News/Press

European Disability Forum Board members meet in Lisbon to discuss the priorities of the European Disability movement and future actions at national and
European level

Lisbon, 7 July 2007 – “Equal opportunities for disabled people is part of the Portuguese Presidency priorities. We hope to leave strong political landmark during this EU Presidency, as we have done for the past two others and to contribute positively to the development of the EU integration process” said today Dr. Rui Daniel on behalf of the Portuguese Minister for Labour and Solidarity and the Secretary of State for Rehabilitation, during the opening session of the Board meeting that the European Disability Forum is holding this week-end in Lisbon.

The Portuguese Presidency of the European Union has from the very beginning shown a strong commitment to disability issues, supporting EDF in the organization of this bi-annual meeting of the European disability movement leaders in the Lusitanian capital. The day before, in Guimarães, the President of the European Disability Forum, Yannis Vardakastanis,   had the opportunity to raise its views with the Ministers of Employment and Social Affairs of the present and two future EU Presidencies, in the framework of the so-called “Troika” meeting.  

During his opening speech, Dr. Rui Daniel also highlighted the EU Presidency’s initiative to include disability issues among the discussion themes of the Round tables on social exclusion and poverty that will be held next 16 and 17 October. He as well reminded the active role played by the Portuguese government during the negotiation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and expressed its confidence about the rapid ratification of this key international Treaty.

Both Dr Daniel, and Dr Rui Carreteiro, addressing the assembly on behalf of the National Institute of Rehabilitation and the Portuguese Coordinating Body for the European Year of Equal Opportunities, highlighted the important role of NGOs in bringing about social cohesion and inclusion in Europe. “The National Action Plan that will be developed in Portugal during the European Year will help our country to overcome the existing shortcomings, to promote diversity and to eliminate existing obstacles in the social agenda. The outcomes of this Year must be an incentive for decision-makers to improve equality policies and to define the challenges and targets for the years to come”, said Carreteiro. 

The member of the European Parliament, Mr Joel Hasse Ferreira, called on the European Union to take action in order to overcome all existing forms of discrimination against disabled people: “there is no social or economic excuse that can prevent us to overcome the obstacles for the integration of disabled people in society. The European Parliament urges all Member States to adopt measures in favour of equal conditions for all persons, with or without disabilities”.

For Mr Faustino Aquilino Coelho, President of the Portuguese National Council of Disabled People CNOD, action needs to be taken on many levels in close cooperation with disabled people: “NGOs are essential to democratic regimes. Disability organisations must absolutely be part of the decision-making process. The Portuguese national council will continue to work hard in order to reinforce the disability movement in our country”.

The President of the European Disability Forum, Yannis Vardakastanis, stressed the importance of this year, which celebrates the 10th anniversary of non-discrimination article 13 of the EU Treaty and the European Year of Equal Opportunities. “This year is also the 10th anniversary of EDF’s establishment and the year in which the first UN Convention ever on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been adopted. We will actively continue to promote the adoption of European comprehensive legislation to protect disabled people from discrimination and to collect of one million signatures in favour of this initiative. EDF has only learned to succeed; the future cannot wait” said EDF President.

Vardakastanis congratulated the Portuguese government for its commitment to disability issues and recalled on the importance to work in close cooperation with disabled people’s representatives: “EDF is the sole voice of disabled people in Europe. Our work is not on the top of the mountain. We are down on earth trying to improve the living conditions of all disabled people in Europe. It is very important for EDF to be in Lisbon today, not only to build up our fruitful contacts with the Portuguese government in its key current role as Presidency of the EU, but most importantly, to support the important role of the national disability movement”.

Among other key points, EDF Board meeting will include discussions on the “1million4disability campaign” (www.1million4disability.eu) and future EU disability legislation; the ratification process of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the respect of the EU Regulation in the national implementation of the Structural Funds and the effective application of the recently adopted EU Regulation on disabled air passenger’s rights.