Manifesto of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats The ELDR manifesto is divided into four main points: civil liberties; EU Single Market, Growth and Employment; Environment and energy policy; and Enlargement, foreign, security and defence policy. ECONOMY ELDR believes that cross-border competition, knowledge sharing and free trade in goods and services are essential for increasing the EU’s international economic competitiveness. For this, ELDR calls for a single market for intellectual property (“fifth freedom”); the abolition of custom duties and non-tariff barriers and the opening of Europe’s single market to the wider world. A competitive European business environment is essential to achieve the highest possible standard of living for Europe’s citizens. ELDR claims that sustainable growth, independence of the European Central Bank and national central banks, and a sound fiscal policy are essential for prosperity and welfare. Liberals advocate that steps to reform the financial system are necessary and must be based on a better regulation and a proper supervisory implementation. They oppose policies of nationalisation, over-regulation and protectionism and support international cooperation where a reformed IMF should play a leading role in order to prevent future financial crises. In ELDR’s manifesto there is no reference to the European structural funds, however ALDE has already stated their belief that removing disparities in the levels of development of the various regions and Member States of the EU, and in particular catching up with growing disparities within regions and Member States, should remain the main objective of the future cohesion policy. MIGRATION The only reference to migration in ELDR’s manifesto refers to their support to measured economic migration through the introduction of the “blue card”, while addressing the damaging effects of the “brain drain”. This sustained economic immigration flows should take into account the reception capacities of the Member States, so as to meet the needs of the EU labour market in order to ensure Europe's prosperity. ALDE stresses that any measures to combat illegal migration and to step up external border controls, also in cooperation with third countries, must be compatible with the safeguards and the fundamental rights of the individual. ALDE believes that a coherent European immigration policy must be accompanied by an ambitious integration policy considered as a 'two-way process' that presupposes both the immigrants' willingness to, and responsibility in, integrating into their host society and EU citizens' willingness to accept and include immigrants. GENDER EQUALITY There is no reference to gender equality in ELDR’s manifesto however, the ALDE group has been campaigning for and sponsoring in the European Parliament initiatives to improve GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) rights, to fight homophobia and discriminations based on sexual orientation, in Europe and in the world. DEMOCRACY AND ATTITUDE TO THE EU ELDR believes in the modernisation of the EU according to the values and principles of liberal democracy and market economy. ELDR believes in the necessity to adopt the Lisbon Treaty, which considerably reforms the institutions of the EU, enhances transparency, strengthens its democratic character and equips the EU with the necessary tools for today’s global challenges. One of ELDR’s missions and values is a transparent, democratic and accountable Europe: ELDR supports a constitutional settlement for Europe. HUMAN RIGHTS Promoting human rights throughout the world regardless of nationality has been and remains one of the top priorities for the Alliance of European Liberals and Democrats for Europe. EUROPEAN IDENTITY AND EUROPEAN VALUES ELDR believes in democracy, the rule of law, human rights, tolerance and solidarity. ELDR manifesto begins with the defence of civil liberties and freedom as the foundations for a liberal Europe. ELDR supports the EU enlargement for those countries fulfilling the Copenhagen EU accession which includes “integration capacity” as an important consideration. Although ALDE is open to the enlargement process of the EU, they insist that the recruitment of new members should not become its prime objective nor should the objective of integration be to get more and more member states. ALDE strongly supports Turkey's modernisation along European lines, and are critically and constructively engaged in the present negotiations with Turkey, whose outcome cannot be foreseen. However, a number of ALDE members would prefer a solution based on a 'privileged partnership' or an extension of the current customs union between the EU and Turkey. FOREIGN RELATIONS ELDR supports a Common Foreign and Security Policy and the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy to better serve EU Member States’ interest. In order to enhance the EU’s military defence cooperation and its responsiveness to international security and humanitarian emergencies, new efforts must be made to strengthen and extend the European Security and Defence Policy by bringing together European defence-related resources and capabilities.