EP SESSION WEDS & THURS 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF GERMAN REUNIFICATION MARKED

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1 Plenary session Focus EP SESSION WEDS & THURS 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF GERMAN REUNIFICATION MARKED Plans to protect Europe's biological diversity and visas for people from Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina form part of the agenda when MEPs meet in Brussels for a two day session (Weds & Thurs). The session will also see the 20th anniversary of the reunification of Germany being marked and José Ramos-Horta, the President of Timor-Leste (East Timor) address the House. The state of Europe's regions and how to help them over the coming decade will also feature. You can follow all the news from the Parliament online here. Highlights; EU plans for protecting biological diversity Visa-free regime for Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina moves closer MEPs consider call for deep sea drilling moratorium The shape of EU regional policy after th anniversary of German reunification President of Timor-Leste addresses Parliament World Day against the Death Penalty Globalisation Fund: EU aid for redundant workers in Spain and Denmark EN Press Service Directorate for the Media Director - Spokesperson : Jaume DUCH GUILLOT Reference No.: FCS84628 Press switchboard number (32-2) /13

2 Newsletter: 6-7 October Brussels plenary session EU PLANS FOR PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY VISA FREE REGIME FOR ALBANIA & BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA EU plans for protecting biological diversity What role can the EU play in efforts to stem the loss of biological diversity? This will be the focus of a parliamentary debate on Wednesday, when the EU's strategy for the upcoming COP 10 Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as the links between biodiversity and development, will be discussed with the Commission and Council. A resolution will be put to the vote on Thursday. Visa-free regime for Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina moves closer Citizens of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania will be exempt from EU visa requirements by the end of this year if the full Parliament backs a recommendation by the Civil Liberties Committee. The European Commission indicated last May that the two countries meet all the security requirements and recommended that visa restrictions be lifted. MEPs consider call for deep sea drilling moratorium The Gulf of Mexico oil spill sent shock waves around the world. On Thursday, MEPs will vote on a draft resolution that calls for a moratorium on any new deep sea drilling in seas around the EU, pending a Commission review of safety and liability legislation. The shape of EU regional policy after 2013 How should the European Union's regional policy be financed and managed after 2013, when its current programme ( ) ends? MEPs will ask the European Commission on Thursday to give its views on the future direction of the policy and the resources needed to ensure harmonious development of all EU regions. 20th anniversary of German reunification On Thursday 7 October at 12 noon, the European Parliament holds a formal sitting to mark the 20th anniversary of German reunification, which took place on 3 October Guest speakers Lothar de Maizière, the only ever democratically elected Prime Minister of East Germany, and Jacques Delors, former President of the European Commission, will be introduced by Parliament's President Jerzy Buzek. President of Timor-Leste to address Parliament José Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (East Timor) since 2007 and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996, is to address MEPs in a formal sitting on Wednesday 6 October World Day against the Death Penalty MEPs will mark the 8th World Day against the Death Penalty by voting on a resolution on capital punishment. Parliament has repeatedly condemned the death penalty in all cases and all circumstances and has called for an unconditional worldwide moratorium on executions. Globalisation Fund: EU aid for redundant workers in Spain and Denmark The European Parliament will vote on proposals to provide nearly 12 million in EU aid to 1,649 workers in Spain and Denmark who became redundant following the closure of their companies. Also this week; FCS /13

3 MEPs to vote on two candidates for Court of Auditors Sexual violence in Congo: bringing the perpetrators to book Capital requirements need fine-tuning Budget approval for European Police College set to be refused Sustainable health systems in sub-saharan Africa Extending social security to non-eu nationals Commission fines in antitrust cases Container losses at sea: preventive action needed FCS /13

4 MEPs debate death penalty ahead of international day against executions MEPS DEBATE DEATH PENALTY 10 OCTOBER MARKS INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST EXECUTIONS Despite international pressure led by the United Nations and European Union, the death penalty continues to be retained around the world. According to Amnesty International 714 people were executed last year in 18 countries - and this doesn't include the toll for China where the figures are secret. On Wednesday (6 October) MEPs will debate the death penalty from 4pm ahead of the International Day against the Death Penalty on 10 October. In the hall of States that continue with the death penalty China, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the United States execute the most number of people. In the US 52 people alone were executed last year. Around the world 2/3 of countries have abolished the death penalty. The European Parliament has repeatedly condemned the death penalty in all cases and all circumstances and has called for an unconditional worldwide moratorium on executions. MEPs will vote on a resolution on Thursday (7 October) after the debate FCS /13

5 Timor-Leste's José Ramos-Horta brings message of hope to Parliament NOBEL WINNER TURNED PRESIDENT THANKS EUROPE SAYS TIMOR-LESTE INVESTING IN EDUCATION WARNS OF COMMON THREAT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER CALLS FOR AID DONORS TO MEET COMMITMENTS MADE "IN FRONT OF TV' Timor-Leste's President José Ramos-Horta made a triumphant return to the European Parliament Wednesday 18 years after he first addressed it as an exiled dissident. The Nobel Peace Prize winner thanked the Europe for its support and example of reconciliation. He also spoke of Timor-Leste's (East Timor) economic growth and its efforts to boost education. He called on western nations to live up to aid promises "in front of TV cameras" and said recipient countries had to use the money responsibly. In his welcoming remarks Parliament's President Jerzy Buzek noted that Mr Ramos-Horta has not only kept the flame of independence from Indonesia alive but had drawn up the practical plans for the transfer to independence and how the dispute could be solved using the United Nations. José Ramos-Horta said that the road that Europe had walked "from disunity, rivalries and wars to unity, partnership and peace" had led him to nominate the EU for the Nobel Peace Prize in He spoke movingly of how Portuguese MEPs had personally financially contributed to the Timor-Leste office in Brussels in the 1990's. He went on to say that Europe could act as a bridge between America "the only surviving superpower" and "emerging Asia". Timor-Leste & Millennium Development Goals He then set out what Timor-Leste had done over the last few years in its efforts to recover from over two decades of repression and work towards the Millennium Development Goals. He said the country had a robust economic growth rate of 12% and that poverty had been reduced by 9% in the last three years. He also said that the number of people in school had risen almost by a fifth and that efforts to increase literacy for adults were producing good results. Overall he said that Timor-Leste was devoting 20% of the budget to education and social welfare projects. Politically he noted that the country had one of the most "humanist constitutions" in the world and that a third of the MPs in the national assembly of Timor-Leste were women and they were strongly represented in the government. Sharing the blame on environmental damage Turning to environmental degradation he said that even though the rich and the powerful countries contributed most to harming the planet, the developing world cannot put all blame on them. "We must acknowledge our share of responsibility in the destruction of our forests, lakes, rivers and seas", he underlined. "Asia has no less responsibility than the US and Europe to replace climate calamity", said the President, urging a common Asian agenda on sustainable development. Aid procedures "drown and discourage" Ramos-Horta reserved some of his strongest words for the plight of development aid. He demanded the rich and the powerful ask themselves "whether they have delivered on the pledges made in front of the TV cameras" and donors to do "a honest and critical analysis of their policies" in addressing underdevelopment and extreme poverty FCS /13

6 He urged donors to streamline "the lengthy, onerous, superfluous, wasteful, redundant paper work that drown and discourage anyone" in developing countries and invest the pledged dollars in development rather than on themselves. "Billions to rescue failed banks, insurance companies" President Ramos-Horta called on donors to increase their development assistance, provide more direct sectoral budget support and write-off all the debt owned by Least Developed Countries (LDC's) and small Island developing States. He underlined that these proposals are based solely on the feeling of solidarity as Timor-Leste does not have "a cent in foreign debt". The President said rich countries which managed to mobilise "billions to rescue failed banks, insurance companies and obsolete auto industries" have a moral obligation to "rectify pervasive imbalances in the world". Timor-Leste (East Timor) Timor-Leste a Portuguese colony since 16th century Independence in 1975 crushed by Indonesia 1999: Indonesia withdraws amid violence 2002: Timor-Leste independence 2006: Violence prompts return of UN Peacekeeping Mission Population: 1.3 million José Ramos-Horta: President since survived assassination attempt in FCS /13

7 Parliament backs scrapping of visas for Albania and Bosnia- Hercegovina ALBANIANS & BOSNIANS EXEMPT FROM EU VISAS FROM END 2010 ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FEARS ALLAYED UK & IRELAND OPT OUT MEPs gave their backing on Thursday to proposals to exempt nationals of Bosnia-Hercegovina and Albania from visas to enter the EU by the end of 2010, believing like the European Commission that these two countries meet the required conditions on document security and combating illegal immigration and crime. Follows Serbia, Montenegro and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia On 30 November 2009 the EU decided to waive visa requirements for citizens of Serbia, Montenegro and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, a decision which took effect on 19 December that year. At the time, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania did not meet all the criteria on illegal immigration, public policy and security. Last May, however, the Commission decided that the two countries had made good progress and recommended that Parliament and the Council give the go-ahead to abolish the visa requirements by the end of the year, for visits of less than three months. The report by Slovenian Socialist Tanja Fajon, adopted today by 538 votes to 47, with 41 abstentions, backs the Commission's proposal. Only holders of biometric passports will be exempt from the visa rules. The proposal to waive visa requirements still needs to be approved by the Council of Ministers by a qualified majority in November. On Wednesday during the parliamentary debate, Tanja Fajon said the decision "will strengthen trust among people and speed up reforms" in Albania and Bosnia-Hercegovina, who are "on the path to membership". "Albania and Bosnia-Hercegovina have fulfilled all the conditions and are ready for the abolition of visas. This has been confirmed by the European Commission (...) it is time to send a positive message to those countries, we will tear down the visa walls (...) people deserve it more than ever" she said. Kosovo still "outside the process" The rapporteur regrets, however, that Kosovo remains "the only part of the Western Balkans still totally outside the process of visa liberalisation" because of "the split between Member States over recognition of its independence". The UK and Ireland have not opted in to this legislation FCS /13

8 World Day against the Death Penalty Focus MEPs CALL FRO WORLDWIDE MORATORIUM BELARUS ONLY EUROPEAN COUNTRY USING DEATH PENALTY To mark the eighth World Day against the Death Penalty, taking place on 10 October, MEPs adopted a resolution on Thursday condemning capital punishment in all cases and under all circumstances and calling for an unconditional worldwide moratorium on executions. "Death can never ever be considered an act of justice", said EP president Jerzy Buzek at the opening of the plenary session on 6 October "A universal moratorium on executions with a view to total abolition in all states which still practise the death penalty" is the key demand of Parliament's resolution, which was adopted by 574 votes to 25 with 39 abstentions. Other countries whichstill apply the death penalty are Egypt, Malaysia, Sudan, Thailand, North-Korea, Vietnam, Japan and the United States (35 states out of 50 still have the death penalty, although 4 of these have not held executions since 1976). Saving European nationals from executions MEPs argue that the new European External Action Service (EEAS) should provide guidance for a comprehensive and effective European death penalty policy with regard to dozens of confirmed European nationals facing execution in third countries, which "shall include strong and reinforced mechanisms in terms of the identification system, the delivery of legal assistance, EU legal interventions and diplomatic representation". Death penalty in Europe Belarus remains the only European country still applying the death penalty in practice, although the EP also calls on Kazakhstan and Latvia to amend their national laws that still allow the death penalty for certain crimes under exceptional circumstances. Fight against death penalty: a key priority of EU human rights policy The EU is a leading donor to efforts by civil society organisations in the fight against the death penalty, which is one of the thematic priorities for assistance under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). Since 1994 over 30 projects worldwide were funded by EIDHR, with an overall budget of over 15 million FCS /13

9 Parliament calls for EU to plug gaps in oil exploration rules MEPs BACK NEW OIL EXPLORATION RULES AFTER DEEPWATER DISASTER MORATORIUM REJECTED MEPs say the EU must tighten up rules governing the safety of oil exploration and compensation in the event of a spill, such as occurred in the Gulf of Mexico. However, a Parliament resolution adopted on Thursday stops short of calling for a moratorium on new deep-sea drilling. The non-legislative resolution was adopted with 601 votes in favour, 23 against and 13 abstentions. Environment Committee Chair Jo Leinen (S&D) commented: "Parliament has issued a clear call to the Commission to take steps towards eliminating the deficits in safety and liability standards." No call for moratorium With easy-to-reach oil becoming harder to find, there has been an increase in potentially hazardous deep-sea exploration and drilling. While the Environment Committee and many MEPs favoured a moratorium on any new deep-sea drilling in the EU, a majority (323 votes to 285) considered this a step too far. Liability and compensation The European Commission is currently reviewing EU safety and liability legislation. MEPs are concerned, for example, that the environmental liability directive (which ensures polluters pay for their damage) does not cover oil rigs. A major oil leak in European waters would be catastrophic not only to the environment, but also to activities such as fishing and tourism. MEPs want the Commission to investigate the possible merits of setting up an EU-wide insurance scheme or emergency fund to cover the risks. Next steps The EU Energy Council is expected to address the topic of oil rig safety at its meeting in Luxembourg on 15 October FCS /13

10 Biodiversity Convention: MEPs demand EU leadership and investment MEPS CALL FOR ZERO DEFORESTATION BY 2020 WORLD NEEDS BIODIVERSITY VISION FOR 2050 MEPs urged the EU and international partners to step up investment in protecting plant and animal species, in a resolution adopted on Thursday. Their call is made ahead of a major UN biodiversity conference in Nagoya, Japan. The resolution, adopted with 505 votes in favour, 22 against and 41 abstentions, recommends strategic objectives for the EU at the conference on the UN Convention on biological diversity, which will take place in Nagoya from October. This event, in the context of the UN year of biodiversity, is due to set targets for 2020 and a "vision" for Environment Committee Chair Jo Leinen (S&D) commented: "We are biting the hand that feeds us if we do not halt the loss of biodiversity. The EU must lead the fight to protect biodiversity at the UN Convention in Nagoya." Invest in biodiversity MEPs are "extremely concerned" that 2010 targets to significantly reduce biodiversity loss globally - and to halt biodiversity loss in the EU - have not been met. They call on the Commission and EU Member States to respond and show leadership by announcing financial commitments ahead of the Nagoya meeting. Global funding for biodiversity must "drastically increase", say MEPs. This is a necessary investment given that biodiversity loss already costs the global economy an estimated 50 billion per year - a figure set to rise considerably, according to a study cited in the resolution. Climate change and developing countries MEPs recognise that biodiversity and climate change pose common challenges, such as forest protection. For both issues, developing countries are particularly vulnerable. MEPs want to ensure that people in developing countries are compensated for conservation work and protected against the effects of diminishing species. Strategic goals and 2020 targets The resolution's suggested objectives for 2020 include: eliminating subsidies harmful to biodiversity zero net deforestation the end of destructive fishing practices at least 20% of land, fresh water and sea areas to be protected preventing extinction of known threatened species FCS /13

11 Regional policy must be more flexible and focus on job creation FUNDING SHOULD REFLECT REGIONAL DIFFERENCES MARKER FOR REGIONAL POLICY AFTER 2013 EU cohesion policy not only needs adequate funding, it should also be more flexible to reflect regional differences, says Parliament in two resolutions adopted on Thursday on cohesion policy priorities after MEPs also call for simplification and better monitoring of the policy and insist that the European Social Fund should remain part of cohesion policy albeit with its own rules. Well funded and respecting differences "A strong and well financed EU regional policy is a condition sine qua non for achieving social, economic and territorial cohesion," say MEPs in the first resolution, on EU cohesion and regional policy after 2013, tabled by the Regional Development Committee. MEPs believe the current policy design, which allows funds to be distributed according to objectives "Convergence", "Regional Competitiveness and Employment", "Territorial Cooperation" should be preserved and cooperation among regions should be enhanced. Gross domestic product should remain the key yardstick for determining eligibility for regional assistance, while other indicators may be added with room left for national authorities to decide on additional criteria depending on local specificities. Focus on cities and smart control Future policy will need sufficient flexibility to respond to different needs of the regions, and more attention must be paid to cities, says the resolution. MEPs therefore suggest allocating funds for investments in urban and suburban projects, and that an appropriate funding instrument be considered. The resolution calls for further streamlining of procedures, making the policy more user-friendly. MEPs call for the policy to be more "result-oriented", which entails creating a better balance between quality of performance and financial control. Some flexibility of the European Social Fund In the second resolution, on the future of the European Social Fund (ESF), tabled by the Employment Committee, MEPs argue that the ESF must be strengthened as the main instrument underpinning the Europe 2020 strategy and underline the importance of the ESF as a key tool in combating unemployment, improving education and life-long learning and combating poverty and exclusion. They also call on the Commission to strengthen the potential of the structural funds through flexibility and improved procedures, emphasising social integration. There are considerable advantages in maintaining the ESF under the basic regulation of cohesion policies but with its own rules, say MEPs. Further steps The two resolutions were adopted ahead of the publication of the Commission's report on cohesion, which will give a first glimpse next month of the future of the policy. Draft legislation is expected as of mid The resolutions also provide input to the current debate on the EU's long-term budget review. The resolution on EU cohesion and regional policy after 2013, drafted by Polish MEP Danuta Hübner (EPP) and the resolution on the Future of the European Social Fund, drafted by French Member Pervenche Berès (S&D) were adopted by show of hands FCS /13

12 20th anniversary of German reunification: "Let us look for what binds us" Lothar de Maizière calls on people to participate in democracy Jacques Delors: EU has "historic" moment - either deepen or exist day by day Two of the key players in the reunification of Germany were reunited in Parliament Wednesday to deliver their thoughts on what happened 20 years ago and where Europe is now. The only democratic Prime Minister of East Germany, Lothar de Maizière and former European Commission chief Jacques Delors spoke about the momentous historic events, risks and calculations that led to the reunification of Germany on 3 October In his welcoming remarks Parliament's President Jerzy Buzek reminded people that European reunification through the fall of Communist regimes behind the Iron Curtain would not have been possible without the reunification of Germany. "Democracy requires everyone to participate" Lothar de Maizière told MEPs that when he briefly held office he was "helping a country whose job was to end its existence". He thanked neighbouring countries and highlighted the role of Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov and Czech playwright Václav Havel "who were picking bits out of the wall long before it fell". He also mentioned the role that Polish Pope John Paul II had played in Europe after his election to the Papacy in Mr de Maizière made an impassioned plea for the modern generation not to take for granted the freedoms that were denied to previous generations saying that "changes are still underway...democracy requires everyone to participate. It is only strong if the citizens make it so". In his speech he insisted on the need to "look for what binds us - the rights and freedoms we enjoy". Jacques Delors was President of the European Commission during the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany. He told MEPs that things could have been very different: "The events of 1989 could, at any time, have triggered brutal repression, lead to bloody conflicts, lead to a long period of instability and threats to peace. It did not happen." He made a point of saying the reunification of Germany had been economically beneficial for both East and West Germany: "Note that the income per capita in eastern Germany has risen in 20 years, from 40% to 73% of present incomes in the West." Deepen Europe - or live "from day to day?" However, he was not only concerned with what has passed two decades ago but rather about the state of Europe as he saw it today. "Twenty years later...the European adventure raises many questions, the twenty-seven countries are at a historic responsibility: to deepen European integration - or to live from day to day?" He ended with a personal recollection recalling his time in Berlin on 3 October He said that he went for a stroll through the streets and found "a quiet night where I was also thinking about Europe's release from hatred and conflict. I wanted a Europe united, strong and generous. There is so much to do to consolidate gains and move forward" he recalled himself thinking FCS /13

13 Lothar de Maizière Born 1940 German politician In 1990, he served as the only ever democratically elected Prime Minister of the German Democratic Republic Jacques Delors Born 1925 French economist and politician MEP Former President of the European Commission and the first person to serve two terms in that office - between January 1985 and December FCS /13