“Solidarity between EU member states and closer co-operation is still needed to carry out the relocation of migrants as soon as possible,” said Esteban González Pons MEP, vice chairman of the EPP Group responsible for Legal and Home Affairs, following the European Commission’s presentation of the progress made on the relocation and resettlement scheme and […]
The European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD), launched by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has been awarded the prestigious European Health Award (EHA) of €10,000 at the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) 2016. The initiative raises awareness about the threat to public health of antimicrobial resistance and the importance of prudent antibiotic […]
The primary forum to debate all things health policy for nearly 20 years, the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG), 28-30 September, opens today (28 September). This year’s theme is ‘Demographics and Diversity in Europe – New Solutions for Health’, with key input from European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis, World Health Organization […]
Should EU Structural and Investment Funds for Spain and Portugal be suspended, following Council’s 12 July decision to trigger the ‘excessive deficit’ procedure? MEPs from the Regional Development and Economic Affairs committees will debate a possible suspension of structural funds for Spain and Portugal with the EU Commission in Strasbourg on Monday 3 October, in […]
After five years’ existence, the transparency register, of independent organizations and people whose business is to influence EU decision-taking processes, is to evolve into a mandatory system covering all EU institutions. This is “an eagerly-awaited reform”, said European Parliament Vice-President Sylvie Guillaume, welcoming the proposed inter-institutional agreement tabled by the European Commission on 28 September. […]
Roaming charges are on track to be abolished next June, but the rules setting out when mobile providers can charge domestic charges still have to be finalized. Companies fear consumers will try to buy a SIM card from the EU country with the lowest charges rather than from their own country. We asked Pilar del […]
On the Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion (27 September), GUE/NGL MEPs called on governments across Europe to listen to the growing movement of women who are standing up for the right to safe and legal abortion. A recent study has shown a stagnation or decline in policies that support […]
The last of Israel’s founding fathers, former Israeli President Shimon Peres (pictured), winner of the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize died Tuesday, 27 September, after suffering a stroke two weeks ago. Doctors said Peres suffered severe organ failure Tuesday, as well as irreversible brain damage caused by the massive hemorrhagic stroke he sustained on September 13. […]
Code of Conduct for Commissioners should be mandatory and not voluntary The rapporteur of the Budgetary Control Committee, Inge Gräßle MEP calls for more accountability and consistency in the ‘Code of Conduct’ for Commissioners. These rules should also be applied to the Ad Hoc Ethics Committee who takes the final decision on suitable jobs for […]
Today, 28 September, World Vision and ChildPact, will launch the Child Protection Index in Brussels. This tool serves to prevent and end violence, child trafficking, child labor, discrimination and other violations of a child’s rights. The CPI makes use of 600 indicators drawn from child protection language in the UN Convention on the Rights of […]
#Azerbaijan referendum result is ‘ringing endorsement of Aliyev plans’
The people of Azerbaijan have voted overwhelmingly to grant President Ilham Aliyev extended powers, writes Tony Mallett in Baku. Some five million Azeri were eligible at the polls, held yesterday (26 September), with an overwhelming majority of the 69.7% turnout voting to allow Aliyev to extend his term of office from five-to-seven years. Citizens also […]
#Migration: Member states must stick to their commitments
“Solidarity between EU member states and closer co-operation is still needed to carry out the relocation of migrants as soon as possible,” said Esteban González Pons MEP, vice chairman of the EPP Group responsible for Legal and Home Affairs, following the European Commission’s presentation of the progress made on the relocation and resettlement scheme and […]
#EHFG2016: 10th European Health Award goes to European Antibiotic Awareness Day
The European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD), launched by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has been awarded the prestigious European Health Award (EHA) of €10,000 at the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) 2016. The initiative raises awareness about the threat to public health of antimicrobial resistance and the importance of prudent antibiotic […]
The primary forum to debate all things health policy for nearly 20 years, the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG), 28-30 September, opens today (28 September). This year’s theme is ‘Demographics and Diversity in Europe – New Solutions for Health’, with key input from European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis, World Health Organization […]
Should EU Structural and Investment Funds for Spain and Portugal be suspended, following Council’s 12 July decision to trigger the ‘excessive deficit’ procedure? MEPs from the Regional Development and Economic Affairs committees will debate a possible suspension of structural funds for Spain and Portugal with the EU Commission in Strasbourg on Monday 3 October, in […]
#Transparency register: An eagerly-awaited strengthening
After five years’ existence, the transparency register, of independent organizations and people whose business is to influence EU decision-taking processes, is to evolve into a mandatory system covering all EU institutions. This is “an eagerly-awaited reform”, said European Parliament Vice-President Sylvie Guillaume, welcoming the proposed inter-institutional agreement tabled by the European Commission on 28 September. […]
End of #roaming: MEPs negotiate safeguards to prevent abuse
Roaming charges are on track to be abolished next June, but the rules setting out when mobile providers can charge domestic charges still have to be finalized. Companies fear consumers will try to buy a SIM card from the EU country with the lowest charges rather than from their own country. We asked Pilar del […]
Calling on European governments to listen to growing movement on #abortion rights
On the Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion (27 September), GUE/NGL MEPs called on governments across Europe to listen to the growing movement of women who are standing up for the right to safe and legal abortion. A recent study has shown a stagnation or decline in policies that support […]
#Israel: Former Israeli president Shimon Peres dies at 93
The last of Israel’s founding fathers, former Israeli President Shimon Peres (pictured), winner of the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize died Tuesday, 27 September, after suffering a stroke two weeks ago. Doctors said Peres suffered severe organ failure Tuesday, as well as irreversible brain damage caused by the massive hemorrhagic stroke he sustained on September 13. […]
#EuropeanParliament calls for tighter rules for Code of Conduct for Commissioners
Code of Conduct for Commissioners should be mandatory and not voluntary The rapporteur of the Budgetary Control Committee, Inge Gräßle MEP calls for more accountability and consistency in the ‘Code of Conduct’ for Commissioners. These rules should also be applied to the Ad Hoc Ethics Committee who takes the final decision on suitable jobs for […]
#WorldVision and ChildPact: Government efforts to protect children
Today, 28 September, World Vision and ChildPact, will launch the Child Protection Index in Brussels. This tool serves to prevent and end violence, child trafficking, child labor, discrimination and other violations of a child’s rights. The CPI makes use of 600 indicators drawn from child protection language in the UN Convention on the Rights of […]
#NATO must work harder to debunk Russian claims of provocation
NATO’s failure to clearly communicate its plans for multinational battalions in Poland and the Baltics is doing nothing to counter Russian claims that they are unnecessary and provocative, writes Keir Giles. NATO is moving forward with its plans to set up multinational battalions in Poland and each of the three Baltic states. Estimates of the […]
Civil liberties MEPs back plans to waive visa requirements for #Ukraine
Plans to waive visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens entering the Schengen area were approved by the Civil Liberties Committee on Monday, 26 September. If approved by Parliament and Council, it will allow Ukrainians who have a biometric passport to enter the EU area without a visa for 90 days in any 180-day period, for business, […]
Civil Liberties MEPs quiz Gilles de Kerchove on #terrorism measures
In the wake of this summer’s terrorist attacks in Europe, EU Counter-Terrorism Co-ordinator Gilles de Kerchove (pictured) debated trends revealed by such attacks and EU counter-terrorism measures with Civil Liberties Committee MEPs on Monday afternoon (26 September). MEPs quizzed de Kerchove on his plans to cooperate with newly appointed security Commissioner Sir Julian King, information […]
#BigData: MEPs look at risks and opportunities
Sophisticated analytics can make use of large quantities of data to facilitate decisions in areas such as marketing and advertising, retail, urban planning, healthcare, transport and the environment. In addition companies can use the information to offer products only to those who need them and only when they need it. They can also provide people […]
#Panama papers: Investigative journalists discuss their work in Parliament
Hearing The hearing starts on Tuesday morning, 27 September, at 9.00 CET. The journalists discussing their work with MEPs include Frederik Obermaier, from the Süddeutsche Zeitung in Germany; and Kristof Clerix from Belgium’s Knack magazine. Watch it live online and check out the full programme. Following the hearing, the committee’s working program will be presented […]
