European Union

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european court of justic
european court of justice ©katarina_dzurekova (CC BY 2.0)

European Court of Justice: Refusal to accept refugees violates EU law

Quote from Tineke Strik

The European Court of Justice has ruled, Thursday 2 April, that Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic should not have refused to admit refugees and asylum seekers. The suit was filed against the three countries by the European Commission.

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European Council
European External Action Service (https://www.flickr.com/photos/eeas/32978511020)

European Council summit

Quote from Ska Keller MEP

Following last night's video conference meeting of EU leaders, President of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, Ska Keller MEP, comments: "Despite being in the midst of an unprecedented public health emergency, it's shameful that European governments were unable to agree...

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Mask on the street - Coronavirus
© Claudio Schwarz Purzlbaum - Unsplash

European response to COVID-19 crisis

We must leave no one behind and face this together with open hearts

In response to the Corona crisis, the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament and the European Green Party are calling for European solidarity and cooperation in a new paper setting out policy responses to the crisis.

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Kosovo
Babak Fakhamzadeh (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Kosovo: Vote of no confidence amid Corona crisis

Quote from Viola von Cramon-Taubadel MEP

The current political turmoil in Kosovo and the Corona pandemic should not be used to any individual politician's advantage. Kosovo needs a stable government that can lead its citizens through these times of uncertainty and crisis.

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Budapest - Hungary © Jaap Hart
© Jaap Hart

Hungary/Corona crisis: Draft bill on modifying criminal code risks democratic standards

Quote Gwendoline Deblos-Corfield MEP

Today, the Hungarian Parliament will debate passing a motion that would allow the government to rule by decree until the end of the Corona virus crisis. Under the proposals, any law could be suspended or overridden as long as the emergency continues, and no elections including municipal, by-elections or referenda will be allowed until the government declares the emergency over.

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woman
©volkan-olmez

Increase in risk of domestic violence during COVID-19 outbreak

Quote from MEP Terry Reintke MEP

While we applaud the necessary moves to create social distancing and flatten the curve with the Corona virus, these must come with moves to protect vulnerable people against domestic violence. Reports of almost double the number cases of domestic violence in China should be taken as a serious warning here in Europe, particularly for women and children, who are most at risk.

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View over the City of Skopje
©Robert Bahn

Member States to debate start of accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia next Tuesday

Quote from Reinhard Bütikofer MEP & Tineke Strik MEP

Opening accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania is crucial to rebuild EU credibility in the Western Balkans and to ensure countries in the region maintain and strengthen trust in our common European future. The EU must demonstrate its ability to move forward particularly in this time of crisis.

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Coronavirus - We must fight together

Unprecedented EU response needed to avert worst of virus crisis

COVID-19

We need a coordinated European response like no other to meet the challenge of this global pandemic head-on. We must focus on protecting the most vulnerable; from those at high risk, to the homeless and marginalised, to refugees who have no protection whatsoever from this pandemic in overcrowded camps with very little medical attention

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Homewithsolarpanelsontheroof-Roberta Casaliggi

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) strategy

Quote from Damian Boeselager MEP

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) form the backbone of the European economy. It is good that the European Commission acknowledges the tough decisions SMEs are facing today to be competitive in the digital age and to transition to Green and sustainable business models.

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Graphic featuring gender equality

Commission's Strategy falls short of expectations

Gender Equality

""Ursula von der Leyen has said she wants to put gender equality high on the agenda, but she falls short of delivering equality within her own Strategy," comments Greens/EFA MEP Alice Bah Kuhnke.

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Kids at lesbos refugee camp
Kids at lesbos refugee camp | Fotomovimiento (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Europe must protect human rights and the rule of law

Situation on the Greece-Turkey border

"It is shameful that refugees are beaten away at European borders with batons and tear gas and when the Greek military conjures up civil war-like scenes against refugees," comments Greens/EFA co-president Ska Keller.

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Andrej Babiš
Andrej Babiš © Martin Strachoň (CC BY-SA 4.0)

MEPs' fact-finding mission to Czech Republic on conflicts of interest - quote from Daniel Freund MEP

Czech Republic

Today, a European Parliament fact-finding mission on conflicts of interest in the Czech Republic with Members of the Budgetary Control Committee has just ended. Daniel Freund MEP, Greens/EFA Member of the Budgetary Control Committee who was part of the fact-finding mission on conflicts of interest in the Czech Republic, comments:

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