Strongly shared choices

A “common European Asylum system”, tolls and user charges for polluting vehicles (Eurovignette), safer videogames for children. As customary, the European Parliament plenary session proposes various themes that call for ‘strong’ political and regulatory decisions. The meeting of March 9-12 was marked by the debate on the economic situation (SIR Europe, n. 19/2009), also in view of the summit of the Heads of Government and State of March 19-20 and of the G20 in London of April 2. A special summit in Prague is scheduled for May 7 “on the consequences of recession on employment that will be attended also by the social partners”, explained Commission President José Manuel Barroso. Enlargement, forward with slow motion. MEPs debated Croatia, Turkey and Macedonia’s EU membership negotiations. As relates to Croatia, MEPs said they hoped negotiations “will be terminated by 2009” (inferring that official adhesion will follow the enforcement of the Lisbon Treaty). In this framework the fight against organized crime and corruption ought to be stepped-up. At the same time it is necessary to solve bilateral problems with Slovenia and in the realm of domestic administration. As expected MEPs focused their attention on the ongoing proceedings with Ankara. The adopted blueprint states that negotiations under way represent the point of departure of a “long” process that has “no time limits”. In other words, the EU remains flexible, notwithstanding Turkey’s “European future prospect”. Erdogan’s government is asked to comply with all the Copenhagen criteria focusing on political and economic reforms and on the respect for the rights of women and minorities. The Assembly deplores that freedom of press is not “fully respected” and reiterates “the need to develop a legal framework enabling all religious communities to operate without restrictions, especially as regards religious education and the erection of places of worship”. As relates to Macedonia, that is a candidate Country but hasn’t yet begun negotiations, the Council is encouraged to proceed in this direction. Less oil, more alternative energies. “There is an ever greater need” to “develop global energy policies at Community level” that will ensure “safe supply at a moment when the European Union is becoming ever more dependent on exports”, declared MEP Herbert Reul who drew up the report on energy sources. The Report points out that oil “is a resource that is bound to run dry” and that the Union’s dependence on these imports “will reach 95% by 2030”. The document calls for “a radical change in EU policy”, progressive reduction in oil consumption, conservation and alternative ‘low emission’ fuels, including nuclear and renewable energies. At the same time, it calls for “infrastructure investment” (notably pipelines), “more dynamic relations with supplying Countries” and greater “market transparency”. The Parliament debated a directive aimed at “promoting more ecological road transportation by charging vehicles according to their air and sound pollution. Revenue will be invested in Europe’s motorway networks, in the construction of parking areas and for the improvement of environment-friendly vehicles. Integration policies for Roma people. Roma culture and language constitute “a European value”. The definition is contained in a report adopted with large majority vote aimed at stepping up protection of EU’s “largest minority” and their social integration. MEPs called for “coordinated strategy” focussed on education, healthcare services, job placement and housing facilities. The document’s rapporteur, Hungarian MEP Magda Kosane Kovacs, pointed out that until today, national policies “haven’t improved the situation” in Europe. Thus joint intervention is strongly needed. Among other things, the report urges governments to counter expressions “of racial discrimination and violence” in the media. EU funding will go to initiatives aimed at “developing and implementing projects to counter the negative stereotyping of Roma people at all level”. Follow a series of operative proposals concerning primary education and schooling, employment along with support to Roma women.