Overcoming Fears

Iran must suspend its uranium enrichment programme and at the same time “come back to the negotiating table for a long term solution to the nuclear issue”. It must also respect human rights and put an end to ethnic and religious discrimination. At the same time, no-one should think that military action could solve the problems raised by Teheran: we say no to a new war. In its Plenary session in Brussels last week (January 30-31), the European Parliament tackled several foreign policy issues: Iran, the current situation in the Gaza strip and the missile shield that the US is setting up in Poland and the Czech Republic.The deputies’ position on the matter of Iran. The High Representative for the Common Foreign and security Policy, Javier Solana, outlined to the House the political issues regarding, above all, Western and Central Asia. In his view, Iran is “A key country in the Middle East”, “an imperfect democracy”, and not always reliable. “None of us have a problem with an Iranian civil programme”, he said; the EU supports the efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). But he added that “we need to ensure that their intentions are purely peaceful”. Many MEPs raised doubts regarding the Iranian government’s intentions. The House then passed a resolution with 561 votes in favour, 52 against and 44 abstentions.“Nobody should think of resorting to military action”. The text approved by the House states that “the risks of proliferation related to Iran’s nuclear programme continue to represent a source of great concern for the EU and the international community” and deplores the fact that the Asian nation “is still not complying with its obligations concerning the suspension of all activities related to uranium treatment and enrichment”. It then expresses its “support for the EU initiative to find a long-term solution at the negotiating table”. At the same time, MEPs call for the United States to “abandon all forms of military or political rhetoric to bring about regime change in Iran”. At the risk of abandoning agreements of co-operation with Tehran, the resolution demands a cessation to executions, the full respect of human rights and an end to “discrimination against people belonging to ethnic, religious, linguistic or otherwise, including Arabs, Azeri, Kurds, Baha’i, Christians, Jews, Sufi and Sunni Muslims”. Respect for the Law and integration for Roma. Following delicate negotiations between the political groups, the House passed a resolution regarding the situation of the Roma people in Europe. The resolution passed with 510 votes in favour (People’s Party, Socialists, Liberals, Green and the Left), 36 against and 67 abstentions. The text states that “we must put an end to segregation” regarding schooling for Gypsies in member States, “support their integration in the labour market and encourage the launching of small businesses through the use of a micro-credit scheme”. It adds that “a majority of European Roma became EU citizens after the 2004 and 2007 enlargements, benefiting from the right of EU citizens and their families to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States”. It goes on to denounce that “Anti-Gypsyism or Romaphobia is still widespread in Europe and is promoted and used by extremists,” which can “culminate in racist attacks, hate speech, physical attacks, unlawful evictions and police harassment”. Several MEPs pointed out that the Roma must have a real will to integrate in and to respect the laws of Union Member States. The Parliament called for a “European framework Strategy” and funds to “promote their social inclusion”. Support for scientific research, directive on postal services. The plenary sent a strong message urging Member States to invest 3% of GDP on scientific research, in order to increase the competitiveness of the internal economy, improve the citizen’s life, and also to “prevent further brain drain from Europe”. The text calls for an increase in the funds available to promote “better employment for researchers”, and “better coordination among the various European initiatives”. Finally, the House approved the report by the MEP from Germany Markus Ferber, giving the go-ahead to the directive which “completes the liberalisation of postal services beginning on 1st of January 2011”, by opening to free competition the sending of parcels less than 50 grams in weight.