Defending Pensioners' Rights in Europe during Age Concern Week

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 3rd Sep 2000

Diana Wallis, Lib Dem Euro-MP for Yorkshire and the Humber, will this week be defending the rights of pensioners to live freely in other EU countries.

The right of a national of any member state to live in another EU country was enshrined in the Maastricht Treaty, but some countries are not playing by the rules.

During Age Concern Week (2-9 September) a report to which Diana Wallis MEP contributed, will be debated at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Commenting on the forthcoming debate, Diana said: "All too often European citizenship is an empty phrase - and that can be doubly so for pensioners.

"It is fitting that this report should come before the Parliament during Age Concern Week. As that organisation highlights its work in helping pensioners and looking after their interests, the European Parliament will be doing its bit to help secure freedom of movement and rights of residence for them.

"Apart from Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands, all the other member states have been slow and reluctant in changing their laws to allow pensioners to retire to different countries.

"I am calling on the European Commission to make Member States live up to their treaty obligations."