The European Parliament held a debate on the preparations for the upcoming meeting of the European Council. In her speech MEP Lívia Járóka highlighted the potential of social inclusion policies to drive competitiveness and growth and urged Member States to consider social inclusion as an essential part of their strategies for growth and consolidation.
The plenary session of the European Parliament devoted a key debate to the preparation of the upcoming meeting of the European Council. In her speech MEP Lívia Járóka, rapporteur of the EU strategy on Roma inclusion, reminded that the potential of social inclusion policies to support competitiveness, innovation and growth, was largely neglected when tracing possible ways for economic recovery. She emphasized that this not only left those in the most fragile socio-economic situation unprotected, but also adversely affected the ability of social inclusion – and labour market integration in particular – to retain and develop the economy. 'Countries cannot afford to waste the potential of any part of their populations. Therefore, giving priority to social inclusion is not an option, but an obligation' – she concluded.