Brussels, 26/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - In its response to the European Commission's consultation on active inclusion ending 28 February this year, the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) calls on member states to adopt under the French EU Presidency active inclusion principles which respect the integrity of the active inclusion package, and recognises that adequate income and access to quality services are a prerequisite to successful employment and social integration.
In a press release, the EAPN underlines that, for the active inclusion principles put forward for adoption under French presidency, an overarching principle is needed and that its three components -employment, adequate income and access to services - are strictly interdependent. EAPN also recommends that social inclusion principles should be implemented within the framework of a strengthened open method of coordination and better consistency between the processes impacting on social inclusion, with all this being supported by the financial instruments. Finally, the EAPN calls on the EU to ensure qualitative participation of anti-poverty organisations and of the people experiencing poverty as a continuous dynamic process. For further information: http://www.eapn.skynet.be (G.B.)