Freedom and equality

There can be no step back on the basic principle of freedom of movement within the EU. The EU and its Member States must work together to prevent abuses of this principle. Simplifying and increasing the mobility of the EU's labour force is a priority.

We must also fight for women's rights, including closing the wage gap and combating gender violence. It is important to support the EU's access to the Istanbul Convention on violence against women and to prioritise the rights of children. Member States also must guarantee the rights of national minorities and language groups.

Our humanitarian responsibilities

Europe has a humanitarian responsibility to offer protection to political refugees and those fleeing civil wars. An effective common asylum system is necessary while existing rules are fully implemented.

A common policy on asylum and immigration should prioritize EU citizens' access to labour markets and increase targeted development and humanitarian aid. The EU cannot tolerate social fraud and social dumping. While we respect legal migration into the job market, it is important to tackle abuses and distinguish between refugees and economic migrants. Member States must return illegally-residing economic migrants to their countries of origin, in respect of international and EU law.

Investing in security

Combatting organised crime, corruption, and terrorism is a priority. To prevent tragedies, we must put an end to human trafficking and increase border security, as small countries and countries along Europe’s coastline face very specific challenges.

We want to make Europe's borders more secure. We believe Europe must increase its financial, human and technical resources while strengthening the role and prerogatives of the border protection agency.

Europe also needs a strategy for cybersecurity and against cybercrime, improving cooperation among Member States, police and justice to combat online and offline crime.

The EPP Group emphasises the need to strengthen EU security, the security of its citizens, and increase supervision of secret service activities and illegal spyware use.