Bescherming van Fundamentele Rechten hoog op agenda Europese Raad (en)

Member States gave an account of their steps taken to implement the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights at the General Affairs Council’s meeting on 23 May 2011. The ministers also approved the Presidency’s report, which summarised the most important aspects of EU-level Roma integration.

Since the Lisbon Treaty came into force in December 2009, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union has had the same legal value as the founding Treaties. The European Commission adopted its first annual report on the 2010 application of the Charter in March, and also reported on its own activity. During the past 18 months, the Council has adopted various measures to support the implementation of the Charter; ministers for EU affairs gave an account of these actions, at the initiative of the Hungarian Presidency, at their meeting on 23 May 2011.

Presidency committed to human dimension

Acting chair of the meeting, Foreign Minister János Martonyi highlighted several general measures in the work led by the Spanish-Belgian-Hungarian Presidency Trio. He reminded others of the negotiations on the EU’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights, which started in June 2010. At the Justice and Home Affairs Council’s meeting, on 25 February, ministers put forth to all parties concerned that they must respect the aspects of the fundamental rights once the the Council’s procedure begins, and they invited the working party on fundamental rights (FREMP), who were established earlier to prepare guidelines for recognising and treating problems relating to fundamental rights.

It was a major objective of the Hungarian Presidency, making the issues affecting the everyday lives of citizens subject to EU level discussions. So, an informal Council meeting was devoted to family-related and demographic questions; and conferences and meetings were organised for dealing with the subject of cultural diversity. The Presidency also fulfilled one of its responsibilities by publishing the text of the Charter on its website, along with all of the important related EU documents.

In addition to a general evaluation, the conclusions which ministers adopted today, listed all the Council decisions relating to the specific chapters of the Charter. The document refers to most of the measures in connection with the “Equality” chapter. According to the text, the principle of equality is one of the founding values of the EU, which is also reflected in the prohibition of discrimination, based on any grounds such as “sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation as well as nationality.” The same section also highlights the Council adopting conclusions based on the full integration of Roma.

Presidency report on Roma strategy

The European framework strategy on the economic and social inclusion of Roma, was discussed as a separate issue on the General Affairs Council’s agenda.

The ministers endorsed the Presidency’s report, which gives an account of the Council’s conclusions that were adopted by the Social Council on 19 May, and within it, it sums up the related debate. Specifically, Member States found that although they have the primary competence for designing and implementing policies aimed at advancing the social and economic inclusion of Roma, cooperation at EU level will bring a significant added value, as it will improve competitiveness and economic growth as well as social cohesion. The delegations confirmed their readiness to prepare, update or develop national Roma inclusion strategies, or integrated sets of policy measures, within their broader social inclusion policies, for improving the situation of Roma, by the end of 2011.

The report also summarises the keynote debates of the Justice and Home Affairs Council’s meeting, held on 12 April and the Education Council’s meeting held on 20 May. As regards to the former, it focuses on victim protection and a more efficient protection of fundamental rights, and notes that according to justice ministers, many Roma have no knowledge of their rights and the legal means which are available to them.

In essence, the debate on education was aimed to promote excellence in early childhood education, which the ministers believe will help reduce poverty. The meeting urged the development of basic skills and competences, and a more flexible training system. This requires a more active involvement of the Roma communities, non-governmental organisations and intermediaries, as well as extra financial aids. Both debates highlighted the problem of discrimination.

According to the Presidency’s report, most Member States agreed that Roma integration should focus on four areas, including appropriate education, housing, healthcare services and the provision of jobs.

Preparation for the European Council’s June meeting

A task of the General Affairs Council is to review the preparations at least four weeks before the meetings of heads of state and government. For instance, the European Council’s meeting that is scheduled for 24 June, aims to reinforce the framework strategy on Roma integration, but the agenda will also include several economic issues, such as the six-law package and the evaluation of the European Semester.

In regards to Croatia’s EU accession, minister for EU affairs will hold talks during a business dinner. In an interview to eu20111.hu, János Martonyi said that they will, “Discuss all questions thoroughly,” and “Probably touch upon the issue of the accession’s indicative date,” as well. “The next days will have key importance,” the minister stressed.

At the invitation of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton i, Mr Martonyi presided the 35th meeting of the European Economic Area (EEA), on 23 May. In addition to EU Member States, the EEA comprises of Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland, a candidate country.