Brussels, 24/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - MEPs underlined the importance of cohesion policy for improving social integration and subsequently adopted, by a large majority (574 votes in favour, 84 against, 36 abstentions), an own initiative report put forward by Terry Reintke (Greens/EFA, Germany) in which they call on the European Commission to strengthen the integration of the Roma and populations marginalised in the European fund allocation process.
MEPs are concerned by the integration deficit of these communities existing on the margins of society, particularly during the drawing up, implementation and assessment of projects. They are subsequently calling for a more scrupulous application of the code of conduct for partnerships. This demand echoes the one recently made by the regions, in which Commissioner Corina Cretu, in charge of regional policy, provided a positive response (see EUROPE 11432).
MEPs are also calling on the European Commission to fine-tune the definition on marginalised communities, by particularly specifying the characteristics (situation, needs) of the groups targeted, as well as the financing possibilities available. They also emphasise the lack of access to information and information infrastructure, as well as the reception they receive.
The part making an explicit reference to corruption in the management of funds, however, was withdrawn from the final version of the text during the Regional Development Committee, according to a source close to the dossier. Nonetheless, the Greens are, overall, satisfied particularly because the “anti-gypsyism” discrimination was explicitly added as a process of systematic exclusion, following the plenary vote. The rapporteur was therefore pleased that “the European Parliament is now sending a strong signal opposing discrimination against the Roma”. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)