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Margot Wallström: “We promised to deliver and we will deliver on our promises”
1 232 771 signatures collected in only 9 months by the European disability movement in favour of a disability Directive were handed over today in Brussels to the European Commission Vice-President
Brussels, 4 October 2007 – “I am not proud or able to say that Europe and its institutions have made everything possible. We have not! We have failed and we a have a lot more work to do” said today Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the European Commission. “You are such an important pressure on us that continues to remind us about the work that we still have to do and you are an important collaborator for the European Commission to prepare legislative proposal. I know that work is going on for a legislative proposal, hopefully for next year. We promised to deliver and we will deliver also on these promises”.
These were the words that Margot Wallström addressed today to the two thousand representatives of disabled people, which had travelled to Brussels from 30 different European countries. “I understand your disappointment”, said Wallström, when the participants expressed their resentment regarding President Barroso’s last minute decision not to attend the event.
“We need the Commission to fulfil the promises that were made back in 2004. We need now your answer. Not only for the persons present here, but also for those in all capitals, in all cities, in all villages. We firmly believe that Europe has to be a place of equal opportunities for all. If Europe fails, it will be even more away from its citizens”, said Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum. “We cannot tolerate ignorance; we cannot tolerate any delays on the part of the European institutions. There is no excuse. Everybody knows”.
Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament and one of the key supporters of the campaign renewed the Parliament’s full support for a European specific Directive: “the European Union is based on the principles of respect and human dignity. Let us work together to achieve this goal. I am glad that you succeeded in collecting the million signatures: this is a sign of hope for Europe”.
Idalia Moniz, on behalf or the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union: “Portugal is ready as Presidency and as Member State to work on the Commission’s proposal aiming to strengthening equality legislation and in particular, through the adoption of a comprehensive and efficient European disability legislation”.
Several authorities representing the various decision-levels in Belgium were also there to support the European Disability’s Forum campaign, including Gisèle Mandaila, Federal Secretary of State for People with Disabilities, Steven Vanackere, Flemish Minister of Welfare, Public Health and Family, Belgium and Evelyne Huytebroeck, Ministry of the Brussels-Capital Region
A symbollic cheque representing the 1 232 771 signatures was handed over to the Vice-President of the European Commission. The boxes containing the signatures will be certified and sent to Mr Barroso’s office in the next days.
For more information on the EDF campaign “1million4disability”: www.1million4disability.eu
For more information, please contact: Helena González-Sancho Bodero, EDF Communication and Press Officer; Tel: (+32 2) 282 46 04; Mobile phone: (+ 32 ) 485 64 39 93; 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 includes national umbrella organisations of disabled people from all EU/EEA countries, as well as European NGOs representing the different types of disabilities, organisations and individuals committed to disability issues. The mission of the European Disability Forum is to ensure disabled people full access to fundamental and human rights through their active involvement in policy development and implementation in Europe.