News Archive
MEPs brand EU fisheries policy as 'catastrophic'
MEPs have described a new report by European auditors on the EU's management of fish stocks as "damning"
Thursday 9th February 2012
Hungary's media laws branded 'deeply troubling'
EU commissioner Neelie Kroes has launched a withering verbal attack on Hungary's media laws, branding them as "deeply troubling"
Thursday 9th February 2012
EU 'must protect consumers' from excessive roaming charges
The EU has been urged to do more to ensure fair pricing for mobile phone users when travelling abroad
Thursday 9th February 2012
Leading commission official allays fears of '1930s-style slump'
A senior commission official has moved to allay fears that the EU is heading towards a 1930s-style slump
Thursday 9th February 2012
McMillan-Scott lambasts China for its 'abhorrent' record
Senior British deputy Edward McMillan-Scott has denounced the Chinese regime's "abhorrent treatment of innocent people"
Thursday 9th February 2012
Veteran UK deputy appointed rapporteur on controversial ACTA dossier
Veteran Scottish MEP David Martin has been appointed rapporteur for the parliamentary report on the controversial anti-counterfeiting trade agreement (ACTA), saying he will "not be rushed" on the dossier
Thursday 9th February 2012
Homeless people 'excluded' from European rights
ALDE deputy Niccolo Rinaldi has said that homeless people in the EU are being "excluded" from their rights to European citizenship and freedom of movement
Wednesday 8th February 2012
EU urged to 'keep up the pressure' on Iran
A leading MEP says it is "vital" the international community keeps the pressure on Iran over its alleged nuclear enrichment programme
Wednesday 8th February 2012
Parliament president talks of Germany's 'difficult' history
Parliament's president Martin Schulz has spoken of the "demons" of Germany's past during a press conference discussion on the 'Armenian genocide' of 1915-16
Wednesday 8th February 2012
EU-India summit 'will give impetus' to trade talks
A key EU-India summit this week is designed to give "added impetus" to a free trade agreement between the two sides
Wednesday 8th February 2012
Senior EU official denies that ETS is discriminatory
A senior commission official has denied that Europe's emissions trading scheme (ETS) is "discriminatory"
Wednesday 8th February 2012
Turkish minister appeals for quick resolution to Cyprus problem
Turkish EU affairs minister Egemen Bagis has called for a speedy resolution of the Cyprus problem
Wednesday 8th February 2012
Human rights and ETS under spotlight at EU-China summit
Human rights are expected to take centre stage at a key summit between the EU and China next week
Tuesday 7th February 2012
Commission's FTT proposal 'a step in the right direction'
A financial transaction tax (FTT) is an important part of a "citizen friendly approach" to securing economic growth, according to parliament's rapporteur on the issue Anni Podimata
Tuesday 7th February 2012
MEP outcry over EU flag proposal
A report calling on national sports teams to wear the EU flag on their shirts received its final backing from parliament
Friday 3rd February 2012
EU and China 'should look at each other with new eyes'
EU culture commissioner Androulla Vassiliou has urged the EU and China to look at each other with "new eyes"
Friday 3rd February 2012
EU can play a 'crucial role' in reviving Europe's maritime regions
A parliamentary hearing has been told the EU can play a "crucial role" in helping to breathe new life into Europe's ailing maritime regions
Friday 3rd February 2012
EU cohesion funds spent on 'harmful' projects
A new report claims that "substantial" environmental and social harm is being caused by EU-funded projects
Thursday 2nd February 2012EU biofuel targets will trigger 'higher prices'
A new report predicts that motorists across Europe are set to pay an additional €18bn a year for petrol and diesel as a result of EU biofuel targets that "have been shown not to reduce emissions"
Thursday 2nd February 2012
EU parliament president under fire over 'breach' of rules of procedure
Parliament's newly-elected president Martin Schulz has been branded "unfit" for the prestige post after allegedly breaking parliamentary rules of procedure
Thursday 2nd February 2012
ALDE leader in glowing tribute to party colleague
Tributes have been paid to veteran Liberal MEP Liz Lynne who has stepped down from parliament
Thursday 2nd February 2012
Ashton Q&A with MEPs 'insufficiently advertised'
Senior deputy Tim Kirkhope says MEPs' regular Q&A session with EU foreign affairs Catherine Ashton is "not sufficiently" advertised
Thursday 2nd February 2012
EEAS attacked over 'rising costs'
EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton has made a robust defence of the "mounting cost" of running the EU's diplomatic corps
Wednesday 1st February 2012
MEP condemns latest 'gay' arrests in northern Cyprus
A fresh outbreak of arrests in northern Cyprus for "unnatural intercourse" have been condemned by UK deputy Marina Yannakoudakis
Wednesday 1st February 2012
EU and Pakistan should 'engage more positively'
British MEP Sajjad Karim has called on the EU and Pakistan to "engage more positively" with each other
Wednesday 1st February 2012
EU pressed to 'step up' aid to war-torn South Sudan
A senior Unicef representative in South Sudan has appealed to the EU to "step up" its aid to the war-ravaged country
Wednesday 1st February 2012
EU urged to 'tread carefully' in dealings with Egypt
The EU has been urged to "tread very carefully" in its dealings with Egypt in the wake of the country's revolution
Wednesday 1st February 2012
Tory MEP accuses own party of 'masterly inactivity'
UK Tory rebel MEP Roger Helmer has launched a blistering attack on the party's hierarchy over his decision to quit parliament
Wednesday 1st February 2012
Croatia's EU accession called into question
A hearing in parliament has been told that Croatia's suitability for joining the EU "should be put under the spotlight"
Wednesday 1st February 2012
Party activist named as replacement for Diana Wallis
Party activist Rebecca Taylor will replace failed parliament president candidate Diana Wallis as an MEP, it has been confirmed
Tuesday 31st January 2012
EU commission reports says higher emission targets are 'feasible'
Reducing Europe's emissions is more cost-effective than previously thought, according to a new report by the European commission
Tuesday 31st January 2012
Mixed response to outcome of EU summit
Parliament's new president Martin Schulz has urged the EU to find a use for the "billions of euros" in the EU-budget which he says is not taken up by member states
Tuesday 31st January 2012
Eurosceptic deputy reveals 'real cost' of MEP delegation trips
The 'real cost' of overseas delegation trips for MEPs, or 'jollies' as they have been dubbed by some, has been revealed in answer to a parliamentary question
Monday 30th January 2012
EU watchdog voices concern over commission's 'early warning system'
European ombudsman Nikiforos Diamandouros has called on the commission to ensure that it's computerised "early warning system" (EWS), which identifies people deemed to pose a threat to the financial interests of the EU, respects fundamental rights
Monday 30th January 2012
Fiscal compact and eurobonds top parliamentary agenda
Europe's economic woes are set to dominate this week's parliament agenda, with the mini-plenary to focus on the outcomes of the EU summit on new fiscal union rules and a resolution on eurobonds
Monday 30th January 2012
Wallis quit as an MEP 'because she had no influence'
Parliamentary veteran Diana Wallis decided to step down as an MEP because she felt there 'no point' being in parliament if she did not hold a position of influence, it has been claimed
Monday 30th January 2012
EU leaders urged to 'open up' more markets to boost Europe's competitiveness
EU leaders meeting in Brussels have been urged to cultivate "more open markets" in order to revive Europe's competitiveness and prevent another economic downturn
Monday 30th January 2012
EU and member states 'can learn from the UK' on rail reform
A conference in parliament this week will be told that Britain's experience in developing Europe's first liberalised passenger rail market "can help inform" rail policy for other EU countries
Monday 30th January 2012
EU urged 'not to bow' to China's demands over Taiwan
Senior MEP Edward McMillan-Scott has welcomed the outcome of Taiwan's recent presidential elections, saying they could pave the way for better ties with mainland China
Monday 30th January 2012
Campaigners 'dismayed' at new EU animal welfare plans
The charity World Horse Welfare has warned that the commission's recently-announced animal welfare strategy gives "horses short shrift"
Monday 30th January 2012
ACTA rapporteur resigns over lack of transparency
French S&D deputy Kader Arif has resigned as rapporteur of the controversial anti-counterfeiting trade agreement (ACTA), saying the process lacked transparency and that the European parliament was denied its say in the negotiations
Friday 27th January 2012
Europe 'must tackle burden of diabetes'
Diabetes and other chronic diseases are putting "mounting pressure" on Europe's health sector, Danish European affairs minister Nicolai Wammen has warned
Thursday 26th January 2012
MEP candidate defends 'right' to take seat
The man at the centre of a 'jobs for the boys' row has defended his right to take the seat relinquished by senior Liberal Democrat MEP Diana Wallis
Thursday 26th January 2012
Member states urged to support EU citizens' initiative
EU commissioner Maroš Šefcovic has appealed to member states to ensure the 'citizen's initiative' is up and running by 1 April
Thursday 26th January 2012
Economic growth tops agenda for Danish presidency
Danish European affairs minister Nicolai Wammen has said that his country's council presidency will focus on boosting economic growth in the EU
Thursday 26th January 2012
EU urged to tackle mental health stigma
The EU must do more to tackle the stigma experienced by those suffering from mental health problems, a European parliament discussion has heard
Thursday 26th January 2012
Former EU parliament president defends cost of new museum
Parliament's former president Hans-Gert Pöttering has made a strong defence of the new European House of History
Thursday 26th January 2012
EU commission aims to give consumers 'more control' of their personal data
The commission has announced radical plans under which companies face being fined up to two per cent of their annual turnover if they breach proposed EU data laws
Wednesday 25th January 2012
Most people remain 'unconcerned' by demographic change
A new Eurobarometer survey shows that 71 per cent of Europeans are aware that Europe's population is getting older
Wednesday 25th January 2012
Top EAS official predicts 'tortuous' talks on EU budget
The top civil servant at the EU's diplomatic corps has made a robust defence of the service
Wednesday 25th January 2012
EU 'can help shape' global response to world poverty
The EU has an important role to play in "shaping" global action on poverty reduction, according to American billionaire Bill Gates
Tuesday 24th January 2012
Harbour aims to be a 'consumer champion' after re-election
UK Conservative MEP Malcolm Harbour has been re-elected as chairman of parliament's internal market and consumer protection committee for the remainder of the parliamentary term until 2014
Tuesday 24th January 2012
MEPs call for increased traceability on implants
MEPs are calling on the European commission to ensure more traceability and unannounced inspections for the manufacturers of breast implants
Tuesday 24th January 2012
EU moves to reduce environmental risk from Concordia accident
The EU is "closely following" efforts to remove more than 2300 tonnes of diesel from the wreckage of the Costa Concordia cruise ship, transport commissioner Siim Kallas has said
Tuesday 24th January 2012
ECR MEP in bitter dispute with UK Tory party over succession candidate
UK Tory deputy Roger Helmer says he will withdraw his decision to quit parliament in a row over the person who will replace him
Tuesday 24th January 2012
Appointment of ex-commission chief sparks criticism
Some MEPs have reacted with incredulity to news that the new head of the European Financial Stability Facility´s (EFSF) first-loss insurance scheme will be Jacques Santer.
Tuesday 24th January 2012
Drug smugglers increasingly targeting 'lucrative' European market
A senior official with Europol, the EU crime-busting agency, has voiced concern about "worrying" new trends in the illegal drugs market
Tuesday 24th January 2012
EU report highlights 'importance' of SMEs
A European commission study has shown that 85 percent of new jobs in the EU are from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)
Tuesday 24th January 2012
Wallis resignation sparks fresh protest by colleague
UK MEP Chris Davies has resigned as Liberal Democrat whip in parliament in a gesture of protest against the expected confirmation that Stewart Arnold is to be one of the party's MEPs
Tuesday 24th January 2012
Ratings agencies and fiscal compact set to top parliamentary agenda
Sparks are expected to fly when the economic and monetary affairs committee holds its Tuesday hearing on credit ratings agencies, featuring financial experts, including representatives from Fitch and the European Securities and Markets Authority
Monday 23rd January 2012
Mixed reaction to MEP's shock decision to quit
Failed parliament presidential candidate Diana Wallis has defended her controversial decision to quit as an MEP
Thursday 19th January 2012
MEP's decision to quit parliament sparks outrage
Veteran British MEP Diana Wallis has been criticised over her decision to resign as an MEP following her failed bid for the parliament presidency
Thursday 19th January 2012
Hungary PM attempts to defuse row over controversial new laws
Hungary's under-fire premier Viktor Orbán will meet commission president José Manuel Barroso next week in an effort to defuse rising tension over the country's recently reformed constitution
Thursday 19th January 2012
ALDE MEP calls for shake-up in election of EU parliament vice-presidents
Parliament's new president Martin Schulz has been urged to back a proposal for a radical shake-up in the way the assembly's vice-presidents are elected
Thursday 19th January 2012
MEPs back new draft rules on electronic waste
MEPs have voted to tighten EU rules tackling the "growing mountain" of hazardous electronic waste
Thursday 19th January 2012