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Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Non-discrimination and equal opportunities for all — A framework strategy Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All (2007) Towards a Just Society

(2006/C 115/14)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

Having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions ‘Non-discrimination and equal opportunities for all — A framework strategy’ COM(2005) 224 final and the Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and the Council on ‘the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All (2007) Towards a Just Society’ COM(2005) 225 final — 2005/0107 (COD),

Having regard to the decision of the European Commission of 1 June 2005 to consult it on the subject, under the first paragraph of Article 265 of the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to the European Parliament's Resolution on protection of minorities and anti-discrimination policies in an enlarged Europe and the CoR's forthcoming opinion in response to this Resolution,

Having regard to the decision of its President of 25 July 2005 to instruct its Commission for Economic and Social Policy to draw up an opinion on this subject,

Having regard to its opinion on equal treatment (CdR 513/99 fin) (1),

Having regard to Directives 2000/43/EC and 2000/78/EC (implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin and establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation),

Having regard to its opinion on implementing the principle of equal treatment between men and women in the access to and supply of goods and services (CdR 19/2004 fin) (2),

Having regard to its opinion on the Green Paper on equality and non-discrimination in an enlarged EU COM(2004) 379 final (CdR 241/2004 fin) (3),

Having regard to its Draft Opinion CdR 226/2005 rev. 1 adopted on 23 September 2005 by its Commission for Economic and Social Policy (Rapporteur: Cllr Peter Moore, Member of Sheffield Metropolitan Borough Council (UK/ALDE),

Whereas:

unanimously adopted the following opinion at its 62nd plenary session, held on 16 and 17 November 2005 (meeting of 16 November).

1.   The Committee of the Regions' views

The Committee of the Regions

I)   Outcome of the Green Paper Consultation

II)   Ensuring Effective Legal Protection against Discrimination

III)   Assessing the Need for Further Action to Complement the Current Legal Framework

IV)   Mainstreaming non-discrimination and equal opportunities for all

V)   Promoting and Learning from Innovation and Good Practice

VI)   Raising Awareness and Cooperating with Stakeholders

VII)   Tackling discrimination and social exclusion faced by disadvantaged ethnic minorities

2.   The Committee of the Regions' recommendations

Implementation of Existing Legislation

Promoting and Learning from Best Practice

Further Action to Complement the Current Legal Framework

Involvement of Stakeholders

Awareness Raising Activities, including 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All

Brussels, 16 November 2005.

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Peter STRAUB

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(1)OJ C 226 of 8.8.2000, p. 1

(2)OJ C 121 of 30.4.2004, p. 25

(3)OJ C 71 of 22.3.2005, p. 62

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