Documents by topic : The EU and its institutions

MEPs are set to make a final decision on an overhaul of Europe's telecoms market that will impact internet users. They will also vote on new labels to make tyres more fuel and cost efficient when they meet in Strasbourg. MEPs are also likely to call for leadership from Europe ahead of the Copenhagen climate summit.

The anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall was a major theme during the two-day plenary session in Brussels last Wednesday and Thursday. Václav Havel, the Czech dissident who became President addressed the House to mark the occasion. Among other issues, MEPs urged EU states to pool their research into Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. The new top jobs in the EU were discussed as was a forthcoming summit with Russia.

At least three members of the current European Parliament are living under the threat of being killed for their political views. We spoke to Italian anti-mafia MEP Rosario Crocetta, former Greek reformist Education Minister Marietta Giannakou and Spaniard Carlos Iturgaiz who has taken on the Basque separatist terrorist movement ETA. They talk about repeated assassination attempts, and the toll life under threat takes on their family lives.

The twentieth anniversary of the democratic revolutions behind the Iron Curtain was marked this week in a two day session of the European Parliament on Wednesday and Thursday (11-12 November). Czech dissident playwright turned President, Václav Havel, joined others to mark the occasion. Europe's climate change position ahead of the Copenhagen earth summit and the EU's top jobs were also debated in Brussels as MEPs considered the results of the last European summit.

In an exclusive interview to coincide with the anniversary of events in1989, we spoke to German Green Werner Schulz who saw the crowds gather to topple the iconic Berlin Wall and with it overthrow the East German regime in a cold November 20 years ago. He tells us of the events that day as a 39-year-old scientist and opposition activist and also what it feels like to have fought for freedom and democracy.

This week in Brussels sees a full week of Committee meetings in which climate change and the economic crisis will be debated. The threat of piracy to the EU fishing fleet and the telecoms package of legislation, which could shake up that sector, are also on the agenda. Turning to foreign affairs senior officials from Croatia and Serbia will both be in the Parliament as will US Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, to discuss relations between Brussels and Washington.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact between Hitler and Stalin to split parts of Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic States between them, but it is also 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Opening a conference commemorating the pact, European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek focused on how far Europe has come. He said to those present that "we live in a different Europe today of which the essence has to be solidarity".

“Even arrested, I was a free person” recalled her memories as a former dissident and Solidarnosc activist, currently MEP, Róża Thun in an exclusive interview to Europarl. Speaking to our website she told us why she does not like to speak about the ‘Fall of the Berlin Wall’ and how Poland has coped with its democratic transition. Read on to discover a truly Polish perspective to democratic changes 20 years ago.

"The day after the Wall fell, there were plenty of 'Trabis' at the Luxembourg border," recalls Jacques Santer, former President of the European Commission, and Prime Minister of Luxembourg, speaking exclusively to us about the events of 1989. He said the East Germans wanted to come and see Radio Luxembourg as it was a symbol of "peace and liberty".

Stormy debates and surprise votes spiced up this week at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The 2010 budget, the European Council, Sakharov Prize and the freedom of press made up an interesting agenda. As well as the words were the images and we bring a few of them here to you in the accompanying slideshow.

Political weather forecast for this week’s Parliamentary session

Article - Institutions - 19-10-2009 - 15:46

Generally clear skies with a few cold winds and the occasional squall is the political weather forecast for the19-22 October European Parliament session. Around €1.5 billion in energy investment and a €300 million dairy fund could be approved by MEPs when they vote on the EU budget for next year. Also this week is the first "Question Time" with European Commission head José Manuel Barroso and a resolution on freedom of information in Italy and other countries.

Plenary sessions: Home is where the Hemicycle is...

Article - Institutions - 19-10-2009 - 15:21

The Parliament reconvenes this week in the "Hemicycle" Parliamentary Chamber in Strasbourg for its October plenary session. MEPs meet 12 times a year in Strasbourg for four days and in Brussels for two day sessions, whose frequency can vary. You can watch the plenary sessions live but before that, you might want to have a look at the following short guide.

The Parliamentary Session has seen MEPs hold their first ever question and answer session with the head of the European Commission on topical issues. The state of Europe's economy and unemployment were just two subjects. In addition MEPs debated the key issues ahead of the next EU Summit which is expected to be dominated by the Lisbon Treaty and climate change. The week's agenda also included a vote on the EU's spending priorities for next year. This focus looks at some of the key issues.

"Lisbon treaty" - you may have heard quite a bit about it recently. Still baffled? Well, here we present some of the main changes that it will bring to the European Union should it be adopted. At the time of writing the treaty has been ratified by 26 of the 27 EU members. Despite the Czech Parliament passing the treaty, President Václav Klaus is still refusing to sign it pending certain guarantees.

Next Thursday, 22 October, Parliament will vote on the budget for 2010. Frenchman Alain Lamassoure, former budget minister and minister of European affairs, is at the helm of the budget committee that is responsible for preparing the report. Prior to the vote we spoke to some friends and colleagues to gain an insight into how he will run this powerful committee. One fellow MEP tells us Lamassoure is "somebody you can trust" and a "hard worker".

Jerzy Buzek, the European Parliament's first Eastern Bloc President, has no doubt that he is facing an exceptional two and half years. The former Polish Prime Minister and professor of technical sciences looks set to lead the House through its first years of the new era under the Lisbon treaty. In an exclusive interview we ask him about the growing role of the EP, European science, energy solidarity and what East and West means in today's Europe.

One of the first signs of the new political mood in the European Parliament after the election is the reversal of its position over rules on working times for lorry drivers. The key question is whether to include self-employed drivers in these new rules. Before the election, MEPs voted to include them; however, voters elected a more right-leaning Parliament in June and now some MEPs wish to exempt independent drivers. We spoke to Members on both sides of the political road.

Do you feel like doing a 5-month traineeship in the European Parliament? If so then Thursday 15 October is the deadline to apply. These Schuman scholarships are open to all University graduates. In addition there are unpaid traineeships. We spoke to some past and present alumni and asked them for a flavour of what it's like to be a trainee in the Parliament.

Amid the noise and clamour of debate last week we picked out a few things which caught our eye. For the 2-day session on Wednesday and Thursday the agenda and Chamber was packed as the implications of Ireland's yes to Lisbon and Italy's media were passionately debated. As well as the words were the images and we bring a few of them here to you in the accompanying slideshow.

When MEPs meet in Brussels on 7-8 October, they discussed the results of the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, the setting up of a special parliamentary committee on the financial and economic crisis and freedom of information in Italy amid other issues.

"We are writing European history together" said EP President Jerzy Buzek after Ireland voted YES to the Lisbon treaty on Friday (2 October). Irish voters supported the treaty by a decisive 67.1% in favour with 32.9% against it. The large swing to the yes camp has been attributed in large part due to the worsening economic situation across the Republic in the last year. Overall turnout was 59%.

The initial scope of an ambitious programme of police, customs, asylum and visa cooperation between the EU's 27 countries was laid out in the Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee Wednesday. This "Stockholm programme" is the initiative of the Swedish presidency as current legal and political agreements in this field are drawing to a close.

In the summer, Parliament decided on who will chair each of its committees. The person holding the gavel of the Foreign Affairs Committee is Italian Gabriele Albertini. Who is this former mayor of Milan? What can we expect from him and what are his strong and weak spots? "A good consensus-builder" and someone who "prefers facts to words" is what the people working closely to him say. Read on to discover more.

The level of regulation of Europe's vast financial markets will be a crucial issue on Parliament's agenda this autumn. Other key issues are proposals to make new buildings energy neutral within a decade and a scheme to label tyres to show how fuel efficient they are. These are just some of the economic and employment proposals coming before Parliament in the last few months of 2009.

How will the money you give to the EU be spent? Those decisions will be hammered out by the European Parliament and EU ministers over the next few months. This complex exercise is overseen by Members of the Budget Committee, while the Budgetary Control Committee checks the money is used properly. Here we look at some of the priorities of these two powerful bodies over the next few months.

The growing international role of the European Union is reflected in the burgeoning relations the European Parliament has with the world outside Europe. Here we look at some of these external relations topics over the coming months, from overseeing the fight against piracy in the Gulf of Aden to the Copenhagen climate conference.

This is a "turquoise" week in Parliament’s calendar, a time when the focus turns outwards and MEPs traditionally leave Brussels and Strasbourg and devote time to constituency matters. There is no formal political activity at the European Parliament itself.

This session of the European Parliament will be remembered for personality and policy. It saw a vote by Members to give Commission President Barroso a new mandate as well as the inaugural speech of EP President Jerzy Buzek. The week also saw Members vote to support draft legislation to extend aid for buying up butter and skimmed milk powder until February to help the beleaguered milk industry. Enclosed are 10 things we learned this week and a photo slideshow of some of the week's events.

MEPs in Strasbourg voted to boost Europe's troubled milk sector by backing Commission plans to shore up the market in the face of low prices at the farm gate. MEPs also demanded Ministers renegotiate a deal with the US on banking data (SWIFT transfers). On Wednesday MEPs backed a 2nd term as Commission President for José Manuel Barroso by 382 votes to 219. This focus includes a debate on the G20 summit, the inaugural speech of EP President Buzek and details of the debate with Mr Barroso.

New MEPs gather in Strasbourg for the first of their autumn plenary sessions. Following July's constitutive session, the 736 Members are still to vote on their appointments in different interparliamentary delegations. Currently 40, they offer the EP a vital network of contacts and a forum for dialogue with parliamentarians in partner countries outside the EU.

The success of smaller parties means that neither the centre-right nor centre-left will have the strength to dominate the new European Parliament. That is the central conclusion of a new study by London School of Economics Professor Simon Hix on the newly elected chamber. In a paper for the Swedish institute for European Policy Studies: "What to Expect in the 2009-14 European Parliament: Return of the Grand Coalition?" he analyses the election results and speculates on likely scenarios.

Current economic indicators seem to show a cautious recovery in some of the biggest European economies, such as Germany and France. We asked the new chairwoman of the Committee for Economic and Monetary Affairs, British Liberal Democrat MEP Sharon Bowles, about her perception of where the crisis is going and to what extent financial markets should be regulated.

Ahead of a major policy speech launching his President at the September session of the European Parliament, EP President Jerzy Buzek was in Stockholm on Friday (4 September) to hold talks with Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt, current holder of the EU Presidency. The financial crisis, the forthcoming Copenhagen climate conference, immigration reform and energy issues were among the things discussed.

This week European Commission President José Manuel Barroso will meet with MEPs as he tries to persuade Parliament's main political groups to back him for a second term. He needs the backing of a simple majority of MEPs if he is to retain the post. The European People's Party is backing him, but he is likely to encounter strong opposition from the Greens and the leftist GUE/NGL whilst the Socialists and Liberals remain undecided on whether to back him.

The fate of the Uyghurs, a Turkic ethnic group living in China was under the spotlight in the Parliament this week. Monday (1 September) saw Rebiya Kadeer, the leader of the World Uyghur Congress address MEPs on the human rights sub-committee and call for dialogue with Beijing over what she termed "six decades of repressive policies by a Chinese Communist administration". Unrest in the autonomous region in July left nearly 200 people dead and ten times that number injured.

On 1 and 2 September, the three candidates entering the European Commission for the final months of its mandate to replace Members who left early were in Parliament to set out their stalls to MEPs. The procedure allows MEPs to assess their suitability for their new jobs. On 16 September in a Session in Strasbourg Members will vote to approve, or not, their appointment. Here are some photos that capture a bit of the essence of the hearings. The first link below goes straight to more photos.

The security of Europe's gas was the subject of a debate in Parliament's Industry, Research and Energy Committee on Wednesday 2 September. Amid concerns of a repeat of the shortages of gas supplies this winter if Russia and Ukraine have yet another dispute, the Commission has put forward plans to improve the security of Europe's gas supply.

A day of remembrance took place in Poland yesterday (1 September) to mark 70 years since the outbreak of World War II. An international ceremony was held at Westerplatte in Gdansk to mark the place where a German battleship opened fire on Polish fort, opening the conflict. Speaking at the ceremony, Parliament's President Jerzy Buzek, himself a Pole, said "the attack on Poland which took place on 1 September 1939 marked the beginning of the nightmare which engulfed Europe and the world".

This afternoon you can watch live the parliamentary hearings of three new Commissioners designate. They are: Karel de Gucht, proposed for Development and Humanitarian Aid; Algirdas Šemeta for Financial Programming and Budget, and Paweł Samecki for Regional Policy. All need the EP's approval and face questions from MEPs on their suitability for their new jobs.

The European elections in June delivered a majority for centre right parties grouped together as the European People's Party in the European Parliament. After taking their seats in July, MEPs now look forward to a new Parliamentary session opening on 14 September at the Parliament's seat in Strasbourg, France.

The European Parliament’s multicolour calendar

Article - Institutions - 31-08-2009 - 10:50

In his famous poem “Voyelles” (Vowels) French poet Arthur Rimbaud associated each vowel with a particular colour. MEPs are just as adept at using colour, but don’t be fooled into thinking that they have been inspired by the poetic muse. In their case, the use of colour is a practical way of identifying the composition of the parliamentary week, where each of the calendar’s four colours corresponds to a specific parliamentary activity. Details are “coloured in” below.

Two decades ago the Soviet empire in Central and Eastern Europe dissolved as people took to the streets and Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev disavowed the use of force to rein in the protests. The countries behind the Berlin Wall have now come in from the proverbial political cold and joined the European Union in the last five years. Here we look at some of the events of that tumultuous summer of 1989.

This autumn sees the first "term" for newly elected MEPs with 6 plenary parliamentary sessions being held between now and Christmas. MEPs will also vote on the candidacy of Commission President Barroso as well as approving the entire new Commission. A poll in Ireland on the Lisbon treaty and the Copenhagen climate summit will also hold MEPs attention. This article looks at some of the issues that will dominate the European news over the coming months.

Three prospective new European Commissioners will face questions from MEPs next week at hearings over their suitability for the posts. Karel de Gucht of Belgium has been nominated for the Development and Humanitarian Aid post, Algirdas Šemeta of Lithuania for Financial Programming and Budget and Poland's Paweł Samecki for Regional Policy. They have already taken up their duties on an interim basis since two of their predecessors were elected as MEPs and one President of Lithuania.

Summer of 1989: MEPs remember the Baltic Way

Article - Institutions - 24-08-2009 - 10:23

Twenty years ago this August, two million people joined hands across 600 kilometres and three countries to mark 50 years since the Nazi-Soviet pact delivered Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia into forced Soviet rule. It was part of a series of events that swept the Communist bloc in the summer of 1989 which resulted in the election of Poland's Solidarność movement and the symbolic fall of the Berlin Wall in November. Some MEPs who held hands during the Baltic Way share their memories of those days.

How do MEPs vote?

Article - Parliament’s Rules of Procedure - 24-08-2009 - 10:21

Hundreds of hands go up, then back down. Fingers press and then release buttons. Some thumbs turn up and others turn down. That's how MEPs vote - it's a kind of sign language. And here's the low down on what it all means.

A Parliament is a place of serious business. Laws are debated and passed, political ideologies clash, world affairs are discussed… But a Parliament is also a place made up by human beings, able also to laugh, enjoy, celebrate and improvise.

The European Parliament has long been a magnet for visiting foreign leaders. The past legislative term was no exception, with a succession of well known international figures visiting the Parliament: some to address the Parliament in formal session, others to attend political meetings or special events, others to receive awards.

From Tony Blair's emphatic speech to the vote on the Services Directive to the dockers' angry protests: The five years of the last Parliamentary term saw some momentous events - some far reaching, others just dramatic. In this slideshow we look back at some incidents - both memorable and at times poignant, such as when the EP President led a delegation of MEPs to the Gaza strip.

As Europeans hit the beaches in large numbers this summer the risk of skin disease is present if people expose them to too much sun and don't use adequate protection. Effective sun cream is one defence and for 2009 there are new EU-wide rules to make it easier for people to understand what suntan lotion they should be using.

The Parliament's 22 committees are where key pieces of European laws are modified and take shape ahead of them being debated by the full Chamber. The vital role played in such committees by the Chair and Vice-chairs underlies the jockeying for position that takes place where they are elected every two and a half years - a process that has been taking place over the last few days. This video looks at the latest developments since the June elections.

After a long election campaign newly elected MEPs assembled for the first time in Strasbourg on 13-16 July. As well as finding out where they will be sitting in the new Chamber, Members had to elect a new President or Speaker and other senior office holders. The session also saw political blocs being officially formed - bringing together MEPs from different countries but with broadly similar beliefs. Some of this can be seen here in this slideshow.

Committee week in the European Parliament

Article - Institutions - 20-07-2009 - 10:35

After the inaugural plenary session in Strasbourg MEPs return to Brussels for the first Committee week of this term. Already last week several of the newly formed committees elected their chairs; the remaining will follow suit today. Subsequently the committees are set to deal with different subjects on Parliament’s agenda ranging from EU budget and climate changes to European satellite radio navigation programmes.

Who are the new leaders of the political groups? On the opening session of the new European Parliament we take a look at the personalities MEPs have chosen as their leaders over the past few weeks and whose personalities will affect the agenda of the Parliament over the next years.

Covering the "unseen" part of the European Parliament's opening session was the declared ambition of Sicilian born photographer Mimi Mollica. As a participant in the "guest photographer" project he was invited to Strasbourg to cover the Parliament over 13-16 July. His work focuses on social issues, human rights and troubled areas of the world such as India, Pakistan, Africa, Cuba and Brazil.

Condemnation of violence was the common thread across three debates the EP held Wednesday afternoon. MEPs discussed the violence in Iran after presidential elections, ethnic clashes in China and coup d'état in Honduras.

Interview with Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt on Stockholm's EU presidency

Article - Institutions - 15-07-2009 - 18:02

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, who currently holds the EU presidency, spoke exclusively to us on Wednesday ahead of his speech to MEPs. The 43 year old leader of the Moderate Party will need all his renowned calm to coordinate the EU's response to the economic crisis and lead the way to a new global climate change deal by December. Since September 2006 he has headed Sweden's centre right government that continues to enjoy considerable popularity.

Caretaker Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer gave the European Parliament Wednesday an overview of his country's Presidency of the EU that came to an end last month. He conceded that the collapse of the government half way through the six month term had hit the Presidency hard. However, he praised the "Three E Programme" - Economics, Energy and EU in the world - which the Czechs had initiated.

The opening session of the European Parliament this week in Strasbourg sees the election of a new President, 14 Vice-presidents as well as the Chairs of the Parliament's Committees. These posts will be in place for two and half years, half the term of the elected Parliament.

The leaders of the political groups in the European Parliament, the so-called Conference of Presidents, on Thursday took note of the official proposal by European governments of José Manuel Barroso as Commission President for the next five years. However, they decided not to schedule the confirmation vote for the July plenary session of next week to leave time to assess his candidacy more thoroughly.

MEPs and Ministers: 6 months of an EU Presidency

Article - Institutions - 03-07-2009 - 10:49

The arrival of Sweden at the tiller of the EU for the next six months has raised hopes of a functional and practical Presidency of the Union. Tackling Europe's economic woes and finding consensus for a post-Kyoto environment deal will be two of their toughest tasks. Ministers from the EU Presidency country are obliged to report to MEPs so PM Fredrik Reinfeldt, Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Europe Minister and ex-MEP Cecilia Malmström will be regular visitors to Brussels and Strasbourg.

As Sweden takes up the EU Presidency this week we spoke to European Affairs Minister Cecilia Malmström. As unemployment in Europe rises and the economic crisis gets deeper the Swedes will have to coordinate the EU's response. Added to this will be the need to find an international environmental agreement that replaces the Kyoto protocol before the December deadline. A former MEP turned Minister Ms Malmström laid out the key issues ahead.

The first breach of the Iron Curtain which divided Communist Central and Eastern Europe from the West for over decades took place 20 years ago today. Just outside the Hungarian town of Sopron, Austrian Foreign Minister Alois Mock joined his Hungarian counterpart Gyula Horn in cutting the fence on 27 June 1989. It led to a stream of people heading west and climaxed in the fall of the Berlin Wall in November that year. On this day MEPs from both countries share their thoughts and memories.

"Inciting subversion of state authority" is a serious crime in China. For 36 year old dissident Hu Jia it has meant a jail sentence of three and half years imposed last year. He was jailed and his wife and daughter put under house arrest - and all because Hu Jia has spoken out over AIDS and the environment in China. For his courage MEPs gave him the Parliament's top human rights award - the Sakharov prize. Six months later, we ask what has happened to him.

A migrant walks along a road under construction in Dakar, Senegal. The image, taken by Sicilian photographer Mimi Mollica, has been chosen as the best of those submitted over the last seven months. Mimi took the photo to draw attention to the plight of thousands of migrants who die en-route from Africa in hope of a better life in Europe. It was one of many excellent entries we received after asking you to send us your photos on issues ranging from pollution to the European elections.

This week the leaders of the Parliament's main political groups will travel to Stockholm to hold talks with Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt as his government prepares to take over the rotating EU Presidency. The week also sees more negotiations in Brussels over the shape of the new political groups ahead of the opening of Parliament on 14 July. Here online we'll be speaking to two new MEPs as well as debating Europe's reaction to the crisis in Iran with leading Members.

The President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering has spoken out about the impending trial of Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. "I strongly urge Myanmar's military rulers to release her immediately and unconditionally" he said. The dissident has spent almost two decades of being under house arrest with only occasional periods of freedom. On Friday she celebrates her 64th birthday.

The European Parliament's Communication Department has launched a tender for projects that will lead to a better understanding of the Parliament, stimulate public interest and participation in the political process. The themes for the projects include co-financing of TV and radio programmes as well as website and internet activities.

As the dust settles over the electoral landscape we will be looking at the positioning taking place over the post of Parliament's President and also look at MEPs and political groups as they form themselves into political groups. These can also be seen on EuroparlTV this week. The next few days online also features interviews with a couple of new MEPs as we get their initial thoughts as they prepare to talk up their new jobs.

Monday's session opened with Parliament's President Hans-Gert Pöttering leading a minutes silence for the two British soldiers gunned down by renegade terrorists in Northern Ireland at the weekend. MEPs then moved on to discuss what should be the priorities in the European Union's budget for 2010 with the economic crisis and measures to tackle climate change being high on the list.

European economic rescue plans and the upcoming EU Summit are key issues in the first March session of the EP in Strasbourg 9-12 March. Also on the agenda are rules offering greater protection to ship's passengers in the event of an accident. MEPs will also consider the "eurovignettte" which will charge lorries according to the amount they pollute. Recent reports on the progress towards EU membership of Turkey, Croatia and FYROM will also be discussed.

It's 1941 and the height of WWII. Amid all the suffering, a couple of Italians imprisoned for anti-fascism sketched out a vision of how post-war Europe could look on cigarette papers. Their vision was of a continent where nations would be politically and economically bound together so that war would be impossible. On Thursday this "Manifesto Ventotene" was symbolically presented at the European Parliament to mark the anniversary of the birth of one of its authors - Altiero Spinelli.

Parliament's 7 political groups will finalise their positions on the Commission's economic recovery plan and anti-pollution measures for lorries and maritime rules, ahead of the plenary meeting in Strasbourg next week. Ahead of international women day the role of women in June's European elections will be debated by MPs and MEPs. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be at the EP Friday for a 'Town Hall' meeting with young Europeans.

As talks continue about the situation in the Middle East, MEPs in Brussels discussed the issue with Europe's foreign policy chief Javier Solana. MEP agreed that peace is the only solution. During their plenary session, MEPs approved sanctions against employers of illegal workers and heard a controversial address from Czech President Václav Klaus.

MEPs discussed foreign policy and the EU's relationship with NATO Wednesday afternoon in Brussels. Europe's foreign policy chief Javier Solana told MEPs about the problems in the Middle East and the EU's search for peace in the region. The House discussed the strengthening of EU-NATO relations following a subtle convergence of certain military projects.

The state of Europe's economy and its foreign policy feature this week in the European Parliament in Brussels. Foreign relations will feature during a two-day sitting from Wednesday whilst MPs from across Europe will join MEPs and economic experts to debate the state of the economy from Monday.

There is only one web TV channel with programmes in over 20 languages and that is the recently launched europarltv channel. This week it you can watch a round-up of the debates in parliament's committees as well as special programmes on the future of Gaza and Croatia's EU hopes.

In a Parliament of so many faces it can be difficult to stand out. But one face that will become well-known to MEPs over the next six months is that of Alexandr Vondra. As the Czech Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs during his country's presidency of the EU his job is to brief the Parliament on what European Ministers are discussing at the Council. As he explains here, the Gaza and Gas crisis gave the Czechs an early taste of a challenging six-month term.

The atmosphere in Strasbourg is always eclectic as MEPs and visitors from all over Europe converge on the European Parliament in Strasbourg once a month. February saw a speech by the Palestinian President in the wake of turmoil in Gaza and key votes on immigration and climate change. Along the way there were some light hearted moments. Here is a snapshot of some of the events which took place 2-5 February.

The state of the economy, Turkey's EU hopes and proposals to charge lorries for using roads are among issues being debated by MEPs this week in Brussels. Online you will be able to read Members' views on e-voting and on the use of new media in election campaign. You can also catch up with a health check of Europe's fisheries policy. Read our interview with Evangelin Tzampazi about her report on mental health.

There was no escaping the gravity of the issues present in February's Strasbourg session. Speaking to the Parliament, President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas addressed MEPs about hopes for peace in the area. Also discussed this week, MEPs tackled climate change, the situation with prisoners at Guantanamo, safer animal feed and the increasing problem of illegal labour across Europe.

MEPs welcomed the decision of the new US President Obama to close the Guantanamo prison and and agreed that Europe should take in detainees. However, a few MEPs voiced security concerns. MEPs also discussed CIA rendition flights.

MEPs discussed Europe's energy security and the Doha trade round when parliament opened on Monday. MEPs debated an energy review which proposes deep cuts in Europe's CO2 emissions by the end of the century. This was followed by a debate on the stalled Doha trade round and whether progress could help or hinder economic recovery.

Energy security, climate change, the car industry's financial woes and the future of the Guantanamo detainees are just some of the issues MEPs will discuss during this week's plenary sitting. As the world's eyes rest on Gaza, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will speak to MEPs on Wednesday. Watch the plenary sitting live from 1700 CET Monday.

We asked you to send in photos on the theme of "hard times" and chose one by Rome-based Maurizio Chelucci. The 47-year old Italian has been taking photos since he was young. His photo is entitled "A day as a Lion". Thank you for your entries, many of which can be viewed on the Flickr account below.

The snow-covered Strasbourg that greeted MEPs arriving for the 12-15 January plenary session felt appropriate given the physical and political chill many felt as Europe's gas was cut due to the Russia-Ukraine gas dispute. This, the war in Gaza and the 10th anniversary of the euro were the big themes on the agenda. Get a flavour of the first sitting of 2009 with our photo gallery.

Last week's first Parliamentary session of the year opened with Members dealing with key international issues such as the crisis in Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine gas dispute. The week also saw MEPs vote to ban certain pesticides to protect safety.

When we interviewed Latvia’s President Valdis Zatlers on 13 January two key issues were on his mind: The importance of Latvia joining the euro to weather the financial storm and a common European energy policy. He had earlier told MEPs that all of Europe shared "a common history but our destinies have been different".

Animals are still being transported across Europe in terrible conditions. That was the damning claim raised before the House in Thursday's session. Later MEPs discussed the details of the "Mediterranean Diet" and its possible recognition by the UN in acknowledgement of its healthy qualities.

The economy and energy security are two priorities of the incoming Czech Presidency of the Union according to Czech PM Mirek Topolánek who addressed the House Wednesday. Later MEPs debated the crisis in Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine gas stand-off.

Czech PM Mirek Topolánek is going to have a busy 6 months. He takes over the rotating EU Presidency in the midst of an international crisis in the Middle East and an economic slump in Europe. On Wednesday 14 January he told MEPs economics and energy would be his focus. After Members gave him the traditional "grilling", we interviewed him before he left Strasbourg.

A decade of the euro was marked in Tuesday's Strasbourg session as MEPs and leading economic experts debated future challenges to the euro and its much publicised 10 year history. Later, Latvia's President Valdis Zatlers addressed the House and spoke of the changes his country has seen since joining the European Union in 2004. New biometric passports were also later debated.

An immediate call to end the continued fighting in the Gaza strip and a plea on behalf of the civilian population in Gaza: These were the words with which Parliament's President Hans-Gert Pöttering opened the first Strasbourg sitting of 2009. MEPs also debated two reports which aim to make pesticides less toxic.

The recent loss of gas supply to many EU countries and the crisis in Gaza will be high on the agenda when MEPs meet in Strasbourg in January. Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek will tell Members what his country hopes to achieve during its six-month EU Presidency at 0900 CET on Wednesday and the house will mark the 10th anniversary of the euro Tuesday.

Slovakia's adoption of the euro amid fireworks and a rock concert at new year marks one of its most important steps since independence. It came on the same day that former compatriots the Czech Republic took over the six-month European Union presidency. The Slovaks are the 16th nation to adopt the euro and they are hoping a change in currency will provide a cushion in difficult economic times

Over the past months we welcomed thousands of visitors to the Parliament's news page. Here are a few of the most read stories from the past six months. The selection is varied and eclectic.

In a hectic year-end session, MEPs demanded an end to national opt-outs to the 48-hour working week and backed measures to cut Europe's CO2 emissions by 2020. Also during the final sitting of the year, the parliament awarded the 20th Sakharov Prize for human rights to Chinese dissident Hu Jia in absentia.

MEPs backed new Europe-wide legislative package on climate change that fixes targets for the reduction of European greenhouse gas emissions Wednesday. They also voted to end opt-outs to EU limits on working time. At midday the Parliament's 20th Sakharov Prize was awarded to Chinese dissident Hu Jia, in absentia.

"I tried to move Europe, but Europe changed me," French President Sarkozy told MEPs yesterday as he wrapped up the six-month French Presidency of the Council. EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering responded by thanking Mr Sarkozy for his "display of will for a unity of Europe". The afternoon's debates focused on climate change and the energy package.

"The revision of this directive is worrying millions" according to Spanish Socialist Alejandro Cercas in the debate over the working time directive on Monday in Strasbourg. MEPs were divided on whether opt-outs for the 48 maximum working week should be allowed. They will vote on the issue Wednesday. MEPs also discussed new toy safety rules.

"Monsieur Europe" Jouyet concludes 6 months of an untraditional Presidency

Article - Institutions - 10-12-2008 - 17:09

French EU affairs minister Jean-Pierre Jouyet has been the face of the French presidency in Parliament over the last six month, fielding MEPs questions and remarks, be they on Georgia, climate change or the financial crisis. He has done so in a way that he himself describes as not “traditionally French” and has won plaudits from MEPs. As he prepares to quit his post in the French cabinet, we asked him to take stock of the French EU Council Presidency and his experience with the Parliament.

Ukraine, once the bread basket of the Soviet Union was reduced to famine on a biblical scale in 1932-33 by Stalin's collectivization policy. Millions died in the disaster. Last month a parliamentary resolution condemned it as a "crime against humanity". On 22 November the 75th anniversary was marked in Kyiv. Polish MEP and EP Vice-president Adam Bielan was there to represent the European Parliament and send its sympathies. Here he shares some thoughts on the tragedy.

As an international conference on climate change gets underway in Poznan, Poland, leading MEPs urged the adoption of binding CO2 cuts. Members also pushed for the adoption by European Ministers of a climate and energy package before the end of the year.

In the concluding half of the Brussels plenary, MEPs gathered to listen to the thoughts of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Addressing the House as part of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, His Holiness spoke of the plight of Tibet and the need for continued non-violent opposition. Earlier in the day the Parliament continued its debate of the European climate change and energy package.

MEPs held a minute's silence for the victims of the terrorist attacks in India and Ignacio Uría Mendizabal, a 70-year old business man killed by ETA in Azpeita, Spain, when the Brussels plenary session opened Wednesday. Later, MEPs outlined their expectations from the next European Council and discussed the EU's strategy on Roma.

During his visit to Ireland, EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering took the chance to meet with Irish politicians to discuss the future of the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland. After attending the Irish Episcopal Conference in Maynooth in the morning, President Pöttering met up with Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin TD, and with members of the Irish Parliament's Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in Europe.

The financial crisis, the Court of Auditor's report into the EU's accounts and renewed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo were just three issues debated when MEPs met in Strasbourg 17-20 November. Read a full round-up of the session in the day-by-day accounts below.

There was plenty going on in Strasbourg during the European Parliament's 17-20 November plenary session, from an address by Chief UK Rabbi Jonathan Sacks to discussions about the Court of Auditor's report on the 2007 EU budget, the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the state of the EU's agriculture policy.

Thursday morning MEPs debated a report from the European Court of Auditors on EU expenditure in 2007. Many Members expressed concern at the high rate of errors and lack of accountability from EU states - who manage 80% of the budget. Parliament's Budgetary Control Committee will now start an in-depth look at expenditure through the "discharge procedure".

Wednesday's sitting started with discussions on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in DR Congo. MEPs called for a halt to atrocities and a strengthening of the UN's peacekeeping force (MONUC). A debate on the hardships faced by Europe's car industry had many calling for investment in more efficient vehicles.

Monday MEPs discussed ways to narrow the gender pay gap that still exists in Europe, despite 30 years of legislation. MEPs also discussed the future of economic and monetary union as EMU hits 10. Ahead of the plenary in Strasbourg, young students from the EU and its Mediterranean neighbours discussed the conclusions of two days of debates with EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering.

Q & A on Parliamentary immunity

Article - MEPs: immunity and statute - 17-11-2008 - 10:23

The job of elected Members of any Parliament is to make laws that all of us are obliged to obey. When MPs or MEPs are found to have broken the law there is an inevitable and justifiable outcry from the public. The issue of to what extent MEPs have immunity is one people are of course interested in. Here we explain how and to what extent MEPs enjoy immunity.

The European Parliament has decided to set out bold new plans to cut the institution's substantial carbon footprint by 30% by 2020. The leaders of the main political groups in Parliament have committed it to a review of its output of greenhouse gasses in a bid to meet the future target.

MEPs gathered in Strabourg on 20 October. Our photographer was in and around the plenary chamber to capture images of the political week.

The other week 200 young journalists from all over Europe descended on the European Parliament for workshops and debates. It was part of the annual "Youth Media Days" from 15-17 October that aims to help young journalists discover their trade and meet other reporters from different countries.

Last week in Strasbourg saw MEPs debate the financial crisis and its effect on people across Europe. They were joined by president Sarkozy as France currently holds the EU's Presidency. The week also saw MEPs back more rights for workers on temporary contracts, support a directive on fairer airport charges and block moves to introduce body scanners in Europe's airports.

MEPs condemned the use of body scanners at airports Thursday. They believe they are "equivalent to a virtual strip search" and will block European Commission plans to approve them. The day also saw the House call for criminal action to be taken by Europe, America and Russia against sea pirates. MEPs also awarded the prestigious Sakharov prize to jailed Chinese dissident Hu Jia.

Wednesday in Strasbourg Belgian film "Le Silence de Lorna" scooped parliament's LUX film prize. There was also an address by UN special envoy for the Alliance of Civilisations Jorge Sampaio, who called for tolerance towards people of other religions and cultures. The EU's 2009 budget was debated and a new trade and political deal with Bosnia-Herzegovina discussed.

Tuesday in Strasbourg saw MEPs debate the conclusions of the last EU summit held on 15-16 October. The agenda included the financial crisis and Europe's recent troubled relations with Moscow. As holder of the rotating EU presidency Nicolas Sarkozy briefed MEPs on attempts to deal with the present financial crisis.

Back in Strasbourg Monday, MEPs debated measures to clarify the status and rights of temporary workers in the EU. It covers paid leave and rights for pregnant women. MEPs also discussed steps that will clarify which court has jurisdiction when people of different nationalities divorce.

In a question and answer session to test her suitability to be Europe's Trade Commissioner, Catherine Ashton stressed the importance of "free and just" trade. If appointed she said she would continue to work towards a conclusion of the Doha trade round.

In the first session since the summer recess the Russia-Georgia crisis dominated the opening day of the September sitting of the European Parliament. It coincided with an EU summit and in a resolution MEPs called for Russia to honour the peace accord and withdraw its forces from Ossetia and Abkhazia. The week also saw MEPs debate proposals on judicial cooperation - especially with regard to mutual recognition of judicial decisions in abstentia between EU countries.

Wednesday MEPs strongly backed a resolution calling on Russia to withdraw its troops from Georgia. They also debated new labels and warnings for hazardous substances to bring them into line with UN norms and the EU's sanctions policy. MEPs also called for a ban on cloning animals for food. The day also saw Costa Rica's president Óscar Rafael Arias Sánchez address the plenary.

The first post-summer break session, exceptionally held in Brussels, saw French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, hotfoot from the extraordinary EU Summit on Georgia, reporting to MEPs on national leaders' conclusions on how to deal with the crisis. The ensuing debate focused on future relations with Russia. The day in plenary also included a debate on justice and home affairs.

In the latest of our looks at the cities of Europe associated with EU treaties, projects and initiatives, we turn south to Athens. The Greek capital, widely acknowledged as the birthplace of democracy, was in 2003 the venue for one of the most momentous treaty signings of postwar Europe, enlarging the EU by ten Member States. Appropriately also for the capital of a famously seafaring nation, Athens gave its name to a Convention protecting sea passengers.

As the summer recess ends, MEPs prepare for busy months of legislative work, filled with meetings, debates and decisive votes. Three innovative legal packages, which will affect citizens' lives for years to come, are taking shape in the House: on telecoms, CO2 emissions and maritime safety. Immigration policy, food safety, on-line security for our children and much more are also on Members' agenda for the autumn.

European politics, feminism, the Yugoslav secret service and love: These are just some of the subjects current MEPs have written books about. Some have written for pleasure, some for principle and some for profit. There are also books that have sought to persuade - or to set the record straight after an event. There are also books about the European Parliament, how it works and the battles that have shaped it. Here we take a look at a few of the authors and the works they have written.

Bronislaw Geremek MEP: European humanist and leading Polish politician dies

Article - Institutions - 15-07-2008 - 16:27

Professor Bronislaw Geremek MEP, a major figure in the contemporary history of his native Poland and of Europe, died 13 July, aged 76. "This is a sad day for the European Parliament" - its President Hans-Gert Pöttering said on learning of the news. Mr Geremek was a leading figure in the anti-Communist Solidarity movement and later served as Poland's Foreign Minister. Elected to the European Parliament in 2004 he served on both the Foreign and Constitutional Affairs Committees.

Efforts of the international community to stabilise Afghanistan were debated by MEPs Tuesday. Law and order and the level of humanitarian assistance were just aspects that were touched upon. Members called for the distinction between military and civilian actions to be continued. The day also saw debates on the growing power of sovereign wealth funds and the impact they could have on the European economy. In a key vote MEPs backed the inclusion of aircraft in the EU's emissions trading scheme.

High oil prices and reform of Europe's energy market were just two items MEPs debated during their sitting in Strasbourg from 16-19 June. After the vote Members voted to support liberalisation of the energy market through the 3rd energy package as well as supporting measures to help vulnerable groups like fishermen. The future of the Lisbon treaty after the Irish No vote and directives on waste (to boost recycling) and water (to reduce toxins) were also debated by the House.

Europe's relations with Washington ahead were the subject of a debate in parliament on Wednesday of an EU-US summit next week. Security and the need for parliament and Congress to have closer links were stressed. The day also saw MEPs debate two reports on Europe's emerging security, defence and foreign policy with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, including the effect of climate change on international stability. Measures against illegal fishing and forced prostitution were also debated.

How do human rights fare in the world today and which countries are responsible for the most serious violations? The annual report on human rights in the world in 2007 was under the spotlight in plenary on Wednesday. MEPs discussed a report on election observation and raised concerns about the situation in Georgia. Opening the two-day session in Brussels President Hans-Gert Pöttering expressed on behalf of the EP his solidarity with the victims of the cyclone that hit Burma on Saturday.

Attention focused on spiralling food prices around the world in Tuesday's plenary sitting. MEPs grappled with the complexity of the problem and called for a global response. Parliament also signed off the accounts of all the EU's institutions and agencies for the financial year 2006, debated a proposal to make the satellite navigation system Galileo operational by 2013 and voted on measures to curb organ shortage and trafficking.

A half a century of political debate was celebrated on Wednesday when the European Parliament marked its 50th anniversary. It brought together EU leaders, MEPs, former Presidents of the Parliament and MPs from around Europe to mark the occasion. Visitors groups to Strasbourg and the European Youth Orchestra also took part as the latter brought classical music to the Chamber with a performance conducted by Pawel Kotla.

As 2006 draws to a close, we would like to take this opportunity to highlight some articles that we think are worth reading again. Take a look at some of this year's biggest projects and the emotions surrounding them and refresh your memory about how the Parliament works.