Five major challenges

Political debates, institutional commitments and new procedures were the themes addressed during the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on September 14-17. MEPs inserted in the full agenda the next Commission President election (see other article in this issue of SIR Europe). Issues addressed by MEPs include the EU’s position at the G20 in Pittsburgh (object of the informal meeting of the heads of government and State of September 17 in Brussels), the rescue of migrants in Mediterranean waters; the Nabucco gas pipeline for energy supply.Five commitments for the Hemicycle. Polish MEP Jerzy Buzek, former premier in his own Country, one of the historical leaders of Solidarnosc, elected to chair the Euro-Parliament in July, delivered the inaugural speech of his mandate. Buzek said, “The European Parliament is the heart of the European democratic system”, “it is the keeper of ideas and of the pillars of integration” and it is “committed for the development of tomorrow’s Union”. The speaker underlined “five major challenges”, these are: economic crisis and European solidarity, environment and energy, foreign policy, human rights and values, internally, our European Parliament and its reform”. The speaker recalled the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall that paved the way to EU enlargement. “Twenty years ago Europe witnessed a miracle” leading to the establishment of united Europe, he said. The family, women and employment. As regards the economic crisis the President remarked: “It’s the most serious challenge lying ahead of us; we must address development, employment, innovation and education”. “We must be guided by the principles of solidarity and social cohesion in granting support to those who loose their jobs, the poorest social brackets and those who are marginalized”. “A strengthening of the family is required” – he declared – “We must ensure that the family is not sacrificed for the parents'” careers; “we must promote the role of women in our societies and in the professional realm”; “we have the duty to grant hospitality to immigrants who can be a source of enrichment and expect their willingness to integration”. Buzek mentioned the cooperation between the European Parliament and national assemblies, as provided for in the Treaty. What does this entail? “We must step up cooperation – Buzek told SIR Europe – since this is the place where over half of Member States’ binding regulations are drawn up. We ought to produce more coherent legislations that comply with citizens’ interests”. An appeal to the Irish population. During the first two months of his appointment Buzek was engaged in innovating EP working modalities. A “question-time” involving the Commission and MEPs will be held during plenary sessions and MEPs now can avail themselves of a “blue card” if they wish to interrupt and ask questions to a rapporteur. EP president seized the occasion to invite his predecessors to Strasbourg. To this regard, he called Irish citizens to cast their vote on October 2 in favor of the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty along with ex-EP presidents Hans-Gert Poettering, Pat Cox, Nicole Fontaine, José Maria Gil-Robles, Klaus Hansch, Enrique Baron Crespo, Emilio Colombo and Egon Klempsch. The statement acknowledges that the decision is in the hands of “the Irish people only”, although “its consequences will affect all of us, this large family of nations”. “Let us hope that a ‘yes-vote’ to the Treaty’s ratification will prevail”, the document states, “in the interest of Ireland and of us all”. Migrants: regulations and solidarity. During a parliamentary debate, Justice, freedom and security commissioner Jacques Barrot addressed the issue of migration flows reiterating the need “to comply with the rules”, and with “the principle of solidarity”. “A European strategy is needed to address the question of migrations that involves all Member States, not only those with extra-EU borders”. “Countries are called to cooperate on a voluntary basis, but they must do so efficiently”. The French Commissioner pointed out, “Community regulations forbid migrants’ rejection at the borders or along the shores, and outlaw denying assistance to those in need and refusing asylum to those entitled to request it”. “Protection must always be granted to refugees and to all those who risk suffering measures that violate human rights in their Countries of departure”.