially when investing in companies seen as being of national strategic importance.

Examples of recent investments by SWF are the investment in Citigroup by Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, but also the bid on OMX by the Bourse Dubai, and of course the Russian interest in energy infrastructure in Europe.

In Brazil the Government is planning to set up an SWF to offset the appreciation of the real, thus directly intervening in the financial market.

I urge the Commission to defend the openness of the financial system, but at the same time demand transparency from state-controlled funds, to ensure that any investment strategies are carried out with economic and not strategic goals in mind.

How does the Commission plan to act on the issue of SWF? There have been a number of proposals from the Commissioners concerning SWFs, such as European golden shares, guidelines, and transparency initiatives. Which route will the Commission take?

And finally, does the Commission have any plans to monitor the development of the sovereign wealth funds on the European markets?

The Commission is fully committed to defending the openness of the financial system in Europe. Besides, the Commission fully concurs with the principle that investment should take place on the basis of economic rather than political or other strategic criteria. The Commission notes the concerns that have been expressed about sovereign wealth fund recently but also wishes to stress that a number of such funds have been operating for decades providing the EU economy with valuable investment. The Commission also urges third countries to offer proportionate level of openness to EU investors.

The Commission holds the question under close review. At this stage, it does not favour the option of producing new legislative instruments, but there are good reasons to develop a common approach within the EU to present a coordinated position in the Single Market with regards to the activities of Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs). Some guidelines to increase the transparency and governance of SWFs might be required. Last October 2007, the G7 asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to study the possibility of transparency guidelines or a code of conduct for Sovereign Wealth Funds and recipient countries. In the Transatlantic Economic Council last 9th November 2007, the Commission had the opportunity to exchange views on these matters with the United States (US) administration and concurred with it on the utility of having these rules developed at an international level.

In summary, the Commission is working internally and in international fora to develop suitable and effective instruments that can dispel the concerns that the activities of these investors may raise. It intends to develop a common EU position on this that preserves the fundamental freedoms set out in the Treaty. Member State initiatives in the area of Sovereign Wealth Funds must also be assessed in this context. It is in this context that monitoring the activities of SWFs becomes particularly important. The Commission monitors developments closely and in cooperation with international organisations (OECD, IMF). Separately, the US-EU Investment dialogue and the Financial Services Regulatory dialogue offer the Commission an opportunity to review SWFs matters in close cooperation with the US Treasury and other US departments.

Retail consumers are essential in the single market of financial services. Retail services, including products such as current accounts and consumer credit, are a key pillar of the EC financial services action plan launched in 1999. Since then the integration of financial markets is lagging behind, and there are still many discrepancies between EU Member States' financial services, e.g. fees for financial transactions between banking institutions of different Member States, fees on credit cards, etc. For example, transaction fees from Lithuanian to Belgian banks are four times higher than those from Belgian to Lithuanian banks.

What action does the Commission plan to take to increase the pace of integration in retail financial markets? How will retail consumers benefit from those actions taken by the Commission?

Significant progress has been made in delivering a Single Market for retail financial services. However, retail financial services integration has not yet reached its full potential and competition in some markets is insufficient, particularly in areas like payments and retail banking. This leaves EU consumers unable to take full advantage of the benefits of the Single Market. Against this background and in the context of the Single Market Review, the Commission adopted a Green Paper on Retail Financial Services in the Single Market⁽¹⁾. The Green Paper built on the Commission's White Paper on Financial Services 2005–2010⁽²⁾, the results of the Commission's sector inquiry into retail banking⁽³⁾ and the interim report on business insurance⁽⁴⁾. It also set out the Commission's overarching objective to develop integration in EU retail financial services markets by: ensuring that properly regulated open markets and strong competition deliver products that meet consumers' needs; enhancing consumer confidence by ensuring that consumers are properly protected and that providers are financially sound and trustworthy; empowering consumers to make the right decisions for their financial circumstances through improved financial literacy, clear, appropriate and timely information and high-quality advice. The publication of the Green Paper launched a public consultation on the Commission's retail financial services strategy which received almost 190 responses. The public hearing held on 19 September 2007 was also well attended with over 300 participants.

On 20 November 2007, alongside the Commission Communication on a Single Market for 21st Century Europe⁽⁵⁾, a Staff Working Paper on Initiatives in the area of retail financial services⁽⁶⁾ was published. It proposes a number of targeted initiatives designed to: improve customer choice and mobility, in particular for bank accounts, a financial product used by the vast majority of European citizens; help retail insurance markets work better, for instance by designing a "scoreboard " for car insurance premiums in Europe; investigate the need for a more coherent approach to product disclosures and distribution requirements for retail investment products (such as investment funds, unit-linked life insurance, etc.); and promote financial education, financial inclusion (e.g. access for all to a basic bank account) and adequate redress for consumers.

The Commission seeks to bring concrete benefits to European consumers in terms of lower prices and wider choice by improving the competitiveness and efficiency of retail financial services markets. For these reasons, the Commission strongly supports the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) project, a banking industry initiative to create an integrated and more competitive market for euro payments which is planned to become fully operational by the end of 2010. The Payment Services Directive, which must be implemented into national law by November 2009, should also generate more competition in the provision of payments services and thus lead to lower prices. It also includes provisions improving transparency and enabling the free termination of framework contracts after a period of 12 months which will facilitate customer mobility and promote competition.

Referring to the specific issue of bank accounts, as part of the Single Market Review package, the Commission announced its policy plans to facilitate customer mobility in relation to bank accounts thereby also promoting competition and efficiency. The Commission will encourage the development by industry, by mid-2008, of a Code of Conduct, which would contain a switching service, to be made available to customers within each EU Member State, which should make the switching process from one bank account to another easier. The Commission has also made clear to industry that there should be no discrimination against customers on the basis of nationality or residence when opening bank accounts cross-border. It should be easy for customers to open bank accounts in other Member States.

¿Considera la Comisión suficientes las previsiones presupuestarias existentes para el año 2008 para atender el dispositivo Frontex en materia de control de la inmigración irregular?

Following the second reading by the Budgetary Committee, an amendment was voted by the Parliament whereby an additional €30 million were added to the budget of the Frontex Agency in 2008. Most of the amount will be for operational expenditure of the Agency.

This amendment represents an increase of 79% when compared to the original Preliminary Draft Budget. This increase results in a total EC subsidy of €68 million, therefore considerably strengthening the Agency's financial resources and thereby contributing to enhancing its capacity to implement its tasks in relation to illegal immigration.

Frontex has adapted its work programme for 2008 on the basis of the increased budget. The revised work programme foresees a substantial increase in the duration of joint operations at those sections of the external borders most exposed to irregular migratory pressure.

On this basis the Commission is confident that the impact of operations coordinated by Frontex will be substantially enhanced compared to 2007.

In the course of 2008 the Commission shall monitor closely the situation with regard to the expenditure and financial needs of the Agency.

Έχοντας υπόψη ότι οι μικρομεσαίες και οι μικρές επιχειρήσεις αποτελούν το 99,8% των ευρωπαϊκών επιχειρήσεων, και κατά συνέπεια κύριο παράγοντα της ευρωπαϊκής οικονομίας και απασχόλησης, και ότι ένα μεγάλο μέρος τους σε πολλά κράτη μέλη είναι οικογενειακές και πολύ μικρές επιχειρήσεις, ερωτάται η Επιτροπή τι μέτρα σκοπεύει να λάβει ώστε να μπορούν αυτές οι επιχειρήσεις να παραμείνουν ανταγωνιστικές, να εκμεταλλευτούν καλύτερα τις δυνατότητες της εσωτερικής αγοράς και να μπορούν να προσαρμόζονται χωρίς υπερβολικό κόστος στις υποχρεώσεις που απορρέουν από την ευρωπαϊκή νομοθεσία;

Επίσης, πώς προτίθεται η Επιτροπή να διευκολύνει τη βιωσιμότητα των επιχειρήσεων αυτών και την ανάπτυξη νέων, ανταγωνιστικών των μεγάλων πολυεθνικών και αλυσίδων επιχειρήσεων που δραστηριοποιούνται σε όλη την έκταση της Ένωσης; Θεώρει η Επιτροπή ότι η ίδρυση κέντρων εποπτείας εσωτερικής αγοράς σε κάθε κράτος μέλος θα αμβλύνει τους κινδύνους εξαφάνισης των οικογενειακών και των πολύ μικρών επιχειρήσεων

Small and medium sized firms (SMEs) indeed play a significant role in the European economy providing two-thirds of total private employment. Consequently they are key players to achieve the targets set in the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs.

The Commission has been active for many years promoting entrepreneurship and improving the business environment for SMEs, in particular for small enterprises which constitute 90 % of SMEs. In 2000 the European Council has endorsed the Charter for Small Enterprises, aiming at improving their business environment. The Charter is today the reference frame for 44 countries and several regions.

Since the adoption of the Modern Small and Medum Enterprise (SME) policy in November 2005 the Commission follows closely actions in five key areas: promoting entrepreneurship, reducing administrative burdens, supporting SMEs’ access to markets, supporting SMEs’ growth and reinforcing the dialogue with SME stakeholders. The Mid-term review, adopted in October 2007, has shown that the SME dimension is increasingly taken into account in the community programmes and policies. However, this does not go far enough yet, and the Commission has decided to put SMEs even higher on the political agenda when, based on its assessment of the first 3-year cycle of the reviewed growth & jobs strategy, it announced the adoption of the “Small Business Act” for Europe for 2008. Preparation of this new initiative is ongoing and an extensive consultation will take place in the coming weeks.

Some of the measures undertaken by the Commission specifically aim at helping SMEs to benefit from the possibilities offered by the internal market. Improving their access to the public procurement market is one example. The Commission is currently conducting an impact assessment to prepare the proposal for a European Private Company Statute (2008) to facilitate cross-border operations for SMEs. The Commission has also been helping small enterprises since 20 years via a support network, which will be strengthened in 2008 to further raise awareness on EU policies and programmes and to advise, mentor and listen to SMEs.

Concerning the costs for SMEs to apply European legislation, small enterprises spend relatively up to 10 times more to meet the administrative requirements than large enterprises⁽¹⁾. For this reason the Commission is committed to simplifying the administrative burdens and considers the better regulation process one of its key priorities. It envisages cutting administrative burdens of Community origin by 25% by 2012 and also encourages Member States to actively contribute to this process. Through the “Think Small First” principle SME specific provisions are introduced in new proposals whenever appropriate, for instance in simplified reporting requirements, for instance for smaller food companies in the field of hygiene.

The application of standards and EU legislation is another difficulty for SMEs. That is why the Commission will substantially increase its support to better involve SMEs in the European and national standardisation processes, to facilitate their access to standards and further offers assistance to SMEs a community assistance programme in the field of EU environmental legislation.

As far as family businesses are concerned, most small firms are family businesses and are targeted by the initiatives in favour of small businesses. However, the Commission is currently analysing potential specific difficulties they may be confronted with.

On 10 November 2005 at a speech to the European Business Initiative on Taxation, Commissioner McCreevy said: 'I didn't come to the Berlaymont to tiptoe about in my slippers.' He added that 'taxation harmonisation is not on the agenda, nor will it be'. Moreover, this May the Commissioner said that a common consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB) proposal: 'would undermine competition, undermine small and emerging markets, undermine inward investment and undermine the long term growth and employment prospects of the Union.'

In the light of the importance of ratifying the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland, can the Commission confirm that the present CCCTB proposal will be taken off the agenda? That the Commission will not 'tiptoe about' but will robustly defend Member State competence in matters of taxation and tax competition in the corporate taxation area?

The Commission follows the ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty in all Member States with the utmost attention. The Commission's position on a CCCTB⁽¹⁾ is set out in the Commission's Legislative and Work Programme 2008⁽²⁾. An impact assessment has been launched to examine the options and their implications.

Actuellement, l'aide accordée par l'Union européenne aux pays ACP relève de deux sources différentes: le budget communautaire et le Fonds européen de développement. Pour partie extérieure au budget, la coopération avec les pays ACP n'est dès lors pas entièrement soumise au contrôle public exercé par le Parlement européen et se trouve donc exclue de l'un des processus de décision les plus importants de l'Union. Intégrer au budget de l'UE l'aide aux pays ACP renforcerait la légitimité de cette aide. Cette mesure permettrait par ailleurs d'assurer une réelle transparence et une plus grande efficacité, laquelle est un enjeu majeur en matière de coopération au développement.

Où en est la proposition de la Commission d'intégrer au budget de l'UE l'aide accordée aux pays ACP dans le cadre du FED et quelles sont les initiatives que la Commission a l'intention de prendre pour que cette intégration du FED dans le budget général communautaire devienne une réalité?

Cela fait très longtemps que la Commission plaide pour l'intégration du financement de la coopération géographique avec les pays d'Afrique, Caraïbes et Pacifique (ACP) dans le budget communautaire. Cette demande repose tant sur des arguments d'efficience et d'harmonisation des instruments communautaires d'aide au développement que sur des arguments de cohérence et de visibilité politique de notre action extérieure dans le domaine du développement.

Lors de la préparation de la période post 9e Fonds européen de développement (FED), la Commission avait élaboré de manière détaillée sa position dans la communication "Vers une pleine intégration de la coopération avec les pays ACP dans le budget de l'UE"⁽¹⁾. Le Conseil européen des 15-16 décembre 2005 a finalement opté (§70) pour le maintien du financement de la coopération géographique avec les pays ACP à travers le mécanisme inter-gouvernemental du FED. Il a en même temps fixé la période du 10e FED - en l'alignant sur l'horizon de temps des perspectives financières (2013)- et la clé de contribution de chaque Etat Membre au 10ème FED. Ces clés de contribution se situent globalement à mi-chemin entre les clés du 9e FED et la contribution des Etats membres au budget communautaire.

La Commission a la ferme intention de soulever à nouveau la question de la budgétisation du FED à chaque occasion appropriée:

- lors du Conseil européen de décembre 2005, la Commission a été invitée à soumettre une revue du budget en 2008-2009. La Commission souhaite rouvrir le débat sur la budgétisation du FED dans ce cadre, notamment à la lumière de la réforme du Traité adoptée par le Conseil européen de décembre 2007 qui, dans le domaine de l'action extérieure, étend la procédure de co-décision à l'ensemble du budget communautaire et renforce le rôle du Parlement;

- l'accord interne portant sur le 10e FED⁽²⁾ prévoit à son article 1(10) que la Commission élabore en 2010 une évaluation de la performance pouvant contribuer à la prise de décision sur le montant de la coopération financière après 2013. Une discussion parallèle aura lieu dans le cadre du débat résultant du livre vert sur les relations communautaires avec les pays et territoires d'outre-mer (PTOM) et la révision de l'accord d'association avec les PTOM requise pour 2011.

La Commission est d'avis que beaucoup de chemin a déjà été parcouru afin de faciliter une décision sur la budgétisation du FED et continuera à poursuivre cet objectif dans le cadre du "post 10e FED". Mais elle souligne que la décision sur ce point appartient aux Etats membres.

Is the Commission aware of, and is the Commission able to do anything about, the announcement by the French Government that, from 5 January 2008, ‘according to European Directive 2004/38/EC⁽¹⁾’, French health care is to be withdrawn from, and private health insurance must be purchased by, all non-French EU citizens residing in France?

Previously it was illegal for them to hold private health insurance in France because EU citizens coming to live in France were forced to terminate their existing insurance policies and to join the state system instead. Now, the French Government is acting retrospectively, and the rule is being reversed.

A particular problem this will create is that sufferers with existing medical conditions will be caught in a trap: their previous pre-condition private insurance had to be cancelled, but now with the condition they will be unable to buy new private insurance.

Retrospective legislation is always to be deplored. What can the Commission do to correct this injustice?

The Commission has received letters from several British nationals residing in France who have been informed by the relevant French authorities that they will not be able to continue benefiting from the universal sickness coverage (couverture maladie universelle, CMU) on the basis of the corresponding contribution.

According to the information available to the Commission, the CMU introduced by Law 99-641 of 27 July 1999, guarantees membership of the general sickness insurance scheme for all stable and regular residents who do not have sickness insurance cover under a basic scheme. Consequently, under the law all persons residing in France in a stable and regular manner, whatever their nationality, must join the CMU if they are not covered by any other legal sickness insurance regime in France or another country.

Directive 2004/38/CE provides that the right of residence of non active Union citizens is subject to the condition that they have sufficient resources not to become a burden on the social assistance system of the host Member State during their period of residence and have comprehensive sickness insurance cover. The Directive also provides that once the Union citizen has acquired the right of permanent residence normally after five years of legal and continuous residence, this right is no longer submitted to the abovementioned conditions.

In addition, Article 24 of the Directive provides that subject to such specific provisions as are expressly provided in the Treaty and secondary law, all Union citizens residing on the basis of the Directive in the territory of the host Member State shall enjoy equal treatment with the nationals of that Member State within the scope of the Treaty. In the framework of the Directive, equal treatment is subject to compliance with the conditions of residence.

Community law in the field of social security, contained in Regulation (EC) No 1408/71⁽²⁾ aims at coordinating the social security schemes of the Member States so that the application of the different national legislations does not adversely affect persons exercising their right to free movement within the European Union. Each Member State is therefore free to determine the details of its own social security systems, including which benefits shall be provided, the conditions of eligibility and how many contributions should be paid. Nevertheless, the Member States must comply with Community law when exercising that power. Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 establishes common rules and principles which must be observed by all national authorities when applying national law.

Under this Regulation, workers and pensioners, as well as the members of their family, residing in a Member State other than the one in which they work or which pays their pension, are entitled to sickness benefits in the Member State of residence under the same conditions as a national of this Member State, but on behalf of the Member State where they work or which pays their pension. In order to benefit from this health care, the persons concerned have to register with the sickness insurance institution of the Member State of residence on the basis of an E106 form (workers) or an E121 form (pensioners).

In order to complete the examination of the compatibility of the exclusion from the French CMU regime of inactive Union citizens regularly residing in France with Community law, the Commission has taken contact with the French authorities on this issue and is waiting for a reply.

I would like to know whether the mandate for the new European Commission expert group on human trafficking has been approved, and if so, I would like to access the document.

I would also like to know the process and time frames for Member States and NGOs to propose potential new members to the European Commission expert group on human trafficking.

Since its appointment in 2003, the Experts Group on Trafficking in Human beings has provided the Commission with opinions and views about many important subjects. In 2004 it issued its Report, which still constitutes a source of inspiration for further activities.

The Decision setting up a new Group of Experts and specifying its mandate was adopted on 17 October 2007⁽¹⁾. The Decision takes into account the necessary changes deriving from enlargement, and the need to ensure specific expertise especially in the field of labour exploitation.

The Group of Experts will be composed of 21 members, out of whom up to 11 members from administrations of the Member States, up to 5 members from inter-governmental, international and non-governmental organisations, up to 4 members from social partners and employers' associations, 1 member from Europol⁽²⁾, up to 2 members from universities or other research institutes.

The call for application will be published shortly in the Official Journal and on the website of the Directorate-General for Justice, Freedom and Security with an application deadline of mid-February 2008.

2007 metų rudenį Europos Komisija paskelbė 3-ąjį energetikos paketą, tęsiantį ES energetikos politikos tikslus – energetikos rinkos liberalizavimą, taikant gamintojų ir paskirstymo tinklų teisinį ir funkcinį ir (arba) nuosavybės atskyrimą elektros ir dujų sektoriuose.

Monopolistinis dujų tiekėjas ES „Gazprom" yra daugelio Europos dujų paskirstymo tinklų akcininkas.

Ar Komisija gali pateikti informacijos, kokių stambiausių Europos dujų paskirstymo tinklų akcininkas yra „Gazprom"? Kokį poveikį „Gazprom" turės 3-ojo energetikos paketo įgyvendinimas? Kiek ES įmonių turi Rusijos dujų paskirstymo tinklų akcijų ir kokią dalį?

The Commission's internal energy market package of 19 September 2007 proposes ownership unbundling of the transmission systems and transmission system operators or, alternatively, the establishment of independent system operators (ISOs) responsible for the management and development of the transmission system. With respect to the distribution systems, the third package does not alter the current legal requirements which consist in the legal and functional unbundling of large distribution system owners and which entered into force only on 1 July 2007. The third country clause (Article 7a in the proposed Gas Directive) applies also only to transmission system operators.

Annex VIII of the impact assessment of the third package proposals⁽¹⁾ gives details about the non-EU ownership in transmission systems. With respect to the three Baltic States, for example, Gazprom holds shares of about one third in each of the national gas transmission and distribution companies, which in all three Member States operate and own both the transmission and distribution networks. With respect to the share of EU companies in Russian gas distribution networks, such information is unfortunately not available to the Commission as the underlying agreements are usually treated as business secrets.

As regards the proposed provisions on unbundling, the effect on Gazprom is identical to the effect on any other EU or non-EU company: Any supply or production company active anywhere in the EU must separate the operator of its transmission system in any Member State of the EU in the manner proposed by the Commission. The package contains safeguards to ensure that in the event that companies from third countries wish to acquire a significant interest or even control over an EU network, they will have to demonstrably and unequivocally comply with the same unbundling requirements as EU companies. Moreover, the Commission has proposed a requirement that third country individuals and countries cannot acquire control over a Community transmission system or transmission system operator unless this is permitted by an agreement between the EU and the third country. The aim is to guarantee that companies from third countries respect the same rules that apply to EU based undertakings.

Ενόψει της πιθανής μονομερούς κίνησης ανεξαρτητοποίησης του Κοσσυφοπεδίου εκφράζονται από πολλές πλευρές φόβοι ότι η τυχόν αναγνώριση του νέου κράτους από μέρους της διεθνούς κοινότητας θα δώσει θετικό μήνυμα και σε άλλα αποσχιστικά κινήματα ανά τον κόσμο, και κυρίως στην Ευρώπη.

Ερωτάται λοιπόν η Επιτροπή τι προτίθεται να πράξει σε μια τέτοια ενέργεια εκ μέρους του Κοσσυφοπεδίου και επιπλέον τι πρωτοβουλίες προτίθεται να αναλάβει ώστε να αποτραπεί η επέκταση τέτοιου είδους κινήσεων, και μάλιστα σε αντίθεση με τις αποφάσεις της διεθνούς κοινότητας.

The United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1244 adopted in the aftermath of the Kosovo conflict of 1999 envisaged a UN-led interim civilian administration to ensure the development of provisional institutions for democratic and autonomous self-government pending a political settlement.

The UN Secretary General launched the process for defining Kosovo's final status with the appointment of a Special Envoy, former President Athisaari, in November 2005. After 14 months of engagement of both parties, Mr Athisaari tabled a Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement in March 2007 that was discussed in the UN Security Council during several months without agreement.

In this context, the UN Secretary General agreed to a 120-day process of further engagement under the auspices of a troika composed of the EU, Russia and US to give another further opportunity to both parties to come to an understanding.

The European Union has done everything possible to achieve a negotiated solution. We deeply regret that no such solution was reached between Belgrade and Pristina in the process led by the international Troika.

The European Union has consistently underlined the special character of the Kosovo issue without any precedent function for other regions in the world. Most recently, the 2007 December European Council has underlined its conviction that resolving the pending status of Kosovo constitutes a sui generis case that does not set any precedent.

It is in the European Union and the western Balkans region best interest that Kosovo's status is urgently resolved to secure peace and stability. This is also the ultimate objective of the UNSCR1244. This is why this process has nothing in common with, what the Honourable Member calls, “other separatist movements around the world”.

Σε πρόσφατη συνέντευξη τύπου της 26ης Νοεμβρίου 2007 ο Βούλγαρος δρ Γκεόργκι Κατσίεφ, επί πολλά χρόνια πρόεδρος της βουλγαρικής Επιτροπής Ατομικής Ενέργειας, κάνει έκκληση στην επιτροπή να σταματήσει αμέσως το πυρηνικό πρόγραμμα στο Μπέλενε λόγω έλλειψης πιστοποιημένου προσωπικού, ελλιπούς εμπειρίας για τη λειτουργία και τον έλεγχο του συγκεκριμένου αντιδραστήρα, αλλά και υψηλής σεισμικότητας στην περιοχή. Έχει γνώση η Επιτροπή των στοιχείων αυτών και πώς σκοπεύει να τα συνεκτιμήσει στην αξιολόγηση του πυρηνικού προγράμματος στο Μπέλενε; Ποια μέτρα προτίθεται να πάρει άμεσα; Πώς προστατεύονται οι γειτονικές χώρες από τους ενδεχόμενους κινδύνους ατυχήματος;

On 7 December 2007 the Commission gave its opinion on the establishment of a new nuclear power plant at Belene in the form of Point of View and communicated it to the Bulgarian authorities.

The Commission took the view, that in the light of the assessment under the Euratom Treaty and discussion with the nuclear operator, Natsionalna Elekrticheska Kompania (NEK), all the aspects of the investment in question are in line with the objectives of the Euratom Treaty. It has to be noted, that the assessment has been carried out under the provisions of the Euratom Treaty, without prejudice to any additional assessments to be carried out, the case being, under the EC Treaty and the obligations stemming from it and from secondary legislation, such as the provisions on competition or on environment, including the environmental impact assessment.

The Commission, in its opinion, took into account the information from the investor that the chosen design at Belene includes various passive safety systems as well as improved protection against external hazards, such as earthquakes and air crashes.

Seismic risks and emergency planning will be furthermore assessed by the Commission in the framework of radiation protection according to Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty. It includes also the assessment of the possible consequences of unplanned discharges on other Member States, and bilateral or multilateral arrangements to facilitate emergency response.

In addition, the Commission drew special attention to the need for Bulgaria to develop plans for the long-term management of the radioactive waste arising from the operation and later decommissioning of the plant, in particular as regards High Level Waste.

Според член 22 от Регламент (ЕИО) № 1408/71⁽¹⁾ на всяко осигурено лице, което не може да получи лечение на територията на държавата-членка, в която пребивава, се осигурява разрешение да получи такова на територията на друга държава-членка. Г-н Максим Ваньов Петков не може да получи лечение на своето заболяване, диагноза тортиколис спастика, в България. Въпреки това българската Национална здравноосигурителна каса (НЗОК) не издава необходимото разрешение Е112. Г-н Петков не е единственият случай, при който НЗОК практически мълчаливо отказва да приложи Регламент (ЕИО) № 1408/71.

Какви мерки за натиск смята да предприеме Комисията, за да отстрани нарушаването на цитирания регламент?

La Commission souligne que, selon la jurisprudence de la Cour de Justice, l'autorisation doit être octroyée lorsque le traitement requis ne peut être dispensé dans l'Etat de résidence dans un délai acceptable sur le plan médical compte tenu de l'état actuel de santé de la personne et de l'évolution probable de la maladie. Ceci implique qu'il y a lieu de tenir compte de la situation médicale du patient et non de considérations administratives liées, par exemple, à l'existence de listes d'attente. En tout état de cause, il ne peut pas y avoir de refus d'autorisation sans motivation.

Compte tenu de ce qui précède, la Commission a l'intention de demander des explications aux autorités bulgares afin de vérifier si les critères prévus par le droit communautaire pour l'octroi d'une autorisation ont été respectés dans le cas mentionné par l'honorable parlementaire.

Bei der Volksabstimmung waren zwei Drittel der Wahlberechtigten Österreichs für den EU-Beitritt dieses Landes. Mittlerweile liegt Österreich seit Jahren konstant auf den hinteren Rängen bei der Standard-Eurobarometerumfrage. Im Frühjahr 2007 war für 25 % der Österreicher die Mitgliedschaft in der EU „eine schlechte Sache“ (vorletzte Stelle), und 43 % sahen Nachteile der Mitgliedschaft (damit ist Österreich eines der EU-kritischsten Mitgliedsländer).

Dies ist sicherlich auch auf mangelndes Wissen der Bürgerinnen und Bürger über die Europäische Union zurückzuführen. Welche Strategien verfolgt die Kommission, um die Auswirkungen der europäischen Gesetzgebung, die Funktionsweise der Institutionen und die Möglichkeiten, die sich aus der Mitgliedschaft für die einzelnen Bürgerinnen und Bürger in gesellschaftlicher, kultureller sowie wirtschaftlicher Hinsicht ergeben, besser in Österreich zu kommunizieren?

The Commission is fully committed to facilitating public understanding and debate on European issues by adapting communication on Europe to the national, regional and local environment. The Commission Representation in Austria promotes communication on the European agenda and priorities with Austrian citizens, the media, politicians and other stakeholders.

Dialogue with citizens is top priority for the Commission. In the framework of Plan D, the Commission Representation organizes events to stimulate debate on EU policies, including in cooperation with the Information Office of the Parliament in Vienna. Cooperation of the Commission Representation with stakeholders at national, regional and local levels is also a crucial element of our approach. The work of the Representation in the regions is complemented by 11 Europe Direct information relays in the Länder as well as 9 European Documentation Centres and 27 members of Team Europe, a highly qualified panel of speakers on EU issues.

Improving knowledge about the EU is key to encouraging citizens' participation in the EU integration process. Therefore, focusing particularly on younger students, the Commission Representation in Austria regularly organises "Open Days" for schools on its premises. In 2007, the Representation hosted 46 such events with approximately 1000 participants overall.

Secondly, in its media work, the Commission Representation continues its pro-active approach to set national issues in a broader European context. In order to ensure high visibility of EU topics as well as wide media coverage, the Representation works closely with the media, including on Commissioners' visits to Austria, where they are frequently involved in public debates (20 in 2007). 11 information visits to Brussels for journalists and multipliers were carried out in 2007, offering them the opportunity to receive first hand information and to discuss EU issues with experts and policy decision-makers. To allow better access to the broader public, the Commission develops its activity on the web, including by using innovative tools such as web-streaming.

Finally, all of this activity should be strengthened in the framework of a management partnership agreement between the Commission, the Parliament and the Austrian Government, which the Commission hopes to set up from 2008. This partnership, co-financed by the Commission, would enable both partners to better liaise and coordinate their communication strategies and plan common activities, thus improving public perception on the EU. Special focus will be on explaining institutional issues as well as energy and climate change.

Volgens bepaalde media hebben de Europese Unie en Zwitserland in enkele Afrikaanse landen een ontmoedigingscampagne gestart die Afrikanen moet afschrikken om naar Europa komen.

Klopt dit bericht? Gaat het om een gezamenlijk initiatief van de EU en Zwitserland? Wie/welke instelling heeft dit initiatief genomen? In welke landen vindt de campagne plaats en op welke wijze en met welke middelen? Denkt de Commissie er aan om de campagne uit te breiden naar andere Afrikaanse staten? Hoeveel kost de campagne?

The Commission is funding information campaigns in West African countries such as Mauritania, Senegal, Niger, Mali, Ghana, Nigeria, Congo and Cameroon on the risks of irregular migration. These campaigns are prepared and implemented by the International Organisation for Migration, within the framework of a project supported by the 2004 budget of the AENEAS⁽¹⁾ programme. The project - selected for funding through a Call for Proposals in 2004 - started to be implemented during 2005.

In some of the countries targeted by the project, the International Organisation for Migration cooperated with other donors and organisations, so as to establish synergies and avoid duplication or sending contradictory messages. In the case of Senegal, for instance, the information campaign funded by the EU was supported by Spain. The campaign in Nigeria and Cameroon was promoted also by the Swiss federal Migration Office.

The cost of the information campaigns under the project run by the International Organisation for Migration amounts to €265.000.

The AENEAS programme and its successor, the Thematic Programme for the cooperation with third countries in the areas of migration and asylum, support information campaigns to raise awareness of the risks linked to irregular migration, and which in many cases lead to death, extreme conditions, detention, trafficking, exploitation, and forced repatriation.

Στα πλαίσια της αντιλαϊκής πολιτικής, Ε.Ε. και κυβερνήσεις των κρατών μελών, με προκλητικά χαριστικές ρυθμίσεις, απαλλάσσουν τους τραπεζικούς ομίλους από συμβατικές τους υποχρεώσεις, με αποτέλεσμα να χαρίζονται στις τράπεζες δισεκατομμύρια ευρώ που οφείλουν στα ασφαλιστικά ταμεία των εργαζόμενων και να επιβαρύνεται το δημόσιο, δηλαδή οι εργαζόμενοι, μέσα από την αύξηση της φορολογίας. Με νομοθετική ρύθμιση της κυβέρνησης της ΝΔ για την ένταξη του ταμείου εργαζομένων της πρώην Τράπεζας Πίστεως στο Ενιαίο Ταμείο Ασφάλισης Τραπεζοϋπαλλήλων (ΕΤΑΤ), γίνεται νέα χαριστική ρύθμιση, ως συνέχεια προηγούμενης ρύθμισης επί κυβέρνησης ΠΑΣΟΚ στη συγκεκριμένη Τράπεζα “ΑLΡΗΑ ΒΑΝΚ”, με την οποία της χαρίστηκαν 600 εκατ. ευρώ από την ένταξη του Ταμείου Ασφάλισης Προσωπικού Ιονικής και Λαϊκής Τράπεζας (ΤΑΠΙΛΤ) στο ΙΚΑ. Αυτές οι αντεργατικές πολιτικές επιλογές άνοιξαν τους ασκούς του Αιόλου για την ληστρική επιδρομή των μονοπωλιακών τραπεζικών ομίλων στα αποθεματικά των ασφαλιστικών ταμείων των εργαζομένων.

Ποια είναι η θέση της Επιτροπής σχετικά με τη συγκεκριμένη ρύθμιση της Ν.Δ. να απαλλάξει την εταιρεία “ΑLΡΗΑ ΒΑΝΚ” και να μην εκπληρώσει τις συμβατικές της υποχρεώσεις στα ασφαλιστικά ταμεία των εργαζομένων;

With respect to the transfer of pension obligations, the Commission can, as a preliminary remark, refer to Decision 597/2006 of 10 October 2007 on the reform of the organisation of the supplementary pension regime in the Greek banking sector. In this decision the Commission concluded that the transfer of first pillar pension obligations from a special regime to the general social security regime did not involve State Aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty.

The Commission is currently examining a complaint in relation to the situation referred to by the Honourable Member alleging a violation of Directive 2002/14/EC⁽¹⁾. It has addressed a letter to the Greek authorities requesting further information in this regard. Moreover, the Commission is currently examining the possible State Aid issues that may arise in this particular situation referred to by the complainant.

In the wake of Cyclone Sihr on 15 November the European Union was one of the first organisations actually to deliver financial assistance to Bangladesh. Could the Commission detail what aid has been given since and what long-term plans are being considered?

Within hours of the cyclone striking, the Commission released € 1.5 million to address the most urgent needs of the victims, thus being among the first donors to commit funds to this humanitarian crisis. The four Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) partners in this initial operation started their distributions of food and basic non-food items within a week of the cyclone striking. Early warning and evacuations programs (about 3,200,000 people evacuated) were triggered 24 hours before the cyclone hit, which greatly limited the number of casualties compared to other cyclones that had hit Bangladesh in the past decades.

Based on further information from the field describing considerable emergency humanitarian needs, the Commission approved a further emergency decision of € 5 million on 3 December 2007. This will be completed by a new emergency decision of € 1,925,000 under the 2007 budget, bringing the total allocation to the cyclone victims to more than € 8.4 million. The new funds are meeting vital needs for water, food, shelter, basic household items, emergency health care, improvement of water and sanitation conditions to avoid the spreading of water-born diseases, and to support livelihoods and early rehabilitation. Activities will be as usual implemented by the Commission's Humanitarian Aid Department's partners: NGOs, United Nations (UN) agencies and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The 4 NGOs contracted under the primary Emergency Decision of € 1.5 million have completed their operations. They have reached 278 000 persons with food, non-food items and improvement of water supplies. This aid had a tremendous impact on the local population.

However, the devastation brought by Cyclone Sidr is considerable with more than 8.5 million people affected including more than 2.6 million still needing emergency assistance; more than half a million houses have been destroyed as well as public infrastructure; crops and livestock destruction are also twice as large as initially estimated.

On 3 December 2007, at a meeting of the Head of Government of Bangladesh with the International Community, the longer-term reconstruction needs were confirmed at around USD⁽¹⁾ 1 billion, mainly for infrastructure: coastal embankments, additional cyclone shelters, schools, roads and bridges as well as reforestation in the Sunderbans mangrove forest World Heritage Site.

The Commission remains fully mobilised through its Delegation in Dhaka working in a coordinated manner with the Government, and other aid agencies. A joint EC-World Bank-UN post-disaster damage and needs assessment, is to be undertaken by the end of 2007 or the beginning of 2008.

Under these circumstances, the Commission is looking into the possibility of allocating additional assistance to Bangladesh including additional humanitarian assistance. The Commission is also considering the use of the Instrument for Stability to support early recovery efforts. Another option may be to redirect or intensify ongoing activities in the 9 districts most affected by the cyclone in particular from current EC funded programmes in education, health and food security.

It is clear that Bangladesh – the most densely populated and one of the poorest countries in the world – will require sustained support for several years in order to address effectively the impact of Sidr and to further enhance preparedness for natural disasters in the context of the threat posed by climate change.

The Commission is the main donor in disaster preparedness in Bangladesh. € 5.9 million have been committed since 1994 in community-based projects in the framework of Disaster preparedness interventions (DIPECHO programme), which aim at strengthening the response capacities of the populations at risk. The Commission is contributing (€ 9 million) to the Government of Bangladesh's Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme.

This should soon be complemented by another contribution on climate change and disaster preparedness.

La Comisión está celebrando negociaciones sobre un acuerdo de asociación con la CAN y, según los negociadores latinoamericanos, la Comisión insiste para que dichos países firmen un acuerdo de libre comercio que liberaliza más que la OMC y más que el acuerdo con Chile, por ejemplo en el caso de los derechos de propiedad intelectual. Por otra parte, para los negociadores europeos la obligación de dar un tratamiento especial y diferenciado a los países en desarrollo que lo necesitan consiste simplemente en dar plazos de 5 o 7 años a los pobres.

¿Puede indicar la Comisión cómo va a tomar en cuenta la necesidad de traducir la exigencia de otorgar un tratamiento especial y diferenciado a los países en desarrollo en medidas cualitativas? ¿Cuáles podrían ser éstas?

¿Puede confirmar la Comisión que no va a incluir los temas de Singapur y el asunto de los servicios en estas negociaciones?

¿No piensa la Comisión que, si Chile o México no pudieron poner en práctica ciertos capítulos del acuerdo, menos van a poder países pobres como Perú y Bolivia?

In accordance with the Negotiating Directives approved by the Council in April 2007, the Commission is currently negotiating an Association Agreement (AA) with the Andean Community of Nations (CAN), which will cover political dialogue, cooperation and trade relations. The latter part should aim to progressive and reciprocal liberalization, by means of an ambitious, comprehensive and balanced Free Trade Area, fully compliant with the rules and obligations of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) while going beyond the WTO's basic rules.

As a general principle, the Commission and the CAN have agreed that the AA, and particularly its trade part, will include asymmetries and special and differential treatment (SDT), both on a region to region basis where necessary and inside the CAN although limiting to a minimum differentiation of commitments between its countries. The precise content of this principle in each chapter of the future agreement is part of the negotiation, and has not yet been specified, but the Commission does not necessarily limit its scope to the calendar for trade in goods liberalization. The Commission is ready to examine any further suggestions from the CAN on the asymmetries and SDT which are compatible with the general objectives of trade liberalization and with WTO rules and obligations.

The Commission can confirm that trade in services and the so-called Singapore issues (trade facilitation, investment, government procurement and competition) are included in the negotiations, in accordance with the Council Directives and in full agreement with the CAN. The Commission is convinced that these issues are of utmost importance for the EU but also for the CAN regional integration process and the sustainable development of its members.

The Commission considers that the EU-Chile and EU-Mexico Agreements have been implemented successfully by its partners in all areas covered, and does not see any reason a priori why this should not be possible for the member countries of the CAN in a future Association Agreement. Of course, appropriate support and cooperation will be provided, particularly in terms of institutional and technical capacities.

EF-Domstolen har dømt Danmark (sag C-382/02) til at ændre lovgivningen vedrørende moms på salg af fly, leverancer af brændstof til fly samt leverancer til flyskoler. Begrundelsen herfor er, at de danske regler er i strid med Rådets direktiv 77/388/EØF⁽¹⁾, art. 15, nr. 6, 7 og 9.

Storbritannien fortsætter dog med at have momsfri leverancer til fly samt momsfritagelse på salg af fly til private.

Kan Kommissionen således redegøre for, på hvilket retsgrundlag i forhold til fællesskabsreglerne et land, f.eks. England, kan undlade at lægge moms på salg af fly til private samt på leverancer til flyselskaber, der hovedsageligt flyver på indenrigsruter?

Article 148 of Directive 2006/112/EC⁽²⁾ ("the VAT Directive"), in connection with Article 169(b) thereof, provides for an exemption with deductibility of the VAT paid at the preceding stage ("zero rate") for, inter alia, the supply of aircraft "used by airlines operating for reward chiefly on international routes". It is clear that on the basis of this provision no Member State is allowed to grant a zero rate to supplies of aircraft made to private individuals and/or to airlines operating chiefly on domestic routes.

Other transitional provisions of the VAT Directive (such as, for instance, Article 110 or Article 371, in connection with category (11) of Annex X, Part (B) thereof) do not seem capable either of covering as wide an application of the zero rate as the one allegedly taking place in the United Kingdom. For this reason, the Commission intends to contact the United Kingdom authorities as regards their present VAT treatment of aircraft.

Can the Commission state what new initiatives it intends to pursue this year so as to promote a greater level of economic activity in the field of aquaculture in Europe?

The Commission is of the view that aquaculture, as a high quality food industry, is of strategic importance if the increasing demand for healthy seafood is to be met. Therefore, as already announced in its Legislative and Work Programme for 2008⁽¹⁾, the Commission intends to adopt in 2008 a Communication on Sustainable Development of Community Aquaculture as a priority initiative.

Given that the growth objectives of the 2002 strategy for aquaculture⁽²⁾ have not been fully met, the primary aim of this Communication will be to identify and address the main challenges hampering sustainable growth of this economic activity. Based on a wide consultation that began in 2007, it will seek to assess which role should be played by all actors concerned, in particular by public authorities, to promote and provide an adequate business and regulatory framework to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation and ensure compliance with high environmental and public health standards. It is however too early to say which precise actions may be identified in this context.

In 2008, the Commission also intends to adopt implementing rules for two important Council Regulations that were adopted in 2007 on the use of alien and locally absent species in aquaculture⁽³⁾ and on the organic production and labelling of organic products, including aquaculture products⁽⁴⁾.

Can the Commission state what mechanisms it has in place so as to ensure and guarantee that the Commission does not bring forward unnecessary or unwarranted proposals to regulate the operation of the European economy?

The Commission wishes to reassure the Honourable Member of its strong commitment to the full implementation of its Better Regulation strategy. Transparency and high quality analysis are key components of the Commission's impact assessment system which constitutes a fundamental instrument for developing sound legislative proposals. Its aim is to ensure that only such proposals that bring added value and comply with the subsidiarity principle are put forward and tailored to meet the policy objective most effectively. If those criteria are met, further checks and balances exist to ensure that all proposals are proportionate and effective in addressing the identified problem. For example, since March 2006 the Impact Assessment Guidelines request the use of the Standard Cost Model for identifying any impacts related to possible administrative burdens.

The Commission is committed to produce, in principle, impact assessments for every initiative on its Legislative and Work Programme. Moreover, an increasing number of other initiatives are accompanied by an analysis proportionate to their impacts. Impact assessment allows the Commission to carefully assess different policy options by drawing on the results of stakeholder input. Public consultations are always compliant with the Commission's Minimum Standards for Consultation which include a proactive approach to ensuring that stakeholders are given the opportunity to share their expert opinions. Furthermore, the newly established Impact Assessment Board provides independent quality support and control for impact assessments prepared by the Commission. In some cases, the impact assessment has lead to a decision not to put forward an EU policy initiative.

It is important to underline that the aim of an impact assessment is to provide political decision-makers with a full and objective picture of all potential impacts and to highlight any trade-offs and synergies. The final decision remains of course a political one and is taken in the normal inter-institutional process. As part of this process, the Commission, the Parliament and the Council agreed an inter-institutional Common Approach to Impact Assessment.

Does the Commission not recognise that EU leaders gave clear guarantees to Irish and European farmers concerning the level of CAP payments farmers would receive for the period 2007 - 2013?

Is it not the case then that the Commission should not be allowed to re-open the financial commitments given to Irish and European farmers for the period 2007 - 2013 in the context of the CAP Health Check 2008?

The European Council in October 2002 set a ceiling, which ensured a financial resource perspective for the Common Agricultural Policy’s (CAP) First Pillar (market measures and direct aids expenditure) for the period 2007-2013. The 2003 CAP Reform was adopted by the Agriculture Council in June 2003 in full respect of that financial framework. At the European Council in December 2005 that agreed ceiling for First Pillar remained untouched, with the exception of the integration of expenditure for Bulgaria and Romania (phasing in) under the ceiling, while the net effect on Second Pillar funding was a reduction.

The Commission considers that the new challenges stemming from the issues identified in the Communication "Preparing for the Health Check of the CAP Reform"⁽¹⁾ make a further strengthening of the Second Pillar (rural development measures) necessary within the current financial perspectives, in particular in the light of the current constraints that Member State are facing. Reinforcement is also necessary in order to respond to the need for increased efforts in innovation to address those new competitive and environmental challenges. With the CAP budget now fixed until 2013, a strengthening of Pillar II funds could only be achieved through increased compulsory modulation.

During 2008 the Commission will further develop its approach to the budgetary review 2008/2009 as set in the Communication "Reforming the budget, changing Europe"⁽²⁾. The "Health Check" of the CAP contributes to the discussion on future priorities in the field of agriculture and aims to prepare EU agriculture to adapt better to a rapidly changing environment. It therefore does not represent a re-opening of the financial commitments regarding the CAP and does not prejudge the outcome of the budget review.

In the context of the EU-Africa summit and the pledges of cooperation to use science and investment to tackle water-related challenges, which practical science-based joint measures does the Commission envisage to address the need for greater water security and higher standards of hygiene and to positively impact upon climate change?

Water research has been a major component of successive EU environmental research programmes for over three decades. Research activities with a strong international co-operation component have been funded under the 6th Research and Technological Development (RTD) Framework Programme (FP6) to support the objectives of the EU Water Initiative and the water related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) targets. They address, through integrated research approaches, the multi-dimensionality of water governance (participatory approaches, socio-economic and gender aspects, institutional frameworks….), promote capacity building through on-the-job training and awareness and better knowledge and innovation management in developing countries. Furthermore, regarding impact of climate change, some FP6 research projects analyse, quantify and predict the components of current and future global water cycle, evaluating uncertainties and clarifying the overall vulnerability for water resources. Stakeholders and public at large are part of research planning and implementation right from the start in most of these projects to ensure applicability and uptake of the research results.

For instance, the NEWATER project⁽¹⁾ addresses the transition from currently prevailing regimes of river basin water management into more integrated and adaptive regimes to global changes in the future. NEWATER is focussing its work in seven international transboundary catchments (two of them being in Africa) giving special attention to the EU Water Initiative. The ANTINOMOS project⁽²⁾ devotes attention to link state-of-the-art technological advancement in water supply and sanitation with local resources and grassroots innovations. The NETSSAF project⁽³⁾ aims to develop a participative multi-stakeholder sanitation management support tool aimed for the end-users to be able to apply large scale sanitation concepts and technologies adapted to the different conditions prevailing in Africa. Through the TECHNEAU project⁽⁴⁾, the development and application of innovative and cost effective European strategies and technologies for safe drinking water supply is going to be stimulated. Based on experiences and trends in different representative European regions and in sub-saharan Africa, TECHNEAU addresses the tremendous challenges that face the water supply sector worldwide (climate change, new emerging contaminants, aging infrastructures, shortage of good quality and readily treatable resources and more demanding regulators and consumers needs) with emphasis on adaptive strategies, novel technologies and operational practices. The SWITCH project⁽⁵⁾ addresses the problems that increasing global change pressures, escalating costs and other risks inherent to conventional urban water management, are causing to major cities in the world (two of them situated in Africa). The SWITCH program is centred around the concept of city based learning alliances and demand driven research and demonstrations. Learning alliances aims to link up stakeholders at city and global level to interact productively and to create win-win solutions along the water chain, foster a new form of “demand-driven” research through close collaboration with local stakeholders, improve the communication between water sector institutions in the demonstration cities, increase the transparency and scientific basis for decision making processes, help to break down the political barriers to solving global urban and water issues, allow better representation of all stakeholders in the decision making processes and show to other sectors (public health management, agriculture, spatial planning, etc.) that using the learning alliance approach is feasible and results in more rapid adoption. Finally, the ROSA project⁽⁶⁾ promotes resource-oriented sanitation concepts as a route to sustainable and ecologically sound sanitation in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals. These concepts are applied in four cities in East-Africa.

The Research Component of the EU Water Initiative provides a platform for pooling together research activities interlinked both at EU level, through continued support by the Directorate General Research Framework Programme, and at the Member States level, through the European Research Area Network (ERA-NET) scheme. The AFRICAN WATER project⁽⁷⁾ helped several EU Member States to establish a framework for the long term improvement in the involvement of African researchers in water research and fulfil their political commitments to strengthen African water research capacity. This leads to a successful ERA-NET project (SPLASH)⁽⁸⁾ which was funded under FP6. The ERA-NET consortium comprises 15 research programme owners/managers from 11 countries and aims to improve communication, collaboration and coordination of national research programmes in order to increase their reduce duplication and repetition and enhance synergies between EU-funded RTD and national research programmes by Member States.

Efforts continue under the 7th Framework Programme (FP7). In this process, FP7 places important emphasis progressing on the analysis of impacts of global change on water resources and its availability in quantitative and qualitative terms. Moreover, actions addressing water security are contemplated in different aspects.

As example, in the 1st call of FP7 research projects are already under negotiation in this field. Some of these are; i) assessing climatic change and impacts on the quantity and quality of water specifically in vulnerable mountain regions, ii) bridging the gap between adaptation strategies of climate change impacts and European water polices, and iii) assessing research needs and policy choices in areas of drought.

Furthermore, for the coming years there are planned activities exploring changes in extreme hydrological events in Europe and associated impacts on the water cycle (including related global threats on regional/ global water security).

Ζητείται από την Επιτροπή να εξηγήσει σε ποιο βαθμό η πολιτική της αεροπορικής εταιρείας Ryanair σχετικά με τις τιμές των εισιτηρίων της επηρεάζει αρνητικά τις συνθήκες υγιούς ανταγωνισμού στον τομέα των αερομεταφορών, σε ποιο βαθμό τίθεται σε κίνδυνο η ασφάλεια των επιβατών, αφού η εταιρεία αυτή χρησιμοποιεί, όπως η ίδια αναφέρει σε ανακοινώσεις Τύπου (π.χ. 8.11.2007, 22.11.2007 και 28.11.2007), περιφερειακά και δευτερεύοντα αεροδρόμια ("regional and secondary airports") για τα επίπεδα ασφαλείας των οποίων διεξάγονται έρευνες, και εάν, λόγω των δύο ανωτέρω ζητημάτων η εταιρεία είναι σε θέση να πληροί τους όρους ασφαλείας γενικά.

According to the applicable legislation to the Air Transport Single market, in particular on fares, airlines are free to decide on the fares they apply. It does not appear that Ryanair's ticket price policy is having a detrimental impact on healthy competition in the air transport sector. The business model it applies is well-known and based on reducing at a maximum the costs for the airline and targeting a very high load factor on point to point routes.

The Commission is not aware of allegedly lower safety standards of regional and secondary airports and related investigations.

With regard to the air safety of the carrier "Ryanair" it must be noted that the operator's license and the Air Operator Certificate of that company is issued by the State of Ireland which executes the related oversight.

Based on the data available today, to include the results of Ramp Inspections performed in the scope of the European SAFA⁽¹⁾ programme, the Commission received no indication of adverse air safety aspects by the operator in question.

Απορίες άφησαν οι απαντήσεις στις ερωτήσεις μας Η-0663/07⁽¹⁾ και Η-0775/07⁽²⁾ σχετικά με το εξασθενές χρώμιο σε πόσιμο νερό. Ποια είναι η τελική γνώμη της Επιτροπής για τη χρήση πόσιμου νερού που περιέχει εξασθενές χρώμιο από 1-50μg/lt; Αναφέρετε ότι για το καταπινόμενο εξασθενές χρώμιο αναμένονται περισσότερα αποτελέσματα μελετών από τις ΗΠΑ. Όμως, στο ντοκουμέντο "Toxicological Profile for Chromium" (U.S.D.H. και H.S., Σεπτέμβριος 2000, σελ. 329) αναφέρεται όριο το 0,05μg/lt εξασθενούς χρωμίου, ως ευρωπαϊκό όριο για το πόσιμο νερό, και γίνεται παραπομπή στη βιβλιογραφία του Π.Ο.Υ. (1970, 2nd ed. Geneva 33, “European Standard for Drinking Water” και 1988, ed. Geneva 197, “Environmental Health Criteria: Chromium 6”). Στον κανονισμό REACH (ΕΚ) αριθ. 1907/2006⁽³⁾, το εξασθενές χρώμιο και οι ενώσεις του καταχωρούνται ως ουσίες Α.Β.Τ. στο παράρτημα XVII.

Με βάση αυτά τα πρόσθετα δεδομένα, επιμένει η Επιτροπή στη μη αναγνώριση του ορίου 0,05μg/lt για το εξασθενές χρώμιο στο πόσιμο νερό; Κρίνει αναγκαία τη λήψη έκτακτων μέτρων διανομής - ανάλωσης για πόσιμο νερό που περιέχει 8-15 είτε 50μg/lt εξασθενές χρώμιο, όπως στην περίπτωση του Ασωπού ποταμού;

The Commission does recognise the maximum concentration of 0.05 mg/l of chromium in drinking water. The Drinking Water Directive⁽⁴⁾ specifies that the limit value for chromium (all valences confounded) in drinking water is 50µg/l, which is identical to 0.05 mg/l. The current Drinking Water Directive parameter value for chromium is based on the World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines of 1992, and the WHO 2004 Guidelines did not introduce changes in relation to chromium.

The Drinking Water Directive's limit value applies to drinking water as it is delivered to the consumers (at the tap) and not to river water.

As regards the presumed pollution of the Asopos River, the Commission launched an own initiative investigation with the purpose of verifying whether Greece complies with its obligations under EC environmental law. The Commission has addressed a letter to the Greek authorities requesting to be informed in detail on the actions taken. The Commission is assessing all information available and will take all necessary measures, including, if appropriate, the initiation of an infringement procedure, to ensure that EC environmental legislation is complied with.

Les flux de marchandises dangereuses qui traversent l'Union européenne ne cessent de croître. Dans la période 1990-2002, ils ont augmenté de 13%, en particulier par voie routière (+27,4%) et par voies fluviale et maritime (+11,1%). Les opérateurs de transports poussent à la généralisation de l'autodéclaration des marchandises dangereuses, ce qui accroît d'autant les risques de catastrophes. La responsabilité de l'Union européenne est de fait engagée. Elle doit prendre toutes les mesures prophylactiques nécessaires.

La Commission ne compte-t-elle pas, en vertu d'une application rationnelle du principe de précaution, interdire toute forme d'autodéclaration des marchandises dangereuses circulant sur le territoire de l'Union?

The European legislation on the transport of dangerous goods does not contain the concept of 'auto-declaration'. It does, however, impose on consignors and transport operators the obligation to transport dangerous goods in full respect of the rules which include classification, packaging, labelling, documentation and vehicle construction requirements. Respect of these rules is controlled by the national authorities. Regarding roadside controls, it is worth mentioning a recent Commission report⁽¹⁾.

Mediante Ley 37/2007 el Estado español ha aplicado tardíamente la Directiva 2003/98/CE⁽¹⁾ . En el artículo 7.3 de la citada Ley se indica que «En caso de que una Administración u organismo del sector público reutilice los documentos como base para actividades comerciales ajenas a las funciones propias que tenga atribuidas, deberán aplicarse a la entrega de documentos para dichas actividades las mismas tasas o precios públicos y condiciones que se apliquen a los demás usuarios».

¿Considera la Comisión que este apartado se ajusta al contenido de la Directiva?

Por otro lado, ¿no cree la Comisión que la aplicación de la Directiva puede ser aprovechada por algunos Estados para gravar servicios que hasta el momento eran libres y gratuitos? ¿Tiene constancia la Comisión de que esto último haya sucedido en algún Estado?

National legislation implementing the Directive in Spain was adopted on 16 November 2007 and will enter into force on 17 January 2008.

The Commission would first like to underline the main objectives of the public sector information Directive. The Directive aims at making public sector information widely available for re-use in the information economy. This is the case for example in mapping and car navigation services. Key aspects are facilitating cross-border re-use of public sector information and limiting distortions of competition. The Directive’s core provisions regulate in particular non-discrimination, upper limits for charging, transparency and practical tools to easily find and re-use public documents.

The first part of the question concerns essentially the implementation into national law of Article 10 (2) of the Directive. This Article precludes cross-subsidies in situations where public sector bodies exercise, in addition to their public tasks, purely commercial activities. As an example one could mention a public sector body that produces basic data and that also sells added-value products in competition with other economic operators. This is the case in several Member States in sectors such as geographic or meteorological information. To avoid a distortion of fair competition, the competitors should be able to re-use the basic data under the same conditions as the commercial branch of the public sector body.

The Spanish implementation law addresses the above described cross-subsidy issue regulated by Article 10 (2) of the Directive in terms close to those of the Directive.

The second part of the question refers to the possibility that Member States apply the Directive in a way that renders services that so far have been free of charge subject to payment. The Commission is not aware of concrete situations where this would have happened and it is certainly not intended by the Directive. Indeed, the Directive calls upon Member States to promote a wide re-use of public sector documents. In its Preamble it encourages Member States to make documents available at marginal costs or at no charges at all. For situations where charges are made, the Directive fixes conditions and an upper ceiling to admissible charges.

The Commission services are carefully following the implementation and application of the Directive in the Member States. There are encouraging examples where re-use of public sector information has increased and new innovative services have been created, for the benefit of European businesses and citizens alike. The Commission will carry out, in accordance with article 13 of the Directive, a review of its application in 2008.

Er is sprake van een Europese Radio Zender, die vanaf april 2008 programma's zal brengen met een Europese invalshoek. De zender zou in eerste instantie een half uur politiek nieuws per dag brengen, de grote Europese culturele evenementen verslaan en ook wekelijks een achtergrondmagazine verzorgen.

Niettegenstaande het feit dat een pan-Europese radio een erg lovenswaardig initiatief is, wordt er door de Europese Commissie wel erg veel geld voor uitgetrokken. Deze nieuwe zender zou 5,8 miljoen euro per jaar subsidie krijgen, vijf jaar lang. Dat komt neer op zo'n 15.890 euro per dag.

Vindt de Commissie dit bedrag gerechtvaardigd en kan het verklaren dat voor dat bedrag het station niet in alle landstalen te beluisteren zal zijn? Het Nederlands zou er pas in 2009 bijkomen, terwijl zowel een Nederlandse als een Belgische zender tot het consortium van organiserende radiozenders behoren.

On 14 December 2007, the Commission signed a one year service contract (renewable 4 times) with a consortium of 16 European radios (and 7 associated members).

In the first year, the amount allocated to the consortium will permit the 16 radios to broadcast 45 minutes of EU information per day. This put the hourly broadcasting cost to €1,377, probably the lowest cost on the radio market. The consortium will produce and broadcast 4,200 hours of programmes on EU affairs in 10 EU languages. Full editorial independence is guaranteed in the contract.

The estimated daily outreach of these programmes will be 19 million Europeans and 50 million people in the rest of the world. The radio broadcasting will be complemented by a multilingual Internet portal, with sound, pod-casting and other technical facilities and information services to the auditors available on demand. The webpages are expected to be viewed approximately 60-80 million times a month.

The consortium will have an open character, with new members accepted, if fulfilling the admission criteria defined by contract. The aim is to attract at least one radio operator by EU Member State and as many associated members as possible. Thus the number of languages covered will increase each year to cover all the 23 EU official languages in 2012. In parallel, the number of hours broadcast should grow regularly as members and associated stations will increase the adaptation of programmes in their respective languages.

Η ενιαία αγορά αποτελεί βασικό οικονομικό εργαλείο στην υπηρεσία των πολιτών και των περιοχών της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης. Σήμερα, η ενιαία αγορά καλείται να δώσει νέα ώθηση στην Ευρώπη ώστε να απαντήσει στις προκλήσεις της παγκοσμιοποίησης, να συμβάλει στην ανάπτυξη και την απασχόληση, διασφαλίζοντας δίκαιες τιμές για παραγωγούς και καταναλωτές, αλλά και να συμβάλει στις κοινωνικές και περιβαλλοντικές προκλήσεις.

Στο πλαίσιο της εκτεταμένης ανασκόπησης της ενιαίας αγοράς που έχει ξεκινήσει, πώς σκοπεύει η Επιτροπή να αντιμετωπίσει το συνεχιζόμενο αποκλεισμό -και κατά συνέπεια την αδυναμία πρόσβασης στις ευρωπαϊκές αγορές-των νησιωτικών περιοχών της ΕΕ (ιδιαίτερα των μικρών και μεσαίων μεγέθους νησιών), καθώς και των κατοίκων των περιοχών αυτών, τόσο ως παραγωγών, όσο και ως καταναλωτών;

The 4th Report on Economic and Social Cohesion⁽¹⁾– adopted by the Commission on 30 May 2007 – confirms the importance the Commission attaches to achieving greater territorial cohesion in Europe and to the particular difficulties certain territories are facing. Among other things, the report draws attention to the challenges and opportunities arising in the territories with specific natural handicaps.

Already, the Cohesion Report has raised a series of questions as a basis on which to launch the discussion on the future of the policy. Among the questions, the Commission asks "How can cohesion policy better promote harmonious, balanced and sustainable development taking into account the diversity of EU territories, such as least favoured areas, islands, rural and coastal areas but also cities, declining industrial regions, other areas with particular geographic characteristics?". The Commission is looking forward to receiving many responses to this important question and will report on the results in the context of the 5th Progress Report on Cohesion due for spring 2008.

The new regulations for 2007-2013 and the Community Strategic Guidelines contain explicit provisions for areas with geographical and natural handicaps; they thus provide the basis for progress in addressing territorial specificities in programming documents. During the informal ministerial meeting which took place in Leipzig at the end of May 2007, the Commissioner in charge of Regional Policy presented a document which assesses the way in which national strategies for 2007-2013 propose to tackle territorial issues. One of her observations was that only a few Member States set clear and explicit interventions for specific types of territories (i.e. mountainous, coastal, insular, sparsely populated areas). The Ministers present at the meeting requested the Commission to develop this analysis and to present a report on territorial cohesion in 2008.

The Commission thus will present in September 2008 a Green Paper on territorial cohesion will seek to provide an overall and coherent view of territorial challenges, including those specific to mountains, islands and other areas facing geographical difficulties. In that context, the Commission intends to look at how different sector policies such as transport address the issue of territorial cohesion. A comprehensive approach is needed in order to offer a sound basis for Community policies, and cohesion policy in particular, and to provide the appropriate answers to the need for harmonious and balanced development of the Union. This common vision is essential for avoiding the fragmentation of European policies while taking into account the specificities of the concerned areas.

The Green Paper will firstly provide an updated analysis on disparities in the European territory and on specific territorial features. It will discuss the definition and use of concept at the European and the Member States level (legal matters, implementation issues as linked to a survey sent to the Member States, as well as the territorial dimension of the National Strategic Reference Framework Operational Programmes). It will finally propose some questions for debate. Islands and mountain areas will have an appropriate place in this work.

Την ριζική αντίθεση των κατοίκων του Αλιβερίου προκαλεί η προβλεπόμενη, μετά από θετική γνωμοδότηση της ελληνικής κυβέρνησης, λειτουργία στο εργοστάσιο της ΑΓΕΤ-LAFARGE, συστήματος καύσης τυποποιημένων απορριμμάτων και εργοστασιακών αποβλήτων (RDF). Στην καύσιμη ύλη θα προστεθούν στη πορεία σαπουνέλαια, λάστιχα, απόβλητα από την Ψυττάλεια και άλλα υλικά. Αρμόδιοι επιστημονικοί φορείς και επιστημονικές μελέτες υπογραμμίζουν τους κινδύνους για την δημόσια υγεία και το περιβάλλον (καρκινογενέσεις, συμβολή στο φαινόμενο του θερμοκηπίου) που προκαλούν οι αέριοι ρύποι από την καύση σκουπιδιών.

Γνωρίζει η Επιτροπή αν υπάρχουν περιβαλλοντικές μελέτες και αν αυτές είναι σύμφωνες με την κοινοτική νομοθεσία προκειμένου να λειτουργήσει η ΑΓΕΤ-LAFARGE σύστημα καύσης απορριμμάτων (RDF); Θεωρεί ότι η δραστηριότητα αυτή είναι συμβατή με την προσπάθεια μείωσης των εκπομπών αερίων που συμβάλλουν στο φαινόμενο του θερμοκηπίου, και της έχει ζητηθεί να συγχρηματοδοτήσει το σχετικό πρόγραμμα;

The co-incineration of waste in cement plants is covered by the Waste Incineration Directive 2000/76/EC⁽¹⁾. The aim of this Directive is to prevent or to limit negative effects on the environment and the resulting risks to human health from the incineration and co-incineration of waste. In order to achieve this aim, the Directive includes stringent operational conditions and technical requirements, as well as emission limit values and monitoring requirements for such plants. The requirements set for co-incineration plants ensure that an equivalent level of environmental protection is achieved as for dedicated waste incinerators.

In addition to the requirements of the Waste Incineration Directive, all cement kilns with a production capacity exceeding 500 tonnes per day are also subject to Directive 96/61/EC⁽²⁾ concerning integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC).

The ΑΓΕΤ-LAFARGE installation falls within the scope of the IPPC Directive and must therefore comply with all of its requirements. It should be stressed that the installation disposes of an environmental permit issued on the basis of the national legislation transposing the IPPC Directive and Directive 85/337/EEC on the environmental impact assessment⁽³⁾. In addition, it should be mentionned that the Decision approving environmental conditions⁽⁴⁾ for the operation of the waste water treatment plant of Psitalleia ⁽⁵⁾provides for possible ways of dealing with the dried sludge produced, including incineration.

The competent authorities have to ensure that these installations are operated in such a way that all the appropriate preventive measures are taken against pollution, in particular through the application of the Best Available Techniques (BAT).

The permits for IPPC installations should include emission limit values for all relevant polluting substances, based on the BAT. These limit values may be more stringent than those required under the Waste Incineration Directive and may be set for further polluting substances. The BAT are determined at EU level through an information exchange between experts, leading to the adoption by the Commission of the BAT reference documents, better known as the BREFs. The 31 BREF documents are publicly available on the website of the European IPPC Bureau.

The BREF on the manufacture of cement was the first one to be adopted in 2001. This BREF document is currently under revision and the updated version will in particular contain new information on the use of waste in cement kilns. It will also include new conclusions on the BAT for this activity.

The co-incineration of waste in cement kilns, when operated in compliance with EU environmental legislation, will not lead to an overall increase of greenhouse gas emissions. The use of waste derived fuels reduces the need to burn conventional fossil fuels in these installations, which, in the case of biomass waste, will also reduce the CO2 emissions.

The Commission has not been asked to co-finance the programme for co-incineration of RDF⁽⁶⁾ at the ΑΓΕΤ-LAFARGE installation.

Overeenkomstig de in 2004 vastgestelde communautaire richtsnoeren voor de ontwikkeling van een trans-Europees vervoersnet maakt het project van de IJzeren Rijn deel uit van de prioritaire projecten, meer bepaald van prioritair project nr. 24 (spoorlijn Lyon/Genova-Basel-Duisburg –Rotterdam/Antwerpen).

Bij de lijst geselecteerde projecten voor financiering in de periode 2007-2013 die de Commissie op 21 november voorstelde, is het project van de IJzeren Rijn niet opgenomen.

Ook al is de uitvoering van een project afhankelijk van een soeverein besluit van de betrokken lidstaten, heeft de Commissie zich geëngageerd "alles in het werk te stellen om ervoor te zorgen dat het project conform de richtsnoeren wordt uitgevoerd" (cfr antwoord op vraag H-0759/06⁽¹⁾). Op welke manier zal de Commissie haar eerder engagement verder vorm geven?

Overweegt de Commissie ook voor dit project een coördinator te benoemen die de dialoog tussen de betrokken lidstaten moet faciliteren en zo de uitvoering van de werkzaamheden kan bewerkstelligen?

Loopt het project "IJzeren Rijn" nu het risico te worden uitgesloten van Europese financiering voor de periode 2007-2013?

Le projet "Rhin d'acier", contrairement à ce qu'indique l'honorable parlementaire, figure bien dans la liste des projets sélectionnés pour un financement communautaire au titre des réseaux transeuropéens au cours de la période 2007-2013, qui a été présentée par la Commission le 28 novembre 2007 au Comité des Etats membres. Cette liste de projets a en outre été présentée par le Vice-président chargé des transports dans une réunion conjointe des commissions des Budgets (BUDG) et des Transports et du tourisme (TRAN) du Parlement le 21 novembre 2007.

La décision de la Commission, qui sera adoptée suite à la procédure du droit de regard du Parlement, est prévue au début de l'année 2008.

Un financement de 7,29 millions €, correspondant à 50% des coûts éligibles des études proposées, figure dans cette liste sous le numéro de projet EU-24090.

Le projet prioritaire 24 (axe ferroviaire Lyon/Gênes-Bâle-Duisbourg-Rotterdam/Anvers) est suivi en outre par M.Vinck qui est coordinateur européen pour le système de contrôle du trafic européen (ERTMS).

De Commissie publiceerde op 4 april van dit jaar een voortgangsrapport (COM(2007)0168) over de toepassing van Verordening (EG) nr. 261/2004⁽¹⁾ over passagiersrechten in de luchtvaart. Daaruit bleek dat er heel wat schort aan de toepassing van deze verordening in de lidstaten. De Commissie kondigde in het verslag aan dat ze maatregelen zou nemen om de naleving van de regels te versterken. Intussen worden vanuit diverse hoeken cijfers gepubliceerd over het aantal klachten van passagiers. Volgens antwoord P-1880/06 op een schriftelijke vraag van mijn hand, waren er in 2005 in totaal 3.488 klachten bij de Commissie, het voortgangsrapport COM(2007)0168 van de Commissie meldde 18.288 klachten verzameld door de lidstaten.

Het European Consumer Centre Network noteerde in een rapport van 6 december 2007 een stijging van 1.521 naar 2.979 klachten, bijna een verdubbeling dus. Daarom wil ik de Commissie vragen hoe ver zij staat met de in het voortgangsrapport aangekondigde maatregelen die de toepassing van Verordening (EG) nr. 261/2004 moeten versterken, of zij wetgevende initiatieven in dit verband plant, hoeveel klachten en van welke soort de Commissie en de lidstaten ontvangen hebben, of de Commissie de fragmentarische informatie die nu bestaat over de klachten gebundeld heeft en welke maatregelen de Commissie op korte termijn wil nemen om le Lidstaten te verplichten Verordening (EG) nr. 261/2004 beter toe te passen?

On the complaints received by the Member States, Regulation 261/2004 does not require Member States to give data on complaint handling to the Commission. The Commission therefore has no information on the number of complaints received by National Enforcement Bodies in 2007.

On the complaints received by the Commission, the Directorate General for Energy and Transport received 3819 in 2006, and in 2007 had received 2180 until the end of November.

On 4 April 2007⁽²⁾, the Commission concluded in its Communication that improvement of the level of application by airlines and enforcement by the National Enforcement Bodies is necessary. Difficulties are due to a lack of harmonised procedures for enforcement and some unclear parts of the Regulation, such as on delays and cancellation, departures from non-EU countries, downgrading and information provision to volunteers for denied boarding.

To rectify these weaknesses, the Commission organised six meetings with the National Enforcement Bodies and airline industry in 2007. These resulted in:

- agreement on who is responsible for what when it comes to complaint handling and exchanging information,

- clarification of parts of the relevant legislation where possibilities for different interpretations exist.

In addition, the Commission is analysing national measures introduced to enforce Community law on air passenger rights to check that appropriate measures are in place.

At the same time in cooperation with National Enforcement Bodies and the airline industry a standard EU Air Passenger Complaint Form has been created. This will be available to the public in early 2008. Information material for passengers on their rights has been redesigned, allowing further clarification.

The outcome of cases concerning the definition of long delays and cancellation currently before the European Court of Justice should also help to give a clear interpretation of the relevant texts.

Is the Commission aware that supermarket chicken is often months old? Does the Commission agree that a tighter definition of 'fresh chicken' is necessary?

Poultry meat is the only meat for which detailed "marketing standards" as such exist.

Marketing standards provide a clear and strict definition⁽¹⁾ of "fresh poultry meat". According to it, fresh poultry meat is to "be kept at a temperature not below -2°C and not higher than 4°C at any time."

Therefore it is not permitted to defrost poultry meat and then sell it as "fresh".

However, the Commission acknowledges that a rewording of the definition would be useful in the future to guarantee that it is not subject to different interpretations in different Member States.

In this respect, the Commission is currently preparing a modification of the poultry meat marketing standards regulations.