It is understandable that at this moment in time, all information on Europe is dominated by a few major subjects, from the debate on the Constitution (in France most of all) to relations with China, from the renewed Stability Pact to the preparations for the forthcoming multi-annual financial perspectives, and that the hot topics beloved of the press are largely those which cause the most concerns, protests (textile imports) or fierce arguments (Bolkestein directive). But many other things are happening, as our bulletin testifies daily, which deserve more attention than the few lines or few seconds which the traditional media devote to them, if they're lucky. Today, I would like to bring to your attention three initiatives or achievements which will have a direct influence on the citizens' lives.
Accompanying the restructuring. One of the critiques which are often made of the European Constitution relates to an alleged indifference to company delocalisation and restructuring. On the contrary; at the end of March, the Commission proposed to spend up to 11.3 billion EUR between 2007 and 2013 on measures to accompany restructuring. Too often, people forget that since its inception, Europe has worked hard and efficiently in this field. Without the constant actions of the first European communities (the ECSC in the beginning, then the EEC), coal, steel and, later, shipbuilding crises would have been far more dramatic than they were, and in some regions, social cohesion wouldn't have held up. It's the turn of other sectors today, but the problems remain the same: changes in activity, modernisation, new production, helping the workers to adapt… It would be suicide for Europe to oppose this kind of change, but the Commission recognises that it must try to cushion the social and regional impact and, more importantly, help to create new jobs in areas for the future (see our bulletins 8918 and 8921 in particular, for the content of the plans and statements by Commissioner Vladimir Spidla). Mr Spidla stressed that this considerable sum of money will not be used to keep non-viable activities alive artificially, but to help the workers to adapt as well as possible, without having to spend five years on the dole.
In practice, it is one plank of European policy, and not the least of them, which at one time dared not speak its name: industrial policy. It is true that the plan will come up against some serious objections from certain Member States, who jealously guard their autonomy in these matters; but that's another discussion. The social partners have responded positively (see our bulletin 8924), and the plan is there.
A strategy for automotives. The groups CARS21 (Competitive Automotive Regulatory System for the 21st Century) is to present a strategy for the automotive industry of Europe by the end of the year, but it has already been stated that the future of the industry in Europe must be based on three things: advanced technology, safety and respect for the environment (see our bulletin 8925). The credibility of CARS21 is due to the fact that its members are not theorists, but people from the world of politics with the power to act (two vice-presidents of the Commission and a Commissioner, five ministers, two MEPs), representatives of the industry and of the workers (see our bulletin 8923 for the complete team). It is clear that the strategy being drawn up should be able to benefit from some of the accompanying measures mentioned in my last point, in certain areas at least.
Four Member States anticipate “European police record”. The European Commission's proposal to create a “European police record” to list all criminal sentences returned throughout the EU was not retained as it stood by the JHA Council (Justice and Home Affairs); but the measures it did decide on will show previous convictions, and Commissioner Franco Frattini was able to provide the Commission's consensus to the partial solution retained by the Council (see our bulletin 8928). At the same time, four Member States (France, Germany, Spain and Belgium) decided to set up a network between their national criminal records, and they will propose that other Member States join in with their system, which could happen gradually, working outwards from neighbouring country to neighbouring country. We know the case which triggered this initiative: a French paedophile who served time in France for child abuse, then moved to Belgium, where he got a job as a teacher in a Belgian school, which provided him with the opportunity to rape and kill many children. These dreadful acts would have been avoided if Belgium had known his criminal record. I don't think anyone would dare to claim that this initiative is an infringement of civil liberties.
(F.R.)