Dokumenty podľa témy
MEPs in Kyiv: Ukraine's election meets most international commitments
A delegation of eight MEPs confirmed on Monday that both rounds of presidential election in Ukraine met most of the country's international commitments. They were in Ukraine from 5 to 8 February to observe the second round of Ukrainian presidential elections on 7 February.
Read more : MEPs in Kyiv: Ukraine's election meets most international commitments ….Buzek expresses consternation at detention of Sakharov Prize Winner Oleg Orlov
EP President Jerzy Buzek has expressed his consternation at the detention of 2009 Sakharov Prize Winner Oleg Orlov and 100 others in Moscow. He said: "I call on the Russian authorities to cease this heavy-handed treatment of peaceful demonstrators."
Read more : Buzek expresses consternation at detention of Sakharov Prize Winner Oleg Orlov ….MEPs debate NATO's future role with Madeleine Albright
EU-NATO co-operation, the new international security environment, NATO's relations with Russia and "open door" policy, and the importance of winning public support when redefining NATO's role in the 21st century, were among the issues discussed by MEPs on Wednesday with Madeleine K. Albright and Jeroen van der Veer, Chair and Vice Chair of NATO's Strategic Concept Expert Group.
Read more : MEPs debate NATO's future role with Madeleine Albright ….EU membership candidates: keep on reforming to stay on track
Parliament gives a positive overall assessment of last year's efforts by Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to qualify for EU membership, but also underlines that Turkey has made only limited progress towards meeting the "Copenhagen" EU eligibility criteria, in resolutions approved by the Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday.
Read more : EU membership candidates: keep on reforming to stay on track ….Civilian infrastructure, EU-NATO coordination, US goals, increasing Afghan responsibilities and the trade in drugs: all these issues were discussed on Monday at the EP's Security and Defence Subcommittee ahead of the international conference on Afghanistan to be held in London on 28 January.
Read more : Security situation in Afghanistan ….Revised framework for relations with ACP countries
The second revision of the Cotonou Agreement governing relations between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries should be finalised in March 2010. Progress in the negotiations is assessed in a report by Development Committee Chair Eva Joly (Greens/EFA, FR).
Read more : Revised framework for relations with ACP countries ….Haiti: Poslanci zdôraznili potrebu rýchlej pomoci a dlhodobej obnovy
Poslanci Parlamentu zdôraznili v utorok 19. januára v debate o situácii po zemetrasení na Haiti potrebu urýchleného doručenia pomoci EÚ, a tiež pevného záväzku podporovať dlhodobú obnovu zničeného ostrova. Vysoká predstaviteľka EÚ pre zahraničné otázky Catherine Ashtonová uviedla, že cieľom Únie je zmierniť utrpenie a dlhodobo podporovať obnovu.
Čítať ďalej : Haiti: Poslanci zdôraznili potrebu rýchlej pomoci a dlhodobej obnovy ….EP delegation in Ukraine: elections mostly in line with international standards
Democratic standards and mechanisms have made a great step forward and have stabilised democracy in Ukraine, according to MEPs who observed Sunday's election in Ukraine. The voting process was well organised and no serious irregularity was noted, they said, despite some problems which will need to be addressed in the future.
Read more : EP delegation in Ukraine: elections mostly in line with international standards ….Iran's cancellation of Tehran visit surprises EP delegation
The European Parliament delegation for relations with Iran has voiced surprise at the last-minute cancellation by Iranian authorities of the EP delegation's visit to Tehran, which was to take place later this week.
Read more : Iran's cancellation of Tehran visit surprises EP delegation ….EP President: release Russian human rights activists
European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek appealed to Russian authorities for the immediate release of the 2009 Sakharov Prize winner Lyudmila Alexeyeva and several other human rights activists, who were detained on New Year's Eve at a protest in Moscow.
Read more : EP President: release Russian human rights activists ….Congo: MEPs condemn violence and call for perpetrators to be brought to justice
Massacres and crimes against humanity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are deplored in the "strongest possible terms" in a resolution approved by Parliament on Thursday. MEPs also deplore the recruitment of child soldiers and sexual violence perpetrated by rebel forces, members of the Congolese army and civilians.
Read more : Congo: MEPs condemn violence and call for perpetrators to be brought to justice ….Belarus: more democratisation needed before sanctions are lifted, say MEPs
MEPs have given their backing to the Council's recent decision to prolong sanctions against certain Belarusian officials whilst suspending the application of travel restrictions until October 2010. More needs to be done to guarantee media freedom, reform the electoral code and abolish the death penalty before the sanctions can be completely lifted, says a resolution adopted on Thursday.
Read more : Belarus: more democratisation needed before sanctions are lifted, say MEPs ….Parliament sets up its Election Observation Group
Parliament set up its Election Observation Group for the 7th legislature on Wednesday. The group, of 13 MEPs, will be co-chaired by Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Gabriele Albertini (EPP, IT), and Development Committee Chair Eva Joly (Greens/EFA, FR). Its first assignment will be to observe the January 2010 presidential elections in Ukraine.
Read more : Parliament sets up its Election Observation Group ….Doha trade talks: defend EU interests, say MEPs
Success at the Doha trade talks could stimulate economic recovery worldwide, but the European Commission must stick to its negotiating brief on market access for farm and non-farm products and services, said Parliament in a resolution approved in Strasbourg on Wednesday.
Read more : Doha trade talks: defend EU interests, say MEPs ….Climate change threatens Tuvalu's survival, says Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia
Higher tides, storm surges and warmer seawater could threaten the very existence of the people of Tuvalu, by destroying their land, crops and marine ecosystems, its Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia told the Development Committee on Thursday. He called on the Copenhagen climate change conference to deliver immediate global action to reduce CO2 emissions, so as keep the temperature increase within 1.5 degrees Celsius of pre-industrial levels.
Read more : Climate change threatens Tuvalu's survival, says Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia ….Catherine Ashtonová: EÚ by sa mala viac politicky angažovať
Catherine Ashtonová, nová Vysoká predstaviteľka EÚ pre spoločnú zahraničnú a bezpečnostnú politiku, v stredu uistila poslancov EP, že má schopnosti potrebné na výkon tejto funkcie. Počas prvej diskusie s členmi Výboru EP pre zahraničné veci vyhlásila, že sa bude usilovať o tom, aby sa Európa presadzovala politicky. V januári čaká barónku Ashtonovú, podobne ako ďalších nominovaných komisárov, vypočúvanie v EP, ktorý má pri schvaľovaní Komisie posledné slovo.
Čítať ďalej : Catherine Ashtonová: EÚ by sa mala viac politicky angažovať ….ACP-EU: help developing countries combat climate change
The principle of "differentiated responsibility" for reducing greenhouse gas emissions should be ratified by the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, says a resolution adopted by the Joint Parliamentary Assembly of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) MPs and Members of the European Parliament in Luanda (Angola) on Thursday. The JPA also condemned a coup d'état in Madagascar and debated the institutional crisis in Niger.
Read more : ACP-EU: help developing countries combat climate change ….Turkey is part of the solution, not of the problem, says its EU minister
Turkey's progress this year on the path to EU accession was debated by its EU affairs minister and chief negotiator Egemen Bağış and Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs on 2 December. His visit coincided with the committee's first discussion of a draft report on Turkey by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (EPP, NL).
Read more : Turkey is part of the solution, not of the problem, says its EU minister ….The EU should step up pressure on Israel to stop expanding settlements on the West Bank, Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abu Gheit told MEPs on Tuesday. Egypt also wants an agreement on the borders of the new Palestinian state.
Read more : Full moratorium on West Bank settlement ….ACP-EU Assembly: financial crisis must not lead to development aid cuts
Official development aid must continue to grow and not suffer from the current economic and financial crisis, warned ACP-EU Co-President Louis Michel at the inaugural session of the 18th ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on Monday in Luanda (Angola).
Read more : ACP-EU Assembly: financial crisis must not lead to development aid cuts ….Parlament o pirátstve pri pobreží Somálska: Treba riešiť základné príčiny
Námorná misia EÚ proti pirátom pri pobreží Somálska je úspešná, ale pirátstvo nemožno úplne odstrániť, ak sa nebudú riešiť jeho základné príčiny na pevnine. Uvádza sa to v uznesení, ktoré vo štvrtok 26. novembra prijal Parlament. Poslanci tiež žiadajú, aby sa všetky plavidlá registrovali v orgánoch námornej bezpečnosti.
Čítať ďalej : Parlament o pirátstve pri pobreží Somálska: Treba riešiť základné príčiny ….Parlament o kandidátoch na členstvo v EÚ: Reformy musia pokračovať
Súčasné a potenciálne kandidátske krajiny musia pokračovať v reformách, aby si zachovali šancu na členstvo v EÚ. Kľúčovými oblasťami, ktoré treba riešiť, sú právny štát, sloboda vyjadrovania, dobré susedské vzťahy, zaobchádzanie s národnostnými menšinami a boj proti korupcii a organizovanému zločinu, uvádza sa v uznesení, ktoré Parlament schválil vo štvrtok 26. novembra.
Čítať ďalej : Parlament o kandidátoch na členstvo v EÚ: Reformy musia pokračovať ….Fight against world hunger is still a challenge
Increased funding for agriculture, better access to loans for small farmers and climate-friendly agricultural practices are the keys to helping the world's hungriest people, says the European Parliament, which believes the World Summit 2009 on Food Security held recently in Rome failed to tackle satisfactorily the problem of eradicating world hunger.
Read more : Fight against world hunger is still a challenge ….Made in where? MEPs want clear rules on origin marking
Consumer protection requires transparent and consistent trade rules, believe MEPs. In particular, compulsory origin marking is needed to obtain more complete information about social and environmental standards of production and about processing standards.
Read more : Made in where? MEPs want clear rules on origin marking ….Financial aid for Serbia, Bosnia, Armenia and Georgia
Parliament gave its backing on Tuesday for €400 million-plus in budget aid to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Armenia and Georgia. The funds are to help these countries to finance their external balances of payments and state budget deficits.
Read more : Financial aid for Serbia, Bosnia, Armenia and Georgia ….EU membership candidates: Parliament outlines its criteria
Current and potential candidate countries must continue reforming to stay on track for eventual EU membership. Key issues such as rule of law, freedom of expression, treatment of ethnic minorities and the fight against corruption and organised crime must still be addressed, says a resolution approved by the Foreign Affairs Committee on Monday and scheduled for a plenary vote on 26 November.
Read more : EU membership candidates: Parliament outlines its criteria ….Kai Eide on Afghanistan:"I did not want the UN to be involved in a second round"
Kai Eide, the UN Special Representative to Afghanistan, told MEPs on Monday of his reluctance to involve the UN in the presidential run-off, where fraud would have been inevitable. MEPs of the Development Committee questioned him about electoral fraud and the upcoming Parliamentary elections, ahead of Hamid Karzai's swearing-in in this Thursday.
Read more : Kai Eide on Afghanistan:"I did not want the UN to be involved in a second round" ….EU Atalanta anti-piracy escorts: ships should register for protection
EU anti-piracy escorts off Somalia have sunk ships, destroyed weapons, intercepted vessels and thwarted direct attacks. No escorted ship has been successfully attacked by pirates, but vessels should register before crossing the Gulf of Aden, EU Naval Force Commander Rear Admiral Peter D. Hudson told MEPs on Monday. MEPs called for more effective protection for European fishing vessels.
Read more : EU Atalanta anti-piracy escorts: ships should register for protection ….A seven-strong ad-hoc delegation of MEPs led by German MEP Doris Pack (EPP) visited Kosovo on the occasion of the first elections held under the sole responsibility of the Kosovo authorities on Sunday 15 November. Although the delegation's mandate was not to observe the election in a formal capacity, MEPs nonetheless visited several polling stations across the country, including some of the newly-established municipalities.
Read more : MEPs react to local in elections in Kosovo ….Parlament: Posilnenie vzťahov EÚ s Ruskom len za istých podmienok
Klimatické zmeny, energetická bezpečnosť a nová všeobecná dohoda o spolupráci budú témami nadchádzajúceho summitu Európskej únie s Ruskom, ktorý sa uskutoční 18. novembra v Štokholme. Poslanci sú znepokojení situáciou v oblasti ľudských práv v Rusku, uvádza sa v rezolúcii, ktorú plénum schválilo vo štvrtok 12. novembra zdvihnutím rúk.
Čítať ďalej : Parlament: Posilnenie vzťahov EÚ s Ruskom len za istých podmienok …."Visa liberalisation not a substitute for accession negotiations"
"Visa liberalisation must not be a substitute for the start of accession negotiations. It is an instrument for further integration; it is not a goal in itself", Foreign Affairs Minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Antonio Milososki told MEPs on Tuesday.
Read more : "Visa liberalisation not a substitute for accession negotiations" ….Massoud Barzani on Iraqi elections, Turkey and oil
Iraqi Kurdistan's President Massoud Barzani discussed Iraq's forthcoming elections, relations with Turkey, oil supplies, minority rights and honour killings with MEPs on Tuesday. MEPs paid tribute to Mr Barzani's role in stabilising northern Iraq.
Read more : Massoud Barzani on Iraqi elections, Turkey and oil ….We want reciprocity in EU-US relations, MEPs tell Napolitano
Reciprocity is the recipe for progress on contentious EU-US civil liberties issues such as data protection and visa waiver, MEPs told US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano at an extraordinary meeting on Friday. On the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, Ms Napolitano said "Our belief is that Guantanamo has been used more as a recruitment tool than anything else".
Read more : We want reciprocity in EU-US relations, MEPs tell Napolitano ….Vuk Jeremic: Serbia likely to submit its EU application before end of 2009
"The basic groundwork is there for Serbia to submit its official application for EU membership. We hope to do so by the end of this year", Serbian foreign minister Vuk Jeremic told members of the EP Foreign Affairs Committee this Thursday. However, he would not back a call by MEPs for the Serbian government to encourage Serbian Kosovars to take part in upcoming local elections in Kosovo.
Read more : Vuk Jeremic: Serbia likely to submit its EU application before end of 2009 ….Commitments to a new global security architecture, stronger co-operation in climate protection and economic crisis management, and establishing a transatlantic market by 2015, are all on Parliament's wish list for the next EU-US summit, to be held in Washington on 2-3 November.
Read more : EU-US: MEPs want stronger co-operation ….Making EU support for democracy-building more effective
EU support for building democracy outside the European Union touches on wider issues including human rights and poverty reduction. A more consistent approach would make EU action in this area more effective, say MEPs in a resolution adopted on Thursday.
Read more : Making EU support for democracy-building more effective ….FYROM, visa liberalisation with Balkans and Turkey: MEPs quiz Olli Rehn
Several MEPs voiced support on Thursday for a proposal made the previous day by Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn for EU membership negotiations to be launched with the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia. MEPs also asked the Commissioner about visa liberalisation with the Balkans and the implementation of the Ankara protocol.
Read more : FYROM, visa liberalisation with Balkans and Turkey: MEPs quiz Olli Rehn ….EU's "solid" partnership with UN is an asset to the world
To help solve the developing world's problems, the European Union and the United Nations need to work closely together, MEPs heard on Monday. The EU-UN relationship was warmly praised by the UN Deputy Secretary-General, who described cooperation between the two as being “already solid, varied and extensive”
Read more : EU's "solid" partnership with UN is an asset to the world ….Financial crisis: MEPs demand more help for poorest countries
The financial crisis is turning into a human one, pushing a further 90 million people into extreme poverty in 2009 alone, warned MEPs on Thursday. The funds pledged are too little, and will arrive too slowly to make the difference that developing countries need. MEPs call for more innovative funding and better worldwide regulation to prevent a further financial crisis.
Read more : Financial crisis: MEPs demand more help for poorest countries ….Afghanistan: "EU police force must be beefed up", says Ettore Sequi
The EU's special representative in Afghanistan, Ettore Francesco Sequi, called for EUPOL, the EU police mission in Afghanistan, to be strengthened, when he addressed Members of the EP Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday. MEPs questioned him about the country's internal security and the ballot fraud that tarnished the elections held on 20 August this year.
Read more : Afghanistan: "EU police force must be beefed up", says Ettore Sequi ….Election of parliamentary delegation chairs completed
Twenty-two of the EP's forty delegations, through which MEPs conduct regular dialogues with national and regional parliaments of non-EU countries, elected their chairs and vice-chairs in Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday. Eighteen had already elected their chairs, in Strasbourg on 16 and 17 September.
Read more : Election of parliamentary delegation chairs completed ….Guinea: ACP-EU Assembly condemns repression of demonstrations in Conakry
The Bureau of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly strongly condemns the use of force by the Guinean government to disperse the demonstrations that took place in Conakry, Guinea, on Monday, 28 September 2009, which led to the deaths of more than one hundred civilians.
Read more : Guinea: ACP-EU Assembly condemns repression of demonstrations in Conakry ….Moldova risks early election, says Prime Minister Vlad Filat
Moldova risks early elections if its Parliament fails to elect a new President of the Republic, Prime Minister Vlad Filat told Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs on Tuesday. MEPs assured him of their support and some asked that substantial economic aid be released.
Read more : Moldova risks early election, says Prime Minister Vlad Filat ….Parlament si v Štrasburgu zvolil predsedov 17 delegácií
Členovia parlamentných delegácií, prostredníctvom ktorých Európsky parlament udržiava pravidelný dialóg s národnými a regionálnymi parlamentmi nečlenských štátov, začali tento týždeň v Štrasburgu voliť svojich predsedov a podpredsedov. Ustanovujúce schôdze malo v stredu 16. septembra a vo štvrtok 17. septembra 17 z celkového počtu 40 medziparlamentných delegácií.
Čítať ďalej : Parlament si v Štrasburgu zvolil predsedov 17 delegácií ….EU Member States must deliver on aid pledges, say Development Committee MEPs
EU Member States must meet their international aid commitments to developing countries, and particularly those disproportionately affected by the economic downturn, said Development Committee MEPs in a debate with two international experts on Thursday. The committee also approved a resolution on the effects of the crisis on developing countries and development co-operation.
Read more : EU Member States must deliver on aid pledges, say Development Committee MEPs ….MEPs hear Karel De Gucht's vision of development policy
Commissioner-designate for development policy Karel De Gucht exchanged views with MEPs on Tuesday on the challenges facing Europe's development policy.
Read more : MEPs hear Karel De Gucht's vision of development policy ….Murder of Natalia Estemirova: President Buzek calls for full investigation
The President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, has made a statement expressing sympathy with the family and friends of Natalia Estemirova and calling on the Russian authorities to start a fully fledged inquiry into her death.
Read more : Murder of Natalia Estemirova: President Buzek calls for full investigation ….ACP-EU Assembly debate centres on food and financial crises and EPAs
The G-20's response to the world food and financial crisis, and efforts to make ACP-EU economic partnership agreements flexible enough to meet development needs, took centre stage at the 17th session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) in Prague (Czech Republic) from 4 to 9 April. The JPA also adopted resolutions on climate change, reconciling democracy and diversity, and piracy off Somalia.
Read more : ACP-EU Assembly debate centres on food and financial crises and EPAs ….The situation in the Middle East was the main focus of debate at the fifth plenary session of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA) held from 15 to 17 March at the European Parliament in Brussels. EMPA could also be given observer status on the executive bodies of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM).
Read more : EMPA plenary focuses on Middle East ….Chorvátsko, Turecko a Bývalá juhoslovanská republika Macedónsko: na ceste do EÚ?
EP dnes schválil návrhy uznesení o pokroku Chorvátska, Turecka a Bývalej juhoslovanskej republiky Macedónska v roku 2008. Privítali dobré výsledky, ktoré Chorvátsko dosiahlo v roku 2008 uskutočnením súboru reforiem nevyhnutných na členstvo v EÚ. Poslanci vyjadrili poľutovanie nad skutočnosťou, že Turecko v ostatných troch rokoch výrazne spomalilo reformný proces. V uznesení o pokroku Bývalej juhoslovanskej republiky Macedónska vyjadril EP plnú podporu pre európsku integráciu tejto krajiny.
Čítať ďalej : Chorvátsko, Turecko a Bývalá juhoslovanská republika Macedónsko: na ceste do EÚ? ….Sri Lanka: MEPs call for immediate ceasefire so civilians can leave combat zone
Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation in Sri Lanka calling for an immediate ceasefire by the Sri Lankan army and the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Ealam (LTTE) in order to allow the civilian population to leave the combat zone. MEPs condemn the LTTE’s violence and intimidation which are preventing civilians from leaving the conflict area.
Read more : Sri Lanka: MEPs call for immediate ceasefire so civilians can leave combat zone ….EU-Russia cooperation agreement: MEPs’ recommendations
The renewal of the EU’s cooperation agreement with Russia should be used as an opportunity to raise the human rights situation in the country, improve the security of gas supplies from Russia and seek assurances that Moscow will no longer use force against its neighbours, argues the EP Foreign Affairs Committee.
Read more : EU-Russia cooperation agreement: MEPs’ recommendations ….Ministerka zahraničných vecí USA Hillary Clinton v EP
Hillary Rodham Clinton, ministerka zahraničných vecí Spojených štátov amerických, sa v piatok 6. marca spolu s predsedom EP Hansom-Gertom Pötteringom zúčastní v budove Európskeho parlamentu na diskusii s mladými Európanmi.
Čítať ďalej : Ministerka zahraničných vecí USA Hillary Clinton v EP ….A closer and deeper strategic partnership with the USA
A new transatlantic partnership is needed to strengthen ties between the EU and America now that Barack Obama has taken office, says the EP Foreign Affairs Committee. MEPs are calling for a new institutional architecture including a political council and a joint parliamentary committee.
Read more : A closer and deeper strategic partnership with the USA ….EU partnership accord with the Caribbean: green light from MEPs, with conditions
The European Parliament should gives its assent to the economic partnership agreement between the Cariforum states and the EU, provided that undertakings are given by the Commission and Council for a review clause and that extra aid for trade is included, says the EP International Trade Committee.
Read more : EU partnership accord with the Caribbean: green light from MEPs, with conditions ….Vzťahy EÚ-NATO: poslanci žiadajú užšiu spoluprácu
Poslanci dnes prijali správu, prostredníctvom ktorej zdôrazňujú, že EÚ a NATO by sa mohli vzájomne posilniť tým, že by medzi sebou nesúťažili a viac spolupracovali na operáciách pri riešení kríz. Správa podporuje taktiež zriadenie stáleho operačného štábu EÚ. V apríli 2009 sa budú konať oslavy 60. výročia NATO v francúzskom Štrasburgu a v nemeckom meste Kehl.
Čítať ďalej : Vzťahy EÚ-NATO: poslanci žiadajú užšiu spoluprácu ….MEPs promote a strong and effective foreign, security and defence policy
MEPs point out that the European Union needs to develop its strategic autonomy. This strategic autonomy will help the EU to promote peace and international security, to defend its interests in the world, to protect the security of its own citizens, to contribute to effective multilateralism, to advance respect for human rights and democratic values worldwide and to safeguard world peace. The report was adopted with 482 votes in favour, 111 against with 55 abstentions.
Read more : MEPs promote a strong and effective foreign, security and defence policy ….'Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean' - peace and prosperity
Opening up the 'Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean' to countries not involved in the partnership "increases the likelihood of establishing parity in relations between the EU and the Mediterranean partner countries and of tackling the problems of the region in a comprehensive way". So says the European Parliament in a report adapted with 521 votes in favour, 44 against and 13 abstentions.
Read more : 'Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean' - peace and prosperity ….Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument
Parliament adopted an own-initiative report drafted on the review of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). Members call on the Commission, together with the partner governments, to develop further mechanisms for consultation with civil society and local authorities, in order better to involve them in the design and monitoring of the implementation of the ENPI and of the national reform programmes.
Read more : Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument ….The European Parliament adopted a report by Glenys Kinnock (PES; UK), welcoming the Commission's Communication on “A Special Place for Children in EU External Action” and the accompanying Council Conclusions as "important steps forward towards an EU strategy on the Rights of the Child", but underlines that "much remains to be done to put the political commitments into practice".
Read more : A special place for children in EU ….EP vyzýva na okamžité zvýšenie humanitárnej pomoci pre Gazu
V nadväznosti na rozpravu s vysokým predstaviteľom pre spoločnú zahraničnú a bezpečnostnú politiku Javierom Solanom, ktorá sa konala dnes v úvode plenárneho zasadnutia v Bruseli, prijali poslanci spoločné uznesenie o humanitárnej pomoci v pásme Gazy. EP prostredníctvom tohto uznesenia žiada podrobne posúdenie škôd, ktoré utrpelo pásmo Gazy, a dôkladné vyhodnotenie potrieb jeho obyvateľstva. Poslanci taktiež vyzývajú na okamžité zvýšenie humanitárnej pomoci pre Gazu a na ukončenie blokády.
Čítať ďalej : EP vyzýva na okamžité zvýšenie humanitárnej pomoci pre Gazu ….Thoughts on a strategic partnership with Russia
MEPs and experts debated the future of relations with Russia and its influence over its closest neighbours at a Foreign Affairs Committee hearing at the European Parliament on Thursday. They questioned Moscow's reliability as a partner at a time when the EU is negotiating the renewal of its framework agreement with Russia.
Read more : Thoughts on a strategic partnership with Russia ….Turkey: MEPs concerned at lack of progress in talks with EU
The "continuous slowdown of the reform process" in Turkey, for the third consecutive year, is noted with concern by the Foreign Affairs Committee, which calls on the Turkish government "to prove its political will to continue the reform process" to which it committed itself in 2005.
Read more : Turkey: MEPs concerned at lack of progress in talks with EU ….EU and China: more co-operation, not protectionism say MEPs
The EU and China are becoming more interdependent, says European Parliament in a report adopted by MEPs, which means that EU-China relations require greater co-ordination among the Member States and with the Commission. Noting an imbalance in bilateral trade between the two partners - notably through China's inobservance of sustainable development, environmental limits and WTO rules - MEPs call on China to meet its obligations and on the EU to provide assistance and promote co-operation.
Read more : EU and China: more co-operation, not protectionism say MEPs ….MEPs support Kosovo's European perspective one year after independence
One year after Kosovo's independence, the European Parliament recalls the EU's willingness to assist the economic and political development of Kosovo through a clear European perspective, according to a resolution adopted by MEPs in Strasbourg. The resolution also recommends that the EU Member States which have not recognised the independence of Kosovo should do so. The resolution was adopted with 424 votes in favour, 133 against and 24 abstentions.
Read more : MEPs support Kosovo's European perspective one year after independence ….Economic Partnership Agreements: making an impact on development
Whether countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific sign Economic Partnership Agreements with the EU or not, they should not be worse off than under the current system of preferences, says a report adopted by MEPs. Flanking measures in the form of aid for trade should be used to help the ACP countries, for example, to offset any loss of customs revenue, so says the adopted report put forward by the EPP-ED and UEN groups and replaces the original report from the Development Committee.
Read more : Economic Partnership Agreements: making an impact on development ….Internet transactions: Strengthening of safety and security
More than half of EU citizens and nearly 1.5 billion people worldwide have access to the Internet. Yet, despite the fact that one out of three EU citizens conducts online purchases, only 30 million carry out cross-border shopping in the EU. In view of this, MEPs are demanding increased Internet security, simplified rules and specific measures for SMEs in a report adopted in Strasbourg with 562 votes in favour, 9 against and 10 abstentions.
Read more : Internet transactions: Strengthening of safety and security ….Internationalisation of small and medium-sized businesses an EP priority
SMEs account for 99% of the total number of businesses in the European Union, and create 75 million jobs, yet their international performance is "structurally weak". So says the European Parliament in a report which urges the Commission and Member States to enable EU SMEs to develop in a harmonious manner, gain access to new markets and to expand their export activities and internationalisation. The report was adopted with 437 votes in favour, 77 against and 69 abstentions.
Read more : Internationalisation of small and medium-sized businesses an EP priority ….Poslanci Európskeho parlamentu privítali na dnešnom slávnostnom plenárnom zasadnutí v Štrasburgu prezidenta palestínskej samosprávy Mahmúda Abbása. Mahmúd Abbás vo svojom prejave pripomenul utrpenie ľudí Palestíny, a vyzval medzinárodné spoločenstvo, aby zohralo svoju právnu, politickú a morálnu úlohu, "aby bolo možno skoncovať s okupáciou a žiť v mieri".
Čítať ďalej : Mahmúd Abbás v pléne Európskeho parlamentu ….Guantánamo: European Parliament calls on EU Member States to accept inmates
In adopting a joint resolution, the European Parliament welcomes President Obama's decision to close Guantánamo Bay but recalls that the main responsibility for the closing and for the future of the prisoners rests with the United States. MEPs, nevertheless, call on the Member States to be prepared to accept Guantánamo inmates in the EU in case the US asks so, in a resolution adopted in Strasbourg and adopted with 542 votes in favour, 55 against and 51 abstentions.
Read more : Guantánamo: European Parliament calls on EU Member States to accept inmates ….Hans-Gert Pöttering will lead a Euro-Med Assembly delegation to Gaza
A delegation of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly will go to Gaza on 23-24 February to assess the needs of the civilian population in an objective manner, said Hans-Gert Pöttering, after chairing Thursday's meeting of the Assembly's Bureau, which decided to send the mission.
Read more : Hans-Gert Pöttering will lead a Euro-Med Assembly delegation to Gaza ….Trade in seal products: label or ban?
To ban trade in seal products, as proposed by the Commission, would be inappropriate, said Parliament's rapporteur on the proposal Diana Wallis (ALDE, UK) at a public hearing on Wednesday. Instead, she proposed a labelling scheme enabling buyers to ascertain that products are from seals killed "without causing avoidable pain".
Read more : Trade in seal products: label or ban? ….Strife in the Balkans must not obstruct EU accession, say MEPs
Bilateral issues in the Balkans should neither obstruct Croatia or FYROM's progress towards joining the EU nor take precedence over EU integration, says the Foreign Affairs Committee in two resolutions, adopted Wednesday, on Commission progress reports. The committee also adopted a resolution welcoming the Serbian government's agreement to the deployment of an EU Rule of Law mission in Kosovo.
Read more : Strife in the Balkans must not obstruct EU accession, say MEPs ….Czech Presidency faces up to Gaza and gas dispute
MEPs quizzed Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg at length on the situation in Gaza and the gas dispute during a debate at the EP Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday on the Czech Presidency's priorities. EU enlargement to the Balkans and the Eastern Partnership were also discussed.
Read more : Czech Presidency faces up to Gaza and gas dispute ….Konflikt na Blízkom východe: EP vyzýva na rokovania o prímerí
V nadväznosti na včerajšiu rozpravu dnes poslanci EP prijali spoločné uznesenie o situácii v pásme Gazy, v ktorom vyjadrujú solidaritu s civilným obyvateľstvom v Gaze a v južnom Izraeli. Parlament vyzýva Izrael, aby plnil svoje povinnosti podľa medzinárodného práva, a Hamas, aby ukončil raketové útoky a prijal vlastnú zodpovednosť tým, že sa zaviaže k účasti na politickom procese zameraného na obnovu dialógu medzi Palestíncami a prispeje k pokračujúcemu procesu rokovaní.
Čítať ďalej : Konflikt na Blízkom východe: EP vyzýva na rokovania o prímerí ….Horn of Africa: MEPs debate a boost to peacekeeping mission
In a resolution that seeks to restore peace and stability in the Horn of Africa, MEPs demand the reinforcement of the peacekeeping mission in Somalia and the deployment of a UN stabilisation force in Darfur to join forces with the African Union troops already deployed in the region. MEPs also highlight the unresolved border conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea and between Eritrea and Djibouti, and demand that human rights and freedom of the press be observed in these countries.
Read more : Horn of Africa: MEPs debate a boost to peacekeeping mission ….Belarus: MEPs stress the need for greater democratisation
MEPs insist on five conditions to improve relations between Belarus and the EU in a resolution adopted in Strasbourg. Freedom for political prisoners, media NGOs and political associations are the main points underlined by the European Parliament to renew the period of six months during which travel restrictions imposed on certain Belarus Government officials have been lifted.
Read more : Belarus: MEPs stress the need for greater democratisation ….MEPs call for more economic cooperation between the EU and Western Balkans
The political integration of the Western Balkans into the EU can only take place if there is "better, more intensive regional and international economic co-operation", says the European Parliament. In a report drafted by Bastiaan BELDER (IND/DEM, NL), the House states that the EU "must show genuine commitment to the Western Balkans" if its pledge to enable these countries to accede to the EU on schedule is to be fulfilled.
Read more : MEPs call for more economic cooperation between the EU and Western Balkans ….Gas crisis: MEPs worried about impact on public
Representatives of the Russian and Ukrainian gas companies Gazprom and Naftogaz discussed solutions to the ongoing energy crisis at the European Parliament on Thursday. Speaking before the EP Foreign Affairs Committee, Oleh Dubyna, head of Naftogaz, denied that his company was siphoning off gas intended for the European market. For his part, the head of Gazprom, Alexei Miller, who could not take attend the committee meeting, had talks with the President of Parliament.
Read more : Gas crisis: MEPs worried about impact on public ….EP President calls for immediate end to violence in Middle East
The President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, informed this Thursday the Conference of Presidents (political group chairs) of his contacts in connection with the situation in the Middle East and called for an immediate end to the violence, from which the civilian population is suffering most.
Read more : EP President calls for immediate end to violence in Middle East ….