Before starting work in the European Parliament, I never thought about whether Estonia was somehow more advanced in digital issues than the rest of Europe, writes Kaja Kallas, MEP (ALDE, EE). To be honest, I never even thought about the digital solutions that I was using daily because I was so used to them. The […]
“Ambitious Climate Alliance Needed” From EU-CELAC Lawmakers
EU and Latin America, Caribbean Lawmakers Forging Paris #COP21 Positions Today’s formal Declaration at the Brussels Summit of the European Union (EU) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) calls for the strengthening of the bi-regional alliance ahead of COP21, but hbs says that isn’t enough. “There is a fundamental difference between […]
“Feminicide, EU-CELAC Must Act”
Femicide, the murder of women because they are women, continues to be a reality in both Latin America and Europe. Two years after an action plan was adopted during the last EU-CELAC Summit, including commitments to eliminate all forms of violence against women, a conference has been held in Brussels on “The duty of due […]
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 […]
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 […]
Schaake: “Council must adopt more ambitious Telecoms plan”
Dutch Member of the European Parliament Marietje Schaake (D66/ALDE) foresees a big fight between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers on the Telecoms Single Market. Today the Council announced that instead of abolishing roaming, it will be gradually capped. This measure will be effective in 2016 and only in 2018 they will be […]
Fish Discard Ban, Sanctions Delayed By MEPs
Fishermen will have two years to “adapt” before sanctions for failing to comply with the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) discard ban take effect, under a tentative deal struck by Parliament and Council on Thursday, with European Commission help. The agreement amends the “omnibus” regulation setting out detailed arrangements for enforcing the ban. “I am […]
Colombia’s Indigenous Women Talk Peace in Brussels
Colombia’s indigenous women talked peace in Brussels last week at a European Parliament event designed to ensure the voices of women are heard in Colombia’s torturous path to peace. The conference was held with the aim of the discussing Colombia’s current peace talks and their impact on indigenous peoples, particularly indigenous women. Organised by the […]
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 […]