Article
Things we learned in the plenary
Institutions - 25-02-2010 - 18:03
Photo gallery
Journalist prepare their equipment prior to the session opening on Wednesday
Other photos
- President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy was there to brief MEPs on the last economic Summit.
- MEPs observed a moments silence for both victims of the Belgian train crash and the mudslides in Madeira, Portugal.
- 3 leaders: (From left) Guy Verhofstadt (Liberals) Martin Schulz (Socialist) Joseph Daul (centre right EPP).
- Herman Van Rompuy listens to the debates, Wednesday 23 February
- Belarus opposition leader Alexander Milinkevich takes a bow during the session from the visitors gallery.
- An interpreter looks on over the Chamber in Brussels.
- Two MEPs in discussion prior to the session.
- The European Parliament in Brussels was a hive of activity during the week.
- The Chamber was full during the vote on reform of the EU's fisheries policy.
During the 2-days plenary in Brussels the MEPs welcomed the new President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy for the very first time, asked for solidarity to overcome eurozone’s financial hardships and demanded a balanced and sustainable policy to save Europe’s fish and fishermen. Click on the picture and check out the photo slideshow.
Herman Van Rompuy´s first time: The President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, addressed the House for the first time in this office.
Eurozone´s budget problems: Mr Van Rompuy briefed the MEPs on the results of the last informal European Council, dedicated to Greece’s public debt problems and the new EU strategy 2020 for jobs and growth. In the following debate MEPs asked for solidarity and new, ambitious strategies.
Big fish: With fish stocks and fishermen’s income shrinking dramatically Parliament says social, environmental and economic dimensions of fisheries policy have to be balanced and regulated flexibly.
Human rights: Parliament's delegation to the UN Human Rights Council (Geneva, 1-26 March 2010) will voice concerns over different kinds of discrimination, human rights violations against the civilian population in wars and situation in Haiti, Iran, Afghanistan and Gaza.
Ukraine: MEPs welcomed the fact that the recent presidential elections were mostly free and fair but said the country has to be stabilized by reforming the constitution and establishing a social market economy.
Guests from Belarus: Mr Buzek welcomed Andzelika Borys, leader of the Union of Poles in Belarus and Aleksander Milinkevich leader of Belarusian democratic opposition and a Sakharov prize-winner. A debate on the situation in Belarus was added to the agenda.
REF.: 20100224STO69514