EU-Canada trade agreement

Commission backtracking on ratification process welcome but problems with CETA remain

The European Commission today set out a proposal as to how the EU-Canada trade agreement (CETA) should be ratified. Responding to the proposal, Green trade spokesperson Yannick Jadot stated: "We welcome that the Commission has backtracked from its initial plan and is proposing a proper and d...

EU anti-terrorism rules

Missed opportunity as MEPs vote for false solutions

The EU’s justice and home affairs committee today voted on draft EU anti-terrorism laws. The Greens expressed disappointment with the outcome, in particular the adoption of counter-productive provisions to criminalise traveling for criminal purposes. Speaking after the vote, Green home affairs spo...

Searching for a new narrative

30.06.2016

Ways out of radicalisation

A number of experts and policymakers will discuss how democratic societies should deal with radicalisation.

EU Global Strategy for the European Union's Foreign and Security

Greens/EFA Group issues alternative EU strategy

The Greens/EFA Group has today issued 27 specific recommendations on how to make a substantial contribution to security and peace. They welcome parts of Mogherini's strategy but stress that sets the wrong priorities in many respect

EU Global Strategy for the European Union's Foreign and Security

Greens/EFA Group issues alternative EU strategy

The Greens/EFA Group has today issued 27 specific recommendations on how to make a substantial contribution to security and peace. They welcome parts of Mogherini's strategy but stress that sets the wrong priorities in many respect

Russia

Prolonging EU sanctions correct and necessary

EU governments today agreed in principle to prolong the sanctions against Russia put in place after the war in the Donbas Region. Commenting on the decision, Greens/EFA co-president Rebecca Harms said: "This decision is correct and necessary given the Russian authorities are still refusing to ...

Conflict minerals

Binding rules agreed, as EU takes problem seriously

The European Parliament and Council today reached a political agreement on a new EU regulation aimed at tackling the problem of conflict minerals by introducing transparency provisions. Commenting on the outcome, Green development spokesperson Judith Sargentini said: “This deal is a breakthrough i...

Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 6-9 June 2016

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg plenary included: Glyphosate: decision on extending the controversial substance; Food security and a fair food supply chain; Watering down EU rules on financial speculation; legal EU migration tainted by outsourcing to 3rd countries; Tobacco, health and the role of industry: international rules; Panama Papers: EP inquiry into tax evasion and money laundering in the EU; EU Commission refusing to act on health-damaging chemicals; Preventing further approvals of GMOs; MEPs demand regulation on open, efficient and independent EU administration.

CETA

Luxembourg parliament resolution demands legal clarification, not ready to vote on deal

The Luxembourg parliament voted in support of a resolution on the EU-Canada deal CETA on Tuesday (June 8), that calls upon the government to seek legal clarification on the investor rights provisions in the agreement. It also demands that CETA is a “mixed deal” requiring ratification in Member State parliaments once these legal irregularities have been addressed.

The Greens/EFA Co-Presidents' briefing

07.06.2016

LIVE press conference 7 June 10:30-10:50

Greens/EFA co-presidents Rebecca Harms and Philippe Lamberts present the key issues of the plenary session and of the European agenda for the Greens/EFA group

EU funding for New Alliance ignores murky world of land-grabs and human rights violations

On the face of it, the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition looks like an extremely worthy project: encouraging private investment in African farming to help improve food production and reduce hunger and poverty.

Migration

Outsourcing to 'third countries' an abdication of responsibility

The European Commission today presented its proposals for a 'Migration Compact' system for managing an EU approach to migration, as well as for a legal entry visa programme for high-skilled migrants, the so-called 'blue card'. Commenting on the 'Migration Compact', Green migration spokesperson Judit...