Kosovo holds local elections Nov 16, 2009
A team from the European Parliament, headed by MP Doris Pack is also monitoring the elections. International representatives and Kosovo leaders have called on Serb community to take part in the elections, and take the future in their hands. (Xinhuanet, China)
Western Sahara: Human Rights Awardee Detained, Deported by Morocco Nov 15, 2009
She was awarded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award last year, The International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders website lists as among her other recognitions: the 2007 Silver Rose Award (Austria), the 2006 Juan Maria Bandres Human Rights Award (Spain), and nominations for the European Parliament Sakharov Prize in 2005, for the Amnesty International USA's Ginetta Sagan Fund Award, and for the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize. Morocco 's invasion of Western Sahara forced... (allAfrica.com)
Kosovo holds first vote Nov 15, 2009
The polls were set to be monitored by local and international observers, including a European Union mission and a European Parliament delegation. More then 60 countries, including the United States and the most of the European Union have recognised Kosovo's independence, but Serbia, backed by Russia, considers the territory still as its southern province. (iAfrica.com)
BNP paves way for non-whites Nov 15, 2009
Page last updated at 16:08 GMT, Saturday, 14 November 2009. BNP paves way to admit non-whites. (BBC News -- UK)
Belarus opposition calls for closer ties with EU Nov 15, 2009
Many European representatives were present at the forum, including Polish member of the European parliament Jacek Protasiewicz, who said "Belarus needs Europe, but the EU needs Belarus as well". Recommend. (Yahoo! Asia News)
* PM to address immigration fears Nov 13, 2009
Those concerns have seen a rise in support for the anti-immigration British National Party, which has scored gains in local council polls and won two seats in Junes European Parliament elections. Brown was to say that immigration is neither an issue for fringe parties nor a taboo subject. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
BNP in alliance with nationalists Nov 13, 2009
The movement will not be recognised as a political bloc in the European Parliament, but it might receive EU funding as a pan-European grouping ... Among the conditions set by the European Parliament for funding pan-European political parties is a clause saying they "must observe the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law". (BBC News -- Europe)
Charlemagne: Single market bargaining Nov 13, 2009
Defenders of the single market point to how national governments and the European Parliament watered down a directive that aimed to free trade in services (the bulk of any modern economy), long before the bubble burst in 2008. The crisis has deepened the gloom, though. (The Economist)
MEP jailed over expenses fiddle Nov 12, 2009
Tom Wise represented East Anglia in the European Parliament. A former British MEP who admitted fiddling 39,000 worth of expenses has been jailed for two years. (BBC News -- Europe)
Havel calls for deeper EU integration Nov 12, 2009
Speaking to European Parliament lawmakers Wednesday, Havel said Europe must learn the lessons of its war-torn past and connect better with its citizens. He said the "process of integration must continue.". (MSNBC -- International)
MP jailed for fiddling expenses Nov 12, 2009
A former far-right British member of the European Parliament who cheated on his expense money to buy fine wine and a car has been jailed for two years. "This fraud was so blatant, I do not believe for one moment you were disadvantaged in understanding the system or that this fraud should be seen as falling into some grey area which you might not have fully comprehended," Judge Geoffrey Rivlin said in sentencing Tom Wise, 61, a former representative for the fringe UK Independence Party. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
EU to appoint president, foreign policy chief Nov 12, 2009
Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country holds the rotating European Union (EU) presidency, speaks during a news conference at the European Parliament building in Brussels, capital of Belgium, on Nov. 11, 2009 ... Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt (R), whose country holds the rotating European Union (EU) presidency, attends a news conference at the European Parliament building in Brussels, capital of Belgium, on Nov. 11, 2009. (Xinhuanet, China)
Britain's Miliband fuels speculation over EU job Nov 10, 2009
The head of the Socialist bloc in the European parliament said on Monday that Miliband had turned down the new post. "Mr Miliband told me recently that he would not be a candidate, and I heard that he confirmed that over the weekend," said Martin Schulz, leader of the Socialist group, told AFP.. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Ayn Shrugged Nov 10, 2009
I have a small picture of the lady on my desk in the European Parliament, next to a signed photograph of Margaret Thatcher, a bust of Thomas Jefferson, and a silver medal from the Ludwig von Mises Institute ... Daniel Hannan is a British Conservative Member of the European Parliament. (The American Conservative)
The Record: Europe on the Conservative party's plans for future EU relations Nov 10, 2009
Charles Tannock is the British Conservative spokesman on Foreign Affairs in the European Parliament ... The Record: Europe examines the key moments in the political week in Brussels and Strasbourg and focuses on the work of the European Parliament and European Commission. (BBC News -- Europe)
Italy and the CIA: Conviction time Nov 9, 2009
But a European Parliament report the same year concluded that more than 1,000 flights had been run by the CIA through European Union airspace. What is certain is that only one extraordinary rendition has led to a trial. (The Economist)
LETTER: What will U.S. do about depleted uranium? Nov 8, 2009
The European Parliament has had four resolutions calling for a moratorium on these weapons. What is the U.S. going to do. (Medford Transcript, MA)
Europe Gives Up on 'Right to Internet' Nov 8, 2009
A sweeping telecom reform package finally cleared the European Parliament, but members abandoned a bid to declare Internet access a fundamental right ... Early Thursday morning the European Parliament and EU member states finally reached a deal over a long-delayed telecoms package when MEPs softened their opposition to French-style 'three-strikes' laws aimed at illegal internet downloaders, ending for now the Brussels debate on a fundamental 'right' to internet access ... Pressure from member... (BusinessWeek)
* INTERVIEW: European friend of Taiwan downplays China threat Nov 7, 2009
A robust economy and mature democracy are Taiwans top two assurances against being sold out in the shadow of Chinas growing financial prowess, but the country should also strive to forge closer economic ties with other regions, Charles Tannock, chairman of the European Parliament Taiwan Friendship group, said in an interview with the Taipei Times last week. The London-based Tannock was with a delegation of nine members in his first trip to Taiwan. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
We spend more on products with detailed nutritional information Nov 7, 2009
The European Parliament is currently debating a new directive to determine what ingredient labels must include as, at the present time, the obligation only exists to include basic nutritional information on energy value, proteins, carbohydrates and the fat in foods. "There is a lot of discussion about European nutritional policy and the new regulations are being delayed. According to our studies, we allow ourselves to be guided by nutritional information. That is why we must consider the need to... (EurekAlert!)
Berlusconi denies sex scandal Nov 7, 2009
Lario also accused Berlusconi of choosing starlets and showgirls as European parliament candidates and of consorting with young women. About those female parliamentary candidates, Berlusconi says in the book he chose "only women with a career profile that was of morally, intellectually, and culturally high standards.". (CNN -- World)
US Homeland chief defends $10 travel fee Nov 7, 2009
are even harder than they were under the previous (US) government and that for us is a contradiction that we in the European Parliament cannot accept, Austrian lawmaker Ernst Strasser told Napolitano during a special hearing with her. We really have to insist on our European values, that European data protection laws and European civil liberties also have to be taken account of. (Boston Globe)
Bagehot: Plan B Nov 6, 2009
But it is hard to see how they could actually win unanimous agreement to any major concessions, especially given the ill will the party has already earned in some countries by pulling out of the main centre-right grouping in the European Parliament. Senior Tories seem to hope that, by seeming sweetly reasonable, they will charm the 26 other EU governments into giving them the limited victory they are seeking. (The Economist)
Charlemagne: Blair's unbalancing act Nov 6, 2009
At the October summit, socialists from Spain, Portugal, Austria and the European Parliament said their block should get the other big job created by Lisbon, that of high representative for foreign policy ... It means, rather, that the bit of the EU machine that directly represents national governments will have a weaker voice, to the advantage of the more federalist institutions: the European Commission and the European Parliament. (The Economist)
The geek in charge at the Department of Energy Nov 6, 2009
" Michael Casey reports: That campaign comes despite an International Energy Agency report released this week showing that OPEC revenues would still increase $23 trillion between 2008 and 2030 -- a fourfold increase compared to the period from 1985 to 2007 -- if countries agree to significantly slash emissions and thereby cut their use of oil.... The head of the Saudi delegation Mohammad S. Al Sabban dismissed the IEA figures as "biased" and said OPEC's own calculations showed that Saudi Arabia... (Salon)
French minister bids to calm row Nov 6, 2009
But Liberal Group MEP Liz Lynne, vice-president of the European Parliament's disability group, said she was "deeply concerned" about the use of the word in a derogatory manner and said Mr Lellouche should apologise ... Edward McMillan-Scott, ex Tory MEP and European Parliament vice-president ... Daniel Hannan MEP said he had stepped down as Conservative legal affairs spokesman in the European Parliament, to concentrate on campaigning for a referendum on Europe. (BBC News -- Europe)
Ex-MEP admits to expenses racket Nov 6, 2009
Tom Wise represented East Anglia in the European Parliament. A former British MEP has admitted fiddling 36,000 worth of expenses after switching his plea at his trial. (BBC News -- Europe)
EU offers hope to file-sharers Nov 6, 2009
The European Parliament and Council is due to make a decision on its Telecoms Reform Package in late November ... Some members of the European Parliament felt nobody should lose their connection until after they had been prosecuted in a court for illegally downloading content. (BBC News -- Technology)
A Treaty Ratified, the E.U. Turns to Picking Its Leader Nov 5, 2009
It will also create a European Council president and a new foreign policy chief and strengthen the powers of the European Parliament. The treaty's supporters have long argued that the measures are essential to ensure the organization designed over half a century ago for six member countries can meet the demands of more than two dozen nations and a half billion people today. (Time.com)
Strasbourg Gives Bad Marks to Crucifixes in Italian Schools Nov 5, 2009
Over the past decade, the quaint city of 273,000 near the German border home to the European Parliament and other key international bodies has been the site of a series of repeated slap-downs to those fighting to hold onto the Old Continent's fading religious impulses ... Last month, he used a Vatican meeting with the new European Union envoy to the Holy See to recall the Church's lingering bitterness over the failure of the European Parliament to include a reference to the "Christian roots" of... (Time.com)
Czech president signs EU reform treaty Nov 5, 2009
Those policies would then increasingly be shaped by the elected parliaments of each nation and the European Parliament, which currently has little say. EU leaders say such new voting rules are needed to promote stronger policies in combating cross-border crime, terrorism and ecological threats. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
UK Conservative Resigns From Euro Parliament Post Nov 5, 2009
Mr Hannan, a leading Eurosceptic, became the Tory spokesman on legal affairs in the European Parliament in September. But last night on his Telegraph blog, Mr Hannan, the Conservative MEP for South East England, said he would be returning to the back benches in order to campaign for direct democracy that will see power in the hands of individual citizens. (Newsmax)
Tory EU stance will 'castrate' UK Nov 5, 2009
Following the announcement, Eurosceptic MEP Daniel Hannan said he had quit his post as Conservative legal affairs spokesman in the European Parliament, to concentrate on campaigning for a referendum on Europe ... The website said Mr Helmer had stepped down from the frontbench in the European Parliament in opposition to Mr Cameron's new European policy ... "They have essentially castrated your UK influence in the European parliament," he added. (BBC News -- UK)
Timeline: The road to Lisbon Nov 4, 2009
It says the EU should be placed on a "renewed common basis" before the 2009 elections to the European Parliament. Oct 2007: Leaders reach a deal on new treaty designed to speed up decision making. (BBC News -- Europe)
Sellafield turns away BNP leader Nov 4, 2009
Mr Griffin said he wanted to visit the site, which sits within his North West European Parliament constituency, because he is pro-nuclear power ... The BNP leader sits on the European Parliament's environment committee and in that capacity asked to visit Sellafield. (BBC News -- UK)
TVP chooses new head Nov 4, 2009
He was most recently an advisor to the law commission at the European Parliament in Brussels. Related Articles. (Multichannel News)
Regulate, not ban, is sensible path taken by others Nov 3, 2009
The European Trade Union Confederation welcomed the vote in the European Parliament because it ensured that social partners now have a major role to play in protecting agency workers. This seems a sensible approach and one that Fedusa endorses. (Business Report, South Africa)
The Record: Europe on the aftermath of the Brussels summit Nov 3, 2009
And we hear from UKIP's Paul Nuttal, Danish Social Democrat Dan Jorgensen and the Dutch Liberal Sophie in't Veld on the scrapping of the national veto and more powers to the European Parliament ... The Record: Europe examines the key moments in the political week in Brussels and Strasbourg and focuses on the work of the European Parliament and European Commission. (BBC News -- Europe)
* Blair in final effort to win over Merkel Nov 2, 2009
The strongest attack on Blairs candidacy was delivered in Brussels by the German head of the socialist group in the European parliament, Martin Schulz. He rounded on Brown on Thursday, saying that Blair had been a grave disappointment as prime minister because he had failed to take the UK into the euro or the Schengen open borders agreement, and had split Europe over Iraq. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Platini wants a level playing field Nov 1, 2009
In February, Platini addressed the European Parliament for, appropriately, the 90 minutes that it takes to play a soccer match ... There were, and possibly still are, members of the European Parliament who believe in the adage that a soccer player is a person whose brains begin in the toes and end at the knees. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
The Omega-3 Battle: Which Margarine Is Healthier? Oct 31, 2009
In 2007, the European Parliament passed a law allowing companies to tout the health benefits of omega-3s on their food products without having to differentiate between the plant-derived and fish-derived kinds ... "They would be able to pour in cheap plant oils, but imply that they deliver the same health benefits as fish oils," says John Stein, a neurophysiology professor at Oxford University and one of the scientists urging the European Parliament to vote against the proposal and instead set up... (Time.com)
EU strikes climate funding deal Oct 31, 2009
However, the Green bloc in the European parliament criticised the EU leaders for failing to fix the costing, calling the deal "a calamitous result for the climate". "The EU preferred to give into dissension, opacity and internal tactics during the negotiations between the member states," the bloc's leaders said. (BBC News -- Europe)
Jostling for position Oct 31, 2009
Those EU leaders who cheered Mr Blair s failed candidacy also made it clear that they saw his defeat as a big win for a more federalist vision of Europe, in which national governments are no more important than the European Commission and the European Parliament. Attention is now turning to modest government leaders from the centre-right, with a bias towards small countries. (The Economist)
EU summit removes hurdle to Lisbon Treaty Oct 31, 2009
As for financial supervision, the leaders called on the EU presidency and the European Parliament to initiate the process on two draft legislative proposals on the establishment of a European Systemic Risk Board for macro-prudential supervision. The meeting urged the member states to reach an agreement by December 2009 on a complete package setting up a new supervisory structure in Europe. (Xinhuanet, China)
MERKEL AND SARKOZY UNITE TO END BLAIR'S EUROPEAN DREAM... Oct 31, 2009
"A source close to Martin Schultz, leader of the Socialist group in the European Parliament, said: "Miliband has a good reputation and his standing is good. He is seen as someone who is pro-European and constructive. (The Drudge Report)
EU agrees climate deal on helping poor nations Oct 31, 2009
The Greens in the European parliament dismissed the deal as "a calamitous result for the climate," accusing the 27 heads of state and government of refusing to put their hands in their pockets. Seven central and eastern European Union members, led by Poland, had also sought to have more concrete proposals on how Europe is to share the bill for Copenhagen. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Miliband must apologise - Cameron Oct 31, 2009
The row dates back to Mr Miliband's speech to the Labour Party conference in September, in which he attacked the Conservatives' new grouping in the European Parliament, headed by Mr Kaminski. Complicated person. (BBC News -- Europe)
Bagehot: Cameron's ransom Oct 30, 2009
Earlier this year, David Cameron fulfilled a pledge to pull his Conservative members of the European Parliament out of the European People s Party (EPP), the block to which they formerly belonged ... Unfortunately, while it helps to rationalise his approach to the European Parliament, it also suggests a much bigger worry. (The Economist)
EU summit opens to discuss climate change Oct 30, 2009
President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek attends a press conference during the European Union (EU) Summit in Brussels, capital of Belgium, Oct. 29, 2009. Leaders of 27 EU member states met here on Thursday for a two-day summit to discuss about climate financing, EU institutional and economic issues. (Xinhuanet, China)
Charlemagne: Deciding Europe's place in the world Oct 30, 2009
National governments have decided to keep the external-action service under their control rather than placing it under the commission, and have ignored demands from the European Parliament for legal oversight over the new body. That is sensible national governments enjoy a democratic legitimacy that the European Parliament does not. (The Economist)
Greek politician targeted in bombing Oct 30, 2009
The pre-dawn blast occurred outside the Athens home of European Parliament member Marietta Giannakou on Friday following a warning telephone call. It was not immediately clear whether Giannakou was in the building when the time-bomb exploded. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Far right gains clout in Hungary: analyst Oct 29, 2009
BUDAPEST, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- The far right was gaining momentum in Hungary since winning seats in the European Parliament in June elections, an analyst for the Political Capital Policy Research and Consulting Institute said Wednesday ... In June's European Parliament elections, Jobbik garnered 400,000 votes, which suggests that the far right managed to win over many people who have become disillusioned with the parties currently in parliament. (Xinhuanet, China)
* MOFA positive on hopes for European visa waiver Oct 29, 2009
X Charles Tannock, the chairman of the Taiwan Friendship Group in the European Parliament ... Chiu said the proposal to include Taiwan in the program would hopefully be ratified by the end of this month before seeking approval from the Council of Europe and the European Parliament (EP), but that the newly signed Lisbon Treaty, which will bring a dramatic change in the EU governance system, could delay the process. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Israel does not need friends like these Oct 28, 2009
While Griffin, who was elected in June to the European Parliament, is not usually paid much attention, this time was different. He was speaking on Britain's most prestigious political television program, BBC's Question Time. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
* Obamas prize: a worthwhile risk for peace Oct 27, 2009
Michel Rocard, former prime minister of France and leader of the Socialist Party, is a member of the European Parliament. COPYRIGHT: PROJECT SYNDICATE This story has been viewed 287 times. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
INSIDE EUROPE Oct 27, 2009
Election year guide to the European Parliament. A glossary of key eurojargon words and phrases. (BBC News -- Europe)
Carey rejects BNP Christian claim Oct 25, 2009
Mr Griffin, who was one of two BNP candidates to be elected to the European Parliament earlier this year, faced robust questioning about his views on race, immigration and the Holocaust from a largely hostile audience on Question Time on Thursday. He criticised Islam and defended a past head of the Ku Klux Klan but insisted that he was "not a Nazi". (BBC News -- UK)
Controversial guest lifts BBC show's ratings Oct 25, 2009
In June, the BNP won two seats - one for Griffin - in Britain's 72-seat contingent to the European parliament, the first time it won election to anything higher than a local council. On Friday, the early reading by many of Britain's major newspapers was that Griffin lost the debate heavily on points. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Beyond the pale: BBC faces tough questions for hosting the far right Oct 24, 2009
The BBC, which Mr Griffin denounced on the program as ''ultra-leftist'', had claimed impartiality rules meant that it had little choice but to invite him on to the program after the British National Party won seats in the European Parliament in elections earlier this year ... About a million people voted for his party at the European elections, leading to Mr Griffin taking up one of its two seats in the European Parliament. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Poll boost for British far-right party after Griffin's TV appearance Oct 24, 2009
2 per cent share in the European Parliament elections in June, which saw Griffin and a colleague voted in. The British Broadcasting Corporation has defended the decision, saying it was duty-bound to be impartial. (Channelnewsasia.com)
Why Angry British Voters Are Tuning In to Bigots Oct 24, 2009
In the June elections for the European Parliament, the anger of these voters propelled the BNP to its greatest-ever success. The racist party won close to a million votes and two seats in the Parliament. (Time.com)
Miliband tipped for EU foreign minister's post Oct 24, 2009
A Stop Blair petition has been launched by German European Parliament members, while British Liberal MEPs have demanded a more open debate. The job itself is president of the European council of EU government chiefs, who attend summits at least four times a year and determine policy. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
INTERVIEW - EU parliament head sees Lisbon in place year-end Oct 24, 2009
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - The president of the European Parliament said on Friday he expected the Lisbon reform treaty to come into force before the end of the year, although he acknowledged there were risks to his assessment ... European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the House of the European Union in Vienna October 16, 2009. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Poll boost for British far-right after TV first Oct 24, 2009
" The BBC invited him on after his party won nearly a million votes -- and a 6.2 percent share -- in the European Parliament elections in June, which saw Griffin and a colleague voted in. The British Broadcasting Corporation has defended the decision, saying it was duty bound to be impartial. The BBC said it had received more than 350 complaints about the show, most of which alleged bias against the BNP. Nearly eight million people watched the show -- triple the regular audience. Saturday's... (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Europe backs down on piracy plans Oct 24, 2009
The European Parliament has given the green light for member states to cut persistent file-sharers off from the net ... An amendment to the European Parliament's forthcoming telecoms legislation was designed to protect citizens against being automatically cut off from the net ... The European Parliament has already adopted a provision stating that internet access is "critical for the practical exercise of a wide array of fundamental rights". (BBC News -- Technology)
