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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 EU has to strike the right balance between security and fundamental rights, MEPs and MPs said at a joint meeting to discuss the EU's new 5-year "Stockholm" programme to promote citizens' rights, democratic accountability and security in Europe. The European Parliament will discuss the Stockholm priorities during its plenary session next week in Strasbourg.

"Operation Atalanta" is the codename for the EU anti-piracy campaign off the Somali coast, seeking to protect to vessels crossing these treacherous waters. It is no small task considering the size of the area the operation has to patrol. Operation Commander Rear-Admiral Peter Hudson of Britain's Royal Navy was in parliament this week to tell MEPs about the state of play and the main challenges the operation faces.

In an exclusive interview, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says it "makes sense" for the EU and NATO to cooperate politically and militarily. On Afghanistan, he hopes for a transfer of responsibility for security to the Afghans to start next year and on relations with Moscow, he points to common threats and says that "NATO is not an enemy of Russia". Finally, he likens his present job to his former role as Danish prime minister in that it is all about "consensus building".

"Finance and climate change" was under discussion at a 10 November hearing in parliament's Industry, Research and Energy Committee. Greek Socialist Vice-Chair Anni Podimata said, "the real challenge is to create sustainable living conditions for the future".

After nearly 2 years of legislative work the Telecom Package is due to be put to a final vote in Parliament on 24 November in Strasbourg. Under a deal reached between MEPs and Council negotiators earlier this month public authorities will only be allowed to cut users' internet access after a “fair and impartial” procedure including the user's "right to be heard".

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.

Winning the trust of the people will be the number one challenge for Hamid Karzai's Afghan government, according to MEPs just back from Kabul. They were there as part of an international force to monitor the second round of elections, before the challenger Abdullah Abdullah, pulled out. Thijs Berman, the Dutch Socialist who headed the team said "the Afghan people have lost trust in their government".

Serbia's Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić said Belgrade will apply for EU membership before the end of the year, with the aim of joining within seven years. Speaking to us during his visit to the European Parliament on 5 November, the youthful Mr Jeremić (34) stressed his view that disagreements over Kosovo independence should be separated from negotiations over the EU. He also spoke of the cultural heritage and the strong relationship with Moscow that Serbia can bring to the Union.

The use of a combination of drugs is the norm amongst people who misuse substances according to the latest report by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). Their annual report found that users now rarely restrict their use to a single substance.

Environment head Jo Leinen calls for "solidarity" at Copenhagen climate summit

Article - Environment - 05-11-2009 - 15:35

"The Obama Administration is very ambitious but the Americans have come quite late" says the head of Parliament's Environment Committee Jo Leinen. The German Socialist MEP is just back from talks with the US Congress ahead of the UN's Copenhagen climate summit in December where he will lead Parliament's delegation. In this interview Leinen says that a lack of targets for CO2 cuts and who is going to finance climate adaption and mitigation are two stumbling blocks.

The remit of the Parliamentary Committee set up to examine the financial crisis was debated at its first meeting on Wednesday (4 November). Rapporteur Pervenche Berès vowed that she would ensure that it focuses on the "financial, economic and social crisis all together" rather than each individually. The 45-strong committee, led by German Liberal Wolf Klinz, is expected to hold hearings and investigations with the aim of drawing up a report soon.

Mozambique in southeast Africa is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa, lying as it does on the Indian Ocean. However, political instability and civil war have blighted life for its 22 million people since independence. On 28 October it held its fourth Presidential and Parliamentary elections since multi-party democracy took hold in the 1990's. A group of MEPs took part in the EU's Election Observation Mission and found the election to be fair despite some logistical problems.

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.

With just over a month to go to the start of the Copenhagen climate summit members of Parliament's environment and industry committees are in Washington to urge their US counterparts to act. The visit coincides with a crucial point for a climate bill in the US Senate, which could define US energy use for decades. The EU's stated policy is a 20% cut in CO2 emissions by 2020 but this could rise to closer to 30% if other key international partners like Washington and Beijing are on board.

One of the innovations of the new Lisbon Treaty is the creation of a new European External Action Service (EEAS), intended as a diplomatic corps that will oversee not only Europe's huge aid and humanitarian budget but also relations with countries around the world. At the head of this will be the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy who will also be a European Commission Vice-President. In Strasbourg last week (22 October) MEPs discussed the new EEAS.

"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.

The European Parliament's 2009 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded to Russian civil rights defence organization Memorial, and their three representatives Oleg Orlov, Sergei Kovalev and Lyudmila Alexeyeva, as well as all other human rights defenders in Russia. The winner was announced by EP President Jerzy Buzek in Strasbourg on 22 October. The prize ceremony will take place in Strasbourg on 16 December.

Wild birds know no borders, so the conservation of endangered species requires trans-frontier cooperation. The first European directive to protect wild birds was adopted in 1979 and is the oldest EU environmental law still in force. It restricts hunting and prohibits deliberate killing and destroying of nests and eggs. For its 30th birthday, lawyers are working to give it a new, clearer and more concise shape.

MEPs will vote on an emergency plan to help the crisis-stricken sector dairy sector on Thursday after the Agriculture Committee approved the Commission's proposal on Monday evening in Strasbourg. Dairy prices have collapsed due to low demand caused by the financial and economic crisis. Since 2007, milk prices have halved in some countries.

The European Parliament will debate the EU's budget priorities for next year this afternoon. The Budget Committee has already called for substantial new money for investment in renewable energy and help for the dairy sector in Europe. Another priority is help for small and medium sized businesses. Watch the debate live at 1600 CET.

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.

On 15 October, the President of the EP unveiled the names of the winners of the EP Prize for Journalism 2009. "Wily customers in Brussels honing their wits" is an article about lobbying in the EU by Hungarian journalist Bálint Szlankó and it took the honours in the internet category. He spoke to us about the role of lobbying, his research and the added value of the internet compared to other media and ways of improving the knowledge on the EU.

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.

The EU policy area broadly known as 'justice and citizenship' covers a series of important areas such as European police and customs cooperation and asylum and immigration policy. With new plans for European cooperation being debated in these areas over the coming weeks and months, we look at them and some other issues such as music copyright, a new right of citizens' initiative and maternity leave.

Microcredit loans to help small businesses and people who want to be self employed have been backed by Members of the Employment Committee. Although pioneered in the developing world, Members are convinced that microcredits can create jobs and boost enterprise in Europe. In particular they could help people who are unable to access conventional credit, especially at a time of economic crisis.

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.

The annual prize for excellence in journalism will be awarded by the European Parliament next Thursday, 15 October. There are four prizes up for grabs divided between the print media, radio, TV and the internet. They will be picked from over 65 national award winners, who were themselves selected from over 250 entries. The prize is awarded annually to recognise those journalists who have contributed to the understanding of European issues and debates.

If your airline goes bankrupt and leaves you stranded what are your legal rights? Members of the Parliament's Transport Committee want grounded passengers to have access to a special compensation fund. In the last decade almost 100 airlines across the European Union have gone bankrupt - leaving thousands of holiday makers and business flyers out of pocket and stuck at a foreign airport.

The economic crisis has pushed an extra 90 million people into extreme poverty in the developing world and made 23 million people unemployed. It will also lead to between 200,000 and 400,000 more infant deaths a year on average between 2009 and 2015. On Thursday Members of the European Parliament called for more money to alleviate the crisis.

The European Parliament is about to set up a special committee to examine ways to avoid a future economic crisis. Ahead of the vote approving the committee, its future chair, Wolf Klinz, a German member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, explained the committee's aims and how it plans to tackle the financial crisis.

Palestinian gynaecologist Izzeldin Abuelaish, Swedish-Eritrean journalist and political prisoner Dawit Isaak and Lyudmila Alexeyeva, Oleg Orlov and Sergei Kovalev on behalf of Memorial and all other human rights defenders in Russia are the three finalists for this year's Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought, the European Parliament's award for human rights and democracy campaigners. The winner will be chosen 22 October.

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.

You can now access books, journals, films, maps etc from across Europe via the EU's online library, Europeana. It's a great idea but it's not all plain sailing: web copyright rules are not the same in all EU countries, there are issues about paying for items that are still under copyright and should there be a minimum standard for content? The Culture Committee discussed the future challenges for Europeana Tuesday morning.

Last Thursday (1 October) saw an agreement that will lead to the introduction of more efficient tyres for cars and lorries that will cut fuel bills and CO2 emissions. The deal between Members of Parliament's Industry Committee and the Swedish EU presidency paves the way for the A-G labelling system from 2012. The increase in fuel efficiency could lead to a CO2 cut equivalent to 1.3 million cars off the road a year. We caught up with Belgian MEP Ivo Belet who led the negotiations.

Over 3 million people around the world have lost their jobs due to the financial crisis and, according to the UN, economic recovery is unlikely to reach those that have suffered most - poor women and children. The worsening poverty and violence suffered by women were highlighted in Parliament's Women’s Rights Committee on 30 September.

"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 human rights situation in Russia's North Caucasus was discussed at a parliamentary hearing on Wednesday (30 September). Members were joined by journalists and human rights activists from the region who painted a grim picture of human rights abuses and impunity for those who commit them. They called on the EU to use a planned Partnership Agreement with Russia to exert more pressure of the Kremlin.

Amid fears of a second wave of the potentially deadly virus, the European Commission on 29 September gave a fast track go-ahead to two new vaccines to fight the influenza H1N1 pandemic. This would ensure people get vaccines before the start of the flu season. But are the new vaccines safe? Members of Parliament's Environment Committee discussed the issue yesterday.

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.

There are currently over 7 million people in Europe suffering from Alzheimer’s and related disorders and this will double in 20 years. New plans to pool resources between countries to maximise investment, good practice and coordinate research were outlined Tuesday (29 September) to MEPs. We spoke to Philippe Lamberts, the Belgian Green Member who has been asked by Parliament to draw up a report on the issue.

By the time of his death in the Moscow winter 20 years ago, Andrei Sakharov had built an international reputation as a nuclear physicist, human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner His fears over the implications of his work led him to call for peaceful coexistence and later for human rights in the USSR. This led the European Parliament to found a human rights prize in his honour. In his 1968 essay on peace he wrote that "intellectual freedom is essential to human society".

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.

The ten nominations for this year's Sakharov Prize, the EP's prize for defenders of human rights and democracy, have now been put forward and will be officially presented at the end of the month at a joint meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Development Committee and the Human Rights Subcommittee. The winner will be chosen on 22 October and the prize will be ceremonially awarded mid-December.

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.

On the 17 September the EP will debate the diversification of energy supply to the EU. January's gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine exposed the EU´s dependence deep on Russian energy. Two new energy projects - Nabucco pipeline and Desertec - should help Europe diversify energy supply.

MEPs scrutinise planned changes to Balkans visa rules

Article - External relations - 16-09-2009 - 15:29

Entry into the borderless Schengen area, made up of 25 countries, is regulated by common EU visa rules. Currently, citizens of most Balkan countries need visas also for short visits. The Commission has put forward plans to scrap the requirement for some but not for all Balkan EU neighbours. Will this drive new divisions through the region, and what does it mean for the EU internally? MEPs will question Commission and Council on Wednesday afternoon. Watch it live.

Polluted Baltic Sea looking for a regeneration strategy

Article - Regional policy - 16-09-2009 - 09:02

Summertime always brings blue-green algae blooms feeding off the heavily polluted Baltic Sea. Yet swimming might become a better prospect in the coming years. The Commission and Council are going to introduce to Members their new Baltic Sea Strategy on Wednesday, 16 September at around 1040 aimed at cleaning up the sea. Follow it online via our website.

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.

Venice Film Festival: The EP today unveiled three films which will compete for this years LUX Prize, given annually by the EP to support European Cinema. These are "Eastern Plays" by the director Kamen Kalev and is a joint Bulgarian-Sweden production and "Sturm" by Hans-Christian Schmid which is produced by a German, Danish and Dutch team. The film choice is "Welcome" by Philippe Lioret and is a French production.

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.

Karen AbuZayd, the Head of the UN Agency that provides food, health and housing to millions of Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) was at the European Parliament Thursday (11 September). She was there to hold talks with Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee. In an exclusive interview she told us that 60 years of refugees status for the Palestinians is nothing to celebrate, of her concern over Israeli settlements and that "periods of hope...have all been dashed and things have got worse".

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.

The lights went out on the traditional 100 watt bulb on 1 September as new EU rules on energy efficiency kicked in. Supporters say the move will cut Europe's C02 emissions by 15 million tonnes and save householders €25-50 a year. However, there is disquiet in many countries about the decision and the way it was taken. In Germany consumers even stockpiled the older lights. We hear from two Members of Parliament with very different views.

In the last few months farmers across Europe have taken their tractors to the streets to protest at what is being termed the biggest milk crisis for decades. Falling prices are destroying livelihoods across the continent. Members of the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee have already backed plans to shore up the market and extend help to the cheese sector. We spoke to the Chair of that Committee, Italian Socialist Paolo De Castro, about the causes and consequences of the crisis.

"We are 53 diverse countries differently affected by the crisis, 1 billion people that cannot be ignored". That was the stark message to Members of Parliament's Development Committee from Donald Kaberuka, the head of Africa's Development Bank at a hearing on 3 September in Brussels. The economic crisis has hit the continent hard with falling commodity prices leading to reduced incomes.

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.

Summer motoring - keeping Europe's roads safer

Article - Transport - 11-08-2009 - 12:57

There are many reasons for taking the car on holiday - practicality, fear of flying or the feeling of independence it gives. Sadly however, the holiday season regularly brings a spate of deaths on the roads. Last year 39,000 people were killed in road accidents, which continue to be the most frequent cause of death for children, adolescents and young adults in Europe. The official EU aim is to half the number of road deaths between 2001 and 2010.

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.

European Health Insurance Card

Article - Public health - 04-08-2009 - 10:20

The holiday season has arrived. Your suitcases are packed, your neighbours are watering the plants and feeding the cat and your tickets are ready. But have you also thought about bringing your European Health Insurance Card? When travelling abroad, you may decide to bring your own European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), to get access and cover your possibly needed medical treatments. The card is available free of charge through your local health authority.

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.

Safe and secure flights in the EU

Article - Transport - 07-07-2009 - 11:57

You arrive at the airport ready for your flight - but upon arrival you find the flight has been overbooked leaving you waiting for another one. Even worse, there are no connecting flights and you could be stranded half way to your destination. With air travel so popular it is worth knowing what guarantees your ticket provides. The European Parliament has been active in protecting the rights of air passengers. As holiday season starts we assess the obligations of airlines.

For those of you who like your fruit and vegetables to look as crooked, knobbly and curvy as possible 1 July was a good day. It saw the phasing out of minimum EU standards for 26 types of fruit and veg. The rules, intended to ensure proper marketing standards and help storage and transport, became the subject of ridicule with the press running "straight cucumber" stories. From now on everything from leeks and onions can be sold just the way nature made them.

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.

Swimming in the sea? Find out how clean the water is!

Article - Environment - 30-06-2009 - 10:00

When booking a holiday or planning a daytrip many people check out restaurants, sight-seeing and beaches before they leave. What is less well known is that it is also possible to check the quality of bathing water. Under EU law, bathing water has been tested since 1976. Each year the European Commission reports on the quality of bathing water around Europe. This year 96 % of coastal bathing areas and 92 % of bathing sites in rivers and lakes complied with minimum standards in 2008.

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.

With 736 elected Members and almost 6,000 staff spread in 27 different countries, the European Parliament faces enormous challenges to meet its own self-stated aim of cutting its carbon footprint by 30% by 2020. To do this an Eco-Management and Audit scheme (EMAS) has been put in place to try and cut emissions. One step forward has been that since last year the Parliament has decided to use only electricity generated from renewable sources.

"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.

Polish art student Zofia Szostkiewicz is this month's guest photographer with her photos of people voting in Kolding in south-west Denmark during the European elections. Currently doing an Erasmus study year abroad, Zofia sent us her reportage taken on 7 June as Danes went to the polls in record numbers. She told us: "I signed for the euro-elections so I could vote here. It was a great experience for me and I would like to share with everyone."

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.

Asylum seekers risking their lives, the courage of a Bosnian girl and unrequited love are just three themes in the 10 films short-listed for the European Parliament's annual LUX cinema prize. The films are all European productions that deal with issues that Europe faces - in particular those that unite or divide us. A panel of 17 people from the film industry selected the films - which will be shown in the EP before being whittled down to three finalists at September's Venice Film Festival.

Concern about young people not voting and the need for parents to tell children the importance of voting lay behind this month's guest photograph. "The change of generations" by Romanian photographer Daniel Andrei from Constanta on the Black Sea was chosen from scores of entries on the theme "on the way to vote". It was taken in the Sibiu which was the European capital of Culture in 2007. Thanks to all of you who entered - a full gallery can be found on the flickr account below.

Any advertisement promoting technical specifications of fridges, washing machines or ovens should indicate the product's energy consumption, said the European Parliament as it amended the Energy Labelling Directive. A product's energy classification should only be valid for 3 to 5 years and the classification thresholds should be regularly updated, add MEPs. The legislative report was adopted by 566 votes in favour, with 28 votes against and 39 abstentions.

MEPs force big cuts in mobile prices

Article - Information society - 22-04-2009 - 14:18

MEPs have just voted to force large scale cuts in the price of text messages whilst abroad and other data roaming services. From July the price of a text message will fall to €0.11 when abroad. It came in a vote taken by the European Parliament that will bring down dramatically the cost of using your mobile phone when on vacation or a work trip. After a family holiday or business trip many people get a nasty surprise when they get their phone bill.

Unless you are lucky enough to be sitting in a park with a laptop, then if you are reading this you are probably in one of the 160 million buildings in the European Union. In total they account for 40% of Europe's energy use and the room for savings is extensive. MEPs on the Energy Committee recently backed proposals that should see all buildings constructed after 2018 having to produce their own energy. The plans relate to proposed changes to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

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.

MEPs could back speeding up the rate at which Europe's regional funds are made available. A new measure being discussed this week will call for them to be put on-stream this year and into projects faster to help boost Europe's ailing economy. Europe's cohesion policy is €347 billon over the next seven years and MEPs on the Regional Development Committee have already called for the parts will benefit the economy directly to me made available immediately.

Over 3 million people in Europe bet online on sports like football, cricket and horse racing. For most it’s a bit of fun but gambling addiction and match-fixing are darker sides of sports betting. On Monday MEPs will decide whether online sports betting should be regulated at a European or national level. A report by the Parliament’s Internal Market Committee calls for national governments to regulate it. However, some MEPs on the Committee disagree and want European rules.

Hillary Clinton at EP stresses need for climate action in Q&A exchanges

Article - External relations - 09-03-2009 - 10:37

Over 800 young Europeans crowded into the European Parliament Friday morning for a Question and Answer session with new US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Clearly enjoying herself and buoyed up by the warm reception, she said that the US would lead on climate change policies and push for a two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine dispute. She also said that given the scale of the environmental and economic crisis this was a moment when European and Washington had to "come together".

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.

"The police, private companies, criminals - want to have as wide as possible access to our personal information - be it for legal or illegal purposes. The monitoring of individuals could turn our societies stealthily into a Big Brother society," Greek Socialist Stavros Lambrinidis warned at a hearing on data protection on the internet.

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.

The internet and social networking sites like Facebook, blogs and Twitter are changing politics. Every election makes this clearer and June's European elections are likely to be no different. European "eParticipation day" is on 4 March and will look at ways to get people more involved in democracy through new technologies. We spoke with two MEPs who have been closely involved in the eParticipation project.

Car tolls and cleaning up the water are just two things that Stockholm city council has done in recent years to improve the quality of life. A few days ago it became the European "Green Capital" for 2010, a European Commission award to encourage green practices and identify where improvements can be made. We asked two Swedish MEPs about the capital city of their home country.

Proposals to boost shopper's confidence on the high street and the internet will be opened to public debate by MEPs Monday afternoon. Pricing, late delivery, returns and refunds are some areas that will be covered by proposed new EU-wide rules. The increase in online shopping through eBay and the importance of people shopping around for bargains in times of economic hardship are two key aspects behind the new directive.

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.

Leading MEPs have joined Nicole Kidman and the UN in the "Say NO to violence against women" campaign. Some 5 million people worldwide have already added their names to the campaign. Violence is estimated to affect 1 in 3 women at some point in their lives and in an internet campaign Ms Kidman called this "an appalling human rights violation" but one "that is not inevitable".

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.

VAT cuts for things like household repairs, care services, audio books and beauty treatments are likely to be backed by MEPs on Thursday. It comes in a debate on European Commission plans to increase the range of goods and services that can use reduced VAT rates. A report on the issue by Dutch Socialist MEP Ieke van den Burg has already backed the idea although Parliament's views are advisory and European finance Ministers will have the final word.

In a troubled world wracked with terrorism, environmental destruction and where failed states threaten havoc, the EU and NATO should develop a closer relationship, according to a report to be debated by MEPs Wednesday. It calls for both sides to avoid competition and develop greater cooperation in crisis-management operations. It also calls on the EU to develop its own security and defence capabilities. However, some MEPs are critical of more EU involvement in NATO.

Conditions in many centres housing asylum seekers and refugees are "intolerable" according to new findings by MEPs on the Civil Liberties Committee. After several years of research into centres around Europe they have identified poor hygiene, overcrowding and a lack of medical care as key concerns.

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.

The Czech Presidency of the EU dominated the headlines in early 2009. Unfortunately it was less about the rotating presidency and more about the unveiling of Czech artist David Černý's Entropa installation. Rarely has an EU presidency, through art, stirred such emotions and divided opinions.

Europe's controversial fishing policy was under scrutiny Tuesday at a public hearing in Parliament about its future shape. Caught between scientists who say stocks are collapsing and fishing communities dependent on fish for their livelihoods, the Common Fisheries Policy has always had a stormy ride but reforms should be in place by 2013, supporters hope.

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.

Mental health problems can affect our "daily life, family, school, work and leisure" and early diagnosis and treatment is the best way to avert personal catastrophe, according to Greek Socialist Evangelia Tzampazi, who is preparing a report on the subject. Mental illness affects millions of Europeans and is linked to 90% of all suicides. She talked to us about the issues involved.

Over 350 cities across Europe have made a green pledge to make a 20% cut in CO2 emissions by 2020. The "Covenant of Mayors" pledge was made Tuesday 10 February at the European Parliament. Each city will now draw up a sustainable energy action plan over the next 12 months. At the ceremony we asked a number of Mayors their views.

The Parliament's delegation for relations with countries in the Maghreb has recently returned from a visit to Morocco. Being just 14 kilometres away from Europe, Morocco has many similarities with its northern neighbours. During the visit from 25 to 29 January, MEPs also visited the disputed Western Sahara region.

Green issues continue to dominate the headlines, as MEPs from the Transport Committee vote Wednesday on possible new charges for lorries, based not only on CO2 emissions but other factors such as noise and air pollution and congestion. We asked some MEPs what they think about targeting trucks and where the newly generated taxes should be spent.

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 believe "the right to speak and to be educated in one's mother tongue is one of the most basic fundamental rights” and on Tuesday Hungarian Socialist Csaba Tabajdi and five other MEPs grilled the Commission on its plans to protect traditional national, ethnic and immigrant minorities in Europe. We asked him more.

Only 1% of Europe is untouched by humans and everything must be done to preserve what is still out there for the future. That's the message in a report by Hungarian Socialist MEP Gyula Hegyi backed by MEPs Tuesday.

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.

Tuesday morning MEPs will debate new legislation that will punish employers who employ illegal immigrants. Fines, paying back wages and even criminal sanctions are proposed in the directive. It is estimated that 4-8 million non-EU citizens work across the 27-member bloc. They often work as builders, farm labourers, cleaners and in the hotel trade.

The Russia-Ukraine gas dispute in January exposed the EU's energy dependence on Moscow. Some 17 countries were affected, leaving homes and hospitals without heating and leading to the closure of schools and factories. As MEPs prepare to discuss proposals to raise the share of renewable energy to 60%, we asked 3 MEPs about the effects of the gas dispute in their home countries and about energy policy.

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.

A group of MEPs acting as election observers have given a cautious welcome to a constitutional referendum in Bolivia that gives more power to indigenous peoples. The tightly fought referendum laid out a number of key reforms such as allowing President Evo Morales to stand for re-election, state control over natural gas and limits on the size of land people can own.

The abduction of children by a parent can be deeply distressing for children and adults alike. It can be particularly complicated when the parents live in different countries with differing legal systems. German Socialist Evelyne Gebhardt is the European Parliament's Mediator for International Parental Child Abduction. We spoke to her about what the role entails.

Cold homes and closed business due to gas shortages across much of Central and Eastern Europe in January thanks to the Russia-Ukraine gas dispute has prompted a re-think of supplies. The crisis has pushed energy security up the political agenda. A workshop on 19 January brought together academics and MEPs on the Foreign Affairs Committee to discuss Europe's options.

This year Lithuania's capital Vilnius and the Austrian city of Linz are the official "European Capitals of Culture". Like previous holders they will be hosting an array of artistic and cultural events. The aim being to advertise the cities and also bring inward investment through an influx of tourists.

The life story of President Obama and all that he embodies has boosted America's image in Europe. However, the old continent has not yet produced a similar figure and many are asking if it is indeed possible. We spoke to some young MEPs about opportunities for a similar "European dream".

After 3 weeks of fighting and over 1,300 dead, Gaza is once again open to journalists and visitors. In the midst of the fighting on 11 January, the UN helped a group of MEPs enter Gaza at the Rafah crossing to see for themselves what was happening. They share some of their experiences below. On 15 January the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.

At present it is difficult to buy military equipment in another European country due to red tape. This means that taxpayers are not getting value for money as everything from night vision goggles to police helicopters are being produced for disparate markets. We spoke to German Liberal Alexander Graf Lambsdorff who has drawn up the EP position on new rules that will make it easier to buy and sell equipment across the EU.

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.

If you are a journalist covering EU policies or have written about the institutions of the Union then the European Parliament's journalism prize may interest you. Divided into four categories - print media, radio, TV and the internet - each winner will receive €5,000.

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.

Rules to protect animals aren't being enforced properly according to two British MEPs who will raise the issue in a debate in Parliament on Thursday morning. The fate of horses being moved around Europe in lorries is of particular concern. The debate can be seen live online from 1000 am.

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.

As the euro celebrates its first decade in the midst of the economic crisis sweeping across Europe, a roundtable of journalists, financial experts, present and ex-MEPs debated the challenges the single currency has weathered and those still to come.

The gas dispute between Ukraine and Russia has taken much of Europe’s gas supply hostage. While the EU is waiting for supplies to resume, MEPs will debate the lessons from the crisis on Wednesday afternoon from 1630 CET. Russia supplies around 42% of the European Union's imports of gas with 90% of Russian gas passing through Ukraine.

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.

Later this year all European Union members and 3 other states will start issuing biometric passports which contain fingerprints and facial recognition features. These measures come in a bid to tackle terrorism, crime and illegal border migration. At 15:00 Tuesday MEPs will debate the new passports.

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.

Encouraging people to be as creative and innovative as possible in education, employment and cultural activities are three main aims of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation launched Wednesday. The aim is to innovate in areas such as the economy but also social and individual well-being.

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

"The life of a Palestinian has the same value as the life of an Israeli" said Parliament's President Hans-Gert Pöttering as he expressed his growing concern about the conflict in Gaza. He also urged all sides to halt the violence with immediate effect.

It's been a year of upheaval in the finance sector. There was an unprecedented slide in world economies and terms such as "credit crunch" and "global recession" became more and more commonplace in our daily lives. Read our articles where MEPs consider just how serious things are, what to do next and more importantly, how much safety the EU can offer?

We have had great stories over the past six months and here you can find just a few of the ones we liked best. Read again about our "youth media days" event, and our article on the views of Joseph Blatter, head of FIFA and his ever-provocative views on the state of football.

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.

As we come to the end of Europe's year of intercultural dialogue, which brought many leading religious and cultural figures to the European Parliament, we wanted to give you the chance to share again some of the insights they gave us to promote understanding between peoples and faiths.

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.

"Resolutions for 2009" was the topic we suggested for our first guest photographer project. We had an enthusiastic response with many thought-provoking and amusing photos. We eventually settled on "En route to hope" taken in Dakar, Senegal by Mimi Mollica. Thanks a lot to all those who took part!

Last year's winner of the Sakharov Prize Salih Mahmoud Osman from Sudan's conflict-torn region of Darfur was in Parliament yesterday to commemorate the work of those who champion human rights. He said what is happening in Darfur is worse than Rwanda and called on China, in particular, to review its policy there.

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.

Celebrating 20 years of the Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought, 16 previous laureates gathered in Strasbourg to share their views on global human rights, and the importance of the Sakharov Prize.

Sakharov human rights prize awarded to China's Hu Jia

Article - Human rights - 18-12-2008 - 10:27

The award of the 2008 Sakharov prize for human rights to jailed Chinese dissident Hu Jia took place at midday Wednesday. In his absence his wife gave an emotional and moving video message from under house arrest in Beijing to MEPs today. Zeng Jinyan spoke about her husband's poor health and his continued fight for human rights. A symbolic empty chair was in the middle of the Chamber for Hu Jia.

We all need to better understand the media we are touched by daily, especially the young, says Austrian Socialist Christa Prets. MEPs backed her report on "media literacy in a digital world" on Tuesday. In an exclusive interview Ms Prets explained to us what media literacy actually is, how we can improve it and how it can be used to teach the young.

"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.

MEPs and EU ministers are trying to reach an agreement on how many hours we should work and whether countries should continue to be allowed to opt out of these rules. The UK has a general opt-out meaning it doesn't have to apply a maximum 48-hour working week if a worker agrees. Other countries have an opt-out for some sectors. We asked some European workers what they think about the issue.

"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.

The recent high-profile hijacking of the Sirius Star oil tanker by Somali pirates finally provoked a reaction and last week the first EU naval operation was launched to try and protect shipping around the Gulf of Aden. However, MEPs familiar with Africa and security issues say it's not enough. They are divided over the causes of piracy and Europe's role in Somalia in the recent past.

Tanks, guns, socks: the buying of military equipment like this from abroad is complicated due to export rules all being different. This means that Europe finds itself with 27 states and 27 different type of equipment. New rules being considered by MEPs on Monday will make it easier to buy from another country. Its supporters say it will ensure economies of scale and help cooperation between Europe's armed forces. Ahead of the vote, we spoke to Green MEP Heide Rühle who drafted the proposals.

A series of ice statues symbolizing the dangers of global warming welcomed delegates to the climate change conference taking place in Poznań this week. The aim of the meeting is to get a post-Kyoto deal on fighting global warming. The deadline for reaching agreement on a successor to the Kyoto Protocol expires in December 2009.

The world is facing "an acute food crisis". That was the verdict of a report adopted by MEPs in the Agriculture Committee on 8 December. We spoke about the issues involved to Irish MEP Mairead McGuinness who wrote the report and Portugal's Luis Manuel Capoulas Santos who drafted prior reports on Europe's agriculture policy.

Since October, readers of the European Parliament's web pages have had access to RSS, which allows them to keep up-to-date with what is going on via a free subscription. At the moment, readers have access to parliament news and podcasts, but RSS will be extended to other parts of the site later. Find out more:

Bridging the cultural divide

Focus - Culture - 11-12-2008 - 11:00

In a global melting pot, how we relate to one another's culture is an issue of the greatest importance. It involves a level of understanding of different cultures, languages and faiths. This year is the European Year of intercultural dialogue and the European Parliament and its President are determined to draw attention to the need for a bridge between different cultures. African week (8-12 September) in the Parliament which brought politics and culture from Africa to Brussels.

"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.

China is now the third biggest exporter in the world and it has massive business potential for the European Union, but China has a less than exemplary human rights record. So, should the EU compromise its principles in the interest of trade with China?

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.

The Dalai Lama spoke to MEPs Thursday about the importance of happiness and universal human values. The Buddhist spiritual leader also touched on the plight of Tibet.

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.

Eighteen months after it began work, Parliament's Temporary Committee on Climate Change called for an 80% cut in greenhouse gases by 2050, binding interim targets to improve energy efficiency 20% by 2020 and incentives to encourage everyone to do their bit.

November 26 2008 will be a date that resonates with the international community for many years to come. The world watched in horror as gunmen in Mumbai, India killed nearly 200 people, injuring countless more. Of the numerous nationalities affected by the atrocity, a delegation committee of MEPs were visiting in the city.

Fake Euro coins are becoming more and more common in Europe with an estimated 10 million in circulation, many in the form of tokens and medals. MEP Eoin Ryan of the UEN group has compiled a report calling for stricter legislation over the use of illegal currency.

You may see lots of people wearing red ribbons today. The reason: December 1, 2008, marks the 20th World AIDS day. In 2007, 33 million people were affected by HIV, with Africa hardest hit. Some 269,000 new EU cases were diagnosed between 1999-2006 and parliament wants a strategy on early diagnosis, testing and care, ensuring that access to testing remains free and anonymous.

Former astronaut turned MEP Umberto Guidoni of the leftist GUE/NGL group believes that the European Union should have a major role in space exploration. We spoke to him just as MEPs adopted a resolution urging a new specific budget line for the European Space Policy and more investments in space-related science and technology.

"e-Parliament" discusses connection with voters

Article - Youth - 27-11-2008 - 11:32

The role that the internet can play in parliamentary democracy was explored this week when 400 people gathered in Brussels for the annual "e-Parliament conference". Ways in which new web developments can be used to get people more involved in politics were discussed by 400 delegates from around the world.

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.

Agreement has finally been reached on the outline of the European Union's budget for 2009 that includes part of €1 billion in farm aid earmarked for the developing world. It came after 9 hours of negotiations between MEPs on the Budgets Committee and European governments last Friday, 21 November.

European citizens are getting older and greyer. By 2050 it is estimated that the average age in the European Union will be 49, up from 39 now. Coupled with a low birth rate, future generations will see more of their earnings going to support a geriatric Europe - funding pensions, healthcare and Cliff Richard albums.

A belief in democracy and universal human rights can be a two-edged sword. Defenders often face discrimination, intimidation and even physical attack. Several laureates symbolise the appeal against oppression, religious fundamentalism or work in labour camps.

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.

The recent US elections have shown the power and influence that new technologies can exert in mobilising people to vote. The role that the internet, websites and web-TV can play in parliamentary politics will be debated by over 350 MEPs, MPs and IT experts in a two day conference at the European Parliament in Brussels 25-26 November. You can watch the debates live online here.

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.

Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Commonwealth, visited the European Parliament on Wednesday as part of events celebrating the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. After addressing MEPs, he talked to us in an exclusive interview about hope and humour and said "the issue is how do we talk to the moderates so that we can isolate the extremists?"

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.

A recent report found that children in Europe are not getting enough fruit and vegetables, so the European Commission is proposing to set aside money to ensure they get weekly fruit. However, MEPs on the Agriculture Committee don't think that is enough and want more money made available so children get a daily allowance of fruit. MEPs will debate the issue on Tuesday at 1100 CET.

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.

Next week MEPs vote on a new "blue card" scheme for skilled migrants. It is intended to tackle the shortfall in highly qualified people in areas like IT and engineering. We asked some potential future blue card holders what they think.

The financial crisis has become a major threat to the economies, jobs and lives of millions worldwide. This weekend in Washington arguably the 20 most important countries in the world will meet to try and come up with a response. We asked leading MEPs on the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee what the world should do.

'European workers should be limited to a 48 hour week', this was the view of the majority of MEPs at the Employment and Social Affairs Committee held Wednesday 5 November. However will this limit a ruthless employer's power to exploit workers, or simply limit an individual's ability to work extra hours in the economic slowdown?

"Hopelessness, frustration and anger" are how a senior UN official described the feelings of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Karen Koning AbuZayd spoke to us on 11 November after she had met MEPs on the Foreign Affairs and Development Committees. She described the desperate plight of the Palestinians and how Europe is seen as an unbiased broker in peace negotiations.

Monday 10 November saw a large report land on the desk of MEPs in the Budgetary Control Committee. It's the Court of Auditors' report on how the 2007 EU budget was spent and covers public money for things like farming, energy projects and road building. MEPs will vote in June on whether to approve it. We spoke to French MEP Jean-Pierre Audy (EPP-ED) who will draft a report on the Auditors' findings.

To mark 20 years of European youth programmes, 250 young people came to meet MEPs and set out their vision of Europe on 5 November. As part of European Youth Week across the EU, the EP event had workshops on education, employment, volunteering, social inclusion and the rights of young people. So what do young people think about the EU and will they be voting in next year's European elections?

1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month the armistice that ended the fighting in the First World War came into effect. A ceremony this morning in Verdun - scene of some of the worst slaughter - will be attended by Parliament's President Hans-Gert Pöttering.

The press and media are said make up the fourth estate, after government, parliament and the courts. Their freedom is vital to in any society which truly values freedom of thought. To defend the freedom of the press is to defend the highest values. No surprise then that past Sakharov winners include several who have stood up for journalists and their work in the most challenging circumstances.

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 were in Moscow recently to hold talks with Russian MPs and government official on steps to tackle climate change. By December next year the world must have plans for a post-Kyoto agreement that will limit CO2 emissions and it is vital that Russia, as a key producer of fossil fuels, is involved.

Arab and European politics and culture came together under the European Parliament's roof in Brussels this week, as relations between the two were discussed in a series of seminars on education, human rights and the price and future of oil.

Every year 7,000-8,000 people in the EU die because of drug use and a drugs overdose remains one of the main causes of death among young people. These are some of the findings of a report by the Europe's drug monitoring agency, released to Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee Wednesday.

The ability of the EU's common agriculture policy (CAP) to cope with the challenges of affordable food and climate change was discussed in Brussels 3-4 November. MEPs were joined by national MPs and farming organisations to discuss the future of Europe's farms.

"Historic" is on everyone's lips when describing the US election. As President-elect Barack Obama starts to build his Administration we asked leading MEPs Wednesday for their views on the US election and what challenges lie ahead in EU-US relations.

There are an estimated 4-8 million immigrants working illegally in the European Union. They often do jobs many Europeans are unwilling to do and supplement an ageing workforce. MEPs on the Civil Liberties Committee voted Tuesday afternoon to back a proposed directive that aims to stop the illegal exploitation of workers using fines and criminal measures on employers.

When you fight against oppression or harassment, you might find joining forces helpful. Several human rights activists realised that founding a group made them stronger. Your voice is louder and there is support in the fight. In the second of our Sakharov slideshows we look at groups who have fought for human rights.

Europe's relationship with the Arab world will be the focus of attention during "Arab week" at the European Parliament from 3-7 November. A series of debates, exhibitions and even musical performances will take place in Brussels to draw attention to the politics and culture of the Arab world.

Bad health through a bad diet is a growing problem across Europe. One such case is obesity which experts believe is responsible for over 10% of deaths across the continent. MEPs recently discussed the merit of the "Mediterranean diet" - fish, fruit vegetables - and whether it could lead to a healthier life.

The universal nature of human rights and the importance of religious freedom. These were two crucial themes stressed by the UN's top human rights envoy when she spoke to MEPs recently. South African Navanethem Pillay was in parliament for a conference to celebrate 60 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The European Parliament awards the Sakharov Prize every year to people who have dedicated their lives to defending human rights and mutual understanding. This year the Sakharov Prize celebrates its 20th anniversary. To mark this occasion, we have grouped the winners by the causes they have espoused and defended. This week - those who strove for reconciliation.

To avoid a global climate catastrophe, Europe must build an alliance with developing countries. This is the stark conclusion of a plan backed by MEPs on 21 October. It aims to take climate change into account in EU polices such as trade, agriculture and aid. We spoke to Anders Wijkman MEP who drafted parliament's response to the European Commission's original plan.

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.

Sakharov Prize 2008 awarded to Hu Jia

Article - Human rights - 23-10-2008 - 12:45

The European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded this year to Chinese political activist Hu Jia, EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering announced in Strasbourg today. The prize ceremony will take place in Strasbourg on 17 December.

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.

Airport charges are one of the hidden costs of flying and usually they are passed on from airlines to passengers. Wednesday evening sees MEPs debate whether to support a proposed directive which aims to set common rules for how charges are calculated. It could affect Europe's biggest airports and help introduce more competition between them.

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.

On Monday MEPs will debate a recovery plan for cod stocks in the North Sea and West Scotland. With over 70% of the world’s fish species already fully exploited or depleted, fisheries faces a crisis. Ahead of the debate we spoke to French Liberal Philippe Morillon who chairs parliament's Fisheries Committee.

Immigration is one of the most politically emotive issues that Europe faces. As the population ages the debate over the extent we allow people into the continent will increase, not diminish with time. Pete Pakarinen's emotive article "a thousand bucks for a hazardous sea voyage" has explored the issue. On Friday he won parliament's journalism prize for his work on the internet. We spoke to him.

Divorcing someone of another nationality can be legal and emotional nightmare. Monday evening sees MEPs debate a new Europe-wide guidelines that would clarify which country's Courts have jurisdiction in such cases. This could help clarify who would get custody of children and property. In Europe there are over 170,000 such divorces a year.

Human rights need more than declarations, they also require people like community activists, journalists, lawyers and trade unionists to defend them. On 8-9 October human rights activists were centre stage as parliament hosted an international conference: "Defenders take the floor" to hear about these experiences.

With the increasing availability of the internet, children are being exposed more and more to illicit images and content. A reported 74% of young people between 12-15 years use the internet at least 3 hours a day. Monday sees MEPs discuss new measures to increase the security of children who use the internet.

EuroparlTV launched

Article - Information - 19-09-2008 - 09:02

You've seen the banners, now watch the European Parliament's new state-of-the art web-TV - EuroparlTV. It's the world's most ambitious multilingual online TV service with programmes in over 20 EU languages on the people, the debates, the big issues, the latest news, life behind the scenes and with special programmes for young people.

African week has brought many prominent people to the European Parliament this week. One of them is Wole Soyinka, a Nigerian writer, poet, playwright and the first African winner of the Nobel prize for literature in 1986. On Thursday, in talks with MEPs, he spoke passionately about the need for human rights violators to face justice. Whilst at the EP we caught up with him and asked him his views on cooperation between cultures.

Drivers caught speeding abroad must no longer be able to avoid prosecution, say MEPs on Parliament's Transport Committee, who overwhelmingly voted to back a report that will make cross border law enforcement easier. Last year over 40,000 people lost their lives on Europe's roads and MEPs want coordinated European action on the causes of 75% of those fatalities: speeding, drink driving, not wearing a seatbelt and failing to stop at red lights.

A plan to boost food production in developing countries and provide urgent food aid will be discussed by the Development Committee Wednesday. The aim is to use surplus money from the EU’s agriculture budget to help the poor. Joining the debate are key figures from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Food Programme. Parliament's rapporteur is Irish MEP Gay Mitchell of the centre right EPP-ED bloc. Ahead of the debate we asked him to talk us through the issues.

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.

Africa week at the European Parliament (8-12 September) will bring the politics and culture of Africa to Brussels. A series of seminars, parliamentary debates, workshops and exhibitions will bring issues that matter to Africans to the forefront of debate. MPs from Africa and around the world will join MEPs to discuss issues such as immigration, the brain drain and the food crisis. The event is being held as part of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.

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.

Clearer information on taxes and surcharges and more information on greener travel options are just two of the proposed benefits of an overhaul of the rules that govern computerised reservation systems across Europe. These systems are widely used by travel agents and for online booking. Operated jointly by airlines, travel agents and car hire firms the current code of conduct is not felt to be strong enough. MEPs will debate a new regulation late Wednesday.

On Monday, the heads of state and government, meeting for a special summit on the Georgia conflict condemned Russia’s intervention and recognition of the break-away regions in Georgia. They agreed to send a fact finding mission, to nominate a special representative and to suspend negotiations of a partnership agreement with Russia until Russian troops deployed after 7 August are completely withdrawn.

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.

Women cleaning the kitchen, men polishing their cars - two images we often see on our TV screens. But are these realistic and do they just play up (or down) to stereotypes about the role of men and women - and in doing so undermine efforts to achieve equality between the sexes? Swedish MEP Eva-Britt Svensson from the left (GUE/NGL) group certainly believes this to be the case. We caught up with her ahead of Parliament's debate on Tuesday evening on her own initiative report.

The extent to which decisions made by judges in one European country should be recognised by authorities in another is one issue that MEPs will debate Monday in Brussels. Also on the agenda is a series of justice and citizenship initiatives such as increasing burden sharing between European countries when it comes to dealing with asylum applications. Also, MEPs will back Madeline McCann-inspired emergency cooperation measures for missing children between EU states.

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.

The flame is out, the athletes are home, the stadiums have fallen silent...the Olympic Games are over for another four years. In the run up to the Olympics, Parliament gave considerable attention to the political and human rights aspects of the Games in China, and will return to the subject in future debates, but meanwhile the world has also been gripped by the sporting competition and some magnificent individual achievements. We asked some MEPs about the sporting aspects of the Beijing Games.

Dolly the sheep was the first and most famous animal clone, created back in 1996. Since then, cows, pigs, goats, horses, mice, cats and dogs have also been cloned. So should these animals be used for commercial purposes? Not according to Parliament's Agriculture Committee. In June, they called for an EU ban on the cloning of animals for food. Next week MEPs will question the Commission about the issue during the first September plenary.

"Georgia is counting on us...Europe must not flinch" - Marie Anne Isler Béguin

Article - External relations - 27-08-2008 - 09:20

President of the EP delegation with the South Caucasus countries, Marie Anne Isler Béguin was in Georgia just a few days after the beginning of the conflict in South Ossetia. Appointed by EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering to represent the Parliament, she participated in the ceasefire negotiations after the first phase of hostilities, and travelled in some of the areas directly affected.

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.

Once the breadbasket of Africa, Zimbabwe now faces starvation and rampant inflation. Its people are living in fear and Robert Mugabe's regime is persecuting all opposition. Against this backdrop a recent one-candidate Presidential election has been condemned internationally. The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leads the opposition. Its representative in Europe, Hebson Makuvise, met MEPs on the Development Committee on 15 July. Whilst in parliament, we put a few questions to him.

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.

What will be the future shape of the European Emission Trading System (ETS), a cornerstone of the EU’s efforts to curb greenhouse gases? The EU Commission proposed in January to extend ETS to other sectors and greenhouse gases. Parliament rapporteur Avril Doyle agrees, but her draft report for the Environment Committee calls for adjustments to channel ETS auction revenues towards climate protection measures and to give industry more clarity of how exactly the system will work after 2012.

Turmoil in the financial markets and the rising costs of fuel and food are dominating the international headlines and creating fear in the international economy. Against this background is the strength of the euro on the international exchanges. We spoke to some MEPs from countries both with and without the euro - and asked them if the strength of the currency was helping or hurting their economies. We also asked them whether other countries - who have opted out of the euro - should now join.