Foreign affairs

Hemicycle European Parliament Strasbourg
European Union

A look on the plenary week

Greens/EFA priorities - session 10-13 February 2020

A look ahead to the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg and the Greens/EFA priority issues on the agenda

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Commission's enlargement proposals on Western Balkans

Quotes from Viola von Cramon MEP & Reinhard Bütikofer MEP

There is a chance it seems, that there will be a new dynamic in the EU’s enlargement policy. Hopefully that will result in finally opening accession talks with both North Macedonia and Albania during the Croatian presidency. The new methodology for enlargement negotiations that the Commission proposes will only be acceptable if it would be combined with a removal of the vetoes

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The European Union, Turkey, the Middle East and the Kurds

05.02.2020

16th International Conference, suppported by G/EFA, GUE/NGL, S&D

    Brussels, The European Parliament Wednesday 5th of February – 14:30 – 18:30 Thursday 6th of February – 09:30 – 17:00   WATCH THE EVENT LIVE 5th February 6th February    ...

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slash and burn amazon
Slash and burn amazon ©Matt Zimmerman (CC BY 2.0)

Analysis of the agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur

Greens/EFA Study

The study offers a comprehensive review of the disciplines and mechanisms covered in the hundreds of pages of text which make up the agreement, and of their potential effects. It covers all chapters published so far, addressing changes to trade flows in goods and services, rules, standard-making and non-tariff barriers to trade. The study is based on a textual analysis of the agreement itself, while also integrating secondary literature, impact assessments, and the perspectives and analyses of stakeholders on the agreement.

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strasbourg building ep
© European Union 2015 - Source EP

Greens/EFA Debriefing

Plenary week, 16-19 December 2019

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the rule of law in Malta, conflict of interest and corruption, situation of the Uyghur in China, EU pollinators initiative, animal welfare, EU-Mercosur and European Green Deal, EU Ombudsperson, ...

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Political map of the Middle East
Public Domain

North and East Syria/Rojava

11.12.2019

A Regional and Global Litmus Test

This conference will focus on the current situation in North-east Syria/Rojava, and on the implication of the Turkish state in it.

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Slash-and-burn forest clearing along the Rio Xingu (Xingu River) in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil

The EU-Mercosur Agreement: A threat to the environment and livelihoods?

20.11.2019

A Greens/EFA Conference

The EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, due to be voted by the European Parliament during this mandate, will be discussed in detail with researchers, experts and civil society. The event is open to all and will be livestreamed on the day

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Kilis refugee camp turkey
T.C. Başbakanlık Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı (CC BY-SA 3.0)

EU must pressure Turkey not to deport refugees to Syria

Quote from Tineke Strik & Katrin Langensiepen

Today, Syrian refugees currently residing in Turkey might have to leave Istanbul Refugees residing in Turkey or face the risk of being deported back to war-torn Syria. Refugees had until today to return to the provinces in which they were first registered when arriving in the country.

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European flags
© Photo European Parliament

Greens/EFA Debriefing

Plenary week, 21-24 October 2019

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the votes on the EU budget 2020, the search and sea rescue in the Mediterranean, the Turkish military operation in Northeast Syria, the public country-by-country reporting, pesticides and bees, the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania,...

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Free as a bird © Tiburonstudios
© Tiburonstudios

Well deserved prize for human rights defender Ilham Tohti

Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

Greens/EFA have supported and do welcome this choice. Ilham Tohti is the paradigmatic non-violent prisoner of conscience who has been jailed for life just for speaking up on behalf of Uyghur minority in China, even after being sentenced he has held on to his consistent approach of trying to build bridges between Han Chinese and the Uyghur minority.

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Macedonia map
Macedonia Map © mjbs

The European Council must open accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania

Eu enlargement

The European Parliament, on the initiative of the Greens/EFA group, adopted a firm response to the decision by three countries (France, Denmark and the Netherlands) to block opening EU accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania at last week's European Council.

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Turkey Eu Flags
CC BY dschenck

EU should impose sanctions on Turkey over Syria military intervention

Press Release from EFA MEP François Alfonsi (Corsica)

EFA MEP François Alfonsi has called on the EU to impose sanctions against the Turkish regime in response to their aggression against the Kurdish people in Rojava, northern Syria. Turkey launched a unilateral military intervention and invasion of Kurdish controlled areas. This has caused si...

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