Parliament approved €840,000 in European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGAF) aid on Tuesday to help 300 redundant building workers in Valencia (Spain) to back into the labour market. The aid was approved by 603 votes, with 71 against and 17 abstentions. Some 630 workers were made redundant by Valencian manufacturers of non-metallic mineral products (such as […]
The Nuclear Option – Bulgaria, Lithuania and Slovakia Get Decommissioning Cash
EU financial aid to help Bulgaria, Lithuania and Slovakia to complete the decommissioning of the Kozloduy, Ignalina and Bohunice nuclear power plants in the next EU budget period (2014-2020) was approved by MEPs on Tuesday. These power plants are “too dated and could not be cost-effectively upgraded to meet the minimum required safety standards” said […]
Erasmus Lives! Da Vinci Reborn! EP Approves New Student Funds
The EU’s new Erasmus+ programme, which will fund grants for students, teachers, trainers and apprentices to study abroad in the EU, was approved by the European Parliament on Tuesday. Youth leaders, volunteers and young sportsmen and women will also be eligible. A new guarantee mechanism will also enable master’s degree students to get cheaper loans […]
“Banks Can No Longer Exclude Citizens From Society,” – Klute
Everyone legally residing in the EU must have the right to open a basic payment account, and this right should not be denied on grounds of nationality or place of residence, said the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee amending a draft law to this end, Monday, in Strasbourg. Fees and rules for these accounts should […]
She’s On The Money – Sophie in’t Veld Welcomes SWIFT Probe, Condemns Double Standards
“Just last week, the Belgian and Dutch data protection authorities announced an inquiry into alleged unauthorised access to the SWIFT servers; I wholeheartedly welcome this,” said Dutch MEP, Sophie in’t Veld (D66, ALDE). “The main server is located in the Netherlands, and SWIFT headquarters are based in Belgium,” said in’t Veld, adding: “The Dutch authorities […]
It’s Democracy, Dam It Brazil!
Amazon deforestation increased by 28% between August 2012 and July 2013. Brazil’s Environment Minister, Izabella Teixeira, said the government is trying to reverse this “crime” – much like the ruling party has tried to reverse charges against politicians and businessmen convicted in the nation’s biggest corruption trial. Jose Dirceu, Chief of Staff to former President, […]
The Mother of All Budgets. Budget Committee Approves MFF…
The Mother of All Budgets is inching towards the maternity suite. Parliament’s Budgets Committee has approved the EU’s long-term budget (Multi-annual Financial Framework – MFF) for 2014-2020 and the deal struck in this week’s negotiations on the budget for 2014, the first year under the new MFF. Parliament’s final votes on these budgets are scheduled […]
EU Budget 2014 – “Deal”. Parliament and Council Get It Together…
After negotiating through the night, Parliament and Council struck a deal on the EU budget for 2014, which also provides for remedying payments shortfalls in in the current fiscal year. MEPs ensured that victims of catastrophic flooding and drought in 2013 will be compensated, and that its priorities for 2014 in areas such as employment, […]
Brutal Reality of Colombian Peace Negotiations Unveiled To Deputies
Women are the first to suffer the brutality of war and are largely ignored during peace negotiations. “This state of affairs must change,” said Nahla Valji, New York office of UN Women. Valji was speaking at the European Parliament at a debate on the inclusion of women within the current Colombian peace talks. Valji said: […]
Tymošenko – Cox Aims For Berlin Hospital Transfer
The European Parliament’s mission to Ukraine this week will do its best to have Julia Tymošenko transferred to Berlin for hospital treatment in the coming weeks, said Pat Cox, Special Envoy of the European Parliament Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. Speaking at a COSAC meeting at the Seimas, Lithuania, his presentation titled ‘Parliament Diplomacy: The EP and […]