EUROPEAN UNION'S 2009 GENERAL BUDGET

15/09/2008: The draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2009 was adopted unanimously, by the 'Women's rights and gender equality committee of the European Parliament.

The adopted amendments tabled by Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou (GR, EPP-ED), refer to:

• The horizontal application to the entire PROGRESS programme (employment, social protection and social inclusion, working conditions, non-discrimination and diversity) of the principle of equality between women and men.

• The evaluation by the European Commission of the budget for human resources responsible for the evaluation of projects in the framework of the Daphne III programme (Fight against violence), in order to increase its efficiency.

• An increased use of the Structural Funds by Member States, in the framework of the European Social Fund, and a more balanced distribution of the budget lines as a means to promote equality between women and men.

Particularly concerned about the situation of children and adults suffering from 'dys' disorders and disabilities, the Greek MEP successfully maintained within the text the relevant budgetary lines for development of European policies assisting these groups, especially in view of a financial mechanism for children suffering from 'dys' disorder and disabilities, and their parents.

Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou's achievement was to usefully change the initial text in various fields such as intergenerational solidarity, men's input in the education of children, conciliation between family life and professional life and the acknowledgement of women's informal labour in view of putting forward its economic value.

The members of the women's rights committee adopted a pilot project presented by Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou. The project aims at implementing funding in order to guarantee the promotion of a better support to the educators and parents of 'dys' individuals, in respect of the principle of equality between women and men.
In that perspective, the pilot project underlines the necessity to raise awareness about the persistent inequalities between 'dys' individuals, on the discrimination towards carers and families, and the need to inform society on 'dys' problems.
Moreover, it highlights the importance of the exchange of good practices and the promotion of cooperation between organisations active in the area of 'dys' problems.

For further information:
Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP
Tel: +32-2-2847447 Fax: +32-2-2849447
E-mail: marie.panayotopoulos-cassiotou@europarl.europa.eu

Notes to Editors:
The EPP-ED Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 288 Members from all 27 Member States.

STRENGTHENING LINKS BETWEEN THE EU AND NORWAY

23/06/2006: PARTICIPATION OF MARIE PANAYOTOPOULOS-CASSIOTOU MEP IN A VISIT TO OSLO WITH THE DELEGATION FOR RELATIONS WITH SWITZERLAND, ICELAND, NORWAY AND THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

The European Parliament Delegation for relations with Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and the European Economic Area visited Oslo from 19 to 21 June on the occasion of the 23rd EU-Norway interparliamentary meeting. The visit of the delegation, which was composed of Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou on behalf of the EPP-ED Group as well as of other members from various political groups, aimed at presenting the economic and political situation of Norway and to exchange points of view on a certain number of policies which are of common interest to the EU and Norway. The enlargement of the EEA, the European Neighbourhood Policy, the Northern Dimension, security and defence, energy and environment and finally the fisheries policy, were among the topics discussed. As far as fisheries are concerned, the interparliamentary meeting gave the oopportunity to address the dispute between the EU and Norway on salmon prices and the latter's recourse to the WTO.

During its visit, the EP Delegation met with the President and Vice-President of the Norwegian Parliament, Members of Parliament and representatives of the European Commission.

The discussions focused on the relations which have been established between the EU and Norway within the framework of the EEA Agreement which came into force in January 1994. In accordance with this Agreement, EU legislation relating to the internal market, with the exception of agriculture and fisheries management, has been extended to Norway and therefore the principles of free movement of persons, goods, services and capital are also applicable. Views were also exchanged on the agreement between the EU and Norway as to the application and development of the Schengen Convention as well as the eventual accession of Norway to the EU, considering the constant extension of its scope of activities.

Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou congratulated the organisers of the visit and stated that the strengthening of the links between the EU and Norway - a country which enjoys a strong economy and abundant natural resources - increases the possibilities of growth and development both bilaterally and within the EEA.