EPP-ED Report
Issue 3 / March 2008

Passenger-friendly airport security

By Thomas Bickl

Parliament has adopted a new, passenger-friendly Regulation to improve aviation security. The current EU Regulation, dating from the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York, had to be updated

This revised Regulation provides an increased level of security and convenience for flight passengers.

Inconvenient multiple security checks, common to connecting flights, will be scrapped. In future, a single security check will be standard procedure. The so-called 'One-Stop Security' applies to flights within the EU and flights to and from safe third countries. Additional security checks can be done away with. This is a major improvement in convenience for flight passengers.

The costs for security measures may be divided between the airlines, airports and Member States. EPP-ED Group Spokesman Phillip Bradbourn (UK) explained how such a scheme could be managed.

"Whilst we have been unable to reach an agreement with the Council on the issue of financing these security measures, the Commission has agreed to come forward with a separate proposal on financing these measures within the next few months. I hope that this will be sooner rather than later. Passenger safety and security is of paramount importance and, as such, I hope that the Commission's forthcoming proposal will reflect our strong stance."

Security measures may also include the placing of 'Sky Marshalls' onboard aircraft, provided that both the countries of departure and arrival agree to it. The armed security officers must also be members of a national civil service.

Implementation of the European Institute of Technology

By Klemen Žumer

The idea of the creation of a European Institute of Technology (EIT) was launched by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, in February 2005. After a long consultation process, the Commission presented a legislative proposal a year later.

The aim of the European Institute of Technology is to better link the three key areas of the economy - education, research and innovation (or the 'knowledge triangle') to tackle Europe's main weakness: lack of innovation. The instruments to reach this aim are the Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). As opposed to the original proposal, this legislative text foresees a more decentralised 'network' structure for the EIT.

The EPP-ED Group supports the text and Shadow Rapporteur Romana Jordan Cizelj (SL) is satisfied that following two readings, Parliament has substantially improved the original proposal, thanks to the efforts of the EPP-ED Group.

"Innovation is at the heart of the EIT. The EIT represents excellence and the recognition of European quality. Its network structure, together with independent communities of knowledge and innovation, is a big achievement."

The Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement on the financing of Galileo and the EIT, with €309m earmarked for the EIT for the period 2008-2013.

"Now is the time to act. It is time for the fast and efficient implementation of the agreed measures", Mrs Jordan Cizeli added.

With their vote, MEPs expressed strong support for the EIT, concluding the long-term negotiations on this topic.

Parliament approves review of EU Common Agricultural Policy

By Knut Goelz

The European Parliament has approved a report by German MEP Lutz Goepel by a clear majority to review the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). "With its support for this so-called ‘health check’, Parliament has proved that it is united behind this important legislative package which will eventually undergo the co-decision procedure", said Goepel.

However, this review is not intended to become a fundamental reform of the CAP. Instead, based on the 2003 reform, the health check should modernise the existing policy further and adapt it to changing circumstances, including world markets. The Commission should therefore take Parliament's opinion into account because it could serve as a good basis for further negotiations.

The aim of this review should be to take the CAP in the direction of increased responsibility and market orientation, without endangering aspects such as food safety, social and environmental responsibility and agricultural markets. Thus, more flexibility should be provided for Member States without disrupting the whole system as agricultural structures in Europe are very diverse. Not all problems can therefore be solved by using only one tool. Instead, Parliament would like to introduce a new flexibility instrument to promote local sectors and to establish basic safeguards and risk management in the event of a crisis.

Farmers must also be allowed to expect planning reliability. It is inappropriate to discuss further cuts in direct payments leading to less income only four years after the last CAP reform. Such a step would destroy confidence, especially since the bulk of the cuts proposed by the Commission target certain Member States such as Germany and in particular Eastern Germany. This would not only be unsocial, but could also affect the preservation of competitive structures. As a consequence, CAP should focus on quality production and sustainability with this report delivering valuable information on the procedure.

Lisbon Agenda renewed and improved

By Peter Adler

The Parliament debated the preparation of the EU Spring Summit of 13-14 March which is mainly devoted to the assessment of the Lisbon Agenda, re-launched by the European Commission in 2005, and decisions for new actions in this field.

In his speech during the debate in the plenary in Strasbourg, the Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Joseph Daul (F), welcomed the re-launching of the Lisbon Strategy while calling for more ambitious measures to achieve its aims.

"For our Group, it is crucial to provide the Union with all its opportunities in the context of globalisation, and to reform it, as proposed very actively by the European Commission since 2005, under the Presidency of José Manuel Barroso. This strategy is the best tool to face the challenges ahead of us: globalisation, demographic change and climate change. For each challenge, the Lisbon Strategy proposes an appropriate response", said the EPP-ED Chairman.

Speaking on behalf of his Group, Mr Daul also reiterated that it is important to fully exploit the potential of globalisation, but within a well-regulated framework.

"We will never accept unbridled free-trade. We must protect the interests of the most vulnerable and promote our social model. But we must also accept that Europe will only be competitive if its products offer an added value in terms of quality and innovation. This is why I call on Member States to invest heavily in research and innovation."

"The second great challenge for Europe is demographic change. An ageing population will generate a deficiency in the labour force and put pressure on the social system. We must also review our immigration policy which must serve all of Europe and attract skills and know-how. The proposal for a 'blue card' to live and work in Europe must be developed."

"The third and last challenge is climate change. We must implement a policy framework adapted to a practical and environmentally-friendly economy, which means respecting reduction goals of 20% for greenhouse gas emissions. But if we lead by example, our partners must do the same. The green policy must be accompanied by a foreign trade policy which is not protectionist, but demanding", concluded Daul.

European Parliament calls for an EU strategy in support of a federal Iraq

By Marek Hannibal

The European Parliament has adopted a Resolution on the European Union's role in Iraq. The Resolution marks a new consensus of the European Parliament on the future of EU-Iraq relations. It goes beyond the differences of the past and looks at the real issues that should shape EU policy in support of Iraq's future.

The importance of the report on this controversial theme is illustrated by the widespread support it received. It was adopted by the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament with 62 in favour, 0 against and 2 abstentions. The report was adopted by the European Parliament with 506 in favour, 25 against and 26 abstentions.

The consensus was achieved thanks to the active involvement of the Shadow Rapporteur Jana Hybášková MEP (CS) and the First Vice-Chairman of the newly-established Delegation of the European Parliament for Relations with Iraq, Nickolay Mladenov MEP (BG), both of whom are widely experienced in Iraq issues. The EPP-ED Group has succeeded in achieving its objectives, calling on the Council and Commission to adopt a new strategy in support of building a stable, unified, and democratic Iraq that upholds human and minority rights and promotes inter-ethnic tolerance.

The report notes that Iraq is in need of technical assistance and capacity building, particularly in institution building. The report reaffirms the European Parliament's commitment to support the development of the Iraqi Council of Representatives and to promote bilateral exchanges and transfer of experience through its new Delegation for Relations with Iraq. It also encourages Member States to step up their diplomatic relations with Iraq.

Dialogue to end crisis

By Gunnar Larsson

Reacting to the ongoing and escalating crisis in the Middle East, Parliament's March Session opened with a debate on the situation in Gaza and continuous attacks on Israel originating from the unruly Palestinian enclave. Israeli incursions in Gaza, Palestinian rockets fired at Israeli towns and the recent attack by a Palestinian gunman on a Jewish seminary in Jerusalem, killing eight students, were the focus of the debate.

The President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering, had been asked by the Chairmen of the political groups to make a statement of his own. "We, as Europeans, must once again ask ourselves the question; what can we do? How should we react to the cycle of violence, again setting the Middle East on fire, right before our eyes", Poettering said. "The only answer is continued and accelerated peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians."

Joseph Daul (F), Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, agreed and underlined the importance of bringing the signatories of the Annapolis Agreement to reason. He talked of a recent visit to Jerusalem and Ramallah, as head of an EPP-ED delegation, and the lessons he had learned there. "We need to do more and we need to do better", he said. "We must provide incentives for the moderate parties in Israel and among Palestinians, and assure them of our full political support."

"They, and they alone, hold the key to a peaceful and lasting solution in that region", Daul said, calling for continued dialogue in accordance with the roadmap set in Annapolis.

Belarusian Week

By Marzena Rogalska

This week in Strasbourg, the EPP-ED Group celebrated the Belarusian week in the European Parliament, particularly the 90th anniversary of the Belarus Democratic Republic. On the invitation of Jacek Protasiewicz MEP (PL), Chairman of the EP Delegation for Relations with Belarus, the Leader of the Belarus Democratic Opposition Aleksandr Milinkevich, as well as representatives of various democratic forces, came to Strasbourg to meet European political leaders.

The celebrations were inaugurated by an exhibition of paintings by Belarusian artists. The inauguration address was delivered by the President of the European Parliament, Hans- Gert Poettering, who, in his speech, made a formal and strong appeal for the liberation of the imprisoned Opposition Leader Alexander Kazoulin, who has been in prison for three years for daring to stand up against the authoritarian rule of President Lukashenko in the country's presidential election.

The inauguration was followed by the welcoming words of the EPP-ED Group's Chairman Joseph Daul who expressed his wish to soon see Belorussia joining the democratic European family. Among the guest speakers were the European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and the Chairman of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, Jaceck Saryusz-Wolski MEP (PL), who stressed the importance of both freedom and independence for Belarus.

The aim of the visit was to convince Belarusian Partners of the significance of unity among the opposition, especially in view of the upcoming Parliamentary elections. "Belarusians need to see that on one side there is Aleksandr Lukashenko with his eastern pro-Russian course, and on the other, the alternative for the current regime: the united opposition.