STOCKHOLM, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- A new directive protecting against discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, religion or belief and sexual orientation in all areas of life has been proposed at the third Equality Summit started here on Monday.

    "Article 13 of the EU Treaty is proposed to have the same scope and the same level of protection as the Race Equality Directive 43in 2000 and should be adopted by the European Council," said Member of the European Parliament Emine Bozkurt at the summit.

    "I believe the Anti-discrimination Directive will give people a tool with which to fight discrimination. Many member states currently lack laws that protect individuals against discrimination on the grounds of religion, homosexuality, disability or age, whereas there is protection against discrimination on the grounds of gender, race and ethnicity," said Bozkurt.

    "We hope that stakeholders will agree to ensure the adoption by the European Council of the proposed Article 13 Directive to tackle the remaining gender gaps in gender equality policies and legislation and ensure gender mainstreaming as well as equality inall EU policies," said Vice President of Social Platform Myria Vassiliadou.

    The main theme of the two-day Equality Summit is Cooperation for Equality calling for cooperation among all stakeholders including government, non-governmental organizations, media and human rights institutions.