“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, […]
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: […]
Claude Moraes, Facing Facts. Surveillance Delegation In Washington
“We will have the opportunity to discuss directly with US counterparts the alleged surveillance activities of US authorities and any impact they have in terms of EU citizens fundamental right to privacy,” said Claude Moraes, head of a European Parliament civil liberties committee delegation to Washington. The delegation is in Washington from 28 to 30 October […]
“We are the richest continent. We can do more” – Schulz On Migration Solidarity
“Lampedusa has become a symbol of a European migration policy,” European Parliament President Martin Schulz told EU leaders at the October European Council, in Brussels. “It should also become a turning point for that migration policy”, he added, calling for greater support of the Mediterranean countries, which receive most irregular migrants trying to enter the […]
Socialist Swoboda Must Apologise For UK Slur, Insists Callanan
Martin Callanan, British MEP and leader of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament, has strongly criticised Socialist group leader, Hannes Swoboda. Callanan insisted that Swoboda, a close ally of United Kingdom Opposition leader, Ed Miliband, should apologise for his “outrageous slur” against the British government, after claiming that the tragic murder […]
Brok Insists On Proactive EU Foreign Policy
It can’t be business as usual for Ashton’s successor, MEPs insisted, Thursday. Deputies called for a new approach to EU foreign policy based on leadership and the defence of the EU’s interests and values. Above all, they insist, the EU must be proactive, set priorities and make full use of EU and member states’ resources […]
We Avoided EU Budget Default Says Giovanni La Via
“I want to strongly emphasise that today’s approval of the draft amending budget (DAB 6/2013) does not eliminate the need for fresh money to pay the bills already submitted by the Member States, not to mention those coming up in November and December, which will inevitably affect the already tight 2014 budget”, said Giovanni La […]
Fight Club. Parliament Reverses Council Budget Cuts
The European Parliament reversed the Council’s proposed cuts in research and employment expenditure in 2014 in a plenary vote in Strasbourg on Wednesday. MEPs also reversed cuts in funding for international policy, such as humanitarian aid to the Middle East and Syrian refugees and added funds for the external border control agency Frontex. Parliament proposes […]