EPP-ED Report
Issue 11 / November 2007

European Parliament adopts First Framework Directive on Soil Protection

By Pedro López de Pablo

The European Parliament has adopted, with 501 votes in favour and 160 against, the First Framework Directive for the Protection of Soil, aimed at preventing soil degradation and promoting its sustainable use.

The report, tabled by EPP-ED Member Cristina Gutiérrez-Cortines (E), has completely redrafted the original proposal of the European Commission to conciliate the views of those who think this rule is necessary and those who think the existing rules in the Member States to protect soils are enough. "We have approved a completely new document to take into account the enormous differences existing among soils and to leave the national authorities the choice of the forms and methods to protect them", she said.

The proposal now fixes minimum objectives to stop degradation and requires Member States to put in place public inventories of soils and draw up national strategies to protect them against erosion, organic matter decline, biodiversity loss, salinisation or desertification, as well as a plan to remedy the problems of contaminated soils. This will facilitate the establishment of a single market for purchases, enabling any European citizen buying land to access the information concerning its characteristics, such as whether it was ever classified as industrial ground or considered as polluted.

Mrs Gutiérrez-Cortines explained that European citizens' health and transparency of the market are two very good reasons to approve this new legislation. Only nine of the 27 Member States have legislation to protect soil and the new Directive will allow Europe to follow the example of those who have already done the best work "because some countries have a PhD on this matter and others are still in their secondary studies", she said.

Soil is a non-renewable resource with a very important economic value and its protection is crucial for many reasons - food production, preservation of nature and valuable landscapes, cultural heritage. But soil is also an important factor to fight against some of the effects of climate change such as scarcity, drought and floods.

Aviation CO2 emissions into trading scheme

By Thomas Bickl

The EU will be the first economic area in the world to introduce emission trading for air travel. This week, the European Parliament adopted a modified proposal at first reading. The scheme is likely to start in 2011 and will include both domestic EU flights and international flights with take-off or landing in the EU. "We have improved the Commission proposal and made it more ambitious in environmental and competition terms", said Peter Liese MEP (D) who is the European Parliament Rapporteur.

Two thirds of all emissions are caused by intercontinental flights. The single starting date is an important signal to third countries. "We want a worldwide system as soon as possible. If other countries have better proposals, we are ready to change our system. But aviation must no longer be excluded from reducing greenhouse gas emissions altogether", Liese said.

MEPs voted in favour of a higher percentage of auctioning. Instead of a five percent share as proposed by the Commission, Parliament is now calling for a 25 percent share of the allocation of emission rights. Auctioning is important in order to give new market participants a chance and to minimise so-called windfall profits. Under the current EU emission trading scheme, consumers in the electricity sector have seen price increases despite the free-of-charge allocation of certificates in the first place. Members propose that the revenue generated from the auctioning be used to lower the tax burden and support environmentally-friendly modes of transport, such as buses and trains.

Parliament wants to reduce the overall emissions, the so-called cap, from 100 percent to 90 percent. MEPs voted against excluding government flights from the emission trading scheme. "Governments have to set an example and must not have privileges", the CDU MEP said. Council is expected to debate the dossier at its meeting on 20 December.

Ambitious Commission work programme for 2008

By Lasse Boehm

A new culture of subsidiarity: EPP-ED Vice-Chairman Hartmut Nassauer (D) opened the debate on the European Commission's legislative and work programme for 2008 with this demand. Next year, the Commission will be presenting more than 70 legislative proposals, and about the same number of non-legislative initiatives. "In view of attempts to cut back on bureaucracy, I am not sure that these will serve this aim", Nassauer said. Of those legislative acts that the Commission wants to delete, many have already expired anyway. He added: "Cutting red tape remains the subject of Sunday speeches rather than being an effective aim."

Speaking for the EPP-ED Group, Nassauer emphasised his support for the priorities of the Commission, from growth and jobs to dealing with migration and research issues. In order to improve the legislative process, he proposed for the Commission to set up a two-year legislative programme rather than an annual one.

In the debate, Commission President José Manuel Barroso called the year 2008 a "crucial year for Europe". It will be, he said, "of vital importance to Europe for our future effectiveness, for our place in the world, for the confidence of our citizens in our ability to meet their expectations". In its 2008 work programme, the Commission centred its initiatives in five areas: economic issues, sustainable Europe, managing migration, putting the citizens first and Europe as a world partner.

Enlargement of the Schengen Area to nine new members

By Miguel Seabra

On Thursday 15 November, Parliament adopted Carlos Coelho's report on the proposal for a Council Decision on the full application of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia.

This means that conditions are met so that, as from December 2007, checks at internal and sea borders (and air borders by March 2008) can be abolished in nine of the new EU Member States.

The Schengen area is presently composed of 13 EU Member States (France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Austria, Finland, Sweden and Denmark) together with Norway and Iceland. Ireland and the United Kingdom are only partial participants, since their border controls have been maintained. Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania and Switzerland are expected to play a full part in the Schengen acquis in the years to come.

Rapporteur Carlos Coelho (PT) pointed out that "the removal of controls at the internal borders requires the existence of mutual trust as regards effective controls at the external borders. In fact, the security of the Schengen area depends on the rigour and efficiency that each Member State applies to controls at its external borders, and, also, on the quality and rapidity of the exchange of information via the SIS. Any weakness or incorrect working of any of these elements is liable to jeopardise the security of the Union and the effectiveness of the Schengen area."

Schengen is a Luxembourgish village where the Agreement was signed in 1985.

Globalisation must provide Europeans with prosperity and security

By Lada Jurica

The European Parliament held a debate on the effects of globalisation and the steps the EU must undertake in order to answer to its challenges. Speaking on behalf of the EPP-ED Group was Chairman Joseph Daul (F) who warned that Europe must not shy away from the responsibilities of ensuring not only security, but also prosperity for its citizens.

"If globalisation is to be a factor of prosperity, it must also be fair. It must be accompanied by ethical rules which forbid, for example, the exploitation of children. Globalisation cannot be carried out on the backs of the underprivileged. Globalisation must be a tool to combat inequalities within a country but also between countries. Globalisation must seek to increase the purchasing power of the poorest people. We have always voted for free trade, but a trade based on strict rules."

The EU, as a key player in global international trade, has to face up to competition to ensure growth and job creation in a continuously modernising global economy. Globalisation offers new opportunities, but they have to be met by an integrated internal and external policy, which is indispensable for the success of the Lisbon Agenda. Unlocking the EU’s Research and Development potential will boost the EU's competitiveness, but it must go hand in hand with the respect of Intellectual Property Rights as an element of external policy.

Europe must strengthen its internal market, invest efforts in reinforcing the Lisbon fundaments of more growth and jobs, and work towards a common energy policy. With oil at almost 100 dollars a barrel, there is an urgent need for a European energy policy which would ensure security of supply and sustainable growth in the energy sector. Chairman Daul called for a substantive discussion on renewable energy and on the possibilities offered by civil nuclear power in the supply of energy. He concluded: "At the end of this research we all want a Europe whose energy is cleaner, safer, and more efficient.''

Earthquakes: MEPs submit concrete proposals to Member States and the Commission

By Theo Gerorgitsopoulos

The report by Nikoalos Vakalis (GR) on the Regional Impact of Earthquakes, which was adopted unanimously by the plenary of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, is the first text adopted by a European Institution which is exclusively dedicated to the phenomenon of earthquakes. "Although earthquakes are one of the most lethal and destructive natural disasters worldwide, causing huge losses of life and enormous damages to property - 1.5 million people killed worldwide in the 20th century and damages of €75 billion over the last 25 years -, the phenomenon is so far dealt with at EU level accessorily within the general framework for natural disasters", stressed Mr Vakalis.

Both the Committee on Regional Development and the plenary endorsed the rapporteur's position in favour of a series of regulatory and financial measures which aim to promote actions preventing, addressing and repairing damages caused by earthquakes:

1. The immediate drawing-up by the Commission of a Communication evaluating the hazards posed by earthquakes.
2. The future funding of infrastructure projects through the cohesion policy should be predicated upon compliance with all the necessary and internationally-recognised anti-seismic protection rules.
3. The launch of campaigns in order to educate and inform the public, all specialists dealing with earthquakes, as well as the competent technical bodies in Member States, both at regional and local level.
4. The formulation of a European strategic research agenda for earthquakes, with the involvement of seismic areas which, like ‘open-air laboratories’, may also have the opportunity to benefit from their natural handicap.
5. The seismic upgrading of buildings and infrastructures of strategic importance, including monuments of historical or cultural importance.
6. A technical protocol for EU-wide action in case of a disastrous earthquake.
7. The adjustment of the Solidarity Fund so as to ensure its effectiveness, flexibility and swiftness.
8. And most importantly, the creation of a European civil protection force, as proposed by former Commissioner Barnier in 2006 and Heads of State and Government, Messrs Sarkozy and Karamanlis.

European Neighbourhood Policy

By Melanie Warman

The European Parliament this week voted through a report on strengthening the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). Ultimately, the aim of the ENP is to establish a circle of friends around the European Union to promote prosperity, stability and security. This report seeks to develop close ties with and between neighbouring states and to commit them to pursuing reforms towards democracy based on respect for human rights, the rule of law, better governance and economic and social development.

Co-Rapporteur for the EPP-ED Group, Charles Tannock (UK) said it is self-evident that everybody needs good neighbours. In an uncertain and ever-changing world, the EU needs to develop relations with countries on its periphery. So far, the ENP is proving to be a valuable tool in the process aimed at improved trade, travel and political co-operation particularly against international terrorism and people trafficking. We need enhanced exchanges of criminal intelligence between national agencies in the fight against terrorism and organised crime, as well as renewed efforts for the peaceful resolution of outstanding territorial disputes, including the frozen conflicts.

The ENP also helps Eastern European ENP countries' wishes to anchor themselves to European institutions. The report recognises the right for Moldova and Ukraine to eventually apply for EU membership. Mr Tannock said: "Certainly matters in terms of visa facilitation and readmission and, post Ukraine's WTO accession, a deep EU free trade agreement, are progressing well with Ukraine and will be extended to other South Caucasus countries in due course." The report also proposes the development of a Joint Parliamentary Assembly for the European Parliament and Eastern ENP countries dubbed EURONEST, drawing on the success of similar structures such as the Euromed Parliamentary Assembly and ACP Assembly. "I am convinced that EURONEST would strengthen democratic institutions in ENP countries, hasten an end to the isolation of Belarus and enable Azerbaijani and Armenian parliamentarians to discuss the potentially explosive Nagorno-Karabakh frozen conflict", added Tannock. The report argues for stronger relations with ENP eastern neighbours in Central Asia, most notably Kazakhstan with its vast natural resources and secular polity.

Consensus on humanitarian aid

By Eduard Slootweg

From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, the European Union helps hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people on a daily basis. The need is great and growing, but it gets harder and harder to get the aid delivered. It is for this reason that the EPP-ED Group welcomes the adoption of a Joint Declaration on the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid by the Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament.

EPP-ED Spokesman Filip Kaczmarek (PL) said in plenary during the debate: "We must remember that the EU collectively is the biggest donor worldwide of official humanitarian aid, contributing over €2 billion of aid for humanitarian response. That is over 40% of officially-reported overall international humanitarian assistance. The aid is given by the EU and individual EU Member States. If Member States and the EU develop a common strategy and coordinate better and act in a concerted way, the EU and its Member States can strengthen and optimise the overall humanitarian effort."

The nature of humanitarian aid has changed significantly due to the changing character of conflicts. Nowadays, these are more often fought inside countries by irregular forces. The number of internally displaced people continues to increase, international humanitarian law is often neglected by the fighting parties and there are more attacks on relief workers. Natural disasters also tend to occur more frequently and are more devastating in their effects - partly as a result of climate change. In parallel to this, there are more and new actors engaged in providing humanitarian assistance, with different agendas, further increasing the need for coordination.