A year on from the Lampedusa shipwrecks, which claimed more than 500 lives, a new report by Amnesty International highlights how, what Amnesty called the “shameful inaction of European Union (EU) countries” has contributed to a spiralling death toll with thousands of refugees and migrants losing their lives in a desperate bid to reach European […]
Schaake Gets Malmström Commitment On Trade Transparency
Dutch Member of the European Parliament, Marietje Schaake, (ALDE/D66) received commitments today from trade commissioner designate, Cecilia Malmström that she would focus on maximum transparency and increasing accessibility of trade negotiations. Schaake: “I am happy that Malmström shares my concerns. Too much takes place behind closed doors. Because of this, people’s justified concerns cannot be addressed […]
Q&A With Anna Fotyga: “…an asymmetric war against western society…”
As countries all over the world discuss how they can work together to tackle the threat posed by ISIS, MEPs will debate on 17 September what the EU can do to improve the situation in the Middle East. Anna Fotyga, a Polish member of the ECR group and chair of the security and defence subcommittee, […]
Gardiazábal Rubial and Arthuis Slam Council Budget Draft
The Council’s version of the draft EU budget for 2015 disregards its own political pledge to spur economic growth and job creation, MEPs said after Council Presidency representative Enrico Zanetti presented it in plenary session on Tuesday. EU member states propose a budget of €145.077 billion in commitments and €139.966 billion in payments, i.e. cuts […]
United States Welcomes EU-Ukraine Association Agreement
“We congratulate the people of Ukraine on making history today, as the Ukrainian and European parliaments simultaneously ratified Ukraine’s Association Agreement with the European Union,” Marie Harf, Deputy State Department Spokesperson, said in a September 16 statement. “By forging ahead with this Agreement in the face of great challenges, Ukraine’s leaders have carried out the […]
Farage, “Poke the Russian bear with a stick, don’t be surprised if he reacts”
The EU should take a more proactive line on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and impose tougher sanctions on Russia, urged some political groups in Tuesday’s debate with EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner Štefan Füle. Others, however, stressed the need to “keep communication channels open”. “We want to see actions and not words […]
Applause For EU-Ukraine Association Agreement
The signing of agreements is rarely accompanied by applause, shouting and the flashing of victory signs, but this one was years in the making and responsible for a major change in European affairs. Many MEPs were quick to show their joy when the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement was ratified simultaneously by the Ukrainian and European Parliaments […]
Schaake Demands Clarity On Ukraine Trade Deal Postponement
Marietje Schaake, MEP, (ALDE/D66), has asked European Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht for clarity on the implementation of the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine. The European Parliament ratified the agreement today, but last weekend it became clear that the European Commission and the Ukrainian government agreed to postpone the implementation of the trade […]
How Russian Import Ban Is Affecting EU Firms
European companies are still reeling from the impact of a Russian import ban on EU, US, Canadian, Australian, and Norwegian products such as meat, fruit and vegetables. Russia introduced the ban on 7 August in retaliation to EU measures triggered by the Ukrainian crisis and the downing of the Malaysia Airlines MH17 plane. The EU […]
An Apple A Day Keeps The Russians Away
European companies have started to feel the impact of the Russian import ban introduced on 7 August. The measure, which includes anything from Polish apples to Belgian pork, is Russia’s response to EU sanctions over the country’s involvement in the crisis in the Ukraine. During this week’s plenary in Strasbourg, MEPs will debate the impact […]