newsitems
newsitems
German President Gauck calls CoE to apply, not water down Human Rights + for EU Cohesion via Values
*Strasbourg/CoE/ACM/- In his 1st ever Speech at CoE's PanEuropean Assembly, at the eve of a Crucial Debate and Vote on a critical Report on Turkey, due to review in 2013 the situation of Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law in that Country almost a Decade since a controversial 2004 decision to close Monitoring Ankara's obligations vis a vis the CoE, had been taken just before EU's Historic Enlargement to 10 former Central-Eastern European Countries, Malta and Cyprus, new German President Joachim Gauck launched a vibrant call for the CoE to avoid compromises at the expense of Human Rights, which threaten to water them down, but, on the contrary, to Fight for their Respect by all its 47 Member States in real practice, otherwise risking to endanger its Credibility and become an Empty Shell.
At the same time, replying to MEPs' Questions, Gauck pleaded in substance for a European Cohesion based on Economic, Cultural, Human Rights and Political Values of "Ethical" and practical importance for EU Citizens.
Significantly, the President of the biggest EU Member Country inside the PanEuropean CoE today, who shares with Chancellor Angie Merkel a common History as former inhabitant of the late Eastern German "Socialist" State, Famous for the fact that his Family faced State Oppression as former Dissidents, with the rare privilege to be Popular both in the Left and Highest Public Office, thanks to the governing ChristianDemocrats' succesful support after an insufficient earlier attempt only by the Socialists and the Greens, etc, has notoriously chosen to base his personal role in European History mainly on the idea of "Freedom".
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- Indeed, "Freedom of Speech" is of "tremendous" importance, an "Historic Gift", particularly on ..."politically unconfortable discussions", began his speech to CoE's MEPs President Gauck, marked by a spicy start...
- Expressing his "Concern" for "the ... question : How can we help this precious, but sadly often underestimated, institution (the CoE) to emerge from the shadow of the E.U. and be appreciated for its true worth", he stressed from the outset that his "visit to Strasbourg has ... an overarching theme : Human Rights".
=> - "We still need the CoE, even more than ever, as a Crucial Forum for Human Rights" : "Because", f.ex., "Human Trafficking and Forced Prostitution must stop. Opposition Activists should Not fear Persecution, or for their Lives. People should not face Discrimination, on any grounds whatever", (etc), denounced the German President, for example, today, in addition to "Freedom of Speech" (Comp. Supra).
- "Council of Europe came into being (after 1959) as a reaction to two dreadful wars that claimed the lives of millions of people and split the continent for almost half a century", (almost a Century if one adds also the 1870 Franco-German war, eve of the 1914 and 1939 World Wars). "Back on 1949, that meant a very great deal "Peoples of Europe (to) draw closer together in Economic, Social and Cultural terms", thanks to the "CoE (which) embraced the Vision of a Politically UnitedEurope, long before the EU embarked on its course via Economic Integration and the Single Currency; towards a Political, Treaty-based Community as well", he reminded.
But, "CoE developed a particularly strong attraction at the End of the Cold War", that "many People, including me (a former Dissident in the late East Germany then), remember that with deep Gratitude", Gauck noted, pointing in particular at former Russian President "Michael Gorbatchev's" "idea of a "Common European Home", voiced here in Strasbourg "in the Summer of 1989", an aspiration for the whole Continent", just a few "Months before Hungary opened its Borders and... the Fall of the Berlin Wall", followed by a period of "over a good 10 Years" during which "all the formerly Socialist Countries but two joined the CoE", making of "Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law" key "standards also in Centarl and Eastern Europe", so that the CoE became "the Guardian of our Values", mainly based on "an Ethical foundation".
Thus, today, CoE "is perceived Differently, used Differently, and often also appreciated Differently, depênding on which point of the Compass one is looking on" : F.ex. , as a former Dissident in the late Eastern Block, "I remember well how.. it was the COE, along with the UNO, which was a major Orientation point for Human Rights Activists and Dissidents", while it also "later offered support for the development of New National Democracies in Central Eastern and South-Eastern Europe", the German President observed.
- It's, therefore, as a "partner and co-Agitator" of such an institution, that President Gauck expressed today his "Expectations of the CoE", as he said :
- "First of all, Rights and Freedoms on Paper are Not enough ; they must be Guaranteed in real Practice", President Gauck stressed from the outset. "That's particularly true when it comes to the Guarantees of the European Convention on Human Rights", whose "credibility" relies on ...Dealing with it in (real) Practice", so that "All 47 Member States must accept the Consequences of Condemnations by the European Court" of HR.
Having "personally Experienced" what it means "when a State does not feel itself Bound by its own Laws or by International Agreements", "when the Law on Paper is very Different to real Practice", Gauck warned CoE against the "Risk that Violations of Fundamental Rights might go Unrecognized or be Ignored", inviting MEPs to at least use the PanEuropean Organization's "common area" in order to at least "Talk about our Concerns" in this regard, as he said just 1 Day before a crucial Debate and Vote on Turkey's commitments by CoE's Parliamentary Assembly, tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.
F.ex., "I was very Moved by reports of Abuse in Prisons from the CoE's Anti-Torture Committee" (CPT), "and it Troubles me ... when agreed Standards become nothing more than Waste Paper, because Arbitrariness, Corruption, and Cover-ups are sometimes Stronger than Courageous Voices from the CoE or many NGOs", Gauck denounced. "We must be United in our (CoE's) demands for Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law, if our (CoE's) canon of Values in Not to Lose its Credibility and become nothing but an Empty Shell", he warned.
- "We (CoE) need a Regular dose of such ReAssurance in Every Country, with No Obstacles put up by its Government", and, in this regard, "it's good that CoE's Monitopring Reports can be accessed and quoted", because "this Helps all those who Fight for Democracy, Rule of Law and Human Rights". And "we (Europeans) must Never make Savings at the Expense of Practical Support for the Implementation of Human Rights in Europe and the World !", Gauck pointed out, largely applauded by CoE's MEPs.
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- In this regard, the German President's "2nd point" was to express his "absolute Astonishment and Shock", for "the continuation of an Old Conflict", even after the End of the "Cold War", when some "found it Difficult to Speak Out Openly against Violations of Human Rights", "because they Feared jeopardizing a so-called "policy of change through raprochement", "once again arguing" Today, in particular, "that Defending Human Rights would be Irreconciliable with ... Political and Economic Interests".
- But, in fact, "the Claim that Economic Cooperation would force us (CoE) to make Compromises on Human Rights, is even Less convincing Now, than it was then", during the Cold War era of the Past, Gauck criticized.
- Not only because of the fact that "a businessman wil decide to Invest if he can find a Secure Basis for Planning, and a Stable Legal framework", since "Reliability is a valued Commodity for Business", while also, Today, "States become more and more Dependent on each other, in the age of Globalization", so that "the development of Economic Relations on the European Continent confirms currently that being Critical on Human Rights isn't really an obstacle to increased Trade", since "CoE's Member States agreed on a Clear Framework for their Cooperation", which means "that Human Rights are Not Negotiable", he observed.
+ But also because "we (Europeans) don't want to, and cannot let down those who struggle for Human Rights, already accepted on Paper, to be really respected in practice, in whatever Country it might be", the German President added, pointing at the "Helsinki" Act, which was "for my generation the Keyword which gave us Hope" as former Dissidents, and at "the European Convention on Human Rights", eyed by "many Civil Rights Activists Today, especially in Societies in Transition" : - So that "If a member State of the CoE Violates the Rules on which it agreed on its Accession, such violation cannot go without Criticism Nor Unpunished !". In such cases, "as Europeans, we are entitled, and even have a Duty to Act", he strongly stressed.
+ And it's even "at the basis" of "the Universal Declaration of Human Rights", that, "we should feel .. called upon to act" also "as Citizens of he World", since "Human Rights are Universal and Indivisible, as is the Responsiblity for them", Gauck added.
- Indeed, it's by "Staring into the Bottomless Abyss", revealed particularly "after the 2nd World War", which "Opened Humanity's Eyes on what Matters", that "Rules for Human Rights were drawn up", "representing a Great Achievement of our Civilisation", and "the International Community of those committed to uphold Human Rights emerged, above all, from Existential Crises", when "we understood that where People lose their Rights, we ultimately lose Everything : Mutual Respect, Dignity, Life, Future", he reminded.
- That's why, "although Human Rights were initially formulated .. in the Western World, they have .. Roots in Many parts of the Globe, and .. are valid Worldwide", being "our most important Global Asset", simply because they "are innate and Inalienable, valid for every .. Individual person", based on the principle that "Human Beings are Equal, regardless of Cultural, Religious, Social or other Differences", "strengthening Humanity as a whole", concluded on this point the new German President, (who is also a former Christian Priest), indirectly but surely pointing also at the Historic September 2005 World Summit for UNO's 60th Anniversary at New York, which reformed the International Organization mainly by creating a Worldwide Human Rights Council, headquartered at nearby Geneva, (Comp. "EUroFora" Co-Founder's NewsReports from UNO's HQ at N.Y. during this exceptional event, of obvious potential importance for all Humankind).
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- Finally, Gauck's "3rd point" was to underline that "Enforcement of Human Rights is a never-ending task", pending "on our (Europe's) Agenda", and to point at NGOs and other Civil Society Activists as an important Factor, able to help obtain effective results in this regard.
Even if "it takes Time to implement Human Rights in a Society", and despite "Different political and cultural backgrounds" between various European Countries, nevertheless, often "things move Quickly forward" and "Transformations can be Swifter than expected"., he observed.
- At any case, "there must be No Double Standards in Europe when it comes to Human Rights, No 2-Class Human Rights system, and No Differend Treatment between (CoE's) Member States", which should be "judged ... by the Same Yardstick", with the CoE "insisting on the Same Standards for Everyone". stressed the German President.
- Among various other concrete Examples, he cited also "the Fight against Racism and Intolerance", including "Racialy motivated Violence" or even "Murders" by "Extremists", (as those recently investigated in Germany), etc., while "Discrimination and Violence, in different forms, is currently witnessed throughout Europe", (not only "by Majority communities against Minorities, but also by Minorities against Majority or Other Minorities", as he noted), including against "Muslims", "Gays", and other groups, together with "Social Exclusion" (particularly "of Sinti and Roma", etc), which has become a "prominent Problem", as he said, speaking during an exceptional period of Economic Crisis.
- But, at the same time, several "Young People are growing up with a new perception", including "some Young Human Rights Activists" who were "hereToday", at "the CoE", which could become "a reliable Focal Point" currently "needed by the Civil Society", as a place "where they can go to be Heard, submit Complaints and request Assistance" :
- Thus, saluting many "representatives of European NGOs", (whose Congress usually meets in Strasbourg at the same time with CoE's Parliamentary Assembly), the German President expressed his "great Admiration" to those "Champions of Human Rights", without whose "Courage", many of "CoE's pledges would exist only on Paper", while "Democracy would not survive without (their) impassioned Voices", and the "Aspiration to make Human Rights Universal and indivisible would never become a tangible reality for each and every one of us", without their "persistent, practical Solidarity", as he said before meeting in Strasbourg a group of them, after having already visited earlier Today even COE's Press Centre to briefly speak at the working place of astonished (and unprepared) Journalists, who didn't know that they might have such an exceptional -even if too brief- chance...
+ Naturally NGO's and other Activists' input goes together with the "ECHR", which "often is the Last Hope of the Desperate and Disenfranchised, of those whose Human Rights have been Violated", which "must remain Able to Function for the sake of all those Protesting against Human Rights' Violations, and Risking so much, perhaps even heir Lives", Gauck added.
=> - "Let"s make of the CoE he Best it can be within Europe : a strong Community, which, despite all Differences, can forster and strengthen Cohesion", while, "to the Outside World", it should serve as "a Credible Example of Democracy in action, binding Rule of Law, and Universal Human Rights" (comp. Supra), he appealed in conclusion.
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Gauck's replies to MEPs' Questions : - European Cohesion through Values ?
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+ Today, indeed, "we need a Stronger Sense of Cohesion in Europe", particularly in facing "an Anti-European feeling that seems to rise", during a period of "Financial and Monetary Difficulties that weigh heavily". "We can come up with all ...rational arguments .. that Economists are giving", "but the rational element is just one part of the debate", Gauck added in reply to MEPs' questions, apparently pointing also to motivating Ideas and Values.
- Pleading in favor of a "European Germany", Gauck observed a "need for greater sensitivity about the Differing political circumstances that prevail in different parts of Europe. We must be able to talk about our Differences with one another, so that we can strengthen what we have in Common" :
-"Over the years, there has been a sense of Continuity in the European Ideal, and we need to get that across to our European Partners". "There is much to do, particularly in Translation". F.ex."some ideas about readiness for reform and for economic reform could serve us all, so we need to find the right language. .... We need to find a Common Language to convey those ideas".
From the technical point of view, as things stand Today, despite the importance of Russian, French and German Languages, in fact, "is the language most used by those who want to communicate" is "English (which) has become the lingua franca", he observed later-on. Therefore, "it seems to me that the most straightforward solution is to use English", (even if, in parallel, our national "language and culture is not something that I want to give up on – absolutely not. We want to harness what we have because it is very special. It is our culture and we want to nurture it". And, in a longer term, "We (Europeans) also want to create a basis for better communication in Future", as he said.)
- "We can achieve the aims" of "Cohesion and co-existence", "if we are Sure of our own Values". "When we are Sure of our own Identities, we can afford to live Together peacefully". F.ex., "People who are particularly attached to their own Religion seem to me to be ready to accept Differences. ...Tolerance is born from Conscience of one’s Values. A Twofold Strategy should be employed ...: We need to be confident in and Aware of our Values, while paying attention to the principle of Diversity'", experienced German President Gauck said in reply to MEP's questions at CoE's PanEuropean Assembly.
Meanwhile, "Integration is constantly on our Agenda". It "remain(s) an important issue, and it is of course one that concerns our fellow Turkish citizens", for whom "Integration is writ large", he added.
+ In parallel, "discussing political Values and ensuring that these principles can be appealed before a Court in countries undergoing transition, represents one of the most important tasks ...of the Council of Europe as a whole", Gauck added...."Signing the European Convention and, indeed, the UN convention is ...something that will have immediate Legal Effect from the moment of signature"."Some will say that we need more Time to anchor the rule of law and to ensure that the State is governed by the rule of law, but I Disagree. We already have the rule of Law and it is inalienable", he stressed.
Concerning in particular serious Crimes committed in the Past at various Countries, when a MEP questioned the Prescriptions imposing Time Deadlines for the prosecution of those responsible, President Gauck, (who has earned a reputation also in investigating several former STASI Officials'abuses in Eastern Germany), found the matter "interesting" : - "There is a possibility to talk about responsibility and guilt and to do so Outside of a Court context", he replied. "We can talk about guilt and responsibility in different dimensions – in terms of criminal law, moral responsibility, religious responsibility and so forth. In each of these dimensions there are different bodies to which we can turn, and the court is one such possibility". But "there is a statute of limitations and it forms part of our ...liberal values, and I would not question that. Nevertheless, it should be possible for us to talk about political responsibilities, to ....be brought into the discussion. Surely it must be possible to talk about what happened; and who did what. "Even if you cannot bring these matters before a court", neverheless, "it is Important for us to have a public debate", and "for people not to be disfranchised ..... I think that it would be a learning process"; he suggested, apparently pointing at something similar to the Post-Appartheid South African "Truth Commission", which has also been proposed, mutatis-mutandis, for various other Crimes where prosecution was Time-barred, in several other countries.
- Concerning "Questions (which) are rightly being asked about unbridled Financial Markets", "Throughout Europe, (and) in particular (at) those countries most affected by the (Global) Crisis", the German President supported the view that "we (Europeans) should not undermine Economic Freedom in any way, but we need to establish a proper Legal context that .. does not enable it to undermine Social Structures".
- In fact, "those who are economically active need to play the game according to the Rules". For that purpose, Today, "we need to look at New Ethical models or guidelines. There is an interesting debate going on ....about having confidence in the economy, but with new ethical considerations. Those who are strong in the economy should not necessarily be given free rein. We owe that to the weaker in society, but we should not go down the path of outright anti-capitalism either". Thus, "we need to work together with Unions and Employers, who need to play a greater role", also because "a strong economy presupposes strong trade unions", and "employees’ economic interests need to be recognised", as wall as "their role ...in society", Because "Workers are actors; they are not the mere victims of those who wield economic power", as he said in conclusion.
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French Foreign Minister Fabius to Eurofora: For the Unity of Opposition in Syria
*Strasbourg/EU Parliament/Angelo Marcopolo/- France is in favor of the Unification of all the democratic forces opposed to President Bashar Assas in Syria, said to "EuroFora" French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabious, experienced former Prime Minister and Parliament Speaker, after expressing his regrets for the fact that, otherwise, and in the absence of a major change, the current situation doesn't seem to offer any other obvious Good solution in the foreseeable future, as things stand today.
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- "Yes, I Hope. I really do hope so !", stressed smiling Fabius in reply to "EuroFora"s question if he thought that there is any real possibility for the Syrian Opposition to be United, (as f.ex. it was done in Libya and other Arab a.o. Countries in the recent Past).
- A fortiori when "Syria was traditionally a United Country", as the French Minister observed already earlier in this regard, speaking at EU Parliament's Foreign affairs Committee.
- Meanwhile, some Dissident circles represented also in Strasbourg circulated inside the EU Parliament ther refusal to consider the Unification of all the Syrian Opposition as a "Condition" for a decisive help from Western Countries, (despite the importance that Russia and others traditionaly give to this crucial point : See relevant, previous "EuroFora"s NewsReports). "Questions are always raised about the Reason for which the Syrian Opposition is not United" yet. "But, will the International Community remain always without doing nothing, while People are still killed in Syria, simply because it would be waiting for a Political Unification" among all Dissidents, they wondered, considering that it was today merely "Hypothetical"....
- To "EuroFora"s question on the Real Reasons for which, exceptionally, in Syria, the Unification of all 0pposants to Bashar Assad seems much more Difficult than in any other Country (Comp. Supra), a well informed American observer pointed mainly to the fact that "the Kurdish Minority wants to have a Right to use the Kurdish Language" in the Area predominantly inhabited by Kurdish populations"; i.e. close to the Turkish border.
This fits with critical observations made recently on the sidelines of an EU Council in Brussels by a Syrian Kurdish Journalist to "EuroFora", who claimed, indeed, that Turkey's obstinated Refusal to admit any Cultural/Linguistic a.o. Autonomy of the Syrian Kurdish Minority, with the result to "Block" in practice the Opposition's Unification, merely because of Ankara's fear to have to face, sooner or later, to face a similar prospect inside its own territory, as it's currently also the case in Iraq, etc.
- In this regard, replying earlier to MEP's questions, the French Minister agreed that it seems to be some "Hopes" regarding Turkey's reported "Talks with the PKK" on the Kurdish issue.
Could EU Parliament's careful wording in favor of taking "Steps conducive to the Opening (in the EU - Turkey Negotiations) of the Chapter on Regional policy", (strongly Opposed by many MEPs of various Political Groups and from several EU Countries), - after new French Socialist President Hollande reportedly accepted after his Election, even if this wasn't really debated in Public during the 2012 Electoral campaign : See "EuroFora"s relevant Previous NewsReport dated February 20, from Paris- be, in fact, also an attempt to help broker a Regional Deal with Ankara over the Kurdish issue, which might contribute to find a solution in the Syrian conflict ? Otherwise, it would obviously be difficult to explain the real reason of such a concession to Ankara, since the Turkish Authorities have, instead of doing any progress on their obligations vis a vis EU's Standards, on the contrary, aggravated recently the Violations of Human Rights and the derogations to the detriment of Democratic principles, the Threats and/or intransigeance vis a vis Neighbouring Countries Greece, Armenia, and Cyprus, etc., as many key MEPs critically denounced in a "hot" EU Parliament's debate yesterday...
- "It's very Difficult not to be Pessimist" : "It's a horrible Tragedy", stressed earlier on the current situation in Syria, the experienced French Foreign Minister.
- "I'm not optimist for the Future, because, if we try to continue what is going on until now, there is a Risk of Explosion, where the most Extremist elements take over : Iran regime's allies, from the side of Mr. Assad, and, from the side of Sunnites, (as he said), Al Quaida-linked forces, might counter-balance that, if the current situation is prolonged. This could not only augment the number of persons killed, but also have serious Repercussions throughout all the neighbouring Region, f.ex. on Lebanon, Jordany, Iraq and even Turkey : This is a Major Danger, considering also the Chemical Weapons existing in Syria", he warned, (timely speaking the same day that US and Russian Media reported that the 2 Chechen Terrorists who killed innocent People in Boston, and were following developments in Syria, had lived in Turkey and even acquired a Turkish nationality)..
- "So, the only "good" Solution would be a Political one. I.e. to change the situation on the ground, so that both sides accept to discuss between them. It's true that there are Different positions between the various components of the Opposition. But we (France) support, nevertheless, the (Turkey-based, controversial) NCS, because we think that a solution is needed, which would not be similar to the non-solution of Iraq, so that the Institutions (of the Syrian State, mainly the Army) can contine to exist. Otherwise, they risk to implose, and push us all back to the previously examined situation, i.e. that which could be dominated by extremists, provoking Chaos.
"In this regard, what is needed is Humanitarian and Political efforts, at a level that we haven't reached yet, and, from another side, is raised the question of the Arms' embargo, that EU a.o. maintain, while others don't always, including f.ex. Iran, Russia and other Countries. So, the UK and France have raised this issue, which is due to be discussed at the end of May", he pointed out.
In fact, there arguments both for and against the Arms Embargo. In favor of lifting it, is obviously the fact that, otherwise, the Dictator (Bashar Assad) would continue to provoke massacres. As for the Opposition, its Majority is more or less "Moderate", but, there are also Extremists who risk to take over, particularly if things don't change", Fabius found out. However, there is also the problem that, if Arms arrive at Syria, they might be usurpated by Extremists. So, it's all that that we (EU) have to examine on May", Fabious had anounced from the start.
- But, as things stand today, Fabius expressed, earlier in conclusion, his "great Concern", "because there is no good solution", as he said, "since all existing alternatives present serious Dangers", (comp. Supra), and there is currently no "Deus ex machina" who might offer, suddenly, out of the blue, a satisfactory solution" in the current situation, in which "I don't have yet a ready-made solution", he acknowledged.
However, "this doesn't mean that nobody shouldn't do anything to try to find a solution, but, on the contrary, that all should mobilize their energies in order to help definitevelt stop that on-going bloody conflict, and, in this regard, "I wish that the EU does its best", Fabius concluded
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EU Commissioner Barnier to EuroFora on Cyprus President Anastassiades idea:Same Bank checks for all?
*Strasbourg/EU Parliament/16-17 April 2013/Angelo Marcopolo/- New Cyprus' Presidenty Nicos Anastassiades' proposal to establish similar Banks' monitoring to that recently imposed on Cyprus, also to all other EU Countries, in order to avoid misundestandings and/or eventual unfair competition, etc., wasn't excluded at all, and even appeared rather accepted, even welcome (at least partly), by EU Commissioner Michel Barnier, for whom this seems to come Timely, particularly considering his current efforts to complete the Banking Union, which is crucial for EU Solidarity and stimulation of Growth.
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"EuroFora" made it clear that this point was raised as a matter of general principle, and for the future, (included also vis a vis the much needed completion of €uroZone's Banking Union), after Cyprus' President Nicos Anastassiades' reported wish to call for similar Checks, as those recently imposed by €uroGroup's new Chair, Socialist Dutch Minister of Finances, Dijsselbloem, on Banks in Cyprus, to be applied also to all €uroArea's Banks, in all Member Countries, so that there will be no risk for Discrimination, thanks to a unique regime in all relevant situations.
- Indeed, we (EU Commission) are working for the Future", stressed from the outset Barnier, in reply to "EuroFora"s question, referring for the management of currently evolving affairs to his collegue, EU Commissioner Oli Rehn.
- But this will be done also "in order for everything to be crystal-Clear, and well known in Advance", the experienced, twice EU Commissioner, and former Foreignj Minister underlined, replying to "EuroFora"s relevant question.
- Naturally, such moves "should concern all the [€uroArea) Banks". "In the case of Cyrus, it was different : We (EU) reacted to an urgency". "But in future, everything will be clear for the Banks in advance", he promissed.
+ "In all these Crisis, that of Cyprus, as well as in the cases of other EU Countries, there are 2 Times", Barnier added, later-on, Timely taking the initiative, in a last-minute move, for an unscheduled appearance during EU Parliament's Plenary Debate on Cyprus, where he usefuly completed His collegue, EU Commissioner on Financial/Monetary issues, Oli Rehn, (strongly Criticized by most MEPs for the substance and/or the way that controversial Socialist Dutch Minister of Finances, Dijjselboem, new €uroGroup's chair, reacted in the case of Cyprus, suddenly affecting seriously many People and putting at stake EU's own credibility vis a vis Foreign Investors) :
- "1st the time for acting in Urgency, as in a kind of Medical Operation. And we all know the Efforts required by the European People", Barnier reminded..
- "Afterwards, there is another Time, that of Prevention, and of the Lessons that we must learn. And it's in these cases that the proposals I make and EU Parliament's action is situated".
- "Cyprus is certainly not a model. But there are Lessons to be learned in Cyprus, as also in all other such cases, and we (EU) are learning them, case by case, week after week, since 3 years, together :
Thus, f.ex., against "Bad Monitoring, we (EU Commission) have presented a draft the creation of EU (Bank) Monitoring Authorities, and it will be ready to operate Next Year (2014) at Spring a European Force of Supervision, integrated inside €uroZone with the CEB".
"Bad Capitalisation of Banks. Unjustifiable and excessive Bonus, which encourages Risk-taking : (EU Parliament) has just replied, on the basis of (Austrian ChristianDemocrat MEP) Otmar Karas, voted by 608 MEPs Yesterday. It's a text of Fundamental importance, for Banks' resilience", Barnier pointed out.
"Last but not least, as many (MEPs) have just said : (EU) Tools, clearly anounced in Advance, for the Resolution of Crisis, for the Bail-In, etc., a complete Toolkit. I've presented a Draft proposal last year, which is currently under Discussion, and on June (2013) I will present a proposal for the creation of an EU Authority for Resolution, in the framework of the current (EU) Treaty", he anounced.
- "It's true that we (EU) can and must act Faster, and, most of all, that we (EU) must advance until full completion of these Reforms, and the fastest possible", Barnier concluded.
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(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already sent earlier to "EuroFora"s Subscribers/Donors. A more accurate, full Final Version might be Published asap).
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New French EU affairs Minister Repentin to EuroFora: Debates with Citizens before EU Election 2014
*Strasbourg/EU Parliament/Angelo Marcopolo/- New French Minister for EU affairs, Thierry Repentin, replying to "EuroFora"s questions during his 1st visit in EU Parliament, launched a vibrant call to Timely kick-start the forthcoming EU Electoral campaign for the May 2014 Vote, by debating with EU Citizens on the spot, in a way which reveals the links between EU Decisions and People's Everyday Lives, in concrete terms, i.e. practically endorsing "EuroFora"s main idea in the preparation of the crucial 2014 EU Elections.
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"We must speak about Europe in concrete terms, because many Citizens have a Bureaucratic, abstract image of the EU", he stressed earlier.
- "Europe mustn't be present in the People's eyes only in times of Crisis, as, f.ex., recently, with the solution that €uoGroup had to find in the case of Cyprus, while it's never cited concerning everyday life", he criticized.
- "During the forthcoming Year (i.e. in the run-up to May 2014 EU Elections), I have also a Mission to make concrete (handy) what was for years almost impossible to handle", Repentin characteristically pointed out.
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- "EuroFora" asked the new French EU Minister if he found that debating with EU Citizens in concrete terms before forthcoming important EU Decisions which affect their Lives, would help incite them to be more active in EU decision-making processes, including, naturally, by participating in 2014 EU Elections.
- "During the 1st exchanges of views that I had with various among those Responsible for the European ideal, be it Ministers, Ambassadors, etc. of this or that Country, I systematically speak with them on the Rendez-vous of May 2014", Minister Repentin revealed, in reply to "EuroFora"s question.
- "Why ? Because I have the impression that they are most of the time focused on Guiding the (EU) car, these Responsible People try to find Solutions to problems affecting everyday life, which are raised to them.
- "But, by being focused on the Driving wheel, they forget to look for a Perspective at the Horizon", Repentin criticized....
- "And, I think that we (EU) should experience a kind of collective conscientisation (acknowledgment), all together, independently of the Poltical commitments of one or another, so that, we can tell our Citizens, through some Concrete Examples, how the EU benefits them", the New French Minister suggested.
- "Also, to be careful : Sometimes, certain Decisions with only a Marginal (EU) Budgetary impact, have an enormous impact in our (EU) Citizens' Lives " :
- "F.ex., the (EU) Help to Poor People : It's only marginal inside EU Budget. But it has an Extraordinary Impact in the Public Opinion !", he pointed out.
- "The simple fact that, thanks also to France and others' action, we succeeded to reverse a controversial initial Decision, which had put a Break, even a full Stop to the (EU) Food Help for extremely Poor People, should have been perceived as very Positive. But we (EU) didn't manage to find, collectively, a way to valorize it" in People's minds. "It's a fact that some (other) (EU) Countries were not very enthousiast about that, and, may be, it's because of this, that we (EU) didn't publicize it as something positive", he observed.
- "We : (EU Member) States, Countries, must engage effectively in activities of Communication on May 2014", Minister Repentin proposed.
-"Why ? Because, otherwise, all this Year it (EU Elections of 2014) risks to pass without even being noticed !", he warned.
- "Since all our (EU) Countries have scheduled RDV with National or Regional Elections, which are the most Important in the eyes of our (EU) Citizens", he revealed.
- F.ex., in France we have the Local Elections on March 2014, and if they (EU) Elections were held almost the Same Day, then, most People would probably talk only about their Municipalities", he warned...
- But, "the fact that there is a Difference between the Dates of each Election, (f.ex. in the French case : From March to May 2014), this gives us a Hope and a Chance to act Beforehand -and that's also my role as animator of these Debates, to go on the spot,
- "Before the (March 2014 EU) Elections it's my role to go on the spot, to visit together with Elected MEPs : I hope that they can visit with me, in order to become well known to the People", the New French EU Minister anounced.
- "So that, during the Next 8 Months, (April - December 2013), before Next Winter, we can visit, in order to incarnate what Europe means in the environment of Everyday Life".
- "Afterwards, there will be a(n Electoral) Campaign of just 1 Month, after the Local Elections (of March 2014), for the Campaign on the European Elections" of May 2014, he noted.
- Meanwhile, "the Electoral System will remain at a Regional basis, as it is now, without any change, hoping that this will help to better Identify the actors, if th Men and Women who embody the European Idea, are visible at a certain Region, instead of a purely National area, which would risk to be seen as even more Distant than currently the EU", Repentin explained.
In this regard, the new EU Minister expressed his satisfaction for the fact that the Foreign Minister, Laurent "Fabius, is the No 2 after the Prime Minister", as well as that, "in this atypical Ministry" for EU affairs, "one plays, in fact, an Inter-Ministerial role, and sees, almost Each Day, or two, the President of the Republic, (Francois Hollande) at the Elysee" palace, as he was glad to say, also observing that "he thinks and speaks of Europe, almost at the occasion of most among many various issues", often as a possible "Solution for Employment and Growth".
+ Moreover, the fact that "the current President of the European Investment Bank", (EIB : often cited as a main Tool for stimulating Growth in the foreseeable Future), is a former Minister of EU Affairs in Germany, Werner Hoyer, (Comp. Hoyer's statements to "EuroFora", on EU Integration, already as early as since December 2010, before his recent venues at EU Parliament on July 2012 and January 2013, etc), was seen by Repentin, as something which "speaks in favor of all former EU affairs Ministers", as he said in reaction to "EuroFora"s observation of this timely coincidence...
--------------------------
- "When we speak about stimulating Growth, or regarding Social protection, the Regional Funds, etc., there, the European Ideal is really incarnated (embodied) in concrete things", he noted earlier.
"F.ex., in my previous responsibilities, when we proposed to extend Erasmus to apprenteeships in order to be trained also in other Countries, when we spoke about an EU Status for apprenteeship, or when (Social affairs Minister) Michael Sapin was (together with his German counterpart, Minister Ursula Von Leyen), established at nearby Kehl an Office for the Employment of both French and German People in one and same location, etc., that's something concrete".
"Many speak too often about Europe by abusing of some incomprehensible terms, .. instead of speaking about a Better Control of Funds' Destination, or about the will to Moralize a practical activity, etc., then, People start to be interested".
Repentin, after working initially together with former MEP and Minister Jean-Pierre Cot, in addition to EU Commission in Brussels, worked as a Politician close to local/Regional grassroots matters, dealing with "Concrete" issues, such as f.ex. the Presidency of France's Social Housing (former "HLM"), during which he organized also a Congress in Strasbourg a few years ago, "pleading for Social Housing to be recognized (by the EU) as a General Interest Service, together with several other European allies, while, on the contrary, he didn't hesitate to lodge applications to the EU Court of Justice at Luxembourg, if he "found that the (EU) Treaty of Rome"'s principles were betrayed, f.ex. when someone inside EU Commission had attempted to banalize the "Livret A" : basic popular savings deposited in Banks ; or when we fought, together with various EU allies, for a Budgetary line destinated to Young People who faced Unemployment for a too Long period, somehting which is now a proposal inserted inside the 2014-2020 EU MultiAnnual Financial Perspectives currently under discussion ; as we did also for those Workers who are going to return to their country of origin, etc.
In fact, Europe is Present at People's Lives in concrete terms :
F.ex. as a locally elected politician in a sensitive Urban Area, I know that I couldn't help my compatriots if I didn't have the European Social Fund on my side, for (economic) insertion via Economy, in order to help Associations working on everyday Education of Young People who need a supplementary boost, while Public Services couldn't emerge without FEDER, (EU Regional Funds), and, being at a Borderline Region, I know what INTEREG procedures mean, as well as FEADER, which helps the Agricultural world ,...touching, at the same time, upon Economic Development, Social support, Spatial Planning, etc.
- "In my new role, during the forthcoming Year, (i.e. in the run up to May 2014 EU Elections), I also have the Responsibility to make Handy what was, until now, impossible to handle".
- "F.ex. I was recently at a Small-Medium Enterprise which had just been helped by the EIB allowing it to lodge an application for Pattern, according to the new, Simplified procedure : That's also a kind of Stimulation for Growth", he observed.
- At any case, "We are living inside an EU which has 27 Countries, and the role of an EU Affairs Minister is also to try to convince Countries which are not yet oriented towards Economic Growth, etc. Repentin noted, after having already visited earlier his counterparts in Berlin and Helsinki, etc.
(../..)
EU co-Rapporteur on Emissions Trade System Groote to EuroFora: CO2-Future Fuel research in parallel
*Strasbourg/EU Parliament/Angelo Marcopolo/- CO2 might, eventually, become in Future a Potential Energy Source, if some pioneer Scientists' idea proves to be true, admitted EU Parliament's co-Rappoteur on the "Green House" Emissions Trading System, German Socialist MEP Matthias Groote, in reply to an "EuroFora" question, after a controversial and thin Majority in EU Parliament sent his Report of Backloading back to the Environment Committee, while the EU is currently engaged in various crucial Negotiations for related International Agreements possibly including also the USA and other Major Global Partners, (comp. Infra and other relevant NewsReports).
----------------------------------------
"EuroFora" had raised a relevant "question on the sidelines of the ETS issue" :
- "Some Scientists, who presented their work 1 or 2 years ago at EU Parliament in Brussels and elsewhere, claimed that CO2 could become in the Future a kind of New source for Energy, with certain Technical Innovations". (See, f.ex. http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/co2futurefuel.html + http://co2futurefuel.org/ ).
- "Do you think that if it becomes a Reality in the foreseeable Future, this might affect the prices or anything else in the (current) ETS", as it stands today ?, "EuroFora" asked.
----------
- I don't think that "this means" that we "should", or "ought to" do this or that, vis a vis the ETS, since it can't be said that"we (MEPs) are .. an instrument" of RST, "and that's it", reacted, as a matter of principle, Groote.
- "It (Scientists' idea that CO2 can be transformed to "Fuel" in the Future) may become true, in 1 Year or 2, who knows ?", EU Parliament's ETS Co-Rapporteur acknowledged, as far as "EuroFora"s Question is concerned.
- "But, for the moment, what we know is that CO2 is a very Dangerous Green House Gas, and it's causing us Problems, that we are trying to solve", he reminded.
- So, "I don't think that it's useful to Speculate about whether COS might become a source of Energy", or not, as things stand today, EU's co-Rapporteur on ETS said, not excluding such a possibility at all...
=> - "Scientists can work on that, (i.e. on the C02 - Future Fuel hypothesis). "It's not my role to work out potential Energy sources, and eventually identify the Carbon Storage, f.ex., as something that we can Develop further", the German MEP suggested.
- "But, at any case, we need to have ETS Prices, Thresholds, we need to have Financial Resources, etc., and we are actually Damaging the perspective to have the appropriate Investment and EU Trade policy", since "Co2 is damaging, and I don't want to speculate at all" on the need to tackle that problem, he insisted.
- "Else, I have to say that it's very Unfortunate what happened", earlier today, (i.e. by voting to send back to Committee the Draft Report on ETS Backloading, since EU Commission's proposal was rejected by a thin majority of MEPs). "As Peter Liese said, a lot of EPP Members supported him and me, so that the EPP is not at all a "Polluters' Party", on the contrary it's with us. I welcome and accept that, I'm very Grateful". On the contrary, "those (MEPs : mainly Brittish Conservatives, a.o.) who voted in that damaging way, are going to face their Responsibilities, and we must make them understand for the years to come", Groote warned the recalcitrants vis a vis ETS, as things stand today.
Groote said that after a proposal lodged by some 40 to 50 MEPs managed, with a Thin Majority of only 334 against 315 votes, and 63 Abstentions, to send his Report on the "Timing of Auctions of Greenhouse Gas allowances", back to the Environment Committee.
Christian-Democrat MEP Peter Liese also expressed his "Regrets" for that Negative vote on the Backloading Report, warning that it might "Drop Further" the ETS' "Prices".
But Liese also observed that "to refer the Report back to Committee will give" to MEPs an "Opportunity to Re-Consider their Position", in one way or another.
Apparently, this might include also a possibility to have a better view on eventual developments concerning the above-mentioned C02-Future Fuel hypothesis (Comp. Supra).
--------------------------
+ Meanwhile, focusing on the adoption, of his own Report on the "Scheme for Greenhouse Gas Emmission Allowances Trade" by 577 votes against 114, and 21 abstentions, Dr. Liese launched a Call to New USA State Secretary, John Kerry, to find either an Agreement or an "Alternative" vis a vis Europe's ETS system, as he had personaly supported as a Senator in the Past, and as US President Obama reportedly seems to accept in principle, despite an initial refusal by the American Senate, (which is, however, still controlled by Obama's Democratic Party).
For the Time being, EU Parliament accepted "for 1 Year" to exclude International Aviation from EU's ETS obligations, mainly in order to give a chance to EU Commission to conclude "a Global Agreement" inside ICAO, "may be in a slightly Modified" version of the current European system, which would hopefuly include the USA, but also Russia and possibly China, etc, Liese observed, pointing, indirectly but surely, also again at the importance of making good use of the Right Timing for a well informed choice of what is really best to do and when...
***
(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already sent, earlier, to "EuroFora"s Subsrcibers/Donors. A more accurate, full Final Version might be published asap).
***
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An "Eugenic" loophole Amendment, which might expose to Dangers reminiscent of "3rd Reich's" notorious Genetic Abuses, hidden at the last minute inside an otherwise Good, larger Health policy Package scheduled to be voted on Thursday, was strongly denounced by a coalition of MEPs from various Political Groups and Countries, in a Press Conference held this afternoon at EU Parliament in Strasbourg.
Mainly calling to "Select Human Embryos", via "Genetic Counselling" and "pre-implantation" Techniques including "Genetic Tests", in order to "Eradicate Hereditary rare Diseases", it might open ways to Dangerous Practices in Future, they denounced in substance.
But they also made it clear that a much larger Report inside which this Controversial Amendment "No 15" was added in dubious circumstances, officialy destinated to struggle against "Rare Diseases", and drafted by Professor Antonios Trakatellis, was otherwise "an Excellent Report", aiming at a "completely Uncontroversial target" of Health policy on which "all MEPs and Experts are united, believing that Europe should act" to protect People's Health (See "EuroFora"'s earlier News).
The controversy came at a particularly delicate moment for the EU in relation to Citizens, at the eve of June 2009 EU Elections, and shortly before Ireland re-votes for "Lisbon Treaty"..
- Denouncing risks of "an Eugenic demand, very similar to what we had during the 3rd Reich in Germany, but now coming from some Scientisists themselves", German ChristianDemocrat/EPP MEP Dr. Peter Liese stressed that critical MEPs were against "Eugenic" engineering with "Selection of Human Embryos", and anything which might ultimately lead up to to a "Selection of Human Race". It doesn't help to "eradicate" Human Lives, he added.
Several Experts and NGOs expressed "Deep Concern", as f;ex. DR M.C. Cornel of the "European Society of Human Genetics", which stressed, on this occasion, that "the importance of Non-Directiveness in Reproductive issues is a Central characteristic of Human Genetics, after the Atrocities committed in the name of Genetics in the first half or the 20th Century".
- "This is completely Unacceptable", stressed Italian Liberal MEP Vittorio Prodi, on the Controversial Amendment, also because pushes to "eliminate early Human Life", as he noted.
- "This opens a Dangerous Road, rather a Motorway", denounced Danish MEP Mrs Margrette Auken, from the "Greens", observing that various similar attempts were made in the Past "not only in Germany, but also in several other Countries, "even at the 1970ies", "f.ex. on forced Sterilisation of Roma" People, and other criticisable situations f.ex. in the UK, in Sweden, etc. as she said.
+ Other NGOs, as f.ex. "LebenHilfe" from Berlin, added that, among various other Risks, could also be that, by exploiting the pre-implantation Genetic Diagnostics and the Selection of "healthy" Embryos, some may "propagate" several "Eugenic" aims, starting f.ex. by pushing to eradicate Human Livies which might "Cost too much" to preserve, ultimately exposing to dangers reminiscent of the "3rd Reich"'s atrocious abuses.
In consequence, ChristianDemocrats/EPP and "Green" MEPs "decided by Majority to vote against" this Controversial Amendment, anounced to Journalists the 5 MEPs who participated in the Press Conference, representing a wide spectrum, from Liberals to "Greens" and ChristianDemocrats, and from Hungary, Italy, Germany and Danemark up to Ireland (Gay Mitchell), etc.
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Hungarian ChristianDemocrat MEP Laszlo Surjan said "that it was "Suddenly, at the End of the Procedure" in Committee, that "appeared this (Controversial) Amendment, which has nothing to do" with the main purpose of the Report, on which all agreed.
He denounced an "Unhonest" move, and called to "avoid this kind of unacceptable situations". Nobody should "Select People", Surjan stressed.
- "We (MEPs) had No Chance to Discuss" this last-minute Amendment earlier added at a Committee's level, said German MEP Peter Liese
Speaking to "EuroFora", Dr. Liese, the Spokesman of the ChristianDemocrat/EPP Group in EU Parliament, said that MEPs didn't oppose other references of the Report f.ex. on "Genetic Tests", because they were "no proposals" to impose them, while, on the contrary, there was "a Problem" if anyone attempted to "impose" f.ex. this or that Genetic Technique and "Genetic Counselling", etc. to the People on human reproduction.
-------------
The precise Text :
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Controversial parts of Amendment No 15 ask mainly "to lead finally to the Eradication" of "Hereditary" "rare diseases", "through Genetic Counselling .., and ..pre-Implantation Selection of healthy Embryos".
But EU Rapporteur Professor Trakatellis, said to "EuroFora" that fears should be alleviated by Guarantees that all this should be done only "where appropriate", when it's "not contrary to existing National Law", and "always on a Voluntary basis", according to other Parts of the Amendment.
He stressed that the main aim was to allow "a free and informed choice of persons involved", without imposing them anything : - "It's not an obligatory, but advisary" text, he said.
To make that point clear, he was ready, in agreement with many MEPs, to eventually drop at least that part of the controversial Amendment which initially called for "efforts to ..lead finally to the Eradication of those rare diseases" "which are Hereditary".
But, until late Wednesday evening, reportedly together with many other MEPs, he stood by all the rest of the controversial Amendment, (fex. on the "Genetic Counselling" and the "pre-implantation Selection of healthy Embryos"), so that critical MEPs, going from ChristianDemocrats as Dr. Liese, to "Greens" or "Ind/Dem", observed to "EuroFora" that "this was not enough" to close the dangerous loophole.
Particularly since, as Professor Trakatellis noted himself, "this is already allowed to the U.K.", and "other National Legislations would probably follow, sooner or later" in a similar direction. As for a general call to "Eradicate Hereditary rare Diseases", this "should happen, at any case, in practice, de facto", to protect public Health.
On the contrary, "our goal should be to help patients suffering from rare diseases, not to eradicate the patients. In case of genetic disease risk, the decision should not be guided by scenarios" made by politicians. "Perents who may decide to accept a child, even if handicapped or with genetic disease, must be respected and supported with solidarity", critical MEPs stated.
- "Any Pressure" to "a patient or couple (who "should be able to make an informed choice consistent with their own values"),"from health Professionals, Public Health Policies or Governemental Institutions, or Society at large, should be avoided", stresses the "European Society for Human Genetics".
----------------------------------
Each MEP's vote will be registered !
-----------------------------------
The Socialist Group requested a "Split vote" on the Amendment 15, first without, and afterwards with the words "lead finally to the Eradication" etc.
But the first "split vote" leaves intact all the other parts of the Controversial Amendment, (i.e. "Genetic Counselling", "Selection of healthy Embryos", etc).
That's why, 3 Groups of MEPs : ChristianDemocrats/EPP, "Greens/EFA", and "Ind/Dem", have asked for "Roll Call Votes", on everything regarding the Controversial Amendment No 15, and on the final outcome of the resulting Report as amended, which will register all the individual positions to be taken by each MEP.
Something which will obviously make each MEP think twice before voting for one or another choice, to be sure that he/she will make the right choice in front of EU Citizens, particularly at these pre-Election times...
Crucial Votes were scheduled between 12 Noon and 1 p.m. local Strasbourg time, in the middle of a long series of various other Reports, and after a long Public Debate on the larger Health policy package, from 9 to 11.50 am.
The specific Report inside which was hidden the controversial Amendment is due to be debated between 11 and 12 am.
So that more last-minute Surprises may not be excluded a priori...
Particularly at the present Historic moment, when even the Institutional Future of the EU depends on the result of a second Referendum on "Lisbon Treaty", later this year, in ...Ireland, a mainly Catholic country, where People are particularly sensitive in such kind of socio-cultural and values issues...