SECOND MEETING OF THE EUROPEAN INTEGRATION FORUM
(12/13 November 2009)
OUTLINES OF THE SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE EESC, Mr Mario Sepi
- The EESC confirms that it sees integration of immigrants and the Forum's initiative as
essential, especially in a period of severe economic and social crisis, in which immigrants are often
the first victims, if not treated as scapegoats.
As proof of the Committee's commitment, I would like to mention the creation of a permanent
study group, whose members are here now, to actively follow the work of the Forum and make a
political contribution to it. You have received an opinion drafted by this permanent study group, on
integration and the social agenda.
We will be making a more practical contribution as of 2010, when the EESC will be able to provide
an even more active service as the Forum's secretariat, with two people exclusively dedicated to
this task. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the EP, which, as budgetary authority, has
made this undertaking possible. This is further confirmation of the importance attached by the EU
institutions to this Forum.
- In fact, the importance of the Forum lies in the fact that civil society organisations are not confined
to meeting and talking amongst themselves – they have the opportunity to make their views,
demands and expectations known to the EU institutions responsible for drafting and deciding
on EU initiatives and policies at the highest level.
The fact that, as in April, the Commission vice-president, the Council presidencies-in-office and
myself are here now is tangible proof of this. The EP, too, represented by the chair of the LIBE
Committee, which is responsible for this area, confirms this (as well as the CoR rapporteur for a major
opinion on integration).
Moreover, liaison is already underway with the forthcoming Spanish presidency to see how the
Forum's activities can best be coordinated with the Spanish presidency's initiatives and events in this
field.
- Similarly, I would like to stress the fact that this is the Forum's second meeting, which confirms its
status as a permanent, stable body, as was announced when it was launched.
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- The fact that so many of you are here, from both European organisations and all the Member
States, is evidence, on the one hand, of the interest and enthusiasm displayed by organised civil
society when it feels genuinely involved and taken seriously in the process of drafting EU policy, and,
on the other, of the care and effort devoted by the Committee and the Commission to achieving this
result.
- Exchanges between levels as well. Moreover, thanks to your participation at both European and
national levels, that multi-level dimension which integration of immigrants increasingly calls for can
be fully achieved. The issue cannot be resolved at EU or at Member-State level alone, but through
interaction between these levels. That is, furthermore, borne out by the Lisbon Treaty, which gives
EU action in the field of integration a solid legal basis for the first time, confirming that it must
"provide incentives and support for the action of Member States". On the subject of the Lisbon Treaty,
I want to point out that, thanks to the Charter, fundamental rights are, at last, becoming an integral
part in their own right of what, whatever you want to call it, I see as the EU Constitution.
- Vice-president Barrot has pointed out that, in precisely this period, the EU institutions are discussing
the multi-annual programme which will direct the EU's work in building an area of freedom, security
and justice. This programme, commonly known as the Stockholm programme, will be adopted by
the Council on 10 December on the basis of the Commission's proposal and active contributions from,
among others, the EESC and the European Parliament. There, too, we see measures and initiatives
promoting integration, to which we will have the opportunity to return in forthcoming Forum
meetings.
- However, today and tomorrow, the Forum is called upon to make its contribution, through your
work on two key topics which you will be discussing over these days. The first is the
implementation of a cross-cutting integration policy which spans the EU's various policies, including
those dealing most explicitly with integration, and social and education policies. Real
mainstreaming.
The second topic, which is more specific but no less important, concerns the Integration Fund, a
practical tool for Community action and a major support for your work on integrating immigrants.
Here, you will be asked to evaluate how much has been achieved thus far and, on the basis of this, to
make tangible proposals regarding possible developments, which the EU institutions will, without a
doubt, take into consideration when setting up the new Fund.
These two topics are perfect examples of the valuable contribution that the Forum can make, in terms
of both theoretical discussion and practical suggestions and advice.
- To conclude, I would like to point out that, as promised, tomorrow, the participants in the Forum
will be asked to elect the two members of the Bureau representing the Forum. Along with the
two members representing the Commission and the EESC, these members will organise the Forum's
work while, at the same time, ensuring a high profile between meetings.
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