Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-06-04-Speech-3-314"
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".
Madam President, I should like to thank and congratulate Mrs Fraisse because her report is interesting but also has huge difficulties, if you think that, on the one hand, it directly concerns million of citizens in the European Union and, on the other hand, it is an issue for which there are very few competences and very little experience at European level.
As far as the report is concerned, I should like to start with the analysis relating to the Community value of sport. I believe that Mrs Fraisse quite rightly demonstrates the importance of sport as an important weapon against discrimination. That is why both in the European Commission and in the plan for 2003, which is the year against discrimination, the dimension of sport as a means of combating discrimination is very intensely promoted, and in 2004, which is the year of sport, the plan being drawn up takes account of the issue of discrimination.
I should like to refer more specifically, because of course I must say that I absolutely agree with the spirit of the analysis to which she herself referred just now, and comment on certain calls which directly concern the institutions.
The first is that, as you know, the Convention has already answered the question of sport and the Treaty; it is clear – and no one disputes – that sport, with its social and educational dimension, like culture and education, are seen as support activities at European Union level, something which no Member State has contested. Thus we know the limits within which we can move institutionally. There is your proposal to create a 'women and sport' unit. I think that, at the present stage, it is difficult to determine the specific remit of such a unit, when there is this practical difficulty of determining competences at European level.
As far as available studies and material are concerned, there is an important bibliography from the Council of Europe which, we believe, has been used from time to time and suffices for us to base positive action on it, and I believe that, in 2004 in particular, we shall have the possibility of progressing further and promoting the dimension of women's sport. Of course, we cannot sit by and do nothing while we wait for a new article in the Treaty. There is a margin and I think that we can progress further by improving information for sports associations and increasing awareness of the possibilities within the framework of existing Community programmes, for which there is minimal to no demand from sports-related associations and programmes. We might refer to the ΕQUAL programme or we might refer to the research programmes, for which no such proposals have yet been formulated, or even to the DAPHNE programme, if we think about the dimension of sexual harassment in sport, which is not at all negligible.
Consequently, I would say that I agree and we shall proceed to fully support actions to encourage sports associations to use Community programmes, but I would be more cautious on issues relating to new studies or new administrative structures, at least until we have a clearer definition of activities. It is clear that the European Commission is obliged in any proposals it makes to respect the legislative action of the Member States, on the one hand, and to take account of the autonomy of sports associations, on the other.
However, one sure way of increasing the interest of the Member States and the sports associations is to promote sport for women as a means against discrimination. I have taken note of this in your position and would stress that sport and sports policies can clearly be used as a means of combating it."@en1
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