29-30 January European Parliament

Date: 06/02/1997

EU member states are coming under pressure from the European Parliament to step up their joint efforts to fight terrorism. By an overwhelming majority, MEPs adopted a lengthy list of detailed policy proposals drafted by Luxembourg Christian Democrat MEP Viviane Reding. She insisted that terrorism be clearly defined as a punishable criminal activity which could not be justified by any “so-called political motive”. Among the measures being advocated by MEPs are improved airport security, more sophisticated explosive detection systems, closer monitoring of the arms trade and clear extradition procedures.

CONCERNED at the uneven way EU legislation is applied by member states, MEPs accused governments of deliberately failing to implement Union directives. In its annual assessment of the application of Community law, the Parliament openly deplored the fact that 93 rulings from the European Court of Justice had still not been implemented. Areas where member states had a particularly bad record were the environment, transport, energy and agriculture. The Parliament also demanded that the Commission make its infringement proceedings more transparent.

MEPs supported the European Commission's plans to make different forms of transport pay for the environmental and infrastructure costs they entail. But they warned that the aim of the policy should not be to ban freight from Europe's roads and insisted that all forms of transport be treated equally.

AS the Union launched its 'Year Against Racism', the Parliament claimed recent EU and national decisions on immigration and asylum had intensified hostility towards third-country citizens and asylum seekers. MEPs accused governments of conducting a “deficient and ineffective integration policy to the detriment of tolerance, harmony and cooperation within society”.

THE Commission was urged by MEPs to come forward with draft legislation to promote forestry in the Union. The initiative, which emphasises the need to tackle forest fires and combat erosion, is a recognition of the importance forestry plays in the EU's three new member states.