Barroso II Commission – Štefan Füle commits to a European Neighbourhood Policy in line with EU values
Between the 11th and 19th January 2010, the European Parliament is conducting 3-hour interviews with European Commissioner-Designates. This exercise of democratic scrutiny allows Members of the European Parliament to raise issues related to Commissioner-Designates’ portfolios, relay civil society’s concerns to future Commissioners, and secure commitments from Commissioner-Designates for their five years in office.
During the hearings of European Commissioner-Designates by the European Parliament, the Intergroup on LGBT Rights is releasing short bulletins on issues relevant to LGBT rights raised during the top-level interviews of future Commissioners.
Today, the Parliament heard Štefan Füle (Czech Republic), Commissioner-designate for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy; the post is responsible for EU relationships with its Eastern neighbours.
During his hearing, Mr Füle agreed that the EU Neighbourhood Policy should not exist at the expense of EU values. He emphasized that the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms should be at the basis of the European Union’s Neighbourhood Policy.
Ulrike Lunacek MEP, Co-president of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights, welcomed the Commissioner-designate’s stance on fundamental rights. She declared: “I welcome Mr Füle’s positive response to my inquiry on the issue of fundamental rights. We took note of his commitment, and MEPs will certainly hold him accountable to it. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration working towards more rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people—everywhere, and especially in the countries covered by the EU’s Neighbourhood Policy.”
