Plenary15. June 2008

EU exploitation of biological resources in West Africa

Speech by Fritjhof Schmidt

Policy coherence for development and the effects of the EU's exploitation of certain biological natural resources on development in West Africa

Plenary15. June 2008

European electricity market --

who has the power?

Speech by Rebecca Harms

French and German companies have a stranglehold of European grids and pipelines. Since the same energy giants control distribution, it is no surprise that their profits are growing while customers’ bills are rising. This situation is also stifling an increase of renewables contribution to the energy mix.

Event05. June 2008

For a bullfighting-free Europe

Open seminar

The seminar organised by the Greens/EFA and animal protection organisations coincides with a two-day pro-bullfighting conference in the European Parliament. Green MEPs and guest speakers will argue that culture is no excuse for cruelty. An information stand will be present in the European parliament throughout the week.

Plenary05. June 2008

The Barcelona Process:

Union for the Mediterranean

Speech by Hélène Flautre

Council and Commission statements

Plenary22. May 2008

Legal protection for the environment

Speech by Monica Frassoni

Causing serious damage to the environment can have devastating effects on human health and the environment. Harmful practices must be criminalised. This first Directive for penal law on environmental protection has been substantially improved from the initial report, thanks to pressure from the Greens/EFA group.

Plenary22. May 2008

Tragic situation in Burma

Speech by Daniel Cohn-Bendit

The European Parliament's unequivocal condemnation of the Burmese military junta reflects the scale of the catastrophe on the ground. It is Burma's duty to protect the people on its territory. The international community must not tolerate the Burmese authorities' indifference as they allow their people to suffer within arm's reach of humanitarian aid.

Event15. 04. 08

Whatever happened to democracy?

A seminar on lobbying in Europe

Guest speakers :
Miguel Jara, Journalist and author of "Conspiraciones Tóxicas"
Sascha Adamek, Author of "Der Gekaufte Staat"
Ludwig Krämer, Professor of environmental law
Craig Holman, Public Citizen US
Paul de Clerck, Friends of the Earth Europe

Event13. March 2008

EU Spring Summit

European leaders must keep their promises on climate change policy The next EU Spring Summit or European Council will take place on 13 and 14 March. One of the main topic to be addressed will be climate change. The Slovenian Presidency is expected to push for more ambitious climate targets: a -30% GHG reduction by 2020 instead of the current -20%.

Plenary12. March 2008

Situation in Chad

Speech by Marie-Hélène Aubert

Council and Commission statements - Situation in Chad

Plenary07. March 2008

The Health Check on the CAP

Speech by Friedrich-Wilhelm Graefe zu Baringdorf

Report: Lutz Goepel (A6-0047/2008) - The Health Check on the CAP
The European Parliament will put the current practices of the Common Agricultural Policy under the microscope on Tuesday. While it will still be a stock taking exercise, it will be done with a view to a thorough reform of this centrepiece of the community polices, which gobbles up almost half of the European Union’s budget. The way to go is clear: phase out subsidies linked to quantitative production, simplify direct payments to farmers, end quotas and shift support in favour of rural development. The French want to conclude the health check under their EU presidency. Parliament would prefer to wait until the Treaty enters in force, which gives it full power over the agricultural budget for the first time.

Plenary21. February 2008

Follow-up of the Territorial Agenda and Leipzig Charter

Speech by

The report by Green MEP Gisela Kallenbach which was adopted by the EP with a huge majority gives strong support for developing a European policy on sustainable territorial development and for making the territorial and urban dimension matter in post-2013 cohesion policy. MEPs gave their support for strengthening the integrated approach and making it a binding condition for receiving EU Structural Funds. They also followed our rapporteur claiming full implementation of Natura 2000 requirements in European territorial development. The report makes concrete proposals to foster the implementation of the Territorial Agenda and Leipzig Charter such as benchmarking between Member States in their progress to reduce land use consumption.The report turned the EP to play a more active role in the political debate on European territorial development being the most important statement of the EP in this process.