Bosnia-Herzegovina are getting closer to the EUEconomic and administrative reforms “to modernize the country”; “more efforts to guarantee the rights’ to minorities”; fight against organized crime; complete freedom of speech and information; support the return of refugees. Are some of the conditions stressed by the European Parliament, during its recent plenary session, to pave the way to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Bosnia -Herzegovina. The MEPS approved with a broad majority the report of German MEP Doris Pack, who deems “the agreement as a consolidation of the European perspective” of Sarajevo. The parliamentary debate also pinpointed the “positive signal” transmitted to the entire Balkan Region. For Bosnia-Herzegovina it will be a “unique opportunity” to “achieve peace, stability and prosperity”. An amendment presented by the Popular group and voted by the assembly highlighted how the future accession to the EU represents a possibility for the country “only as a single State and not for its entities”. According to the Parliament text, the financial support that will be allocated by the Union as a pre-accession instrument”, should foster “the modernization of social security systems”, education systems, and ease economic development and environmental policies.Conference on the rights and conditions of people with disabilities The European Council is promoting, on October 29 and 30 in Strasburg, an International Conference aimed at improving the living conditions of persons with disabilities: the program will address various topics such as the rights of persons with disabilities to social and professional lives and personal freedoms. The event is focused on “awareness-raising and enforcement of the new UN Convention and the implementation of the Council of Europe Disability Action Plan 2006-2015”. Many experts and politicians are expected to attend, while the Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg will present a report on the national enforcement of the rights of people with disabilities. The Conference will also hold various seminars, “that will assess issues relating to children with disabilities, women and disabled young women, aging and disabilities, on the universal concept of accessibility, integrated approach to equality as well as quality services and assistance” . The Conference was preceded by a travelling exhibition on the history of disabilities, with the presence of Mau de Boer-Buquicchio, deputy secretary general of the European Council and Judit Jozsef, ambassador of Hungary. Climate: mayors of 130 cities make a plea The mayors of 130 large cities of 34 European countries ask the EU to “continue to fight global warming as a top international priority”, “to define an agreement capable of addressing this world challenge”. Is one of the statements of “Eurocities Declaration for Climate Change” adopted in Lyon on October 27 during a Conference of the representatives of the cities from the entire Continent. The initiative was promoted by the Eurocities association, created in 1986, together with French Presidency of the European Union and tackled issues on climate change and energy efficiency. Among the speakers, François Fillon, the French premier, Stavros Dimas, Commissioner for Environment and Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Transportation. The debate was centred on the need to adopt an “integrated approach” to address problems linked to climate change and promoting effective energy. Attention was also focused on the EU Green Paper on Urban Transportation.Parliament of the youth gathered in RennesFrom October 24 to November 2 the French city of Rennes will host the fourth session of the European Parliament of the Young organized by the EU Presidency-in-office and the patronage of the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering. The session involves more than 300 youngsters ranging from 16-24, coming from 30 European countries who will “debate and address the communities’ most important current issues”. The plan “is open- explained Mr. Xavier Darcos, French minister of Education- to sharing among different nationalities, enabling the attendees to live their own European citizenship”. The Rennes week foresees the presence of Jacques Barrot, Vice president of the European Commission, and other personalities of the political and economic world. The youngsters divided into different work commissions, will write resolutions that will be debated and voted during the plenary session. Also exhibitions, excursions, cultural events and a “European concert” are scheduled.
