Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2006-04-04-Speech-2-314"
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"en.20060404.24.2-314"2
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".
Mr President, it is one year since we proposed this important programme to promote European citizenship. Tomorrow you will vote on the report, which reflects a lot of work since that time, and it is an important step towards the adoption of the new generation of programmes.
I should like to thank all the listed committees, in particular the Committee on Culture and Education and its rapporteur Mr Takkula for his efforts, combining determination and modernisation.
The report reflects this balance and shows that the committee shares the concerns of the Commission about the necessity to promote the active participation of citizens in the construction of a common Europe.
The proposal is based on the conviction that the strengthening of active citizenship at European level is closely linked to the development of a sense of belonging to the European Union and of a European identity, which is complementary to other identities: national, regional and local. Common values, history, and culture with all its diversity will therefore be the building blocks of the programme.
The parliamentary committee adopted several amendments that enrich our proposal with references to European values. I note with pleasure that the report followed the Commission's proposal on the various actions of this programme, ensuring continuity of activities that proved to be successful and the introduction of innovative projects and methods for citizens' participation. I appreciate that the report proposes the integration of a new, fourth action providing support for memorials to victims of Nazi and Stalinist regimes, as agreed by the European Parliament, Council and Commission in November.
I should like to come now to the question of designated beneficiaries. The Commission has proposed a limited list of six designated bodies because of their uniqueness in the European arena. Three of them celebrate the memory or continue the work of the founding fathers, while the other three are pan-European umbrella organisations. All of them have been supported for many years by the European institutions. All of them contribute to the objectives of this programme. I appreciate the fact that the committee shared our philosophy and confirmed the choices. It proposed adding one more organisation: the Maison de l'Europe. All the previously mentioned characteristics apply to this organisation. This pan-European network of local organisations is aimed at engaging citizens in the construction of Europe. I am therefore pleased to say that the Commission could support this amendment, provided that it does not mean other organisations will be eligible for this designation.
Finally, I should like to give my thoughts on the issue of volunteering. This was mentioned in the proposal as an example of the field of interest of this programme. An amendment by the committee proposed deleting this reference. We believe, however, that volunteering is a powerful tool for developing social cohesion and commitment towards society and that it therefore deserves special attention within the programme.
Those were, in brief, the main points to which I wanted to draw your attention. You will have noticed that our views converge on many points. Let me emphasise the importance of continuing our constructive cooperation, despite the current uncertainties about the financial questions connected to this programme. In the interest of citizens, we should make every possible effort to reach an agreement as soon as possible in order to prepare for the implementation of this programme by January 2007. Your vote will send an important signal to the European citizens, as another important step is taken towards a Europe for citizens."@en1
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