Czech Justice Commissioner candidate says there is no single solution to social integration
This afternoon the hearing began at the European Parliament of Commissioner-designate Věra Jourová, the Czech Republic’s candidate for the position of EU Commisioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality. During roughly three hours of questions and answers, Jourová attempted to convince MEPs from the four relevant committees not just of her professional qualifications to handle the post in the future Juncker Commission, but also of her personal integrity.
Questions regarding the situation of Romani people in the EU were asked as well. "I am fully aware that the portfolio I will be responsible for, should I be approved as Commissioner, will have a real impact on every person in this room and on each of the 500 million people who are part of the enormous common project called the European Union," the candidate said in her introductory remarks.
Because of the broad definition of the portfolio, the former Czech Regional Development Minister answered questions from MEPs on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, the Legal Affairs Committee, the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee, and the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee. Giving her opening remarks in English, she said her portfolio should contribute to protecting and strengthening European values by building bridges between the domestic legal systems of the Member States.
The candidate said she also intended to support economic growth because a predictable, solid judicial system is a necessary prerequisite to economic growth and a welcoming business environment. She also said she intends to defend the initiative of her predecessor, Viviane Reding, to promote greater representation of women on the executive boards of big firms.
In her roughly 15-minute speech, the candidate also recalled the words of former Czech President Václav Havel and the definition of European values that he presented in the year 2000 at the European Parliament. She said freedom of movement as a fundamental right must never be doubted, even though the "abuse" of that right must be fought.
Jourová also recalled the need to protect women from violence and described her own efforts to enhance the protection of minorities such as Romani people. "Our diversity should bring us together, but we must make sure our different cultural and legal traditions do not stand in the way of freedom, justice and the single market," she opined.
The questions that followed included ones about the position of Romani people in the EU. "I am greatly bothered by the fact that Romani children are enrolled into special schools not only in the Czech Republic, but also in other countries," she said when reminded that the Czech Republic is facing an EU infringement proceedings over the discrimination of Romani children in education.
Jourová then outlined three instruments she believes could address the unsatisfactory position of Romani people in the EU. In her view there is a need for a clear strategy at EU and national level, for cooperation between the central and local government levels within each Member State, and for majority societies and minorities to understand what each group wants.
The question of the position of Romani people was also raised by Swedish MEP Soraya Post, who is Romani. According to Jourová, the inclusion of Romani people into European society has an economic aspect as well as other aspects.
The candidate said she believes there is a need to get Romani people into the labor market. "This issue manifests itself in a different way in each country and requires various solutions. There is no single solution to all of the problems that arise in the social integration field. It is correct that we have a European strategy and that we are requiring the European countries to come forward with national strategies capable of reflecting the specific problems that arise in the Member States, strategies that will also define all of the stakeholders, including organizations representing Romani people themselves, that are to contribute toward fulfilling them," she said.
According to Jourová, it is correct that the EU focus on the four areas of education, health care, housing and the labor market. "Those are areas where there is a need to join forces, not just when it comes to ties between Europe and the Member States, but also when it comes to the ties between central and local governments within each Member State," she said, adding that it is essential that the principle of equal opportunity be upheld.
