 Good morning, dear colleagues. We will resume now the second day of our plenary session. So good morning to everyone. Before we start our work, I want to inform you that the electronic voting on amendments starts now and will be open until 2 p.m. Brussels time. You can find the links to the vote on the members portal in the document voting link for amendments. For detailed step-by-step information on the voting procedure, please refer to the practical guide to remote voting for the COR, which is also available on the members portal. So we start today our debate on the Union of Equality with Commissioner Dali and I want to thank her for being here today with us. Dear Commissioner Dali, the Commission President von der Leyen puts Union of Equality on the top of the political agenda with the aim of equality mainstreaming into all EU policies, legislation and funding programs. So I'm really pleased to confirm for our side that the European Committee of the Regions has followed up with opinions on all the five communications of the equality package. On gender equality strategy, EU Roma strategic framework for equality inclusion and participation, the EU anti-racism action plan, the disability strategy, and the LGBTIQ equality strategy. So regarding our Committee's other dedicated action, I'm pleased to highlight our webpage on gender parity in politics, showcasing best practices from our member on how to strengthen gender parity. So dear Commissioner Dali, dear members, as you know very well, equality is one of the founding values of the European Union and enshrined in the treaties and in the charter of fundamental rights. Equality equal opportunities and the inclusion of people with disabilities are also key principles of the European pillar of social rights. Now, unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated existing inequalities, marginalization and discrimination. And while the virus does not discriminate, it is clear that it has hit marginalized communities in our societies disproportionately hard. So we must continue to challenge structural discrimination and stereotypes and create conditions for everyone to live and thrive, regardless of differences based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. So in other words, we must ensure that political decision making takes into account the needs of everyone in our societies. Promoting equality at local and national level must be placed at the heart of all our work as local and regional politicians. So this is exactly why we believe that today's debate is of crucial importance for this matter. And I really welcome you, Commissioner Dali. So, hello, and the floor is yours. Okay, can you hear me now? Yes, we can. So thank you so much, President, for this introduction. I greatly appreciate this invitation. EU institutions must work together if we want to make concrete progress on any topic. The promotion of equality and the fight against discrimination in the EU is a shared responsibility and requires the joint, resolute and ongoing efforts of all relevant stakeholders. My regular dialogue with you, European Committee of the Regions, is an essential part of this inter-institutional EU cooperation. I thank the Committee of the Regions for its support to the Union of Equality Initiatives and its opinions on the gender equality strategy and the Roma strategic framework, as well as the draft opinions on the anti-racism action plan, the disability rights strategy, and the LGBTIQ equality strategy. Many policies and measures for equality, inclusion and anti-discrimination are implemented where people live and we are well aware that local and regional authorities need to be recognized as strategic partners and involved in the implementation and monitoring of the Union of Equality package. The European Commission will take into account your important comments and recommendations on each of the policy areas covered. Appropriate financial resources should be directed to local and regional levels to implement the different equality strategies. The EU Citizens' Equality Rights and Values Program was just adopted, releasing unprecedented funding of 1.5 billion euros for protecting and promoting EU values. Already for the next two years, 100 million euros are allocated for targeted actions on equality, including gender equality, non-discrimination, promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, combating racism, xenophobia, and violence against women. Local and regional authorities and civil society are at the heart of the funding envelope. The COVID-19 crisis put new pressure on women and vulnerable groups and aggravated existing inequalities. The 673 billion euro recovery and resilience facility offers new opportunities for equality mainstreaming in national reforms and investments. Member states are preparing their recovery and resilience plans to mitigate the economic and social impacts of the pandemic. The Commission is assessing these national plans carefully to ensure that the key priorities including gender equality and equal opportunities for all are included. I will now take you through the Union of Equality Initiatives and highlight some of their key points, many of which are raised in the committee's opinions. I will start with the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities and the anti-racism action plan on which you are due to adopt opinions today. The strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities is our comprehensive program to improve the lives of persons with disabilities and ensure their full and equal participation in society. The strategy embraces a human rights approach to disability, helps to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is organized along eight priority areas and contains seven flagship initiatives. Includes actions to be delivered by the Commission and on a number of issues we call on the Member States to take action and line with their responsibilities and competencies. We welcome your opinion on the strategy and your support to its objectives and actions. Let me address some of these points raised in your opinion. I reassure you that in the implementation of the strategy we follow an intersectional perspective. The actions pay attention to the diversity of persons with disabilities and address, for instance, women, children and older persons in the context of their specific situations. I want also to highlight that the rules of the energy performance of buildings are being revised. This is an opportunity to address accessibility during renovations in line with the inclusive approach of the renovation wave and the new European Bauhaus. The successful implementation of the strategy is only possible with the active engagement of Member States at all governance levels, including regional and local authorities, of course. Therefore, we will ensure continuous cooperation with your community. Moving on to the EU anti-racism action plan, the Commission is determined to fight against racism and discrimination effectively. The action plan sets out a series of concrete actions. For instance, the report on the implementation of the Racial Equality Directive was adopted on the 19th of March. By 2022, the Commission will propose any new legislation required to address possible shortcomings observed. This will include the strengthening of the role and independence of national equality bodies. On the 19th of March, the Commission held the Anti-Racism Summit together with the Portuguese Presidency and with the support of the Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup of the European Parliament. Beyond the EU institutions, including the Committee of the Regents, this summit also gathered representatives of Member States, civil society bodies, international organizations and other stakeholders attracting more than 500 participants. We recognize the key role of the Committee in the fight against racism and discrimination. We note the Committee's wish to be involved in the designation of the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity. Our respective services are currently discussing the modalities of this involvement. Structural racism examined in the action plan and highlighted in your draft opinion is a major concern for the European Commission. Related to this, the Commission is making concerted efforts to improve data collection and increase awareness on the reality of racism in the EU. The action plan expects that the Member States produce their national action plans against racism in 2022. After that, by the end of 2023, the Commission will issue a report on the implementation of national action plans. With regards to the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy, I note that your Committee is planning to adopt its opinion this October. The strategy sets out a series of measures to step up action to integrate LGBTIQ equality in all policy areas and to help lift the voices of the LGBTIQ community. In the strategy, the Commission invites Member States to develop national LGBTIQ action plans. Local and regional authorities should be encouraged to be involved in the preparation and implementation of national plans and were possible to develop their own strategic plans at local and regional level. The strategy also calls on the Committee of the Regions to promote dialogue with local and regional authorities and civil society, including social partners on how to advance LGBTIQ equality. The Committee's draft opinion highlights the shared responsibility to combat inequality. The Commission is committed to regularly engage with the Committee and other key partners to fully realize the objectives of the strategy. I will now update the Committee on the Implementation of the Gender Equality Strategy and the Roma strategic framework on which the Committee already adopted its opinions. Since we launched the Gender Equality Strategy in March of last year, it has become even more urgent to tackle gender inequality. The COVID-19 pandemic hit women disproportionately hard. Although much work remains to be done, we have made important progress in the strategies for the first year ago. On combating violence against women, this remains a priority for us and our proposal for a Digital Services Act addresses online violence which excessively affects women. We also presented the first ever Victims' Rights Strategy. Furthermore, we are preparing a specific legislative initiative to prevent and combat gender-based and domestic violence. We have taken a major step forward for gender equality in the labour market with our proposal for binding measures on pay transparency. This will tackle pay discrimination and ensure respect for the right to equal pay. As regards gender-balanced leadership, we lead by example with the first ever gender-balanced College of Commissioners. The EU Roma strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation combats socio-economic exclusion and aims to foster equality and criminal participation of Roma. It also tailors policies to the specific needs of different subgroups of Roma people including women, youth, children, EU mobile citizens, stateless people, LGBTIQ people, older people and persons with disabilities. Member States have shown their commitment to address the challenges faced by Roma communities by adopting the Council recommendation on Roma equality, inclusion and participation. The active involvement of the Committee of the Regents in the design, implementation and monitoring of national Roma strategic frameworks will be essential for their success. Together we will get closer to our common goal of creating more equal and inclusive societies for all Europeans. I thank you for your commitment to achieving a more equal Europe and wish you a good debate. Thank you very much Commissioner for your input. I would like to give the floor now to Jelena Drenjanin from the EPP for two minutes please. Jelena, you have the floor. Dear Commissioner Dali, dear Jelena, the union of equality is not just a strategy, it's a mindset, an attitude and a different fresh and clear way to look at the world of today. But also the world we want for tomorrow for our children, for women and everybody that has a form of disability. So I would say for all those who still haven't had a chance to fully express their potential as human beings. Jelena, our societies are undergoing a crucial transition, be green or digital. But we can be successful only if we create the right conditions at all levels of government to unchain the talents and skill that Europe really needs. At EPP we would like to stress in particular two contacts that are part of the union of equality. First, we stand for equality between men and women in terms of wages, pensions and career evolution. And we are extremely concerned still that there is existing pay gap and female poverty and women's institutions representation in politics and decision making processes in many of our member states. And this is not acceptable. Second, we stand for the full achievement of children rights. And this must happen now today. I mean, we can't lose time. We fight for essential access to quality early childhood care education, but also healthcare services. But we also fiercely combat against human abuses and exploitation for our children, especially online. The members of the EPP group are ready to work in all relevant core commissions to discuss and also contribute to these target measures. For example, on recent years, children and the European child guarantee. At the same time, we will take it into our offices, our cities and regions as many local dialogues as possible to listen to our citizens' voices and emails. So let us meet there and thank you for your attention. Thank you again. The floor now to Xabah Borboli for two minutes from the EPP. Hi, thank you. I wish to align to what Mrs. Renjanin just said about the real added value of having a union for equality debated by the representatives of regions and cities in the European Union. I think that we're doing an excellent work in the COR and especially in the SEDEC Commission. We are building a very solid capital of opinions and the partnerships with different directorate generals. In such a context, I would like to refer to what my colleague just said concerning creating the right conditions at all levels of government to unchain talent and skills and couple these with equal opportunities. This is a particular deal to me. In the EPP, we very much support the proposal to have by 2030 at least 60% of all adults participating in training every year. In fast changing world, this is a very, we must invest in terms of human capital. We must succeed in this mission in order to cover the quality with competitiveness at the world scale. Mrs. Dali, I wish to conclude by stressing the need to closely consider also the rights of women and children belonging to minorities and those who live in remote or sparsely populated areas. Thank you very much. Thank you, Saba, the floor now to Jumi Renstrom from the PS Group for two minutes. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mrs. Dali. On the PSG Group, I would like to warmly congratulate you on the whole vision of the German Union and the political commitment to pass on what it shows. The German Union is a union that we all can be proud of because it is a union where we also have the opportunity for people to grow. We have only split the political strategy, and that is in certain forms. But Europe needs a single from to fight discrimination on all grounds. So that the ownership of the EU's first action plan and racism can only be promised here. This is really a well needed initiative. In my opinion, which I hope will be addressed shortly after this debate, I emphasize that the local and regional communities must be recognized as strategic partners when it comes to forming, through and over-examining and reshaping against racism. I also claim that local and regional action plans, beyond the national action plans, can contribute to counteract structural racism through specific approaches to the field that are adapted to the reality in a certain region or in a certain city. And it also allows me to emphasize that the progress towards these new proposals is much more likely to depend on if the commission is over-examined to ensure that they are recognized within the fixed time frame and with clear and measurable goals. I am also convinced that an intersectional strategy, which is common for all parties, which includes the EU, is also used to meet the progress and the effect of the cooperation between all relevant anti-discrimination strategies. So I would like to thank you for your work, and I would like to congratulate you on this incredibly important work. Thank you very much. On the floor now to Yasid Horvath for two minutes, please. From the BS group. I would like to thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. François DeCoster, if you will play from Renew Europe, three minutes. We would like to respect these values, including the fight against discrimination. We will soon have an opportunity, the conference on the future of Europe. The values of the European Union must be respected not only by the member states, but also by local and regional communities. You have mobilized strongly to ensure that the rights of the homosexuals are respected by the collectivities of certain member states who have wanted to declare themselves of the areas without the LGBTQ community. And you were right, and you are in your responsibility, I would like to thank you for that. And what good news when the traffic community has removed its resolution? You know that the Renew Europe group has been strongly mobilized in the presence of about 30 presidents of the Polish region to propose to them to review their positions, to propose to enter into dialogue. And I think that the dialogue is necessary to remember the importance of values in the plans of the European Union, but it was necessary to go further. It was necessary to say that there would be sanctions, financial consequences that some of these sanctions would be removed. So, Madame la Commissaire, in the conference on the future of Europe, we can strengthen the mechanisms that lead not only to the states to respect the values, but also to some level of governance that benefits the financial support of the European Union. That this threat is clearly known to be reaffirmed in texts, perhaps even at the level of the treaty. I think that we must, for the whole of European citizens, and then you will allow me to finish with a thought by this young lawyer, Norman Kinsoulis, who was burned alive a few days ago, who died of his injuries five days later. We must, for all these victims of discrimination, face a real opportunity for us to be clear about our values and our strong will to make them respect them throughout Europe. Thank you. Thank you very much. The floor now to Matteo Bianchi from the ECR, for two and a half minutes, please. Thank you President, dear Commissioner. Europe has a tragic history of human rights in the 20th century. The Holocaust, the colonization, the forced sterilization of minorities have all been orchestrated by European countries or carried out in European territory. We must not go back to those dark years in Europe. European countries must face their history and hide, for example, for the world. Racism, xenophobia, discrimination in all their forms must be condemned with force. The best way to ensure that tolerance prevails in our societies is to invest in the instruction of our children and have resilient legal systems. The tools to do so are in the hands of our 27 member states. Dear Commissioner, it is positive that the European Union is looking for ways to assist European countries in their efforts to fight discrimination. They are not yet convinced of the proposed methods, that is, by mincing sanctions and creating a greater number of agencies in the European Union. I believe that this approach will not produce the expected results and the main objective of the European Union is to ensure that the parity should be to escape from the platform for the exchange of good practices and data and not to double the existing structures at the national level. It allows me to remind you that if the European Union wants to be active in this field, it must give the example, but I fear that this will not reach an observation. Today we are talking a lot about the protection of vulnerable groups, but one of them has not been mentioned, the Jewish people. One of the main objectives of the member states must be to face better the growing anti-Semitism. This must include the memory, the instruction and the legislation also at the national level. But the same speech is also worth for the Christians in the world, for those who are persecuted in many liberal ways, for religious reasons or for simple cultural traditions. But unfortunately, this is also in Europe, I would like to quote the British press in France. And this also threatens our traditions and our value foundation. I count on you, Mr. Commissioner, on your support and all the commission on this regard and thank you. Thank you very much. Elisabeth Nebrella, Villa from the EA Group for two minutes please. Katja Meyer from the Greens for two minutes. Dear Ms. Commissioner, Dear Mr. President. A lot about the union and the equality we evaluate here from Saxony absolutely positive. Because it is a faithful knowledge of the union to equality and that's what the president of the ADS put in his entrance in the center. We thank the unity of the diversity for a Europe of equality and that the five aspects that are in the center of the union of equality are considered in an intersectional approach. And that it is about a horizontal direction, not about discrimination is absolutely right. Especially with the aspects of equality of the gender equality of the people depending on their skin color on the whole issue of inclusion but also of course the strategy of the rights for the people with disabilities are absolutely central. What is especially important to me is also the equality of people depending on their sex and gender orientation. And I don't think we are as far in Europe in all nationalities as we would like to wish. And I also wish from the European Commission a stronger approach for these rights. But I would like to still mention one aspect that I especially noticed when reading the translation namely that in the action plan against racism the term race is used and that is in German a very high problematic term and it is simply politically and scientifically not sustainable. Because racism produces the term race and not vice versa. And also here in Saxony we are trying from our basic law to spread this term race and to find an alternative. And that should be also on the European level that we try to reproduce this racist or that we reproduce this term. Thank you very much. Carlos Aguilar for one minute please. Thank you very much President. Thank you very much Commissioner. The European Commission must be a reference to equality of rights in all areas but it also has to invest to achieve the effective equality for people with disabilities. We must address more economic resources. We must offer the means for people with disabilities to be able to participate perfectly in our society and enjoy a life with normality. Sanitary services, training, social services, travel, access to adequate jobs, as well as more economic resources and more normative protection. A practical equality for life. Descending economic resources, generating services to support families, particularly in the rural world, to invest in the development of these people and give them priority. Those who do not have easy to do any work must find more effective advantages to access other jobs that can be developed. We must facilitate them to live from independence, to establish policies and economic that allow people with disabilities to have adequate means of life so that they can effectively achieve equality and develop their lives with normality and happiness. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Sad to happen for one minute please. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Hello. Good morning. Thank you, Mr. President, dear commissioner, dear colleagues. On behalf of the European Alliance Group I'd like to welcome this debate at a time when equality, as it is enshrined in our treatise, is facing one of the most dangerous moments since the founding of the EU 71. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. I'd like to thank the for one minute, please. Thank you very much, Mr. President. Thank you very much, Mr. Commissioner. The equality in the EU is a very important topic. What is missing in the concept of union of equality is that there is no difference between the different regions of Europe. No one should be affected because of this, or because of the agreement. That is obvious. But if we, for example, in my region, the goal is that the women get the same salary, they will earn 450 euros in average. That would be the union of equality. Another topic is the question of minorities, for example, the language minorities. Please, experience that the commission of this topic is a political topic of the member states. Let's take the example of minority safety. An initiative with the goal to get the union of equality out of this. Unfortunately, the union has been abandoned. Is that the union of equality? Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Declan McDowell, for one minute, please. Welcome, Madam Commissioner. We often speak of equality and the wish to ensure equal treatment for all. But I would like to highlight the fact that we have not achieved equality for those with disabilities. Quite frankly, the progress has been very poor and this needs to change. In a recent speech, you spoke of the need of engagement from member states, stakeholders and disability persons organization, all working together to improve services and access to employment. But how do we ensure that this is achieved? Are there practical steps we need to take? How do we ensure funding goes to the end users rather than the bureaucratic governance? Disability people were highly affected during the pandemic, many of their services cancelled or postponed. Is there a fast track system to ensure that these services can be rescheduled as quickly as possible? Finally, a practical issue. Have the EU institutions had any success opening the door to more disability persons to work within the different institutions? Karimila Mahgut, thank you. Thank you very much. Janoslav Stawarski, for one minute, please. Thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I am from Lubellia, and I come from Krasnik city. The city that has been changed is that we are intolerant towards people from LBGT and the EU. I would like to tell you that all people who live in Lubell, and Krasnik are very open and even some declarations that are somewhere in the public space in order to address anyone or to put in an uncomfortable situation. I want to make sure that Lubell is a city of Krasnik and that there are people who want to work together with everyone. I would like to draw your attention that the problem of LBGT is certainly important, but the most important problem is the anti-semitism problem in the European Union. I would like to draw your attention because the anti-semitism is very, very dangerous in Western Europe. That is why I call Mr. Commissioner to intensify all activities related to anti-semitism. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I am very happy that in this discussion we can take part today. I think we need to emphasize that there is a general declaration of human rights. In 30 articles of this declaration we are talking about rights that serve every human being. In Poland we did not have freedom, we did not have of course a colony. We have a common common history and I would like to remind you that we have to talk about the phenomenon in the world and in Europe. For example, I would like to show that in a very conservative anti-semitism war there are two women and I will not add more. I would like to talk about all these groups that can potentially be unfairly treated. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. And now our last intervention from Salih allows you for one minute. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. Commissioner Dallin the time has come now for you to talk about human rights. Thank you very much. Commissioner Dallin the time has come now for you to talk about human rights. Thank you very much. The time has come now for you to have your reaction on what you heard from our members. So you have the floor. Thank you. Is the sound on? Can you hear me? Of course, yes. We can hear you very well. Thank you. Go ahead. We can hear you very, very well. Very good. Well, I will try and touch briefly upon all that was said. I hope that I won't disappoint anyone. Yes, the first comment was about the gender pay gap as we know we have the proposal now. So we will see that we get the approval for that from council. And yes, the comment on the lack of women in decision making even there. I think that we have the proposal which has been there for many, many years and if we manage to push that through I'm sure that there would be an improvement of women in decision making positions. Yes. I also heard about the rights of women and children living in remote areas. I think this is a part of the regions because you are closest to the citizens in these remote areas. So I am sure that you can bring issues to our attention more than other people can. So we can progress in this area as well. I know that there is a lot that needs to be done and that is why we must put all our resources together. We are about the intersectional approach. I think this is definitely the way forward when we speak about minorities for instance of Roma, LGBTQ persons with disabilities not one of these groups is a homogenous group. So we really must apply this intersectional perspective because you can be a person, can be many things and therefore the intersectional approach is of the essence. On Roma regarding education and housing and health during the pandemic yes, we know that these problems have been exacerbated during the pandemic but also somebody said don't hide behind the pandemic of course not. Actually, I think in terms of equality the pandemic was a wake-up call for those people who maybe were not so much aware of the inequalities for persons with disabilities for Roma for women for LGBTQ people and we have heard a lot of talk and discussions about how these inequalities have been exacerbated so rather than hiding behind the pandemic I think what has actually happened is that a spotlight was thrown on these inequalities because of the of the pandemic but regarding Roma yes, the situation leaves much to be desired I would say my plan was from the very beginning of my term as commissioner to visit Roma settlement but then we couldn't do it because we couldn't travel but my plan still is to visit these settlements because I really believe that a lot needs to be done there and I will see also to the implementation of the strategy which should help Roma people yes, LGBTIQ freedom zones as you know the parliament has declared the European Union as an LGBTIQ freedom zone of course this is symbolic but I'm sure that it has it's messages very clear also that we cannot afford to have LGBTIQ free zones so that is why I'm saying LGBTIQ freedom zones of course dialogue is the best way in order to try and arrive at solutions on how to get rid of these mentalities and these attitudes because we can have all the legislation in the world unless we change culture and attitudes we will still have problems so dialogue is a good way to help in that direction but of course we must also take action with regards to proposals being made we are still very much in time to put in the conference on the future of Europe on the Europe which we want to see so I think this is a great opportunity to propose the Europe that we want the LGBTIQ freedom zone Europe that we want so the more input there is in this conference for Europe I think that the more we can how shall I say the more we can promote equality and the more we can highlight and put the spotlight on the fact that we do not have a union of equality yet and there is so much which still has to be done so the more proposals for equality that there are in the for the conference on the future of Europe that is more power to our elbows to work more work harder and get more people on board in our project for equality yes we had the comment also that ignorance prevails in our societies and I agree very much with that ignorance in the sense of thinking that our reality is the only reality and that it is the only reality that we care about and this is what we need to change this ignorance in this sense as I said earlier we can have all the proposals all the legislation all the directives that you want but unless we change the mindset unless we look at the other as one big global family and that nobody is more or less than the other then we will have we will still have difficulties we will still have prejudices we will still have racism we will still have discrimination and it all comes from ignorance ignorance of not of not knowing the other of not putting on the shoes of the other and walking a few paces in those shoes so that we are able to understand the others unless we do that yes ignorance will prevail and for equality to be cross-cutting as you know there is the anti-discrimination directive which again has been shelved for many many years I think that it is of the essence that we have this anti-discrimination proposal for a directive but again here we all have to act together and we can say it in the conference for the future of Europe unless we have this anti-discrimination directive we will continue running on the spot when it comes to equality we have to be strong in our words and we really must see that this directive this proposal for a directive actually is implemented regarding the term race I hate the term too and because to me there is only one race the human race we know that this is not what many people believe and we will have to make do with the word race until we do not need it anymore that is my wish that is my dream that is what I work for that we will not need the word race anymore because we will be all one race with no discrimination with no prejudice but we know it would be an understatement to say that we are not there yet so violence across Europe against women against LGBTIQ against Roma against minorities against people with disabilities yes we must be very careful not to allow any backtracking this is still happening we know that a lot has been done and we have made progress but when we see these things around us we question ourselves are we going back are we backtracking and that is what we must not allow that means that we must work harder as you can see from all our strategies these strategies are all there but we need the member states to have their own strategies to have their own plans on how to tackle all this violence which we condemn strongly but it also is a reminder to us on how vigilant we have to be and how we need to work hand in hand we help member states by having these strategies by having directives but then in the end the action has to be taken at member state level in order to eradicate this violence and I would say that you are an important part of all this because you are closer to the citizens and you are very well placed to help in this European project for equality for anti-violence for anti-racism persons with disabilities yes it was said that there was slow progress there and I think our new strategy should step up our work and the work of member states in this direction and with regards to the commission we as you know we appreciate diversity as strength and I always say charity begins at home so we are also looking inwards to see that the commission is open to all without any discrimination and working with commissioners on human resources so that there is more diversity in the commission and anti-semitism of course is an area which requires work and as you know also we are working on this also with Vice President is working in this domain and any anti-semitism is wrong and we are committed to address these realities also persecution of Christians was mentioned and of course we strongly condemn this and any persecution is wrong unless you are persecuting me with love and flowers and any persecution is wrong so we must all be free even of course when it comes to religious belief so none of this is acceptable and to close I would say that yes with regards to persons with disabilities we work with the motto nothing about persons with disabilities without persons with disabilities because persons with disabilities are best place persons with the experience to advise us on how to go about our strategies our policies so definitely nothing about persons with disabilities without persons with disabilities thank you this was very interesting and I hope that we can follow up on this discussion thank you very much Commissioner Dali it was really a very very interesting debate and I think we had the chance and the opportunity to discuss issues that are of great importance for the European Union certainly for the European Committee of the Regions and I really believe that equality is a matter that needs to be put right in the center of the table of the policies that are being implemented in the European Union and I really want to thank you not only for your presence here today to our committee but generally for your great work and determination throughout these years and I'm sure that we will have the opportunity to work even closely in the future from now on without hopefully this pandemic keeping us away from one another so thank you again for your participation your very very very valuable inputs today thank you thank you Commissioner