Our constitutional Congress took place on November 7th, 1995. At this Congress the delegates elected me President of this organization. On March 21st and 22nd, 1999, the 3rd ESCU Congress took place in Cologne where I was given a vote of confidence to continue another term of office as President.
I have done my best – with the active support of the Vice-Presidents, the Treasurer, the Secretary General and his employees – to develop ESCU into a recognized partner within the EPP in the course of these six years.
In October 1999, we decided to ensure that ESCU is adequately established in the EPP parliamentary group as a permanent “clearing-house” for senior citizen policies. Talks were held with the new chairman of the parliamentary group, Dr. Hans-Gert Poettering, and now we have achieved positive results. At our last meeting of the Executive Committee in Riga, we elected Dr. Marilies Flemming, Member of the EU Parliament, as our senior citizen representative and we informed Dr. Poettering in writing. The EPP parliamentary group has taken note of this decision and thus, Dr. Marilies Flemming is the spokeswoman for age-related questions of the EPP group in the EU Parliament.
This relatively long time period until the fulfilment of our request was also due to the fact that in connection with the formation of a new government in Austria the consequences which we all know about resulted. A discussion within ESCU on this question arose, too, and as a conclusion of this discussion the following resolution was adopted unanimously:
“The European Senior Citizen Union declares its goal to adhere fully to all aims and principles of the European People's Party and to the fundamental values of the European Union, particularly in the field of human rights.
Thus, ESCU has full understanding for member organizations – mainly in countries that severely suffered under national socialism – which have observed with great concern developments which could lead to a resurrection of totalitarian thoughts.
The Executive committee of ESCU has taken note of the resolution of the Belgian group in its meeting of February 17th, 2000. The Executive committee has further taken note of the declaration signed by the two party leaders of the ÖVP and FPÖ of the Austrian Federal Government. ESCU expects that the ÖVP exclusively will act in accordance with the principles adhered to in this declaration.
Under these circumstances, ESCU does not see any reason to agree to an eventual proposal to exclude the Austrian People’s Party from the European People's Party and authorizes the President to represent this opinion of ESCU in the meaning on April 6th, 2000.”
The Executive Board of the EPP decided on June 7th, 2000 that the ÖVP is invited and can collaborate in all committees.
This was made possible by the fact that representatives of the EPP headed by Wim van Velzen carried out an examination of the situation in Austria and with their corresponding report they provided the basis for this decision by the EPP Executive Board.
The experience made with regard to the sanctions against Austria have resulted in the fact that after the formation of the new government in Italy, no such measures were taken by the EU (although announced by some leading politicians). Or does the size of a member state play a role in this respect?
At the Cologne Congress I reported on the admission of ESCU to the EU Liaison Group. Against the objections of the NGOs the Commission has decided that we are admitted as a sixth member.
In the meeting of the Executive Committee on February 17th, 2000 Secretary General Ing. Mohaupt reported that at the time of our admission the Commission wanted to establish another body under the name of "Older People’s Platform."
From the beginning, ESCU has constructively collaborated in the establishment of this platform. However, the development went in an unfavourable direction.
We have decided that the cooperation of ESCU in principle should be continued.
Three principles must be adhered to:
Platform: by senior citizens for senior citizens
Following our discussion, a conversation was held to include those responsible in the “Older People’s Platform”, which in the meantime was founded as "AGE". Concrete results couldn't be achieved.
I consider the path of action by Commissioner Diamontopoulou scandalous. So far, she has not been prepared to receive a delegation of ESCU for a conversation. She only wants to speak with the representatives of the newly created organization.
At any rate, our objective remains: No breaking up of contacts. However, ESCU will remain an independent organization.
A senior citizen organization of the Social Democrats is being established at European level now, too.
When there are senior citizens’ organizations of the two strongest parliamentary groups of the EU Parliament, it will be difficult for the Commissioner in charge to maintain her misguided point of view.
The EU institutions talk about and propagate civil dialogue, but Mrs Diamontopoulou practises the opposite.
ESCU has also contributed some proposals to the wording of the Congress document which was decided on at the EPP Congress held from 11 to 13 January 2001 in Berlin.
The following main emphases arose in the context of the discussions on the principle document:
| Community of common values | The relevant observations also concern senior citizens, particularly the anti-discrimination regulation which also was embodied in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. The objective must be also to achieve legal embodiment in the national law (as promised by the ruling parties in Austria). |
| Economy | Lifelong learning is becoming more and more important also for senior citizens. |
| Bio-ethics |
The questions of palliative care and euthanasia and the developments in the
Netherlands led to hot debates. An unconditional “yes” to palliative care An unconditional “no” to euthanasia With regard to the prolongation of the last stage of life in case of terminal illness – no unconditional "yes" |
A problem is caused with regard to the delegation to work groups. ESCU is not in a position to pay the corresponding costs (travel and accommodation) for the representatives in the work groups.
The EPP should try to find a solution to this problem, because efficient work by these work groups without adequate cooperation of the representatives of the senior citizens won't be possible.
On September 28th, 2000 a Congress took place in Brussels with the topic "Senior citizens and volunteering". It had been organized in an excellent way by our Belgian friends, above all our Vice-President Elisabeth Dispaux-Cornil. The documentation has been finalized and was distributed to the Executive Comittee Members in Riga.
I would like to thank again the organizing team of the Congress under Vice-President Mrs Dispaux-Cornil for their commitment.
At the end of my report I would like to point out after six years’ existence of ESCU and after having discontinued my activities as President – that in the course of these six years we have done a good job.
The Vienna Congress and the “Declaration of Vienna” was and will also be in future an important fundamental basis for the work of ESCU.
At several Workshops held in Königswinter, in Budapest and in Levoca we not only discussed but also adopted detailed bases for our work on the topics of “Securing old-age provision and intergenerational relationships within the EU”, “the establishment of structures for the political integration and participation of senior citizens” as well as “the integration of Central and Eastern European countries”.
It gave me great satisfaction to see that the EPP parliamentary group of the EU Parliament has worked out a programme for the support of the senior citizens in the 21st century based on the resolution of the senior citizen forum held on September 30th, 1998.
The following points have been treated:
This result has to be put down to our initiative and proves that commitment and sustainability are worth while.
If we act with more self-confidence in all fields and at all levels (local, regional, national and at EU level), and stand up for our justified demands, we will succeed in senior citizens reaching the place in society they deserve (active conflict management).
Finally, I want to cordially thank all the Delegates of Member Organizations, the members of the Executive Committee, the Vice-Presidents, the Treasurer, the Secretary General and his co-workers for their confidence, the loyal co-operation and the constructive collaboration.
For me personally, these six years shared with you, my dear friends, were wonderful years – I would have felt sorry not having shared them with you.
With a vision I may say goodbye to you as President: May the work of ESCU
contribute to it not being necessary one day to proclaim any days of older
people or any UN Years of the older generation.