News/Press

Political agreement by EU Ministers of Economy and Finance about to change the lives of millions disabled people

EU Structural Funds: for the first time in the history of the EU, the principle of accessibility for disabled people becomes a requirement for the Member States to obtain EU public funding.

Brussels, 8 Mai 2006 – The political agreement was finally reached on 5 May 2006 at Council level by the EU Ministers of Economy and Finance. The compromise includes the five Regulations constituting the cohesion policy legislative package and representing one third of the Union’s overall budget, the equivalent to 336.1 billion euros.

In particular, article 14 of the General Regulation, establishing the criteria for the allocation of the Funds, includes the first specific reference to the accessibility for disabled people as a requirement to use EU public funding.

“We are extremely satisfied with this decision and in particular with the key and active support of the European Parliament since we initiated this important campaign. The potential impact of this political agreement is so significant that it will change the face of our cities, our public buildings and transport systems”, said the President of the European Disability Forum (EDF), Yannis Vardakastanis.

For EDF, the representative organisation of 50 million disabled people in Europe the successful agreement is the first result of an intensive lobbying campaign that will be now carried at the Member State level. “Our task is now to guarantee that the operational programmes to be developed in the 25 Member States will respect the accessibility and non-discrimination principles included in the Regulation. Today, we must act as watchdogs, but we are confident that in a very short future the rights of disabled people will be naturally part of all EU initiatives, policies and funding“, stressed Vardakastanis.

The ECOFIN’s agreement will be voted by the European Parliament in July 2006. The regulations should enter into force by the end of the same month, followed by the discussion and approval of the Community strategic guidelines. The discussions and Commission’s approval of the Member States’ operational programmes is expected by November 2007, putting and end to the procedure.

For more information, please contact: Helena González-Sancho Bodero, EDF Communication Officer: Tel: +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.