The 5th Plenary Session of the Conference on the Future of Europe started the day before yesterday and will conclude today in Strasbourg, with the participation of MEPs, members of the delegation to the Conference, Mr. Mr Harris Georgiades (leader) and Mr Chrisis Pantelidis, in physical presence, and Ms Marina Nikolaou and Ms Alexandra Attalidou, via internet.
Mr Georgiades participated in the Working Group (WG) on Migration, Ms Nikolaou in the WG on Stronger Economy, Social Justice and Jobs, Mr Pantelidis in the WG on Digital Transformation and Ms Attalidou in the WG on Climate Change and Environment. The WGs dealt with the formulation of their draft proposals to the Plenary.
In his intervention on Migration, Mr Georgiades referred to the proposals concerning the strengthening and development of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX). In tabling an amendment, Mr Georgiades stressed that the first priority should be to strengthen the operational role of FRONTEX for the more effective protection of the external borders of the European Union and the management of irregular migration and, secondly, to improve the transparency and accountability of the organisation in the context of its activities.
Ms Nicolaou, in her intervention at the OE work on Stronger Economy, Social Justice and Jobs, criticised the fact that the proposals for deepening the banking union, restructuring the monetary union and harmonising tax systems are characterised by ambiguity. These proposals, she stressed, ignore the specificities of the Member States, with the risk of creating even more inequalities for citizens. Citing a resolution of the European Parliament, which demonstrates the weaknesses of European labour legislation, Ms Nikolaou proposed the establishment of a fair European regulatory framework in the field of labour relations and in particular with regard to teleworking, which responds to the modern conditions of the economy. Pantelides stressed that the implementation of such measures must be consistent with the right to freedom of expression and must not operate in a way that unduly restricts the fundamental rights of citizens. Moreover, while discussing a proposal for a legislative framework on "smart working", Mr Pantelidis noted the need to recognize and ensure the right of the employee to disconnect.
Ms Attalidou, in her intervention at the OE on Climate Change and the Environment, stressed the importance of an active role of the competent authorities, and in particular of local authorities, for the protection of biodiversity. Ms Attalidou suggested the implementation of active policies to enhance biodiversity at a pan-European level, such as Miyawaki mini-forests, which, she pointed out, are created by dense planting of native species, grow faster than conventional forests and produce more biodiversity by storing more carbon.
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