English

Pluralism

“For me Art and Culture are not only measurable economical factors. In the first place they lead to progress and growing consciousness of the people. They are mental food, inspire the fantasy, and finish barriers. The unlimited freedom of the art is the admonisher and guardian of a democratic and pluralistic society”

This is also a principal objective of the European Union.


Responsibility

“In the committees and delegacies I strive for concrete subjects and try to achieve changes.”

Education: Basic and on-going education

Media: Unlimited access to new media and technologies
   for all

Sport: Cope with excessive commercialisation, sport for
   all, fight against doping

Youth: Exchange, Communication, Consciousness for a    united Europe

Elderly: Quality of life, Dignity, a Europe for all ages

 
Equal opportunity

Since 1957 equal opportunities for men and women has been laid down in the EU-treaty. Today it has only partly been realised. On the average, women in the EU get paid 30% less than men for the same work.


Therefore, gender mainstreaming is a focus point of my work in the committee on women rights and equal opportunities. It means: Equal opportunities for women and men from the start – and as such the sex – must be included and implemented in all aspects of the society. Effectively this means amongst others: Same payment for the same work, the same career chances, equal representation in key positions and political functions.”

Chances

In the coming years, the European Union will be expanded with 12 countries. The EU-enlargement is not an adventure. It is being thoroughly prepared and has a solid foundation. The trade between the EU and the candidate countries from Middle and Eastern Europe accounts for 50 to 70% of their foreign trade. Over the last couple of years the trade balance between the candidate countries and the EU shows a surplus in favour of the EU, which is bigger than the financial support these countries received out of public means.

“However, there is more. The east expansion offers a unique historical opportunity to extend peace and stability to all of Europe and it opens new, great chances for all. As member of the delegations to the joint parliamentary committees for Hungary and Romania I’m actively involved in these developments.”

Community

At present, the European Union is a community of 15 member states and is being shaped and stamped by 370 million people. Every five years, the people elect the European Parliament. In the parliament work 626 delegates, of which 21 come from Austria (7 SPE). It is the biggest multinational parliament in the world. Together with the Council of Ministers and the European Committee it forms one of the three political pillars of the EU. The competence of the parliament has continuously been expanded. The members are also responsible for the political verification and democratic control of the European Committee. They have direct influence on legal decisions and furtherance programs, which are realised in all of the European Union.

Visions

Objectives of the European Union:

A functioning common market

Common basic social benefits and equal social    opportunities

Economic growth and employment

Environmental responsibility by binding    ecological measures

Mutual enrichment by cultural and artistic    exchange

“These are prerequisites to achieve social security, a healthy environment and justice on our continent”