PE-DN/05/119
DAILY NOTEBOOK
Published by the
Directorate for the Media
Director: José Manuel
LIBERATO
Editor: Richard Freedman
PHS 00A028
43, rue Wiertz
B-1047 Brussels
Tel. (32-2) 28 41448
Fax (32-2) 28 46515
During plenary sessions
in Strasbourg:
IPE3 F02/001
Avenue Robert Schuman
F-67070 Strasbourg
Tel . (33) 388 1 73785
Fax (33) 388 1 79355
E-mail:
presse-en@europarl.eu.int
Thursday
Brussels, 26 May 2005

Food labelling that tells the truth

Addition of vitamins and minerals to food

MEPs call for more specific economic
guidelines

Seat belts to be compulsory on buses
and lorries

Standard tests for frontal protection
systems on cars

MEPs worry about Russia's democracy
but stress need for more cooperation

New EU Agency to monitor respect for
human rights in Europe
Editor:
Richard Freedman
+32 2 28 41448
Secretariat:
Sarah Donohoe
Close:
12.50pm
Internet:
http://www.europarl.eu.int
PE 349.824
Thursday, 26 May 2005
Codes for parliamentary procedures
A series
B series
C series
*
**I
**II
***
***I
***II
***III
Reports and recommendations
Resolutions and oral questions
Documents of other institutions
Consultation procedure
Cooperation procedure (1st reading)
Cooperation procedure (2nd reading)
Assent procedure
Codecision procedure (1st reading)
Codecision procedure (2nd reading)
Codecision procedure (3rd reading)
Abbreviations
- Political groups: see next page
BE
CZ
DK
DE
EE
EL
ES
FR
IE
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Germany
Estonia
Greece
Spain
France
Ireland
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
Italy
Cyprus
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Hungary
Malta
Netherlands
Austria
PL
PT
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK
Poland
Portugal
Slovenia
Slovakia
Finland
Sweden
United Kingdom
Conversion rates
1 euro = £ sterling 0.68 as at 26.05.2005
2
PE 349.824
Thursday, 26 May 2005
Political groups in the European Parliament
Situation as at: 26.05.2005
EPP-ED
PES
ALDE
Greens /
EFA
6
14
1
49
1
11
24
17
5
24
3
3
2
3
13
2
7
6
19
9
4
8
4
5
28
7
2
5
23
3
8
24
31
1
15
6
2
268
201
BE
CZ
DK
DE
EE
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK
Tota
l
2
1
9
3
7
7
10
12
1
3
3
5
19
4
7
2
1
13
2
11
1
12
1
1
7
1
2
3
6
5
4
2
2
GUE /
NGL
IND /
DEM
6
1
7
1
1
4
1
3
1
7
2
1
3
1
4
1
UEN
NA
Total
3
1
3
24
24
14
99
6
24
54
78
13
77
6
9
13
6
24
5
27
18
54
24
7
14
14
19
78
28
731
1
7
4
9
4
4
2
1
2
4
2
10
7
3
4
3
2
3
5
3
12
1
1
5
1
2
1
3
10
88
42
41
36
Recent changes: Outgoing Members
Ottaviano DEL TURCO (PES, IT) - 01.05.2005
Theresa VILLIERS (EPP-ED, UK) - 10.05.2005
Christopher HUHNE (ALDE, UK) - 10.05.2005
Mercedes BRESSO (PES, IT) - 24.05.2005
27
Incoming Members
Vincenzo LAVARRA (PES, IT) - 24.05.2005
Syed Salah KAMALL (EPP-ED, UK) - 12.05.2005
Sharon Margaret BOWLES (ALDE, UK) - 12.05.2005
Giiovanni RIVERA (ALDE, IT) - 25.05.2005
Political groups
EPP-ED
PES
ALDE
GREENS/EFA
GUE/NGL
IND/DEM
UEN
NA
PE 349.824
Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats (includes the British
Conservatives, the one Ulster Unionist MEP and Fine Gael from Ireland)
Socialist Group in the European Parliament (includes the British Labour MEPs and the one Irish Labour
Party MEP)
Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (includes the British Liberal Democrats and one
independent MEP from Ireland)
Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance (includes the British Greens, the Scottish National Party and
Plaid Cymru)
Confederal Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left (includes the two Sinn Fein MEPs)
Independence and Democracy Group (includes 10 UKIP MEPs and one independent MEP from Ireland)
Union for Europe of the Nations Group (includes the Irish Fianna Fail Members)
Non-attached MEPs
3
Thursday, 26 May 2005
PUBLIC HEALTH AND
CONSUMER AFFAIRS
Food labelling that tells the
truth
Adriana POLI BORTONE (UEN, IT)
Report on the proposal for a regulation of the
European Parliament and of the Council on
nutrition and health claims made on foods
(COM(2003)0424 – C5 0329/2003 –
2003/0165(COD))
Doc.: A6-0128/2005
Procedure :Codecision (1st reading)
Debate : 25.05.2005
Vote : 26.05.2005
Parliament voted today, in first reading, on a
draft regulation on nutrition and health claims
made on foods. The plenary confirmed a
controversial vote in the Committee on
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety,
which decided to delete a central provision of
the Regulation proposed by the European
Commission. For the EP, foods bearing
nutrition or health claims do not need to
respect specific nutrient profiles. The report,
written by Adriana POLI BORTONE (UEN,
IT) and substantially modified by the plenary,
was adopted by a clear majority. The
legislative resolution was adopted by 458
votes in favour, 116 against and 15
abstentions. The amendment deleting the
compulsory nutrient profiles was adopted by
303 votes in favour, 286 against and 10
abstentions.
More and more consumers want to eat
healthy foods. And more and more producers
use health and nutritional claims to attract
them. This butter is good for your cholesterol
or that yoghurt is recommended to avoid
osteoporosis - is it true? And do those
products have other and less positive
effects? Some Member States have adopted
national legislation to regulate the use of
claims, others have not. Those discrepancies
can act as commercial barriers in the single
market and do not guarantee the best level of
consumer protection. That is why this
regulation was initiated in order to protect the
consumer as well as to ensure free
movement of foods in the EU. The
Regulation lists a number of common claims
4
like "light", "low fat" or "sugar-free", with the
specific levels to respect in order to use them
and with a general condition for every claim:
to label the nutrient profile (especially the
contents of fat, sugar and salt).
A minority of MEPs, as well as the European
Commission and the health sector lobby
deplored the Committee vote, considering
that producers should not be allowed to
highlight particular advantages of their
products if they hide high contents of fat,
sugar or salt which are involved in large scale
illnesses like cardiovascular diseases or
obesity. Some MEPs tried to restore the
principle of nutrient profiles, article 4 of the
proposed regulation, but did not succeed.
On the contrary, many producers and a
majority of MEPs feared that the compulsory
labelling of nutrient profiles could discriminate
against individual products, which would be
classified as "good" or "bad". They believe it
is not so much the composition of the product
that matters as the use made of it and above
all the balance of a person's diet.
In
any
case,
during
the
debate,
Commissioner Markos KYPRIANOU said
that he would not accept the deletion of
article 4 which he considered as the
cornerstone of the whole regulation.
The European Commission also proposed to
submit the use of health claims to a prior
authorisation system, involving the European
Food Safety Agency. On this point the
plenary has endorsed the Committee vote
opting in favour of a simple notification
procedure. Manufacturers or importers would
only have to inform the authorities if they plan
to start selling a product making nutritional
claims. It would then be up to the authorities
to object or issue a ban.
The EP has also stressed or added particular
points to the draft regulation concerning small
and medium size enterprises and children. In
their view, nutrition and health claims, unless
scientifically substantiated, may not be
exclusively directed at children. MEPs also
added specific provisions for SMEs to reduce
the burden of the new regulation.
Press enquiries:
André Riche
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 40992
PE 349.824
Thursday, 26 May 2005
Mobile: (32) 0498.983.585
e-mail :
envi-press@europarl.eu.int
Addition of vitamins
minerals to food
and
Karin SCHEELE (PES, AT)
Report on the proposal for a regulation of the
European Parliament and of the Council on
the addition of vitamins and minerals and of
certain other substances to foods
(COM(2003)0671 – C5 0538/2003 –
2003/0262(COD))
Doc.: A6-0124/2005
Procedure : Codecision (1st reading)
Vote : 26.05.2005
National rules vary widely concerning
addition of vitamins or minerals to food. A
new European regulation has been
welcomed by Parliament, in first reading, to
avoid discrepancies in the internal market
and to offer useful information to consumers
in order to avoid imbalances in their diet or
even vitamin overdose. The report by Karin
SCHEELE (PES, AT) was adopted by the
plenary by 516 votes in favour, 69 against
and 6 abstentions.
The new regulation establishes positive lists
of vitamins and minerals (more than 100
substances) which may be added to food.
Fortified foodstuffs are marketed by
producers as products that are beneficial and
this could lead the consumers to increase
their intake and to exceed recommended
levels. That is why the regulation
recommends to define daily intakes of
specific substances. A negative list of "other
substances" added to food, mentioning only
forbidden
substances,
will
also
be
established. With this regulation, fortified
foods should be labelled in order to offer the
useful information needed by the consumer if
he wants to know the other nutritional
properties of the fortified product.
Foods and beverages containing more than
1.2% by volume of alcohol may not be
fortified with an exception voted by the EP
concerning
some
traditional
products
marketed prior to the adoption of the
Regulation.
PE 349.824
Press enquiries:
André Riche
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 40992
Mobile: (32) 0498.983.585
e-mail :
envi-press@europarl.eu.int
ECONOMIC & MONETARY
AFFAIRS
MEPs call for more specific
economic guidelines
Robert GOEBBELS (PES, LU)
Report on the Commission recommendation
on the broad guidelines for the economic
policies of the Member States and the
Community in the framework of the
integrated guidelines for growth and jobs
(2005-2008)
(COM(2005)0141 – 2005/2017(INI))
Doc.: A6-0150/2005
Procedure : Own-initiative
Vote : 26.05.2005
Parliament has adopted by 388 votes in
favour to 69 against with 45 abstentions a
report from Robert GOEBBELS (PES, LU)
on the broad economic policy guidelines for
the Member States, calling for a more
specific approach to the particular challenges
of individual countries.
While welcoming the fact that the economic
policy guidelines have been integrated with
the employment guidelines, MEPs are
unhappy that the two documents do not pay
more attention to the environment. They also
say the guidelines are excessively general in
nature and encourage the Commission to
produce a tailored set of recommendations
for each Member State. They call for
adequate interaction between coordinated
budgetary policies and an independent
monetary policy that maintains the objective
of price stability and further pursues the
Union's general goals.
Parliament highlights the major role of the EU
in world trade and underlines the need for a
labour market which is open to all citizens
and flexible enough to help people opt into
the market and which does not force older
5
Thursday, 26 May 2005
people willing to work out of their jobs. It
stresses the need to focus on modernising
the economy, knowledge and social welfare
as well as institutional arrangements. It also
notes that labour productivity, efforts to
strengthen competitiveness, investment and
growth are prerequisites for higher wages
and an equitable distribution of the fruits of
growth, employment and social cohesion.
MEPs stress the importance of job creation in
the personal and community services sectors
in a society of high female employment with
an ageing and urbanised population. They
point to the importance of diversification and
increased competition in a sector where it is
important for citizens to enjoy the highest
possible level of service and a range of
choices.
the more controversial areas of research
such as genetic modification and embryo
stem cell research. Member States should
use environmental policies pro-actively, to
enhance growth and employment by
developing
eco-technology
and
ecoinnovation, especially investments needed to
meet the Kyoto targets, including the efficient
use of traditional forms of energy, especially
those which do not pose a risk to the
objectives of the Kyoto protocol.
The report proposes a range of specific
changes to the Commission's draft
guidelines. One of these is a call for Member
States to redirect public spending towards
budget categories that support the objectives
of the Lisbon Strategy. MEPs also say there
should be measures to stimulate private
investment, creating a fiscal environment
favourable to SMEs which offers incentives to
create jobs. This could in part be achieved by
ensuring greater access to microcredit
schemes and venture capital funds, and
reform of the tax systems to stimulate
investment, beginning by the harmonisation
of the corporate tax base.
Quarterly
accounts
MEPs also want to prevent young
entrepreneurs who do not succeed in their
first venture being stigmatised. They call for
special attention to be given to the flexibility
and security of the labour market, and for
reforms to maintain strict fiscal procedures,
stimulate investment and enterprise and
foster consumer confidence. Member States
should ensure better coordination of their
economic and budgetary policies, initially by
harmonising their budgetary timetables.
Member States should also complete the
reform of the Stability and Growth Pact and
ensure it is strictly applied so as to reestablish confidence.
Parliament approved the second reading of a
regulation
on
quarterly
non-financial
accounts, without amendment.
Press enquiries:
Ralph Pine
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 42941
Mobile: (32) 0498.983.587
e-mail :
econ-press@europarl.eu.int
non-financial
Astrid LULLING (EPP-ED, LU)
Report on the Council common position for
adopting a regulation of the European
Parliament and of the Council on the
compilation
of
quarterly
non-financial
accounts by institutional sector
(15235/1/2004
C6
0091/2005
–
2003/0296(COD))
Doc.: A6-0152/2005
Procedure : Codecision (2nd reading)
Vote : 26.05.2005
Press enquiries:
Ralph Pine
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 42941
Mobile: (32) 0498.983.587
e-mail :
econ-press@europarl.eu.int
The report also calls for greater efforts by
Member States to promote the sciences of
the future, including information society,
preventive healthcare and biotechnology, in
particular by promoting more objective
information on the advantages and risks in
6
PE 349.824
Thursday, 26 May 2005
TRANSPORT
Seat belts to be compulsory
on buses and lorries
Dieter-Lebrecht KOCH (EPP-ED, DE)
Report on the Council common position for
adopting a directive of the European
Parliament and of the Council amending
Council Directive 74/408/EEC relating to
motor vehicles with regard to the seats, their
anchorages and head restraints
(11935/3/2004
–
C6
0031/2005
–
2003/0128(COD))
Doc.: A6-0115/2005
Procedure : Codecision (2nd reading)
&
Paolo COSTA (ALDE, IT)
Report on the Council common position for
adopting a directive of the European
Parliament and of the Council amending
Council Directive 77/541/EC on the
approximation of the laws of the Member
States relating to safety belts and restraint
systems of motor vehicles
(11934/3/2004
–
C6
0029/2005
–
2003/0130(COD))
Doc.: A6-0120/2005
Procedure : Codecision (2nd reading)
&
Paolo COSTA (ALDE, IT)
Report on the Council common position for
adopting a directive of the European
Parliament and of the Council amending
Council Directive 76/115/EEC on the
approximation of the laws of the Member
States relating to anchorages for motorvehicle safety belts
(11933/3/2004
–
C6
0030/2005
–
2003/0136(COD))
Doc.: A6-0117/2005
Procedure : Codecision (2nd reading)
Vote : 26.05.2005
Parliament adopted three recommendations
for second reading on a package of
measures to make seat belts compulsory in
all vehicles. Seat belts will in future have to
be fitted not only in private cars but also in
minibuses, buses, coaches, light commercial
vehicles and lorries.
PE 349.824
Parliament and Council have agreed that
side-facing seat belts should not be allowed
in small buses and coaches, even if these
seats have safety seat belts and anchorages.
The two institutions agreed that the so-called
conference buses should be exempted from
these new rules.
In conference buses (vehicles of category
M3, class III or B), side-facing seats are
grouped together to form an integrated
saloon with a maximum of 10 seating
positions at the rear of the vehicle. In the
compromise amendment (am 6) it was
agreed that such side fitting seats shall be
fitted with, at least, a head restraint and a
two-point belt with type-approved retractor.
This exemption shall have effect for five
years from the date of adoption of this
directive. It may be extended if reliable
accident statistics are available and there has
been further development of restraint
systems.
Dieter-Leberecht KOCH (EPP-ED, DE) and
Paola COSTA (ELDR, IT) saw there reports
adopted by a large majority.
Press enquiries:
Ton Huyssoon
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 42408
e-mail :
tran-press@europarl.eu.int
Standard tests for frontal
protection systems on cars
Ewa HEDKVIST PETERSEN (PES, SE)
Report on the proposal for a directive of the
European Parliament and of the Council
relating to the use of frontal protection
systems on motor vehicles and amending
Council Directive 70/156/EEC
(COM(2003)0586 – C5 0473/2003 –
2003/0226(COD))
Doc.: A6-0053/2005
Procedure : Codecision (1st reading)
Vote : 26.05.2005
MEPs are calling for tougher safety
standards for frontal protection systems on
road vehicles in a legislative report on a
Commission proposal setting out tests for
such systems, which include bull bars. Car
7
Thursday, 26 May 2005
manufacturers have already made a
voluntary agreement with the Commission
not to install "rigid bull bars" on new cars.
This new draft directive, however, details the
tests for approving all frontal protection
systems. MEPs are anxious that frontal
protection systems should be designed in a
way that improves pedestrian safety and
reduces the number of injuries.
Parliament adopted a series of compromise
amendments agreed with the Council, which
means that the directive can be adopted in
first reading. On the scope of the directive,
the compromise amendment states that this
Directive does not affect the Member States'
competence to ban or to restrict the use of
those frontal protection systems which were
placed on the market as separate technical
units before the entry into force of this
Directive. (AM 23)
This paragraph is
designed to ensure that EU legislation is not
applied retroactively and that bull bars
already in existence are not covered by the
proposed legislation.
Member States have to publish, at the latest,
nine months afters publication of the directive
the laws and regulations necessary to comply
with the directive.
European,
Japanese
and
Korean
manufactures made a voluntary commitment
with the Commission not to install so-called
”rigid bull bars” as frontal protection systems
on new vehicles from 2002. The European
Parliament, in June 2002, adopted a nonbinding resolution welcoming the ban. This
new proposal goes further and lays down
tests that must be complied with by frontal
protection systems, either as originally fitted
to a vehicle or put on the market as separate
technical units. The aim is to improve the
protection of pedestrians and mitigate the
severity of injuries to them and other
vulnerable road users in the event of a
collision with a vehicle fitted with such a
system.
will be required to be carried out on these
systems in order for them to be acceptable
for use. Parliament, in amendments adopted,
tightens up some of these tests.
Parliament stresses that tests should require
that frontal protection systems be designed in
a way that improves pedestrian safety and
reduces the number of injuries. Furthermore,
MEPs emphasise that the directive is aimed
at improving pedestrian and vehicle safety
through passive measures.
Parliament
agrees that the scope of the directive should
be limited to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. MEPs
also introduce a review clause, stating that
the Commission should review the technical
provisions of the directive, in the light of
technical progress and experience, no later
than four years and nine months after it has
been published.
Systems
providing
additional
frontal
protection of motor vehicles have been
increasingly used in recent years. Some of
these systems constitute a risk to the safety
of pedestrians and other road users in the
case of a collision with a motor vehicle. It is
estimated that ”pedestrian-friendly” car
designs could avoid up to 2000 pedestrian
and cyclist deaths each year in the EU.
Press enquiries:
Richard Freedman
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 41448
e-mail :
regionpress@europarl.eu.int
In order to comply with the proposal, frontal
protection systems will have to pass a
number
of
tests
with
regard
to
aggressiveness towards pedestrians and
vulnerable road users. The requirements
consist of four tests (based on the
recommendations of the European Enhanced
Vehicle safety Committee, or EEVC) which
8
PE 349.824
Thursday, 26 May 2005
EC-Chile air services
Paolo COSTA (ALDE, IT)
Report on the proposal for a Council decision
on the conclusion of the Agreement between
the European Community and the Republic
of Chile on certain aspects of air services
(COM(2004)0829 – C6 0011/2005 –
2004/0289(CNS))
Doc.: A6-0100/2005
Procedure : Consultation
Vote : 26.05.2005
Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution
on the conclusion of the Agreement between
the European Community and the Republic
of Chile on certain aspects of air services.
Press enquiries:
Ton Huyssoon
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 42408
e-mail :
tran-press@europarl.eu.int
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
MEPs worry about Russia's
democracy but stress need
for more cooperation
Cecilia MALMSTRÖM (ALDE, SE)
Report on EU-Russia relations
(2004/2170(INI))
Doc.: A6-0135/2005
Procedure : Own-initiative
Vote : 26.05.2005
The European Parliament called for further
integration of Russia into the world economy
and closer involvement of the country in
European security, while voicing concern
over human rights and the development of
democracy.
In a resolution adopted by 488 votes in
favour, 20 votes against and 63 abstentions,
MEPs warned of the "apparent weakening of
Russia's commitment to democracy, the
market economy and the protection of human
rights".
They
highlighted
reports
of
discrimination and antisemitism, restrictions
on the media and the use of the judicial
PE 349.824
system for political goals. However, they also
acknowledged Russia's potential as a
strategic partner, not only in the economic
and trade areas, but also in fighting
international terrorism, trafficking in drugs,
arms
and
people,
and
addressing
environmental and nuclear hazards.
Mentioning Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and
Georgia, MEPs said they rejected "foreign
policies aimed at creating spheres of
influence" and asked Russia to see the
spread of democracy in neighbouring
countries and the development of stronger
ties to the EU in these countries not as a
threat but as "a chance to renew political and
economic cooperation with those countries".
Parliament remains deeply concerned about
the "continuing failure to end lawlessness in
Chechnya" and called for a political solution.
It urged the Council again to be prepared to
give assistance to a peaceful and
constructive dialogue.
On the other hand, MEPs welcomed the
outcome of the latest EU-Russia summit, at
which road maps were adopted for the
creation of the "four common spaces" - of
freedom, security and justice, of external
security, of research, education and culture
and a common economic space.
Parliament underlined the importance of
Russia's support for the International Criminal
Court and the Kyoto Protocol. MEPs stressed
the importance of cooperation in the field of
external security. They welcomed plans for
the EU and Russia to cooperate in future in
resolving regional conflicts, such as those in
Transdnistria, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and
Nagorno-Karabakh. They also called for
further cooperation in the field of maritime
safety, especially on a ban for single-hull
tankers in the Baltic and Black Seas. And
they urged the EU to offer Russia help in the
dismantling of its nuclear arsenal, while
calling on Russia to contribute to worldwide
non-proliferation and disarmament, especially
concerning Iran. They also advocated the
opening of negotiations with Russia on a free
trade area as soon as it has joined the WTO.
However, MEPs urged Russia to end
discriminatory rail tariffs favouring Russian
ports in the Baltic.
9
Thursday, 26 May 2005
MEPs called for "solidarity and unity within
the EU between the old and the new member
states" whenever Russia tries to divide them.
Other points raised in the resolution were a
call for Russia to ratify the border
agreements with Estonia and Latvia, to
delete from its social security legislation a
reference that Russian troops can be based
and come to harm in Baltic states, and for an
agreement between LUKOIL and Lithuania
on compensations in the case of oil spills
which may damage the Curonian Split.
Parliament also says that the Yukos case
represents a fundamental test of Russia's
respect for the rule of law, property rights,
transparency and a fair and open market for
investors.
Press enquiries:
Marjory van den Broeke
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 44304
Mobile: (32) 0498.983.586
e-mail :
foreignpress@europarl.eu.int
HUMAN RIGHTS
A new EU Agency to monitor
respect for human rights in
Europe
Kinga GÁL (EPP-ED, HU)
Report on promotion and protection of
fundamental rights: the role of national and
European
institutions,
including
the
Fundamental Rights Agency (2005/2007(INI))
Doc.: A6- 0144/2005
Procedure : Own-initiative
Vote : 26.05.2005
Monitoring
Centre
on
Racism
and
Xenophobia and to extend its mandate to
make it a Human Rights Agency". MEPs
welcome this initiative and consider that the
creation of an agency to promote the respect
of human rights on EU territory will be a
positive step, as long as its activities do not
interfere with existing bodies inside and
outside the EU, such as the office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights in the
Council of Europe. They also ask for the
agency to be created under the co-decision
procedure, giving legislative power to the EP.
Commissioner Franco FRATTINI hinted that
the Commission will probably recommend
using the consultation procedure for the
creation of the Agency.
The main activities of the Agency should be
the collection, analysis and processing of
information regarding the respect of
fundamental rights in Member States with the
view to achieving three main objectives:
promoting fundamental rights, monitoring the
situation in Member States and raising the
awareness of the key players. As part of the
promotion activities, the Agency will identify
legislative gaps in the different EU countries
and monitor the implementation of existing
laws to protect human rights. The new
Agency should also have an "advisory and
consultative role".
Finally, the main areas of concern for the
Agency should be those mentioned in the
Charter of Fundamental Rights: freedom of
expression; fight against racism; gender
equality; fight against human trafficking or the
protection of the linguistic diversity, for
example. A special mention was made of
protecting rights of national minorities.
MEPs adopted an own-initiative report in
which they analyse the current human rights
situation in the Member States and the future
tasks of the new European Agency on
Fundamental Rights which is due to start
work in 2007.
Conflict of interests
The Agency should be designed as a
"network of networks" with horizontal
competences according to the members, and
it should absorb not only the existing
monitoring centre against racism in Vienna
but also other bodies dealing with
fundamental rights, like the future "Gender
Institute" on women rights - which has not yet
been created.
The decision to set up the agency was taken
by the European Council on December 2003
in Brussels, the aim is described as follows:
"to build upon the existing European
Press enquiries:
Maria Andrés Marìn
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 44299
Mobile: (32) 0498.983.590
10
PE 349.824
Thursday, 26 May 2005
e-mail :
libe-press@europarl.eu.int
JUSTICE AND HOME
AFFAIRS
Money laundering directive
to cover funding of terrorism
Hartmut NASSAUER (EPP-ED, DE)
Report on the proposal for a directive of the
European Parliament and of the Council on
the prevention of the use of the financial
system for the purpose of money laundering,
including terrorist financing
(COM(2004)0448 – C6 0143/2004 –
2004/0137(COD))
Doc.: A6-0137/2005
Procedure : Codecision (1st reading)
Vote : 26.05.2005
The European Parliament gave its backing to
Commission proposals to revise the current
money laundering directive so that it covers
the funding of terrorism. However, MEPs
adopted amendments to define more clearly
the responsibilities of financial institutions,
lawyers, insurance agents and others
involved in money laundering or the funding
of terrorism.
The original 1991 directive set up a warning
system to prevent financial transactions
being used for money laundering, mainly by
imposing the financial institutions their
obligation to identify their customers. The
new proposal declares the financing of
terrorist activities a criminal offence, like
money-laundering, and brings it within the
scope of the directive.
Banks, credit companies and other financial
institutions will have to check a customer's
identity when they open an account or
whenever the customer carries out a
transaction of €15,000 or more. Anonymous
accounts and those opened under false
names will be banned. Casinos should also
identify those customers gambling more than
€2,000 - the Commission had set the
threshold at €1,000.
PE 349.824
Stricter checks will be required where the risk
of money laundering is higher, e.g. where
there is no face-to-face contact with the
customer or in relations with "politically
exposed persons" from (individuals holding
important public positions, their direct
relatives or persons known to be close
associates).
If customers cannot be
identified, the business relationship must be
terminated and the accounts examined.
Clients must never be informed that their
transactions are under investigation.
Each Member State will have to decide under
what circumstances a financial operation
poses a high risk of money laundering or of
financing terrorism.
In such cases, the
financial institution or any other players such as insurers or lawyers - will be legally
obliged to report the transaction immediately
to a national "financial intelligence unit",
which will process the information and deliver
it to the competent authorities. Member
States must penalise anyone who fails to do
this. The only exception counts for lawyers
representing a client in legal proceedings: in
such cases they are not obliged to report
suspicions of money laundering or terrorist
financing.
Among their amendments, MEPs added to
the Commission proposal a requirement for
financial institutions to identify not only the
director of a company, casino or trust which
carries out a transaction but also all
"beneficial owners" who control at least 25%
of those entities. The Commission had set
the threshold at 10%.
Since all the Parliament's amendments follow
an agreement with Council, the directive is
likely to be adopted at first reading.
Press enquiries:
Maria Andrés Marìn
(Strasbourg) tel.(33-3) 881 73603
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 44299
(32) 0498.983.590
e-mail :
libe-press@europarl.eu.int
11
Thursday, 26 May 2005
Europol staff salaries
challenges posed by immigration and the
need to reduce accidents in the workplace.
Claude MORAES (PES, UK)
Report on the initiative by the Grand Duchy
of Luxembourg with a view to adopting a
Council decision adjusting the basic salaries
and allowances applicable to Europol staff
(5429/2005
–
C6
0037/2005
–
2005/0803(CNS))
Doc.: A6-0139/2005
Procedure : Consultation
Vote : 26.05.2005
A set of integrated guidelines for the period
2005-2008 has for the first time been
proposed by the Commission, as called for
by the 2005 Spring European Council. While
endorsing the objectives and content of the
employment guidelines, MEPs adopted a
number of amendments to introduce
improvements to the proposal.
Following the advice of the rapporteur and
the Civil Liberties Committee, Parliament
rejected a resolution on basic salaries and
allowances of Europol staff. The matter now
returns to the Committee.
Press enquiries:
Maria Andrés Marìn
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 44299
Mobile: (32) 0498.983.590
e-mail :
libe-press@europarl.eu.int
SOCIAL AND EMPLOYMENT
POLICY
Call
for
more
specific
measures in the employment
guidelines
Ana MATO ADROVER (EPP-ED, ES)
Report on the proposal for a Council decision
on guidelines for the employment policies of
the Member States
(COM(2005)0141 – C6 0111/2005 –
2005/0057(CNS))
Doc.: A6-0149/2005
Procedure : Consultation
Vote : 26.05.2005
According to MEPs, the proposed integrated
guidelines covering growth and employment
do not sufficiently set out specific guiding
measures for Member States. By adopting a
consultation report drafted by Ana MATO
ADROVER (EPP-ED, ES), Members called
for greater focus on issues including the
reconciliation of family and working life, the
circumstances of people with disabilities, the
12
One of the issues the report emphasises is
the need for measures to assist the
occupational integration of people whose
participation in the labour market is too low,
whilst ensuring that they stay in work. These
include women, the elderly, young people,
people with disabilities, immigrants and
minorities. At the same time, the report
stresses the need to promote decisions that
help reconcile work and family life by, for
example, using flexible working models for
both men and women.
MEPs do not only want to increase labour
market participation, they also want to
improve the quality of employment. This
should be done by developing training and
lifelong learning policies, promoting equality
between men and women, as well as tackling
labour and wage gaps. Health and safety
risks at the workplace should be reduced,
especially via agreements at the European
level on risk prevention. Moreover, the
incidence of early retirement due to
permanent invalidity or as a result of
industrial accidents or occupational disease
has to be reduced.
Parliament also wants to put pressure on the
Member States to implement measures
promoting
equal
treatment,
including
between legal immigrants and nonimmigrants, and combating all kinds of
discrimination, both in the workplace and in
society.
Finally, Members also want to ensure the
promotion of good industrial relations,
improved information and consultation of
workers, as well as cooperation with the
social partners.
Press enquiries:
Constanze Beckerhoff
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 44302
PE 349.824
Thursday, 26 May 2005
Mobile: (32) 0498.983.550
e-mail :
empl-press@europarl.eu.int
Social policy agenda
Ria OOMEN-RUIJTEN (PPE, NL)
Report on the Social Policy Agenda for the
period 2006-2010
(2004/2191(INI))
Doc.: A6-0142/2005
Procedure : Own-initiative
Vote : 26.05.2005
Parliament adopted an own-initiative report,
by 243 votes in favour to 131 against with 56
abstentions, on the Social Policy Agenda for
the period 2006-2010.
Press enquiries:
Constanze Beckerhoff
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 44302
Mobile: (32) 0498.983.550
e-mail :
empl-press@europarl.eu.int
Cross border services
Proinsias DE ROSSA (PES, IE)
Motion for a resolution on the proposal for a
Council directive on the agreement between
the Community of European Railways (CER)
and the European Transport Workers'
Federation (ETF) on certain aspects of the
working conditions of mobile workers
assigned to interoperable cross-border
services (COM(2005) 0032)
Doc.: B6-0319/2005
Vote : 26.05.2005
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES /
WOMEN'S RIGHTS
Gender equality programmes
to be extended
Rodi KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU (EPPED, EL)
Report on the proposal for a decision of the
European Parliament and of the Council
amending Council Decision 2001/51/EC
establishing a Programme relating to the
Community framework strategy on gender
equality and Decision No 848/2004/EC of the
European Parliament and of the Council
establishing a Community action programme
to promote organisations active at European
level in the field of equality between men and
women
(COM(2004)0551 – C6 0107/2004 –
2004/0194(COD))
Doc.: A6-0132/2005
Procedure : Codecision (1st reading)
Vote : 26.05.2005
Parliament adopted a legislative resolution on
extending a Community action programme to
promote organisations active at European
level in the field of equality between men and
women.
Press enquires:
Lena Kraft
Brussels
tel.:(32-2) 28 43411
e-mail : femme-press@europarl.eu.int
Parliament adopted a resolution on the
agreement between the Community of
European Railways (CER) and the European
Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) on
certain aspects of the working conditions of
mobile workers assigned to interoperable
cross-border services.
Press enquiries:
Constanze Beckerhoff
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 44302
Mobile: (32) 0498.983.550
e-mail :
empl-press@europarl.eu.int
PE 349.824
13
Thursday, 26 May 2005
CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
INDUSTRY
MEPs warmly welcome new
framework agreement with
Commission
Enterprise policy, SMEs:
extending the multiannual
programme
until
31
December 2006
Jo LEINEN (PES, DE)
Report on the framework agreement on
relations between the European Parliament
and the Commission
Doc.: A6-0147/2005
Procedure: Assent
Vote : 26.05.2005
Parliament adopted a report on the
framework agreement on relations between
the
European
Parliament
and
the
Commission.
Press enquiries:
Federico de Girolamo
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 31389
Mobile: (32) 0498.983.591
e-mail : constit-press@europarl.eu.int
European
Service
External
Action
Motion for a resolution on the institutional
aspects of the European External Action
Service
Doc. B6-0320/2005
Debate : 11.05.2005
Vote : 26.05.2005
Britta THOMSEN (PES, DK)
Report on the proposal for a decision of the
European Parliament and of the Council
amending Council Decision 2000/819/EC on
a multiannual programme for enterprise and
entrepreneurship, and in particular for small
and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (20012005)
(COM(2004)0781 – C6 0242/2004 –
2004/0272(COD))
Doc.: A6-0118/2005
Procedure : Codecision (1st reading)
Vote : 26.05.2005
Parliament adopted a legislative resolution on
a multiannual programme for enterprise and
entrepreneurship, and in particular for small
and medium-sized enterprises.
Press enquiries:
Constanze Beckerhoff
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 44302
Mobile: (32) 0498.983.550
e-mail :
indu-press@europarl.eu.int
Parliament adopted a resolution on the
European External Action Service.
Press enquiries:
Federico de Girolamo
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 31389
Mobile: (32) 0498.983.591
e-mail :
constitpress@europarl.eu.int
14
PE 349.824
Thursday, 26 May 2005
AGRICULTURE
(Brussels)
e-mail :
tel.(32-2) 28 32017
fish-press@europarl.eu.int
Common Agricultural Policy
financing
EEC-Côte d'Ivoire
agreement
Agnes SCHIERHUBER (EPP-ED, AT)
Report on the proposal for a Council
regulation on the financing of the common
agricultural policy
(COM(2004)0489 – C6 0166/2004 –
2004/0164(CNS))
Doc.: A6-0127/2005
Procedure : Consultation
Vote : 26.05.2005
Philippe MORILLON (ALDE, FR)
Report on the proposal for a Council
regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol
setting out, for the period from 1 July 2004 to
30 June 2007, the fishing opportunities and
financial contribution provided for in the
Agreement
between
the
European
Community and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
on fishing off the coast of Côte d’Ivoire
(COM(2004)0619 – C6 0138/2004 –
2004/0211(CNS))
Doc.: A6-0114/2005
Procedure : Consultation
Vote : 26.05.2005
Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution
on the financing of the common agricultural
policy.
Press enquiries:
Jean-Yves Loog
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 44652
Mobile: (32) 0498.983.589
e-mail :
budg-press@europarl.eu.int
FISHERIES
Financing fisheries studies
Philippe MORILLON (ALDE, FR)
Report on the proposal for a Council decision
amending Decision 2000/439/EC of 29 June
2000 on a financial contribution from the
Community towards the expenditure incurred
by certain Member States in collecting data,
and for financing studies and pilot projects for
carrying out the common fisheries policy
(COM(2004)0618 – C6 0243/2004 –
2004/0213(CNS))
Doc.: A6-0113/2005
Procedure : xxx
Vote : 26.05.2005
Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution
by 574 votes in favour to 15 against and 10
abstentions on financing common fisheries
policy studies and pilot projects.
Press enquiries:
Nikos Salliarelis
PE 349.824
fishing
Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution
on the conclusion of the Protocol setting out,
for the period from 1 July 2004 to 30 June
2007, the fishing opportunities and financial
contribution provided for in the Agreement
between the European Community and the
Republic of Côte d’Ivoire on fishing off the
coast of Côte d’Ivoire.
Press enquiries:
Nikos Salliarelis
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 32017
e-mail :
fish-press@europarl.eu.int
SECURITY AND DEFENCE
Small arms (UN prepcom)
Joint motion for a resolution on small arms
and light weapons
Doc. B6-0321/2005, B6-0322/2005, B60323/2005, B6-0324/2005, B6-0325/2005,
B6-0326/2005
Debate : 10.05.2005
Vote : 26.06.2005
Parliament adopted a resolution
preventing the spread of small arms.
on
15
Thursday, 26 May 2005
Press enquiries:
Marjory van den Broeke
(Brussels)
tel.(32-2) 28 44304
Mobile: (32) 0498.983.586
e-mail :
foreignpress@europarl.eu.int
16
PE 349.824