One of the main shared values among Europeans is Solidarity.
Europe reacted to the crisis a few years ago by creating a Fund for European Aid to the most Deprived (FEAD). By turning the word «European solidarity» into reality, this fund has become a cog in our social cohesion, a bond that unites us. It is also a recognition of the immense work done by thousands of volunteers in Europe, which are daily mobilized to improve the living conditions of the most disadvantaged among us.
However, facing the challenge of the impoverishment of our societies, the current response is not up to standard: more than 120 million people in Europe are threatened by poverty and social exclusion (Eurostat data). The situation in which are immersed too many citizens requires Europe to show that is on their side, that European solidarity is not just an empty word. Did the EU not commit to reduce the number of people affected by poverty by 20 million in its 2020 Strategy?
Helping the poorest among us will also be a way to stimulate the economy, facilitate their reintegration into society, and perhaps see some of them creating companies and jobs!
This is why the EESC supports a decent budget for the FEAD, a budget at the level of the drama which is being played out today. For all that, I ask that under the leadership of the Lithuanian presidency, the Commission, the Parliament and the Council arrive – soon – to a definitive agreement, according to the principle of compulsory contribution of 3.5 billion euros over seven years.
This is the way Europe can provide solutions which lead to acts of Solidarity, and not just words!
