Brussels, 04/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - After seeing the Finnish Presidency's programme, presented by Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen on 30 June (see EUROPE 9223), the President of the Platform of European Social NGOs (Social Platform) Anne-Sophie Parent felt that this “Nordic presidency can be crucial in helping the EU to balance the 'growth and jobs' strategy putting a strong emphasis on social protection and social inclusion”. Ms Parent is convinced that competitiveness at all costs will not only alienate citizens, it will also have irreparable consequences. In a press release, then, she welcomed that “the Finnish government is aware that only a competitive Europe that is strong in social terms will increase people's confidence in the Union”. She also called on the new Presidency to match its commitment to greater transparency in the EU with more active involvement of civil society. This same kind of involvement should be established as well in creating “an open, structured and visible discussion on the Constitution, aimed at achieving an agreement and including debates on the social dimension in the future text”. To assess the performance of the Finnish Presidency after its six-month mandate, the Social Platform has devised a series of seven tests focussing on:
(1) democracy: Has the Finnish Presidency contributed to reinforcing democracy at the EU level by operating in a transparent way and actively involving civil society? The Social Platform wants, among other things, the Presidency to develop ideas to give more publicity to Council deliberations; the Commission to make a proposal on the statute of European association; social NGOs to be assured of a place at Presidency meetings and conferences; and the principles of gender parity and equality to be respected in all Presidency activities. The Finnish Presidency, it should be noted, has already invited the Social Platform to take part in the informal Social Council in Helsinki on 6-7 July (see EUROPE 9219).
(2) future of Europe: Has the Finnish Presidency contributed to establishing an open, structured and visible discussion process on the Constitution? In particular, to succeed in the test, the Presidency should support the EP proposal of six common themes, particularly the theme on the future of the European social model; and increase the visibility and clarity of the process by creating a single website.
(3) social dimension of the Union's action: Has the Finnish Presidency contributed to finding a better balance between social rights and market freedom? For this, the Presidency will, in particular, have to ensure that negotiations on the services directive continue to recognise the specificity of social services and their exclusion from the scope of the directive; and support further discussion regarding needs for European level action in relation to services of general interest, including social and health services of general interest, with the full involvement of civil society.
(4) combating poverty and social exclusion: Has the Presidency helped balance the “growth and jobs” strategy with a strong emphasis on social protection and social inclusion? The Presidency will, in particular, have to ensure the full involvement of all stakeholders in the definition of common principles on “flexicurity”.
(5) equality and the fight against discrimination: Has the Presidency taken a leading and visible role in order to ensure progress on achieving equality for all? To succeed in this test, the Presidency will have to support the development of further legislation in the field of anti-discrimination, and use its influence to encourage Member States to work closely with national social NGOs.
(6) gender: Has the Presidency made progress in achieving gender equality? Here the Presidency will have to do all in its power to ensure the adoption by the Council of the regulation setting up the future European Gender Institute with an ambitious mandate and appropriate resources; and push ahead with the implementation of the Gender Equality Pact.
(7) fundamental rights: Has the Presidency furthered the EU's role in promoting fundamental rights in the European Union?. In this area, the Presidency will, notably, have to involve NGOs in the debates on how to better mainstream human rights into all EU policy.