On Tuesday 13 November, MEPs approved by 489 votes to 112 with 73 abstentions the own-initiative report drawn up by Slovak MEP József Nagy (EPP) calling for the establishment of minimum standards for minorities in the European Union.
The report, adopted without modification compared to the vote in committee, calls on the Commission to develop a common framework for the protection of minorities in the EU that should include at least : - guidelines setting out the good practices applicable in the Member States; - a Commission recommendation; - a legislative proposal for a directive, following an impact assessment, with clear benchmarks and penalties (see EUROPE 12135).
During the debate preceding the vote, the rapporteur, speaking in his mother tongue, stressed that the European Parliament's objective was to "build bridges between the majority and minority cultures in the EU". In doing so, he called on the Commission to present a legislative proposal "as soon as possible".
Commissioner Corina Crețu pointed out that the Commission had few powers in this area and that the protection of minorities was the responsibility of the Member States.
"where we cannot propose legislation, we will use soft law instruments, exchange of best practices and funding to help and promote the right of minorities", she concluded. (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)