European Union

Beware 'neo-imperial' Russia, Kaczynski says

Updated: 2010-09-30 17:53:41

, NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER HEADLINE NEWS Beware neo-imperial' Russia , Kaczynski says MATEJ HRUSKA Today 18:53 CET EUOBSERVER BRUSSELS Former Polish prime minister and leader of Poland's main opposition party , Jaroslaw Kaczynski , has warned of Russia's neo-imperial foreign policy to all 738 MEPs in Brussels and to dozens of ambassadors . The message , in the form of an as-yet-unpublished opinion piece due to appear shortly in the Wall Street Journal , accuses Russia of systematically trying to re-acquire its sphere of interest at a time when the US is paying less attention to Europe . Mr Kaczynski l on a visit to Brussels during his time at the head of the Polish government Photo : ec.europa.eu Print Comment article There are more signs that there

Roma expulsions are sign of 'dangerous times' in Europe, human rights chief says

Updated: 2010-09-30 09:51:34

, NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER HEADLINE NEWS Roma expulsions are sign of dangerous times' in Europe , human rights chief says Council of Europe chief Jagland says the ball is in France's court Photo : Council of Europe VALENTINA POP Today 10:51 CET EUOBSERVER BRUSSELS The French Roma crisis is a sign of a dangerous drift to the right in European politics but also an opportunity to do something real for the minority , the secretary general of the Council of Europe has said in an interview with . EUobserver Referring to the high-profile dispute between Brussels and Paris over Roma expulsions , Thorbjorn Jagland , the head of the Council of Europe , the oldest intergovernmental organisation promoting human rights and democracy , said EU politicians should

Legislative Proposals on EU Economic Governance

Updated: 2010-09-30 09:47:12

The European Commission has now formally proposed amendments to existing legislation and new legislation aimed at improving economic governance. Here’s the list: 1.A Regulation amending the legislative underpinning of the preventive part of the Stability and Growth Pact (Regulation 1466/97); … Continue reading →

EU holds anti-terrorist exercise amid reports of al-Qaeda plot

Updated: 2010-09-30 09:25:29

NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER HEADLINE NEWS EU holds anti-terrorist exercise amid reports of al-Qaeda plot MATEJ HRUSKA Today 10:25 CET EUOBSERVER BRUSSELS The EU has tested its crisis co-ordination capabilities in a simulated bio-terrorist attack on a European football championship . The exercise comes amid reports of a real al-Qaeda plot targeting Britain , France and Germany and Norway's arrest of three men planning attacks in Oslo and Copenhagen . The EU simulation concerned a biological attack on the upcoming Euro 2012 football championship Photo : europarl.europa.eu Print Comment article The fifth EU-wide exercise of its kind , conducted between 27 and 29 September 2010, was aimed at testing the co-ordination of crisis responses in the areas of

Anti-austerity protests hit dozens of EU cities

Updated: 2010-09-30 08:25:28

NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER HEADLINE NEWS Anti-austerity protests hit dozens of EU cities The European Union of Speculators' bankers and their ties to EU governments were a prominent target in the Brussels march Photo : EUobserver ANDREW WILLIS Today 09:25 CET EUOBSERVER BRUSSELS Tens of thousands of angry workers marched through cities across Europe on Wednesday 29 September to protest against the wave of government austerity measures that have swept through the region over the past year . A procession of roughly 100,000 people snaked through the streets of Brussels , led by a group dressed in black suits and masks and calling themselves the European Union of Speculators , a pointed jibe at the bankers which many blame for the current crisis . Print

EU responds to threat of 'zombie computers'

Updated: 2010-09-30 01:49:54

NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER HEADLINE NEWS EU responds to threat of zombie computers' The Ignalina nuclear power station in Lithuania . Malmstrom said she does not want to terrify' people but noted that Stuxnet could be used to sabotage a nuclear plant Photo : wikipedia ANDREW RETTMAN Today 14:49 CET EUOBSERVER BRUSSELS The EU's anti-cyber-crime agency Enisa will in future work with Europol to help track down hackers and the creation of botnets or zombie computers is to be made illegal under new proposals from the European . Commission I don't want you to walk out of here totally terrified , but just to give you an idea that there is a threat , home affairs commissioner Cecila Malmstrom said at a press briefing to launch the measures in the EU capital ,

The Tea Party is more dangerous than the BNP, says Labour MP

Updated: 2010-09-29 21:11:13

Watch this clip. John Cruddas, the conscience of Old Labour, comes across as a decent enough sort until right at the end, when he says something utterly extraordinary: “What worries me more [than the BNP] is the English Defence League because they are tied into key elements of what could be a prospective Tea Party”. What? [...]

Fines for deficit states more likely under EU plans

Updated: 2010-09-29 17:24:57

NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER HEADLINE NEWS Fines for deficit states more likely under EU plans Spain is among eurozone members that face the prospect of fines in the future Photo : rahego ANDREW WILLIS 29.09.2010 18:24 CET EUOBSERVER BRUSSELS The European Commission has come forward with a major package of legislative proposals designed to keep member-state spending in check and prevent a repeat of the recent investor panic that threatened to break apart the 16-member eurozone . Key components of Wednesday's 29 September package include plans to pay closer attention to national debt levels and losses in competitiveness , together with a new system of fines for eurozone members that fail to adhere to the bloc's budgetary rules known as the Stability and

Unloved 'eurocrats' look on at Brussels protest

Updated: 2010-09-29 17:24:17

NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER HEADLINE NEWS Unloved eurocrats' look on at Brussels protest ANDREW RETTMAN 29.09.2010 18:24 CET EUOBSERVER BRUSSELS As workers from across Europe marched through the EU quarter in Brussels on Wednesday 29 September some EU officials felt equally gloomy about proposed cuts in the EU budget and what they see as scapegoating of the Union's institutions by national . politicians With the top tier of EU civil servants earning as much as 14,000 to 16,000 a month , paying much less income tax than private-sector workers and holding jobs for life , it is hard for EU fonctionnaires to plead for sympathy at a time of crisis . View from the EU commission headquarters in Brussels . Carpenito : Do you want us all to be in the shit

EU Commission backs down in Roma row with France

Updated: 2010-09-29 14:58:59

NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER HEADLINE NEWS EU Commission backs down in Roma row with France VALENTINA POP 29.09.2010 15:58 CET EUOBSERVER BRUSSELS The EU commission on Wednesday 29 September decided to go for the less controversial legal action against France for not having properly transposed EU law into national legislation , but refrained from suing Paris for discriminating against an ethnic group and simply asked for more information Friends again : Barroso l and Sarkozy have buried the Roma hatchet Photo : consilium.eu Print Comment article Deliberations on how to proceed against France lasted two and a half hours longer than expected , after a joint presentation by justice commissioner Viviane Reding and her colleagues in charge of home affairs

Protesters on the move through Brussels

Updated: 2010-09-29 12:18:02

NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER HEADLINE NEWS Protesters on the move through Brussels Protesters gathering this morning near Gare du Midi Photo : EUobserver ANDREW WILLIS 29.09.2010 13:18 CET EUOBSERVER BRUSSELS The build-up of workers from all over Europe continued near Brussels' Gare du Midi train station throughout the morning on Wednesday 29 September as protesters prepared to march through the city . Colourful jackets , horns and loud music added to a carnival atmosphere in the down-at-heel area , punctuated by the occasional blast of tough rhetoric from nearby loudspeakers . Print Comment article We are unhappy with the government's reforms , there needs to be more support for the unemployed , one textile worker from Denmark told this website . He

Impact Assessments Work

Updated: 2010-09-29 11:02:03

The European Court of Auditors has issued a report on the use of impact assessments prepared by the Commission for the decision-making process of the EU institutions. The main conclusion is that impact assessments have become an integral element of … Continue reading →

Member States Criticize Proposal on GMO

Updated: 2010-09-29 10:44:05

The Member States have criticized and in fact rejected a proposal by the European Commission on a new type of regulation on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). According to EUobserver both pro-GMO and anti-GMO Member States have objected the newly proposed … Continue reading →

MEPs demand more say over EU foreign policy spending

Updated: 2010-09-29 08:29:35

NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER HEADLINE NEWS MEPs demand more say over EU foreign policy spending HONOR MAHONY 29.09.2010 09:29 CET EUOBSERVER BRUSSELS Playing some of their last cards in the long negotiating route to setting up the EU's diplomatic service , MEPs on Tuesday 28 September demanded more control over the Union's foreign policy . spending Deputies in the budget and budgetary control committees asked for much greater transparency over administrative spending by the diplomatic service's delegations , as well as operational spending for EU missions and . delegations MEPs are using all their negotiating leverage on the EAS Photo : European Parliament Print Comment article Taxpayers have to be correctly informed how much they are spending on

Brussels set for day of protest

Updated: 2010-09-29 08:20:35

NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER HEADLINE NEWS Brussels set for day of protest Protesters will converge on Rond Point Schuman during the early afternoon Photo : Teemu Mantynen ANDREW WILLIS 29.09.2010 09:20 CET EUOBSERVER BRUSSELS Angry over the recent wave of government spending cuts and tax increases , European workers from across the union are preparing to hit the streets as part of a co-ordinated day of demonstration . Madrid and Brussels will be focal points on Wednesday 29 September with similar protests expected in a dozen other capital cities stretching from Dublin to Belgrade . Print Comment article Cutting in a recession , cutting when unemployment is already high , cutting when economic growth is low this is wrong , the general secretary of the

EU lobby register blasted as wildly inaccurate

Updated: 2010-09-29 06:44:53

NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER HEADLINE NEWS EU lobby register blasted as wildly inaccurate ANDREW WILLIS 29.09.2010 07:44 CET EUOBSERVER BRUSSELS The European Commission has attracted fresh criticism over its fledgling EU lobby register , with new analysis suggesting that data for five out of the top 15 entries is likely to be inaccurate . The number crunching exercise carried out using software robots by the pro-transparency coalition group Alter-EU on Monday evening 27 September suggests many entrants have erroneously entered annual turnover figures rather than their EU lobbying budgets , placing them artificially high on EU register which was set up three years ago . Others appear to have simply misunderstood the term EU . lobbying' Several firms

[Comment] France to break EU promise to the Balkans

Updated: 2010-09-29 01:19:17

NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER HEADLINE NEWS Comment France to break EU promise to the Balkans GERALD KNAUS AND ALEXANDRA STIGLMAYER 29.09.2010 14:19 CET EUOBSERVER COMMENT On 14 September the European Commission reported that Albania and Bosnia had done all that the European Union had asked them to do to qualify for visa-free access to the Schengen area . This was the official acknowledgement of more than two years of hard work and difficult reforms . The right to travel freely in Europe is essential to allowing the peoples of the Western Balkans to feel as full members of the entire European family Photo : johnnyalive Print Comment article Macedonians , Montenegrins and Serbs have been benefitting from travel to the EU without any restrictions since

South Africa summit sheds light on EU 'strategic partnerships'

Updated: 2010-09-28 16:44:05

NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER FOREIGN AFFAIRS South Africa summit sheds light on EU strategic partnerships' ANDREW RETTMAN 28.09.2010 17:44 CET EUOBSERVER BRUSSELS A meeting between EU leaders and South African President Jacob Zuma has shed light on how the union aims to use strategic partnerships to shape world events , as well as the limits of its friendship with the young . democracy Speaking to the press alongside Mr Zuma in Brussels on Tuesday 28 September EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the union expects South Africa to support the EU line on nation building in the Sudan , upcoming climate change talks in Cancun and the G20 talks on global financial governance in . Seoul Mr Zuma c

EU wants energy labels for televisions

Updated: 2010-09-28 16:41:23

NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER HEADLINE NEWS EU wants energy labels for televisions MATEJ HRUSKA 28.09.2010 17:41 CET The European Commission proposed on Tuesday 28 September that after refrigerators , dishwashers and washing machines , televisions will also have to be marked with a label indicating how much energy they . consume If approved by member states and the European Parliament , it will be the first time ever that television manufacturers will have to declare the energy efficiency of their products , using an-A to-G scale . Current energy labels could soon be replaced Photo : EUobserver.com Print Comment article The label will have to be clearly shown on the TV set and in advertisements , if the price of TV is mentioned . The obligation is

EU aims for budget that 'national politicians can defend'

Updated: 2010-09-28 16:27:15

NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER HEADLINE NEWS EU aims for budget that national politicians can defend' Mr Lewandowski . Negotiations on the EU's multi-annual budget tend not to bring out the best in member states Photo : ec.europa.eu HONOR MAHONY 28.09.2010 17:27 CET EUOBSERVER BRUSSELS With the economic crisis having made voters much more sensitive to how their money is being spent , Brussels is promising to craft a long-term budget that national politicians can . defend We should structure the flows in and out in such a way that domestic politicians can defend the future budget of the European union , EU budget commissioner Janusz Lewandowski said on Tuesday 28 September Print Comment article The pragmatic approach comes in the wake of a recent EU survey

Kosovo president resigns after constitutional court ruling

Updated: 2010-09-28 08:39:24

NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER HEADLINE NEWS Kosovo president resigns after constitutional court ruling AUGUSTIN PALOKAJ 28.09.2010 09:39 CET Mr Sejdiu l meeting with EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy Photo : consilium.eu Print Comment article Fatmir Sejdiu , the first president of the Republic of Kosovo , resigned Monday after the Constitutional Court ruled that he had violated the constitution by holding two positions , as president of the country and as leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo party . Read more at WAZ.EUobserver 21:32 CET 30.09.2010 NEWS IN BRIEF FEATURED LATEST BLOG POSTS EU banking sector still vulnerable Air cargo cartel faces EU damages claim Human rights abuses uncovered on trawlers fishing for European markets State aid for

Europe willing to make biodiversity payments, says expert

Updated: 2010-09-28 08:29:52

, NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER ENVIRONMENT Europe willing to make biodiversity payments , says expert ANDREW WILLIS 28.09.2010 09:29 CET EUOBSERVER BRUSSELS An influential European expert has said the region is willing to make payments to developing nations to protect their biodiversity , despite recent EU statements to the contrary . In an interview with EUobserver on Monday 27 September Jacqueline McGlade , director of the European Environment Agency , said the issue of payments would inevitably be discussed when environment ministers from up to 190 UN member states meet in Nagoya , Japan , next month 18-29 October to discuss how to protect the world's biodiversity . Jacqueline McGlade , director of the European Environment Agency Photo : EEA Print

MEPs demand explanation on US plan to monitor all money transfers

Updated: 2010-09-28 08:24:54

NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER JUSTICE HOME AFFAIRS MEPs demand explanation on US plan to monitor all money transfers VALENTINA POP 28.09.2010 09:24 CET EUOBSERVER BRUSSELS The EU commission and MEPs have requested clarifications from Washington on reported plans to expand an anti-terrorism programme targeting financial transactions a move that would render void the long-debated Swift agreement enacted in . August We urgently seek clarifications from the US if these plans are an infringemet of the Swift agreement and the EU commission promised to demand further information on it , Dutch Liberal MEP Sophie in't Veld told this website on Monday evening 27 September after a closed-door meeting with commission . officials The land of the free is has seen a

France keen to muscle in on Middle East peace process

Updated: 2010-09-28 08:13:55

NEWS OPINION BLOGS AGENDA CONFERENCES BOOKS VIDEOS WAZ EUOBSERVER FOREIGN AFFAIRS France keen to muscle in on Middle East peace process Mr Sarkozy r on Monday also criticised Israel for its settlements policy . The colonisation must end , 039 he said Photo : elysee.fr ANDREW RETTMAN 28.09.2010 09:13 CET EUOBSERVER BRUSSELS French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called a Middle East summit in Paris and criticised Barack Obama's and Catherine Ashton's handling of the peace process so . far Speaking at a press conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Elysee palace on Monday 26 September the French leader invited Mr Abbas , Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to come to the French capital in late October . Print Comment article He said the

Americans! Don't copy Europe!

Updated: 2010-09-27 12:45:17

Barack Obama born in Kenya? Pah! If anything, he was born in Brussels. The policies his administration is pursuing amount to comprehensive Europeanisation: European carbon taxes, European foreign policy, European healthcare, European daycare, European disarmament, European industrial intervention and, inevitably, European unemployment rates. If there are any Americans reading, I’ve got some bad news for you. [...]

• A Euro sceptic voice in Germany

Updated: 2010-09-27 01:47:35

Home News News A Euro sceptic voice in Germany News A Euro sceptic voice in Germany 27 09 2010 12:47 webmaster 2 Global Print PDF RSS Feeds By Nigel Farage MEP I was very pleased to be invited to Berlin as the guest speaker at a conference to discuss the illegality of the Greek bailout and the desire to return to the . Deutschmark Four brave professors have lodged a complaint with the German Constitutional Court on the grounds of the bailout being in breach of the EU Treaties . Their case has been accepted and will be heard in the coming . months Two of these professors were heading up the conference and I arrived in Berlin not quite knowing what to expect , but hopeful that a euro sceptic Party in Germany might be . emerging The venue was an old , disused factory in East Berlin . We were

• Euro crisis: 'You ain't seen nothing yet' - Farage

Updated: 2010-09-26 23:38:51

: Home News News Euro crisis : You ain't seen nothing yet' Farage News Euro crisis : You ain't seen nothing yet' Farage 26 09 2010 22:38 webmaster 68 Global Print PDF RSS Feeds VIDEO There are two solutions to the euro crisis , nbsp UKIP MEP Nigel Farage said in an interview with MMNews in Berlin , Saturday 25.09.2010 One is for Greece , and probably Portugal and Ireland , nbsp to be forced out and allowed to re-establish their own national currencies . The other , more radical solution is for the Germans to take back control of their lives and go back to the Deutschmark , which was a globally respected currency backed by the Germans' reputation for fiscal responsibility and sound money . quot Mr Farage was in Berlin to participate as a guest speaker at the Euro Action Conference to

Every departmental budget is falling by 25 to 40 per cent, but Britain's contribution to the EU is rising by 60 per cent

Updated: 2010-09-26 19:45:12

Is the European Union Losing Leadership on Human Rights?

Updated: 2010-09-26 11:26:41

For a long time the European Union has been considered a beacon of human rights protection, democracy and rule of law in the world. Now there are worrying signals that this leadership is weakening. Susi Dennison and Anthony Dworkin from … Continue reading →

Companies don't need EU regulations to enable them to sell across borders

Updated: 2010-09-24 17:24:19

The Anglosphere, for anyone who still doesn’t know, is the community of free, English-speaking nations linked, not by governmental decree, but by shared values. Which nations, exactly? Good question. The UK and Ireland, obviously, the US and Canada, Australia and New Zealand, plus what’s left of the Britain’s extended archipelago (the Falkland Islands, Bermuda and [...]

• More money for EU empire builders

Updated: 2010-09-23 14:49:22

Home News News More money for EU empire builders News More money for EU empire builders 23 09 2010 13:49 webmaster 29 Global Print PDF RSS Feeds VIDEO Here we are , at a time of economic stringency , and you want to spend 1.1 billion of hard pressed European taxpayers money on a programme to help Partner Countries along EU borders , 039 UKIP MEP Derek Clark said in Strasbourg today during the debate on the future allocation of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument ENPI for the cross-border cooperation programmes budget 2010 2783(RSP What are you thinking about Mr Clark asked Enlargement Commissioner tefan Füle . Has the Commission been asleep the last two years Meanwhile , Mr Clark pointed out , nbsp millions are out of work , some newer member states are still not getting

Vexing the ghost of Adam Smith

Updated: 2010-09-23 10:02:56

This blog, unlike Vince Cable, opposed the use of taxpayers’ money to rescue banks from the consequences of their foolishness. I am as angry as the next man when I see profits privatised and losses socialised. The Business Secretary’s rage is doubtless all the fiercer for being tinged with guilt: he, after all, enthusiastically backed [...]

Security of Supply of Rare Earths: a Wake-Up Call

Updated: 2010-09-23 09:28:02

The Chinese government has blocked exports to Japan of rare earth minerals used in products like hybrid cars, wind turbines and guided missiles. The ban was introduced following a dispute on the detention of a Chinese fishing trawler captain by … Continue reading →

Nicolas Sarkozy's critics aren't exactly falling over each other to welcome Roma immigrants

Updated: 2010-09-23 06:16:31

Guy Verhofstadt, palaeo-federalist leader of the Euro-Liberals, has condemned the deportation of Roma from France in the strongest possible language. Nicolas Sarkozy, he says is “succumbing to populist and sometimes racist temptations.” What, this Guy? The same Guy who, as prime minister of Belgium, presided over the collective explusion of Roma? Unfortunately for Mr Verhofstadt, Derk-Jan [...]

Exploring technology & politics at the Personal Democracy Forum, Barcelona

Updated: 2010-09-23 01:44:30

The Personal Democracy Forum Europe is taking place in Barcelona on October 4th and 5th. We’re co-sponsoring the event so a few of us will be heading down to mingle with the best and the brightest minds in the “internet + politics” space. Why are we involved? In short, the Internet is revolutionising the interaction [...]

• Tories concede EU supervision of UK financial services

Updated: 2010-09-22 19:01:44

Home News News Tories concede EU supervision of UK financial services News Tories concede EU supervision of UK financial services 22 09 2010 18:01 webmaster 27 Global Print PDF RSS Feeds VIDEO Responding to the passing of the EU financial supervison package at the Parliament European in Strasbourg today , UKIP MEP Godfrey Bloom a former City fund manager , aired his disgust at the Tories having conceded completely on the EU regulation of UK financial services . quot The EU regulators will surely now be able to strangle the City of London , something that many in the EU have longed . for That almost all Tory MEPs voted for EU financial supervision shows just how the Tories have fallen for the EU federalist line , quot Mr Bloom . added The package' will establish three European supervisory

Communicating the revolution

Updated: 2010-09-22 16:05:55

(Taken from this month’s Espresso) As Espresso and its readers are well aware, communication is key, be it when communicating to the press, externally or internally, or in times of crisis. Sometimes a business shies away from communicating, sometimes it has a strategy to promote to the outside world, and sometimes it is forced to [...]

Left-wing blogs get their act together – good news for the Right

Updated: 2010-09-22 11:07:39

Iain Dale notes that Leftist blogs have surged up the league this year, and wonders whether the Right needs new blood. There is something in what he says, although there are have been some arresting new entrants on the Right: Telegraph Blogs alone has given birth to James Delingpole and Norman Tebbit. I’d have thought a [...]

• Tory support for Turkey's EU accession exposed

Updated: 2010-09-21 21:33:23

Home News News Tory support for Turkey's EU accession exposed News Tory support for Turkey's EU accession exposed 21 09 2010 20:33 webmaster 23 Global Print PDF RSS Feeds The Conservative , Liberal Democrat and Labour Parties have shown they not only support an EU customs union with Turkey but also full Turkish accession , UKIP MEP William Dartmouth said today in Strasbourg following the vote on the Kazak report A7 0238 2010 Trade and Economic Relations with Turkey By supporting the Kazak report the Tory , Liberal Democrat and Labour Parties have shown they don't just want free trade with Turkey but give it EU accession leading to political union with full freedom of movement , quot said Lord Dartmouth , who also spoke during yesterday's debate on the report VIDEO The UKIP MEP for the

Hearings of Diplomats – List of Priorities or What?

Updated: 2010-09-21 09:24:08

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament has decided to ask the EU’s new ambassadors to China, Georgia, Japan, Lebanon and Pakistan and the EU Special Representative (EUSR) to Sudan to come in for hearings. The aim is to … Continue reading →

• EU Court rejects my appeal after 6 years - Andreasen

Updated: 2010-09-20 15:50:32

Home News News EU Court rejects my appeal after 6 years Andreasen News EU Court rejects my appeal after 6 years Andreasen 20 09 2010 14:50 webmaster 3 Global Print PDF RSS Feeds By Marta Andreasen MEP The European Court of First Instance has last week rejected the appeal against my dismissal.It is now 6 years since the European Commission dismissed me on allegations of disloyalty . My dismissal was decided by a disciplinary board made up of officials all of whom had been managing EU funds without control for . years The Civil Service Tribunal to whom I appealed against the decision took almost three years to issue judgment against me . I then appealed to the higher court , that is the European Court of First Intance who took another three years to reject my . appeal Did I hold my breath

Korea Free Trade Agreement adopted by EU governments

Updated: 2010-09-16 15:43:47

16 September 2010 Korea Free Trade Agreement adopted by EU governments The adoption today of the EU’s Free Trade Agreement with South Korea will create thousands of jobs and add billions of Euros to both sides’ economies, Robert Sturdy MEP, the European Parliament’s rapporteur on the agreement, said today. Italy today decided to drop its objections to the [...]

Proposals on short selling, credit default swaps and derivatives

Updated: 2010-09-16 10:54:39

The European Commission has made new proposals on short selling and credit default swaps, and on derivatives trading. The main points: Short selling: Measures to enhance transparency – at a lower threshold (0.2% of the issued share capital) notification of … Continue reading →

Airbus and Boeing – talks urged to end recriminations

Updated: 2010-09-15 17:22:56

15th September 2010 Airbus and Boeing: time for talks to replace recriminations The World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) expected rebuke of Boeing today should bring about a new spirit of cooperation between Airbus and the American manufacturer, instead of yet more Transatlantic recriminations, Robert Sturdy MEP, European Conservatives and Reformists group trade spokesman in the European Parliament, [...]

France, the Roma, and the Divine Right of States

Updated: 2010-09-15 14:45:03

In the 17th century, Britain fought a civil war over the principle that no one – not even the King – should be above the law. This conflict resulted in the destruction of the concept of divine right in Britain and the gradual emergence of the system of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy that has [...]

Tweet Your MEP: a new direct democracy tool is in town

Updated: 2010-09-15 14:37:13

Yesterday I was privileged to attend a meeting about the Citizens’ Consultations with a keynote speech from Viviane Reding, Vice President of the Commission. As a discussion about citizen interaction within Brussels policymaking, it was the perfect venue for the announcement by Toute l’Europe of their new website Tweet Your MEP, a tool they developed in [...]

• What is the bargain here?

Updated: 2010-09-15 13:39:10

Home News News What is the bargain here News What is the bargain here 15 09 2010 14:24 webmaster 1 Global Print PDF RSS Feeds By Marta Andreasen MEP Last Monday , as member of the Budget committtee , I presented an opinion on the recommendations for improving the economic governance and stability . framework This is the first time since I took up my mandate , that I have been given the opportunity to draft a report of any kind . I am sure you can guess why it never happened . before This improvement of economic governance is basically an attempt to reinvigorate the Stability and Growth Pact which failed to achieve its objective fundamentally due to the weakness in its . enforcement Article 126 of the treaty TFEU establishes the disciplinary procedures to be carried out but these were not

Guest Blogger Ana Yankova: The Court Confirmed the Scope of Legal Professional Privilege in the Field of EU Competition Law

Updated: 2010-09-15 08:38:08

I am glad to introduce the first post by a guest blogger on this blog. Ana Yankova has graduated from the European Studies Department of the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and has genuine interest in ECJ case law. By … Continue reading →

Commissioner Reding: Commission Will Launch Infringement Procedure against France on the Roma Expulsions

Updated: 2010-09-14 12:37:37

UPDATE: The Commission has decided that it will issue a letter of formal notice to France requesting the full transposition of Directive 2004/38/EC, unless draft transposition measures and a detailed transposition schedule are provided by 15 October 2010. The Commission … Continue reading →

Italy threatens crucial trade talks

Updated: 2010-09-13 16:50:58

Italy puts short-term protectionism ahead of long-term growth in Korea Free Trade Agreement Brussels, 13th September 2010 – Robert Sturdy MEP, the European Parliament’s lead member on the proposed EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement, has warned that Italy’s refusal to back the deal will cost the EU economy billions of Euros in lost trade revenues, whilst sending [...]

Is the Emissions Trading Scheme Working? Report Says No

Updated: 2010-09-13 09:12:24

The European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is the flagship initiative for curbing carbon emissions in the European Union. A new report says that the ETS is in danger not only of failing the objective for which it was set up … Continue reading →

FH Europe Podcast #2: Interview with Andrew Rasiej of the Personal Democracy Forum

Updated: 2010-09-13 09:01:00

The Personal Democracy Forum, which Fleishman is co-sponsoring in Europe this year, is the world’s largest conference on how technology is changing politics. This year’s event is taking place in Barcelona on October 4th and 5th, with a great set of speakers, panelists and delegates from the worlds of politics, governance, civil society and business (read more [...]

• Strasbourg Commentary: 6-9 September 2010

Updated: 2010-09-10 14:34:44

: Home News News Strasbourg Commentary : 6-9 September 2010 News Strasbourg Commentary : 6-9 September 2010 10 09 2010 13:34 webmaster 118 Global Print PDF RSS Feeds By Derek Clark MEP Related VIDEO You will have read that the EU powers that be , i.e . the Conference of Presidents , intended to compel MEPs to attend the State of the Union address by Barroso on Tuesday . At the opening of this week's business on Monday several MEPs objected , with stronger opposition to anything they have previously ruled before . As a result , the plan to have three checks of our presence by way of the electronic vote system was abandoned . We thought this a pity , think of the adverse publicity we could have generated . That's why we did not join the chorus of . disapproval In the event I think they were

• Last Post

Updated: 2010-09-10 14:12:40

Home News News Last Post News Last Post 10 09 2010 13:12 webmaster 33 Global Print PDF RSS Feeds By John Bufton MEP Related VIDEO For years now people have been campaigning about the closures of local post offices . But rarely in the protests have you heard criticism of the . EU Yes , successive Governments have stripped support away from the psot office . They've failed to help Royal Mail modernise as more and more licensing applications are done online , benefits paid directly into the bank account and so forth . The post office needed revolutionising and it just didn't . happen But the real threat to the Royal Mail was the EU Postal Services Directive , which ordered under competition law for the delivery of mail to be privatised . Without this , the Post Office was left with no choice

Giving hope light – Special Olympics Torch Run in Brussels, 14 September

Updated: 2010-09-10 12:24:49

For once we will not talk about the latest EU regulatory developments…but about a very special initiative that will ‘arrive’ in Brussels next week. To herald the opening of 2010 Special Olympics European Games, which will take place in Warsaw staring on 18 September, athletes and partners are carrying the Flame of Hope in a [...]

• EU will control our budgets but who controls theirs?

Updated: 2010-09-10 01:54:02

Home News News EU will control our budgets but who controls theirs News EU will control our budgets but who controls theirs 10 09 2010 12:54 webmaster 36 Global Print PDF RSS Feeds By Marta Andreasen MEP The Council has decided to coordinate the economic policy of the nations of Europe . And I am sorry to see that George Osborne has agreed to this on behalf of the British people . Only recently It seemed that we were going to let Parliament in Westminister see the budget first before the European Commission saw . it This new plan of the EU means the budget and economic policies of the member states will be monitored for six months every year from now on . This is really an attempt to reinvigorate the stability and growth pact . The SGP is something that today is more honoured in the breach

Ecuador

Updated: 2010-09-09 04:40:25

The Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, by Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean on the west. Being surrounded by these high profile drug trafficking countries, Ecuador always placed great emphasis on multilateral approaches ...

Korea trade deal a step closer

Updated: 2010-09-08 10:40:03

Momentum building for historic Korea trade deal Strasbourg, 7th September 2010 Another crucial step has been taken towards the ratification of an historic free trade deal between the EU and Korea today, Robert Sturdy MEP, the parliament’s rapporteur on the agreement, said today. He was speaking after MEPs voted on amendments to a safeguard clause to be [...]

• Nuttall slams EU funded propaganda

Updated: 2010-09-08 09:00:27

Home News News Nuttall slams EU funded propaganda News Nuttall slams EU funded propaganda 08 09 2010 08:00 webmaster 91 Global Print PDF RSS Feeds UKIP MEP Paul Nuttall slammed the passing of a new report yesterday at the European Parliament which calls on the EU to fund a new communication campaign that includes the training of journalists and the funding of local . broadcasters This report , he said , smells strongly of a move towards propoganda to me This is a full frontal assault by the EU to create a propaganda machine and buy off journalists to saturate the media with pro-EU spin . quot Speaking in Strasbourg after the passing on an amendment to the Løkkegaard motion for resolution , Paul Nuttal MEP said : Despite Barroso's State of the Union address' which claimed everything is

• Farage shows Barroso 'true state of the Union'

Updated: 2010-09-07 15:21:14

Home News News Farage shows Barroso true state of the Union' News Farage shows Barroso true state of the Union' 07 09 2010 14:21 webmaster 163 Global Print PDF RSS Feeds VIDEO Speaking after Commission President Barroso's first-ever State-of-the-Union' address , today in Strasbourg , UKIP MEP Nigel Farage told Mr Barroso there's one fundamental difference between him and US President Obama : He , of course , is elected and you are not . quot Whereas 48 million people had watched Obama's State of the Union' speech , nbsp Mr Farage told the Commission President , nbsp here in the European Parliament we even have to beg to get the MEPs to turn up to listen to you , quot referring to the Parliament's president Jerzy Buzek's desperate efforts to ensure MEPs attended today's . debate Referring

• Batten warns of EU Police State

Updated: 2010-09-04 21:04:26

Home News News Batten warns of EU Police State News Batten warns of EU Police State 04 09 2010 20:04 webmaster 117 Global Print PDF RSS Feeds UKIP's London MEP Gerard Batten was joined by those who have suffered at the hands of the EU's police state ambitions as he delivered his speech today at Torquay's annual . conference Here is the speech in : full Good morning ladies and gentlemen , thank you for your warm welcome . I am not going to use this opportunity to promote my candidature for UKIP's leadership . As most of you will know I stood in last year's contest and I came second after Lord Pearson . I have declared my intention to stand this time and I will tell you my programme at the appropriate time and . place What I will do now is to tell you about how the European Union is creating

• Campbell Bannerman's positive vision for the future

Updated: 2010-09-04 12:40:27

Home News News Campbell Bannerman's positive vision for the future News Campbell Bannerman's positive vision for the future 04 09 2010 11:40 webmaster 138 Global Print PDF RSS Feeds UKIP joint Deputy Leader David Campbell Bannerman MEP kicked off his bid for the Party leadership yesterday in Torquay with a comprehensive speech on the conference theme A Positive Vision for the . Future' Here is the speech in : full These next few years are the most important for our country , our liberties and our . party And only through our Positive Vision for the way ahead will we be able to grow this party . That's what we want , don't we To grow this party To realise its real potential The foundations are set , we increased our vote share by 50 at the last election . We have a full and comprehensive

• UK to protect EU depositors when their countries cannot do so

Updated: 2010-09-03 16:41:44

Home News News UK to protect EU depositors when their countries cannot do so News UK to protect EU depositors when their countries cannot do so 03 09 2010 15:41 webmaster 197 Global Print PDF RSS Feeds By Marta Andreasen MEP The United Kingdom will have to loan money to countries that cannot protect their depositors under a new law proposed by Brussels . The European Commission has proposed two directives to update bank deposit . protection One very interesting and to my mind quite sneaky part of the proposal is for a compulsory credit mechanism to protect the bank deposits in countries that could not afford to protect their depositors in the event of bank . failure First a little history . There are currently 40 different Deposit Guarantee Schemes DGS across the EU . These cover different

We are experiencing technical difficulties

Updated: 2010-09-03 15:36:46

I’m currently being migrated to a new server / hosting company, and upgrading to the latest version of WordPress at the same time – it appears that this is causing a few issues along the way. Apparently the RSS feed has gone weird, a few images are missing, and so are a few pages. Hopefully [...]