EPP-ED Report
Issue 12 / December 2007

Better Air Quality

By Thomas Bickl

The revision of the current EU Directive on Air Quality is a done deal after the European Parliament this week adopted an agreement with the Council. "We will have cleaner air and a smoother implementation of the provisions by the local authorities", said Anja Weisgerber MEP who is the EPP-ED Spokesperson on the dossier.

The Directive also aims at taking measures on emission sources, for example through carbon-particulate matter filters for HGVs (Euro VI), the inclusion of ship engines or household heating systems. It is not enough to simply measure air quality. We need to seal the emission sources. This is the only way to achieve real health protection. Besides, local authorities must be enabled to meet the emission limits on the ground.

Due to meteorological or geographical circumstances, some local authorities face a particularly high level of particle emissions. Those municipalities may apply for a three-year transition period. However, it will only be granted if the respective local authority has already implemented measures to improve the quality of the air.

Alongside the current particulate matters PM 10 (diameter less than 10 micrometres), new limits for PM 2.5 (diameter less than 2.5 micrometres) will be introduced as from 2015. "The new limits for the very hazardous micro particles are very ambitious. I believe them to be realistic, though, if effective measures on emission sources are applied", said Weisgerber.

The new Directive provides an increased level of health protection throughout the EU. It also delivers more flexibility on the ground for those local authorities that have done everything they can and still do not meet the limits.

Lisbon Treaty - return to a result-driven Europe

By Gunnar Larsson

"Two years of stalemate and uncertainty are coming to an end." This is how Joseph Daul MEP (F), Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, described the Lisbon Treaty in a debate with the Council and Commission President José Manuel Barroso, just one day ahead of the actual signing of the Treaty by European Heads of State and Government. "The Council meeting in Lisbon marks the return to a result-driven Europe. More freedom of movement and more integration will be devoted to the citizens of Europe."

"The 27 signatures on the Reform Treaty will seal our common destiny, a European 21st century based on our shared values, our prosperity, our security and our solidarity", Daul said. "From January 2009, we want to be able to implement our new method of operation. It is important, because the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty will have an effect on the next European elections and therefore on the nomination of the President of the Commission."

"The Reform Treaty also extends the scope of democracy by giving the European Parliament more powers, by introducing a fairer voting system in the Council and by giving national parliaments an active role as guardians of subsidiarity", Daul continued.

Daul also called for more discipline and increased visibility on the part of the European Parliament, as the institution is given more and more duties and new responsibilities. According to Daul, the EPP-ED Group is ready to give its contribution as legislator and as a source of ideas.

"If we want to build a Europe based on prosperity and security, on values and on a shared solidarity, we must be able to reflect on the future of the European social model", Daul said.

Daul also set out the direction for Europe when the ratification process for the Reform Treaty is eventually completed. Then European politicians will be able to concentrate on citizens' demands. "On the European level, we must address issues such as climate change, energy, immigration and security", he concluded.

Budget 2008: Added value for all EU citizens

By Knut Goelz

The EPP-ED-Group has welcomed the outcome of the second reading of the EU budget 2008. Parliament has voted in favour of next year's budget amounting up to €129.149 billion in commitments and €120.346 billion in payments. This corresponds to 1.03% per cent of the European Union's gross domestic product (GDP) and 0.96% respectively. As a consequence, the current budget 2008 will remain clearly below the upper limits of the multi-annual framework.

One of the most important elements agreed upon in the budget procedure was the complete financing of the future European satellite navigation system Galileo from EU funds. This key technology project will be funded until 2013 with €3.4 billion from the Community Budget making Galileo a programme of added value for all European citizens. After the successful negotiations between Parliament and Council, an additional reserve of €270m shall also be foreseen for Galileo and the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) for unexpected events.

Nevertheless, criticism remains with regard to the "chronic under-financing" of the CFSP. For the time being, financing of CFSP programmes could "to some extent" be ensured for 2008. After incorporation of the flexibility instrument, there was an increase from €160m in 2007 to €285m in 2008. Additionally, €400m will be available for Palestine and €440m for Kosovo. "However, if the European Union really wants to master future challenges with regard to foreign policy, a new comprehensive multi-annual, long-term solution in this policy area is still needed", said Reimer Böge MEP (D), Chairman of the European Parliament's Budget Committee. "Now the accepted budget 2008 has a concrete benefit for all EU citizens", added Salvador Garriga Polledo MEP (E), whose position was shared by the two EPP-ED Rapporteurs for the Commission's budget and the budget of the other institutions, Richard Ashworth MEP (UK) and Ville Itälä MEP (FI).

EU Wine Market Reform

By Peter Adler

This week saw the adoption of the Castiglione Report on an ambitious reform of the wine market organisation in the European Union. Italy's Giuseppe Castiglione MEP of the EPP-ED Group authored the Parliament's report. During the debate, Mr Castiglione stressed the importance of consolidating Europe's position as a world market leader.

"We witness a drop in consumption and an increase in imports. There is a clear need for a radical reform which I see as paramount to the sector. Our vine growers need a new deal, new incentives and new energy. The Commission is right to say that if we want to remain competitive and be world market leaders, we need to invest in this sector, understand what the markets want to be more present in the world with our products of excellence."

According to Castiglione, there is a need to focus more on instruments to develop the wine sector in Europe further and to provide more funding for such initiatives. He also said that particular attention should be given to measures that can efficiently address the specific problems of each wine-producing country.

"This is why we have proposed to enlarge the list of eligible measures. For instance, we want to include restructuring measures for productions, but also research and innovation and means of improving quality. These are all actions which will boost entrepreneurial creativity, which is absolutely necessary. For the same reasons, it is essential to enhance promotion campaigns, not only on the international markets but also on our home markets."

Toy safety: Best producers must be encouraged in toy quality and safety drive

By Greet Gysen

At the request of the EPP-ED Group, the European Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, Meglena Kuneva, reported to the European Parliament on the Commission's efforts to clamp down on unsafe toys entering the market.

Speaking in the hemicycle, Mrs Kuneva said there could be no compromises on product safety. She called for closer working relations between Europe, China and the USA. Mrs Kuneva also told EU member governments that they needed to step up their product scrutiny and testing capabilities.

Malcolm Harbour MEP (UK) said: "We support the Commission's work with the toy industry to ensure consistently high standards in product design and manufacture. European children will benefit from a thriving market in well designed, good quality and safe toys. We must encourage the good producers, wherever the toys are made."

Mr Harbour addressed the issue of watertight toy production chains: "Producers of toys, and importers, must have full information about sites of production and the identity of key parts suppliers. Product defects cannot be dealt with without this crucial information."

Marianne Thyssen MEP (B), Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP-ED Group, was glad to observe that the European Commission opts for a very proactive approach in the field of consumer protection: "When Commissioner Meglena Kuneva was first appointed, there was a lot of scepticism as regards the usefulness of a Commissioner exclusively dedicated to consumer affairs. A year later, we can conclude that European consumer protection has got a new flair. Never before have I seen such an energetic and all-inclusive approach."

"It is important that the Commission pays a great deal of attention to the application of the existing legislation. Good legislation is only one side of the coin; if not all the Member States make the same efforts to observe the existing legislation, we will never be able to close the gaps in the consumer protection system as a whole."

EPP-ED Group welcomes EU-Africa political partnership

By Eduard Slootweg

On Tuesday, the European Parliament debated the outcome of the EU-Africa Summit of 8 and 9 December. EPP-ED Spokesperson on relations with Africa, Maria Martens MEP (NL), welcomed the joint EU-Africa political partnership and the agreement on a concrete action plan leading to a true political partnership.

Martens underlined the importance of the parliamentary dimension of the EU-Africa Strategy in order to make it a genuine political partnership. Not only the EP, but also the African Union's Pan African Parliament (PAP) and African national parliaments must be involved in the preparation and the implementation of the strategy. This view was shared by the Pan African Parliament. The two parliaments have agreed on a Joint Declaration calling for them to have a stronger role in the new Joint EU-Africa Strategy. They called for greater focus on the eradication of poverty and development, particularly through investing in people’s health and education.

Priorities were set at the Lisbon Summit until the next EU-Africa summit in 2009. Those priorities include peace and security, democracy, human rights, trade, regional integration, development, energy, climate change, migration, employment, science and the information society.

Many feared the summit would be hijacked by the presence of Robert Mugabe. This did not happen. "The situation in Zimbabwe is unacceptable and rightly participants of the Summit stood up and addressed the issue. But there is more at stake than Zimbabwe. Africa is still the poorest continent in the world. There is enough food, water, technical know-how, and enough money to give all people a decent life. It is a matter of political will. Let this summit be a real new start of the process", Maria Martens said.

The future of Montenegro lies in the European Union

By Lada Jurica

The European Parliament has supported the recommendation of Rapporteur Marcello Vernola MEP (IT) and gave its assent to the signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Montenegro. The Agreement is in fact the beginning of contractual relations between the two parties.

"The future of Montenegro is in the European Union, this is no longer an item of discussion. The country is in pole position on the road to European accession. After independence from its union with Serbia in 2006, which was democratically declared through a referendum, the negotiations were started for the SAA which concluded in just over two months. The progress obtained by the country over the last year, the commitments that were taken over by the international community, the unceasing reform work, even over the last few days, all of these points mean that we can adopt without hesitation the favourable opinion to conclude this Agreement", said Vernola in the debate in the plenary of the European Parliament on Wednesday.

He warned however that this is just a starting point. "Montenegro now needs to apply itself to adopt all the necessary measures so as to be able to conclude the reform process already started." The Montenegrin authorities need to continue to fully cooperate with the ICTY, remove weaknesses in the judiciary, develop an efficient and accountable public administration and firmly fight organised crime.

Doris Pack MEP (D), Chairwoman of the European Parliament's Delegation for relations with the countries of South-East Europe, also insisted on the continuation of reforms. "What has been signed has to be implemented. There should be no sitting on laurels now." There must be transparency in the market and in the development of the economy of Montenegro.

Montenegro's Constitution declares the country to be the world's first "ecological Republic". Such a declaration of intent must be backed up by practical measures such as implementing the very basic environmental legislative framework and establishing independent bodies for ensuring the delicate ecological balance in the coastal areas. "Montenegro is a unique place and we must ensure there are special measures to protect it. We must protect the coast, we must prevent gigantic investments, and ancient cities must be preserved so they do not lose their uniqueness", said Doris Pack calling for a stop to speculation in development.

EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, much more than a declaration

By Pedro López de Pablo

The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the text which brings together for the first time all the civil, political, economic and social rights of citizens living in the European Union, now has the same legally-binding status as the Treaties themselves, after its formal proclamation during this month's plenary session in Strasbourg.

European Parliament President, Hans-Gert Pöttering (D), Portuguese Prime Minister and President-in-Office of the European Council, José Socrates, and Commission President, José Manuel Durão Barroso, signed the Charter in a ceremony which showed that the European reunification process started fifty years ago is "more than economic calculations of cost and benefits, first and foremost we are a community of values", the EP President said.

The new Article 6 of the new Reform Treaty states that "the Union recognises the rights, freedoms and principles set out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union of 7 December 2000 as adopted at Strasbourg on 12th December 2007, which shall have the same legal value as the Treaties".

EPP-ED Chairman Joseph Daul MEP (F), pointed out during the debate for the preparation of the Lisbon Council that the Charter is the most significant innovation of the new Treaty because it "is the answer to two fundamental questions: who are we and what we are doing together?". And it is also "the result of a consensus: unity in diversity, meaning that if we neglect one of these two terms we will only face the opposition of the people."

Free market in textiles

By Lada Jurica

In a debate in the European Parliament, a representative of the European Commission was asked to comment on the likely impact of the termination of the quota system in the textile trade for both the community industry and the developing countries concerned.

The EU is the world's second largest exporter of textiles and clothing. Considering this fact, we have a responsibility for ensuring the competitiveness of our textile sector in a new quota-free trading environment. Better market access conditions in third countries are vital for the future of the European-based textile and clothing industry, especially for SMEs.

Tokia Saïfi MEP (F) led the debate on behalf of the EPP-ED Group. The EPP-ED is strongly in favour of lifting barriers to trade, but it insists on fair trade compliant with WTO rules. The European textile sector has to be defended from unfair trade and counterfeiting and from a dramatic surge of goods which will be an undoubted effect of the newly-opened market.

To ensure fair trade, a system of joint importation surveillance is being put in place which will carry out double checking of Chinese exports to the EU. The EPP-ED Group called for clarifications as to how the system will be set up and insisted on rigorous application of the double checking.

The WTO Agreement on textiles and clothing came to an end in 2005, lapsing the last restrictions on textile trade inherited from the Multifiber Agreement. In order to manage the transition to free trade in textiles, the European Commission and China concluded a "Memorandum of Understanding". This Memorandum will expire on 1 January 2008 and as a follow-up, the European and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign trade decided on a system of joint importation surveillance for the year 2008.