Brussels, 01/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - On 31 May, on the initiative of Vladimir Spidla, the European Commission adopted a “Framework Strategy for Non-discrimination and Equal Opportunities for All”, as well as a draft decision on the “European Year of Equal Opportunities for All” (2007) - Towards a Fairer Society”. This framework strategy and the European Year event follow a vast public consultation exercise in 2004 on the Green Paper on equality and non-discrimination for all in the enlarged Europe.
Addressing a group of journalists, Commissioner Spidla said “the framework strategy will provide a new drive towards ensuring the full application of EU anti-discrimination legislation, which has encountered too many obstacles and delays”. The four core themes of the European Year proposed by the Commission are: - Rights - raising awareness of the right to equality and non-discrimination Representation - stimulating a debate on ways to increase the participation of under-represented groups in society - Recognition - celebrating and accommodating diversity - Respect and tolerance - promoting a more cohesive society. The Year's proposed budget of €13.6 million will cover preparatory actions in 2006 as well as the various activities taking place during the European Year itself in 2007.
Speaking about the framework strategy, Mr Spidla said that the European Court of Justice has already condemned four Member States (Austria, Finland, Germany and Luxembourg) for not adequately transposing EU anti-discrimination legislation. He also stated delays in this respect were not acceptable as they revealed that Member States too often reneged on their promises made when signing the treaty. He underlined that a feasibility study would be completed on new initiatives for completing the legislative framework on fighting discrimination. The Commission announced the creation of a high-level advisory group to “look at the social and labour market integration of minorities” at the beginning of 2006 an annual summit on equality starting in 2007 which would examine progress carried out and further steps to be taken by involving civil society and all actors involved in this sphere.