Common policies

Climate change, moratorium on the death sentence, fight against obesity and chronic diseases: these are just some of the various questions tackled by the EP in its session of 31 January/1st February. The EP also received in solemn session the Presidents of Romania and Bulgaria and adopted some decisions on the composition of the commissions, completing the renewal of the internal organs of the EP, recently begun with the nomination of its new President. NEW WARNING TO TURKEY. It was the new President of the EP, the German HANS-GERT POETTERING , who paid tribute, in his speech opening the session, to the Turkish journalist of Armenian origin Hrant Dink, killed in Istanbul two weeks ago. “Very active on the Armenian question – said Poettering -, Dink had often been attacked by nationalists and also incriminated by the Turkish judiciary”. “This sad event ought to lead the Turkish government to pursue its judicial reforms aimed at a better protection of freedom of expression in the country”. The defence of human rights and the promotion of fundamental liberties remain at the centre of the attention of the EU in conducting negotiations on Turkey’s bid for EU membership. Further EU enlargement, neighbourhood policy and the “European future” of the Balkans were also discussed during the official visits to the European Parliament of the Heads of State of Romania and Bulgaria. NATIONAL VALUES, GENERAL INTEREST. “EU accession was a new beginning for us Romanians”, a “stimulus for change” to modernise our country, “but also a new occasion to confirm our values, to which we need to remain faithful within” the Union itself, said TRAIAN BASESCU , President of Romania, in addressing the EP in Brussels. In his speech he indicated “three essential points for the six months’ German Presidency”. “First, the Constitution, for which I urge a resumption of the negotiations”: according to the Romanian President, EU integration “has a need for a solid treaty: to reform the institutions, to confer democratic legitimacy on the EU and greater transparency in its relations with citizens”. Second, “the energy dossier: in this field – said Basescu – member countries need to have a common policy, so as to ensure electricity supplies, diversify energy sources and liberalise a strategic sector”. Third, “the neighbourhood policy needs to be revived; it is the best way to underpin our values and export the standards of the EU” to other nations, “especially in Eastern Europe”. SOLIDARITY AND RESPONSIBILITY. “We are firmly committed to continuing the reforms” begun in the pre-membership phase and “intend to incorporate all EU legislation in our country. We are convinced, in fact, that the entry of Bulgaria into the EU will be to the good of our country, but it will also bring advantages to other member states”, said the Bulgarian President GEORGI PARVANOV , in his speech to the EP. He insisted on the “added value” of the recent accession of Sofia, but concentrated a large part of his address to the energy question. Parvanov promised new “results in the fight against corruption and criminality, also thanks to the optimum use of EU funds” for internal development. He also emphasized the possible “Bulgarian contribution to stabilising the region of the Balkans”, and promised Bulgaria’s “convinced support to the German Presidency to define a road map for the Constitution” and tackle the “great common issues”, including external and security policy. “We intend to defend at the European level our national interests, our values and our culture – said Parvanov -, albeit in the consciousness we must be members of a Union founded on a bond of solidarity” between states and peoples, and this “requires shared responsibility”. HEALTH AND DIETARY EDUCATION. MEPs also debated the report of the Belgian MEP FRÉDÉRIQUE RIES on the question “Promoting healthy diets and physical activity: a European dimension for the prevention of overweight, obesity and chronic diseases”. The EP underlined the urgent need for active policies in the 27 member states to combat obesity, which “affects a third of the population” and which accounts for “7% of healthcare budgets”. The report also underlined the need to “pay particular attention to childhood, i.e. the phase of life in which dietary habits are in large part acquired”. A significant role in this field is assigned not only to families, but also to schools, so that they promote dietary education and help encourage a healthy diet starting out from school meals themselves. The report also stressed the need to carry out information campaigns, “provide clear labelling on food products”, “boost the consumption of fruit and vegetables” and fund research in this field.