Lehdistötiedotteet - Yleistä

Almost half of the Europeans surveyed think that combining public spending cuts with measures to boost economic growth is the best way to end the current economic crisis, says the latest European Parliament Eurobarometer poll. Over half (55%), say these measures should be coordinated among Member States. Most Europeans also say that financial help for Member States in difficulty must be conditional on compliance with common rules (80%).

The European Parliament will mark this year's anniversary of the Schumann Declaration by opening its doors to citizens and offering them many activities that provide behind-the-scenes insights into Parliament's activities.

Sonia Alfano (ALDE, IT) was elected chair of the recently established special committee on organised crime, corruption and money laundering, during its first meeting on Tuesday in Strasbourg. Committee members also elected 4 vice-chairs and nominated Salvatore Iacolino (EPP, IT) as rapporteur.

Energy and security, a stronger role for parliamentary democracy and civil society as well as economic reform assistance to the EU's Eastern neighbours were the key topics of the second Euronest meeting concluded on Wednesday in Baku, Azerbaijan. Resolutions were adopted on all these issues as well as one calling for proper healthcare for Yulia Tymoshenko.

The Ukrainian authorities must stop denying Yulia Tymoshenko her basic human right to medical care, said the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly in an urgent resolution passed on Wednesday. The Assembly, which brings together Members of the European Parliament and MPs from the EU's eastern neighbour countries, is meeting in Baku (Azerbaijan).

Following Sunday's by-election in Myanmar, European Parliament President Martin Schulz made the following statement:

A delegation of 37 Members of the European Parliament is in Baku, Azerbaijan, this week to meet their counterparts from Eastern Partnership countries in the second ordinary session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly on 2-4 April in the Milli Mejlis (Azerbaijani Parliament).

The European Citizens' Initiative regulation, which takes effect on 1 April, empowers European Union (EU) citizens to work together across borders to play a direct part in shaping democratic decisions. It is the world's only transnational tool of direct democracy.

On 17 April in Strasbourg, the European Parliament will welcome 12 "observer" members from Croatia, appointed by the Croatian parliament, to prepare for Croatia's EU accession, currently expected in 2013.

The European Parliament will once again participate in the global WWF initiative 'Earth Hour' in order to raise awareness of the need to combat climate change.