7. Stresses the need for women in the Western Balkans to take a prominent role in society through active participation and representation in political, economic and social life at all levels; points out that supporting equal opportunities policies is important for the economic and social development of the Balkan accession countries; points out that advancing towards women’s equal participation in decision-making at all levels of government (from local to national, from executive to legislative powers) is of high importance; welcomes quotas and calls on those countries which have not already done so to promote female representation an ...[+++]d, where necessary, to apply quotas effectively in political parties and national assemblies, and encourages those countries which have already done so to continue this process in order to enable women to participate in political life and overcome their under-representation; welcomes, in this connection, the recent international women’s summit on ‘Partnership for Change’ held in Pristina in October 2012 under the auspices of the region’s only female head of state, Atifete Jahjaga;

Due to its overriding nature, safety should not be subject to incentives.

Imperative nature of the Directive

Imperative nature of the Directive and application in international cases

Imperative nature of this Directive's provisions

The broad objectives for the European Union in economic, social and security terms and for its external representation will only be achieved in the short term if Europe as a whole, through its various public opinions, and the fifteen Member States, through their representatives in the various bodies, attach priority and urgency to improving political cohesion on the basis of fully egalitarian participation.