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BackFor the first time in the new legislative period of the European Parliament, MEPs and national MPs met in Brussels to jointly debate the Stockholm Programme. The Stockholm Programme of the EU, which is due to be adopted by the European Council, serves as a basis for the European Domestic and Security Policy of the next five years. An action plan will probably be developed and decided under Spanish Presidency (1st half 2010), which in turn will form the basis for concrete Directive proposals of the Commission.
Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament, opened the Joint Parliamentary Meeting and emphasised in his introductory remarks that the coming into force of the Lisbon Treaty would result in an upvaluation and strengthening of the European Parliament, in particular in the sector of justice and domestic policy. This is frequently regarded as a sign of democratizing this after all very sensible policy area. Particularly revalued is also the role of the national parliaments of the EU Member States. In addition, the national parliaments, together with the European Parliament will be involved in the activities of Europol (European Law Enforcement Organisation) as well as in assessing the activities of Eurojust (European Union's Judicial Cooperation Unit). Next week, the EU Parliament will vote on the Stockholm Programme and make its contribution.
During the discussion, the parliamentarians frequently point out that although a well functioning cooperation in legal matters was required, one should not break with national traditions and that the fundamental rights needed to be respected. Juan Aguilar, Chair of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, made it clear that no national rights would be abolished by the Lisbon Treaty coming into force, but that they would be strengthened and developed, in particular also by the Charta of Fundamental Rights. Jacques Barrot, Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security affirmed this argument in his comments.
All speakers agreed that migration will be one of the challenges in the coming years. In its statement on the Stockholm Programme the Commission pointed out that with regard to the migration policy the benefit of “circular migration” should be worked out in detail and thinks that the model of limited migration should be promoted. The European Parliament and the Council came out in favour of the proposal of the Commission and also emphasised the importance and promotion of circular migration. The Federal Chamber of Labour, however, comes clearly out against the introduction of a Europe-wide seasonal migration model, which is associated with circular migration. Such proposals concern short-term temporary labour migration and are based on the assumption that people will leave the EU again after their work has come to an end. In the past 40 years, this point of view has neither been confirmed in Austria nor in Switzerland.
The agreement of the Stockholm Programme by the European Council in December is considered as being as good as certain. Spain now has the task of developing the necessary action plans. The Commission is then required to prepare proposals in order to implement the Stockholm Programme with respective Directives.
Additional information:
Homepage of the Joint Parliamentary Meeting on the Stockholm Programme
AK Position on the Stockholm Programme
During the discussion, the parliamentarians frequently point out that although a well functioning cooperation in legal matters was required, one should not break with national traditions and that the fundamental rights needed to be respected. Juan Aguilar, Chair of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, made it clear that no national rights would be abolished by the Lisbon Treaty coming into force, but that they would be strengthened and developed, in particular also by the Charta of Fundamental Rights. Jacques Barrot, Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security affirmed this argument in his comments.
All speakers agreed that migration will be one of the challenges in the coming years. In its statement on the Stockholm Programme the Commission pointed out that with regard to the migration policy the benefit of “circular migration” should be worked out in detail and thinks that the model of limited migration should be promoted. The European Parliament and the Council came out in favour of the proposal of the Commission and also emphasised the importance and promotion of circular migration. The Federal Chamber of Labour, however, comes clearly out against the introduction of a Europe-wide seasonal migration model, which is associated with circular migration. Such proposals concern short-term temporary labour migration and are based on the assumption that people will leave the EU again after their work has come to an end. In the past 40 years, this point of view has neither been confirmed in Austria nor in Switzerland.
The agreement of the Stockholm Programme by the European Council in December is considered as being as good as certain. Spain now has the task of developing the necessary action plans. The Commission is then required to prepare proposals in order to implement the Stockholm Programme with respective Directives.
Additional information:
Homepage of the Joint Parliamentary Meeting on the Stockholm Programme
AK Position on the Stockholm Programme