Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-04-11-Speech-4-044"
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"en.20020411.3.4-044"2
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"Mr President, we have to address this question of the ageing of our population from the point of view of having a society for all ages, as our motion indicates. There are real risks if we simply address this question from an economic point of view, regarding and valuing citizens simply for the contribution they can make to the economy or the workforce. Society, as this House knows, is a much wider concept than the economy, and that must be our starting-point.
The question of income for older people depends on the extent to which we retain the European social model of a contribution from people who are in work to those who, at various points in their lives, either through illness or old age, will no longer be able to take part in the workforce. It is, therefore, essential to secure an efficient and effective taxation system and efficient and effective social insurance system. Most of all, we need to have a pensions reserve fund, so that there can be inter-generational solidarity between this generation and not just the next generation but also the generation after that. It is important that all Member States take this on board.
I also want to draw attention to what I consider to be a mistaken view by Mrs Diamantopoulou, who seems to think that the solution to the ageing of our population is for us all to become more fertile: to have more babies. That is a cop-out. This simply will not happen – certainly not in the wealthier parts of Europe. We have to therefore grapple seriously with the whole issue of immigration. It is not enough to talk about the need to ensure that developing countries have sufficient resources to feed and to provide for their own people. Of course, we need to do that, but no matter how often or how well we do that, there will still be a need for people to move into the wealthier parts of Europe. I contend that we must stop this idea that we can build a fortress Europe and keep out these millions upon millions of people who want to come to Europe. They want to make a contribution to Europe, and we would all be the better for it, both economically and culturally."@en1
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