23
Apr
2024
Watch
European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities - European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities for third country nationals legally residing in a Member State (joint debate - Disability cards)
Mr President, Commissioner, the figures are again clear. A 2019 Barometer survey showed that 52% of people with disabilities feel discriminated against. In 2002, 27% of the EU population aged 16 and over had some form of disability. That's one in four people in Europe. The Disability and Parking Card, my main electoral promise to the citizens of the Czech Republic, is now on the table and I am glad that we are voting on it and making life easier for many citizens. I also appreciate that this is a directive that states have to implement, and I believe in its swift implementation. After all, the free movement of people and equal opportunities are a fundamental value of the European Union and we should build on that. So I thank all my colleagues, the Commission, Parliament, for their work and understanding, and I look forward to the implementation.