> Brepoels calls for reform during Belgian Presidency, July 7, 2010
Flemish MEP Frieda Brepoels (N-VA) has called for the debate on institutional reform with the EU to continue during the Belgian EU Presidency even though the circumstances surrounding its start 'are not ideal' (for example the government dealing with current affairs, the ongoing government negotiations and so on).
Brepoels was speaking in the European Parliament's debate on the priorities for Belgium's six month European Council Presidency which began on 1 July. Outgoing Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme took part in the debate as did European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.
Speaking in the debate on Wednesday morning, Frieda Brepoels said:
"The circumstances surrounding the start of this presidency may not be ideal, but they do give an opportunity to focus on the true mission of a presidency under the new institutional rules.
"I do see another opportunity to steer the institutional debate, not just in Belgium but also in other EU states. Globalisation has led to a debate on the role of nation states. As Europe gains more powers, so can more powers be transferred to Flanders, Wallonia, Scotland, Catalonia, Corsica, Wales and so on.
"This is a natural process that reflects the reality of today's EU. It's completely logical that these nations should claim their place at the European table where they can play an important role in aiding the economic recovery.
"During this Presidency, Ministers from 'regional' level will also chair various Council meetings, including education, sport, fisheries, environment, regional policy and so on. This could well provide the impetus for the very necessary and far more extensive multi-level governance of the European Union."
> EVA Straatsburgoverzicht, 8 juli
This week in Strasbourg: 5 - 8 July:
○EFA in Latvia
○Intelligent Transport Systems
○EIB investment in Scotland's Green Future
○Improved passenger rights
○EU Cohesion Policy
○Belgian EU Presidency
○No to meat from cloned animals
○Iceland's EU membership
EFA MEPs have been in Strasbourg this week for a plenary session of the European Parliament. Subjects on the agenda
>>> lees verder> EVA Straatsburgoverzicht, 17 juni 2010
This week in Strasbourg: 14 - 17 June:
* Gefeliciteerd Frieda!
* Translation in criminal proceedings abroad
* Aquaculture Strategy
* Food Labelling
> MEPs condemn aid convoy attack by Israel, 1 June 2010
MEPs Jill Evans and Frieda Brepoels from the European Free Alliance Group in the European Parliament are urging the European Union to hold Israel to account for attacking an aid convoy sailing in international waters.
The attack by the Israeli Defence force killed at least ten people in the ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Both MEPs have served on the European Parliament's Palestine Delegation and visited Gaza several times. Their most recent visit was in January where they witnessed the effects of the Israeli siege
> EVA Straatsburgoverzicht, 20 mei 2010
This week in Strasbourg: 17 - 20 May:
* Organ Donations
* Schengen Information System
* EU 2020 Strategy
* Safeguarding Biodiversity
* Comments from new Fisheries Commissioner
EFA MEPs have been in Strasbourg this week for a plenary session of the European Parliament. Subjects on the agenda included a new law to help cut waiting times for organ donations and the EU 2020 strategy for growth and jobs.
> EVA Straatsburgoverzicht, 12 maart 2010
This week in
- Vote on the Goldstone Report
- Better Protection for holidaymakers
- No to GMOs in
- Traditional Fishing Rights
- Nuclear non-proliferation
- Xynthia
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> MULTILINGUALISM : MEPS PUSH FOR OFFICIAL STATUS TO MINORITY LANGUAGES ,8 March 2010
MEPs and language experts from linguistic minorities in Europe have called for official EU status for their languages. At a seminar, organised on 4 March by the European Free Alliance group, MEPs, led by more vociferous Catalan deputies, called for a change to Regulation 1 of 1958 that sets the number of official languages (now 23). Croatian and Icelandic accession, possibly in 2012, was signalled as the most opportune moment as the EU would then have to amend Regulation 1/1958 to include these countries' official languages.>>> lees verder
> EVA Overzicht mini-plenaire zitting Brussel, 26 Februari 2010
EFA MEPs have been in
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> EVA Straatsburgoverzicht, 11 februari 2010
This week in Strasbourg: 8 - 11 February
EFA MEPs have been in Strasbourg this week for a plenary session of the European Parliament. Subjects on the agenda included the vote to approve the new European Commission, the SWIFT accord with the
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> Persconferentie Egunkaria, 10 februari 2010
In het Europees Parlement ondertekende Frieda, samen met verschillende collega- parlementsleden, een verklaring ter ondersteuning van het Baskische dagblad Egunkaria. Daarin pleiten ze voor het recht op media en vrijheid van mening én uiten hun steun voor de 5 beklaagden. Egunkaria werd 7 jaar geleden verboden, haar directie staat deze dagen terecht op verdenking van " banden met het terrorisme".
>>> lees verder> EVA Straatsburgoverzicht, 22 januari 2010
This week in Strasbourg: 18 - 21 January
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> EVA Straatsburgoverzicht, 17 december 2009
This week in Strasbourg: 14 - 17 December
EFA MEPs have been in Strasbourg this week for a plenary session of the European Parliament. Subjects on the agenda included the Middle East Peace Process, the Copenhagen Summit and the Swedish EU Presidency.
>>> lees verder> Brepoels calls for EU clarity on Mid East peace process, 15 december 2009
Flemish MEP Frieda Brepoels (N-VA) has called for the EU to take a clear and unequivocal position on the future of East Jerusalem.>>> lees verder
> Backing for Catalan 'people power', 10 december 2009
MEPs from Corsica, Flanders and Wales will be in Catalonia this weekend to act as observers for the series of local referendums taking place on Catalan independence.
>>> lees verder> EVA Straatsburgoverzicht, 26 november 2009
The European Free Alliance (EFA) draws together political parties fighting for democracy and self-determination for the stateless nations and regions of
> New EU President must address 'Europe's missing link', 25 november 2009
Wales MEP and President of the EFA Parliamentary Group Jill Evans (Plaid Cymru) has called on the newly appointed President of the European Council to recognise the role nations like Wales, Scotland, Catalonia, Corsica and Flanders have to play in the European Union.>>> lees verder
> Local action critical in tackling climate change, 25 november 2009
MEPs from Wales, Scotland, Catalonia, Flanders, Corsica and Latvia have joined forces to emphasise the crucial role that historic nations and regions have to play in tackling climate change.>>> lees verder