European Parliament resolution on demographic challenges and solidarity between the generations (2005/2147(INI))
Date: 2006-03-23
Institutions: Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, European Parliament
Subjects: employment policy, family solidarity, living conditions, population ageing, social policy

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(g)

(h)

(i)

in addition there should be a possibility of sufficient flexibility in the annual work programme sub-
mitted by the parties for them to be able to react appropriately to unforeseen events in their political
work;

in the interest of efficient management of funding, the deadline for the parties to submit their final
accounts should be brought forward to 15 May of the following year;

to achieve the aim of reinforcing European political parties as factors in European democracy, and
against the background of increasing demands on their political work as a result of enlargements (costs
of translation, travel, etc.), an appropriate increase in the financial support for political parties seems
desirable;

Considers that during the present phase of reflection on the future of the European Union, the

14.
following questions should also be discussed:

(a)

in what way can European political foundations be supported in order to assist in European political
parties' work of political information and education? Parliament calls on the Commission to submit
proposals on this matter;

(b)

in what way can European lists of European parties be established for the European elections, to further
the formation of a European political public sphere?

(c) what role can the European political parties play in referendums on European topics,

in European

Parliament elections and in the election of the Commission President?

(d)

in what way can the role of European political youth organisations and movements, which are a vital
means of nurturing European awareness and shaping a European identity among the younger gener-
ations, be promoted and enhanced? Parliament recommends the establishment of an internal working
group, with representatives of the committees concerned, European political parties and the party-pol-
itical youth organisations, which would present a report to the Bureau within a year on the role of
party-political youth organisations and the best way of supporting them now and in the future statute.

15.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission.

*

*

*

P6_TA(2006)0115

Demographic challenges and solidarity between the generations

European Parliament resolution on demographic challenges and solidarity between the generations
(2005/2147(INI))

The European Parliament,

— having regard to its resolution of 14 March 1997 on the Commission report to the Council and Euro-

pean Parliament on the demographic situation in the European Union (1995) (1),

— having regard to its resolution of 12 March 1998 on the Commission demographic report 1997 (2),

— having regard to its resolution of 15 December 2000 on the Commission communication ‘Towards a

Europe for all ages — promoting prosperity and intergenerational solidarity’ (3),

(1) OJ C 115, 14.4.1997, p. 238.
(2) OJ C 104, 6.4.1998, p. 222.
(3) OJ C 232, 17.8.2001, p. 381.

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— having regard to the Commission communication to the Council and the European Parliament ‘Europe's
response to World Ageing Promoting economic and social progress in an ageing world — A contribu-
tion of the European Commission to the 2nd World Assembly on Ageing’ (COM(2002)0143),

— having regard to the European Youth Pact adopted by the Brussels European Council of 22 and

23 March 2005,

— having regard to the Commission communication entitled Green Paper ‘Confronting demographic

change: a new solidarity between the generations’ (COM(2005)0094),

— having regard to Rule 45 of its Rules of Procedure,

— having regard to the report of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the opinions of
the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and the Committee on Women's
Rights and Gender Equality (A6-0041/2006),

A. whereas demographic change, which is partly attributable to increased life expectancy, should not be
treated just as a problem, but also represents a positive challenge to societies to engage people in all age
groups and to offer opportunities which previously did not exist,

B. whereas the Lisbon Strategy underlines the need for increased participation by women in the employ-
ment market in order to achieve the Lisbon objectives of full employment with high quality jobs,

C. whereas Directive 92/85/EEC (1) provides for measures to encourage improvements in the safety and
health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding,

1. Welcomes the Commission communication entitled Green Paper ‘Confronting demographic change: a
new solidarity between the generations’ (the Green Paper);

2. Welcomes the fact that, in presenting the Green Paper, the Commission has addressed at European
level one of the key political and social challenges; stresses, at the same time, that numerous issues relating
to demographic change in society fall exclusively within the sphere of competence of the Member States and
that, therefore, there is no general Community competence for establishing European rules in this area;

3.
Regrets that the Commission Green Paper does not systematically incorporate the gender perspective
at either the macro or micro level of analysis, although this is essential to develop comprehensive reflections
and actions;

4.
Considers that demographic change and its impact on society are crucially important for the future of
the Member States and of the Union; therefore calls on the Commission to acknowledge demographic
change as a horizontal task and to take it into account in an appropriate manner, in the form of main-
streaming, in all the Union's activities;

5.
Observes that demographic change plus low economic growth/continuing high unemployment will
increase these challenges exponentially over time; concludes, therefore, that growth should be increased
and high unemployment should be reduced in order to counter the adverse consequences of demographic
change;

6.
Is surprised that the Green Paper makes only passing reference to the healthcare aspects of demo-
graphic change; emphasises that, with an ageing population, the demand for health and long-term care
is convinced that investment in measures for the life-
services increases qualitatively and quantitatively;
long prevention of illness is important for coming to terms with the human and financial aspects of demo-
graphic change; states that the longer people are in a position to enjoy healthy lives, the longer they can
remain active and work;

(1) OJ L 348, 28.11.1992, p. 1.

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7.
Agrees that, with lowering rates of reproduction, economic growth can be maintained through
measures aimed at higher employment, innovation and increased productivity, as well as by modernising
social protection;

Thursday 23 March 2006

8.
Advocates, in view of the marked change in demographic circumstances, a new solidarity across the
generations and the further development of the existing social models in the European Union, the main
objective of which should be to ensure participation in society, social security and social solidarity for all,
and to encourage the potential of all generations;

9.
Recognises that different Member States are grappling with common challenges in this area, and are
exploring different solutions with varying degrees of success; considers that there are no single one-size-fits-
all ‘right’ answers, especially in a Union of 25 or more member States; stresses that the need for a varied
approach in tackling demographic challenges is further increased by the significant disparities experienced in
the different regions and sub-regions; such disparities will require imaginative, non-uniform approaches;

Regrets that the Green Paper does not highlight the importance of reproductive and sexual health in
10.
demographic changes; points out that infertility, and particularly male infertility, is on the rise, especially in
highly industrialized areas, and that in some European countries up to 15 % of couples are now infertile,
chemical pollution being one of the causes of infertility;

11.
Regrets that the Green Paper does not give consideration to the growing number of single-parent
families, 85 % of which are headed by women and most of which are subject to a higher risk of poverty and
should therefore be given special support;

12.

Notes the experience of Member States in which there exists a ‘guaranteed minimum income’;

13.
Is concerned about the difference in healthcare systems in the Member States, regions and social
groups; states that the difference in healthcare (low life expectancy, widespread chronic illness, illness caused
by living conditions), along with a low birth rate and emigration, can lead to a further increase in regional
disparities and to a vicious circle which is difficult to break; asks the Member States to notify their differ-
ences in healthcare so as to achieve, with help from the Commission, a systematic exchange of best practice
and to overcome this issue effectively;

14.
Calls on the Member States to acknowledge demographic change as a common challenge and to
decide on a more intensive exchange of views at the Spring European Council about the effects of demo-
graphic change and on proven practices, especially in areas such as active ageing, family living conditions
and the balance between working life and family life;

15.
Believes that all Member States can learn more from each other by exchanging best practices more
vigorously, particularly with those Scandinavian countries where a high participation of men and women in
the labour market is coupled with some of the highest fertility rates in Europe and where the availability of
free or affordable childcare facilities, parental leave opportunities and the rules on maternity leave are con-
tributory factors in the high participation of women in the labour market;

16. Welcomes the fact that the European Union, through measures aimed at improving the framework
conditions, wishes to support the Member States in reducing the discrepancy between the number of
children parents wish for (2,3) and the actual number of children (1,5) they have;

17.
Calls on the Commission and the Member States to undertake and disseminate studies on population
change in the individual Member States, taking account of the causes and the likely short-term consequences
thereof;

Suggests that when comparing best practice regarding female labour market participation, compari-

18.
sons are sought from, other countries;

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19.
Stresses that creating favourable conditions for couples to have the number of children they wish is
one of the conditions for the existence and development of any society, given the social and economic
challenges resulting from the declining birth rate, and that action should therefore be taken to support
motherhood and fatherhood;

20.
Considers that the decision by many women or couples to limit or delay having a child or children
may not be their choice, but a preference forced upon them by the challenge of reconciling work, private
and family life; considers that it is not just in the interests of parents to enable them to have the number of
children they want and when they want them, but also in the interests of society as a whole given the
declining birth-rate in Europe at present; urges, therefore, that Member States adopt measures to permit
and support the establishment and operation of high quality crèches/day-care facilities for children, the
elderly, people with disabilities and other dependant persons at a price affordable to all, regardless of
income; stresses that this is essential in order to enable full and equal participation of men and women in
the labour market, to enable women to adjust their participation in the job market to their rhythm of life
and to help reconcile family life and work;

21.
Urges the Member States to promote tax measures to encourage a higher birth rate and draws atten-
tion to the fact that women, in particular young single mothers, should be guaranteed special protection and
support following the birth of a child;

22.
Calls on Member States to study the costs and benefits of unpaid, voluntary and unstable work
undertaken by young people as a means of entering the labour market; points to the possible links between
such activities and low fertility levels through reduced access to housing and reduced stability; calls on
private companies to review their policies in this regard;

Considers that gender equality and combating discrimination against women at the workplace, both
23.
at the level of employment and being entrusted with responsibilities, and at the level of pay, could and
should play a crucial role in the creation of families, supporting them and, at the same time, reducing the
birth shortage in Europe;

Calls on Member States to do more to identify and overcome all obstacles to promoting families,

24.
including obstacles outside the workplace, by taking such measures as:

(i) permitting more flexibility at work, recognising workers' needs, so that they can better adapt their

working time to their family and shopping requirements;

(ii)

improving the limited access to the housing market, for example by promoting easier access for mort-
gage finance so that more people can become property-owners and thereby gain their independence
earlier;

(iii) producing family-friendlier tax policies;

(iv) promoting wider and more accessible childcare and dependent-care facilities;

(v) promoting thriving local schools;

(vi)

improving compatibility of working hours with school hours, at the same time promoting flexibility in
working time and combating a long hours culture;

(vii)

the continued promotion of equality at the workplace;

(viii)

renewed efforts to promote equality at home, a fairer division of household and family obligations

and the elimination of stereotypes through public information and awareness campaigns;

25.
Calls on the Member States to increase the availability of proper housing for families, especially for
one-parent families and elderly people, for example ‘inter-generational projects’, in connection with urban
and rural development and town and regional planning;

26.
Calls for the modernisation and development of national social security systems, especially in the
field of day care for children and dependent persons while recognising that this area is a Member State
competence; notes that single parent families and lone elderly women are particularly endangered by social

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exclusion, isolation and impoverishment and hence particular attention should be devoted to improving the
standard of living and social participation of this expanding section of the population when considering
such reform;

27. Wishes to see the Member States work towards cutting red tape associated with measures to support
families with regard to childcare;

Stresses that, despite the progress made by the Member States in terms of raising the rate of women's
28.
employment, other forms of discrimination linked to women's employment are persisting or becoming
more marked; calls, in this context, especially, for Member States to implement properly Council Directive
75/117/EEC of 10 February 1975 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the
application of the principle of equal pay for men and women (1); stresses that the pay gap between men and
women and the fact that women continue to fill low-paid jobs for which they are overqualified diminish the
necessary financial independence of women, which is closely linked to the decision to have children; recom-
mends that the Member States encourage the development of female employment and women's access to
quality jobs and to equal treatment as regards pay;

29.
Calls on the Member States, in accordance with the objectives set by the 2002 Barcelona European
Council, in which it was stated that, by 2010, Member States should provide childcare for at least 90 % of
children between the age of 3 and mandatory school age, and at least 33 % of children under 3 years of age;
to put forward similar targets for facilities for the care of the elderly and people with disabilities;

30.
Considers that demographic change will require new and enhanced educational and social infrastruc-
ture for young and elderly people alike, including increased facilities for life-long learning, childcare, nursing
care and care for the elderly; points out the need for enhanced social infrastructures designed to promote
old people's vitality and reintegrate them more actively into societal life;

31.
Stresses that, in many Member States, there is the significant risk of public finance commitments
illustrating the urgent need for reform; underlines the vital
becoming unsustainable in the long term,
importance that EU decision-makers take into account the financial impact of new and existing social legis-
lation;

Calls on the Member States to promote the quality of jobs and of the working environment so as to
32.
facilitate the implementation of lifelong professional training, enabling women and men to meet both their
family obligations and labour market demands;

Calls on the Member States to identify equality of the sexes and a balance between work and private

33.
life as government priorities;

34.
Notes that mounting social security costs will require dynamic economic growth to finance them;
points out that this can occur only if innovation is encouraged; observes that fiscal methods such as increas-
ing taxes to fund social security are less sustainable in the long-term given the falling tax base and higher
dependency ratio as well as the urgent need to stimulate entrepreneurship in Europe; highlights therefore the
need for a holistic policy approach when considering social security reform;

Believes that there is a need to develop beyond the concept of a ‘welfare state’, whereby the primary
35.
responsibility for welfare lies with the state, and more towards a ‘welfare society’ in which all stakeholders
recognise that they too have responsibilities for looking after each other and that these responsibilities can
be mutually reinforcing;

36.
Submits that the improvement of work-life balance for individuals should be a perpetual priority for
governments; considers that this balance can be threatened by rising unemployment and increasing individ-
ual workloads; points out that more flexible working hours for women and men, provided they result from
a free choice and are not imposed under economic pressure, can help them combine work and family life
more successfully; concludes that this should require governments to be enabling individuals to make genu-
inely free choices rather than making such choices on their behalf;

(1) OJ L 45, 19.2.1975, p. 19.

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Calls on the Commission to consult both sides of industry on the issue of a better balance between

37.
working life and family life;

Considers that the business case for making work places more family-friendly should be made more
38.
strongly; recommends that Member States should establish guidelines for companies wishing to adopt such
measures, taking into account the particular challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);

Calls on the Member States to implement rules establishing paid maternity/paternity leave following
39.
the birth of a child and to promote the use of the right to parental leave shared equitably between women
and men; urges the Member States, to this end, to combat the economic, social and cultural prejudices
associated with the right of parental leave for men; calls on the Commission to revise Council Directive
96/34/EC of 3 June 1996 on the framework agreement on parental leave concluded by UNICE, CEEP and
the ETUC (1); considers that parental leave, with a simultaneous guarantee of job retention, should be taken
up by both fathers and mothers; advocates a system of incentives which will encourage partners to share
parental leave, and recompense for the costs associated with bringing up children; calls on the Commission
to consult both sides of industry on possible changes to the reforms concerning parental leave which were
introduced in 1996, the purpose of which might be to extend the minimum period of three months to six;

40.
Reminds Member States of the third principle of the European Charter for Small Enterprises, namely
that small enterprises could be exempted from certain regulatory obligations; calls on Member States as well
as the Commission to translate this principle into action;

41.
Cannot stress strongly enough the importance of access to education, skills development, technology
and life long learning opportunities plus the promotion of a training culture that encourages participation
by people of all ages, particularly those entering and re-entering the job market; stresses that real qualifi-
cations such as technical and language skills should be given higher priority to optimise individual mobility,
adaptability and employability as well as self-fulfilment; stresses the importance of preventive early-school
leaving interventions and the need to look at alternative means of assessment for access to further training;
specifically highlights the need for training for older people in areas such as information technology to
remove obstacles to their ongoing participation in the labour market; encourages the development of special
education methods for older people to this end;

42.
Calls on the Member States, therefore, to give older workers, in particular, the opportunity to pursue
professional training programmes, so as to ensure that they may play an active part in the world of work
until they reach retirement age;
in this connection, to approve the operational
programmes for the European Social Funds only if they include a specific element relating to training
measures for old people;

invites the Commission,

43.
Advocates the conclusion of partnership agreements between governments and both sides of indus-
try in accordance with national custom and practice to promote the employment of older workers through
measures to combat age discrimination, more flexible working time and measures to reintegrate older
workers who are unemployed;

44.
Considers that European companies, especially in view of the need to protect those social groups
most at risk (including old people, persons with disabilities and, in particular, young parents), to improve
workplace safety and to promote forms of work organisation that can help extend accessibility, have a vital
role to play in actively promoting and implementing equal opportunities, particularly in regard to family
policy and combating discrimination on grounds of age, gender and family status; adds that companies
should shoulder their Corporate Social responsibility and embrace the challenges associated with an ageing
population by such initiatives as the promotion of flexible working hours and part-time work, for example
especially in regard to parents, prospective parents and older workers;

45.
Notes that EU legislation on age discrimination has so far been ineffective in achieving its aims and
calls on the Member States to improve their efforts to implement existing EU anti-discrimination legislation
in this field, in particular Directive 2000/78/EC on equal treatment in employment and occupation;

Endorses the Commission initiative for a framework directive to implement Article 13 of the EC

46.
Treaty;

(1) OJ L 145, 19.6.1996, p. 4.

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47.
Concludes that the business case for retaining older workers needs to be made more strongly con-
sidering the potential of this group; considers that the emphasis should be to encourage and enable people
to work longer, and that employers should be led to realise that this is in the interest of both parties;
considers that healthy older people should represent a positive resource for society rather than an economic
threat; considers that more emphasis to the positive outcome of the European Year of the Elderly and of
Solidarity between Generations (1993) should be given;

Appeals to companies to offer more flexible working time arrangements which take account of the
48.
different stages of life and open up, develop and design job opportunities consistent with the needs of
parents and older workers, in particular;

Considers that Member States should encourage companies to develop the concept of ‘home-sourc-
49.
ing’, whereby innovative companies employ individuals who choose to work at home at hours of their own
choosing while being collectively ‘e-connected’ to the main business;

50.
Takes the view that the social partners should ensure that there is an adaptable labour market in
order to create more flexible jobs, which ensures that there is a possibility of a place and a use for everyone
on the labour market;

51.
Notes that, given the mobility of European workers and the centralisation of the labour markets, it is
now necessary not only to improve mutual understanding of the different social security systems, but also
to ensure a smooth passage between one national system and another, in a form that applies to public,
private and other forms of insurance;

52.
Highlights the importance of knowledge-capture from retiring employees, particularly in the public
sector where, in France for example, 50 % percent of the public workforce will be eligible for retirement in
the next ten years; urges Member States to encourage both the private and public sector to adopt proactive
measures to avoid the loss of valuable experience and insight such as the mentoring of those entering the
labour market, phased retirement and the implementation of
lifelong-learning programmes; calls on
Member States to afford special assistance to SMEs in this regard;

53.
Believes that particular attention should be paid to the oldest age group (that is, the over-80s), 25 %
of whom are not self-sufficient, and calls on the Commission to submit a proposal aimed at achieving a
reduction in that percentage by means of collective and individual measures and tackling the problems of
state welfare provision and health and social services for those who are not self-sufficient;

54.
Recognises however that labour-intensive professions such as roofing, construction and farming face
greater challenges in harnessing the productive capacity of older workers and encouraging young recruits;
encourages Member States to develop good practice for these professions so as to avoid staff shortages and
skills loss;

55.
Recognises the potential of assisted-living housing, which enables older people to live independently
for longer by creating a community environment in which they can live among their peers with medical
assistance and home-help provision where appropriate;

56.
Encourages Member States and private companies to decouple higher ages and automatically higher
wage levels, recognising that some pre-retirement people, while appreciating some income, may not require
the same level of salary or working hours as during their earlier years; highlights the importance of more
flexible working opportunities, such as part-time working, in later years as a potential solution;

57.
Encourages Member States to remove all disincentives for older people to continue working, particu-
larly in relation to tax and pensions, and to explore possibilities for retirement age workers to withdraw part
of their pension whilst continuing to receiving income from employment;

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58.
Points out that elderly people can play a positive role in providing child care, and that conversely
younger generations often have to play a role in providing care for dependants; calls on Member States and
employers to show that they recognise this more fully;

59.
Observes that in some cases, such as anti-age-discrimination legislation, the law can on occasion be
counter-productive in that it can discourage or even prevent companies taking on older workers; asks that
Member States investigate more thoroughly the impact and application of such legislation in order to assess
whether such measures are having the desired effect; urges that the spirit as well as the letter of such anti-
discrimination legislation is observed;

Highlights that an ageing EU population is likely to lead to an increasing proportion of people
60.
having a disability; notes the persistent high levels of unemployment among this group; calls on govern-
ments and companies to facilitate the entry of such people into work by example;

Regrets that ‘active ageing’

is almost exclusively defined in the Lisbon strategy in terms of paid
61.
employment, whereas the concept should be applied more broadly to include unpaid activities such as
work in civic, political and other voluntary organisations; recognises that such active engagement in society
in unpaid work requires an adequate income from other sources; recognises that ‘active ageing’ is closely
bound up with raising the retirement age and considers such a move to be one possible response to demo-
graphic change;

62.
Recognises that pension systems are a Member State competence; considers however that with
regards pension entitlements, workers in the public and private sector should be treated equally rather
than those from one sector receiving preferential treatment; considers that steps must also be taken to
promote phased and flexible retirement, taking account of increased life expectancy and better public health;
recognises that as people are living longer they can also work longer and calls on governments to consider
financial incentives to encourage people to do so;

Believes that all Member States can learn more from each other by exchanging best practices more

63.
vigorously as regards pensions reform;

64.
Stresses, in view of demographic developments, the crucial importance of strong, financially viable
social security systems, in particular pensions systems which promote appropriate, sustainable pensions, and
health systems which are based on the principles of solidarity, fairness and universality, so as to improve
access for all citizens to appropriate high-quality care in the event of sickness or a need for care; calls on the
Member States to take the necessary measures to modernise pensions systems, so as to guarantee their
financial and social viability and enable them to cope with the impact of the ageing population;

65.
Believes that reforms of national pension systems should not just concentrate on making such sys-
tems financially sustainable, but should also help make the lives of the elderly more financially sustainable;

66.
Recognises however that it is difficult for state-funded pensions to fulfil people's income needs in
retirement: considers that greater importance and energy should be committed by Member States to develop
appropriate supplementary pension systems and to encourage personal savings;

Considers that national state-funded pensions, at whatever level determined by Member States, should

67.
be available equally to all as an entitlement and as such should not be subject to means-testing;

68.
Recalls that owners of small enterprises are subject to demographic change in the same way as
employed workers; is alarmed that in the next ten years a third of European small business owners will
retire and encourages all actors to promote entrepreneurialism not only to capture the skills and knowledge
of this group but also to offset the negative consequences for growth;

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69.
Considers that immigration policies which seek to promote the sustainable economic, social and legal
integration of migrants are vital in order to achieve a balance between the respective rights and responsi-
bilities of migrants and host societies, and that admission mechanisms for third country nationals must be
managed effectively and transparently; prerequisites of the integration process are equal treatment through
the elimination of all discrimination against migrants and their offspring and a close alignment with
employment and social affairs policies; such policies should be encouraged in a bid to alleviate certain
democratic challenges; recognises however that immigration in itself will not resolve all the problems associ-
ated with demographic change and also creates its own challenges;

70.
Notes that in the regions of Eastern Europe there is huge migratory outflow of young women, and
that a responsible economic and employment policy and the targeted deployment of European Structural
Funds under the existing provisions for gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting in the interests of
women are therefore needed there;

71.
Recognises that management of immigration is a Member State competence; considers that greater
efforts should be focused on education and skills development specifically for immigrants and ethnic com-
munities;

72.
Considers that the proportion of ethnic minority people amongst those elderly requiring long term
care is increasing substantially in some Member States; considers moreover that it should not be assumed
that migrants and their offspring will prefer to return to their country of origin, particularly in old age, or
where their offspring have been raised within the EU; adds that although the availability of quality childcare
and elderly care is important to all ethnic groups, particularly for all women, it impacts on each ethnic
groups differently and due attention should be paid to this in planning these services; stresses that anti-
discrimination and equal treatment in the provision of such services is also key; recommends that more
attention be paid to this aspect, particularly as regards comparing best practice;

Notes that not enough attention has been paid hitherto to the integration of migrants, which is
73.
reflected, in part, in the low level of educational success and the continuing marginalisation of these new
fellow-citizens; therefore calls on the Member States to step up their measures to promote integration,
especially for migrants who have been living in the Union for some time;

74.
Emphasises the important role played by migrant women, and calls on the Member States to give
them the place they deserve in their integration policies and to guarantee them all their rights; highlights the
trend towards undocumented migrant women increasingly being employed as domestic workers to care for
dependent persons; notes that this group may be subject to exploitation and calls on Member States to
address this issue;

75.
Points out that immigrants arriving in their thirties and forties may well have no pension provision;
calls on Member States to seek out best practice in dealing with this situation so as to avoid even greater
pressure on pension systems;

Reminds Member States that demographic change also applies to Least Developed Countries, which
76.
likewise face challenges associated with ageing populations poverty and the unequal distribution of income
as well as a burgeoning problem of youth unemployment; would encourage Member State governments and
the EU to consider this factor when formulating aid and cooperation programmes;

77.
Points out that policies which give immigration priority to skilled workers in order to strengthen EU
economies also generate the direct opposite result of weakening the economies of those countries whence
such skilled immigrants have come; considers that Member States should recognise their responsibilities in
this regard;

78.
Urges Member States to improve the provision of services of general interest in rural areas, thereby
allowing older people to continue to live independently for longer, reducing the demand on health systems
and social security systems and avoiding a culture of premature dependence;

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79.
Notes that care services must be safeguarded in the Member States as a result of demographic
change, and calls for an enhanced exchange of good practice in this area; calls for care services to be
protected as services of general interest and therefore calls on the Commission to incorporate such protec-
tion into the Green Paper on social services;

Stresses the importance of sharing of information and best practice among Member States on how

80.
health systems can prepare for the increased demands placed on them by an ageing population;

Recommends that the Member States implement policies to prevent the risks of exclusion, with
81.
particular reference to exclusion from school and becoming homeless, and points to the importance of
giving priority to all measures aimed at maintaining family solidarity, in particular with regard to protecting
the rights of children, while also respecting their parents' rights;

Stresses the importance of providing cultural and leisure activities aimed at the older generation in

82.
recognition of the opportunities presented by the silver economy;

Recommends that more attention be paid to standardising the different assumptions used by different
83.
Member States in supplying information to Eurostat so that best practice can be more validly compared and
also embraced;

Calls on the Commission and the Member States to use the future Seventh Research Framework

84.
Programme for matters relating to demographic trends, support for the family and strengthening health;

85. Within the context of the Community programme Progress, calls on the Commission to carry out
appropriate studies, analyses and peer reviews relating to demographic change and its impact on society and
on the relevant policy areas;

86.
Concludes that while the EU should continue to compare and contrast Member State performances,
experiences and best practice in terms of dealing with the various challenges of demographic change, exist-
ing EU institutions are adequate for this purpose and no additional EU structures are required;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, and the Govern-

87.
ments and Parliaments of the Member States.

P6_TA(2006)0116

Promotion of crops for non-food purposes

European Parliament resolution on the promotion of crops for non-food purposes (2004/2259(INI))

The European Parliament,

— having regard to the Commission Green Paper of 29 November 2000, ‘Towards a European strategy for

the security of energy supply’ (COM(2000)0769),

— having regard to the Commission Communication of 26 November 1997, ‘Energy for the future: renew-
able sources of energy — White Paper for a Community Strategy and Action Plan’ (COM(1997)0599),

— having regard to Directive 2001/77/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 September
2001 on the promotion of electricity produced from renewable energy sources in the internal electricity
market (1),

(1) OJ L 283, 27.10.2001, p. 33. Directive as last amended by the 2003 Act of Accession.