Equal opportunities represent a common value of social democracy and Romania has assumed, within the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the promotion of the priority objective regarding everything the principle of equal opportunities means, the Minister of Labor Social Justice, Marius Budai, said on Wednesday in the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality in the European Parliament.
"We have assumed within the Presidency the promotion of the priority objective of everything that the principle of equal opportunities means, and in particular to be able to answer the 80pct of EU citizens wishing to promote these principles. Equal opportunities are a common value of social democracy and we will fight for this," Budai told the MEPs.
Asked about the measures regarding the pay gap between women and men, the Romanian Minister stressed that Romania has experience in this respect, taking into account that the difference is only 5.2pct, compared to 16pct of the European average.
Regarding the Council of Europe's Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention), the Romanian official has stated that solutions will be sought for its ratification.
"The Istanbul Convention: We will be very careful to observe future developments and we will try to see how we can make all the member states ratify this convention. I promise that both I and the negotiating team from the Permanent Representation of Romania at the EU Council, but also the specialists from the Ministry of Labor and Social Justice in Romania will try and clearly ensure a constructive dialogue between the two parties throughout the negotiations and we will try to seek equitable, legally sound compromise solutions," explained Marius Budai, stressing that "we are here to prove our seriousness" and that if he has to participate in the works of this committee he will be present "whenever you think my presence can create added value in achieving this balance between the Commission, Parliament and the Council."
Comentează