News/Press

Advancing disability rights in Europe: the President of the European Parliament offers his support

Today: fruitful exchange of views between Josep Borrell, President of the European Parliament and Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum.

Brussels, 2 March 2006 – Ensuring that disability becomes a priority issue in the European integration process was at the core of today’s meeting between Josep Borrell, President of the European Parliament and Yannis Vardakastanis, EDF President.

In particular, Borrell and Vardakastanis exchanged views on how to reinforce EU’s non-discrimination strategy and to strengthen disability legislation in Europe. Ensuring that the European Structural Funds are no longer used to finance barriers and create new forms or discrimination for disabled people, was also one of the key issues tackled this morning.

“The European Parliament has always been a key ally for the European disability movement” said Vardakastanis. “We are confident that this institution, elected directly by the European citizens, will continue to defend a Human Rights approach to disability at the highest political level. There is no doubt that the Parliament has a key role to play to ensure necessary attention to the 50 million Europeans with disabilities in the Lisbon Agenda and the discussions on the Future of Europe”.

In 2007, the EU will celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the non-discrimination Article 13 of the EU Treaty and the European Year for Equal Opportunities. “2007 will also be the 10^th anniversary of the European Disability movement. If this is not yet the right moment to put an end to disability discrimination in Europe, it will simply never be”, stressed Yannis Vardakastanis.

For more information, please contact: Helena González-Sancho Bodero, EDF Communication and Press Officer; Tel office: (+ 32 2) 282 46 04; E-mail: communication@edf-feph.org

The European Disability Forum (EDF) is the European umbrella organisation representing the interests of 50 million disabled citizens in Europe. EDF membership includesnational umbrella organisations of disabled peoplefrom all EU/EEA countries, as well asEuropean NGOs representing the different types of disabilities. The mission of the European Disability Forum is toensure disabled people full access to fundamental and human rights through their active involvement in policy development and implementation in Europe.