Brussels, 24/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - Wealth inequalities and severe poverty are matters of growing concern across the EU, says the European Parliament in a first reading compromise adopted by 635 votes to 29, with 10 abstentions, in Strasbourg on Tuesday 17 June. The text, negotiated beforehand with the Council, seeks to designate 2010 as the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. The rapporteur is Marie Panayatopoulous-Cassiotou (EPP-ED, Greece).
The budget of €17 million is the highest ever granted to a European Year, and is an indication of its political importance. MEPs want the focus to be on child poverty (19 million children in the EU live in poverty) and inter-generation transmission of poverty. Special attention should also be paid to large families, children in institutions, disadvantaged areas (outermost regions, those suffering from permanent structural handicaps, islands or areas affected by recent de-indutrialisation or industrial restructuring). The compromise picks up the employment committee suggestion of promoting studies on the relationship between severe poverty and fundamental rights. The EP says that the EU, member states and all parties concerned should create the necessary synergies between the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion and activities organised for the UN International Day for the Eradication of poverty on 17 October. (G.B./transl.rt)