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EU progress on the modern definition of 'family'
March 9, 2004 6:46 PM
Sarah has long championed gay rights in the European Parliament. She is pictured here at Pride in the Park 2003 where she had the honour of addressing the festival goers.
The European Parliament is due tomorrow (10 March) to approve streamlined rules to facilitate the rights of European citizens and their families to move and live freely within the European Union.
Under the new Directive, the definition of 'family' has been widened to include gay and lesbian partners, if the host European country recognises the relationship as equivalent to marriage. Recognised partners include both EU nationals and third-country nationals.
Ahead of the vote, Baroness Sarah Ludford, London MEP and European justice spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrats said:
"As a lead member of the European Parliament's cross-party 'Intergroup' on Gay and Lesbian Rights, I am pleased that we have arrived at a wider definition of 'family', after three years of negotiations. Though it is not as inclusive as I had wished for, the very mention of a wider definition is a milestone in an EU law."
"The Directive introduces other measures to ease movement and residence within the European Union. Citizens will now no longer have to obtain a residence card when residing in another Member State and they will be given the right to permanent residence after five years of uninterrupted stay in that country."
"We are finally making a reality of free movement of people to match that of goods, money and services."
Note:
The European Parliament will vote on the Santini report between 11am and noon GMT.
UPDATE: The Parliament vote went in support of the report.
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