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Pensions and One seat for European Parliament

February 17th, 2012

There has been much debate in Sweden in recent weeks over Prime Ministers Reinfeldt’s statement on retirement at an older age. The retirement age debate is, of course, directly linked to pensions, an area in which the EU plays only a supportive role to ensure that Member States have well-functioning pension system. My colleague Laszlo Andor presented an assessment this week of the pension situation in Europe, which is based on a consultation process with Member States. In it, we say that as the average age of EU citizens increases, it is also reasonable that the retirement age should also be rasied. Merely raising the retirement age is not enough to meet the huge demographic challenge ahead of us, we also need to boost our workforce by attracting labour migrants to Europe. Commissioner Andor and I are currently looking into ways to facilitate labour migration to the EU.

Yesterday the European Parliament in Strasbourg voted for a more responsible budget, which also included an amendment saying that the Parliament, which currently commutes between Brussels and Strasbourg, should only have one seat. The question of where the European Parliament shall convene is stated in the EU treaty.  To change this, all Member States must agree. But the fact that the Parliament has clearly stated that commuting is a major cost for EU citizens (not to mention the environmental impact), and therefore should be abandoned, is very good.

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New global standards against money laundering

February 16th, 2012

The fight against organised crime and terrorism is now being stepped up even more with today’s adoption by the international task force against money laundering and financing of terrorism, FATF, on new global standards. The new standards entail recommendations which all members of the FATF should implement in order to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism, for example better collaboration between countries and tighter regulation of electronic transactions. The FATF has also proposed tougher recommendations on addressing corruption and tax crimes.

Better cooperation at a global level is crucial and most welcome in the fight against organised crime and terrorism. The Commission is now preparing proposals to incorporate the new standards in existing EU legislation, which include the Third Anti-Money Laundering Directive and a Framework Decision from 2001 on criminal offences for money laundering.

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New Eurobarometer on Corruption

February 15th, 2012

Corruption destroys a country from within, undermining trust in democratic institutions, weakening the accountability of political leadership and playing into the hands of organised crime groups. According to a new Eurobarometer survey presented today, almost three-quarters of respondents said that they see corruption as a major problem, that it exists at all levels of government. Eight percent of respondents say they have been asked or expected to pay a bribe in the past year. You’ll find the survey here.

Although the nature and scope of corruption varies among EU countries, no country is spared.  It means huge costs for society – not least the cost of underminig the credibility of politics and democracy. Anti-corruption efforts must be intensified mainly by Member States, but also at EU level. Last June, the Commission adopted a corruption package, calling for a stronger focus on corruption in all relevant EU policies. In 2013 we will also publish a report on anti-corruption measures in all 27 EU Member States on what works and what doesn’t, as well as offering suggestions for improvements.

New legislation to tackle corruption i.e. reform of public procurement rules, more advanced statistics on crimes and enhanced anti-fraud policies is also to be expected from the Commission. The proposal on increased harmonization on confiscation of criminals assets, which I will present in a few weeks, is also part of the overall anti-corruption efforts at EU level.

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A day to praise love

February 14th, 2012

Valentine’s Day is a day to praise love in all forms. It was very pleasing to see that Washington will be the seventh state in the U.S. to acknowledge same-sex marriages. Now we are also waiting to see what will happen after the court decision in California last week that says the ban on same-sex marriages is unconstitutional.

Within the EU, there are still several Member States that don’t acknowledge same-sex marriages: Poland, Italy, Malta, Latvia and Lithuania, for example. Here, you can find more information about countries that do not acknowledge same-sex marriages. On ILGA’s webpage you can also find more information about the situation on equal rights in different countries.

In far too many countries in the world, gay love is prohibited and in some countries even punishable by death, which is the case in, for example, Sudan and Saudi Arabia.

Reading about the situation in different countries can be discouraging, but things are actually moving forward. It is important, not just today, the 14th of February but every day, to continue the struggle for equal rights for all and the right to love. It is not as if there is too much love in the world.

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Seminars (and semla)

February 10th, 2012

Yesterday was a long and exciting day in Stockholm. A little bit late from the flight, I arrived to a seminar about organised crime, cooperation across borders and the Commission’s proposal on confiscation of criminal assets which will be presented soon. Global organised crime is a gigantic illegal enterprise encompassing vast amounts of money. In a UN report, the global drug trade alone is estimated to generate 321,6 billion dollars. Aside from fighting crime through law enforcement and preventative measures, we must also become better at going after the money, and retrieving criminals’ illegally aquired assets to taxpayers and victims. At the seminar, I discussed these matters with writer and journalist Lasse Wierup and Hans Ihrman from the Swedish Prosecution Authority. We could have spoken for hours, and in the audience were representatives from the police, prosecutors and many other knowledgeable people that I would have liked to continue the discussion with.

During the day I also had time to sit down for interviews with Sveriges Radio and a TV4 News, and speak to Minister for Justice Beatrice Ask about Schengen and cybercrime issues.

Today, I participated in a seminar in Brussels organised by the Swedish representation to the EU and the US mission, focusing on integration and anti-discrimination. William Kennard, the US ambassador to the EU, Swedish Minister for Integration Erik Ullenhag and myself had a very interesting discussion lead by Pat Cox, former speaker of the European Parliament. The US mission has published a short summary and photos on Facebook.

This afternoon I have also celebrated my cabinet’s two-year anniversary with semlor that I brought with me from Stockholm this morning. It’s important to spread the light of the semla in Brussels.

Enthusiastic about the privately imported semlor.

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Greece and Schengen

February 8th, 2012

Long discussion in the morning meeting with the Commissioners today about Greece. It is absolutely necessary that the Greek government and all political parties pull themselves together and accept the demands of the IMF and the EU, but of course we all feel a great concern for the social situation and the harsh conditions that the Greek people are going through.

This afternoon I attended a hearing in the European Parliament on Schengen. The Danish Minister, Morten Bödskov, the European Parliament Rapporteurs on Schengen, were there among many others. It was very interesting. The question of how we can strengthen the Schengen cooperation is extremely important. This involves both improving the evaluation, so that we in time can detect and correct problems, but also how we can set up a mechanism to prevent Member States from unilaterally and arbitrarily impose border controls. There are clear differences of opinion, especially in the Council, and now we need to find a constructive compromise. Read my speech here.

Tomorrow I’m going to Stockholm to attend a seminar on organised crime and the money involved. Participants in the seminar include, the author Lasse Wierup and prosecutor Hans Ihrman. I will also have a number of other meetings, including with Minister of Justice, Beatrice Ask.

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Two years have gone…

February 8th, 2012

February 10th, 2010, was my first day as EU Commissioner. Two full years into my mandate, I can easily say that this has been two tough years. The economic crisis, with high levels of unemployment, has overshadowed all other policy areas. The Arab Spring has brought new hopes of democratic neighbours but also raised new challenges for them and for us.  They have clearly indicated the desire to cooperate with us on issues like migration, asylum, police, security and visa facilitation. This is also in our interest and therefore we are now preparing mobility partnerships with countries in the North African region, starting with Tunisia.

The events in southern Mediterranean have put pressure on the Schengen system, and in September last year I presented a proposal on how Schengen can be strengthened, safeguarding this fantastic achievement, but making sure that we improve our evaluation systems and minimize the risk of abuses. Negotiations are ongoing.

Since February 2010 we have advanced quite a lot in the work on the asylum package, although many difficulties remain. The deadline set by the European council, is 2012. We urgently need a system that is common in Europe, allowing asylum seekers to get the same treatment wherever they launch their application. Today, ten countries receive 90% of the asylum applications in the EU. With all countries having an administration and infrastructure in place, it will allow for a more even responsibility and solidarity between EU members.

We have adopted the long term residence directive, as well as the qualification direction and are very close to an agreement on the European Resettlement Program. The Asylum Support Office (EASO) in Malta is up and running, mainly assisting Greece where all member states, the commission and many others are involved to help the country to set up a reception system as well as build up a functioning border control. All member states participated in the Frontex/led RABIT-operation at the Greek/Turkish border.

In the field of legal migration we have agreement on the single permit and are well advanced in the directives on seasonal workers and Intra Corporate Transferees. This will protect legal migrants but also reduce bureaucracy in the member states. With my college Lazlo Andor we are planning further initiatives on labour skills needed for the future, including the need for further labour migration. In times where growth is desperately needed, we must make sure that we can get the best skills.

We have lifted the visa obligation for Albania and Bosnia and also started the dialogue with Kosovo, enabling easier people to people contact. Visa facilitation negotiations are ongoing with Russia, Moldova, Ukraine and soon hopefully with Turkey and Georgia.

In the security area I am most proud of the anti-trafficking directive that gives us better tools to fight this horrible modern slavery. With the employment of our anti-trafficking coordinator at the Commission’s Directorate-General for Home Affairs, I think we are better equipped than ever. Also, the directive on combating sexual violence and abuse of children is very dear to my heart and will help us to better protect the most vulnerable; our children.

In September last year I inaugurated RAN, the network that will help us prevent and identify violent radicalisation and extremism. The network is connecting local actors from all over Europe – academics, social workers, teachers, victims, and others to exchange information and best practices to prevent young people from falling into violent extremism. We have concluded negotiations on Passenger Name Records (PNR) with Australia and the U.S. and also put forward a proposal on a European PNR.

Corruption is a disease that eats confidence and trust and also erodes the legal economy. Last year I launched an anticorruption package, aiming for a report next year with tailor-made recommendations to all member states. To protect the licit economy is important, as well as restoring trust.

So a lot has been done since February 2010, but many things still remain. I am looking forward to all the possibilities and challenges of the rest of my mandate.

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An open and safe internet

February 7th, 2012

Yesterday was semicolon day, which I assume was observed with restrained celebrations among grammar lovers and others. More significant, though, is today’s Safer Internet Day. It’s an opportunity to appreciate our open internet with all its possibilities, and also discuss how, for example, our children can use the internet as safely as possible. Please take part in the discussion on Twitter, under the #SID2012 hashtag.

Within my area of responsibility, much is happening in the field of internet security. Right now, my staff and I are putting the final touches to a proposal on establishing a European centre against cyber crime. The purpose is to make sure that Europe gets better at cooperating in fighting crime like online fraud and identity theft. This year, I am also presenting an EU strategy for cyber security, together with Commissioners Neelie Kroes and Catherine Ashton.

Earlier during my mandate, I proposed and pushed through European legislation for stronger penalties against sexual exploitation of children. This includes making so-called child grooming illegal all over the EU, for example when perpetrators befriend and manipulate children over chat programs.

Internet security is vitally important, and at the same time we must make sure to safeguard our open and free internet; regulation must never go too far. The discussion on how to strike that balance is constantly evolving, for example when EU Member States are now about to negotiate new legislation on how to protect personal data online. By the way, did you spot that semicolon?

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Winter weather in Brussels

February 6th, 2012

Today, the sun is shining over a stone cold Brussels. After a mild autumn and winter, snow began to fall heavily on Friday afternoon and the temperature has, as elsewhere in Europe, dropped dramatically. But rather sun and snow than gray rain.

I have just returned from a lunch with 15 ambassadors from Asia. We had interesting discussions about visas, migration, labour migration, drug smuggling and better cooperation between the EU and ASEAN. The Asian countries certainly have nothing to envy the EU on the economic front, but when it comes to regional cooperation, they see the EU as a great role model. A few years ago, I was in South Korea and met with liberal politicians from the region, and it was apparent how inspired they are by the EU and our institutions.

I have also met Enikö Györi, Hungary’s Minister of European Affairs. She is visiting the Commissioners in preparation for Hungary’s response to legal procedures regarding the Central Bank, the Data Protection Ombudsman and judicial autonomy, which is required by the Commission before 17 February. She explained how they intend to manage the various issues. I also took the opportunity to ask about the new media law. Several parts of the law have been rejected by the Hungarian Constitutional Court. According to the Minister, they’re rewriting parts, working closely with the Council of Europe. We’ll see if this is sufficient when we have received the formal responses.  We have, as I have written about previously, expressed serious concerns about several of the Hungarian laws.

While in Athens, negotiations between the government and lenders are now in a critical stage, while on the street, people are preparing to go on strike tomorrow. To be continued …

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Work in Brussels?

February 3rd, 2012

I am often asked by students how one should go about getting a job in the EU in Brussels. There is no short and simple answer to that question because there are many ways to get here. But there are two things that I think you should take the chance to do during your studies, no matter what type of training or what service you are interested in – an exchange semester and an internship.

25 years ago the Erasmus program was launched with just over 3,000 students who bravely struck out to study in a new country. These 3000 students have paved the way for the approximately 250,000 who will take the chance this year to study abroad. Now non-EU countries are participating too, such as Norway, Croatia and Turkey. A semester abroad is incredibly valuable for language skills, but above all it is a chance to learn about other cultures and to get new friends. Experience of having lived in another EU country is also extremely important if you want to work for the EU. Through the Erasmus program, you can also get the chance to do an internship. You can find more information about Erasmus here.

An internship in Brussels is another way to get more experience and find out where it is you would like to work. You can apply for a traineeship at the EU institutions official agency and become a so called “Blue Book Trainee”. Admissions for the Spring 2013 internships will be posted here. The “Blue Book” is far from the only way to get an internship in Brussels.  Almost all MEPs, several Commission DGs, many companies and organizations also accept trainees who apply directly. Since I took office, we have had two interns from the “Blue Book” in my Cabinet every year. These trainees are really good and tend to find that the internship is a really positive addition to their CV.

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