Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-06-09-Speech-4-136"
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"en.20050609.26.4-136"2
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"Mr President, first of all I would like to congratulate the rapporteur on this excellent report. Many of the recommendations are valid for all Member States and not just the new countries.
I welcome the report in substance, but I think we should make a clear distinction between European and Member States’ responsibilities. The first weapon in the fight against social exclusion is of course jobs, jobs, jobs. We therefore need to revitalise our economy and reform our social security systems to lead people back to the labour market and not keep them in the poverty trap. The more or less permanent exclusion of 10% of our labour force from the labour market is an absolute disgrace to our civilised society.
The rapporteur rightly states that combating social exclusion is best done at local level. It is therefore worrying that in many countries – new and old, including my own – the financial position of local authorities is becoming increasingly serious. Local autonomy is meaningless without the necessary financial resources.
In fundamental rights policies and notably the fight against discrimination, the EU can and should play a key role. The EU has an outstanding track record on gender equality. It should be equally active in fighting racism and discrimination and it should be proactively defending and promoting equal rights and equal treatment for all.
In my view, the European Commission should be less timid. The European Union cannot turn its head and look away if blatant discrimination takes place, arguing that it is the responsibility of Member States. European values are universal.
The report highlights the importance of investing in children as the best way of promoting social inclusion. Giving children a good start in life and real prospects should be one of the key priorities."@en1
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