The dedicated lending programme, that includes a matching contribution from Societe Generale Equipment Finance, is expected to help firms invest in transport, high-tech and industrial equipment by providing lower cost financing for up to 8 years.

10. Recalls its demand for the EU to convene a humanitarian conference on the Syrian refugee crisis, with priority being given to actions targeted towards host countries in the region (in particular Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq) and aimed at supporting them in their efforts to receive ever-growing refugee populations and maintain an open-door policy; stresses that such a conference should involve all EU institutions and civil society organisations and should focus on humanitarian efforts and on strengthening the EU’s role and involvement in the diplomatic efforts to help end the conflict in Syria; reminds EU Member States of their ...[+++]humanitarian responsibility towards Syrian refugees;

9. Calls for the EU to convene a humanitarian conference on the Syrian refugee crisis, with priority being given to actions directed at host countries in the region (in particular Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq) in order to support them in their effort to host ever-growing refugee populations and maintain an open-door policy; stresses that such a conference should involve all EU institutions and civil society organisations and focus on humanitarian efforts and on strengthening the EU's role and involvement in the diplomatic efforts to help end the conflict in Syria;

The debate should carefully analyze whether we want a nation and a Constitution that allows us to accommodate minorities within a multi-cultural society or do we want a purely secular society that insists that all groups fall in line and agree with the government of the day without individual freedom of conscience and freedom of religion.

8. Calls on the European Commission, on the occasion of the publication in a few months time of its communication on the future of EU audiovisual policy, to define exactly what is meant by the term European Audiovisual Work, as there are many examples of powerful broadcasters refusing to pay the collective management societies the author’s rights, denying that TV programmes are "creations" (even though they have been scripted) and imposing unfair contractual agreements;

It is scandalous that extreme poverty still exists within our affluent and sophisticated societies.