I strongly urge the German Presidency to drop its objections and to allow the second poverty programme to go ahead.

There has been much debate in recent years about the European social dimension. In reality however, there has been very little action. Only one piece of legislation has been adopted so far under the Maastricht Social Protocol.

The first poverty programme, though limited in scope and in funding, did make a positive impact on the lives of ordinary European citizens. Instead of building upon the success of this programme however, the current German Council Presidency is attempting to kill off the entire programme.

Recent experience has shown that ordinary Europeans feel largely detached from the everyday goings-on of Brussels. This much-needed programme is an EU activity that touches directly upon the everyday needs of ordinary citizens.

The EU has to be more than just an internal market; it should have a fully developed social dimension. I therefore call upon the German presidency to give the go-ahead to the second poverty programme.