strikeout swinging | swinging strikeout

mowing down batters

Unless we reinforce our commitment to meeting them, with a renewed drive and focus, our model for European society, our pensions, our quality of life will rapidly be called into question.

With this aim in mind, momentum in the reform of the pension and healthcare systems, and public sector has to be regained.

7. Condemns the severe breaches of human rights in countries such as Sri Lanka and emphasises that the discrimination against the Tamil minority, as well as severe breaches of freedom of opinion, are still ongoing, acquired fresh momentum after the presidential elections on 6 January 2010 and should lead towards acceleration of the process of immediate GSP+ withdrawal from Sri Lanka;

24. Reiterates, once again, its belief that, in order to create a society responsive to change, the role of a more inclusive style of economic decision-making will be crucial; recalls the conclusions of the Spring 2005 European Council emphasising that a high level of social protection is central to the Lisbon Strategy; reaffirms that it is unacceptable that people should be living below the poverty line and in a position of social exclusion; reaffirms that all European citizens should have access to decent work and a decent life, even after retirement; supports further action to reinforce policies to combat poverty and social exclus ...[+++]ion, with a view to adopting a comprehensive approach to renewing the decisive momentum given to the elimination of poverty by 2010 and to enabling all European citizens to gain access to their fundamental rights; highlights the legally binding incorporation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union in the Treaty of Lisbon; asks for a commitment by the Spring 2008 European Council for an ambitious social agenda with a concrete impact on the results of the Lisbon Strategy;