64. Calls on the EU, in line with the Council Conclusions of 12 December 2009, to assume a stronger political role commensurate with its financial involvement in the region; is convinced that there is an urgent need for a comprehensive reshaping of EU policy towards the Middle East, in order for it to perform a decisive and coherent political role, accompanied by effective diplomatic tools, in the interests of peace and security in this neighbouring region of vital strategic interest to the EU; calls on the VP/HR to present a new Eu ...[+++]ropean strategy for the region outlining the EU's interests and aims and the means it can employ, promoting democracy and the rule of law in the region and channelling resources primarily into the strengthening of civil society;

If Europe changes policy with regard to its wine sector, then this will affect very many other people outside of Europe, people whose incomes will suffer as a result of unfair competition from the European wine sector.

The European Commission has already demonstrated its commitment to support the political transition in Iraq, devoting €31.5 million to the preparation of the elections including through its contribution to the UN Trust Fund for Iraq and the deployment of European electoral experts to work directly with the Independent Electoral Commission in Baghdad, and the training of 170 local election observers.

Here the Commission is committed to pursuing a vigorous policy to eliminate the threat posed by anti-personnel landmines and increasing its efforts to reduce the humanitarian, social and economic costs to mine-affected countries.

Still, the administration and the requirements of the reserves right now are so gigantic to support the regular force that all these people here who are going to retire over the next five, ten, fifteen years, who are looking for jobs in the reserve, who want to stay connected to the Canadian Armed Forces like I did when I got out, who may be looking for a job for four or five years, really don't want to get away from the forces, want to retire in an area and don't want to get posted to Wainwright, Alberta— these people cannot join the reserves and look for full-time employment any more, because as annuitants they are restricted, just bec ...[+++]ause they're drawing a regular force pension.

To support these efforts, the Commission last year launched INTERREG, a special initiative for border regions only, including regions which are not otherwise eligible for support from the Structural Funds.A budget of over 900 mECU is available for INTERREG.