The international trade committee of the European Parliament today voted by a large majority for the abolition of trade barriers for Ukraine. Under the proposal, the tariff reductions and the elimination of trade barriers are initially limited until 1 November 2014. The spokesman for the EPP Group in the European Parliament’s international trade committee, Daniel […]
Nine Million European Women Suffer Violence in Silence
Nine million European women, equivalent to the whole Austrian population, have suffered some form of sexual violence; and one in five (22%) acknowledged that their partner, or previous partner, perpetrated violence against them. These findings were published this week by the European Union’s Fundamental Rights Agency and the European Council, to highlight International Women’s Day. The […]
Digital Travelers Get Tougher Consumer Protection
The internet has revolutionised the way we travel. Many people now prefer to book online through individual travel service providers rather than opt for ready-made packages. On 12 February the consumer protection committee approved new rules to ensure travellers know their rights and are aware of who is responsible for the services provided. We discussed […]
Tougher Criminal Punishments For Food Fraud
Recent food fraud cases, including the sale of horse meat as beef, should prompt the EU to review the functioning of the food production chain, step up checks and revise labelling legislation, says a non-legislative resolution approved on Tuesday. The European Parliament voices concern at the growth in food fraud, which it says exploits structural […]
Greek Presidency Gets Rough Start Over Economic Fears
Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras presented his country’s priorities for its six months at the helm of the EU to MEPs. The presidency, which started on 1 January, will focus on boosting growth and jobs, the banking union and an immigration policy based on more solidarity. Mr Samaras said there was a clear need for […]
EU Firms Get Boost For Third Country Contract Bids
Plans for a tool to allow EU countries to prevent non-EU firms from bidding for public procurement contracts worth €5 million or more unless their home countries reciprocate by allowing EU firms to do likewise were approved by Parliament on Wednesday. The proposed tool, which could be used only with European Commission approval, should strengthen […]
Climate 2030 – EP Calls For 40% CO2 Emissions Reduction
The EU needs to curb its emissions of greenhouse gases by 40% by the year 2030, says the European Parliament’s Environment Committee. This is a major leap forward compared to the current target of a 20% reduction by 2020. Today’s vote on a Resolution drafted by Anne Delvaux MEP represents the Parliament’s input to the proposal […]
Final Stage Of Banking Union At Risk Says Workmann-Kool
“The final dossier of the Banking Union might be at risk. We demand a more efficient procedure for failing banks”, stated Corien Wortmann-Kool, Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP Group and Shadow Rapporteur on the Single Resolution Mechanism (SRM) dossier. Wortmann-Kool expressed her disappointment on Thursday morning following the start of trilogue negotiations with the Council and […]
Coelho, “Saving Border Lives Should Be Mandatory”
The tragedy off the coast of Lampedusa on 3 October when hundreds of refugees drowned sparked calls for a more humane approach to migration in Europe to prevent the Mediterranean becoming the “graveyard of Europe”. To achieve this, the rules for search and rescue missions conducted by Frontex, the EU’s agency for external border security, […]
MEPs To Ban Non-EU Firms From EU Public Procurement, Unless There’s Reciprocation
A draft law that could bar non-EU firms from bidding for public procurement contracts in the EU unless their home countries allow EU firms reciprocal access to their public procurement markets was endorsed by the International Trade Committee on Thursday. The proposed “international public procurement instrument” should strengthen the EU’s hand in trade talks and […]