Cohesion Policy: better, not less spending in the future cohesion policy 2012. 06. 27. EPP Group MEPs from Central European Member States stand united for maintaining the financing of cohesion policy at the current level. In a joint statement issued before the European Council meeting this Thursday which is due to hold the first substantial discussion on the Multiannual Financial Framework (2014-2020), they said:
Unlocking Europe’s potential through accessibility 2012. 06. 21. More than 70 parliamentarians, policy experts and representatives of disabled people’s organizations will gather today at the European Parliament for a high-level debate on how to unlock Europe’s potential through accessibility, under the lead of Dr Ádám Kósa MEP, the Essl Foundation and the World Future Council, and in collaboration with the European Disability Forum.
Boosting natural gas infrastructure projects in Central Europe 2012. 06. 21. "The launch of the Danube Region Gas Market Model could be a positive step towards securing Central Europe's natural gas supply. By investing European funds in regional energy infrastructure projects, especially in energy interconnectors, we can significantly increase the flexibility and security of the region's gas markets. In order to reach these goals, a joint position and joint energy projects must be established", highlighted András Gyürk MEP and Romana Jordan MEP in their speeches at a conference on the Danube Region Gas Market Model held in the European Parliament today.
Cohesion funds crucial to enhance growth and jobs in all European regions 2012. 05. 31. "Cohesion policy has created more than 2.4 million jobs in the last 10 years. Cohesion funds are crucial for enhancing future investments, innovation and generating growth and jobs in the EU. With better planning, allocation and efficiency of its use, the funding of cohesion policies has to be maintained not only in next year's EU budget but also in the next financing period 2014-2020. This is key for the EU as a whole to overcome the current crisis", stated EPP Group MEPs Lambert van Nistelrooij and László Surján.
More indicators should be involved in analysing the situation of Roma people 2012. 05. 31. The EU Fundamental Rights Agency presented today its report titled "The situation of Roma in 11 EU Member States: Survey results at a glance" in the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee of the European Parliament. MEP Lívia Járóka, Rapporteur of the EU strategy on Roma inclusion welcomed that the survey also included six enlargement countries and expressed her hope that the upcoming, all-European research would cover the whole range of socio-economic indicators.
Roma: National Roma Strategies – promising start but further efforts should be made 2012. 05. 23. The European Commission today published its Communication on National Roma Integration Strategies. Lívia Járóka MEP, Rapporteur of the EU Strategy on Roma Inclusion, commented: "Most countries have presented a credible and profound plan for enhancing the inclusion of the 12 million European Roma, but for the success of this framework strategy, several additional conditions must be fulfilled."
No future without appropriate care – United Nation’s International Day of Families 2012. 05. 15. On the occasion of the United Nation's International Day of Families, the Confederation of Family Organisations (COFACE) organised a book presentation today in the European Parliament. The event was held under the patronage of Hungarian EPP Group MEP Ádám Kósa.
Discrimination against Central Eastern European citizens is unacceptable 2012. 04. 26. The Heads of Delegation of the EPP Group's 10 Central Eastern European Member States (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia) sent an open letter today to José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, expressing their deep concern regarding the numerous discriminatory actions carried out against Central and Eastern European citizens. They call on the Commission to step up against such measures.
The Commission will release its analysis of national Roma strategies within weeks 2012. 04. 24. European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding has reported to the European Parliament's Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality on the preparation of the Commission's future programme for 2013. MEP Lívia Járóka, Vice-Chair of the committee asked the Commissioner about the financial feasibility of national Roma inclusion strategies, the sustainability of anti-poverty programmes and the implementation of the 'race directive'.