Braille: clear commitment for Braille labelling of industrial products. 2011. 06. 24. The Written Declaration on a voluntary system of labelling in Braille format on the packaging of industrial products, initiated by Konstantinos Poupakis and Ádám Kósa, EPP Group MEPs, and with the support of three other MEPs from the S&D, ALDE and Green Groups, was endorsed at today's plenary with the biggest support in this legislative term. This record - with 447 supporting signatures - is a clear demonstration of the Parliament's commitment to putting the challenges of people with disabilities on the European agenda.
Fundamental Rights Agency: Promise to support national Roma inclusion strategies 2011. 06. 15. Morten Kjaerum, director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has presented the agency's 2010 activities to the EP's Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE). Answering the question of Lívia Járóka, rapporteur of the EU strategy on Roma inclusion, the director confirmed that the FRA was willing to assist the development of national Roma inclusion strategies already as of the planning phase.
Praise to the hard work of the Hungarian EU Presidency and the Rapporteur 2011. 05. 25. Press Release by MEP Lívia Járóka - Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission reported today to the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs on the implementation of the Commission Work Programme for 2011 and the preparation of the 2012 programme. MEP Lívia Járóka, rapporteur of the EU Strategy on Roma Inclusion welcomed the Commission's intent to launch infringement procedures against non-compliant countries. In her answer the Commissioner mentioned that approximately 26.5 billion euros would be available for social inclusion at the EU-level and promised to provide technical assistance to the Member States in drafting their national action plans.
Europe should stand united on promoting the disability agenda 2011. 05. 25. Today, MEP Ádám Kósa presented his report on disability in the Committee of Employment and Social Affairs in the European Parliament. The document, a fruit of broad consultations between all stakeholders including political groups and a wide range of NGOs, aims to introduce a revolutionary approach on disability, promotes barrier-free accessibility, special communication techniques for the deaf and hard of hearing people and proposes new pattern of inclusive education system.
Free movement of labour is gradually coming true 2011. 04. 29. "The final removal of obstacles in the German and the Austrian labour markets for workers from eight Central and Eastern European countries is a great opportunity not only for these citizens but also for the European economy as a whole. We have to foster mobility, which is a key driving force for employment and growth", stated Csaba Őry MEP, EPP Group Coordinator in the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament.
Hungarian Constitution: a demagogic attack against Hungarian sovereignty by the European Socialists 2011. 04. 19. Press Release of the Hungarian EPP Group Delegation - By calling on the European Commission to assess the recently-adopted new Hungarian Constitution by the S&D Group, in a press release issued today, is a serious attack against Hungarian sovereignty. Constitutionalism is part of national sovereignty and even Mr Schulz and the European Socialists should not question the right of the Hungarian Parliament, whose members were elected by Hungarian citizens in a democratic way, to adopt a new constitution. Mr Schulz should have rather called his Hungarian Socialist fellows to represent their voters and participate in the debate in the Hungarian Parliament on the new Constitution, which they refused to do.
Hungarian Constitution: Another unfounded, politically motivated attack 2011. 04. 15. Press Release of the Hungarian EPP Delegation - Today's press release of ALDE group leader Guy Verhofstadt about the Hungarian draft constitution is partial, based on false information and contains serious misinterpretations. The Hungarian constitution draft's register on basic rights is based on the Charter of Fundamental Rights; however, some rights are protected even more than the Charter recommends. The draft corresponds to 21st century challenges, contains progressive regulations on the fields of environment protection, minority rights and state indebtedness.
Roma Integration: Commission framework considerable step in the right direction 2011. 04. 05. Press Release of Lívia Járóka MEP and Manfred Weber MEP - "The framework for coordinating national Roma integration strategies presented today by the European Commission is undoubtedly a considerable step in the right direction", said Lívia Járóka MEP, Rapporteur of the EU Strategy on Roma Inclusion. The document adopts many key recommendations set by the Járóka Report.
Future of EU Intelligence and Internal Security: Time has come for stocktaking. Ágnes Hankiss MEP 2011. 03. 31. A Hearing on 'The Future of EU Intelligence and Internal Security' was organised yesterday by a Hungarian centre-right Member of the EPP Group. Ágnes Hankiss MEP highlighted the importance of improving the cooperation among and the coordination between national secret services under the helm of the European Union.