Could creating a digital single market in the EU and removing barriers online help give a boost to European companies? The European Commission outlined its strategy on 6 May, while it will also feature on the agenda of the European Council on 25-26 June. Meanwhile the Parliament is planning to respond with an own-initiative report […]
Archives for May 2015
Lux Leaks Scandal. Juncker Gets A Step Closer to Hot Seat
Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, just got a step closer to explaining his role in the Lux Leaks scandal. Speaking after an official visit to Luxembourg, German Member of the European Parliament, Fabio De Masi said: “It is becoming increasingly clear that powerful EU member states like Germany and France are covering aggressive […]
“Human Rights. Trade. In That Order.” EU-CELAC Civil Society Tells Mogherini
“Human Rights. Trade. In That Order.” EU-CELAC Civil Society has told High Representative of the European Union, Federica Mogherini. Their statement came as Brussels prepares to host the Second Summit of Heads of State and Government of the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean on 10 and 11 June. The high-level meeting will bring […]
Eastern Partnership Having ‘Positive Impact’ Says Georgia’s Margvelashvili
Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili speaking at the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee discussed the Eastern Partnership ahead of the Riga summit on 21-22 May. He said the Eastern Partnership has had a positive impact on Georgia, not only because we reached the association agreement, but also because it gave us opportunities and mechanisms for reforming our economy, […]
“Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, OVER” – EU Migration Re-Launch
The European Commission’s new European Agenda on Migration has been launched. It outlines the immediate measures that will be taken to respond to the Mediterranean crisis situation, as well as the steps to be taken in the coming years to better manage migration in all its aspects. The plight of thousands of migrants putting their lives […]
Uzbekistan, Justice For Central Asia’s Forgotten Massacre?
The killing of hundreds of protesters by Uzbekistani security forces in the early hours of 13 May 2005 must be independently investigated and the ongoing persecution of those connected to the unrest must end, Amnesty International said on the 10th anniversary of the Andizhan killings. A decade after security forces indiscriminately gunned down mostly peaceful […]
Turkey “Step back from authoritarian reform” Says MEP Schaake
Turkey must step back from authoritarian reforms to remain key EU partner said Marietje Schaake, Dutch Member of the European Parliament. Schaake was responding after the adoption of the annual Turkey report in the foreign affairs committee. She said: “The text was significantly sharpened compared to the draft by S&D-rapporteur Kati Piri, who failed to address many urgent […]
TAXE – Go Slow. The Order Of The Day.
At a public hearing in the European Parliament, Brussels, United Left MEPs declared their frustration with the Special Committee on Tax Rulings (TAXE) and what they saw as a lack of any real progress by the Committee towards protection for whistle blowers and journalists. GUE/NGL MEP Fabio de Masi, TAXE shadow rapporteur, said: “The majority in […]
Libya Abuse Horrors Driving Migrants Into Sea
Refugees and migrants across Libya face rape, torture and abductions for ransom by traffickers and smugglers, as well as systematic exploitation by their employers, religious persecution and other abuses by armed groups and criminal gangs, according to a new Amnesty International briefing published today. Libya is full of cruelty’: Stories of abduction, sexual violence and […]