Spanish EU Presidency and European Commission Commit to Combat Poverty Among Older People

AGE Newsflash

January 26, 2010

Europe

At the Opening conference of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion held on 21 January in Madrid, both the Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero on behalf of the EU Presidency and the President of the European Commission Barroso highlighted the issue of persisting poverty among older people. President Barroso called for the reduction of at-risk-of-poverty rates by 2020 “…in particular among children and older people. This is because their current levels are intolerable”. Having recognised the fact that poverty and exclusion affect unequally different population groups, Prime Minister Zapatero announced that “…the Spanish Presidency wants to target in particular those groups which face the major risks of exclusion, such as older people, disabled and the unemployed”. He also mentioned women as the group exposed at higher risks of poverty and social exclusion. 

Looking at instruments available to combat poverty, President Barroso insisted on economic growth and job creation, but also stressed the role of the Charter of fundamental Rights - among the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty - to enhance overall social cohesion. In response, the Spanish Prime Minister urged in favour of a strong social pillar within the new ‘EU2020 Strategy’.

AGE welcomes these key commitments by the Presidency and the Commission and hope that these will be reflected in the EU2020 Strategy with concrete action proposals to tackle poverty and social exclusion in old age at national and EU levels during 2010 and beyond. 

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