In this interview, with MEP Nicolae Ștefănuță, who is Vice-President of the European Parliament (EP) and part of the Disability Intergroup, we discussed:
- building an inclusive European Parliament
- securing social inclusion in the next EU budget
- shared responsibility for disability rights
Making the European Parliament more accessible
Question: As Vice President of the European Parliament, how do you think the institution can become more inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities?
Answer: As you know Vice-Presidents deal with number of internal issues pertaining to daily Parliament’s business through participation in different EP bodies and working groups. To perform these duties successfully it is highly important to listen to others and to collect feedback as well as be committed to improving existing procedures. I am lucky to have so many wise and dedicated people and colleagues around me who is also very committed to making people’s life better. For example, recently my fellow-colleague Tomas Waitz contacted me to share the feedback of his visitors who found that the EU quarter’s infrastructure could be improved in terms of inclusivity. We already flagged this to EU bodies, and I hope it will result in respective adjustments. Thus, my recipe here is think about people, hear them, be proactive and do your job with a view of making everyone’s life better.
Keeping social inclusion into the next EU budget
Question: In a recent press conference in Bucharest, you highlighted the lack of investment in assistive technologies, accessible school infrastructure, and support for relatives of persons with disabilities. As a member of the Committee on Budgets, how do you see these priorities being translated into concrete budget decisions at EU level, especially within the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)?
Answer: Next MFF will attribute more responsibility in prioritising spendings to member states. This means that at the EU level it will be more difficult to influence the EU funds allocation once the new MFF adopted. Therefore, it is essential to ensure these priorities are reflected in MFF, so that member states comply with them after the adoption. In this regard, I welcome the position within the proposal to allocate 14% of national envelopes to social inclusion, equal opportunities, skills development, and rural areas.
However, the negotiations have not been finalized. I urge my colleagues to go beyond words and demonstrate by action our care about our citizens, especially those who need this more. We must defend ambitious social inclusion target for our people and for better Union.
Protecting Disability Rights
Question: During the same press conference, you criticised national policies that weaken support for persons with disabilities and their families. How do you see the European Parliament’s role in ensuring that Member States uphold disability rights and meet their obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities? What concrete measures would you like to see included in the second phase of the EU Disability Rights Strategy?
Answer: As I mentioned, the role of member states is crucial in ensuring inclusivity. Not only because of the new MFF design, but mostly because social policy falls mainly within responsibility of states. However, the role of the Parliament cannot be underestimated. The recipe for success here remains the same: listen and strive for making people’s life better.
As citizens’ representatives we entrusted with the mandate of doing whatever in our capacity to bring the EU’s added value to their life. We work for them the same way as national authorities do. Consequently, we have the common goal – improving life of citizens. We must hear each other, but most importantly hear people. If we really want to make our societies better for all, it should be easy to find solutions.
I also see civil society (CSO) as crucial element of the process. They are like an oil inside an engine; they facilitate coherent movement of all parts.
Hence, communication and CSO support are indispensable for smooth implementation of the EU Disability Rights Strategy.